A deep, long sword wound split open the back of the Nine-Tailed Flame Fox, sending its massive body flying backward.
Behind Yunze, phoenix wings burst into existence, his speed surging as he dashed forward.Before the fox could regain its balance, his flaming sword swept through the air once more—a clean stroke across its neck.
The fiery blade severed its throat, snuffing out its life force instantly.
Boom!
The fox's tiger-sized body hit the ground heavily, twitching a few times out of reflex before falling completely still.
Its solid form began to dissolve into shimmering light, turning into a translucent projection.The spectral fox bared its teeth at Yunze, eyes filled with hatred and unwillingness.
Yunze appeared before the fading image. Without even sparing it a glance,he sat cross-legged and began to draw it in, absorbing the soul.
But at the very next moment—
The entire hall shook violently,a mysterious suction force appearing out of nowhere, attempting to pull everyone away.
Gu Yuena's expression changed instantly, anxiety flashing in her eyes.Before she could say anything, her vision went white—
She was forcibly ejected from that special space.
Yunze's body also began to flicker, turning incorporeal,but some rule-based protection enveloped him, allowing his form to stabilize for a moment.
Still, the suction and backlash continued.His body kept oscillating between solid and illusory, dangerously unstable.
Gu Yuena reappeared in the outer hall, standing before the golden gate that led into the Spirit Soul Tower.
"Yunze!" she cried out, voice tight with fear.
She dashed toward the gate, trying to re-enter,but the golden door had become a sealed wall.
Every time she tried to push through, she was repelled backward, the force knocking her several steps away.
Panic and frustration filled her eyes.Instead of trying again, she quickly took out the soul communicator she had prepared earlier in the Star Luo Empire.
"Come to the Spirit Transmission Tower in Star Luo City immediately—Yunze might be in danger!" she said, breathing heavily.
"What?!" came Di Tian's shocked voice from the other end."I'm on my way right now!"
The call ended.
In the next instant, Di Tian's figure vanished from his room and reappeared in the hotel lobby.He grabbed a passerby and demanded the location of the Spirit Transmission Tower,then stormed out, fury radiating from him.
His eyes were cold as frost—if Yunze was hurt, this city would drown in blood.
Five minutes later—
Above the Spirit Transmission Tower, Di Tian's soul power surged violently.Nine spirit rings floated around him, radiating terrifying energy.
The sky above darkened as though night had descended—though the darkness covered only a small area of about a hundred square meters.
Even in anger, Di Tian restrained himself, keeping his aura limited.In the past, he would've unleashed it recklessly—whether others lived or died was none of his concern.
But now… things were different.
If he wanted the soul beast clan to secure a place among humans,he had to act with restraint.
Harming innocents would only tarnish the reputation of the Dragon Phoenix Hall.
For someone as free and unrestrained as Di Tian, this kind of self-restraint was suffocating—but for the sake of the soul beasts, he would endure it.
The nearby citizens, familiar with soul masters, gasped in shock at the sight of his nine rings.Yet since they didn't feel any pressure, they stayed at a safe distance,watching curiously from afar.
Opposite Di Tian stood a man with a handsome face and neatly combed hair,his black robe lined with gold embroidery radiating authority.
This was Zhang Geyang,Director of the Star Luo Spirit Transmission Tower Headquarters,a Level 98 Super Douluo, equal in status to Leng Yaoju.
He too had released his martial spirit—the Nether Flame Beast, vicious and fierce,surrounded by five black and four red spirit rings.
Five black, four red—an elite configuration,but still far inferior to Di Tian's six red, three orange.
The gap in aura was obvious—Di Tian's presence completely overpowered Zhang Geyang.
The strength of a quasi-god was no joke.
"Yunze will be fine. Please, calm yourself," Zhang Geyang said in a low, steady tone.He dared not provoke this man.
He had heard about the attack on the envoy group a few days ago—rumors of an ultimate-level expert involved.
It was now clear that the very man before him was that figure.
Regardless of Di Tian's true identity,his sheer power demanded respect.
"Let him out—now!"Gu Yuena snapped coldly beside Di Tian, dragon wings fluttering behind her.
Di Tian's voice was equally icy,his killing intent undisguised.
"If anything happens to him," he said,"you'll die with him."
Zhang Geyang's expression darkened.He was a man of high standing and immense power—when had anyone dared speak to him like this?
He took a deep breath, forcing his anger down.
"Right now," he said evenly, "we can't release him."
Seeing their faces harden, he quickly explained:"Once he finishes absorbing the spirit soul, he'll emerge on his own."
Even as he said it, his face twisted with frustration.He wanted nothing more than to kill Yunze then and there.
The boy had actually gone ahead and directly absorbed the Nine-Tailed Flame Fox's spirit soul,leaving him powerless to intervene.
"Just explode already," Zhang Geyang cursed silently,hoping Yunze's absorption would fail.
But deep down, he was shocked too.
A child only seven or eight years old—and already about to become a four-ring Soul Sect?
That level of talent was simply absurd.
"Are you sure?" Di Tian's cold voice cut through.
"Of course I'm sure," Zhang Geyang replied."Though if he can't withstand the spirit soul's power and dies from it,then there's nothing we can do."
"As long as you don't interfere," Gu Yuena said icily, "he'll be fine."
"Not necessarily," Zhang Geyang muttered.He feared Di Tian, yes, but not enough to completely hold his tongue.
Di Tian's gaze sharpened.
"You'd better pray nothing happens to Yunze," he said quietly,"because if it does, I won't be able to control myself—and when that happens, this tower will fall."
He looked Zhang Geyang straight in the eye,then at the massive Spirit Transmission Tower behind him,his words dripping with menace.
"The Spirit Transmission Tower isn't something you can trample so easily,"Zhang Geyang retorted coldly,then turned and flew into the tower.
Di Tian and Gu Yuena followed, tension still heavy in the air.
Through the monitoring system, they watched Yunze's image—the boy in the middle of absorbing the spirit soul.
Zhang Geyang contacted the Spirit Transmission Tower's federal headquarters,reporting the situation in full detail.
To his surprise, the headquarters didn't seem angry about losing the Nine-Tailed Flame Fox's spirit soul.In fact, they seemed pleased.
Because this matter involved an Ultimate Douluo,he directly reached out to Qiangu Dongfeng himself.
Upon hearing what had happened,Qiangu Dongfeng laughed aloud,repeatedly saying, "Good! Let him absorb it—excellent!"
He had been worried about not having an opportunity,but now, it had walked straight up to his door.
After confirming that he was indeed speaking with Qiangu Dongfeng,Zhang Geyang's confusion only deepened.
Once Qiangu finished laughing, he gave detailed instructions—telling Zhang Geyang exactly how to take advantage of the situation.
Their call lasted more than ten minutes.
When it ended, Zhang Geyang's anger was gone—replaced by a faint, cold smile tugging at the corners of his lips.