The Unexpected Intervention

Xie Tian's peaceful slumber was shattered by Xie Bai's sudden movement. The tiger emperor's ears twitched, its battle awareness on high alert, as it sensed the distant sounds of clashing spirit energies. Xie Bai's instincts kicked in, and it gently shook Xie Tian awake.

Xie Tian's eyes snapped open, and he sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "What's wrong, Xie Bai?" he asked, his voice still husky from sleep.

Xie Bai turned its head, its gaze fixed on a point in the distance. Xie Tian followed its gaze, his ears perked up, and he listened intently. The sounds of battle grew louder, and Xie Tian's eyes narrowed. "Someone's fighting," he whispered.

Xie Bai's ears folded back, and it let out a low growl. Xie Tian understood the unspoken warning: they needed to be cautious. "Let's go take a look, but don't get too close," Xie Tian instructed, climbing onto Xie Bai's back. "If anyone finds us, we'll be in danger."

Xie Bai moved silently, its massive body gliding through the darkness. They approached the battlefield, and Xie Tian's eyes widened as he took in the scene. A person with six spirit rings, clad in tattered clothes, was surrounded by two Soul Douluos and seven Soul Emperors in black attire. The emblem on their martial spirits – a nether cat – revealed their affiliation with the Zhu family from the Star Luo Empire.

Xie Tian's instincts screamed at him to stay away. He was too weak, and it was too early to make contact with other Soul Masters. He turned to leave, but the system's sudden announcement halted him.

"Task: Save Zhu Yu and repel others. Rewards: 12,000 years of cultivation to Xie Bai and 6 years of cultivation to the host."

Xie Tian's eyes darted back to the battlefield, his mind racing. He was torn, unsure of what to do. The rewards were enticing, but the risks were high. After a moment of hesitation, he made up his mind. "Let's do it, Xie Bai," he whispered, his voice firm.

Xie Bai responded with a mighty roar, its spirit energy surging forward. The Soul Emperors, caught off guard, stumbled backward as Xie Bai's attack struck them from a distance. The two Soul Sages, Zhu Zhen and the other, took a step back, their eyes widening in fear.

"How could this tyrant appear here?" Zhu Zhen exclaimed. "Isn't their race extinct? Moreover, its cultivation base is near 25,000 years!"

Xie Tian's heart raced as he watched the scene unfold. He knew that Xie Bai's attack was a calculated risk, but the outcome was far from certain. The Soul Sages were powerful, and their reaction was unpredictable. Xie Tian's grip on Xie Bai's fur tightened, his senses on high alert, as he prepared for the unknown consequences of their intervention.