Han Yuchen's gaze sharpened.
Now!
Before anyone—even Flender and Zhao Wuji—could react.
Han Yuchen moved again.
He took one step forward.
His figure seemed to teleport, appearing directly behind Leng Yuebai as she staggered back from the force of the rebound.
He reached out and steadily caught her slender waist.
Then, with the motion, drew her entire body into his arms.
Cool and soft to the touch.
Mm, that little waist had some kick to it.
Leng Yuebai only felt herself fall into a warm, solid embrace.
An incomparably familiar presence that inexplicably put her at ease instantly enveloped her.
She instinctively looked up.
And met Han Yuchen's deep eyes, vast as a starry sky.
Within those eyes, she saw her own reflection.
And a trace of gentle teasing she had never seen before.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
For the first time, she felt her own heartbeat with such clarity.
The heart that had been frozen by divinity for more than ten years quietly cracked open at that moment.
Han Yuchen paid no attention to the brief daze of the beauty in his arms.
He gently shielded Leng Yuebai behind him and faced the Titan Giant Ape alone, which had grown even more enraged after its attack was blocked.
His tone was as calm as if he were taking a stroll through his own backyard.
"Everyone, fall back."
"Leave this to me."
Just one sentence.
The entire area fell deathly silent.
Everyone had gone mad.
Flender, Zhao Wuji, Dai Mubai, Tang San...
Every one of them stared at Han Yuchen's slight back as though they were looking at a lunatic.
A level-twenty Soul Grandmaster wanted to duel the Titan Giant Ape, the king of the forest?!
Were you fucking out of your mind?!
"Yuchen! Don't be reckless! Get back here!"
Flender's