The Group Owner Appears

"The mission is confirmed: lure out the Titan Giant Ape and let it carry all three of us away," Ning Rongrong whispered, rolling the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda between her fingers.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded.

Xiao Wu hummed in agreement, her gaze sweeping over their surroundings.

"Honored King of the Forest, we mean no offense. Please show mercy and let us leave. We swear we won't disturb you," Zhao Wuji entreated nervously.

The Titan Giant Ape paid no heed to Zhao Wuji's words. Instead, its lantern-sized eyes fixed on Xiao Wu, and it reached out and caught her in its palm.

"Er Ming!"

Xiao Wu didn't struggle. Her lips moved slightly, sending out low-frequency sound waves that only Soul Beasts could understand.

"Bring my two friends along, too. I trust them. I've already told them who I am."

Er Ming paused, its grip on Xiao Wu stilling. It tilted its head, a flicker of doubt in its eyes.

It lowered its gaze to Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing. The two weren't trying to flee; they were simply watching it warily. After a moment's hesitation, it raised its other hand and scooped them up as well.

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

"Xiao Wu!"

Not far away, Tang San's eyes blazed red as he charged forward. Blue Silver Grass surged wildly, coiling toward Er Ming's ankles.

"Let them go!"

Dai Mubai's Martial Soul possessed him in an instant. Black-and-white fur bristled across his body, claws sprang out, and he roared, his face ashen with fury. "Zhuqing! Damn it! Everyone, stay alert! I'll stop it!"

Soul Power exploded around Zhao Wuji. All seven of his Soul Rings lit up as he charged at Er Ming, his expression grim. "You beast! Don't you dare run!"

Oscar's face went pale with fright. He fumbled to recite his Soul Spell, but nerves made him forget the words. Sweat beaded on his forehead. "I, I've got a sausage..."

Feathers sprouted along Ma Hongjun's arms, purple-red flames swirling around him as he roared, "You big oaf! Put them down!"

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

Er Ming paid no mind to their attacks. A slight jerk of its thick ankle snapped the Blue Silver Grass, and a casual sweep of its hand sent Dai Mubai and Zhao Wuji flying. The Phoenix Fire Line struck its body, leaving nothing but a small scorch mark.

It lowered its head to check the three women in its palm. Once it had confirmed they weren't hurt, it turned and raced deeper into the forest.

A short while later, it reached an open stretch beside Star Lake and gently set the three of them down.

On a boulder in the middle of the lake, a blue-green figure leapt up and landed before them. It was Da Ming, the Sky Azure Bull Python.

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

Xiao Wu hurried forward. "Da Ming, it's been so long."

Da Ming looked at Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, its eyes sharpening. "Sister Xiao Wu, who are these two?"

Xiao Wu turned and pointed to them. "They're my friends, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing."

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

Zhu Zhuqing stayed on guard, her gaze shifting between Da Ming and Er Ming.

Da Ming spoke to Xiao Wu in the sound waves of Soul Beasts. "Sister Xiao Wu, humans can't be trusted. These two know who you are. If they bring powerful humans here after they leave, we won't be able to protect you."

Er Ming nodded in agreement. Its low growl was full of worry. "That's right, Sister Xiao Wu. Humans all want to capture Soul Beasts and take their Soul Rings. What if they only approached you on purpose?"

Xiao Wu's gaze was resolute. She answered in the same Soul Beast sound waves. "They wouldn't. Other humans might, but they absolutely wouldn't. They're my best friends."

Da Ming fell silent for a moment. "Sister Xiao Wu, you're too innocent. The human world is complicated."

"I trust my judgment."

Xiao Wu planted her hands on her hips and spoke with confidence. "If they wanted to hurt me, they would have done it already. Besides, we planned this together. We came back to see you."

The three reunited and caught up, but Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing noticed that the Group Chat System still hadn't announced the mission's completion.

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

[Pagoda Suppresses River Demon: Group Owner, we've been brought here. Why hasn't the mission been marked complete yet?]

They sent the message and received a reply soon after.

[Galaxy Baseball Bat Hero: You're here? Perfect. Xiao Wu, ask Da Ming to go to the middle of the lake.]

Ye Qiong didn't explain why. Xiao Wu didn't think to ask, either, and simply did as he said.

"Da Ming, go out to the middle of the lake for a moment."

"Sister Xiao Wu?" Da Ming sounded puzzled, but obediently swam toward the lake's center.

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

A figure appeared in midair out of nowhere and swiftly gathered the golden glow into its arms.

The figure hovered in the sky, looking down at everyone below.

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

Ye Qiong's words in the private chat made the three women's eyes fly wide. They stared in shock.

The Group Owner?

This was the Group Owner?

What was he doing here?

Da Ming thought an enemy had invaded and was about to attack, but Xiao Wu hurriedly called out to stop it.

"Da Ming, don't hurt him! He's also... a friend of mine!"

[Galaxy Baseball Bat Hero: Give me a stable place to land. I'm coming down.]

Xiao Wu immediately urged Da Ming, "Da Ming, quick! Raise your body and give him somewhere to land."

At her words, Da Ming slowly lifted its enormous bull's head, forming a steady platform.

Ye Qiong immediately brought out his Second Martial Soul, Void Archives. With a thought, Void Archives transformed into a delicate black parasol decorated with a red Taotie design.

It was the little parasol belonging to Long Night Moon, which he had replicated with Void Archives in his previous life. Now it had come in handy.

He gripped the handle and drifted gently downward, his body light as a feather. At last, he landed squarely atop Da Ming's head.

A successful descent!

The three women looked up at him, their eyes full of wonder.

"So you're the Group Owner?"

Ning Rongrong couldn't help asking, thinking to herself, He's actually pretty handsome.

Ye Qiong closed the parasol, transformed it into a hat, and held it in his hand. Then he smiled at the three of them, gave a proper gentleman's bow, and introduced himself. "I am Galaxy Baseball Bat Hero, Ye Qiong! It's a pleasure to meet you."

"You dared to stop me from saving Xiao Wu. You've earned your death!"

Tang San glared at the Man Faced Demon Spider blocking his path, his eyes bloodshot, breathing like an enraged bull.

By now, he'd lost his mind completely, like Empress Wu Zetian after losing her husband.

He charged through the Star Dou Forest like a mad bull, but this thousand-year-old Man Faced Demon Spider had blocked his way, making him frantic with impatience.

Xiao Wu, my Xiao Wu! I have to save you! Nothing can stand in my way!

Ah! Come forth, my Clear Sky Hammer!

Clear Sky Hammer! Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer!

Tang San summoned the Clear Sky Hammer and immediately unleashed his family's secret art, the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer!

He was going to smash this Man Faced Demon Spider that had blocked his path to pieces!

"Die!"