Doulou Dalu 104

"So, they really came looking for Brother Xiaofan and Sister Dong'er..."

Although Xiao Wu often behaved playfully, she wasn't foolish. Lin Fan had warned her about something similar before, and now she understood immediately. She spoke in a childish yet cold tone.

"Those two are no longer here. You should leave. Otherwise, my friends here all enjoy eating humans."

Qian Xunji observed the surrounding soul beasts, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes. He hadn't expected the Forest Queen Soft-Bone Rabbit to command such authority. With so many soul beasts gathered in the Star Dou Great Forest, their might was comparable to an imperial army. No wonder his father had slaughtered countless powerful figures yet never dared to set foot in the forest's core area.

"Then, may I ask, Forest Queen Soft-Bone Rabbit, where have my beloved disciple and that boy gone?" Qian Xunji's tone was measured, but his sharp gaze betrayed his unease.

Xiao Wu crossed her arms, her voice tinged with arrogance and irritation. "How would Xiao Wu know? Maybe they were eaten. Feel free to search for them, but don't come any closer. This is your last warning. If you don't leave now, Er Ming and I won't mind keeping you here permanently."

"Such arrogance from mere beasts..."

Snake Spear Douluo stepped forward, gripping his long snake-shaped spear. As he planted his foot, nine glowing spirit rings surrounded him, illuminating his formidable presence.

"Let me see if this so-called 'Forest Queen' lives up to the title."

Snake Spear Douluo's eyes were sharp. Despite the rumors that Ju Douluo and Ghost Douluo had suffered defeat, he, as a Titled Douluo, found it hard to believe.

"Fine, then..." Xiao Wu smirked, her eyes flashing ominously.

Before Snake Spear Douluo could react, two crimson beams shot out from her sapphire-like eyes. The red light streaked through the air, swift as lightning. In the blink of an eye, they pierced Snake Spear Douluo's legs. Blood poured from the gaping wounds, the flesh and bone completely disintegrated where the beams struck.

"W-what..." Snake Spear Douluo staggered, his once-imposing aura vanishing. His legs crumpled beneath him, forcing him to kneel on the ground in agony.

The surrounding Spirit Hall Douluos were stunned. Only Ju Douluo and Ghost Douluo seemed unsurprised, the former even smirking slightly.

A white-haired middle-aged man, one of the Douluos, spoke gravely. "The Great Priest once fought against the previous Forest Queen, also a Soft-Bone Rabbit. This is their unique ability—the Rainbow Ray. It's a thousand times faster than the speed of sound. Once locked on, it's impossible to evade."

Qian Xunji narrowed his eyes. "Then why didn't my father hunt down the previous Forest Queen and take her spirit ring? Was even he unable to kill her?"

The middle-aged man shook his head. "At that time, the Great Priest wasn't as powerful. As for why he didn't pursue her later, I do not know. But he once mentioned that the Ten Ferocious Beasts of legend still existed. Perhaps he discovered something..."

"The Ten Ferocious Beasts..." Qian Xunji's expression darkened. Turning back to the middle-aged man, he asked, "Can you handle this so-called Forest Queen?"

The man shook his head once more. "Apologies, Your Holiness. Even I am incapable. Aside from the High Priest himself, no one in this world could defeat her."

Lin Fan, hidden in the shadows, observed the scene with his Sky Eye. His special ability allowed him to see everything despite the illusions and restrictions of the forest. He recognized the white-haired man as Di Jia Bai Long, the Third Priest of the Spirit Hall. In the original timeline, he was a Rank 96 powerhouse—now, he seemed to be at Rank 95. The strongest among the six present.

Realizing that even he couldn't defeat Xiao Wu, Lin Fan knew the others had no chance. Perhaps Ghost and Ju Douluo's Spirit Fusion technique could put up a fight, but Xiao Wu's Red Light ability made it impossible for them to even initiate the fusion.

Qian Xunji sighed and signaled his men. Several soldiers rushed to Snake Spear Douluo, lifting him onto a carriage. Then, Qian Xunji bowed slightly toward Xiao Wu.

"Thank you for your mercy, Queen of the Forest. We will leave. However, if you have any information about the two we seek, I would appreciate it. The missing boy's family is also searching for him."

"What?" Xiao Wu's ears twitched. "Brother Xiaofan's family...?"

"Xiao Wu!" Her mother's voice was sharp with warning.

Qian Xunji smirked. He already knew Lin Fan and Bibi Dong were hiding nearby. Aside from this enchanted part of the forest, his men had laid an inescapable trap everywhere else. There was no way out.

With a wave of his hand, soldiers pulled open the carriages, dragging out several captives.

Lin Fan's heart pounded as he saw their faces—his parents, his sister, a cousin, and three girls from the Haotian Sect: Liu Erlong, Ye Keke, and Shui Yue'er.

"How?! They were supposed to be safe in the Haotian Sect! How did the Spirit Hall capture them?!"

Beside him, Bibi Dong clenched her fists, her lips trembling.

Qian Xunji's voice rang out, laced with mockery. "Lin Fan, you coward, I know you're watching. Look closely. If you don't care about them, stay hidden. My men will humiliate them all before executing them."

"Xiaofan!" Liu Erlong shouted desperately, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

Lin Fan's hands balled into fists. He had to do something. But before he could act, Bibi Dong moved.

"No!" Lin Fan used every ounce of his speed, teleporting behind her and grabbing her wrist.

She turned to him in shock. "Why are you here? Didn't I ask you to stay with our child?"

"Our child is safe. But I can't let you go out there alone. We'll face this together."

Bibi Dong's gaze softened. Then, before he could react, she pressed her hand against his shoulder.

A wave of numbness spread through Lin Fan's body. His strength drained in an instant, and he collapsed against her.

"I'm sorry," Bibi Dong whispered, holding him tightly. She kissed his forehead before murmuring, "I've sealed your soul power and given you a sleeping agent. You'll be paralyzed for a day and a night. I won't let you lose your family and friends because of me. You deserve happiness, Lin Fan. Take care of our daughter. Live well."

She kissed him again—longer this time, filled with sorrow.

Lin Fan's vision blurred, but he fought to stay conscious. "No… Sister Dong'er… you're my family too… I won't let you go…"

Bibi Dong cradled his head to her chest, stroking his hair gently. "Be good, Xiaofan… This is the only way."

As darkness took him, he heard Liu Erlong's agonized scream.

"You… killed Xiaofan?!"