"Hmm?"
Suddenly, a surge of soul power fluctuations came from the distance.
"Senior Dugu! A Title Douluo is heading this way—likely an ally. Can you immobilize the Dark Devilgod Tiger?"
"An ally?"
Dugu Bo was momentarily stunned but soon sensed the Title Douluo's soul power.
"Are you certain it's an ally?" Dugu Bo asked again.
"Absolutely." Ning Rongrong replied. "That Title Douluo is still alive—he must be on our side."
"Understood." Though puzzled, Dugu Bo didn't press further.
The Dark Devilgod Tiger's ferocity had weakened—the poison was taking effect, though suppressed for now. It seemed the beast wouldn't stop until its enemies were dead.
As Dugu Bo fled, his speed abruptly dropped.
He knew—the speed boost had expired.
Then, in the next moment—
A torrential surge of soul power enveloped his entire body.
"Another support ability?"
Feeling the overwhelming soul power within him, Dugu Bo's eighth soul ring began to glow.
"Seventh Soul Skill—Martial Soul True Body: Bone-Devouring Serpent Emperor!"
"Eighth Soul Skill—"
"Time Freeze!"
Instantly, the Dark Devilgod Tiger's body stiffened, completely immobilized.
At the same time, the soul power fluctuations from the distance reached their peak.
Ning Rongrong retracted the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
"Ninth Soul Skill—"
"Rainbow Piercing the Sun!"
A spear of light tore through the air, shooting straight toward the frozen Dark Devilgod Tiger.
"ROAR—!"
Proficient in spatial and temporal abilities, the Dark Devilgod Tiger broke free from Dugu Bo's restraint after a brief moment.
Yet, the incoming spear left it no time to dodge.
At its peak condition, the beast wouldn't have cared.
But after battling earlier enemies, then being poisoned by another Title Douluo, its strength was severely depleted.
A spatial portal appeared beside the Dark Devilgod Tiger.
However, Dugu Bo's Time Freeze had disrupted its calculations—delaying the activation.
"ROOOAR—!"
A piercing shriek echoed as a black shadow plunged into the portal.
A violent explosion followed, reducing everything within several kilometers to barren wasteland.
"I hope no one saw that…" Ning Rongrong worried internally.
She had retracted the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda the moment the opposing Title Douluo began gathering energy.
Watching the Dark Devilgod Tiger flee, everyone let out a sigh of relief.
The pressure it exuded was far too overwhelming.
Just then—
A lean yet sharp-featured soul master descended slowly.
He withdrew his nine soul rings and martial spirit, but the moment he landed, he coughed up several mouthfuls of blood.
"Finally drove it away… Never expected to encounter such a monster on this trip."
He approached Dugu Bo, gratitude in his tone:
"Sir Dugu, thank you for your assistance. I am She Long."
"Is he one of yours?" Dugu Bo frowned slightly. Why does this guy act so familiar? I don't even know him!
"Yes. Without you, he likely wouldn't have survived."
When She Long arrived, he had seen Dugu Bo restraining the Dark Devilgod Tiger.
Though unsure why, he wouldn't pass up the chance to strike.
Even severely injured, he forced out his ninth soul skill.
Still, it was a shame the beast escaped.
With the Dark Devilgod Tiger gone, the Great Star Dou Forest returned to calm.
"Your Excellency, are you from the Star Luo Empire?" Ning Rongrong spoke first.
Her question left Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan slightly stunned.
Didn't she say they were from Spirit Hall earlier?
But after exchanging glances, both chose to remain silent, curious about Ning Rongrong's intentions.
Hearing her question, She Long's expression flickered with surprise. After a moment's thought, he nodded:
"Yes. Both Ci Xue and I belong to a hidden sect within the Star Luo Empire."
"We were helping our young mistress hunt a soul ring when we encountered that troublesome soul beast."
"Ci Xue told me to escort her to safety while he held off the Dark Devilgod Tiger."
"Frankly… it's embarrassing." She Long smiled bitterly. "The two of us, plus our young mistress, couldn't defeat it."
Without waiting for a response, he continued:
"From your reactions, you must know of that soul beast."
"The Dark Devilgod Tiger is unlike any other. Not only does it possess multiple attributes, but it also wields terrifying spatial and temporal abilities. Beyond that…"
"Rumors say it can drag soul masters into a special arena within a certain range."
"No one knows exactly what it is, but… no one who enters has ever returned alive."
"Not even Title Douluos."
"Hiss—" Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan inhaled sharply, casting odd glances at Ning Rongrong.
She had emphatically warned them earlier to stay far away from the Dark Devilgod Tiger.
As the group conversed, they safely exited the Great Star Dou Forest.
Guided by She Long, they soon found the "young mistress" waiting outside.
She was a young girl, roughly the same age as Dugu Yan.
With a straight nose, slender phoenix-like eyes, and flowing golden hair, she exuded an aura of sacred nobility—almost untouchable.
"Uncle She Long, you're ba—Eh?"
Seeing She Long return—especially carrying the unconscious Ci Xue—her face lit up with relief.
But when her gaze landed on Dugu Bo's group, her eyes flickered with surprise.
"Uncle She Long, who are they?"
"This is Dugu Bo—the Poison Douluo. I'm sure you've heard of him, young mistress." She Long introduced. "Thanks to his help, we repelled the Dark Devilgod Tiger."
He then gestured to the two girls beside him.
"This is Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan, and next to her is Ning Rongrong—daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's patriarch, Ning Fengzhi."
"Oh, I've heard of you!" The girl stepped forward, introducing herself first:
"I am Qian Renxue. Thank you for saving Uncle Ci Xue."
"Qian Renxue… What an elegant name." Ning Rongrong smiled faintly.
"Sister, are you from a hidden sect in the Star Luo Empire? Uncle She Long mentioned it earlier."
"You could say that." Qian Renxue glanced at She Long, who gave a subtle nod.
She then confirmed it.
"I see."
Ning Rongrong didn't press further, while Qian Renxue checked Ci Xue's condition.
"Uncle Ci Xue is in critical condition."
From She Long, she knew Dugu Bo had stabilized him with medicine, but his state was… dire.
Having poisoned Emperor Xue Ye for years, Qian Renxue had some medical knowledge. She could tell—without immediate treatment, Ci Xue wouldn't survive.
After a moment's thought, she said:
"Uncle She Long, take Uncle Ci Xue back to the sect first. I'll stay here for a while."
"Young Mistress!"
"That's final." Qian Renxue cut him off. "You are all important to me. I won't allow any of you to die."
"Understood… I'll leave at once."
Seeing her resolute expression, She Long relented. He was deeply worried about Ci Xue—luckily, this city also had a Spirit Hall branch.
"However, I will report this matter to the sect leader."
"Mm. No need to send anyone. Focus on recovering."
Under Qian Renxue's orders, She Long departed with Ci Xue—yet she herself remained behind.
Her intentions? Unknown.