Chapter 219: The Black Dragon Di Tian
Yang Potian explained the concept of Extreme Metal cultivation to Yang Tianyue and the others, who listened in awe. After a pause, he continued, "Actually, Lingling has probably reached the level of Extreme Wood. Unfortunately, the Nine-Hearted Begonia has no offensive capabilities; otherwise, she'd be incredibly powerful as well."
Yang Pingan, still rattled, asked, "Big Brother, who was that Bear Monarch we just faced? His cultivation method seemed different from ours."
Yang Potian shook his head. "Bear Monarch is not human—he's a soul beast. His true form is the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, known as the Earth Ripper, with the strength to tear dragons apart."
Yang Tianyue, puzzled, asked, "But aren't soul beasts unable to take human form? How was he able to switch between human and beast so seamlessly, with no loss of power?"
"Bear Monarch isn't an ordinary soul beast," Yang Potian explained. "Typically, the soul beasts we encounter are only ordinary hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. The Golden Scorpion King we fought a while back, a two-hundred-thousand-year-old beast, was already formidable beyond belief. But once a soul beast surpasses two hundred thousand years, it's no longer ordinary—it becomes a fierce beast. Fierce beasts are far stronger than ordinary hundred-thousand-year soul beasts."
"The Bear Monarch we faced was probably approaching five hundred thousand years in age. His power is comparable to a level ninety-nine Limit Douluo," he said, causing everyone to gasp in shock. The strength of their opponent was unimaginable.
Yang Tianyue then asked, "But if these fierce beasts are that powerful, can't they just hide away and cultivate until they become invincible?"
Yang Potian shook his head. "This world has its own laws. After reaching a hundred thousand years, every ten thousand years, a soul beast has to endure a tribulation. Failing it reduces them to ash, but surviving it makes them even stronger."
"By the way, Tianyue, your Sea God's eighth trial involves slaying the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, a soul beast close to a million years old. Even the Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi couldn't defeat it; in the ocean, it's practically invincible."
Worried, Yang Tianyue asked, "If the Deep Sea Demon Whale King is that powerful, do we even have a chance of completing the Sea God's eighth trial?"
Yang Potian reassured her. "Tianyue, what's there to worry about? You'll have us by your side. Just focus on reaching level ninety-nine, and we'll all fight that whale together."
"But Brother," she hesitated, "I was hoping to make the Deep Sea Demon Whale King my ninth soul ring. It seems that's impossible."
Yang Potian shook his head. "A soul master's ninth ring can't handle the energy of the Demon Whale King's soul ring unless it willingly sacrifices itself. Without that, it's nearly impossible."
"By the way, Tianyue, I noticed your spear technique looked different during the fight. Did you gain some new insights?"
Yang Tianyue grinned. "Actually, during the battle, I heard the Sea God's voice. He offered to teach me the Golden Thirteen Halberds, though I only learned the first three techniques. I'll need to train more to master the others."
Yang Potian nodded with satisfaction, thinking, The Sea God has taken a real liking to Tianyue. She might truly inherit his godly position one day.
Yang Tianyue then asked, "Brother, what was that voice we heard at the end, and what was the dragon claw that stopped your final attack?"
"Di Tian, the Black Dragon Emperor," Yang Potian replied, his gaze turning steely. "He's likely the most powerful soul beast in existence, bar none."
Yang Potian hadn't expected that the fierce beast who wouldn't appear for another ten thousand years in the original timeline would make an appearance now—and alongside Bear Monarch. If it had only been Bear Monarch, Yang Potian would have felt confident in taking him down and claiming him as a soul ring. But when it came to Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King Di Tian, he had no such confidence.
Judging by his aura, Di Tian was likely already an eight-hundred-thousand-year-old beast. Though this didn't match the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's age, Di Tian's noble bloodline as a pure Black Dragon made him immensely powerful. Even in the distant future of the Soul Land II era, Di Tian was known as the undisputed number one, far surpassing the capabilities of Limit Douluos of that time.
Yang Potian silently pondered, Normally, these fierce beasts shouldn't be appearing this early. After all, even when Bibidong nearly killed Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python, the fierce beasts remained hidden. Could they have been provoked because we hunted so many hundred-thousand-year soul beasts?
Indeed, Yang Potian and his group had slain quite a few hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, including the Thunder Dragon, Space Bone Dragon, Dark Nether Leopard, Golden Behemoth, Titan Python, Taotie Sacred Bull, Evil Devil Tiger King, Mutant Ghost Vine, and Golden Scorpion King—far more than any single group had killed before, even those of the Body Sect. And the Golden Scorpion King was itself a fierce beast.
After resting for a few days, the group prepared to return to Skywalker Academy. Though they hadn't reached level ninety-nine, they had achieved more than expected. The only disappointment was not finding the Sky Azure Bull Python or the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger.
Yang Potian, however, still felt a lingering doubt: What happened in the Star Dou Forest? Why did the Sky Azure Bull Python, Titan Giant Ape, and Xiao Wu disappear? Could it be that Xiao Wu was captured by Chrysanthemum Douluo? But then how could they capture the Sky Azure Bull Python?
Meanwhile, deep within the Star Dou Forest near the Lake of Life, Bear Monarch sat sprawled on the ground, a beautiful woman by his side emitting a green light as she healed him. Nearby, several other figures watched, including a tall man cloaked in black with golden eyes—the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, Di Tian.
Looking grim, Di Tian remarked, "Bear Monarch, I'm surprised you've grown this weak. You almost got taken down by a group of children."
Bear Monarch scoffed. "Those kids may be young, but their power is impressive. You didn't fare any better, did you?"
"These children are special," Di Tian replied, his expression darkening. "I refrained from attacking because of their unique status. If I could have acted freely, they would have been dealt with long ago. But why did you attack them without permission?"
Bear Monarch grew serious. "These kids have killed many of our hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts, including the Golden Scorpion King. If we let them continue, they'll wipe out all the high-level beasts in the Star Dou Forest. The Golden Scorpion King was one of our own."
Bear Monarch glared. "You're supposed to be the Beast God, yet you stood by and watched. You've brought shame upon us soul beasts. Maybe I should take over as the Beast God instead."
Suppressing his anger, Di Tian finally sighed. "Bear Monarch, you'd best tread carefully. Those children carry the aura of gods. Our primary mission is to protect our Lord and keep his existence hidden. If the gods discover him, you won't be able to bear the consequences."
Bear Monarch's face grew serious. "If the Lord wishes to avoid exposure, why send me to save that little rabbit outside? Choosing to take human form makes her a traitor to all soul beasts."
Di Tian shook his head. "This matter is crucial to the thousand-year plan of our soul beast clan. You'd better not mess things up, or I'll personally make sure you regret it."
Suddenly, the very core of the Star Dou Forest seemed to ripple, as if space itself were trembling. A ghostly door appeared, and Di Tian's expression changed instantly. Without another word, he vanished and swiftly entered the door.
Inside the door's realm—a vast, empty space within the Lake of Life—Di Tian knelt before a colossal silver dragon, whose presence seemed to resonate with the very air around them.
Di Tian bowed deeply. "Greetings, Lord. What brings you to summon me here?"
One massive eye of the silver dragon opened, glimmering as if it could pierce through worlds. "Di Tian, how goes your work?"
"Lord, everything is in order. We've safely secured the little rabbit at the Lake of Life, along with the three other hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. Now, we await the next phase."
The silver dragon gave a slight nod. "Good. These three soul beasts are of utmost importance. No harm must befall them."
Di Tian, puzzled, asked, "Lord, they're just small soul beasts. Why are they so crucial to you?"
The silver dragon did not answer directly. Instead, it spoke calmly. "I have been observing Douluo Star. Lately, the planet's destiny has undergone a massive shift. Initially, its fortune was centered on three individuals, but now two others have emerged, equally powerful in destiny. Our chosen child of destiny's fortune has waned, suggesting a new and unpredictable factor in this world."
Di Tian looked confused. "Lord, can destiny truly change?"
The silver dragon closed its immense eye and replied, "Of course. Any world is a realm of the unknown, full of limitless transformations and countless variables."
"Douluo Star is the birthplace of the Divine Realm. Every time a child of destiny is born, it signifies the emergence of a potential new god. The Sea God and Angel God of ages past possessed unparalleled destiny, and through faith, they ascended to godhood."
"But now that destiny has divided among five, it signals an impending upheaval in this world," the dragon added, with a trace of somberness.
Di Tian was still unsure. "What does this mean for our soul beast clan? We failed in the past. Surely, the gods of the Divine Realm would never allow a soul beast to ascend."
The silver dragon fell silent for a moment before responding. "Indeed, the gods of the Divine Realm would not permit a soul beast to become a deity. However, a relative of a child of destiny may ascend with them to the Divine Realm. Moreover, a person bearing soul beast blood can ascend, especially if they are a child of destiny."
Understanding dawned on Di Tian, and he nodded solemnly, realizing the lengths they must go to for the sake of the soul beast race's survival and ascension.
If Yang Potian had overheard the silver dragon's plan, he might have scoffed at its shortsightedness. With that kind of reasoning, he'd think, how could this so-called "Lord of Soul Beasts" be so misguided? And who exactly are these chosen ones? The plan may sound clever, but none of the chosen have ever lifted a finger for the soul beast race!
(End of Chapter)
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