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"Different stances, different races—how could there ever be a mutual understanding?"
Humans hunting spirit beasts was equivalent to slaughtering the subjects of a 100,000-year Beast King. Wasn't it perfectly normal for it to retaliate directly?
Killing a single powerful human meant one less threat to the Star Dou Great Forest.
The Sky Azure Bull Python was more intelligent—it might even reason with humans, saying something like, "Human, your cultivation was hard-earned. Leave now, and no one gets hurt."
But the Titan Giant Ape was different. It was inherently warlike. Facing a Title Douluo, how could it resist testing its strength?
That was the real reason it attacked without hesitation.
"ROAR—!"
After missing its first strike, the Titan Giant Ape let out a furious roar. The pressure in the air seemed to intensify.
This was its innate ability—gravity manipulation.
But it didn't unleash its full power. Against this pufferfish-like creature, there was no need to activate its domain.
Qian Renxue was stunned. Had she made that much noise?
How had she attracted a 100,000-year spirit beast?
As a prodigy, she could tell at a glance—Ci Xue was no match for the Titan Giant Ape. He stood zero chance.
Right now, fleeing was the best option. If she escaped, Ci Xue could find an opportunity to retreat as well.
He might not be able to defeat the Titan Giant Ape, but if he focused solely on escaping, the beast wouldn't be able to stop him.
Suddenly, Zhongli frowned slightly, a hint of surprise flashing across his face.
To deal with a single Title Douluo, the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python wouldn't both show up... right?
Unless… they knew Qian Renxue's true identity?
Was that why they had come—to kill someone from the Spirit Hall on the spot?
It wouldn't be strange if they knew. Even if they hadn't lived for the full 100,000 years, they had certainly existed for tens of thousands.
The Spirit Hall's Pope—aside from Bibi Dong—had always possessed the Six-Winged Angel martial soul. Given how long these two had lived in the Star Dou Great Forest, it would be stranger if they didn't know.
Thinking this, Zhongli nodded to himself. His deduction was likely correct.
Just as Qian Renxue was about to flee, an overwhelming pressure locked onto her, freezing her in place.
Her back turned cold, and beads of sweat rolled down her forehead like raindrops.
Another terrifying existence had arrived.
Ci Xue, still dodging the Titan Giant Ape's attacks, also sensed something wrong.
This aura… was even stronger than the Titan Giant Ape's. Its power was unimaginable!
"Wow! A big cow!"
"No, wait—a big snake!"
"What kind of cow-snake is this?!" Paimon exclaimed, seeing such a bizarre creature for the first time.
A cow's head, a snake's body…
Don't tell me a snake and a cow… Ugh, how shameless!
"Sky Azure Bull Python—a type of super spirit beast."
"Sky Azure Bull Python?"
"What a weird name," Paimon muttered before continuing, "Zhongli, they don't seem to have noticed us yet. Should we… maybe… run?"
"Paimon, has anyone ever told you that your memory is as short as a fish's?"
Zhongli crossed his arms, sighing helplessly.
This little one was great at remembering places, names, and food—but when it came to "unimportant" words? She forgot instantly.
He had already told her—as long as she stayed within five meters of him, they wouldn't be detected.
And yet, she had already forgotten.
Besides, was Paimon mistaking him for the Traveler from the early days?
That human whose power was sealed?
But he wasn't that person. As the one who ended the Archon War, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say—there wasn't a single spirit beast in the Douluo Continent that could challenge him!
"Ehe~"
Paimon scratched her head sheepishly. Zhongli had said so many things—how could she remember all of them?
"Ehe?"
Zhongli glanced at her sideways, his gaze carrying the weight of nostalgia—as if looking at an old friend.
A certain wine-loving bard who never did any proper work, to the point where even his own familiar urged him to "be more responsible."
Had Paimon been possessed by that drunkard?
"Grandpa Pufferfish, hang in there!"
Trying to change the subject, Paimon quickly cheered for Ci Xue.
Unfortunately, he couldn't hear her.
"Young lady, why aren't you leaving yet?!"
"I can't hold on much longer!"
Seeing Qian Renxue frozen in place, as if terrified by something, Ci Xue roared. Even if he died, he couldn't let anything happen to her!
If he abandoned her and ran, the Grand Priest would—
"Humans, you won't be leaving."
"The debt from over a decade ago… it's time to collect some interest."
The massive bull's head spoke in human tongue, sending a chill down Ci Xue's spine.
Another one?!
And this one had a grudge against them?!
"Great Beast Kings, this must be a misunderstanding!"
"Over a decade ago, my young lady was just a child, and I hadn't even become a Title Douluo yet. How could we have any enmity with you?"
Ci Xue argued. Neither he nor Qian Renxue had ever killed a Titan Giant Ape or a Sky Azure Bull Python. Where was this hatred coming from?
"Big Brother, why waste words on the doomed? Kill them—avenge Aunt Yun!"
"All who belong to the Spirit Hall deserve death!"
The Titan Giant Ape's words made everything clear to Qian Renxue and Ci Xue.
They were transferring the hatred for the Spirit Hall's hunts onto them.
One was the Spirit Hall's heir, the other a Spirit Hall elder. It made sense for the grudge to fall on their shoulders.
"Mm. Kill."
The Sky Azure Bull Python nodded its massive head, agreeing with the Titan Giant Ape's words this time.
Time to collect some interest.
Facing the combined assault of two 100,000-year spirit beasts, Qian Renxue and Ci Xue turned ashen.
They had heard of these two beasts—legendary, terrifying existences.
Yet not only had they appeared together—they were brothers?!
"What do I do? I can die, but the young lady must not!"
Ci Xue was panicking. He hadn't expected such a disaster.
Qian Renxue was equally stunned. If she fell here, the future she had seen in her dreams would never come to pass.
Had approaching Zhongli altered the course of fate?
She was certain—the her in the dream had never encountered the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python.
Yet now she had. That could only mean one thing—the world of her dreams had changed.
"How… do I survive?"
That was the only question worth considering now.
Only by living could she fulfill her purpose.
"Zhongli! Zhongli! Save 'Qinghe'! She treated us to so much food and gave us so many gold soul coins! She's a really good person!"
"You might not be strong enough to beat this big monkey and cow-snake, but at least you can carry her to safety, right?"
Zhongli: "…"
What kind of delusion made Paimon think he couldn't defeat the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python?
Ignoring her, Zhongli knew it was time to act. If he didn't intervene now, Qian Renxue and Ci Xue were doomed.
"Great Beast Kings, might we… sit down and talk?"
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 55 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 40 power stones I will publish the next chapter.