Zhu Zhuyun's Regret

Only after they had left Jiang Li's field of vision for quite some time, and the Azure Bull Python could still sense that Jiang Li had not moved from where he stood, did it finally release the Titan Giant Ape.

The Titan Giant Ape immediately complained, "Da Ming, why didn't you listen to me just now? As long as you worked with my Gravity Domain, rescuing Sister Xiao Wu wouldn't have been difficult."

"Your suggestion was good, but don't suggest it again next time," the Azure Bull Python said speechlessly.

"What do you mean by that?! Are you looking for a fight?" The rather single-minded Titan Giant Ape's eyes widened round.

"Why are you yelling so loudly?" the Azure Bull Python said.

"What?" the Titan Giant Ape asked in confusion.

The Azure Bull Python explained, "If you had directly used your Gravity Domain to restrain that human Soul Master, I could have easily rescued Sister Xiao Wu with my abilities."

"But why did you have to yell so loudly for no reason? The others heard you and were on guard. How was I supposed to make a move then?"

After hearing the Azure Bull Python's words, the Titan Giant Ape was instantly filled with regret. Right, why was my damn voice so loud?

If it had directly used its Gravity Domain to restrain that human Soul Master just now, even without discussing it with Da Ming beforehand, with that human Soul Master's weak Soul Power—

Could his reaction speed possibly have been faster than Da Ming, a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast overlord? Perhaps they could have rescued Sister Xiao Wu then and there, instead of having to negotiate terms with that hateful human Soul Master.

But Da Ming had always been smarter than it since they were young. Surely it had a way, right?

It then looked at the Azure Bull Python expectantly and asked, "Then, Da Ming, what should we do now?"

"What else can we do? We can only help that human Soul Master catch a Three-Thousand-Year Soul Beast," the Azure Bull Python answered simply.

The Titan Giant Ape scratched its head. "But aren't you afraid he'll go back on his word?"

"Do you remember that human Soul Master's aura?"

Rather than answering the Titan Giant Ape's question directly, the Azure Bull Python responded with a question.

"Of course!" The Titan Giant Ape nodded blankly.

"Then that settles it. We're the bosses in the Star Dou Great Forest. Even if he wants to run, where can he run to?" the Azure Bull Python continued.

"Oh, oh, that makes sense." The Titan Giant Ape nodded, feeling impressed despite not fully understanding. "But how are we supposed to find a Three-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?"

"And it has to be exactly three thousand years old—not a year more or a year less."

"We're not like those human Soul Masters, who have specifically learned how to distinguish the ages of Soul Beasts. How can we tell so precisely?"

"What if we can't find one before sunset? What if that human Soul Master harms Sister Xiao Wu?"

Faced with the Titan Giant Ape's questions, the Azure Bull Python asked mysteriously, "Don't you sense anything?"

Hearing this, the Titan Giant Ape closed its eyes and tried to spread its power through the surroundings to sense them.

Very quickly, it opened its eyes and said in surprise, "There are other human Soul Masters in the forest?!"

"That's right. I actually sensed it earlier—there are other human Soul Masters in that southeastern direction." The Azure Bull Python said smugly, "Otherwise, why do you think I agreed to such harsh conditions from that human Soul Master?"

"Since we can't distinguish the precise age of Soul Beasts, why not just capture some human Soul Masters who can?"

"Brilliant! You really are something, Da Ming." The Titan Giant Ape praised it.

"Did you really need to say that?" The Azure Bull Python could not help laughing. "But let's make this clear: don't mess around later. It'll be troublesome if those human Soul Masters get away."

"Don't worry. I'll listen to you this time." The Titan Giant Ape patted its chest.

Although the Titan Giant Ape was unhappy that the Azure Bull Python's name ranked above its own and thus often fought with it, earning them the title of the two great overlords of the Star Dou Great Forest among human Soul Masters—

Now that Sister Xiao Wu's safety was involved, it naturally knew what mattered most.

"You only need to release your Gravity Domain later. Leave everything else to me," the Azure Bull Python hurriedly said.

The Titan Giant Ape might look as though it was making a solemn promise now, but it knew that once the Titan Giant Ape got fired up, it would disregard everything else.

Just like when the Titan Giant Ape had been venting its anger at the Soul Beasts earlier—once it got worked up, even the Azure Bull Python could not stop it.

But it truly needed the other's Gravity Domain skill. After all, the Titan Giant Ape's Gravity Domain was indeed extremely powerful in terms of control. There was no other choice.

"Alright, alright, quit dragging your feet. Let's hurry over before those human Soul Masters run away," the Titan Giant Ape said impatiently.

With that, the Titan Giant Ape headed straight toward the direction where it had sensed the human Soul Masters.

The Azure Bull Python followed alongside it.

Zhu Zhuyun gave Zhu Zhuqing one last reluctant look, then turned to the several subordinates before her and said, "Let's go!"

"Yes!" the subordinates answered in unison.

However, just as they were about to leave—

A mountain-sized black ape approached from afar, its enormous amber eyes fixed intently on them.

"This is bad! It's the Star Dou Great Forest's overlord, the Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast—the Titan Giant Ape!" one subordinate who knew more about the Star Dou Great Forest cried out.

Another subordinate said, "But this is only the outer region. Why would such a terrifying Soul Beast appear here? And why has it set its sights on us?"

Zhu Zhuyun's expression froze. She turned back to look at Zhu Zhuqing lying on the ground, then gritted her teeth, helped her up, and carried her on her back. "I must have owed you in a past life."

She had originally wanted to leave this foolish little sister here to fend for herself, but if she left her here alone now, how would that be any different from sending her straight to her death?

At the very least, she had to get her away from the Titan Giant Ape's threat.

Zhu Zhuyun thought for a moment, then quickly made her decision. She ordered the others, "Split up and leave. Draw that Titan Giant Ape's attention."

"Yes!" The subordinates could only agree through gritted teeth.

They had no choice but to agree, because Zhu Zhuyun was a member of the Star Luo Imperial Family—the future crown princess of the Star Luo Imperial Family, perhaps even the future Empress of Star Luo.

Their expedition this time had been recorded. If Zhu Zhuyun died here, they would not escape death even if they returned.

With that, they scattered, intending to brazenly pass by from various directions around the Titan Giant Ape and draw its attention, buying Zhu Zhuyun a chance to escape.

"You still want to run? Gravity Domain!" Seeing that it had been discovered and fearing that the human Soul Masters before it would escape, the Titan Giant Ape hurriedly raised its foot and stomped forcefully onto the ground.

It activated its innate domain skill, and a swath of earthen-yellow light immediately spread across the surrounding ground.

Ten times the usual gravity descended upon the area. In an instant, even the air seemed to become heavy.

The Soul Masters, who had been running as fast as if oil had been smeared beneath their feet, suddenly dropped one after another like dumplings into a pot.

Zhu Zhuyun gritted her teeth. "Damn it! It's a gravity-control skill!"

Especially compared to the others, she also had Zhu Zhuqing on her back, so the effects of gravity were particularly severe for her.

At that moment, she could not help regretting why she had chased Zhu Zhuqing all the way to the Star Dou Great Forest.

But it was too late for regrets now. Facing a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast overlord like the Titan Giant Ape had already meant a near-certain death.

And it even possessed such a powerful control skill as gravity manipulation. Their situation had gone from a slim chance of survival to virtually no chance at all.

Zhu Zhuyun turned to look at Zhu Zhuqing and murmured, "Perhaps today, I'll die here with you."