As the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python were being attacked by Bibi Dong's group, deep within the core region of the Star Dou Forest, there lay a hidden lake—this was the true Lake of Life.
The spiritual energy here was incredibly dense, far surpassing that of the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python's location. Around the lake, there were eight enormous dark shadows, each radiating an extremely powerful aura—clearly, they were all fierce beasts.
This place seemed to be surrounded by an illusionary formation, making it impossible for external creatures to enter, nor could their auras leak out. From afar, it merely appeared as a mass of mist.
At the forefront stood the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, Di Tian, whom Yang Podi had encountered before.
At this moment, Di Tian's expression was exceptionally grim. He had already warned the Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape multiple times to be cautious and remain hidden as much as possible.
However, that Titan Giant Ape refused to stay put. It frequently ventured out to hunt ordinary soul beasts and even roamed around for amusement, ultimately attracting the covetous eyes of so many soul masters.
This time, the Spirit Empire had sent most of its top experts to hunt down the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python. At the forefront was Bibi Dong, who had already reached Rank 99, the peak of a Titled Douluo. Moreover, she carried a divine aura—she was likely the inheritor of the Rakshasa God.
Di Tian and the other fierce beasts had been hiding in the core region of the Star Dou Forest primarily to evade the detection of the gods from the Divine Realm, particularly the Asura God, who had slain the Dragon God in the past.
Suddenly, a female voice came from the side, carrying a trace of concern:
"Di Tian, what should we do now? That monkey and that snake are in extreme danger. If we don't take action, they'll surely die."
Di Tian's expression darkened further, and he finally spoke in a deep, rumbling voice:
"I have warned them repeatedly and even hidden them away, yet they still disregarded my orders and courted death. That monkey, in particular, was discovered by humans multiple times—he's practically asking for it."
The female voice continued, "Regardless, they are our kin. Especially that snake—he carries our dragon bloodline."
Di Tian let out a cold snort. "If not for his dragon bloodline, I wouldn't have been so indulgent with them."
"But Di Tian, isn't this the wrong time? According to our lord's plan, our true supporters are still thousands of miles away. If we sacrifice them now, won't it disrupt our lord's plan? Worse, won't it incur his wrath?"
As she spoke, her voice trembled slightly, carrying both fear and unease.
Before Di Tian could respond, a powerful male voice interrupted:
"Di Tian, if you just stand by and watch our kin die, what right do you have to call yourself the ruler of soul beasts? If you ask me, we should all charge out together and slaughter those humans outside!"
Di Tian's eyes flashed with anger. "Xiong Jun, if you want to die, go ahead. Have you already forgotten what happened in Heaven Dou City not long ago? If I hadn't taken you away in time, you wouldn't have made it out alive."
The speaker was none other than Xiong Jun, the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, a soul beast over 400,000 years old. Xiong Jun was short-tempered, deeply hostile toward humans, and even defied Di Tian. In the past, he had even tried to ambush Di Tian, making him an extremely fierce being.
Xiong Jun sneered in disdain. "Back in Heaven Dou City, they only had the advantage of numbers. If it were a one-on-one fight, I wouldn't fear them. And this is the core region of the Star Dou Forest! If we allow them to brazenly slaughter our soul beast clan, how can we still call ourselves fierce beasts? And you, how can you still call yourself the Beast God?"
Di Tian remained silent, seemingly deep in thought. His expression fluctuated between light and dark, his eyes flashing with a chilling gleam.
The woman beside him seemed to understand his hesitation. "Di Tian, I know what you're worried about. You fear that our actions will alert the Asura God, endangering our lord."
"But don't forget—this is the core region of the Star Dou Forest. There are countless Hundered-thousand-year soul beasts outside. We don't all need to act. A few of us can intervene while summoning the high-year soul beasts outside to besiege those humans. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"
From beginning to end, only this woman continued speaking. Perhaps she was the only one who dared to do so.
Unlike the other fierce beasts, this woman's entire being radiated a powerful life aura. She was none other than Bi Ji, the Emerald Swan, ranked fourth among the Ten Great Beasts and also Di Tian's wife.
Hearing this, Di Tian's eyes lit up. He and the other beasts did not wish to fully reveal their strength, but as the ruler of the Star Dou Forest, he could completely summon other soul beasts to attack the invaders.
With this thought, Di Tian turned to the others and said, "This time, Xiong Jun and I will take action. The rest of you, conceal your strength. Do not let them find out."
By the Lake of Life, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo activated their Martial Soul Fusion Skill:Dual Polar Static Domain, restraining the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python, who had originally planned to self-destruct.
Meanwhile, Bibi Dong, having transformed into the enormous Soul-Devouring Spider Emperor, swung her massive spider legs, aiming to deliver a fatal blow to the two soul beasts.
At that very moment, a deafening dragon roar erupted from within the Lake of Life. This roar was completely different from what Yang Podi had heard in his previous encounters with Di Tian—it sounded more like a summoning.
Simultaneously, a mighty voice resounded:
"Humans, how dare you attempt to harm my kin in my presence!"
In the next instant, a colossal dragon, stretching several hundred meters long, soared into the sky. From its mouth, it unleashed a massive beam of energy, clearly targeting the giant circular fusion skill formed by Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.
Faced with this sudden attack, both Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were alarmed. The sheer power of the energy far exceeded what they could withstand.
At that very moment, an enormous dragon tail swept across the battlefield, instantly shattering their Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Moving at incredible speed, the black dragon's giant claws shot forward, reaching for Bibi Dong as she attacked.
Everyone present was stunned by the turn of events. Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo swiftly dodged the black dragon's assault, but their separation caused the circular fusion technique in the sky to disappear.
Meanwhile, the dragon's claws clashed with Bibi Dong's spider legs, sending her flying several meters backward.
In the next instant, a dark shadow flickered, and the black dragon transformed into a towering man clad in black, standing protectively in front of the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python.
Seeing the black figure before him, the Azure Bull Python's massive head glowed faintly with fading blue light as it gradually ceased its self-destruction.