Chapter 60: It's so bitter, so bitter

(The latter part was written just to meet this month's full attendance, many parts are directly copied and pasted.) (Actually, as I wrote, I couldn't continue; my setting got more and more outrageous, but I'll soon start a new book.)

(A sweet story, Douluo One, single female lead, leaning towards daily life, I ask all readers to wait, this will definitely be released at the end of the month.) (Unlike typical invincible stories, the upcoming book leans more towards daily life; as long as the author writes it, not too bad, guaranteed to be sweet and satisfying.) The Imperial Auspicious Beast's injuries have healed, but both of their spirits have fallen into weakness. Xuan Lao originally planned to trap the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, but after seeing it and Chen Qiye's weak appearance, he gave up, because it was unnecessary.

"Chen Qiye, are you alright?" Wang Dong stepped forward to support the swaying Chen Qiye.

Chen Qiye slowly rose to his feet, gazing blankly at the Imperial Auspicious Beast before him, finally letting out a deep sigh. He looked back toward the deepest part of the Star Dou Great Forest, where his gaze seemed to converge with that of the one deep within.

"I'm fine, let me rest a while."

Saying that, Wang Dong supported Chen Qiye as they leaned against a tree to recover his depleted spiritual power.

Xuan Lao gave a slight nod and said, "As long as it boosts your spiritual power, that's fine. It seems the records in that classic were correct; as long as there are no side effects, there's no problem. It looks like I guessed right this time—Shrek Academy's classic really didn't deceive me."

At that moment, the Star Dou Great Forest suddenly exhibited a strange change: the whole forest seemed to tremble slightly, all the treetops within view swayed simultaneously in one direction, then slowly swung back. An invisible pressure, as if a huge change had occurred in heaven and earth, slowly seeped out from within the Star Dou Great Forest. At that very instant, the forest fell utterly silent, as if all living creatures had fallen asleep in an instant.

Xuan Lao flashed over to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's side; a dense yellow light enveloped him, striking Huo Yuhao and the three others together with the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. His expression turned grave, for he could sense that the cultivator about to appear surpassed even him, giving him a feeling of trepidation.

A flash of crimson light passed, and the three-headed Crimson Devil Hound Red King reappeared in everyone's sight.

At that moment, Huo Yuhao also quickly awoke from meditation, standing warily behind Xuan Lao.

At this time, the Red King had lost its earlier fury; its gaze was calm, a calm filled with confidence. In the mouth of its left large head, it still held a dark-purple soul beast entirely.

The Red King coldly said, "Release the auspicious beast; take this soul beast with you." Speaking, it tossed the soul beast from its mouth to the ground. At the same time, its gaze fell on Huo Yuhao: "It seems your disciple was not killed by the auspicious beast."

Xuan Lao lightly replied, "It's just a slight difference; if it weren't for my disciple's quick wit and fast dodge, he would have died just the same. Let's consider this matter settled. Those unwilling to show themselves—won't you come out and let this old man see what you're capable of?"

Just as Xuan Lao was still negotiating, a low voice came from within the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Human, if you wish to die, this king can grant you that."

Is this Di Tian?

At the instant that thought arose, an overbearing force instantly formed an unmatched formidable pressure, causing even the Star Dou Great Forest to tremble.

Setting aside the eventual Huo Yuhao, Di Tian can be said to be the strongest combat force of this era on the Douluo Continent.

Xuan Lao, too, fears neither heaven nor earth, saying, "If you have the ability, go ahead and give it a try!"

However, do you really think they're that awesome? No, they simply didn't know that the fierce beast coming was Di Tian; if Di Tian's true form appeared, and if the Imperial Auspicious Beast weren't in Xuan Lao's hands, he'd surely beat Xuan Lao up.

"Enough, you may go, but that youth beside you must stay. I, in the name of Di Tian, guarantee that this matter will be settled thus." Di Tian's voice sounded again; this time he actually wanted to keep Chen Qiye.

Xuan Lao's expression tightened again; he even wondered just how powerful the other side was, saying, "This probably won't do—he is my Shrek Academy disciple, and I absolutely cannot hand him over to you."

"Don't worry, we won't harm him; I, Di Tian, guarantee it with my honor. You may go, and I will bear no grudge for this incident."

A middle-aged man slowly stepped out; mist condensed, he wore black clothes, his long hair hung over his shoulders. Apart from Xuan Lao and Chen Qiye, no one could see his face clearly.

This is the Beast God, the strongest among soul beasts—Di Tian!

Long ago, Di Tian had already traversed the Douluo Continent; in terms of understanding this world, aside from him, no one else could compare.

Were it not for his responsibility and mission, Di Tian would also leave this world to roam the galaxies.

What a pity, the burden of responsibility is too heavy……

His sorrow lies in the fact that since the Dragon God died, no soul beast has been able to become a god.

Gazing at the man opposite, Chen Qiye slowly said, "Xuan Lao, you all go back first; since Di Tian has made a promise, there's nothing to worry about."

Saying that, Chen Qiye faced Di Tian without the slightest fear.

Even if Di Tian had restrained his aura, it could not change the fact that he was inherently powerful.

This is the human instinctive reaction to fear; following the Imperial Auspicious Beast, Chen Qiye slowly left Xuan Lao's side.

When Chen Qiye reached Di Tian's side, Di Tian seized him in one grasp and then vanished from everyone's sight.

The people standing behind Xuan Lao also turned pale; they knew who Di Tian was, yet they watched helplessly as Chen Qiye was seized—even Xuan Lao there was just as pallid and powerless.

Seeing this, Wang Dong felt his vision darken; Su Yu's departure likely means more misfortune than fortune……

"Xuan Lao, Chen Qiye…"

Wang Dong's eye sockets were gradually reddening; Xuan Lao could only helplessly lead the unconscious soul beast and the others back.

"Don't worry; sometimes soul beasts are more trustworthy than humans. Su Yu will return; even if he doesn't, Shrek Academy won't just give up on him. If Di Tian breaks his promise, then we shall bear the wrath of Shrek Academy!"

This matter can only be left to Mu Lao and the Sea God Pavilion to handle……

On the way back, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion asked like a child about Di Tian.

Di Tian also answered gently, like a father, indulging his questions; as the Beast God honored by all soul beasts, he too is lonely, living the same way for hundreds of thousands of years, still bearing the duty he must guard……

Upon arriving at the Lake of Life, Chen Qiye was casually tossed to the ground; fortunately, Di Tian's control of force was exquisitely precise—otherwise, with his strength, a casual flick might leave Chen Qiye unable to even find a speck of dust.

Feeling the abundant life force before him, Chen Qiye understood why the Silver Dragon King chose this place to heal his wounds; it is indeed a good spot. According to Chen Qiye's own estimate, even an ordinary person who merely drinks this lake's water could live a hundred years.

Being able to condense Vital Spirit Gold is indeed not rare, but the outrageous part is how that Vital Spirit Gold could have flowed out—this is likely the biggest problem.

If a piece of Vital Spirit Gold were absorbed by the Silver Dragon King, it could probably recover its injuries in a short time—after all, it takes twenty million years of the Star Dou Great Forest to condense such a piece. If no one had secretly used some trick, Su Yu would absolutely not believe that something so precious could be lost. "Don't try to resist, or you'll be turned to ashes in an instant."

Under Di Tian's instruction, Chen Qiye released all resistance, sitting cross-legged on the Lake of Life, and Chen Qiye knew why Di Tian had 'invited' him.

Having come, let him be at peace.

The Lake of Life transmitted a distinct vibration; a nine-colored force surged forth from the lake, that mystical power causing even Di Tian's nearby form to tremble slightly.

The Silver Dragon King took action; her target was Chen Qiye, and that mystical power began to explore within his body, her purpose actually simple: to seek out the Dragon God aura erupting from this human.

That mystical power ultimately came to rest in Chen Qiye's Eye of Destiny; after a careful search, it found nothing.

Thus, the first investigation ended just like that, without result.

Chen Qiye knew the Silver Dragon King harbored no killing intent toward him; she merely tried to erase this segment of his memory. Even if she could block Elder Yi's spiritual power, she could not alter the ancestral dragon power deeply rooted in his soul.

Just as the Silver Dragon King's power withdrew, Chen Qiye cooperated by feigning faint.

"My lord, can you find out what the cause is?" Di Tian's voice sounded from not far away.

The Silver Dragon King in the lake let out a helpless sigh: "No, perhaps that aura originally wasn't on him, or maybe it was one of those few people, and he merely picked up a trace of it."

"Then how should we deal with this human? Should we release him now?" Di Tian's meaning is actually simple: since we got the wrong person, just let him go.

"No, keep him for now; perhaps his body truly holds clues, so we can communicate with Shrek Academy. We'll release the person, but not now. This human must not be allowed to die; meet his demands as much as possible, for he still has value for our investigation."

……

After Emperor Tian left, Chen Qiye stood up and felt his vision flicker, then the scenery changed.

What appeared before him was no longer the smooth, mirror‑like Life Lake reflecting the full moon, but a silver giant dragon.

This silver dragon clearly had the Western dragon's shape, yet its scales were not the uneven, rugged kind of Western dragons; its lines were very smooth.

Staring at the silver dragon, even Chen Qiye was stunned and couldn't help reaching out to touch its hexagonal rhombus‑shaped scales, "So beautiful…".

But the moment his hand was about to touch the scales, Chen Qiye snapped back to his senses and withdrew his hand.

At that instant, the silver dragon suddenly opened its massive dragon eyes, a wave of oppressive pressure followed, yet it had no effect on Qin Wang Yu.

"You're the Silver Dragon King, right?" Chen Qiye asked.

"You know my identity?" Gu Yue Na asked.

Chen Qiye gave a light laugh and said, "I know, and I don't know."

A rainbow of flowing light suddenly flared on the silver dragon's body.

After the rainbow light surrounding the silver dragon contracted, a completely naked silver‑haired girl appeared before Qin Wang Yu.

The girl was exceptionally beautiful, with silver hair, violet eyes, a tall, curvy figure, and her long silver hair fell loosely, barely covering the exposed parts of her body.

Seeing the girl, Chen Qiye blurted out two words, "Gu Yue???"

……

Unwittingly, three days had passed, and the Sea God Pavilion was already in uproar.

"What? You say Mu Lao has already negotiated with Emperor Tian?" Xuan Lao widened his eyes and stared at Lin Lao.

Dressed in white, Lin Lao nodded, "Actually, this was originally meant to be handled by the Sea God Pavilion before going to negotiate with the Star Dou Great Forest, but Mu Lao said he would take care of it himself. After all, he dealt with the beast tide in the Star Dou Great Forest before, so you need not worry about this."

"Lin Huiqun, why didn't you say earlier, how long has Mu Lao been out?" Xuan Lao's worry wasn't about a clash between sides, but about Mu Lao's health.

"He's been out for about half an hour; you can still chase him now…"

Xuan Lao wasn't idle either; although he knew Mu Lao was probably already negotiating with Emperor Tian, he still felt uneasy.

The Star Dou Great Forest.

"Mu En, your student still needs to stay in my Star Dou Great Forest for a while; as for why, I don't think the Star Dou Great Forest needs to tell you." The one who came to negotiate was not Emperor Tian but the Demon King.

Clearly, the top ferocious beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest should all know the Silver Dragon King's existence; otherwise they couldn't offer the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm as nourishment to the Silver Dragon King.

Mu En leaned on a cane, slowly appearing before the Demon King, and said, "I'm not here to retrieve my student. Since Emperor Tian has already made a promise, I have no reservations. But I need to speak with Emperor Tian, because the one detained is my Sleek student; as for you, you have no say."

A surge of powerful energy erupted behind Mu En, and two yellow, one purple, three black, and three red soul rings rose with it. The Demon King opposite was also tense; he knew exactly who the human was, and if he acted now, he could not guarantee the opponent would stand down.

Because the Star Dou Great Forest had detained the Sleek disciple, a battle here would cause irreparable damage to the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Mu En, I advise you not to be too reckless; this is the Star Dou Great Forest, not Sleek's territory." The Demon King was also secretly gathering power, and the situation was slowly smelling of gunpowder.

At that moment, an invisible force brushed over the two, erasing all their oppressive pressure; as space rippled, a man in black with shoulder‑length hair appeared before them.

"Enough. I, Emperor Tian, always keep my word; Mu En, you may return." Emperor Tian had his hands behind his back, calmly gazing at Mu En.

Mu Lao folded away his soul rings, looked at Emperor Tian, and, in Douluo Continent, everyone knows what Emperor Tian represents, yet Mu En would not back down. "I just want to know how my student is now."

"Fine. After you've seen it, you may leave."

(End of chapter)