After lingering in Heaven Dou City for two or three days,
everything stabilized, with no signs of impending conflict. Ning Fengzhi and the others bid farewell to Xue Qinghe and prepared to return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
As for the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud—
Ning Rongrong hesitated for a long time but ultimately set the matter aside for now.
The Sea God was, after all, a first-tier deity. Based on her analysis of the Evil God's Orb's divine power—a second-tier god's artifact—she couldn't guarantee complete concealment.
Nor was she certain she could fully erase the Sea God's consciousness.
In the end, she didn't bring it up with Ning Fengzhi. Since it remained in the Heaven Dou Empire's possession, retrieving it later would yield the same result.
Thus, Ning Rongrong and the others began their journey back.
Not long after leaving Heaven Dou City—
Ning Rongrong suddenly halted, her delicate brows furrowing slightly as a dark glow emanated from her body.
The black light surged outward, coalescing into a humanoid form.
"More trouble?" Tokisaki Kurumi materialized with a sigh. "Are you cursed with misfortune or something?"
"What's happening?" Ning Fengzhi asked urgently. Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo tensed, though they detected nothing amiss.
"The energy particles in the air feel strange. Someone's lying in ambush." Ning Rongrong sighed, her gaze shifting toward the source of the disturbance.
"Lord Di Tian, Lady Bi Ji—since you're here, show yourselves."
Her voice echoed through the air, but the names she uttered sent a chill down the spines of Ning Fengzhi and the two Douluos.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo summoned their Martial Souls simultaneously, with Ning Fengzhi following suit.
In an instant, bolstered by buffs—
the auras of Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo surged from Rank 97 to Rank 98.
Yet even so—
the trio remained on high alert, scanning their surroundings warily.
A Rank 99 opponent—possibly more than one—was no laughing matter. Even as the leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Fengzhi felt a cold sweat forming.
Di Tian was undoubtedly an assault-type Title Douluo by spirit master standards, while Bi Ji was a healing-type Title Douluo. Both were Limit Douluos at Rank 99.
This combination—offense and healing—
How were they supposed to fight that?
Long after Ning Rongrong's words faded, the branches of nearby trees swayed in an inexplicable breeze, their creaking sounds like the calm before a storm.
"You're quite extraordinary, Ning Rongrong." A black orb of light materialized high above, encircled by a faint green glow.
The verdant halo masked the dark energy so thoroughly that even Bone Douluo, attuned to darkness, failed to sense its presence.
Di Tian and Bi Ji descended slowly.
Di Tian's towering frame exuded an oppressive aura, his golden eyes radiating sharp intimidation.
His thick, black hair streaked with gold resembled a lion's mane, and his explosive musculature left a lasting impression.
Beside him stood an elegant woman with glasses, her light-green hair cascading to her waist, her beauty accentuated by a flowing dress.
"Di Tian, the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King with over 800,000 years of cultivation, and Bi Ji, the Emerald Swan with 570,000 years."
"What business brings the two of you from the Star Dou Great Forest to intercept us?" Ning Rongrong asked coolly.
"Human, don't you think you know too much? We'd like you to accompany us to the Star Dou Great Forest." Di Tian's voice dripped with menace as his pressure intensified.
"Hmph!"
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo stepped forward in unison, their spirit power erupting to disperse the force bearing down on Ning Rongrong.
The clash of energy sent tremors through several kilometers of terrain.
"Interesting." Di Tian didn't press further, instead studying Bone Douluo's 100,000-year soul ring. "Strange. Your soul ring should belong to the Dark Devilgod Tiger."
"Why is she still present, then?"
"Why I'm here is none of your concern, Di Tian." Crimson-black light shimmered as Tokisaki Kurumi shifted into her battle attire, twin rifles materializing in her hands.
"So, as I suspected, your power isn't spirit energy—nor is it conventional divine energy." Di Tian scrutinized Tokisaki Kurumi.
"It's entirely unrelated to spirit beasts, too. How did you obtain it?"
"Di Tian, I'll throw your own words back at you: don't you think you're overstepping by asking so much?"
Tokisaki Kurumi's tone was icy.
"Hmph! The Dark Devilgod Tiger, whom I once chased like a stray dog—who gave you the right to address me like this?" Di Tian's voice turned frigid.
"Stray dog?" Tokisaki Kurumi smirked disdainfully.
"I recall a certain foolish dragon being toyed with like a monkey, throwing tantrums like a child. How pathetic."
"You—!" Di Tian's retort was cut short.
"Pfft." An ill-timed snicker reached his ears.
"Bi Ji!"
Di Tian shot her a glare.
"Ahem." Bi Ji adjusted her glasses, clearing her throat. "My apologies. I couldn't help it."
"Hmph!" Di Tian turned back to Ning Rongrong. "Though I don't know the reason, it must be tied to you, Ning Rongrong."
Ning Rongrong remained silent, but Tokisaki Kurumi replied, "What if it is? What if it isn't?"
"Then I'll have to invite you to the Star Dou Great Forest by force." Di Tian's voice was glacial.
He'd captured the Skydream Iceworm before. Taking a few humans this time was perfectly feasible.
Failure?
Who did they think he was?
One of the Nine Great Dragon Kings, his strength diminished yet still unrivaled!
"Lord Di Tian, we'll visit the Star Dou Great Forest when the time is right—but not now." Ning Rongrong interjected calmly. "And you, Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, lack the capability to take us there."
"Good, good." Di Tian laughed coldly. "A quasi-deity like me, unable to capture you?"
"What gives you such confidence?"
He glanced at the tense trio behind her.
"If you're counting on those two who barely reached Rank 98 through tricks, you're delusional."
"With Bi Ji here, even spatial teleportation won't save you."
"That's a promise."
"Heh." Ning Rongrong's lips curled. "Did you really think our Martial Soul Fusion Skill was a bluff?"
"Someone as thick-skinned as you might escape, but Lady Bi Ji will have to stay behind as a soul ring for my father."
"After all, didn't Lady Bi Ji mention this herself last time?"
"A 570,000-year soul bone and a 570,000-year soul ring." Ning Rongrong mused. "With those, even my mediocre father could reach Rank 93 or 94."
Ning Fengzhi: "…"
"Harm Bi Ji, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will cease to exist." Di Tian's eyes flashed with caution.
He had to admit—their Martial Soul Fusion Skill made him less confident.
"Care to wager?" Ning Rongrong narrowed her eyes. "Let's bet whether your empty-headed master, the Silver Dragon King, will be captured by the God Realm. Your entire rebellion hinges on her, doesn't it?"
"Seeking death, are you? Extracting memories is within my power." Di Tian gnashed his teeth, his dark aura surging like a tidal wave. Compared to earlier, this was no mere display.
"Touch Rongrong, and you'll answer to us first!" Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo declared in unison.
Their Rank 98 spirit power erupted, colliding with Di Tian's in a shockwave that made the air sizzle and tremble.
"Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Bone, let me handle this. I've just broken through—it'd be a shame not to test my limits."
Ning Rongrong's voice rang clear.