As the battle between both sides continued, more and more high-level soul beasts appeared within the Star Dou Forest, including several with extremely high cultivation levels and formidable strength.
Bibi Dong gazed at the numerous soul beasts, her eyes burning with desire.
"So many top-tier soul beasts have shown up... quite a few of them are perfect for my Soul-Devouring Spider Emperor!"
Unfortunately, there was no time, nor any opportunity, to hunt them alone.
Watching the ongoing chaotic battle, Yang Podi knew that he had to make a decisive move. Otherwise, even he might end up getting attacked indiscriminately by the countless soul beasts.
With that thought, his Breaking Soul Spear erupted with countless sharp spear lights, instantly sending the Three,Thousand-Jin Ant Emperors flying.
Then, Yang Podi's figure flickered and reappeared directly in front of the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python.
Most astonishingly, Yang Podi's Breaking Soul Spear actually split into two, transforming into dual spears. Moreover, these Breaking Soul Spears seemed to contain boundless power as they pierced through the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python's bodies, pinning them both to the ground.
Both soul beasts were already severely injured, and now, after suffering such a devastating strike, they were completely immobilized.
But Yang Podi wasn't concerned about any of that.
"These two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts are obvious threats. Rather than letting them benefit Tang San, I might as well slaughter them now."
Staring at the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python, who were now nailed to the ground, Yang Podi raised both hands and suddenly pressed down upon them.
An earth-shattering force surged out from his palms, instantly knocking both soul beasts unconscious.
As Yang Podi surveyed the entire battlefield, he noticed that, on the surface, the battle seemed evenly matched. However, this was ultimately the territory of the soul beasts. With their numbers increasing, the Spirit Empire's forces would likely find themselves at a disadvantage and eventually fall into a desperate situation.
Meanwhile, Bibi Dong and Di Tian were locked in an intense and ferocious battle, though neither had unleashed their divine power yet.
On the other hand, Xiong Jun was proving troublesome. He was simultaneously facing Qian Renxue and Golden Crocodile Douluo—especially Qian Renxue, who wielded the Angelic Holy Sword. In terms of pure strength, she was already not weaker than Xiong Jun.
Up in the sky, a massive Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow was actually holding its own against Azura luna Douluo and Spirit Kite Douluo, showing no signs of falling behind.
"As expected of a top-tier soul beast."
The other Titled Douluos were also fighting various soul beasts, seemingly enjoying the battle.
Among them, Bibi Dong and Di Tian were particularly intense.
At that moment, Di Tian's hand suddenly conjured a gigantic black sword.
The sword's hilt alone was three feet long, while its blade extended eight feet. The black hilt was shaped like a black dragon, and the blade itself was a deep, ominous purple.
The instant it appeared, its terrifying sword aura tore open a massive rift in the sky.
This was Di Tian's self-created ultimate technique:
Black Dragon Sword!
It was clearly formed from Di Tian's innate dark attribute.
With full force, Di Tian swung his Black Dragon Sword, instantly leaving a deep wound on Bibi Dong's right arm.
However, before Di Tian could strike again, a massive blood-red Breaking Soul Spear descended from the sky, intercepting his Black Dragon Sword.
Yang Podi, gripping the Breaking Soul Spear with both hands, launched an all-out thrust at Di Tian.
This spear thrust carried the roars of tigers and dragons—a technique from Yang Podi's self-created Breaking Soul Nine Techniques:
Tiger Roar Dragon Cry Spear!
This attack embodied the ferocity of a dragon and the dominance of a tiger, and the blood-red Breaking Soul Spear seemed to be overflowing with killing intent.
Realizing the immense power behind Yang Podi's strike, Di Tian swung his Black Dragon Sword with all his might to counter it.
The moment the spear blade and the Black Dragon Sword collided, the Black Dragon Sword was split open, leaving a large crack.
After this exchange, both Yang Podi and Di Tian were forced back several dozen meters.
It was clear that their previous clash had been evenly matched, with both possessing similar levels of physical strength and durability.
Originally, Di Tian had been entirely focused on fighting Bibi Dong, even resorting to unveiling his hidden trump card, the Black Dragon Sword.
Yet, halfway through the battle, Yang Podi had abruptly intervened, directly blocking Di Tian's attack.
Having been pushed back over ten meters, Yang Podi sneered while still facing Di Tian head-on.
"Di Tian truly lives up to his name as the strongest expert on Douluo Continent. His strength is indeed formidable."
As Yang Podi continued battling Di Tian, he suddenly let out a furious shout:
"Bibi Dong, the rest is up to you now!"
As the organizer of this soul-hunting operation, Bibi Dong naturally understood the personalities of all involved, even those of the minor figures.
At that moment, six crystalline wings unfurled behind Bibi Dong, shimmering with dazzling light—this was her external spirit bone:
Six-Winged Purple-Gold Wings!
Her figure flashed instantly, swiftly arriving beside the unconscious Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python.
Using soul power, she lifted both soul beasts, preparing to take advantage of the chaos and leave the Star Dou Forest immediately.
However, Di Tian let out a furious roar, transforming into a massive black dragon over a hundred meters long, preparing to rescue the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python.
At that exact moment, Yang Podi's seventh spirit ring gleamed as he activated the true form of his Breaking Soul Spear martial soul.
A colossal phantom materialized behind him, wielding an equally enormous Breaking Soul Spear, and charged directly at the gigantic black dragon.
The black dragon and Breaking Soul Spear clashed head-on, exchanging a single, earth-shattering blow before both combatants reverted to their humanoid forms.
Di Tian's expression darkened as he growled:
"Are you truly determined to assist Bibi Dong? If you insist on making an enemy of our Star Dou Forest, you will pay the price."
Yang Podi merely shook his head slightly and replied:
"I fight for humanity, nothing more. Or perhaps... I'm just settling an old score from when you rescued Tang Hao and the others.
If you and I were to fight with our full strength, neither the people nor the soul beasts in the vicinity would be able to escape alive.
Tell me, am I wrong?"
Di Tian narrowed his eyes, his gaze locked onto Yang Podi, particularly on the Asura Demon Sword strapped to Yang Podi's back.
There was an unmistakable sense of fear and wariness in his eyes.
Meanwhile, the other Spirit Empire experts, seizing the moment Yang Podi stalled Di Tian, unleashed their strongest soul skills on their respective soul beast opponents before swiftly following Bibi Dong's retreat.
Watching their retreating figures, Di Tian's hands subtly shifted—his human hands suddenly morphed into massive dragon claws, poised to strike at any moment.
However, Yang Podi calmly drove the sheathed Asura Demon Sword into the ground, gripping its hilt firmly, ready to unsheathe it at a moment's notice.
Just then, a deep, resounding dragon roar echoed from the depths of the Lake of Life.
The roar carried an overwhelming, penetrating force, making Yang Podi feel as if his very soul was on the verge of shattering.
But the roar lasted only a few seconds before abruptly ceasing, and the entire space quickly returned to calm.
Upon hearing this dragon's roar, Di Tian's face changed drastically.
After a long pause, he finally spoke in an icy tone:
"Next time, if you dare obstruct me again, I will lead the soul beasts in an assault on your Heavenly Academy and leave not a single soul alive!"
Yang Podi remained expressionless, his voice equally cold:
"Likewise. If you ever stand in my way again, I won't hesitate to unsheathe my sword and slaughter every last one of your Star Dou Forest's soul beasts."
Hearing this, Di Tian merely snorted coldly before rapidly departing from the Lake of Life's periphery, clearly heading toward its core region.
Likewise, Yang Podi ignored the remaining soul beasts and swiftly left the battlefield as well.
However, before leaving, his gaze briefly fell on Xiong Jun.
At this point, Xiong Jun was nowhere near as arrogant as when he first appeared—his body was now riddled with multiple sword wounds.
Notably, these wounds carried a peculiar energy, resembling the flames of Qian Renxue's Six-Winged Angel martial soul.
Yang Podi let out a faint sigh, shook his head, and left without another word.
Ultimately, only two fierce beasts had appeared in this battle:
Di Tian and Xiong Jun.
Di Tian was far too powerful—killing him would be extremely difficult.
As for Xiong Jun, his spirit ring held little value for Yang Podi.
After all, he had already attained the pinnacle of Ultimate Gold.