The Plan in Motion

Three days had passed since Bibi Dong went to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain her ninth Spirit Ring.

Over those three days, Wu Ling's life had returned to its previous routine: cultivation, meals, and rest.

But with Xiao Lan and Xiao Hong around, Wu Ling could at least chat with them whenever he was bored.

Watching Xiao Hong and Xiao Lan train tirelessly, Wu Ling set down the book in his hand and muttered, "Although Hassan of the Hundred Faces is the only Hassan among all those currently known who lacks an instant-death ability, the help she gives me is something no other Heroic Spirit can possibly match.

Previously, I could only squeeze out a third of each day for cultivation. But with Clones, I could now devote half my time to refining Soul Power.

And because the Clones cultivated as well, one day of cultivation for me was effectively the equivalent of a day and a half for others. Over the course of a day, my efficiency was nearly four times what it had been before.

On top of that, I absorbed a Spirit Ring beyond my level, leaving me at level twenty-three Soul Power after the absorption. At this rate, I probably won't even need two years to reach level thirty."

Thinking back to that night three days ago, after recalling Xiao Lan and Xiao Hong into his body and sensing the obvious increase in his Soul Power, Wu Ling had been stunned. The effect had truly been remarkable.

"Things are fine on my end. The only issue is that there's still no news from Teacher. But it is a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, and it has the Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape protecting it, so taking a few extra days is understandable.

At this point in time, Di Tian and the others are still eating some big bug, and there's no way my influence could affect the Star Dou Great Forest from this far away. So judging by the situation, it should be soon."

"..."

"It will be soon, Your Holiness. Those beasts have already fallen into our encirclement. In particular, those two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts in human form—one is still in an infant state, while the other has reached adulthood but only possesses the strength of a seven-ring Soul Saint. Therefore, the greatest threats are the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python.

Once they reach the center of the encirclement, we will use a surprise attack to force the two apart. Those two humanoids will be left to Your Holiness. The monkey and the snake will require the two elders and the rest of us to hold them off."

Inside a tent, Bibi Dong, who stood at the head of the group, nodded to indicate that she understood. The elder who had spoken cupped his hands toward her, then quietly stepped aside.

Afterward, Bibi Dong asked about several possible unforeseen circumstances. Each situation was analyzed and resolved one by one.

"It's about time. Prepare yourselves."

At Bibi Dong's command, the tents and every trace of their activity were put away. A group consisting entirely of Soul Douluo with at least eight rings concealed themselves.

Just as Bibi Dong's group finished hiding, two running Spirit Beasts appeared not far behind them and rapidly approached.

Those two Spirit Beasts were none other than the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python. Beside one of the Sky Azure Bull Python's horns stood a peerlessly beautiful woman with long pink hair. She was undoubtedly Xiao Wu's mother.

"Big Brother, why are we running? Those guys are strong, but they're still no match for us, right?" Through spiritual power, the Titan Giant Ape named Er Ming asked the Sky Azure Bull Python called Da Ming.

"If we forced our way through, we could indeed get out. But don't forget, her target is very likely Auntie and Sister Xiao Wu.

"So for them, they don't need to defeat us at all. They only need to hold us back. And if that happens, Auntie and Sister Xiao Wu will be in danger."

"So that's how it is." The ape-like Titan Giant Ape gave an acknowledging grunt.

"Actually, as long as you hand me over, with your strength, you can definitely escape."

As the ape and snake communicated through spiritual power, another strand of spiritual power joined them. It was entirely pink, and even its voice was filled with gentleness.

"No, Auntie. You're family. We will never abandon you!"

At the word "family," the woman's lips could not help but curve upward. Yet under these circumstances, that smile lasted less than a second before fading.

"No. Humans are greedy creatures. If they don't get what they want, they will never let this go.

"I've placed Xiao Wu somewhere absolutely safe. If I truly cannot return, tell Xiao Wu that I entered the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest and disappeared. Remember, do not let her come looking for me!"

As they spoke, the woman and the two Spirit Beasts were completely unaware of their situation. It was only when the woman's ears twitched slightly that her expression abruptly changed.

"Something's wrong. It's an ambush!"

The warning came, but unfortunately, it came too late.

A gigantic chrysanthemum and a pitch-black ghost hand suddenly appeared, blasting the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python several meters back.

Meanwhile, Xiao Wu's mother, who had been standing atop the Sky Azure Bull Python's head, was swept uncontrollably in the opposite direction by another force.

"Auntie!"

"Humans, damn you!"

The Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python were instantly alarmed. Just as they were about to rush after her, Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo, each accompanied by three Soul Douluo, blocked their path.

"Humans, die!"

In his fury, the Titan Giant Ape held nothing back this time, wildly attacking every enemy before him. The Sky Azure Bull Python said nothing, but while fighting, he observed the battlefield, ready at any moment to break through and rescue Xiao Wu's mother.

On the other side, Xiao Wu's mother, who had still been flying through the air, finally broke free from the control. But before she could breathe a sigh of relief, Bibi Dong appeared in front of her.

"Only one? Where's the other little one?"

Xiao Wu's mother turned a deaf ear to Bibi Dong's question and simply assumed a combat stance.

When Bibi Dong saw that Xiao Wu's mother would not speak, she understood what she intended.

"What a pity. I was originally planning to bring that one back for Ling'er."

With that, Bibi Dong's Spirit Rings lit up one after another, and she charged directly at the woman transformed from a Spirit Beast.

In just five short minutes, the Titan Giant Ape was still smashing things apart, and the Sky Azure Bull Python was still searching for an opening. But when Xiao Wu's mother's corpse fell to the ground, the last shred of reason in their minds snapped.

"No!"

The two completely crazed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts unleashed Soul Power from their bodies as though it cost nothing.

Faced with the combined assault of domain, Spirit Skills, and raw physical strength, the six Soul Douluo aside from Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo collapsed in an instant.

Expressionless, Bibi Dong placed Xiao Wu's mother's corpse into her Storage Ring.

"Elder Gui, Elder Ju, we have the target. No need to continue fighting. Withdraw!"

At her command, Gui Mei and Yue Guan exchanged a glance. Each took two Soul Douluo and left the area.

Unable to catch up to Bibi Dong and the others, the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python could only rage helplessly in place.

There were many differing accounts regarding Bibi Dong killing Xiao Wu's mother. Some said Bibi Dong was indeed the killer, since it had even been shown in the anime.

But others said Bibi Dong's Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring did not actually come from Xiao Wu's mother. Baidu Baike stated that Bibi Dong's Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring came from a Hundred-Thousand-Year Death Spider Emperor. Moreover, in Xiao Wu's recollection in Legend of the God Realm, she said that her mother entered the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest and was swallowed by an enormous shadow.

As for this extremely contradictory matter, Bai Yang spent an entire night searching through all kinds of information. After thinking it over and finding no solution, he combined the accounts into this chapter's plot. Please don't take offense if you dislike it. Any good suggestions or insights can be left in the comments.