Entering the Core Area, Reuniting with the Sky Azure Bull Python

"By the way, did you see that? That senior had black hair and green eyes. Why do I feel like I saw that appearance in one of those files?"

"I thought he looked familiar too. I feel like that appearance was described somewhere."

On their way back, two Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Soul Douluo at the very back of the group whispered among themselves.

Elsewhere, in the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Ning Yao had already arrived here with Withered Wood.

Along the way, he had also encountered another group camped at the outskirts of the core area.

The Shrek Six Monsters and Liu Erlong.

However, there were only five Monsters now, because Xiao Wu was gone.

As for where Xiao Wu was, Ning Yao knew as well.

Looking at the enormous lake ahead, Ning Yao stopped with Withered Wood.

There, in the deep waters of the lake, an enormous bull's head stood upright.

Atop that bull's head was a lovely pink figure—none other than the missing Xiao Wu.

Ning Yao did not know what excuse Xiao Wu had used to leave the group, nor did he care.

He was looking for Er Ming, the Titan Giant Ape.

He could clearly sense that aura. It was already very, very close to them.

He lowered his head and stroked Withered Wood.

"You can sense it too, can't you? The thing you want to see is right there."

As he spoke, he looked ahead.

That was where the Sky Azure Bull Python and Xiao Wu were, and also where the lake was.

The Titan Giant Ape was at the bottom of the lake.

Moreover, it seemed to have been restrained or sealed beneath the lake.

The Sky Azure Bull Python bore many wounds. It was probably the Titan Giant Ape's doing.

He stepped forward again, and in the next instant, Ning Yao vanished from the forest. When he reappeared, he was already at the lakeshore.

The Sky Azure Bull Python had still been happily chatting with Xiao Wu. Aside from the fact that no one usually dared approach this area, it had not sensed even the slightest presence drawing near.

But when it turned around and caught a glimpse of him—

Before hostility could arise, fear arrived first, stiffening its enormous body.

"It's... it's you!"

The massive bull's head shuddered violently. The sudden movement nearly flung Xiao Wu into the lake.

Xiao Wu hurriedly steadied herself, then glared angrily at the Sky Azure Bull Python.

However, just as she was about to scold it, she caught sight of Ning Yao standing by the lake from the corner of her eye.

Combining that with the Sky Azure Bull Python's strange reaction, she quickly understood what had happened.

Yet as she looked at Ning Yao, confusion filled her eyes.

"A young man, black hair, green eyes..."

In an instant, Xiao Wu's eyes widened.

"You're the main culprit who harmed Er Ming!!"

Anger immediately filled Xiao Wu's face. She raised her hand and pointed furiously at Ning Yao.

But before Ning Yao could say anything, a surge of azure energy had already sealed Xiao Wu's mouth.

The Sky Azure Bull Python looked terrified. After stopping Xiao Wu, it hurriedly turned to Ning Yao.

Before Xiao Wu, standing atop the Sky Azure Bull Python's head with her mouth sealed by Soul Power, could even figure out what was happening, the Sky Azure Bull Python beneath her slowly lowered its lofty head.

It looked at Ning Yao with complete obedience.

"Senior, you've come."

It wanted revenge too, but it also knew what it was and whether it was worthy of seeking revenge.

Besides, Er Ming was not dead. He had even grown stronger; he had merely undergone some kind of mutation and was temporarily suppressed by Ning Yao.

That was why Xiao Wu's words just now had nearly scared this Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast to death.

It knew perfectly well that if someone at Ning Yao's level wished to kill Xiao Wu, all it would take was a glance.

That was why it had panicked so badly just now, and why it was so frightened now.

It was truly afraid that Sister Xiao Wu would offend Ning Yao.

Fortunately, Ning Yao was clearly not such a petty person.

He smiled gently. Without sparing Xiao Wu even a glance, he looked at the Sky Azure Bull Python before him.

"Long time no see."

"Hehe, it has been a long time, Senior."

The Sky Azure Bull Python could only keep forcing a smile, its heart filled with helplessness.

It actually wanted to ask what exactly had happened with Er Ming's mutation.

But...

Just as it struggled inwardly, Ning Yao spoke again.

"Where is that Titan Giant Ape? Is it all right?"

As soon as those words fell, Da Ming, the Sky Azure Bull Python, shuddered from head to tail. Its bull eyes widened as it stared at Ning Yao in shock.

"It's... it's here, Senior. My younger brother is still here."

"His condition is not very good at the moment. Many changes have occurred in his body. Although he has become much stronger, he occasionally suffers from bouts of madness."

"So I temporarily sealed him away."

The Sky Azure Bull Python hurriedly explained while constantly watching Ning Yao's expression.

Has Senior's anger passed? Is he going to spare poor Er Ming after all?

It awaited Ning Yao's answer eagerly.

Yet Ning Yao merely nodded slightly.

"I see. Understood."

But before the Sky Azure Bull Python could be disappointed, Ning Yao raised his hand.

"I came this time precisely because of something concerning it."

As soon as he said that, the Sky Azure Bull Python's expression brightened again.

But in the next second, it froze.

Right before its eyes, the unremarkable ring on Ning Yao's finger moved.

And it released an incomparably terrifying pressure.

Xiao Wu was instantly forced to her knees atop the Sky Azure Bull Python's head.

It should not have been like this, but Withered Wood had clearly given her special attention.

It disliked this human because Xiao Wu harbored hostility toward its master.

Then, Withered Wood left Ning Yao's palm and flew into the sky.

Behind Ning Yao, it slowly began to grow larger.

In only a few breaths, it transformed from a tiny ring into a colossal Chinese dragon even larger than the Sky Azure Bull Python.

The giant dragon danced through the air before finally coming to a halt behind Ning Yao.

Feeling that pressure, the Sky Azure Bull Python was dumbstruck.

It had never imagined that Ning Yao had such a powerful Soul Beast hidden at his side.

And it was even a dragon!

Although this dragon differed somewhat from the dragons in its memories, dragonkind among Soul Beasts represented absolute overlord-level strength.

Ning Yao had somehow made a giant dragon of at least a hundred thousand years follow obediently at his side. The Sky Azure Bull Python became even more convinced that being timid was the right choice.

"May I ask what orders Senior and this... Soul Beast brother have?"

The Sky Azure Bull Python asked cautiously.

However, its words seemed to displease Withered Wood, which could not help letting out a low growl at the Sky Azure Bull Python.

In its eyes, it was not some lowly creature like a Soul Beast.

It was its master's creation, far superior to these Soul Beasts.

Lumping it together with them was not only belittling itself, but also belittling its master.

The Sky Azure Bull Python immediately realized that it had misspoken.