After the thunder tribulation, a radiant, multicolored light descended upon Su Bai. This was the reward for successfully overcoming the tribulation. Bathing in the sacred light, Su Bai closed his eyes. The mystical light not only fortified his cultivation but also healed his injuries. His damaged scales began to regenerate at a visible pace, and soon, his body was restored to its prime, even stronger than before. The once-black scales now shimmered with starlight, exhibiting a divine radiance.
Su Bai realized he had completed his transformation. He felt a newfound strength coursing through his body, far surpassing his previous power. Although the Dragon Tribulation was fearsome, the benefits it bestowed were immense. With his current strength, he was confident he could hold his own against even the Emperor Crocodile.
As he was contemplating this, a loud, piercing noise shattered the tranquility.
"Hmm!?"
Su Bai's eyes snapped open. A golden blur shot towards him, and his instincts took over. He lashed out with his dragon tail, meeting the attack head-on.
Boom!
The impact was tremendous, causing the very space around them to tremble. Su Bai was forced back by the sheer force, and he finally saw his assailant—a massive soul beast, entirely clad in golden scales that provided formidable defense. Hovering in the sky, it looked down on Su Bai with an air of supremacy.
"The Emperor Crocodile!"
The other soul beasts gasped in unison. The Emperor Crocodile, the undisputed overlord of the Star Dou Forest, was instantly recognizable. Its golden scales and immense size were symbols of its unmatched power and dominance.
"As expected, the Emperor Crocodile won't allow a new hundred-thousand-year soul beast to emerge," a soul beast muttered from a safe distance, concealing its presence. Despite Su Bai's impressive aura, he had only just ascended. Compared to the seasoned Emperor Crocodile, he seemed at a disadvantage. The Emperor Crocodile, with its noble lineage and nearly two hundred thousand years of cultivation, was a daunting opponent. The soul beasts doubted Su Bai could prevail.
"Su Bai!" Xiao Wu cried out in fear, while Da Ming and Er Ming shared her anxiety. They knew that after the tribulation, Su Bai would be at his weakest, hardly a match for the Emperor Crocodile.
Determined, Xiao Wu made a move toward Su Bai, but Da Ming blocked her path with his massive frame.
"Da Ming, move aside!" she demanded. "Have you forgotten who saved us? How Su Bai has treated us all these years? No matter what, I must stand by his side."
"Xiao Wu, please don't make it harder for Su Bai," Da Ming said, his voice heavy with concern. "If we go there, we'll only distract him. He might even have to protect us."
"But—"
"And Su Bai might not lose," Da Ming interrupted, directing Xiao Wu's attention back to Su Bai. Despite being pushed back in their initial clash, Su Bai's expression remained calm and composed, reflecting his unwavering confidence in his own strength.
Seeing this, Xiao Wu felt a bit more reassured, though her heart still ached with worry. She resolved that if Su Bai fell, she would not survive alone.
Da Ming's reasoning was sound. Su Bai's confidence stemmed from his lineage as the Primordial Azure Dragon, the supreme ruler of the dragon clan. Though his cultivation level was lower, his inherent abilities gave him a fighting chance. The initial setback was merely a reaction to the Emperor Crocodile's surprise attack; it wasn't indicative of their true power dynamics.
Moreover, Su Bai trusted in his physical prowess. Among those of similar rank, the Primordial Azure Dragon body was unmatched. Even though the Emperor Crocodile had a higher cultivation, Su Bai believed he could hold his ground.
The Emperor Crocodile then spoke, its voice echoing with authority. "Despite my vigilance, a soul beast has managed to reach a hundred thousand years under my watch. It seems you have a unique talent for concealing your cultivation. However, this ends now."
As the sovereign of the Star Dou Forest and on the brink of his own breakthrough to two hundred thousand years, the Emperor Crocodile could not tolerate another hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
Concealing my cultivation? Su Bai thought, then understood. A year ago, he was only a fifty-thousand-year soul beast. Now, he had swiftly ascended to a hundred thousand years. Such rapid progress was indeed extraordinary, leading to the Emperor Crocodile's misconception.
But could it kill him? Su Bai's resolve hardened. The outcome of their battle was far from certain.
"Hmph!"
Su Bai let out a cold snort, wasting no words as his aura surged to its peak.
In the world of soul beasts, strength reigns supreme.
There was no need for excessive talk: win and live, lose and die, simple as that.
"Hmph! Overestimating yourself!"
Watching Su Bai brimming with fighting spirit, the Emperor Crocodile sneered, its massive tail lashing out again.
To the Emperor Crocodile, the gap in cultivation between them was vast; it was inconceivable that Su Bai could be a match for it.
Yet, Su Bai still dared to challenge it. If that wasn't overconfidence, then what was?
Fine.
Let him pay the price for his choice.
Let him understand the true gap between himself and a ruler like the Emperor Crocodile!
"Come on then!"
As the giant tail whipped towards him, Su Bai met it head-on with his Indestructible Azure Dragon Claw.
Boom~
The collision of energies caused the sky to explode, the impact resounding far and wide.
The massive golden body of the Emperor Crocodile was sent reeling backwards.
Su Bai, however, remained unmoved in his place.
After the initial clash.
The Emperor Crocodile's eyes grew serious, shedding its earlier contempt as it stared intently at Su Bai.
That previous attack had utilized seventy percent of its power, yet it found itself at a disadvantage.
The Emperor Crocodile had immense confidence in its physical prowess and its cultivation was much higher than Su Bai's.
By all expectations, this should have been a one-sided domination!
But now... it was at a temporary disadvantage.
"It seems I truly cannot afford to let you live."
With those words,
The scales on the Emperor Crocodile shimmered with golden light, signaling its decision to employ its true power.
This was its innate talent: once activated, its physical strength and defense would double, making it nearly impervious to attacks, even from soul beasts of the same level.
It was this very ability that allowed the Emperor Crocodile to carve a path of domination through the Star Dou Forest, becoming its undisputed ruler.
Whoosh--
The colossal body of the Emperor Crocodile vanished from sight.
Su Bai's pupils contracted.
Under the enhancement of the golden light, the Emperor Crocodile's speed was astonishing.
Boom, boom, boom~
Just as the Emperor Crocodile was about to collide with him, Su Bai's figure suddenly disappeared.
The Emperor Crocodile, however, crashed through countless massive trees before coming to a halt.
With its innate skill activated, the Emperor Crocodile's speed and physical strength had soared to a new level.
Su Bai decided to stop holding back. Although he could evade with teleportation, doing so would only drain his energy.
Realizing this, he hesitated no longer and unleashed his ultimate move.
"Void Storm!"