One Kick Sent Flying

The Star Dou Great Forest is vast, and it's easy to get lost even during the day. However, the Titan Giant Ape is so large that its passage destroys surrounding vegetation, making it easy to track its destructive trail even at night.

"Damn it!"

Zhao Xuan chased closely behind, his eyes fixed on the front, hoping to catch up to the Titan Giant Ape.

Taking advantage of a brief lull, Zhao Xuan took out a sausage prepared by Oscar to heal the injuries he sustained. The Titan Giant Ape's palm strike had landed squarely on his chest earlier. Even with his good physical condition, he had suffered some minor injuries.

"And that was just a casual swipe from the Titan Giant Ape," Zhao Xuan thought with some frustration. If the Titan Giant Ape had thrown a full-powered punch, he estimated he would have been bedridden for half a year, if not dead.

The surrounding scenery blurred as it rapidly receded behind him, streaks of afterimages appearing in Zhao Xuan's wake. Yet, there was still no sign of the Titan Giant Ape ahead.

"Why would the Titan Giant Ape abduct Xiao Wu?"

Zhao Xuan pondered with confusion as he pursued. He had seen clearly earlier that even after being hit by his punch to the face, the Titan Giant Ape's gaze remained fixed on Xiao Wu.

There was no rage in its eyes, but a strange look, as if... longing?

Zhao Xuan wasn't sure. Although many ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts possessed intelligence no less than humans, could they truly express emotions? If they could, then why did the Titan Giant Ape look at Xiao Wu that way?

After chasing for a while, Zhao Xuan suddenly stopped and picked up Oscar's mushroom sausage. The sausage looked peculiar, and Zhao Xuan frowned. Then, steeling his resolve, he closed his eyes and devoured it in a few large bites.

Six ethereal light wings sprouted from his back and flapped rapidly, lifting Zhao Xuan into the air. He slowly flew out of the forest and above the dense canopy.

Zhao Xuan felt a sense of wonder, but in the distance, he could see unusual activity in a patch of forest ahead.

"Where is it? It hasn't gone far!" Zhao Xuan's gaze turned cold, and he quickly controlled his six light wings to fly forward.

It had to be said that the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent was indeed fast. If they hadn't caught it by surprise, it would have been difficult for them to capture this Soul Beast.

Ahead.

"Er Ming, why are you coming out from inside?"

Xiao Wu was held in the Titan Giant Ape's hand but showed no signs of distress. Instead, she sternly interrogated the overlord of the Star Dou Great Forest—the Titan Giant Ape.

The Titan Giant Ape ran towards the depths of the Star Dou Forest, glancing back at Xiao Wu. Its large eyes showed a human-like gentleness. "Ooh... ooh."

"Even if you and Da Ming missed me, you can't do this. Do you know those are my friends?" Hearing the Titan Giant Ape's reply, Xiao Wu's expression softened considerably, but she still sternly reprimanded it.

Zhao Xuan had just been sent flying by Er Ming's palm strike! Although Zhao Xuan was tough, he might not have been fine. What if something serious had happened?!

The Titan Giant Ape remained silent, merely hurrying deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.

Xiao Wu's eyes darted around. "Are you angry?"

"Ooh," the Titan Giant Ape responded.

Xiao Wu gradually broke into a smile, her eyes curving into crescent moons. She gently rested her head on the Titan Giant Ape's finger and said playfully, "Silly, I haven't forgotten about you and Da Ming. You are also my best friends."

The Titan Giant Ape tilted its head slightly to look at Xiao Wu and cautiously said, "Ooh ooh."

"Really, I'm not lying! Sister Xiao Wu never lies! No, never lies to beasts." Xiao Wu patted her chest, which was a bit illusory, as a guarantee.

The Titan Giant Ape smiled, a genuine smile. Its face, somewhat resembling a human's, showed a grin, revealing a mouthful of bright yellow teeth.

"Ugh... Er Ming, your mouth smells so bad," Xiao Wu said, looking at the Titan Giant Ape with a hint of disgust.

The Titan Giant Ape didn't seem to mind, continuing to bare its yellow teeth at Xiao Wu.

From behind.

Zhao Xuan, driving his wings to their full potential, finally caught up to the Titan Giant Ape ahead. As soon as he arrived, he saw the Titan Giant Ape opening its massive maw towards Xiao Wu.

"Still trying to eat people?!" Zhao Xuan exclaimed, a mix of shock and anger.

"Hey! You big oaf in front, let go of Xiao Wu!" Zhao Xuan roared.

"Huh?! How did Zhao Xuan catch up?" Xiao Wu stared in astonishment at Zhao Xuan in the sky behind her.

Six wings? Was that the effect of Oscar's new sausage?

"Ooh ooh..." The Titan Giant Ape glanced back and then called out to Xiao Wu.

"No, he's my friend. Don't hurt him," Xiao Wu quickly said, her eyes filled with a warning.

The Titan Giant Ape showed a human-like helplessness on its face and could only accelerate its pace forward.

"Still trying to run?! Oh no, the mushroom sausage's effect is about to wear off."

The six light wings behind him flickered, and Zhao Xuan inwardly cried out a warning.

First Soul Skill, Immovable!

Without hesitation, Zhao Xuan quickly used his First Soul Skill to immobilize the Titan Giant Ape and then pursued it.

Seeing the Titan Giant Ape freeze, Xiao Wu immediately understood that Zhao Xuan's First Soul Skill had taken effect. She quickly whispered into the Titan Giant Ape's ear, "Use less strength later, about thirty-thousand years' worth is enough. Run away as soon as you get rid of him."

After giving her hurried instructions, Xiao Wu looked up at Zhao Xuan, who was rapidly approaching in the sky, and shouted, "Zhao Xuan, run! Don't worry about me!"

"If I don't bring you back, Tang San will go crazy," Zhao Xuan roared.

In an instant, Zhao Xuan was close, but the Titan Giant Ape had also lost its immobilization effect. It let out a roar to the sky and swung a punch at Zhao Xuan.

Mid-punch, it remembered Xiao Wu's instructions and reduced its power. However, after the fist struck Zhao Xuan, it only slightly slowed his body before it shattered.

"Big傻大个, I'm behind you," Zhao Xuan's voice echoed, and at the same time, he kicked the back of the Titan Giant Ape's head.

The Titan Giant Ape stumbled, feeling a definite bump forming on the back of its head. It angrily turned its head and glared at Zhao Xuan, letting out two "ooh ooh" sounds.

Zhao Xuan retreated rapidly, raising an eyebrow as he observed, "Still mad?"

Xiao Wu, held by the Titan Giant Ape with her back to Zhao Xuan, chuckled awkwardly at his words. She realized Er Ming was speaking to her and quietly continued, "You can fight back if he hits you, but you absolutely must not injure him."

"Roar!" The Titan Giant Ape seemed even angrier, stomping its foot, causing the entire forest to tremble.

Soul Beasts foraging in the night, startled like birds startled from a bow, quickly fled in all directions, terrified by the aura.

"What's wrong? You steal my friend and you're still angry! Let her go quickly! I'll spare your life!" Zhao Xuan, of course, didn't understand what the Titan Giant Ape was saying, but that didn't stop him from imagining its words. Moreover, he wouldn't back down, so he had to put on a brave front and issue threats.

If Zhao Wuji knew, his legs would probably go weak. Who gave you the courage to speak to the overlord of the Star Dou Great Forest like that?

"Although it's difficult to drive him away without injuring him, if you hurt him again, I won't talk to you anymore," Xiao Wu whispered after a few dry coughs.

The Titan Giant Ape's eyes turned red. What was it supposed to do?! However, it couldn't return to the depths of the Star Dou Forest if it didn't drive this human away. So, it lowered its imposing aura, applying pressure on Zhao Xuan, and then quickly swatted at him.

Zhao Xuan was prepared. The moment he saw the Titan Giant Ape's arm muscles contract, he began to dodge. The massive palm flashed past in front of Zhao Xuan, the gust of wind it generated nearly blowing him out of the sky.

Zhao Xuan quickly stabilized himself, but unexpectedly, the Titan Giant Ape kicked him even before retracting its hand.

The Titan Giant Ape lost its balance, its enormous body falling to the ground with a "bang!" But that kick landed squarely on Zhao Xuan.

"Bang!"

His body made intimate contact with the Titan Giant Ape's foot, and Zhao Xuan was sent flying.

"What the— Ptooey!"

Zhao Xuan, flying through the air, looked terrified. A sweet sensation rose in his throat, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Didn't I tell you to be gentler?" Xiao Wu stared blankly at Zhao Xuan, who was disappearing into the distance, and couldn't help but say to the Titan Giant Ape.

"Roar." The Titan Giant Ape got back up and continued running towards the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest, not forgetting to answer Xiao Wu.

I didn't hold back.

Xiao Wu gave the Titan Giant Ape a suspicious glance. The Titan Giant Ape's expression remained unchanged.

The big guy thought to himself, it's fine as long as you don't die.