The Amethyst Winged Lion King flew at an incredible speed. In just three days, the sprawling, dense canopy of the Star Dou Great Forest appeared on the horizon, a sea of green that stretched to the edge of sight. After landing, Chu Tianxiu and the great lion walked side-by-side into its depths.
The other Soul Masters near the entrance quickly retreated, intimidated by the terrifying pressure emanating from the Amethyst Winged Lion King. Chu Tianxiu paid them no mind. In his view, a true dragon didn't concern itself with the feelings of ants.
As they ventured deeper, Chu Tianxiu could feel countless eyes watching them from the shadows. Old Zi snorted coldly, releasing a wave of his Beast King's might. Instantly, the forest around them fell into an uneasy quiet.
Chu Tianxiu's main goal was to upgrade his first spirit ring to 50,000 years. But he also had a more strategic objective: to meet the Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape. 'In the original story, they were easily tricked by Tang San into sacrificing themselves with just a few words. Without their help, he would never have stood a chance against a god like Qian Renxue. That's a vulnerability I can exploit.'
"Master, what is the purpose of this journey?" Old Zi asked, his deep voice rumbling with curiosity.
Chu Tianxiu, pulled from his thoughts, looked at the massive head beside him. "You'll find out soon enough." He then considered something. "Old Zi, could you currently hold your own against a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?"
The Amethyst Winged Lion King pondered for a moment. "I could contend with one for a short time. Against a race with particularly strong defenses, I might be at a disadvantage. But with my racial talents, I would not let it escape unscathed."
Chu Tianxiu nodded silently, storing the information away as they pressed forward.
They encountered several ten-thousand-year soul beasts on their journey. Old Zi dispatched them with ease, and Chu Tianxiu used his Spirit Binding Technique to enslave their souls, adding to his growing arsenal of beast spirits.
By the time they reached the central region of the forest, Chu Tianxiu controlled ten such spirits. Had he not been focused on travel, that number could have been doubled.
After overcoming these minor obstacles, they soon arrived at a serene, crystal-clear lake. The surface was perfectly calm. Chu Tianxiu stopped and spoke calmly to the water. "You can come out now."
The next moment, the peace shattered. A giant ape soared into the sky, its two iron fists, each the size of boulders, hurtling towards Chu Tianxiu with devastating force.
"You dare!" The Amethyst Winged Lion King roared and instantly leaped up, his own powerful claws meeting the Titan Giant Ape's attack mid-air. The powerful shockwave from the collision flattened the vegetation around them.
After the initial exchange, the two soul beasts landed on the ground. The lion king positioned himself protectively in front of Chu Tianxiu, while the Titan Giant Ape stood by the lake, pounding its chest in a display of raw, primal rage.
Chu Tianxiu ignored the ape's posturing and instead addressed the lake again. "Aren't you going to show yourself? Azure Bull Python."
The lake's surface rippled slightly but quickly returned to calm.
Seeing the Azure Bull Python still refused to appear, Chu Tianxiu thought for a moment before speaking the magic words. "I have news of Xiao Wu."
As soon as the name left his lips, the Titan Giant Ape charged again. Simultaneously, the lake's surface surged violently, and an enormous figure emerged from the depths. Its head alone was nearly the size of the Titan Giant Ape, a bull's head with two terrifyingly sharp horns and eyes that gleamed with ancient intelligence. But below the head was the long, powerful body of a serpent—the true ruler of this forest, the Azure Bull Python.
Upon appearing, the Azure Bull Python spoke in resonant, human language. "Human, you know our sister, Xiao Wu?"
The Titan Ape, hearing this, stopped its charge, its face a mask of anxious hope.
In human terms, the Titan Ape and the Azure Bull Python were Xiao Wu's most devoted protectors, a role they had filled for tens of thousands of years, though she had always treated them as younger brothers.
Chu Tianxiu looked at the two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. "My name is Chu Tianxiu. I am Xiao Wu's friend."
The Azure Bull Python's voice was heavy with suspicion. "What proof do you have?" While the human knew Xiao Wu's name, the intelligent beast was not so easily trusting.
Seeing its wariness, Chu Tianxiu replied, "I also know your name is Da Ming," he gestured to the serpent, then to the ape, "and this one is Er Ming."
Hearing their names spoken so freely, the two soul beasts finally relaxed, their postures becoming less hostile. 'Only Sister Xiao Wu knew our names after Aunt Rou's death. She would never have revealed them to anyone who wasn't a close and trusted friend.' Their logic was sound, but they had no way of knowing Chu Tianxiu was a transmigrator who held all their secrets.
The Azure Bull Python, Da Ming, now spoke with a hint of kindness. "Since you are Sister Xiao Wu's friend, you are a friend to Er Ming and me as well." The Titan Giant Ape, Er Ming, ran to Chu Tianxiu's side and sat down cross-legged, frantically gesturing with its massive hands, its expression full of urgent questions.
Looking at the ape's chaotic gestures, Chu Tianxiu felt that even a level ten beast language master would be baffled. He could only look to Da Ming for a translation.
Da Ming interpreted. "What Er Ming means is, where is Sister Xiao Wu now? Is she safe? Is she eating well? Is she happy?"
Chu Tianxiu was momentarily speechless. He glanced at the Titan Giant Ape, and for some reason, found the concern of this immensely powerful soul beast somewhat… endearing.
Seeing the equally anxious look in Da Ming's large eyes, Chu Tianxiu said, "Xiao Wu is in Notting City. She's safe for now, but…"
"But what?" Da Ming's voice was urgent.
"Roar! Roar!" Er Ming echoed, pounding the ground.
Chu Tianxiu, the master performer, allowed a shadow of worry to cross his face. "There is a young man named Tang San who is often with Sister Xiao Wu. He frequently seeks her company. His father is Haotian Douluo, and I fear his intentions may not be pure."
Upon hearing this, the Titan Giant Ape angrily pounded the ground with its arms, and even the relatively calm Da Ming stirred up waves with a lash of its powerful tail.
Chu Tianxiu let them vent their frustration for a long moment before speaking again. "However, I do have a plan."
"You have a plan?"
"Roar?"
Chu Tianxiu looked at the two anxious beasts. "In a few years, when Tang San needs to acquire a new spirit ring, I will lure him to the Star Dou Great Forest. Then, Er Ming, you can confront him directly. If we can eliminate him, all the better. If not, we will force his father to reveal himself. Then, Er Ming, you can lure Tang Hao towards where Da Ming is. I believe even a Title Douluo would be no match for the two of you together."
Da Ming pondered for a moment, finding the plan feasible.
Er Ming, after hearing the translation, raised a mighty arm and nodded with fierce confidence.
The "translator," Da Ming, reappeared. "Er Ming says that if it is an ordinary Title Douluo, he could crush him with five slaps."
After translating, Da Ming thanked Chu Tianxiu. "Brother Chu, we are in your debt! If not for you, we would not have known Sister Xiao Wu was in such danger. Whatever you need, we will do our best to assist."
Chu Tianxiu looked at the two mighty soul beasts he had so easily swayed and put on a righteous front. "Xiao Wu and I are close. There is no need for thanks. However, I will be cultivating in the Star Dou Great Forest for a while, and I hope for your protection."
Seeing that he asked for nothing in return, the Azure Bull Python held him in even higher regard. "Do not worry. With Er Ming and me here, no soul beast in this forest will dare harm you."
Chu Tianxiu nodded in satisfaction. He reached out a hand, looking at the Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape. Understanding the gesture, the two mighty beasts also extended a tail-tip and a single giant finger, gently touching Chu Tianxiu's outstretched palm.
No one could have predicted that in this quiet moment, the foundation was laid for the future alliance between the man who would one day rule the world and the two kings of the beasts—a friendship that would change the fate of the continent.