Chapter 305: The Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Bone
As Yang Potian departed, the battle officially came to an end. Under Bibi Dong's command, the Titled Douluo forces made a swift retreat, Bibi Dong herself using her soul power to drag along the gravely injured Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python. These two creatures were the primary objective of the mission, but as Bibi Dong left, her gaze lingered on the Swallowing Skybird and the remaining soul beasts, a glint of intrigue in her eyes.
Yang Potian was the last to leave, waiting several minutes after the others had gone. With the absence of both Yang Potian and the Black Dragon King Di Tian, chaos erupted near the Lake of Life. The very soul beasts that had just fought against the Titled Douluo were now turning on each other, each seeming to recognize that the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python were likely gone for good, and that the Lake of Life would become prime territory.
Sensing the upheaval, Yang Potian gave a dismissive snort and quickly left the scene. Di Tian, the so-called Soul Beast Emperor and ruler of the Star Dou Forest, appeared to have made little contribution to his species, allowing the beasts to tear each other apart and leaving them vulnerable to human attacks. It was ironic, he thought; Di Tian was clearly powerful, but had his circumstances been different, he might have made an ideal soul ring.
Meanwhile, Bibi Dong and her Titled Douluo allies exited the Lake of Life, quickly heading out of the Star Dou Forest's core area. With their combined aura, no beast dared to stand in their way. They soon found a clearing at the forest's edge where they could stop. Setting down the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python, Bibi Dong prepared to harvest their spirit rings before the two beasts succumbed to their injuries—especially after Yang Potian's powerful blow had left them gravely wounded.
But before she could proceed, space shimmered, and Yang Potian reappeared among them, his sudden arrival putting everyone on edge.
Bibi Dong's expression darkened. "Yang Potian, what was the meaning of your words to Di Tian just now? Are you trying to provoke a war between my Spirit Empire and the soul beasts?"
Yang Potian gave a cold laugh. "Am I wrong, Bibi Dong? You're the Spirit Empire's Empress, soon to unify the entire continent. Are you telling me you can't fulfill your duty to protect humanity?"
"If you find this role too taxing, I'll gladly take on the title of emperor. I assure you, I won't hesitate to defend humanity against the soul beasts' transgressions."
Those around them wore looks of anger, feeling his words were a blatant challenge to Bibi Dong's authority. Qian Renxue, however, looked on with a smirk, enjoying the unfolding drama.
After a brief pause, Bibi Dong forced a smile. "As the Spirit Empire's ruler, I am indeed the only emperor on the Douluo Continent. I naturally meet all the requirements of your so-called 'human leader.' If that's the case, shouldn't your Heavenly Path Academy, as part of humanity, follow my orders?"
"Don't flatter yourself," Yang Potian replied, wearing a bemused expression. "While you may be easy on the eyes, don't get ahead of yourself. Heavenly Path Academy doesn't interfere with soul master disputes, and I have no interest in dealing with the Spirit Empire's little problems, nor will I tolerate you meddling in mine."
Bibi Dong's face darkened instantly. "Then why are you even here? Are you looking to take advantage of the situation?"
Yang Potian chuckled again. "Have you forgotten? If I hadn't held off Di Tian, would any of you have made it out alive? According to our agreement, you get the soul rings, and I get the soul bones. If you're unhappy with this arrangement, I'm open to negotiation: you can have the Titan Giant Ape, and I'll take the Azure Bull Python—he's quite useful to me."
"Our agreement indeed grants you the soul bones," Bibi Dong replied coolly. "But you failed to prevent the beasts from attacking. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had to battle Di Tian and Sr. Xiong. You didn't fulfill your part of the deal."
"You all made it out alive, didn't you?" Yang Potian's tone turned icy. "And didn't I stall Di Tian just as promised? How can you claim I didn't hold up my end?"
"But our efforts and rewards are unequal. My Spirit Empire committed immense resources, and I won't settle for merely two soul rings."
Yang Potian's face hardened. "That's of no concern to me. If you think the partnership failed, we can call it off, and you're welcome to try absorbing the soul rings without my cooperation."
As his voice dropped, an ominous chill filled the air, the killing intent palpable. The Spirit Empire's forces fell silent, realizing that two hundred-thousand-year soul bones were at stake. If Yang Potian turned against them now, everyone risked losing everything.
At this point, Qian Renxue interjected, "I agree to give him the soul bones. Let's leave it at that."
With her decision, Golden Crocodile Douluo and the other three Elders moved to her side, transforming the standoff into a three-way tension.
Bibi Dong glanced between Qian Renxue and Yang Potian before finally nodding in reluctant agreement.
She shifted into her Death Spider Emperor form, swiftly severing the Titan Giant Ape's neck. As its lifeless form fell, a massive blood-red spirit ring emerged.
Before anyone could react, Yang Potian reached out, summoning a glowing soul bone from the Titan Giant Ape's body. It was a radiant left arm soul bone, which he pocketed immediately, ignoring the envious stares of others as he seated himself nearby.
Bibi Dong then began absorbing the Titan Giant Ape's spirit ring.
Yang Potian took this moment to contemplate the recent battle. From beginning to end, it had been somewhat anticlimactic. Di Tian hadn't intervened until the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python were critically injured, then arrived with Sr. Xiong and summoned the soul beasts.
Yet despite their numbers, the summoned beasts were relatively weak; there were no other formidable savage beasts on the scene.
Had the Emerald Swan Bi Ji appeared, the two soul beasts likely wouldn't have died at all. As a soul beast healer, Bi Ji's powers far surpassed those of Ye Lingling, and such injuries would have been nothing for her to heal.
And then, there was that dragon roar at the end—an unexpected factor. Despite his strength, Yang Potian had felt his soul tremble under its force, a clear indication that only the Silver Dragon King could wield such power. Had he not been clutching the Shura Demon Sword at that moment, he wasn't certain what might have happened.
The Silver Dragon King's intentions remained unclear.
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