Deep in Chen Feng's heart, he felt an indescribable resonance, like an echo from a distant memory, awakening his memory of the Nine - Section Black Jade Snake.
He realized that this majestic black dragon was not just a symbol of his new soul skill; it was the reappearance of the once - peerless soul beast on a more glorious level.
Its existence was like a star reflecting in the abyss, with its might overshadowing the past.
Although he hadn't been able to uncover all the mysteries of this powerful combat ability yet, even a fraction of the black dragon's power was more than enough to defeat the big snake that had turned to ashes.
His heart had long been yearning for that glorious moment in the future. When his soul power finally reached its peak and he was crowned with the honor of a titled Douluo, he would be able to summon that legendary black dragon and bring under his control the existence that could stir up the winds of history and rule the wilderness.
With these thoughts in mind, Chen Feng returned to the mysterious place where ice and fire intertwined - the Eyes of Ice and Fire.
Unexpectedly, Duguyan appeared in front of him again.
"Why are you here again?" His tone carried a hint of surprise.
"Hmph╭(╯^╰)╮!" Duguyan's brows furrowed slightly, looking a bit unhappy. This dull - witted guy just didn't understand her at all.
Chen Feng instantly realized the inappropriateness of his words and quickly tried to make amends. "Sorry, I didn't mean it that way."
"Then what did you... mean?" Duguyan snorted.
" (⊙o⊙)…" Chen Feng was momentarily at a loss for words.
Deep in the ancient dense forest, the towering ancient trees seemed to connect the sky and the earth. Ancient vines twined among them, interweaving natural totems.
Duguyan's gaze swept across every corner of the forest, but her thoughts were like being trapped in the mist of the dense forest. She still knew nothing about the whereabouts of the legendary giant snake.
She suddenly turned to Chen Feng, her tone carrying a bit of inquiry and concern.
"What about that snake? I brought some medicine that can temporarily stun it, and then we can leave here quickly."
Chen Feng's answer was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, shattering the tranquility of the forest and Duguyan's expectations.
"That snake is dead."
His voice was without the slightest ripple, as if he was narrating a pre - destined fate.
"Dead?"
There was disbelief all over Duguyan's eyes. It was not just because of the surprise of the snake's death but also because she had to re - evaluate Chen Feng's ability.
In her perception, although Chen Feng was quite powerful, there was still a huge gap between his strength and level 70. How could he easily kill a high - level soul beast with fifty - thousand - year cultivation?
Her surprise was clearly written all over her face.
"Did you kill it?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt that her words were filled with unrealistic fantasies.
Chen Feng, although his aura was remarkable, in her heart, still didn't seem to have the possibility of contending with the legendary Nine - Section Black Jade Snake.
"Yes, I killed it."
Chen Feng's tone was calm, his gaze indifferent and focused straight ahead, as naturally as if he was discussing whether it was sunny or rainy.
"Ah!"
Duguyan's reaction was almost theatrical. Her almond - shaped eyes widened, and for a moment, she seemed to lose her ability to speak. Her eyes reflected the stormy waves surging in her heart.
Her heart was pounding. The shock made her seem a bit unsteady, as if she could be blown down by the wind at any moment.
She stood in this ancient forest, with the mottled tree shadows shining on her face, as if painting a picture of her shock and confusion.
Her gaze pierced through the uneven leaves, as if trying to see clearly whether the gradually disappearing figure in the forest really belonged to that Chen Feng.
The Chen Feng in her memory, even though he had shown his potential, she always thought she could catch up with him or even surpass him.
But now, Chen Feng was like a meteor hurtling towards the depths of the starry sky. The distance between them had become distant and unfathomable.
Duguyan's fingers unconsciously tightened. In her heart, there was not only shock but also a hint of envy and anxiety that she was reluctant to admit.
Chen Feng's achievements undoubtedly made her happy, but at the same time, it meant that the distance between them was widening at an invisible speed.
This feeling welled up an indescribable bitterness in her heart.
In this world where soul power was used to measure everything, the difference in strength was not only a manifestation of power but also a psychological distance, an unspoken estrangement.
As far as her eyes could see, the ancient trees towered into the sky, and the leaves fluttered in the wind, like stars dotting the vast night sky, yet they also metaphorically represented the confusion and daze in her heart.
Life seemed to cycle in this deep forest, and as for the relationship between her and Chen Feng, would it also experience cycles with the growth of his power? The unknown ending made her heart tighten with unease.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions. That deep inhalation seemed to draw everything around her into her chest, using the power of nature to dispel the fog in her heart.
Then, she straightened her back and bravely faced Chen Feng, with an unwavering determination burning in her eyes.
"Let's go quickly. Before my grandpa finds out, we should leave immediately."
Duguyan's voice was full of urgency. She reached out her hand, her fingers slightly trembling as she grasped Chen Feng's, trying to pull him away from where he stood.
When she tried to lead him to shuttle through the ancient forest and escape, she found that his body was as motionless as a huge bronze statue embedded in the ground.
"What's wrong?" Duguyan's brows knitted, and her voice was tinged with confusion and unease.
"Actually, I don't need to run."
Chen Feng's voice was distant and calm. In his eyes, there was a faint glimmer of confidence and calmness.
"Why?" Duguyan's heart skipped a beat, her pupils slightly dilated, filled with shock and confusion.
"I have a way to treat you and your grandpa."
Chen Feng's words were like an arrow, directly hitting Duguyan's heart.
The gloom and despair that had originally accumulated there were pierced through by a beam of warm sunlight in an instant.
"Really?"
Her voice was full of anticipation and shock, and the corners of her mouth involuntarily curved upward, a kind of joy from the bottom of her heart.
At that moment, something in Duguyan's heart was touched. It was the admiration for a hero, and the germination of a deeper emotion towards Chen Feng.
His image in her heart was like a war god draped in stars, omnipotent and fearless.
Her heart was pounding like a drum, and her cheeks were slightly flushed, like the sunset - dyed glow.
In her demeanor, there was a girl's shyness and a brave determination. If emotions could be translated into actions, she really wanted to throw herself into his arms, expressing the surging feelings in her heart with a hug or a stolen kiss.