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“Hmph, you’d better hope it isn’t.”

Ye Yushui snorted and said, “Don’t think that just because you’ve become the emperor, everything will go your way.”

“I’m telling you, in this world, strength reigns supreme.”

“I know you hate Su Yu to the core, but for now, it’s not the time to provoke him.”

“The power behind him is beyond your imagination.”

“Right now, what you should do is quickly grasp all the power of the Sun Moon Empire.”

“Only then will you have the basic qualifications to seek revenge.”

Xu Tiannan’s eyes were filled with deep unwillingness as he said, “Senior Death God, is Ice God Palace really that strong?”

Ye Yushui nodded, a little displeased. “Though I’m reluctant to admit it, they are indeed very strong.”

“Especially the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong. With him around, it’s almost impossible to touch Ice God Palace.”

“That’s why I want you to hurry up.”

“If you can advance further, even Hai Bodong won’t scare me.”

Xu Tiannan’s gaze flickered, and he replied, “Yes, I understand.”

“The enthronement ceremony is in seven days. After that, I’ll personally announce preparations for war against Douluo Continent.”

Only then did Ye Yushui show a slight smile and nod in satisfaction.

“As long as you follow our plan, I guarantee you’ll achieve your ambitions.”

Ye Yushui reassured him, then disappeared in a flash.

Once Ye Yushui left, the warm smile on Xu Tiannan’s face slowly faded away.

His eyes grew obscure, flashing with a sinister light.

“Ice God Palace, Ye Yushui…”

Xu Tiannan murmured silently, a hint of brutality and ruthlessness in his eyes.

“You all look down on me. I’ll show you the price of underestimating me!”

Clenching his fists, Xu Tiannan swore to himself.

Then, he pushed his wheelchair and slowly left.

He was going to find Kong Deming. Compared to Ye Yushui, he trusted the hall master of Imperial Consecration Hall more.

No matter what Kong Deming thought, there was one thing for sure—he was the guardian of the Sun Moon Empire, and that couldn’t be false.

And since he was about to ascend the throne, Xu Tiannan believed he’d get a good result.

…

…

Radiant City, Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

The always composed Jing Hongchen was, for once, flustered, pacing anxiously in the hall.

“How did this happen?”

“Xu Tiannan managed to make a comeback?”

“And especially the Hall Master’s attitude—who would’ve thought he’d support Xu Tiannan?”

Jing Hongchen kept muttering to himself.

The events of today were just too shocking, making it hard for him to calm his turbulent heart.

He’d thought Xu Tiannan was finished, but then he staged a coup—and succeeded.

In just one night, such a huge upheaval had occurred.

Jing Hongchen caught completely off guard, was at a loss.

Undoubtedly, this was extremely bad news for him.

With Xu Tiannan’s coup and Kong Deming’s support, the bloody purge had already solidified his control over the situation.

Jing Hongchen was alone and powerless, unable to change anything.

He’d long fallen out with Xu Tiannan; now that Xu Tiannan was in power, how could he expect good days ahead?

Maybe Xu Tiannan was already plotting how to deal with him.

Now, the Royal Soul Engineer Regiment and the Imperial Consecration Hall were both in Xu Tiannan’s hands.

Even if he wanted to go down fighting, there was nothing he could do.

“Fortunately…”

Jing Hongchen suddenly felt a bit of relief—Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen had left with Su Yu.

Even if something happened to him, at least his grandchildren would be safe.

At least the Hongchen family’s legacy wouldn’t be cut off.

“Damn it, how did things turn out like this all of a sudden?”

Jing Hongchen cursed inwardly, extremely agitated.

That useless Xu Tiannan managed to make a comeback.

It was infuriating.

“Who’s backing him?”

Jing Hongchen couldn’t figure it out.

Why?

Why was Xu Tiannan able to rise again?

There must be some other power behind him—otherwise, that coup couldn’t have gone so smoothly.

“Could it be… evil soul masters?”

Jing Hongchen speculated in his heart.

…

…

Meanwhile, Su Yu and the others, having left Heaven Dou City, had also arrived at Star Dou Great Forest.

The lush, endless primeval forest stretched as far as the eye could see, like a coiled giant dragon. Beneath its majestic exterior was a sense of solemn depth.

No one could guess how many powerful soul beasts lurked beneath this vibrant forest.

Here, countless opportunities existed—but it was also a death trap for many.

“So, this is the Star Dou Great Forest?”

Meng Hongchen exclaimed in surprise, curiously sizing up the forest before her.

Of those present, she was probably the only one visiting the Star Dou Great Forest for the first time.

This place, known as the continent’s number one soul beast habitat, deeply sparked her curiosity.

“Star Dou Great Forest, the continent’s top soul beast territory. It’s extremely dangerous.”

“We need to be extra careful.”

Jiang Nannan’s expression was grave.

The Star Dou Great Forest was no joke, with many powerful soul beasts lurking within.

Especially the numerous beast-king-level soul beasts—if disturbed, the consequences could be dire.

The girls all reacted differently to Jiang Nannan’s warning.

Xue Di remained icy cold, Di Mingli didn’t even bat an eyelid.

Wang Dong’er blinked her big eyes, a strange look in them.

Careful?

Are you sure?

She glanced at Su Yu, her strange expression growing stronger.

“All right, let’s go in.”

Su Yu called out, leading the girls into the forest.

He moved quickly, heading straight for the core zone.

Watching Su Yu charge forward like he was going home, Meng Hongchen and Jiang Nannan didn’t know what to say.

This was the Star Dou Great Forest—how could Su Yu act so casually?

What if they disturbed some powerful soul beasts?

Su Yu was strong, but this was still the Star Dou Great Forest.

Especially the core zone—the forbidden land for soul masters.

“Xiao Yu, are we going to the core zone?” Jiang Nannan asked quietly.

Su Yu’s intentions seemed a bit obvious.

“Soul beasts elsewhere aren’t special enough. The best are in the core zone.”

“Just follow me.”

“But…” Jiang Nannan was worried.

“Relax.”

Su Yu replied offhandedly and kept moving.

As they went deeper, Meng Hongchen and Jiang Nannan noticed something odd.

Wherever they passed, all the soul beasts gave way.

Not a single soul beast dared attack them.

Most memorable was when Su Yu led them into the territory of a soul beast clan.

The entire clan lined up on either side, simply watching them pass. It was surreal.

Both Jiang Nannan and Meng Hongchen were baffled.

They went deeper, through the mixed zone and into the core.

This ridiculous situation kept happening.

They saw a Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear with over ten thousand years of cultivation run away at the sight of Su Yu.

This was a Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear!

A true super soul beast.

Strong enough to fight a Titled Douluo.

But Su Yu just glanced at it, and it fled in terror.

Even if Meng Hongchen and Jiang Nannan were a bit slow, they realized something was very wrong.

Extremely wrong!

Unimpeded, they soon reached the deepest part.

Before them was no longer a forest, but a jade-green lake.

The water was as clear as a precious mirror, fresh mist filling the air. Just a whiff was invigorating.

“This… this is…”

Other than Su Yu, Di Mingli, and Xue Di, everyone was seeing this for the first time.

Who would’ve thought that such a paradise existed at the heart of the Star Dou Great Forest?

“This is the Lake of Life, the source of all life in the Star Dou Great Forest.”

A gentle female voice drew the girls’ attention.

They looked over to see a man and a woman walking slowly toward them.

The woman wore a water-green dress, her aura pure and gentle, radiating a soft warmth.

The man was nine feet tall, with black hair and a distinctive golden streak.

His face was imposing, and his golden eyes brimming with authority.

The girls were startled, then instantly on guard.

How could there be other people in the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest?

But these weren’t people—they were fierce beasts.

Only fierce beasts could freely take human form.

“Who are you?” Meng Hongchen asked warily.

Bi Ji smiled slightly. “According to you humans, I’m ranked fourth among the Ten Great Fierce Beasts.”

“My true form is the Emerald Swan. You can call me Bi Ji.”

“As for him, he’s Di Tian. I’m sure you’ve heard of him.”

“Beast God Di Tian?”

Jiang Nannan cried out, and Meng Hongchen’s face also changed.

Beast God Di Tian—that name was truly legendary.

He was the top-ranked of the Ten Great Fierce Beasts.

The Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King—Di Tian.

The strongest soul beast on Douluo Continent.

It was over.

Jiang Nannan and Meng Hongchen felt their hearts sink.

Di Tian’s name was just too intimidating.

Would they even make it out alive?

“Looks like your reputation still precedes you,” Bi Ji teased Di Tian with a sidelong glance.

Di Tian didn’t answer, just looked toward Su Yu and knelt on one knee. “Greetings, Young Master!”

“Greetings, Young Master!” Bi Ji’s expression also turned solemn as she bowed.

Jiang Nannan: ???

 Meng Hongchen: ???

 For a moment, both girls were dumbfounded.

Y-young master…?

“Uncle Di Tian, Aunt Bi, you can get up.”

Su Yu gestured for them to rise.

Di Tian was too much of a stickler for rules. Su Yu had tried to persuade him, but Di Tian insisted on bowing every time.

So, Su Yu just let him be.