Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Hunt—Titan Giant Ape!

"Why should I listen to you?"
The voice of Huihuo was cold as ice, plunging Zhao Wuji and the group behind him, including Tang San, into a chilling abyss.

"Young Lord Xiao, wait!"
In that moment, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, taking several steps forward to stand before Xiao Yu. He bowed respectfully. "Ning Zhou of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan greets the Young Lord Xiao!"

"From the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan? You know me?"
Xiao Yu was momentarily surprised, memories flashing through his mind, but he was certain he had never met this Ning Zhou before.

Ning Zhou seemed to perceive Xiao Yu's confusion, and with a gentle smile, explained, "I was once the chief bodyguard of our Clan Master Ning. When the Clan Master met with Young Lord Xiao, I was secretly responsible for his safety. Though Young Lord Xiao never met me, I have seen you."

"So that's how it is."
Xiao Yu nodded, already clear about Ning Zhou's intentions, though he maintained a façade of ignorance. "A bodyguard of Clan Master Ning ought to be at his side. What brings you here?"

Ning Zhou quickly stepped aside and gestured toward Ning Rongrong. "This is the eldest daughter of our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan. I am here by order of the Clan Master to protect her. I hope Young Lord Xiao, for the sake of our Clan Master, will not hold today's events against us."

"I was wondering where such a young Glazed Tile Soul Master came from. So she's the Clan Master's daughter!"
Xiao Yu glanced at Ning Rongrong, finding her as unremarkable as her reputation suggested. He turned to Ning Zhou and said, "For the sake of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan and the young master Ning, I will let these fellows go today!"

Ning Zhou clasped his hands in gratitude. "Thank you, Young Lord Xiao!"

Xiao Yu nodded in return, a gesture of courtesy, and signaled to Huihuo. The two then headed back to the inn.

As for the Shrek group, they had no face left to enter the inn. Tang San and Oscar supported Zhao Wuji and two other wounded men, while Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu helped the unconscious Zhu Zhuqing. After Ning Zhou revealed his identity and resolved their crisis, he swiftly melted back into the shadows. The group walked away, planning to find lodging in the next town.

Whether this would have any consequences—such as entering the forest at the wrong location, and whether Oscar could still obtain the soul ring from the Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent—was no longer Xiao Yu's concern. Xiao Yu remembered Oscar's third soul skill, flight, had often played a critical role in Shrek's crises. But given the current circumstances, recruiting Oscar was impossible; weakening Tang San's allies was simply a matter of course.

At dawn the next day, Xiao Yu set out with several Title Douluo and the two girls, Ye Lingling and Huo Wu. This time, their target was a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast. Originally, he wanted the girls to stay in Soto City and wait for his return. Shura was injured but could still protect them.

But unexpectedly, neither girl was willing. Xiao Yu had no idea where Ye Lingling had learned such tactics; after a bout of pleading and unreasonable fussing, he could only acquiesce. He suspected Ye Lingling had been corrupted by Huo Wu's influence.

Their destination was clear. Once inside the Star Dou Forest, they headed straight for the Lake of Life in the core region, stopping nearby to await the Titan Giant Ape searching for his sister Xiao Wu.

There was also the Azure Bull Python by the Lake of Life. These two soul beasts together were formidable: Xiao Yu's side had only three Title Douluo and one near-Title Douluo, and he still had to protect himself as well as Ye Lingling and Huo Wu—the weaker members. It was uncertain if they could defeat both beasts. In the original story, Bibi Dong brought six Title Douluo and still took a long time to kill them, giving Tang San the advantage because of their fierce resistance.

Of course, it wasn't that Xiao Yu feared their combined might. With Saga on their side, as long as Di Tian didn't leap from the lake's center, any number of hundred-thousand-year soul beasts could be subdued.

But Xiao Yu only needed one hundred-thousand-year soul ring. Killing the Azure Bull Python would yield only its soul bone, which would be a waste; the quality of its soul ring was excellent.

Anyway, the Shrek Seven were about to enter the Star Dou Forest. The Titan Giant Ape would leave the Lake of Life only for a few days. Xiao Yu was used to waiting for ten days or half a month in the forest to obtain a soul ring; a few days was nothing.

...

After two days feeding mosquitoes, Radamanthys, Aiolia, Milo, and Huihuo all turned their gaze in the same direction, as if by prior agreement, and spoke in unison, "It's coming!"

No sooner had they spoken than a swath of trees in the distance was felled like harvested wheat. A giant black gorilla, as tall as a small mountain, thundered forward with wild abandon.

"Follow it. We'll strike once it's farther away!"

Xiao Yu issued the command in a low voice, and the group followed closely. They were too near the Lake of Life; too much commotion might draw the Azure Bull Python.

These two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts had ruled the Star Dou Forest for so long, they had lost all vigilance. The Azure Bull Python could hardly imagine humans would dare hunt the Titan Giant Ape. Once the ape was distant, and the python realized something was amiss and came searching, it would find only a heap of bones.

No, the Titan Giant Ape was a top-tier soul beast; its flesh was a great tonic for soul masters. Not even bones would remain.

"Now!"

Despite its massive size and seemingly clumsy demeanor, the Titan Giant Ape was swift. In a short time, it had run more than a hundred miles. Xiao Yu estimated they were now beyond the Azure Bull Python's spiritual perception and immediately ordered the attack.

Three beams of light—two golden, one jet-black—shot skyward: Radamanthys, Milo, and Aiolia. Huihuo remained behind, both to protect Xiao Yu, Ye Lingling, and Huo Wu, and to intervene at the critical moment.

"Roar!"
Sensing the powerful soul force approaching, the Titan Giant Ape realized it was being hunted. Rage surged within it—these humans really had grown tired of living, to covet the soul ring and bone of the forest king.

"Martial Soul True Body!"
Facing the famous king of the forest, the three wasted no time probing. Their seventh soul rings lit up. The golden lion and scorpion gleamed, and Radamanthys's winged dragon soul—a jet-black giant dragon with twin wings—charged at the Titan Giant Ape, claws bared.

The Titan Giant Ape let out a thunderous roar. The collision of soul forces generated a terrifying wave, spreading outward.

Even with Huihuo's protection, auxiliary soul masters were inherently weak. Ye Lingling stumbled, nearly falling, but Xiao Yu caught her swiftly, steadying her with one hand on her slender waist, softly warning, "Careful."