Chapter 183: Journey to the Depths of the Star Dou Forest
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Ever since Dugu Bo left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and returned to the human cities, he had been utterly bewildered by the recent series of events.
His mind was filled with questions:
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan… wiped out? Even that old dragon perished in battle? And the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan… nearly annihilated, with only a few hundred survivors barely hanging on? These were two of the top three sects in the Soul Master world, yet in just a few months, they've been reduced to nothing?"
"And now, the Spirit Hall is openly hunting the culprits? Who else but them could have had the power to destroy two of the three great sects? What exactly are they trying to do?"
"The continent is bound to fall into chaos… Will this turmoil affect Yan Yan and Xiao Li? No, I can't just sit back. I have to go. If I can extract some useful intelligence, that would be ideal. But even if I can't, I need to at least issue a warning—let them know not to set their sights on my granddaughter and grandson-in-law."
Having made up his mind, Dugu Bo left the city and immediately flew toward Spirit City, located at the border between the two great empires.
A Short While Later – A Forest Ten Miles from Spirit City
Dugu Bo unleashed his aura—the menacing presence of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, or rather, the Jade Phosphor Serpent Ancestor. It didn't take long for his presence to be detected by two of Spirit Hall's top enforcers: Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei.
Yue Guan's expression darkened slightly.
"That old venomous bastard… Why is he here again?"
Gui Mei narrowed his eyes and said,
"He's deliberately releasing his aura from a distance—that means he's calling us out. This time, I'll go with you. We need to be prepared in case he tries anything."
Yue Guan nodded before adding,
"Let me report to His Holiness the Pope first."
Gui Mei agreed without hesitation.
"As it should be."
Moments later, two streaks of light—one gold, one black—shot out from Spirit City, swiftly arriving at the designated meeting point ten miles away.
High in the sky above the forest, Yue Guan and Gui Mei emerged from their respective streaks of light, positioning themselves on either side of Dugu Bo. Though their movements were subtle, it was clear they were prepared to launch a joint attack at any moment.
Dugu Bo, however, remained utterly unfazed.
Back when he was only Rank 95, he had to be wary of their Martial Soul Fusion Technique—Polar Absolute Domain. But now, at Rank 97, he was fully confident in his ability to disrupt their fusion before it could even take form.
It was precisely this newfound confidence that allowed him to stand his ground without fear. He looked at the two familiar figures—both still at Rank 95—and let out a cold laugh.
"Yue Guan, Gui Mei… After all these years, you two haven't made even the slightest progress. I suppose power and status have corrupted you, leaving you no time for cultivation?"
Yue Guan and Gui Mei were enraged by his words, but as they carefully assessed his aura, their anger was quickly replaced by shock.
At this moment, Dugu Bo's presence completely overwhelmed theirs.
Yue Guan's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Old venomous bastard, your strength has… increased again? You think you can take us on? This time, I have Old Ghost here with me—you won't be so lucky!"
Gui Mei, however, was more composed. He locked his gaze on Dugu Bo and voiced his suspicion:
"Super Douluo… Rank 97."
After Rank 95, every single level of advancement meant a doubling of strength. In raw power terms:
- A Rank 96 Douluo could fight two Rank 95s.
- A Rank 97 Douluo could fight two Rank 96s, which meant…
- A Rank 97 Douluo could fight four Rank 95s.
Of course, actual combat wasn't just about raw numbers. Other factors, such as martial soul compatibility, skills, and experience, played a crucial role. But for someone like Dugu Bo—whose wide-area lethal poison was difficult for weaker opponents to resist—this level gap was absolutely overwhelming.
For those weaker than him, a mere wave of his hand could mean instant death.
Dugu Bo nodded arrogantly.
"That's right. Others may not dare to say it, but I will. The destruction of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the near-annihilation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—two of the top three sects—undoubtedly has everything to do with your Spirit Hall."
Yue Guan and Gui Mei's expressions darkened. A brief silence followed.
Yue Guan then spoke in a low, threatening tone.
"Old venomous bastard, I won't deny that your strength has grown immensely. But this isn't something you should be meddling in."
Gui Mei's voice was even colder, laced with malice.
"You've already left the Heaven Dou Empire. Why get involved in this mess and invite trouble upon yourself?"
Dugu Bo, however, was unfazed by their threats. He had always walked alone, with few weaknesses for others to exploit. Besides, he wasn't here to avenge the fallen clans—his purpose was entirely different.
"You're not wrong. I could stay out of this. But if your actions end up involving my granddaughter and grandson-in-law, I will make Spirit Hall pay the price."
With that, Dugu Bo turned and left. He was confident that, given his current strength, Spirit Hall would think twice before provoking him. If they dared to push him too far, they would have to bear the consequences.
After he left, Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged glances—both shocked, yet also deeply frustrated.
The same Dugu Bo they had once hunted down had now risen far above them.
Yue Guan broke the silence.
"Let's return and report to the Pope."
Gui Mei nodded.
"Agreed."
Inside the Pope's Palace
Upon their return to Spirit City, Yue Guan and Gui Mei relayed the entire encounter to Bibi Dong without omission.
Inside the grand Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong frowned as she processed the news.
"Dugu Bo… To think he has cultivated to such a level. A Super Douluo, Rank 97… This is truly troublesome."
She tapped her fingers lightly against the armrest of her throne before continuing.
"However, since he has left the Heaven Dou Empire, the only thing he truly cares about is Wang Li and Dugu Yan. He won't interfere with our plans."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a flicker of cold calculation.
"Wang Li, on the other hand… Originally, I had planned to eliminate him. His soul power growth is far too abnormal—if left unchecked, he will become a grave threat to Spirit Hall in the future."
After a brief pause, she waved her hand dismissively.
"Forget it. Leave him alone for now. Proceed as planned. It's time to spread the word—the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has been exterminated, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has been devastated, and the Clear Sky Clan has gone into seclusion. They are no longer the top three sects of the Soul Master world."
A cold glint flashed in her eyes.
"Six months from now, under Spirit Hall's leadership, we will reselect the Seven Great Sects of the Soul Master world. Notify all sects—those who wish to compete should start preparing now. They mustn't miss this grand event."
Her words carried a finality that left no room for discussion.
Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged another glance before bowing in unison.
"As you command!"
With this announcement, the entire Soul Master world was thrown into upheaval.
The opportunity to redefine the Seven Great Sects sent waves of excitement rippling across the continent.
Any sect with even a trace of ambition was now sharpening their claws, eager to claim a spot.
The Lower Four Sects sought to rise among the Upper Three, while lesser-known sects dreamed of carving out a place among the Lower Four. After all, to be counted among the Seven Great Sects meant unparalleled prestige, status, and wealth.
It was undoubtedly a grand occasion.
Yet for the truly astute, the underlying intent was crystal clear.
For decades, the power structure of the continent had remained unshaken. But now, that balance had been utterly shattered.
This so-called grand event—the re-election of the Seven Great Sects—was nothing more than a fleeting moment of revelry before the impending chaos.
Without turmoil, a new order could never be established.
The destruction of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the near-annihilation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had already begun to fade from public memory. Now, all anyone could talk about was the upcoming reshuffling of the Seven Great Sects.
Far removed from the heated discussions and political maneuvering, Wang Li was immersed in his cultivation.
Having successfully condensed his Vital Blood Soul Core, he was now focused on gathering Life Essence to accelerate the evolution of his martial soul.
Seated cross-legged atop a mountain peak, he unleashed his Blue Silver Domain, spreading it across the entirety of Sunset Forest. Threads of blue light streamed toward him, converging at his side like an endless ocean of vitality.
These energies could be converted into soul power, spiritual energy, or pure life essence. This time, Wang Li chose to channel all of it into refining Life Essence.
With each breath, he absorbed the energy into his body, a black hole that never seemed to be filled.
Only after a long while did Wang Li finally open his eyes, his gaze deep in thought.
"Sunset Forest… it's too small. The Life Essence I can gather here is barely equivalent to that of a ten-thousand-year soul beast. If I went to a larger forest, I could collect an amount comparable to a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in one go. At that rate, my martial soul might evolve in no time."
Standing up, Wang Li summoned his martial soul and activated his second soul skill, freely bestowing Life Force upon the surrounding Blue Silver Grass, accelerating their recovery and evolution.
Once finished, he soared off the mountain peak and returned to the valley, patiently waiting for Dugu Yan to complete her seclusion.
From dawn till dusk, Wang Li waited. Just as he began to suspect that Dugu Yan wouldn't emerge today, a powerful aura suddenly erupted from within the valley.
Moments later, a figure shot out—Dugu Yan, now possessing the lower body of a serpent, surrounded by two yellow, two purple, and three black soul rings. An icy, majestic pressure radiated from her very being.
The moment she saw Wang Li, her face broke into a joyful smile. Retracting her martial soul, she rushed forward, taking three steps in two before leaping straight into his arms.
Her arms wrapped around his neck, her legs hooked around his waist, pressing her body tightly against his as she whispered excitedly:
"Xiao Li! I broke through! I've finally reached Rank 80 Soul Power!"
Wang Li chuckled, wrapping an arm around her slender waist, his voice warm with admiration.
"Congratulations. Now comes the important part—absorbing your eighth soul ring. Do you think you can handle a hundred-thousand-year soul ring?"
At his words, Dugu Yan's gaze turned sharp with determination.
"Except for my first four soul rings, which are fairly normal, my fifth soul ring—my life-bound soul ring—has reached seventy thousand years thanks to refining poison. My sixth ring is forty thousand years, my seventh ring is seventy thousand, and I have a fifty-thousand-year soul bone for my head, a seventy-thousand-year torso bone, a forty-thousand-year left arm bone, and a forty-thousand-year right leg bone. With all these, I'm confident I can absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul ring!"
Hearing this, Wang Li nodded inwardly.
With the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng and Lovesick Heartbroken Red as her foundation, combined with so many fortunate encounters, she should be more than capable of refining a hundred-thousand-year soul ring.
Glancing up at the sky, he lowered his head and whispered softly into Dugu Yan's ear:
"It's already late. Why don't we set off at dawn? It's too dangerous to travel in the dark."
The Calm Before the Storm
Dugu Yan's body softened, her gaze dreamy as she giggled,
"I only know that when there's danger, you're my greatest support. When there's no danger, you're the greatest danger to me."
Wang Li raised an eyebrow and replied,
"Am I really that dangerous? I think I'm okay."
That night, however, wasn't as peaceful as it seemed. Wang Li was indeed dangerous, but not in the way Dugu Yan had meant.
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The Next Day
After packing up, Wang Li left behind a clone and Dugu Yan left a letter, just in case Dugu Bo returned later and needed to know their whereabouts.
Then, Wang Li picked up Dugu Yan and flew out of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, leaving the Sunset Forest behind.
Wang Li had a clear goal: to find one of the two kings of the Star Dou Forest, the Sky Azure Bull Python. From its aura, it was clearly not an ordinary hundred-thousand-year soul beast. However, compared to other more powerful beasts over two hundred thousand years, its soul ring might be easier to absorb.
Two days later...
They rested for the night in a small town about a hundred miles away. By morning, they were ready to officially enter the Star Dou Forest.
This wasn't Wang Li's first time in the Star Dou Forest. Every time he came, the experience felt different. From the carefulness of his first visit to the current relaxed confidence, only eight years had passed.
Wang Li turned to Dugu Yan and said,
"To find a soul beast, the Star Dou Forest is the place to be. Today, we'll go to the core areas, places where ordinary soul masters don't dare to venture. We might just make a good find."
Dugu Yan understood Wang Li's strength, and her words were an acknowledgment of her trust in him:
"When there's danger, you're the greatest support. When there's no danger, you're the greatest danger." Her voice was calm as she added,
"You decide. If we don't find anything, it's fine. We'll just keep looking."
Wang Li nodded. Finding something wasn't an issue for him. He activated his Blue Silver Domain, completely concealing their presence.
They made their way to the core region, passing through the territories of thousand-year and ten-thousand-year soul beasts without encountering any creatures.
Upon reaching the heart of the forest, they emerged into a wide open space, where the air was thick with mist, creating a mystical atmosphere.
Before them, a serene lake lay still, its surface undisturbed. By the shore, a massive Titan Ape sat, glaring at them.
At that moment, a creature emerged from the lake: a Sky Azure Bull Python, with a massive bull head and snake-like body. Its eyes were like huge lanterns.
It spoke, addressing them in human language:
"Humans, this is not a place you should be. Leave now, or you will die here."
Wang Li turned to Dugu Yan,
"I told you we would find something. That Titan Ape isn't suitable for you, but this Sky Azure Bull Python is perfect."
Dugu Yan hadn't expected things to go so smoothly, but after seeing the bull python, she nodded.
"Then it's settled. I'll take this one."
Seeing Wang Li and Dugu Yan casually discussing the beast's fate in front of them made the two monsters furious.
The Titan Ape strode forward, its eyes burning with murder. When it fully stood up, its towering thirty-meter frame seemed like a mountain coming toward them, sending chills down anyone's spine.
Wang Li chuckled softly and summoned his Martial Soul. The Blue Silver Emperor, shimmering like sapphire, began to spread, accompanied by his nine soul rings: two yellow, two purple, three black, and two red. One of the red rings glowed, and he announced:
"Eighth Soul Skill: Heaven and Earth Transformation!"
Boom!
The Blue Silver Emperor surged, growing larger and intertwining. Soon, a towering two-hundred-meter giant stood before the two beasts, dwarfing them completely.
In comparison, the Titan Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python appeared insignificant, barely a blip beside the massive form.
With a thought from Wang Li, the giant kicked out, sending the Titan Ape flying through the air. The giant's hand reached out again, and the Sky Azure Bull Python was held in place mid-air, as though the very energies of heaven and earth were sealing it in place. It couldn't move, not because of a skill, but because the heavenly energy around it was too dense to break free from.
(End of Chapter)