Based on Qian Renxue's understanding of Xiao Wu, the rabbit girl wouldn't forget something this important. Not without good reason.
"Master, I think she must've been delayed by something," Renxue said carefully.
"And probably not something good."
Victor nodded. His thoughts aligned with hers perfectly.
More likely than not, whatever delayed Xiao Wu was dangerous. He had a bad feeling gnawing at the back of his mind, one he couldn't ignore.
At his current cultivation level, any premonition carried weight. Nascent Soul cultivators could sense the threads of fate itself, catching glimpses of fortune or disaster before they manifested.
"I'm going to check the Star Dou Forest," Victor said. "Wait here."
"Wait, Master! I want to come with you!"
Victor considered it for a moment, then nodded. "Fine."
The two left the medicine garden together.
In just a few minutes, they crossed thousands of kilometers from the Sunset Forest to the Star Dou Forest.
As soon as they entered its borders, Victor noticed something wrong.
Strange energy lingered in the air, faint traces of power he recognized all too well. He'd sensed this exact energy before, on Gu Yuena's wounds.
The power of the Asura God.
Had Xiao Wu encountered the Asura God? If so, she was in serious danger. With her current strength, she wouldn't stand a chance against a deity.
His expression darkened as he brought Renxue to the center of the Star Dou Forest, near the Lake of Life.
When they arrived, the sight before them was devastating.
The once-vibrant jungle, bursting with life and verdant greenery, had become a wasteland. The lake had dried completely, its waters vanished. Vegetation withered and died across the landscape. Yet there were no obvious signs of fighting, no craters, no shattered trees, no gouges in the earth.
Victor expanded his spiritual sense. Though he could detect Xiao Wu's lingering presence, she clearly wasn't here anymore. She hadn't been here for some time.
But at least there was no body. She was still alive.
Then he sensed two extremely weak auras at the bottom of the dried lakebed.
Victor immediately transported himself and Renxue to the location.
"Who's there?!"
Sensing an unfamiliar presence, the Titan Giant Ape whirled around and swung its mountain-sized fist without hesitation.
"Stop! He's not an enemy!" the Azure Bull Python cried out in alarm.
Hearing this, the Titan Giant Ape pulled back its strength at the last possible moment.
"I assume you're Xiao Wu's master, Mr. Victor?" The Azure Bull Python dragged its injured body upright with difficulty, raising its massive head to look at Victor with deep respect.
"What? This is Xiao Wu's master?"
The Titan Giant Ape turned its gaze to the small human before it with open curiosity.
"He looks so weak! Not nearly as strong as Sister Xiao Wu made him sound."
"You idiot!" The Azure Bull Python shot his companion a withering look. "If you hadn't stopped your attack just now, you'd already be dead! Stop judging people by their appearance!"
Haven't you learned your lesson yet?
Victor didn't waste time on pleasantries. "Where's Xiao Wu?"
"Sister Xiao Wu has been captured," the Azure Bull Python replied.
Just as I thought.
Seeing the devastation around him, Victor had already guessed the answer. But confirmation still made his blood run cold with fury.
Asura God, is it?
Just wait.
How dare you lay hands on my maid?
To borrow the words of a certain hypocritical God King: You've already chosen your own death.
"Tell me what happened."
"You're too injured, let me tell it," the Titan Giant Ape interrupted before the Azure Bull Python could speak.
"It happened five days ago. Sister Xiao Wu came back to visit us.
"But not long after she arrived, a Titled Douluo broke into the forest. He wore black robes and wielded a massive hammer martial soul. Said he wanted to take Xiao Wu away.
"We refused, naturally. Fighting broke out.
"At first, that Titled Douluo was defeated in just two or three moves by the three of us working together.
"But when we were about to finish him off, something changed. A dark red aura suddenly exploded from his body.
"After that, he seemed like a completely different person! His strength increased dramatically, all at once.
"The three of us were ultimately defeated. Sister Xiao Wu was pinned down and couldn't escape."
The Azure Bull Python added, "We tried to cover Sister Xiao Wu's retreat with our lives, but she didn't want us to sacrifice ourselves. She chose to go with him willingly to spare us."
The great beast lowered its head in shame. "We failed to protect her. Please... please save Sister Xiao Wu!"
Victor's voice was ice. "Don't worry. Xiao Wu is my maid. Of course I'll rescue her."
He left two healing pills for the injured soul beasts, then departed the Lake of Life with Renxue.
"Master," Renxue spoke up once they were airborne, "the only people on this continent with a hammer martial soul and Titled Douluo strength are the elders and sect master of the Clear Sky Clan."
She paused. "Oh, and there's also Tang Hao, the former Clear Sky Douluo who was expelled from the sect!"
Victor nodded. "I know. And the latter is more likely."
In truth, as soon as the Titan Giant Ape mentioned black robes and a massive hammer martial soul, Victor had already deduced the culprit's identity.
Tang Hao. Tang San's father.
Tang San was the successor brought to this world by the Asura God from another realm. Now that Victor had killed the heir, the Asura God must have noticed. The god likely possessed Tang Hao and kidnapped Xiao Wu to draw out the murderer.
Victor immediately opened the chat group.
[Victor: @Gu Yuena, are you there? I'm planning to attack the God Realm. Want to come?]
[Gu Yuena: Come? Of course I'm coming! I've been waiting for this revenge for ages!]
[Stelle: Are the gods there strong? I wouldn't mind going over to have some fun.]
[Victor: Not very strong. The highest level doesn't exceed the Foundation Establishment Stage. Many gods don't even reach that.]
[Stelle: That weak? Forget it then. No point bullying children.]
[Kiana: Stelle! Let's spar! I've mastered some new techniques recently! Come fight me!]
[Stelle: Good, good, the student has become the master! It just so happens I've gained some insights recently too!]
[Belle: I was going to come watch you fight, Victor, but now I've changed my mind. I want to watch Stelle and Kiana spar instead!]
[Lumine: Opening bets! Same rules as last time!]
[Tsunade: Alright, I'm still betting on Stelle!]
[Stelle: Don't bet on me! Bet on Kiana!]
[Tsunade: No way! I'm betting on you!]
[Rin Tohsaka: Hehe, the legendary bad luck of the Legendary Sucker is so potent even a Golden Core cultivator fears it.]
[Shinoa: Hehe, poor Kiana.]
[Victor: @Shinoa, stop laughing. Come over here, I need your help with something.]
[Shinoa: Ah? Okay.]
☆☆☆
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
☆☆☆
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/AshenMoon
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you