Deep within the Star Dou Forest!
In the heart of the lush Lake of Life!
As Jiang Bai awakened his martial soul, the entire Lake of Life began to boil with energy.
A torrent of life essence surged forth—this precious energy, so rare and sought-after by both soul masters and soul beasts, now flowed like a rushing river.
It was as if nature itself was celebrating an auspicious event!
"Is this... the aura of the Child of Nature?"
"The Child of Nature has awakened?"
A noble and ethereal voice echoed.
From the void, two silver vertical pupils opened wide.
After Jiang Bai awakened his martial soul and gained access to the God of Destruction's nine trials, she too awakened.
Sensing the rich life essence around him, it felt as though the entire world was cheering; even the ancient trees within the Lake of Life grew more vibrant.
The noble voice sounded again.
"With two sacred beasts, how can my soul beasts not thrive?"
"Di Tian!"
"Lord! You have awakened!"
A figure knelt in the heart of the forbidden land, one knee on the ground, expression filled with utmost respect.
"Di Tian, the Child of Nature has awakened. Go find him and bring him back. Also, do not provoke Shrek Academy!"
"Understood!" The blond man nodded, then cast a cold gaze in the direction of Shrek Academy.
Soaring above the Star Dou Forest.
In the blink of an eye, he transformed into a massive black dragon, its wings spread wide, blotting out the sun as it shot into the sky!
"How dare you, Di Tian! Leaving the Star Dou Forest without permission—do you intend to break our agreement?"
At this moment, an elderly man, holding a chicken drumstick in his hand, also flew into the sky, facing off with the black dragon from a distance.
Though unkempt, he radiated a profound, otherworldly aura.
He was none other than Shrek Academy's renowned Taotie Douluo!
"Human, who gave you permission to speak to this king in such a manner?" Di Tian's voice thundered like rolling storms from the heavens, and the oppressive power he exuded darkened the entire sky.
A dark red claw suddenly swiped towards Xuanzi.
Feeling the overwhelming power bearing down on him, Xuanzi's face darkened.
Di Tian was playing dirty, disregarding any sense of honor or fair play! And this power—he wasn't sure he could withstand it!
Still, he had no choice but to try!
Taking a deep breath, Xuanzi summoned the image of the Taotie Divine Bull behind him.
A surge of yellow light burst forth.
Boom——
Xuanzi was sent flying 500,000 miles backward, completely overwhelmed!
As a Level 98 Super Douluo, he was no match for Di Tian!
Di Tian cast a disdainful look at this insolent fool.
"How pathetic, hiding behind his uncle's spirit as his martial soul."
If not for his master's command to avoid provoking Shrek Academy, Di Tian would have sent him to his grave with a single Dragon God Claw on sight!
But roughing him up a bit wouldn't count as provoking, right?
The dark clouds churned violently, and Di Tian's black scales emitted a deep purple glow amidst the storm.
Just then, an elderly white-haired figure appeared before Di Tian.
He recognized him instantly.
"Mu En?"
A powerful dragon roar suddenly echoed through the sky, as a brilliant golden light illuminated the heavens. Golden dragon scales covered Mu En's entire body.
Boom!
The clash of two supreme beings shook the land, unleashing a force that could shake the heavens and shatter the earth!
An entire plain was reduced to shambles in an instant.
Moments later, both man and beast emerged unscathed from the haze.
"Di Tian, go back!"
The aura of the Holy Light Dragon was in no way weaker than Di Tian's own.
This was Mu En, the Dragon God Douluo—a Level 99 Ultimate Douluo and one of the world's most powerful beings.
Di Tian sighed; it seemed bringing the Child of Nature back himself was out of the question. He'd have to rely on other beasts to pass along the message.
"Damn it! Why should Shrek get to decide where I could go on the Douluo Continent? Humans were free to come and go in the Star Dou Forest, yet I couldn't leave. How is that fair?" Di Tian thought.
"Elder Mu?" Watching Di Tian leave, Taotie Douluo returned, disheveled and embarrassed, to Dragon God Douluo's side.
"How many times have I told you? If you put more effort into cultivating your spirit power, you might reach the Ultimate Douluo level."
"That way, I'd feel at ease handing Shrek Academy over to you." Mu En withdrew from his martial soul state. His frail, aged form seemed even more withered, like a candle flickering in the wind.
Seeing Xuanzi's impatient expression only added to his headache.
Xuanzi grew anxious. "Elder Mu, Shrek Academy needs you!"
Mu En gazed deeply towards the Star Dou Forest. "What are they planning…?"
—
Star Dou Forest, at the Lake of Life.
Di Tian, now in human form, returned with a dark expression.
A figure with emerald green feathers and flowing wings appeared—Bi Ji, the Jade Swan, revered throughout the soul beast realm.
"Di Tian, what happened?"
Bi Ji's gentle face showed concern as a green aura of healing light surrounded him.
Although he wasn't physically injured, she instinctively applied a healing spell. The gentle life energy eased Di Tian's expression somewhat.
"The master commanded me to find the Child of Nature, but Shrek Academy refused to let me leave! Damned humans!"
"Is the Child of Nature a human?"
Di Tian nodded. It seemed this child had awakened an extraordinary martial soul, one powerful enough to be recognized by the natural forces of the Douluo Continent.
But now, blocked by Shrek Academy, he couldn't even leave the Star Dou Forest!
Thinking of this, Di Tian's expression grew dark once again.
"Ten Thousand Beast King!" Di Tian's voice echoed out.
"Di Tian?"
The figure approached—a man of medium height, clad in a dark green robe, appearing in the form of a middle-aged man.
His face had a slight green tint, and his long hair trailed nearly ten meters behind him.
The Ten Thousand Beast King —ranked fifth among the top ten fierce beasts — was a Demonic Eyed Tree of Evil.
The sovereign of all plant-type soul beasts within the Star Dou Forest.
"I want you to offer yourself willingly as a sacrifice to the Child of Nature. What do you think?"
Ten Thousand Beast King: ???
"What? Did I hear that right?" He thought.
"Di Tian, you want me to sacrifice myself for a human? Are you out of your mind? Even if he is the Child of Nature, so what?"
"Why don't you ask Bi Ji to sacrifice herself instead!" The Ten Thousand Beast King nearly cursed out loud as veins bulged out on his forehead.
Did Di Tian realize how hard it was for him to reach this level of status and power? Plant-type soul beasts had a far harder time cultivating than ordinary soul beasts.
And now, he was ranked fifth among the top ten fierce beasts—he'd have to be insane to offer himself as a sacrifice!
The moment he mentioned sacrificing Bi Ji, not only did Di Tian glare at him, but the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, the Three-Headed Scarlet Demon Mastiff, and Hell Dragon Zi Ji all directed hostile looks guided with a terrifying soul pressure his way as well.
Being surrounded by these fierce beasts, even he felt a chill despite his high ranking.
"The Child of Nature offers the most benefit to plant-type soul beasts like you. Make your choice." Di Tian left the matter in his hands.
He was currently being watched by the Dragon God Douluo, and any attempt to leave the forest would be immediately noticed.
Moreover, if the identity of the Child of Nature was discovered by Shrek Academy, they would never let him go.
The Ten Thousand Beast King's expression darkened and shifted repeatedly, he felt the stakes to be a bit too cruel.
He knew, of course, that the Child of Nature would be most beneficial to plant-type beings.
Plant-type martial souls depended heavily on vitality. With the Child of Nature and the sacred beasts together, the development of plant-type soul beasts within the Star Dou Forest would be unimaginable.
After pondering gloomily for a long time, an idea suddenly came to him.
"The Sun Moon Continent has a Blue Silver Emperor nearing 200,000 years in age. Couldn't we have that one offer itself as a sacrifice to the Child of Nature?"