Chapter 26: Di Tian and Snow Empress
As Ye Wen ventured alone into the Star Dou Forest, he didn't linger in the outer regions, where the soul beasts mostly topped out at a few thousand years of cultivation. With his strength now at an astonishing 11,000 jin, he had no use for these lower level beasts. To find a beast approaching 10,000 years, he had to go deeper into the forest's mixed zone the real target of his journey.
If seasoned soul masters had known of his plan, they would've mocked his arrogance. The mixed zone was perilous, generally requiring a Soul Sage level expert as an escort just to explore safely. Beasts with 10,000 year cultivation roamed the area like common creatures, and lower level soul masters rarely survived there.
Luckily, Ye Wen had his unique Simulate Reality skill, a near invincible camouflage ability. He felt confident he could locate his target without attracting unnecessary attention from high level soul beasts. Only a truly powerful spirit beast skilled in mental detection could possibly notice him, and even then, his divine level Naboo martial soul was a formidable defense.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest's heart lay the true Lake of Life. A pair of golden eyes opened in the pitch black depths. Cold and piercing, the vertical pupils belonged to none other than Di Tian, the Golden Eyed Black Dragon King.
"An aura of foreign power," Di Tian murmured, sensing a powerful presence laced with an icy soul power. "It's pure cold... Could it be one of the Three Kings from the Far North? This aura has a touch of gentle spirit amid the frost... It must be Snow Empress. I can't allow her to disrupt the Master's rest I'll see to this myself."
At that moment, Ye Wen was still combing the mixed zone for his desired target, a soul beast with shadow based abilities that could enhance his escape and stealth skills. He had no idea that the forest's reigning overlords were already taking notice of his presence.
Suddenly, Di Tian appeared before Snow Empress. Clad in a black robe with piercing golden eyes and a strong, chiseled face, he regarded her with caution.
"Snow Empress, what brings you here?"
Snow Empress met his gaze calmly, without fear, though she knew he was more powerful. "I mean no harm. I am here as a guardian to aid in the growth of the World's Child."
"The World's Child?" Di Tian raised an eyebrow and glanced toward Ye Wen's direction, an incredulous look in his eyes. "You mean that human? Although his aura is well hidden, I sense no heavenly blessing about him. Are you certain?"
"World Consciousness revealed itself before me to grant him a revelation," Snow Empress replied coolly. "Instinct also tells me to safeguard his growth."
"Very well. However, do not overstep." His voice grew cold, a glint of murder flashing in his golden eyes. "If he approaches the core zone or the Lake of Life, I will kill him myself."
Snow Empress's expression hardened as a frosty aura emerged from her. A biting chill spread through the area, coating everything in a thin layer of frost.
After a moment of tense silence, Di Tian relented. "As you wish. My honor as the Golden Eyed Black Dragon King forbids me from striking down weaklings. But remember stay clear of the core zone."
Without further discussion, he vanished, leaving the air thick with lingering tension.
Meanwhile, Ye Wen remained oblivious to the high stakes exchange happening near him. As the creatures around him suddenly bolted in alarm, he swiftly climbed a tree, sensing something unusual.
"Impressive!" Ye Wen whispered, watching the chaos below. "This forest truly lives up to its reputation."
Then, among the fleeing beasts, he noticed a dark, shadowy figure streaking through the trees.
"A shadow leopard with a cultivation of around 9,000 years. Close enough," he thought with satisfaction.
Ye Wen raised his hand crossbow, his eyes locking onto his target as he released a silent shot. But the leopard, sensing danger, melded into a shadow and dodged at the last second.
"As expected from a soul beast with shadow abilities," Ye Wen mused, watching it narrowly evade his shot. "No matter. Now that I've found you, there's no escape."
With Simulate Reality concealing his presence, he tailed the beast undetected. The shadow leopard, still on alert, surveyed its surroundings warily. It released a low, warning growl, bristling with tension as it tried to identify its pursuer.
"Sorry, but this is goodbye," Ye Wen muttered as he took aim and pulled the trigger again.
The leopard barely registered the attack before the bolt struck. As its life faded, it glimpsed Ye Wen stepping out of his camouflage, seemingly wishing to curse him for his underhanded tactics.
Ye Wen didn't feel any remorse he had no attachment to warrior honor or codes of fair play. He simply valued efficiency.
As he watched the beast's soul ring manifest a deep purple hue tinged with black Ye Wen marveled once again at the strange magic of the Douluo world, where spirit beasts' cultivation condensed into rings for humans to absorb.
"9,900 years," Ye Wen observed, a smile crossing his face. "Right on the edge of becoming a ten thousand year soul beast. I couldn't have timed it better."
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