Boom!
A muffled thunder seemed to explode in the minds of the two ferocious beasts. Both Bear lord and the Scarlet King staggered back, their massive frames trembling under the weight of an unimaginable revelation.
They doubted their own ears, but deep down, they knew it was impossible to mishear.
That silver-haired human had uttered the words: "Silver Dragon King."
Those three words, laden with ancient weight, carried the history of the soul beast co-master—a legend buried in secrecy long before even the oldest of ferocious beasts roamed.
How could this human—a mere boy—know such a name?
Both Bear lord and the Scarlet King froze, their massive intellects clouded with shock and dread. Conspiracy theories churned in their minds. If their actions had unwittingly jeopardized the co-master's plans…
The Black Dragon King (Di Tian) would show no mercy.
A clear, steady voice interrupted their spiraling panic.
"You two, calm yourselves," Su Chen's tone carried authority beyond his years, steady as the heartbeat of the great forest itself.
It snapped them from their stupor.
This boy!
If they captured him and unraveled his secrets, perhaps they could still salvage the situation.
Bear lord and the Scarlet King locked eyes with Su Chen.
Their gazes met his—and in that instant, they saw his eyes shift.
A scarlet glow flickered to life, ominous and consuming. The three tomoe in his Sharingan whirled like fangs of an unseen predator.
Buzz!
A colossal projection of the Iceworm Spirit emerged behind Su Chen, its spectral body emanating waves of overwhelming spiritual energy.
"Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!"
His voice rang like a bell of judgment. The three tomoe spiraled, nearly forming a new pattern.
The beasts' eyes met the scarlet orbs, and the world shifted.
It was the same forest. Familiar. Yet something was wrong.
The Bear lord and the Scarlet King blinked in confusion.
This is… the Great Star Dou Forest?
They shook their heads, trying to piece together the fragmented memories of what had just occurred.
And then they saw it.
Blood.
Bear Lord stepped forward, the air around him growing colder as his gaze fell on the source.
A small, golden beast lay motionless in a pool of its own blood.
"No…!"
Bear Lord froze. A chill unlike any he had ever known seeped into his very soul.
Behind him, the Scarlet King let out a strangled growl, taking one step forward before collapsing in terror.
Su Chen fell to his knees, his chest heaving as he gasped for air.
The technique had drained every ounce of his mental energy, as well as the reserves provided by the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm.
But it had worked.
The two towering ferocious beasts were frozen in place, their immense bodies stiff as statues.
"Hahahaha!"
Despite the sharp pain lancing through his mind, Su Chen grinned. His gamble had paid off.
The Hell viewing Techniques a genjutsu that forces its victims to confront their greatest fears—had struck a decisive blow.
By baiting them with the name Silver Dragon King, Su Chen had dismantled their psychological defenses, creating an opening to unleash the technique with devastating precision.
Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's mental power had amplified his own, allowing him to achieve what should have been impossible.
As a mere Soul Master, he had subdued two hundred-thousand-year-old ferocious beasts.
Within the spiritual space, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm was paralyzed with shock.
He actually did it.
The Ice Silkworm's body trembled as it stared at the immobilized beasts. For a moment, it felt like everything was a dream.
"Big Brother… Big Brother is definitely the reincarnation of a god!"
Its reverence for Su Chen deepened immeasurably.
With Big Brother, ascension is just around the corner!
Su Chen coughed, his face pale.
"We can't linger… not here."
His voice was weak but resolute. He forced himself to stand, swaying on his feet.
"Damn it… I'm… going to…"
Before he could finish, darkness claimed him, and he collapsed.
Su Chen stifled a laugh, waving his hand weakly as he staggered toward a faintly familiar scent. His steps were unsteady, but his expression held a trace of triumph.
"Elder Ju, you're late as always," he murmured, half-smiling.
A streak of golden light tore through the dense jungle, revealing Ju Douluo Yue Guan's increasingly pale and anxious face.
"Brat, what madness did you stir up this time?!" Ju Douluo hissed, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and dread.
Yue Guan didn't pause to analyze the scene, his instincts screaming at him to act. Su Chen had been sent to hide and observe, not to ignite a storm in the Star Dou Great Forest. Now, silence reigned, broken only by the faint rustle of leaves, and it unnerved him deeply.
He pushed through the final thicket, each step heavy with apprehension. What met his eyes made him freeze.
Under the pale morning sun, the silver-haired boy emerged from the foliage. His gait was calm but slightly wobbly, and his expression carried a faint smirk.
Behind him stood two colossal soul beasts—the Dark Gold Terror claw Bear and the Three-Headed Scarlet Devil Headed Mastiff. Their claws were extended mid-strike, yet their massive bodies were utterly immobile. Sunlight glinted off their fur, giving them an almost metallic sheen, as if they had been turned to statues by some divine will.
Ju Douluo's breath caught in his throat. Even in all his years of service to the Wuhun Hall, he had never seen anything like this.
"By the heavens..." Yue Guan muttered under his breath. For a fleeting moment, he doubted whether Su Chen was merely a boy—or something far greater.
________________
Two Days Later – Spirit Hall, Pope's Private Garden
Su Chen stirred, his eyelids fluttering open to reveal a ceiling draped in fine silk curtains embroidered with faint, cloud-like patterns. The serene surroundings were a far cry from the chaos of the forest. He took a deep breath, his tense body finally relaxing.
He was alive, and it seemed Yue Guan had brought him back to safety. If he had survived, then the two Douluo must have handled any aftermath effectively. For now, this was the best outcome he could have hoped for.
Still, the Star Dou Great Forest was now off-limits for him. At least until he grew strong enough to protect himself. The name "Silver Dragon King" weighed heavily on his mind. One wrong step, and he'd find himself hunted by both soul beasts and humans.
But despite the risks, his efforts had yielded significant gains. The corners of Su Chen's mouth lifted slightly at the thought.
"Something amusing you, Su Chen?"
The cold yet elegant voice snapped him out of his thoughts. His eyes darted upward, meeting a familiar pair of wine-red eyes. Standing over him was none other than Bibi Dong, the Supreme Pontiff of the Spirit Hall. Her imposing presence made the air feel heavier, and Su Chen immediately straightened up, wincing slightly from his still-weary body.
"Your Holiness," Su Chen greeted, bowing his head in respect. "I am honored by your presence."
Bibi Dong's gaze was as sharp as ever, her lips curving into a faint, unreadable smile. "Yue Guan speaks highly of you. I must admit, I'm curious how a mere great soul master managed to bring two hundred-thousand-year-old beasts to their knees."
Su Chen's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly masked his emotions. "It was... a fortunate gamble, Your Holiness. I used all the tools at my disposal and pushed beyond my limits."
Bibi Dong's expression didn't change, but her tone grew slightly colder. "A gamble that could have cost your life. Do you think the Spirit Hall's resources exist for you to squander so recklessly?"
The reprimand made Su Chen lower his head further. "I overstepped, Your Holiness. It will not happen again."
"See that it doesn't," Bibi Dong replied, her tone softening just enough to feel less oppressive. "Still, your results are commendable. The potential you've shown is worthy of cultivation—but remember, potential alone is worthless without discipline."
Her words were firm but carried a weight of care. She turned and began to leave, pausing only once to add, "Rest well. Your training resumes tomorrow. You still have much to learn, Su Chen."
"Yes, Your Holiness," Su Chen said, bowing deeply as she departed.
As the garden fell silent, Su Chen let out a slow breath.