Deep within the Star Dou Forest, there is a place very close to the core.
At the top of a giant tree in this deep area, a massive bird of prey is perched.
It is a Golden Feather Eagle, and its cultivation level has reached the formidable hundred-thousand-year mark.
Since Su Bai killed the Emperor Crocodile, the restriction preventing soul beasts from breaking through the hundred-thousand-year barrier was lifted.
Although some were initially worried that this was a scheme by Su Bai, time revealed that he had no further intentions. Even regarding territory, he only occupied the area around the Lake of Life and did not interfere with other regions.
As a result, one soul beast, unable to suppress its cultivation any longer, nervously broke through the hundred-thousand-year barrier. When it saw that Su Bai did nothing, more soul beasts also decided to break through.
The Golden Feather Eagle was one of these beasts.
"Who."
At this moment, it was cultivating. At the hundred-thousand-year level, cultivation progresses was very slowly. Still, because leaving its territory might incite other soul beasts to riot, hundred-thousand-year soul beasts typically stay within their domains. Moreover, Su Bai explicitly stated that hundred-thousand-year soul beasts were forbidden from engaging in major battles, or he would personally kill them.
Due to Su Bai's deterrence, these powerful soul beasts rarely appeared. They only acted when their territory was invaded.
Whoosh~
Suddenly, the Golden Feather Eagle shuddered and snapped open its eyes.
Just now, it sensed a slight fluctuation in space, putting it on high alert.
"Hiss, it's him..."
Upon seeing the visitor, its pupils constricted in terror. Was he here to kill it?
This thought immediately popped into the Golden Feather Eagle's mind. But why wait until now? Furthermore, many soul beasts had broken through to the hundreds-thousand-year mark; why start with it?
The Golden Feather Eagle was known for its speed, but to this visitor, that was no advantage. Considering this individual's power, he could easily kill it. After all, he had slain the Emperor Crocodile, who was nearing a breakthrough to two hundred thousand years, shortly after his breakthrough to a hundred thousand years. This strength left a deep impression on the Golden Feather Eagle.
If this person wanted to act against it, there was no chance of escape. But why wait until now? Could it be to allow more soul beasts to break through to the hundred-thousand-year mark, making it easier to capture them all in one fell swoop?
After all, those highly cultivated soul beasts usually remained hidden, making them difficult to find. So, he might have deliberately announced that soul beasts could break through to lure them out for a final sweep?
Terrifying, too terrifying.
The Golden Feather Eagle shivered at the thought. This person was not only incredibly powerful but also exceptionally intelligent. How could they possibly contend with him?
Forget it. Let it all end!
Thinking this, the Golden Feather Eagle closed its eyes, deciding to lie down and await death. What else could it do? It couldn't fight, and it couldn't escape, so it might as well surrender to fate.
"Not going to greet me?"
Seeing the human-like expressions flicker across the Golden Feather Eagle's face, Su Bai found it amusing. Yes, the visitor was Su Bai. He had planned to stage a heroic rescue, and he needed a suitable opponent. Hence, he found this hundred-thousand-year-old Golden Feather Eagle.
But judging by the eagle's reactions—fear, contemplation, and then resignation—Su Bai found it fascinating. Did this creature think he had come to kill it? If he wanted to act, would he need to wait until now? Moreover, would he care if other soul beasts broke through?
Only a narrow-minded soul beast like the Emperor Crocodile, afraid of others surpassing it, would act that way. Su Bai was not so petty. Besides, with his current strength, he wouldn't fear even if all the hundred thousand-year soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest united against him. This confidence in his power was absolute.
Su Bai spoke, "Relax! I'm not here to kill you."
"Really?"
Hearing this, the Golden Feather Eagle opened its eyes, but they still held doubt. Soul beasts rarely met each other, and now Su Bai had sought it out.
Too lazy to argue, Su Bai said directly, "I'm here to ask for your help."
Help?
The Golden Feather Eagle was bewildered. You, a mighty being, need my help? You must be joking.
"I'm not joking."
Su Bai then explained what he needed. After hearing it, the Golden Feather Eagle's expression turned strange.
Wow. It turns out this person enjoys such things.
It finally understood. Su Bai wanted it to play the villain so he could swoop in and save the day.
Speechless.
The Golden Feather Eagle was utterly speechless. It had worried me so much, and it all came down to this.
---
"That girl is currently on the outskirts. Go straight to her," Su Bai said nonchalantly before leaving.
He didn't care about what the Golden Feather Eagle was thinking. He didn't worry about it, refusing his command either. In the Star Dou Forest, the strong ruled. If the eagle disobeyed, he would just destroy it. It was as simple as that.
Power was paramount.
The Golden Feather Eagle had no choice but to follow Su Bai's order. With a powerful flap of its wings, it took off from the treetop.
---
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the forest, Meng Yiran had successfully absorbed the soul ring of the Man-Faced Demon Spider and had broken through to the rank of Soul Elder.
Rip!
At that moment, sharp spikes suddenly emerged from her back, tearing through her clothes and revealing her fair skin.
"Is this... an external spirit bone?" Meng Yiran was initially startled but quickly became overjoyed.
Coming from a prestigious family, she was naturally aware of external spirit bones. They were treasures far more precious than regular spirit bones.
To her delight, she had acquired one.
The external spirit bone resembled the eight spider legs that Tang San obtained in the original story, known as the Eight Spider Lances.
"How wonderful!" Meng Yiran was ecstatic. The image of Su Bai flashed in her mind. If it weren't for him intercepting Tang San, this external spirit bone would have been taken by Tang San.
The next time she encountered Su Bai, she would definitely thank him properly.
Meng Yiran then retracted the Eight Spider Lances and changed into new clothes before rushing off to share the good news with her grandparents, the Dragon Duke and Snake Granny.
Upon hearing the news, the Dragon Duke nodded in approval. "Yiran, you're right. We should indeed thank that young man."
If we meet him again.
Roar~
"Something's wrong!" Suddenly, a fearsome roar echoed, and the Dragon Duke's expression changed drastically.
"A powerful soul beast is attacking, probably a hundred-thousand-year beast," he exclaimed.
The roar was so intense that even he, a Soul Douluo, felt a tinge of fear. Only a hundred-thousand-year soul beast could exert such pressure.
Serpent Granny was puzzled. "Old man, aren't those hundred-thousand-year soul beasts supposed to stay in their own territories? Why is one here on the outskirts?"
"Forget about that for now, let's go!" Seeing the terrifying aura drawing closer, Dragon Grandpa didn't explain further, urging them to flee.
But before they could react, a massive figure appeared in the sky.