Just as the Heavenly Soul Empire was preparing to act—
A crimson figure slowly emerged into everyone's sight.
It was a monstrous creature with three ferocious heads, its entire body blood-red, radiating terrifying surges of power.
The moment it appeared, the two soul beasts locked in combat instantly fell silent, freezing on the spot, trembling all over.
As for the once-arrogant Soul Devouring Beast, its legs suddenly shook violently, and a wet stream trickled to the ground.
It had pissed itself…
"This is—"
Mo Yunfei slowly looked up, only to see the surrounding ground shrouded in shadow.
A chill shot straight up from the soles of his feet, surging violently to the crown of his head.
The Scarlet King!!!
His throat worked nervously. Beads of sweat rolled from his forehead down his cheeks, his body shaking uncontrollably.
Under such overwhelming pressure, he could not summon the slightest thought of resistance.
Only one instinct remained— Escape!!
No one dared to make a sound.
Mu Xue's face turned pale. She pulled her younger sister behind her, shielding her tightly.
The others kept retreating, terror stripping them of all courage.
Though they couldn't recognize the identity of the Scarlet King as Mo Yunfei could, this oppressive aura was something anyone could feel.
The aura of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast!
Everyone waited, breath held, for the colossal creature in the field to make its move.
"Roar!"
The Scarlet King glanced at the Soul Devouring Beast, disdain flashing in its eyes as it let out a low growl.
In beast-tongue, it spoke faintly:
Kill those humans. Whoever kills the most, I'll let live.
"Roar!"
The Soul Devouring Beast froze briefly, then delight flickered in its beady eyes. It turned its head toward the humans hunted in the forest.
In that instant, the tables turned completely.
Its crimson tongue licked across its jaws, then it lunged forward violently.
"Roar!"
The Gold-Swallowing Beast also understood instantly, charging madly toward the crowd.
"Scatter!"
Seeing that the giant monster wasn't personally pursuing but instead had sent the two beasts that had been fighting moments ago, Mo Yunfei gritted his teeth.
He shouted to the others, then grabbed Mu Xue and Weina by the arms. Clouds surged beneath his feet, and he soared away in a rush.
The others also realized what was happening, splitting into four different directions.
As the fleeing figures vanished, the Scarlet King swayed its heads, a cruel grin curling its mouths.
It reached up and rubbed its swollen cheek, pain replacing the grin.
"Damn those humans. If not for them luring away the Auspicious Beast from Star Dou Forest, how would I have been beaten up like that?!"
The ones who had thrashed it weren't only Xiong Jun, but also the Myriad Demon King, and even Di Tian had kicked it twice.
"That human may not be someone I can defeat… but since they're human, venting my anger on these will do just as well."
Cold light flashed in the Scarlet King's eyes.
With this pitiful level of strength, they dared to intrude into the core region of Star Dou Forest?
Did they really think the soul beasts here grew up eating grass?
"Farther away again?"
The Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm raised its brows, muttering.
"No… wait, could they have discovered us?"
"But my Heavenly Dream's spiritual power is so overwhelming—forget two little thousand-year cubs, even Di Tian himself wouldn't necessarily detect me."
"Which direction?"
Neuvillette's voice was calm, but brimming with suppressed fury.
His resentment was on the verge of overflowing. They had searched for so long with no clue, and now that they finally found a trace—how dare it try to run?
Even if Di Tian came, it would not matter!
"Over there."
The Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm hunched its neck, sensing Neuvillette's dangerous mood, and dared not chatter further.
"Good."
Neuvillette gave a slight nod.
From within the clouds, mist was torn apart as he stood upon the back of a colossal dragon. The speed grew ever more terrifying.
"Damn it!"
Mo Yunfei again waved his hand, conjuring a mass of cloud and mist to block the Gold-Swallowing Beast.
His eyes were bloodshot.
The four subordinates who had fled in different directions had all already died. Now only he, with the two princesses, remained in desperate flight.
But he could clearly feel—he couldn't hold out much longer.
Originally, with their combined strength, dealing with two soul beasts should have been more than enough.
But now, there was a ferocious beast, one of the Ten Great Savage Beasts, watching them like a cat toying with mice, making this whole pursuit nothing but a cruel sport.
All they could do was run.
But…
There was nowhere left to run!
Behind them, the two soul beasts grew ever more excited.
In the earlier chase, each had killed two humans.
Now, whether they survived would depend on this last slaughter—completing the task given by that great lord.
"Roar!"
Another sound wave burst from the Soul Devouring Beast's maw.
It quickly closed in on Mo Yunfei and the two young women.
Blood spewed from Mo Yunfei's mouth, his steps faltering under the impact.
The cloud beneath his feet was instantly dispersed.
The two princesses he had been carrying were knocked from his arms by the attack, tumbling to the ground.
Seeing this, Mo Yunfei stopped immediately, shielding the girls behind him. He wanted to flee again, but the soul beasts gave no chance—seizing the moment of distraction, they cut off his escape.
One in front, one behind, they closed in step by step.
"Haa…"
Mo Yunfei exhaled a long breath, his eyes growing calm.
"Princess, it seems we truly won't leave here alive."
Mu Xue bit her lip, nodding with difficulty. She didn't want to admit it, but—
That shadow she saw just now was recorded in ancient texts: the Three-Headed Demon Hound, with a cultivation of over three hundred thousand years.
The only reason they had been allowed to run this far was that they had been toying with them.
If it got serious, there would be no chance of survival.
The two soul beasts gave no more warning. Their bodies bent back, then suddenly sprang forward, jaws wide in ferocious hunger.
Mo Yunfei clenched his teeth, ready for a final desperate struggle.
Mu Xue, staring at the beasts mid-leap, their bloody maws yawning open toward her and her companions, felt only bitter unwillingness.
She clutched her trembling younger sister tightly, who was already too frightened to speak.
Was this really the end?
The Body Sect, the Heavenly Soul Empire—there were still so many waiting for her return.
She couldn't accept it.
But…
In such a desperate situation, who could come to save them?
The Scarlet King itself lurked nearby. With that fact alone, even if reinforcements came, they would be throwing away their lives.
Yet in the next instant—
Mu Xue thought she heard a strange buzzing sound, eerily similar to the one she had heard during the earlier beast tide.
Bewildered, she raised her head.
Her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief.
In the sky—
The thick clouds split apart.
A colossal figure slowly emerged into view.
Two dragon horns, each dozens of meters long, thrust forward. Then came the dragon's head, its entire form covered in deep blue scales.
With its immense body, it tore a great rift through the sea of clouds.
Gigantic vertical pupils of sapphire gazed calmly down below, carrying the bloodline pressure of the dragon race.
An invisible might blanketed the entirety of Star Dou Forest.
Countless soul beasts grovelled on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.
The massive dragon descended slowly, its shadow expanding, until its form stood fully revealed to all.
And what made Mu Xue's scalp crawl—
Atop the dragon's head stood a graceful figure in deep blue robes.
Teacher Neuvillette!
(End of Chapter)