Titan Giant Ape!

Pfft!

The Ghost Fire Demon Fox was still fast asleep. Before it could even cry out, a bloody hole appeared between its brows, and it died instantly.

Precise, efficient, ruthless.

Hu Liena had long since grown used to this. Without any fuss, she immediately stepped forward, sat cross-legged, drew out the purple Soul Ring, and began absorbing it.

Lin Qiu stood nearby with his hands behind his back, guarding her.

Half an hour later.

The fluctuations of Soul Power around Hu Liena gradually settled, and the purple Soul Ring fitted securely around her Martial Soul.

She slowly opened her eyes. Her already bewitching gaze now gleamed with a dewy sheen, as if it could snatch the soul from anyone who looked into it.

Even more captivating, as her Martial Soul evolved, a pair of fluffy fox ears sprouted from the top of her head. They twitched slightly, adding an unusual allure.

Hu Liena rose to her feet. Feeling the surging strength within her, she was ecstatic.

With a flicker, she threw herself into Lin Qiu's arms and looped both hands around his neck. Her newly grown fox ears brushed against his cheek.

"Qiu, thank you! This Soul Skill is amazing!"

Her youthful fragrance wafted over him, and her long, flawless legs pressed close against his. Even Lin Qiu, with his exceptional self-control, couldn't help feeling his heart flutter.

"Ahem. It was nothing."

Lin Qiu gently patted her back, just about to enjoy the intimate moment.

Just then—

ROAR!!!

A thunderous roar suddenly rang out from the depths of the forest.

It was so loud it sounded like a bolt of thunder exploding. Leaves shook loose from the trees, and even the ground beneath their feet began to quake violently.

The terrifying roar carried a suffocating, primeval aura that swept through the entire valley.

Hu Liena's face went deathly pale, and she instinctively clung tightly to Lin Qiu.

Lin Qiu's expression turned solemn. He snapped his head up and looked into the distance.

The trees ahead toppled like stalks of grain as a shadow as enormous as a mountain strode toward them.

Each step shook the earth. Wherever it went, century-old trees and solid boulders alike were crushed to dust.

It was a giant ape with pitch-black fur and muscles bulging like granite. Its eyes glowed red as lanterns, and the aura it gave off was enough to make any Soul Beast submit.

The Titan Giant Ape!

The King of the Forest!

Lin Qiu was startled, but quickly regained his composure.

They should be in the mixed zone of Star Dou Forest. The Titan Giant Ape was supposed to stay in the core zone, so why had it suddenly come out?

"Could it be because of the Ghost Fire Demon Fox, or because we trespassed into its territory?"

Hu Liena's voice trembled. "Th-this is the Titan Giant Ape? The legendary Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?"

As the two stood there in alarm and uncertainty, an urgent, gentle-sounding voice rang out from the shadows.

"Not good! Damn it, how did we run into this menace!"

A golden figure darted out of the shadows and landed between Lin Qiu and Hu Liena.

It was Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, who had been escorting them in secret.

Yue Guan's face, usually marked by a mocking smile, was now filled with dread and despair.

He was stunned.

Completely stunned.

He was only supposed to guard them from the shadows and stop any ignorant Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts from hurting these two precious charges.

But who could have imagined they'd run straight into the overlord of Star Dou Forest—the Titan Giant Ape!

This was a terrifying creature even ordinary Titled Douluo had to steer clear of!

If anything happened to Lin Qiu here, that madwoman the Pope would skin him alive. The entire Spirit Hall might even go berserk.

"Young Master, Nana, run! I'll hold it off!"

Chrysanthemum Douluo shouted. He didn't dare hold anything back.

All nine of his Soul Rings lit up at once, especially the ninth, black Soul Ring, which blazed brilliantly.

"Ninth Soul Skill: Chrysanthemums Fall, the Ground Is Wounded; Petals Drop, Hearts Break!"

Countless golden petals became blades that filled the sky, forming a golden tornado that swept toward the approaching Titan Giant Ape.

This was a Titled Douluo's full-power strike. It was so mighty that it could slice a mountain apart.

And yet—

Faced with the petals filling the sky, the Titan Giant Ape merely raised an arm and casually swiped.

Boom!

A wave of black air burst out.

The seemingly razor-sharp golden petals struck the Titan Giant Ape's iron-hard fur, sending up strings of sparks and a harsh scraping sound. They didn't leave so much as a single scratch.

It was like scratching an itch.

A true case of scratching an itch.

The Titan Giant Ape lived up to its reputation as a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast with an elite bloodline. Its defense was so absurdly strong that an ordinary Titled Douluo couldn't even break through it.

Chrysanthemum Douluo's face turned deathly pale. Deep despair welled up inside him.

It was over.

He couldn't even hurt it.

The Titan Giant Ape's strength and defense were practically on a cheat-code level.

Without Gui Mei here to perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with him, there was no way he could stop this monster alone.

The Titan Giant Ape was clearly annoyed by the little "fly." It roared and swung a massive fist down like a meteor.

Chrysanthemum Douluo could only dodge in a panic, his sole hope that Lin Qiu and the others would manage to escape.

But when he looked back, he nearly spat blood in anger.

Lin Qiu hadn't run. He was still standing there, calmly watching the giant ape. More than that... there was even a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

"Young Master! What are you doing? Run!" Chrysanthemum Douluo roared.

Lin Qiu ignored his shouts.

Because just then, the system that had been silent for so long issued another mission.

[Ding! Emergency mission triggered: Face the pressure of a Saint-level powerhouse!]

[Mission description: Survive before this mighty being, who possesses supreme power and has attained sainthood through the strength of his body.]

[Mission reward: ??? (Rating depends on performance)]

Lin Qiu paused, then understood.

The system was an idiot. It had mistaken the Titan Giant Ape for a "Saint"-level powerhouse from the Shrouding Heavens World?

What manner of being was a Saint from the Shrouding Heavens World? A single drop of blood could crush mountains, and a single strand of hair could cut down stars.

But the Titan Giant Ape before him was, at most, just an ape with a lot of strength.

What a contrast...

If he could "drive back" or "intimidate" this "Saint," just how generous would the reward be?

A glint flashed in Lin Qiu's eyes.

He pushed the panicking Hu Liena aside and walked forward, one step at a time.

"Elder Chrysanthemum, stand down."

The young man's voice wasn't loud, but wrapped in Soul Power, it reached the ears of every living being present.

Chrysanthemum Douluo, who had been preparing to fight to the death, froze.

He stared in utter bewilderment at Lin Qiu, who had stepped out from behind him.

"Young Master? Are you crazy? That's a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast! You can't fight it!"

Lin Qiu didn't explain. He simply gave him a reassuring look.