The tranquil depths of the Star Dou Forest...
A group of men, led by a middle-aged man, turned their terrified gazes behind them. In the distance, a lone figure approached unhurriedly. His silver hair billowed gently, his refined face exuding a cold aura that pierced directly into one's soul.
In just a few steps, the figure had traversed the hundred-meter gap between them. In the blink of an eye, the silver-haired man was no longer before them but had already appeared behind them.
"Not good!"
Realizing the danger, the middle-aged man reacted swiftly. He pushed off the ground and leapt to the side, turning to see the silver-haired figure now standing beside the leopard soul beast.
With a simple wave of his delicate hand, the vines binding the leopard soul beast shattered instantly. He flipped his right hand, releasing a surge of pure energy into the creature's body.
Freed from its restraints, the leopard soul beast's eyes were filled with confusion. The person before it was unfamiliar, yet something about him felt inexplicably familiar.
"Leopard Bro, it's been a long time."
The silver-haired youth smiled faintly, soul power subtly circulating within him. He raised his right hand, revealing his Azurewood Tree martial soul, its faint glow shimmering softly.
This young man was none other than Chen Xiaoming, newly returned from Sea God Island. Years had passed since his last visit to the Star Dou Forest, and upon his return, he had stumbled upon this scene—a familiar leopard soul beast being hunted down.
Gazing at the Azurewood Tree martial soul and sensing the familiar aura, the leopard soul beast's eyes flashed with realization. It had recognized Chen Xiaoming. Yet, confusion remained—wasn't Brother Tree just a ten-thousand-year soul beast back then? How had he become human?
"We'll talk later."
Chen Xiaoming chuckled, but his smile soon faded as he turned slightly. His gaze darkened upon seeing the sorry state of his longtime friend.
"Senior, we did not know this soul beast belonged to you. Please, show mercy and spare our lives."
The middle-aged man, sensing an overwhelming wave of death approaching, immediately abandoned all pretense. He bowed deeply and spoke in a pleading tone.
Yet Chen Xiaoming remained unmoved. The middle-aged man's heart sank. He had no escape.
"Senior, I beg you to spare me. I am willing to serve you, to follow your every command."
His desperate words left his companions dumbfounded. They had no idea what had frightened him so deeply.
"Hmph."
A cold snort rang out.
An oppressive force erupted from Chen Xiaoming, enveloping the entire area. Those who had been unaware of the situation just moments ago found themselves completely immobilized. Worse yet, their soul power was entirely suppressed, rendering them helpless.
"This... this is impossible!"
The middle-aged man struggled in vain. Despite his rank as a Soul Saint, his soul power felt as rigid as stone, completely unresponsive to his will.
At that moment, he realized the gravity of his mistake. He had provoked a powerhouse at least at the level of a Titled Douluo.
"Senior, please—"
"You talk too much."
Chen Xiaoming frowned, and the oppressive force intensified, sealing their mouths shut.
"Leopard Bro, I'll leave these people to you."
Turning to the leopard soul beast, he gave it the chance to exact revenge.
A flash of murderous intent flickered in the leopard's eyes as it transformed into a blur, pouncing toward the middle-aged man. The cold gleam of its claws filled the man's vision before he saw his own body, motionless, blood gushing forth.
A silent massacre unfolded before Chen Xiaoming's eyes. He remained indifferent, showing no hint of sympathy. It did not matter that the victims were human.
On this continent, killing was a constant.
Between humans, between Soul Masters, between Soul Masters and soul beasts, and even among soul beasts themselves.
For Soul Masters, hunting soul beasts was deemed natural.
Thus, for soul beasts to kill Soul Masters was just as justified.
Killers must be prepared to be killed in turn.
It was brutal, but this was the reality—the law of the jungle.
Before long, the leopard soul beast had finished off the entire hunting squad. No one was spared, not even the auxiliary-type Soul Emperor.
"Let's go, Leopard Bro."
Watching as the leopard finished disposing of the Soul Masters' bodies, Chen Xiaoming waved his hand, lifting all the corpses into the air. The leopard soul beast hesitated briefly before glancing at Chen Xiaoming, then turned and dashed toward a certain direction.
Earlier, sensing danger, it had left its territory to protect its mate and children.
Now that the crisis was over, and with Chen Xiaoming's return, it was time to go home.
Not long after…
Chen Xiaoming sat cross-legged on the ground, basking in the warmth of the sun. He had returned to the place where he once took root, the memories washing over him.
In the distance, the leopard soul beast finished distributing the corpses and was communicating with its mate and two cubs. The mother leopard often cast cautious glances toward Chen Xiaoming but did not approach.
Once everything was settled, the leopard soul beast flickered forward, stopping beside Chen Xiaoming.
"Brother Tree, is that really you?"
Circling around him, the leopard let out a few low growls, speaking in the language of soul beasts.
"Leopard Bro, I used to live right here. It's only been a few years, and you've already forgotten me?"
Chen Xiaoming chuckled, pointing at the ground beneath him. The leopard hesitated before its expression softened.
This was indeed where Brother Tree had once rooted himself—no human could have known that.
"Brother Tree... how did you become human?"
The leopard leaned in, sniffing at him. It could not detect any trace of a soul beast's aura, deepening its confusion.
As a mere thirty-thousand-year soul beast, it knew nothing of the secrets behind a hundred-thousand-year soul beast's transformation.
"Well, that's a long story."
Chen Xiaoming sighed, enjoying the sunlight as he patiently explained the mysteries of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast's evolution. He also shared stories of his adventures—the battles where he crushed Titled Douluo, his journey to the Extreme North, and his philosophical discussions with the Snow Empress and Ice Empress.
Leaving out only the most sensitive details, he spun tale after tale, enthralling the leopard soul beast.
And so, a man and a leopard sat together in the clearing, one speaking, the other listening, as the sun slowly set.
The Star Dou Forest was tranquil beneath the night sky. Above, countless stars flickered in the vast heavens, their light reflecting in Chen Xiaoming's eyes as he drifted into contemplation.
Would anyone remember him, thousands of years from now?
Would they remember what he had done?
A sudden flash of inspiration struck him, and the corners of his lips curled into a smile. Glancing at the leopard soul beast, he chuckled softly.
"Leopard Bro, do you want to become a god?"
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