Chapter 225: The Lake of Life, Part 1
As expected, Ye Wen thought. It was indeed Di Tian who had instigated the beast tide. A powerful entity with golden eyes like his could hardly be mistaken.
"So, it really was you…" Ye Wen murmured, thoughtful.
But with Di Tian involved, ending this beast tide wouldn't be so simple. Sending Da Ming back on his own would only risk Di Tian causing further trouble. After considering this, Ye Wen gave Da Ming a new directive.
"Da Ming, come with me back into the Star Dou Forest," Ye Wen instructed. "The aftermath of this situation isn't something you can handle alone. Have the others return as well; if the human armies launch a counterattack, the casualties will be severe."
Da Ming nodded, beginning the process of dispersing the remaining spirit beasts.
Sword Douluo and his allies exchanged glances, feeling somewhat defeated. After two days of hard fought battle, the whole thing had ended abruptly, almost anticlimactically. Ye Wen turned to them, issuing his next orders.
"The situation here is resolved. You may all return," he said. "When you report back, remember to spread the word that it was Bibi Dong, the Spirit Hall's Supreme Pontiff, who repelled the Azure Bull Python. Leave my involvement out of it."
"Yes, sir!" the three Douluo responded in unison.
With the grander ambitions of Ye Wen now well known among them, they willingly complied, despite knowing it might temporarily diminish the reputations of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. The gains of aligning with Ye Wen far outweighed the minor setbacks.
Thus, the beast tide that had swept across half of the Douluo Continent came to a close. While both empires had suffered heavy losses, the lower population density near the Star Dou Forest helped mitigate the damage. The Spirit Hall, particularly Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong, basked in newfound glory as the vanquisher of the Azure Bull Python, much to the dismay of the two empires, which had struggled in vain to undercut the Spirit Hall's influence.
Satisfied with the outcome, Bibi Dong's lips curved into a charming smile.
After settling the immediate crisis, Ye Wen did not immediately return to the Tianxing Academy. Instead, he accompanied Da Ming into the depths of the Star Dou Forest, heading toward the Lake of Life. Standing on the shores of the lake, brimming with vitality, Ye Wen couldn't help but marvel at the sight. This was indeed the source of life for Douluo Star.
The Silver Dragon King truly lacks caution, he thought. While the lake's life energy might help heal her injuries, it was also the most conspicuous location on Douluo Star. If the God Kings were to search, they'd surely start here.
Da Ming interrupted his thoughts. "Lord Ye Wen, what should we do next?"
To avoid compromising the hidden sanctum, Ye Wen decided against an aggressive approach. "Go to the lake's depths," he instructed Da Ming. "The entity down there will sense you. Tell him I sent you to invite him out. He won't harm you."
After a moment's hesitation, Da Ming nodded, trusting Ye Wen's wisdom despite feeling uncertain. A short while later, a tall, dignified man with golden eyes and a black robe emerged from the shadows, casting a wary gaze upon Ye Wen.
Ye Wen regarded Di Tian calmly, knowing that the once mighty beast's powers were now a fraction of their former strength.
"Greetings. I believe this is our first time meeting face to face, Di Tian. I am the new Sea God, Ye Wen. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Di Tian felt irked by Ye Wen's tone but held back his irritation. He had the dragon clan's future to consider. In a restrained voice, he responded, "Sea God, why have you come here?"
Seeing Di Tian's attitude, Ye Wen dropped all pretenses of politeness. "Why? Because of you, of course."
"What?" Di Tian's face twisted in irritation. "I don't recall ever provoking you. Just because you're the Sea God doesn't give you the right to throw your weight around with me."
Ye Wen couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity. Di Tian's arrogance and blundering incompetence, much as they appeared in the original story, were on full display here in reality.
"Throwing my weight around?" Ye Wen smirked. "Do you truly have no memory of what you did?"
Di Tian narrowed his eyes as Ye Wen's aura intensified, and even in his reduced state, Di Tian could feel the mounting pressure. Although he didn't recall offending Ye Wen, he understood that he couldn't win against the Sea God.
For the sake of the Silver Dragon King's safety, Di Tian suppressed his pride and spoke in a low voice. "I honestly don't know what I did to upset you. Tell me what it is, and if I have caused you loss, I'll compensate you."
At that, Ye Wen's expression softened, but only slightly. "Did you or did you not order Da Ming to launch this beast tide?"
"Yes, I did."
"Why? What compelled a being of your power to trigger a beast tide against ordinary people?"
Di Tian's direct admission left Ye Wen both perplexed and curious. In Douluo Dalu II, Di Tian's rampage had been prompted by the death of the three eyed Golden Lion, but that creature hadn't even been born yet.
Di Tian hesitated, conflicted. The plan he was pursuing was risky, and revealing it could bring consequences for the Silver Dragon King. Yet, seeing Ye Wen's resolute gaze, he knew he had no choice but to explain.
"I seek to become a god through the faith of spirit beasts," he finally confessed. "In preparing for this, I decided that the faith of spirit beasts would be necessary to gather enough divine power. But not long ago, a human titled Douluo slaughtered countless ten thousand year spirit beasts right before me. Though I managed to cripple him, he escaped. In my anger at humanity's merciless hunting of spirit beasts, I ordered the beast tide."
Ye Wen was speechless. He looked at Di Tian, his gaze as piercing as it was incredulous.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Di Tian demanded, visibly uncomfortable.
"Didn't Snow Empress already warn you?" Ye Wen asked. "Spirit beasts can't become gods on Douluo Star. How did you think you'd manage it?"
Di Tian's golden eyes flashed with pride. "You forget, Sea God I was once a God King myself. The laws governing Douluo Star may favor the gods, but with the right method, I'll ascend once more."
Ye Wen felt at a loss for words. Di Tian's unfounded arrogance bordered on delusion. Should I tell him that the rule against spirit beasts ascending was imposed by none other than the most powerful Dragon God?
(Chapter End)
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