Doulou Dalu 13

Deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, Lin Fan suddenly sneezed.

"Who's thinking about me?" he muttered to himself. Then, a smirk appeared on his lips. Could it be Bibi Dong? The thought made his heart warm.

Their group consisted of five people, and apart from him, they were all women. However, the journey had been mostly silent. Tang Yiran, the strongest among them, walked at the back, watching over everyone. Shui Yue'er and Liu Erlong frequently clashed, their tempers flaring whenever they exchanged words. Only Ye Keke remained somewhat approachable, occasionally engaging in conversation with Lin Fan.

"Keke, how old are you?" Lin Fan asked, glancing at the delicate girl walking beside him.

Ye Keke hesitated for a moment before whispering, "Seventeen… I lived with my mother since childhood, but she's gone now. That's why I came to the Haotian Sect. I needed… someone to rely on."

Lin Fan sensed the sorrow in her voice. He immediately regretted bringing up the past.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I didn't mean to bring up painful memories. I just heard that the Nine-Hearted Begonia Martial Spirit is incredibly rare. Are there any others like you?"

Ye Keke shook her head. "No. This spirit is passed down through a single lineage. There can never be more than two Nine-Hearted Begonia Soul Masters at a time. If one lives, the next generation cannot be born."

Lin Fan's eyes widened in surprise. He looked at her seriously. "That means you're the only one in the world right now?"

She nodded, her expression unreadable.

"Don't worry," Lin Fan said, his voice firm. "I'll protect you. We're partners now. If you have a wish, tell me. If it's within my power, I'll make it come true."

Ye Keke looked ahead, her expression distant. "I don't really have many wishes… but I do want revenge."

Lin Fan's expression hardened. "Revenge? Do you know who killed your mother?"

Ye Keke lowered her head, her voice trembling. "It was the Pope of the Spirit Hall. He wanted the Nine-Hearted Begonia to serve the Hall forever. When my mother refused, he hunted us down. She died so that I could escape…"

Her voice broke, and Lin Fan instinctively reached for her hand. He squeezed it gently, offering silent comfort.

"You're safe now," he said. "You're part of the Haotian Sect, and the Spirit Hall wouldn't dare touch you here."

From the side, Liu Erlong, who had been listening, patted Ye Keke's shoulder.

"From now on, you're my little sister," Liu Erlong declared. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

Lin Fan, however, was deep in thought. Qian Xunji again… He clenched his fists. As long as he's alive, Bibi Dong isn't safe, and neither am I. He has to die.

But how?

Lin Fan had pondered this problem for a long time. Even with more powerful equipment from his lottery ability, taking down a Titled Douluo like Qian Xunji was nearly impossible. He needed allies.

If Bibi Dong and I joined forces, we might stand a chance… but even then, it would be a fight to the death. She's only eighteen, and the gap between her and a Titled Douluo is too wide.

Another possibility was manipulating the Haotian Sect into injuring Qian Xunji first. If Tang Hao or Tang Xiao could cripple him, then Bibi Dong and I could finish him off in secret.

But why would the Haotian Sect go after the Pope?

Then, a dangerous thought crossed Lin Fan's mind.

Right now, the Haotian brothers—Tang Hao and Tang Xiao—are infatuated with Ah Yin. She hasn't revealed her identity as a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast yet, but if that information reaches the Spirit Hall earlier than it should…

A war would break out between Haotian Sect and Spirit Hall. Qian Xunji would personally lead the attack. Tang Hao and Tang Xiao would fight desperately to protect Ah Yin. If things played out right, Qian Xunji could be severely injured in the battle.

That would be my chance to strike…

But Lin Fan quickly dismissed the idea. If the war happens now, Tang San won't even be born… it would disrupt everything.

No, this wasn't the right move. He needed to meet with Bibi Dong. If she was pregnant, Qian Xunji would never allow her child to live. That would be his opportunity to escape with her.

"Okay, we've reached the central area of the Star Dou Great Forest," Tang Yiran's voice broke through his thoughts. "Be on high alert. We need to find suitable soul beasts for Erlong and Xiaofan."

Lin Fan refocused, scanning the surroundings. He knew his third soul ring could only support a few thousand years, which was fine. But his Shadow Battle Axe had no such limits—it could take on a ten-thousand-year soul ring without issue.

The forest was more dangerous than he had imagined. Enormous centipedes, monstrous spiders, and three-headed monkeys darted through the dense foliage.

Then, a massive, winged Black Flame Dragon soared overhead.

Tang Yiran's eyes narrowed. "A Black Flame Dragon?"

She turned to Liu Erlong. "Your martial soul, the Fire Dragon, is a mutation of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex. It's highly compatible with flame-based dragon soul beasts. This one is about five thousand years old—perfect for you. Shui Yue'er, restrain it. Erlong, get ready to strike."

Shui Yue'er scoffed but obeyed, summoning her Ice Phoenix.

"Frost Imprisonment!" she shouted.

A frigid wind burst from the Ice Phoenix, freezing the ground. A towering wall of ice shot up, trapping the Black Flame Dragon inside.

The dragon roared in fury, exhaling flames to melt the ice around its claws. It thrashed violently against its frozen cage.

Lin Fan watched, impressed. Shui Yue'er is arrogant, but her talent is undeniable. She has limitless potential… Maybe I should keep her close.

"Erlong, attack now!" Tang Yiran commanded.

Liu Erlong summoned her Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex spirit, leaping ten meters into the ice enclosure.

"First Soul Skill: Tyrannosaurus Possession!"

"Third Soul Skill: Rage and Thunder!"

A surge of lightning coated her body. She hurled a flaming, electrified fireball straight at the dragon, then followed up with a crushing punch to its skull.

But the Black Flame Dragon refused to go down.

Lin Fan summoned his martial soul. I can't just stand here.

"Exploding Tiger Claw!"

His fiery claws slashed at the dragon's back, but the creature's tough scales absorbed most of the impact. His flames weren't effective against a fire-based beast.

"Not enough power," Lin Fan muttered. I need to change tactics.

Summoning the Shadow Battle Axe, he felt its weight settle in his grip.

"This is your end," he whispered.

The battle was far from over, but for the first time in the fight, Lin Fan felt confident.