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*****
After resolving Dugu Yan's ninth spirit ring issue, they began their journey back.
Along the way, an unexpected event occurred. As they passed a certain area, they saw thick smoke billowing from the ground. With a sweep of his divine sense, Wang Li discovered that a village was under attack by a band of wolf bandits.
Wolf bandits were humanoid creatures born from the violent mating of the Windstorm Demon Wolves—spirit beasts—with human women. These spirit beasts had no reproductive isolation from humans and, despite being non-human, possessed carnal desires for them.
These half-human, half-beast wolf bandits had a certain level of intelligence, but they revered violence and savagery even more. Known for their evil deeds, they were always targets of extermination.
Since they had encountered them, Wang Li turned to the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger and said:
"Go get yourself a meal. Among these wolf bandits, three of their leaders are equivalent to ten-thousand-year spirit beasts, and the others are comparable to thousand-year ones. Not a bad little snack."
With a roar, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger responded. Since it wasn't getting whale meat, wolf bandits would have to do. Food, after all, was better than no food at all.
It dove swiftly, landing amidst the group of wolf bandits, and began a brutal massacre.
You little wolf bandits—His Excellency, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, might not be able to deal with humans in the sky, but dealing with you? Laughable!
It chomped one with each bite—none could escape. Even the three green-furred wolf bandit leaders, who were on par with ten-thousand-year spirit beasts, were swatted to death with ease.
Before long, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger had devoured them all. It licked the blood from its claws and the corners of its mouth, then picked up a spirit bone and flew back into the sky.
To it, spirit bones from spirit beasts were like cartilage—nothing special—but humans seemed to value them greatly. So the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger planned to bring the one from the wolf bandits back as a gift for Wang Li.
Wang Li didn't need that spirit bone at the moment, but he accepted it anyway and praised the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger.
Then, they continued on their way back, first returning to Heaven Dou City to check on the state of the sect.
Just as Wang Li and Dugu Yan arrived, Xue Beng and Ning Fengzhi showed up almost immediately afterward.
This time, both Xue Beng and Ning Fengzhi seemed anxious and unable to wait, clearly facing a dire situation.
Inside the reception hall—
Xue Beng, completely disregarding his imperial dignity, bowed respectfully and said:
"Your Excellency Blue Silver, please save the Heaven Dou Empire! The Spirit Empire has launched an unjust war, slaughtering our soldiers and civilians along the border. If you don't intervene, they may reach Heaven Dou City before long!"
Looking at the anxious and fearful Xue Beng, Wang Li remained calm and composed. He spoke with a steady voice:
"Your Majesty, my heart is set on the Great Dao. I have no interest in worldly power struggles. Let the continent evolve and the empires wage war—it's best to let things unfold naturally."
Xue Beng was about to say more, but Ning Fengzhi stopped him. He looked at Wang Li, deeply moved. A man with no attachment to worldly affairs—he was still the same Wang Li as before. No wonder he had advanced so far on the path of the soul master.
Ning Fengzhi spoke earnestly:
"Your Excellency, it's not just the Empire that needs saving—the entire continent does. That Bibi Dong is utterly wicked. The heavy losses suffered by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the complete annihilation of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—these were all without a doubt her doing."
"Though she has now become a god, it is clear she ascended as an evil god, not one of justice or benevolence. Under her rule, the Spirit Empire has descended into chaos. Its people commit atrocities—rape, pillage, murder—as if they were everyday acts. Shocking and outrageous deeds have become the norm."
"The Spirit Hall is no longer what it once was. In the past, it genuinely served to maintain order across the continent. Now, it's more like a wild beast, wreaking havoc unchecked. Please, Your Excellency, save the continent. Bibi Dong must not be allowed to continue down this path of destruction."
Upon hearing this, Wang Li furrowed his brows. As expected, Bibi Dong had become the Rakshasa God—a deity of evil. But now it seemed she wasn't even trying to hide it anymore.
Perhaps her goal was to turn the entire Douluo Continent into a city of filth, depravity, and slaughter. If that truly was her intention, then Bibi Dong could no longer be allowed to remain.
Wang Li asked again to confirm:
"The Spirit Empire has really fallen into such chaos?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded firmly.
"Yes. This was confirmed by scouts we sent specifically to monitor Bibi Dong's movements. They reported that ominous black clouds now hang over Spirit City. Civilians covered by these clouds undergo drastic personality changes in a short time—murder, arson, rape, and looting take place daily under their shadow."
Wang Li nodded slightly and said:
"Go back for now. I'll head to Spirit City shortly. If Bibi Dong has truly lost her humanity, I'll personally put an end to her."
Ning Fengzhi was briefly stunned before carefully asking,
"Your Excellency Blue Silver, do you need our assistance? The Empire can send troops to engage the enemy and help you hold off part of their forces."
Wang Li waved his hand and said flatly,
"Absolutely unnecessary. If I'm going to strike Bibi Dong, I don't want to be distracted looking after you all."
Xue Beng and Ning Fengzhi eventually departed. Although they had technically achieved their goal, they couldn't shake a sense of deep frustration.
Once they were gone, Wang Li turned to Dugu Yan and said:
"I'm going to Spirit City. If Bibi Dong has truly gone mad, I'll take her down myself. You've only just broken through, so stay behind at the sect. Focus on stabilizing your current realm and getting familiar with your eight new soul skills."
Although Dugu Yan wanted to go with him, if Wang Li were to clash with Bibi Dong, it would be a battle between gods. She feared she might only become a burden.
So Dugu Yan nodded and said,
"Alright. Just be careful. After all, Bibi Dong really is a god now, and you're still a step behind in comprehension."
Wang Li wasn't actually worried about himself, but he still replied on the surface:
"I know. I won't give Bibi Dong any opportunity through carelessness."
Dugu Yan smiled and said:
"Good. Go early and come back soon."
After that, Wang Li left Heaven Dou City alone and headed for Spirit City. Traveling at full speed by himself, it took him only half a day to arrive.
Even along the way, he kept observing the state of the Spirit Empire and found that, just as Ning Fengzhi had said, evil acts were rampant everywhere, and the common people were living in misery.
Upon arriving in Spirit City, he discovered the root cause. Hovering above the city was a cloud of ominous black mist—a manifestation of evil divine power that could awaken the filthiest thoughts in people's hearts.
It created a vicious cycle. The divine power stirred up people's depraved desires, and the wicked acts born from those desires only fueled the evil divine energy further, causing it to grow even stronger.
"Bibi Dong..."
Wang Li's expression turned serious as he called out:
"Come out and speak with me!"
His voice echoed across the skies above Spirit City. At that moment, inside her chamber, Bibi Dong was in the midst of absorbing divine power to further strengthen herself. Her eyes snapped open, cold light flashing within them.
With a sweep of her divine sense, she immediately identified the intruder. A cruel smile formed at the corner of her lips as she said:
"Wang Li… I haven't even gone looking for you, yet you've come to me instead. In that case, I'll kill you myself and eliminate the final obstacle to my destruction of the world."
Bibi Dong rose to her feet as dark light surged from her body. Her original violet-gold ceremonial dress was instantly replaced by the twisted and sinister Rakshasa God attire, her entire form radiating an ominous aura.
She extended her hand, and the Rakshasa Scythe appeared in her grasp. With a single step, the sky spun around her, and in the blink of an eye, she was already hovering high above.