The Group Owner Appears

"Mission confirmed: lure the Titan Giant Ape and let it capture all three of us," Ning Rongrong whispered, her fingertips twisting the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded.

Xiao Wu also hummed in agreement, her gaze sweeping across the surroundings.

"Respected King of the Forest, we mean no offense. We beg you to show mercy and let us leave; we shall not disturb you further," Zhao Wuji pleaded, his voice trembling with anxiety.

The Titan Giant Ape ignored Zhao Wuji entirely, locking its lantern-like eyes onto Xiao Wu before reaching out to snatch her into its palm.

"Er Ming!"

Xiao Wu did not struggle; her lips moved slightly, emitting a low-frequency sonic wave that only soul beasts could understand.

"Bring my two friends as well. They are people I trust, and I have already revealed my identity to them."

Er Ming's movement as it held Xiao Wu paused. It tilted its head, a flicker of doubt crossing its eyes.

It looked down at Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing. Seeing that the two did not flee but instead stared at it with vigilance, it hesitated for a moment before raising its other hand and scooping them both into its palm.

"Hold on tight!" Zhu Zhuqing barked, reaching out to grab Ning Rongrong's arm.

"Xiao Wu!"

Not far away, Tang San's eyes turned blood-red. He lunged forward violently, his Blue Silver Grass surging out like a mad tide to entangle the Titan Giant Ape's ankles.

"Let them go!"

Dai Mubai's martial soul manifested instantly. His black and white fur bristled, his sharp claws unsheathed, and he roared with a livid expression, "Zhuqing! Damn it! Everyone, stay alert! I'm going to stop it!"

Zhao Wuji's Soul Power exploded around him, his seven soul rings lighting up as he charged toward Er Ming with a grave expression: "You beast! Don't you dare leave!"

Oscar was so pale with fright that he fumbled through his soul incantation, but his nerves made him forget the words. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he stammered, "I, I have a..."

Ma Hongjun's arms sprouted feathers, and purple-red flames swirled around him as he roared in anger, "You big lug! Put them down!"

With that, he spat out a Phoenix Fire Line, shooting it toward Er Ming.

Er Ming paid no mind to the group's attacks. It simply flexed its thick ankles, snapping the Blue Silver Grass with ease, and swiped its arm to send Dai Mubai and Zhao Wuji flying. The Phoenix Fire Line landed on its hide, leaving behind nothing more than a few scorched marks.

It glanced down at the three women in its palm, confirmed they were unhurt, and turned to sprint toward the depths of the forest.

A moment later, it arrived at the edge of the open Star Lake and gently set the three of them down.

On a giant rock in the center of the lake, a cyan figure leaped up and landed before them—it was the Sky Azure Bull Python, Da Ming.

"Big Sister Xiao Wu!" Da Ming's voice was deep and resonant, filled with joy.

Xiao Wu stepped forward quickly. "Da Ming, it's been a long time."

Da Ming looked toward Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, his gaze turning sharp. "Big Sister Xiao Wu, who are these two?"

Xiao Wu turned back and gestured to them. "They are my companions, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing."

Ning Rongrong stepped forward. "We mean no harm. Xiao Wu asked us to come along."

Zhu Zhuqing remained on guard, her eyes darting between Da Ming and Er Ming.

Da Ming used a soul beast sonic wave to speak to Xiao Wu: "Big Sister Xiao Wu, humans cannot be trusted. They know your identity; if they lead powerful humans here after they leave, we won't be able to protect you."

Er Ming nodded in agreement, its low growl filled with worry. "That's right, Big Sister Xiao Wu. Humans all want to capture soul beasts to obtain soul rings. Could they be getting close to you on purpose?"

Xiao Wu's eyes were firm as she responded with the same sonic wave: "They wouldn't. Other humans might, but they absolutely won't. They are my best friends."

Da Ming fell silent for a moment. "Big Sister Xiao Wu, you are too naive. The world of humans is very complex."

"I trust my judgment."

Xiao Wu put her hands on her hips and said with confidence, "If they wanted to harm me, they would have done it already. Besides, this was something we discussed together—coming back to see you both."

The three of them reunited and caught up, but Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing noticed that the mission completion status had yet to appear in the group chat system.

They exchanged a glance, both feeling curious, and sent private messages to Ye Qiong.

[Pagoda Suppresses River Demon: Group Owner, we've already been brought to the location. Why hasn't the mission shown as completed yet?]

The message was sent, and a reply arrived shortly after.

[Galaxy Baseball Bat Hero: You've arrived? That's perfect. Xiao Wu, ask Da Ming to go to the center of the lake.]

Ye Qiong offered no explanation, and Xiao Wu, not wanting to press the issue, did exactly as asked.

"Da Ming, could you go to the center of the lake for a moment?"

"Big Sister Xiao Wu?" Though puzzled, Da Ming obeyed and swam toward the center of the lake.

Just then, the three women saw a dazzling golden light flash across the sky.

A figure appeared out of thin air in the sky, swiftly gathering that golden light into his arms.

The figure hovered in mid-air, looking down at the group below.

[Galaxy Baseball Bat Hero: Don't panic, I am the Group Owner.]

In the private chat channel, Ye Qiong's words made the three of them widen their eyes in utter shock.

The Group Owner?

This is the Group Owner?

How could he be here?

Da Ming assumed an enemy had invaded and was about to launch an attack, but Xiao Wu, having realized who it was, hurriedly called out to stop him.

"Da Ming, don't hurt him! He is also... my friend!"

[Galaxy Baseball Bat Hero: Give me a stable foothold; I'm about to descend.]

Xiao Wu immediately urged Da Ming, "Da Ming, quick, raise your body and give him a place to land."

Upon hearing this, Da Ming slowly raised his massive bull head, forming a steady platform.

Ye Qiong immediately pulled out his second martial soul, Void Archives. With a thought, the Void Archives instantly transformed into an exquisite small black umbrella, adorned with a red gluttonous beast pattern.

This was a replica of Long Night Moon's small umbrella that he had fashioned using the Void Archives in his past life, and it was finally coming in handy now.

Gripping the handle, his body descended lightly and gracefully, eventually landing firmly atop Da Ming's head.

Slow fall successful!

The three girls looked up at him, their eyes filled with amazement.

"So, you're the Group Owner?"

Ning Rongrong couldn't help but speak up, thinking to herself: He's actually quite handsome.

Ye Qiong retracted the small umbrella, transformed it into a hat, and held it in his hand. He then offered the three of them a faint smile, performed a standard gentleman's bow, and introduced himself, "I am Galaxy Baseball Bat Hero, Ye Qiong! It is a pleasure to meet you all."

"Daring to block me from rescuing Xiao Wu, you have already paved your own path to death!"

Tang San glared at the Man Faced Demon Spider standing in his way, his eyes turning bloodshot as he panted like an ox.

At this moment, he had lost his reason, much like a widow mourning her husband.

He charged through the Star Dou Forest like a mad bull, and this thousand-year Man Faced Demon Spider, which blocked his path, made him incredibly agitated.

Xiao Wu, my Xiao Wu! I must save you, and nothing can stop me!

"Ah! Come forth, my Clear Sky Hammer!"

"Clear Sky Hammer! Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer!"

The Clear Sky Hammer was summoned by Tang San, and the moment he struck, he unleashed his family's unique secret technique: the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer!

He was going to smash this obstructing Man Faced Demon Spider to pieces!

"Die!"