Douluo: One man returns, Fan Tianyin smashes Tang San to death

The old man in yellow waved his hand, his tone calm yet firm: "No need, Tian'er can handle it."

If trouble arises, I will take action myself.

The man wanted to say something more, but was stopped by a look from the old man.

He turned to the young man and said in a deep voice, "Tian'er, be careful after entering the forest, and don't be careless."

The young man nodded, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes, and then disappeared into the dense forest in a flash.

The old man led the others down another path, muttering, "The matter of the medicinal herbs is urgent and cannot be delayed any longer."

Lu Yu was unaware of what was happening in the distance; his mind was completely absorbed in cultivation.

On the outskirts of the Starry Forest, the morning mist shrouded the towering ancient trees like a veil, and the air was filled with the damp scent of earth, mixed with a faint grassy smell.

Sunlight filters through the dense foliage, casting dappled shadows that dance on the ground, as if whispering the secrets of this ancient forest.

A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, and beneath the calm surface lay an invisible sense of oppression, as if the entire forest was whispering a warning of danger.

The myriad races stood at the entrance of the forest, their towering figures like sculptures, exuding a chilling and menacing aura.

He was only in his early twenties, but his face had a resolute look that was beyond his years. Several deep scars crisscrossed his left cheek, as if they had been torn apart by the claws of a wild beast. They had long since healed, but they were still ferocious and terrifying.

His black and red robe swayed gently in the breeze, the dark iron-armored dragon totem embroidered on it was lifelike, the dragon's head roared, and its scales gleamed with a cold light, showing his illustrious identity as a member of the Dark Iron-Armored Dragon Clan of the Garo Empire.

His eyes were cold as ice, his deep gaze piercing through the thin mist, staring into the depths of the forest, as if trying to take in all the endless dangers and unknowns.

"Young Master, the Star Dou Forest is extremely dangerous. Why do you have to risk it alone?"

Behind him, a middle-aged man in a gray robe frowned and spoke, his voice filled with deep worry.

His name was Yang Shan, the guard commander of the Dark Ironclad Dragon Clan. His gaze swept over the myriad races, trying to catch a trace of wavering on the young master's face. "You are exceptionally talented, already an 80th-level Soul Douluo. The future of the family rests on your shoulders."

If anything were to happen to you, how would we explain it to the head of the household?

Upon hearing this, the myriad races raised the corners of their mouths slightly, revealing a cold smile, but their eyes were devoid of any warmth.

He slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over Yang Shan like a knife, his voice low and firm: "Yang Shan, the path of cultivation has never been one that can be traversed by hiding under the wings of a family."

Only in the face of life and death can a true strongman be forged.

If I perish here, that is my fate; if I survive and leave this forest, I will reach the summit, unstoppable.

Yang Shan opened his mouth, wanting to persuade him again, but was silenced by the unquestionable gaze of the myriad races.

He sighed, his gaze fixed on the stubborn young master with a complex expression.

He possesses exceptional talent among all races, having broken through to level 80 Soul Douluo a year ago, a rare feat even in the entire Gara Empire.

However, the road after Contra is even more arduous. Obtaining spirit rings and enduring life-or-death trials, every step is like walking on thin ice.

The reason why all races insisted on entering the Star Dou Forest was to find an opportunity for breakthrough.

"Little Lord……"

Yang Shan murmured softly, then shook his head helplessly.

He knew the nature of all races well; they were as stubborn as iron, and once they made up their minds, not even nine oxen could pull them back.

He turned to the family guards behind him and whispered, "We will follow you secretly. If the young master encounters a life-or-death crisis, we will intervene immediately."

The myriad races seemed oblivious to the commotion behind them, or rather, they simply didn't care.

His gaze returned to the Starry Sky Forest. He took a deep breath, and the faint fishy smell in the air made him frown slightly.

He lifted his foot and stepped firmly into the forest. His broad back was quickly swallowed by the thick fog, as if he had become one with the perilous forest.

Meanwhile, deep within the Starry Sky Forest, a fierce battle for survival is unfolding.

Hu Liena squatted on the ground, her chest heaving violently, fine beads of sweat seeping from her forehead, sliding down her fair cheeks and dripping onto the leaf-strewn ground.

Her breathing was rapid, and she gripped a slender longsword tightly in her hand. The blade gleamed coldly, but trembled slightly from the continuous fierce battle.

Opposite her was a massive soul beast—the Black-headed Rat.

This 67,000-year-old high-level soul beast was entirely black, with its hair standing on end like steel needles. The spikes faintly emitted pink poisonous gas, and the surrounding air was filled with a faint light, carrying a chilling sense of crisis.

The black-headed rat's scarlet eyes were fixed on Hu Liena, a low growl emanating from its throat, its massive body slightly arched, poised to strike.

On Hu Liena's left arm, several deep, bone-revealing wounds were shocking. Blood flowed slowly from the wounds, dripping onto the ground, where it was quickly infected by the toxins of the black-headed rat, and the edges of the wounds turned a strange, dark black color.

The intense pain made her brow furrow, but she gritted her teeth and forced herself not to make a sound.

Her gaze was fixed on the black-headed rat, her mind racing as she analyzed the situation.

In the previous few exchanges, she had already fallen into a disadvantageous position. The venom of the black-headed rat was more potent than she had anticipated. If the fight continued, the venom would penetrate her body, and the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Damn it... this toxin is too troublesome."

Hu Liena cursed under her breath, a hint of anxiety flashing in her eyes.

She forcefully suppressed the pain in her body, her soul power surged wildly within her, the soul rings under her feet lit up, and her figure flashed, turning into a blur, trying to escape her predicament by relying on speed.

The longsword in her hand sliced ​​through the air, bringing with it a sharp, cold light, and pierced straight for the black-headed rat's side.

"Third Soul Skill, Demon Hunt!"

Hu Liena gave a low shout, and a phantom of a demonic fox appeared behind her, its tail swaying and exuding an eerie aura.

Her figure became elusive at that moment, as if she had blended into the surrounding air, making her elusive.

The longsword pierced the black-headed rat's right arm with precision, and blood gushed out, splashing onto the ground with a sizzling, corrosive sound.

However, the black-headed rat's reaction was far beyond her expectations. It let out a sharp roar, its massive body suddenly shuddered, and a terrifying force erupted from its right arm, instantly sending Hu Liena flying.

"boom!"

Hu Liena's body crashed heavily to the ground, leaving a deep gash several inches deep. Dust billowed up, mixed with the blood oozing from the corner of her mouth, creating a chilling scene.

She struggled to get up, the wound on her left arm becoming increasingly painful, and the erosion of the toxins making her feel dizzy.

She gritted her teeth, struggling to stand firm, her gaze growing ever more resolute.

"This guy's fur and flesh are too thick; normal attacks can't even break through its defenses..."

Hu Liena thought to herself, her mind racing as she considered a solution.

The black-headed rat gave her no chance to catch her breath. The pink poison gas on its spikes became increasingly concentrated, and its massive body pounced again, bringing with it a foul stench. Its claws tore cracks into the ground.

At this critical moment, a flash of inspiration struck Hu Liena.

She suddenly remembered the boxing technique Lu Yu had taught her two years ago—Baji Beng.

That was Lu Yu's self-created ultimate technique, a fusion of soul power and the ultimate explosive power of the body, its power was astonishing. Although Hu Liena had only learned four Dark Realms, she could already unleash sixteen times the power.

Currently, facing the fierce attack of the black-headed rat, perhaps only this move can turn the tide.

Hu Liena took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the excruciating pain within her body, and her soul power frantically condensed within her.

A strange red light shone in her eyes, and the phantom of the fox behind her became increasingly solid, as if it had merged with her body.

She uttered a low shout: "Eight Extremes Collapse!"

In an instant, a terrifying power erupted from her body, as if the air itself was being torn apart, producing a sharp, explosive sound.

Her right fist, imbued with violent soul power, slammed fiercely into the black-headed rat's chest.

At that moment, time seemed to freeze. A flicker of fear flashed in the black-headed rat's scarlet eyes, but its reaction was already a beat too slow.

"boom!"

The fist collided with the black-headed rat's chest, and terrifying power poured out like a flood.

The massive body of the black-headed rat was sent flying by this punch, crashing heavily into the ground and creating a crater several meters deep.

Dust flew everywhere, the ground cracked, and the surrounding trees swayed violently from the aftershocks.

The black-headed rat let out a shrill roar, its eyes filled with terror. It struggled to its feet, but dared not linger any longer. It turned and ran wildly into the depths of the forest, quickly disappearing into the thick fog.

Hu Liena let out a long breath, but her body trembled slightly due to the severe depletion of her soul power.

She looked down at her right fist, her knuckles covered in bloodstains, the recoil from the Eight Extremes Collapse leaving her arm numb and sore.

She gave a bitter laugh and murmured, "Lu Yu, your boxing skills are indeed abnormal... If it weren't for this move, I'm afraid I would have been defeated here today."

The image of Lu Yu involuntarily surfaced in her mind—that man who always wore a lazy smile, yet whose strength was unfathomable.

Two years ago, when Lu Yu was a guest in the Martial Soul Empire, he casually taught her this set of Eight Extremes Collapse Fist Technique, speaking in a nonchalant tone, as if it were just something he had created on a whim.

But she knew all too well that the power of this set of fist techniques far exceeded any soul skill she had ever seen.

Lu Yu's image lingered in her heart; he was both her goal and her support.

Just as Hu Liena was about to get up and tend to her injuries, she suddenly felt an unfamiliar presence approaching from not far away.

The aura was calm and powerful, carrying a faint smell of blood, like a lurking beast.

Her heart tightened, and she quickly held her longsword horizontally in front of her chest, shouting warily, "Who goes there!"

A tall figure slowly emerged from the thick fog.

He was a young man with a resolute face, and the scar on his left cheek was particularly noticeable.

A faint smile played on his lips, but his gaze, filled with a hint of inquiry, fell upon Hu Liena.

"It's you?"

Hu Liena's pupils contracted slightly as she recognized the newcomer—the young master of the Dark Ironclad Dragon Clan of the Myriad Races.

She had met the Myriad Races once before at the Soul Master Competition a few years ago. At that time, the Myriad Races were only at the Soul Master level, but they had already shown amazing talent.

Now that he has appeared deep in the Star Dou Forest, Hu Liena felt a sense of unease.

The relationship between the Martial Soul Empire and the Gara Empire is tense. While they maintain a delicate peace on the surface, they are constantly fighting behind the scenes.

Hu Liena was severely injured and her soul power was exhausted. If the myriad races took the opportunity to harm her, she would have almost no power to fight back.

Her hand gripped the longsword tightly, her gaze fixed coldly on all races, her voice low and deep: "What are you doing here?"

The myriad races seemed to sense her wariness, waved their hands, and said in a relaxed tone, "Don't misunderstand, I just sensed the fluctuations of the battle here and came to take a look."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the wound on Hu Liena's arm, his brow furrowing slightly. "It looks like you've just been through a fierce battle."

"The venom of the black-headed rat is difficult to treat. Are you alright?"

Hu Liena snorted coldly, the tip of her sword dipped slightly, but she did not completely let her guard down: "Stop pretending."

The relationship between the Martial Soul Empire and the Gara Empire is something we both know perfectly well.

If you have other ideas, I advise you to give them up as soon as possible.

Upon hearing this, all the races couldn't help but laugh out loud and shook their heads: "Hu Liena, you're overthinking things."

Enemies on the battlefield may be friends in private.

The Starry Sky Forest is fraught with danger; why should we fight amongst ourselves here?

He paused, a hint of sincerity flashing in his eyes. "I have no intention of being your enemy. If you don't believe me, I'll leave now."

After saying that, he turned to leave, his steps unhurried, as if he truly harbored no hostility whatsoever.

Hu Liena watched his retreating figure, her brows furrowed, a hint of hesitation in her heart.

The words of the myriad races seemed to have no ill intentions, but she knew all too well that in this perilous forest, trust was a more dangerous thing than soul beasts.

"and many more."

Hu Liena suddenly spoke, her voice tinged with a hint of probing, "Why did you enter the Star Dou Forest alone? Given your status, the Dark Ironclad Dragon Clan would not have failed to send someone to protect you."

The myriad races stopped and turned around, their smiles deepening: "It seems you're quite curious about my affairs."

He paused, then turned his gaze back to the depths of the forest, his voice low, "My purpose in coming here is no different from yours—to break through, to become stronger."

The bottleneck in Contra cannot be overcome simply by relying on family protection.

Hu Liena was slightly startled upon hearing this.

She never expected that all races would share similar beliefs with her.

Her gaze lingered on all the races for a moment before she slowly lowered her longsword and said in a low voice, "If that's the case, then let's go our separate ways."

The Starry Sky Forest is vast; there's no need for us to make things difficult for each other.

The myriad races nodded, their gazes lingering on her for a moment longer before turning and disappearing into the thick fog.

His figure gradually blurred, as if he had merged into the forest, leaving only the faint smell of blood in the air.

Hu Liena looked in the direction he left, her brows furrowing slightly.

She had a vague feeling that this encounter with all the races was definitely not a simple coincidence.

Deep within the Starry Sky Forest lie too many secrets, and her path with all races may be destined to intersect once again.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the exhaustion and pain within her, and turned her gaze back into the depths of the forest. (End of Chapter)