Before long, the purple spirit ring above Zhu Zhuqing's head slowly descended and fully integrated into her Martial Spirit. Opening her eyes, Dugu Yan eagerly ran over and asked:
"Zhuqing, what's your third spirit skill?"
"My third skill, I've named it Nether Annihilation Claws. My hands transform into the claws of the Dark Devilgod Tiger, allowing me to vanish into the surroundings just like it. At the same time, both my attack and speed increase by 25%."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at everyone's expectant faces. For her current level, having a skill with such amplification effects was already excellent.
"Not bad. Though it doesn't have the overwhelming might of Iggy's spirit skill, being able to obtain such an amplification skill is more than enough for your stage."
Dugu Bo was also pleased for Zhu Zhuqing. Aside from the boost, it even granted a kind of stealth ability. In the upcoming Spirit Arena, this could create unexpected results. If she were in the army, she'd make the perfect scout.
But while they were still celebrating Zhu Zhuqing's gain, at the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest's core region, four eighty-thousand-year spirit beasts suddenly awoke. They had finally noticed that the Emerald Holy Unicorn had not returned.
"ROAR—!"
Four resounding roars shook the forest at the same time. Almost half the Star Dou Great Forest's spirit beasts grew restless, surging toward each other's territories. Any humans encountered would be slaughtered on the spot. A sizeable beast tide was beginning to form.
At this moment, Dugu Bo, who was monitoring the poison fog barrier, wore a grave expression.
"Your Majesty, has something happened outside the poison fog?"
"A major event indeed. Many spirit beasts are indiscriminately attacking humans within the forest. Already, four spirit hunting squads have been wiped out."
Dugu Bo glanced at the unconscious male Emerald Holy Unicorn on the ground and instantly understood.
"The sudden madness of the spirit beasts must be tied to these two Emerald Holy Unicorns. I predict that before long, their beast guardians will lead an army of ten-thousand-year spirit beasts here."
"Once Lingling finishes absorbing her fourth spirit ring, we must leave the forest at once, before this beast tide engulfs us."
But just as he spoke, a Dark Devilgod Tiger outside the poison fog howled toward the core's edge, as if it had discovered the culprit.
Several fifty-thousand-year spirit beasts in the area, with their razor-sharp senses, immediately heard its call.
Those beasts led hundreds more in a tidal charge toward Ignaz's group.
"If I'd known, I would have taken you all out of here first. We should have absorbed the ring on the outskirts instead! Now it'll be nearly impossible to escape!"
Though the poison fog deterred even a hundred-thousand-year beast from barging in, the ten-thousand-year beasts weren't fools. They would simply wait outside, lying in ambush.
More and more spirit beasts would gather outside, making the situation worse by the minute.
At last, after two or three tense minutes, Ye Lingling completed the absorption of the Emerald Holy Unicorn's ring. When she finally awoke, Dugu Bo spoke sternly:
"Iggy, take the girls and run for the edge of the forest. I'll cover the rear."
"Alright."
Ignaz immediately realized how dire the situation was. He led Dugu Yan and the others out, while Dugu Bo stayed behind, killing any beasts that pursued from the rear.
Fortunately, after half an hour of coordinated fighting and support, the six finally broke free of the Star Dou Great Forest.
At the same time, spirit masters intending to enter the forest stopped in alarm at the commotion inside and began retreating.
"Another beast tide in the Star Dou Forest? How are us hunting teams supposed to survive like this?"
"It must be some spirit masters provoking a priceless beast. That's what stirred up the tide. If I ever learn who it was, I'll make them pay!"
...
By now, Ignaz's group had already boarded a carriage far from the forest and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Kid, if Lingling had woken up any later, we'd have been surrounded by ten-thousand-year beasts. Even I wouldn't have been certain of surviving, especially with more than a dozen fifty-thousand-year ones in the mix."
"Yeah, we were lucky. Otherwise, even if we escaped, it might have taken months."
Ignaz nodded, then added,
"Grandfather, take Yan-yan and the others back to Heaven Dou City first. I still have matters to discuss with Senior Yang Invincible. I'll also entrust this male Emerald Holy Unicorn to the Breaking Clan."
"Very well. Once we reach Jialing Pass, you can head there. Just remember—safety comes first."
Dugu Bo wouldn't stop Ignaz's plans. Given his current strength, his grandson-in-law no longer needed constant protection.
After sending Yan-yan and the others back, Dugu Bo could also visit the Breaking Clan himself and continue his poison studies with Brother Yang.
Days later, once they reached Jialing Pass, Ignaz parted ways with the others and flew toward the Falling Star Mountains, where the Breaking Clan had relocated.
The Falling Star Mountains lay north of the Sunset Forest, not too far away. After two or three days of flying and horseback travel, Ignaz arrived at a mountain ravine.
"Poison fog shrouds the bottom of the ravine—serving as the first line of defense. Not bad."
He leapt onto a massive iron chain and walked upward toward the peak. Though the chain bridge was short, it was an effective defense against invaders. The Breaking Clan's new headquarters, aside from the poison fog, resembled the Clear Sky Clan's mountain stronghold.
"Greetings, Alliance Leader."
The clan members who ran the shop in Fallen Leaf City had long sent word ahead. Yang Invincible now stood at the new clan gate with the Breaking Clan's elders, personally welcoming Ignaz's arrival.