Lin Chen sat on the shoulder of the Titan Giant Ape Erming, who carried him at breakneck speed towards the Lake of Life.
During the journey, he seized a moment to ask, "Erming, since Xiao Wu transformed, has she been to the Star Dou Great Forest? Was she with a group of about seven or eight people?"
Erming's enormous golden eyes narrowed slightly. He shook his head, his voice low and questioning: "No. Humans, what happened? And what about Sister Xiaowu?"
Hearing Erming's affirmative answer, Lin Chen felt a huge weight lifted from his heart and thought to himself with delight: Thank goodness! It seems Tang San hasn't obtained his third spirit ring yet. The timeline matches up, and I have enough time to make my plans!
He suppressed his excitement and immediately said seriously, "Take me to see the Ming Dynasty first! I will explain everything to you after I see him!"
Erming said no more, exerted force with his feet, and like a moving golden mountain, carried Lin Chen to their destination in an instant—the Lake of Life, Star Lake.
The scene before him still shook Lin Chen to his core, even though he already knew about it from the original story.
The lake water is no ordinary water; it possesses a dreamlike pale blue hue, like a giant emerald inlaid in the heart of a star. The surface is calm and still, shrouded in a thin white mist, within which floats a warm, luminous glow, as if the very essence of life itself is rising. Ancient trees tower around the lake, their roots penetrating deep into the water, becoming one with it. Countless exotic aquatic plants sway gently in the lake, emitting a soft, fluorescent glow. The entire lake exudes an aura of peace, sanctity, and vitality, as if it were the lifeblood of this land, tranquil and solemn, inspiring awe in all who behold it.
Just as Lin Chen was captivated by the beauty of the Lake of Life, the lake surface suddenly became turbulent.
The calm, pale blue lake water first rippled with fine concentric circles, then the waves grew larger, as if a giant beast were churning the water. Immediately afterwards, an immense life force far beyond the ordinary surged forth from the lakebed, covering the entire surface of the lake.
"Splash—!!"
A deep, resounding boom, seemingly capable of shaking the very soul, rang out.
In an instant, a huge gap was torn open in the lake, and the pale blue water was violently pushed to both sides by the immense force, like the sky being cleaved open.
A gigantic python, its wingspan obscuring the sky, slowly emerged from the bottom of the lake.
Its entire body was covered in translucent, azure scales, each shimmering with a warm, jade-like luster, reflecting a faint halo in the sunlight. Its body was incredibly massive, resembling a solitary azure mountain stretching across the sky; even the exposed section was as thick as several people could encircle it. The giant python's eyes were a pale gold, calm and serene, yet radiating a wisdom and majesty that seemed to see through the world; wherever its gaze fell, even the air seemed to soften. Its head was slightly raised, adorned with a pair of small, exquisite azure dragon horns, and it was surrounded by swirling clouds, exuding a supreme aura that surpassed all other beasts.
This is the true king of the Star Dou Great Forest, the chief of the hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts—the Azure Bull Python, Da Ming!
It floated slowly on the lake's surface, its enormous body outstretched, as if the entire Star Lake had become its territory. The moment it appeared, its golden, vertical pupils locked precisely onto Lin Chen on Er Ming's shoulder. Its voice was deep and ancient, seemingly echoing directly into the depths of everyone's souls: "Er Ming, who...is this?"
Lin Chen met the majestic golden eyes of the Azure Bull Python Da Ming without the slightest fear, and said in a deep voice, "Da Ming, let me explain—Xiao Wu is in big trouble, and I have come here specifically to ask for your help."
Da Ming's giant blue eyes narrowed slightly, his voice carrying the pressure of a soul beast lord, calm yet scrutinizing: "Human, why should I believe you?"
Lin Chen chuckled softly, his tone frank: "Stop testing me. I came alone, without any powerful companions following me. With my current strength, I wouldn't even have the power to fight back against you two 100,000-year-old soul beasts. There's no need for me to lie. I know your identities and your relationship with Xiao Wu. If Xiao Wu weren't truly in danger, I would never have risked being hunted down by the Thousand-Pound Ant King and the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger to venture into the core of the Star Dou Great Forest."
These words were frank and straightforward. The golden eyes of the Great Ming flickered, and the last trace of doubt in its heart vanished completely. Its massive head lowered slightly, and its tone instantly became urgent: "Sister Xiaowu... what trouble have you encountered?"
Lin Chen immediately turned to the Titan Giant Ape Erming beside him and solemnly instructed, "Erming, immediately sense the outer edge of the forest. Once you detect Xiaowu's presence, tell me immediately. I'm not sure when she will arrive."
Erming nodded emphatically, his golden pupils closed, and his immense spiritual power instantly spread out, enveloping most of the Star Dou Great Forest.
After doing all this, Lin Chen took a deep breath, looked at Da Ming and Er Ming, and said, word by word:
"Da Ming, Er Ming, and Xiao Wu are currently being monitored by a Title Douluo!"
Boom—!!!
These words struck the hearts of the two hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts like a thunderclap!
Titan Ape Erming suddenly opened its eyes, its dark golden fur standing on end. A terrifying aura of ferocity erupted instantly, causing the ground to tremble violently in its rage. It roared to the sky, a furious roar that shattered the heavens, filled with killing intent and brutality:
"Human! What did you say?!"
The lake water around the Azure Bull Python Daming suddenly boiled, its azure scales stood on end, and the small dragon horn on its head emitted a dazzling golden light. Its supreme pressure, which surpassed all beasts, spread wildly, and the entire Lake of Life was stirred up by its rage, creating towering waves. Its golden eyes were filled with murderous intent, and the air seemed to be frozen.
The two Star Dou overlords are completely enraged!
Seeing the furious Da Ming and Er Ming, Lin Chen quickly raised his hand to calm them down: "Calm down! This Title Douluo doesn't just want Xiao Wu's life and soul bone! I'll tell you his background and purpose in detail."
He took a deep breath and recounted Tang Hao and Ah Yin's past, the Spirit Hall's pursuit, Tang Hao's inability to resist after breaking through to level 90, and Ah Yin's eventual forced sacrifice—every word of it, clearly and thoroughly, to the two 100,000-year-old spirit beasts. He didn't embellish, but pointed out the key points in every sentence. The Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python, both highly intelligent, instantly changed their expressions upon hearing this, realizing that something was amiss.
Lin Chen's gaze was solemn, and his voice was low as he said:
"Do you understand now? This Title Douluo named Tang Hao has been scheming from the very beginning. He keeps Xiao Wu by his side not to protect her, but to raise her. He wants his son Tang San to develop feelings for Xiao Wu first, and then, when the time is right, he will create a deadly situation, forcing Xiao Wu to willingly sacrifice herself to save Tang San!"
boom!
This statement is even more terrifying and more insidious than the previous message!
Sacrifice—
That is the most tragic and desperate end for a soul beast. Once sacrificed, its soul and spirit are destroyed, and it will never be reborn!
Xiao Wu is the older sister they've protected since childhood, the most precious relative in the Star Dou Great Forest, yet she's being schemed against step by step, forced to the point of sacrificing herself!
The Azure Bull Python's massive body trembled violently, causing giant waves tens of feet high to rise on the lake surface. Its azure scales flashed with a cold light, and the fury in its golden pupils almost burned the entire forest.
The Titan Ape slammed its fists into the ground, creating a huge crater, and a violent aura soared into the sky, as if it wanted to rush out and tear Tang Hao to pieces immediately.
"Despicable human beings—!!"
Two roars that shook the stars erupted simultaneously.
Although the Azure Bull Python Daming was enraged, it maintained the calm and vigilance of a 100,000-year-old soul beast. Its golden vertical pupils suddenly narrowed, staring intently at Lin Chen, and it uttered a low and sharp question:
"How do you know these things? You weren't even born back then!"
Lin Chen had anticipated this question, and his expression remained calm. Instead, he looked at Da Ming and slowly asked, "Do you really want to know the truth?"
Da Ming nodded without hesitation, his giant head slightly lowered, his aura heavy: "I must know."
Lin Chen stopped hiding it, took a deep breath, and slowly released the suppression of that wisp of soul in his mental world.
In an instant, a warm, ancient, extremely pure aura of the Blue Silver Emperor, carrying the essence of life, quietly spread from his body.
This aura was not strong, but it was incredibly pure, carrying the nobility and holiness unique to the 100,000-year-old Blue Silver Emperor, something that no imitation or disguise could achieve.
Lin Chen's voice was deep and clear, each word distinct and distinct, reaching the ears of the two soul beasts:
"Because the remnant soul of Ah Yin, the 100,000-year-old Blue Silver Emperor who was sacrificed back then, is now inside me."
He couldn't release Ah Yin's soul directly, so he could only release this wisp of the Blue Silver Emperor's unique primordial aura, but that was enough.
Titan Ape Erming shuddered, his dark golden pupils widening suddenly.
The Azure Bull Python Daming's entire body of azure scales trembled slightly, and its golden eyes surged with terrifying waves!
Lin Chen raised his right hand high, his eyes fixed on the two 100,000-year-old soul beasts before him, his expression more serious and solemn than ever before:
"Da Ming, Er Ming, you don't need to disbelieve me. I swear to you with my martial spirit and my future!"
He took a deep breath, his tone resolute, his voice echoing along the shores of the Lake of Life:
"I, Lin Chen, swear by my martial spirit!"
A surge of majestic martial spirit radiance suddenly erupted from his body, intertwining with the remaining purple-gold lightning around him to form a dazzling pillar of light. His eyes were sharp as swords, each word carrying immense weight:
"If I deceive the Titan Giant and the Azure Bull Python—may my Martial Soul be shattered, and I be a cripple for life!"
This oath is both tragic and extremely heavy; under the rules of Douluo Continent, it is equivalent to gambling with one's life.
Both the Titan Ape and the Azure Bull Python were taken aback.
Faced with such a blood oath, the last trace of doubt on the faces of the two Star Dou overlords vanished completely. They were both ancient soul beasts who had lived for hundreds of thousands of years, and they understood the weight of martial souls and oaths best. Lin Chen's willingness to make such a solemn oath was enough to prove that every word he spoke was true.
The Azure Bull Python, Daming, withdrew all its rage, its massive head lowering slightly, its tone carrying an unprecedented solemnity and entrustment:
"Humans, we believe you."
It paused, a hint of worry flashing in its enormous snake eyes, and slowly said:
"However, the second brother and I... cannot force our way into the human world. Our aura is too overwhelming. If we were to appear in a human city, it would surely alert the Spirit Hall and all the Title Douluos. Surrounded by powerful figures, even as 100,000-year-old spirit beasts, we would be extremely vulnerable to death, and would only endanger Xiao Wu."
Lin Chen nodded, having anticipated this.
He understood that while Da Ming and Er Ming were invincible kings in the Star Dou realm, they were the most fatal flaw in the face of human rules.
"I know." Lin Chen stared intently at the lake and said slowly, "Therefore, this matter… cannot be resolved by you forcing your way in; it requires planning."
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