After confirming that the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape had taken the bait, the three figures hidden in the forest watched Ghost Leopard Douluo in stunned silence.
"Ghost Leopard, you're amazing! I, Old Bear, want to learn from you!" Demon Bear Douluo said sincerely.
"Ghost Leopard is righteous and fearless—a true role model for our generation!"
"As expected of the fastest Titled Douluo. Even the Azure Bull Python's slow domain couldn't touch him."
Qianjun Douluo spoke up, his voice low and urgent. "Luring the tiger from the mountain only works on the Titan Giant Ape. The Azure Bull Python's intelligence is no less than ours. Once it realizes the truth, it'll be too late."
"…Tianxing? Wait—where's Tianxing?"
He turned abruptly and found Ye Tianxing missing.
Demon Bear Douluo raised a hand and pointed calmly. "Qianjun Worship, Tianxing has already gone ahead."
Qianjun Douluo blinked. "He's that fast?"
By the lake, Ye Tianxing was already in motion. With one hand dipped into the cold water, he held the Dead Wood Bow on his back while his powerful spiritual sense, boosted by the Spirit Skull, swept across the lakebed in every direction.
Time was of the essence. The Titan Giant Ape could be fooled, but the Azure Bull Python would not be deceived for long.
Ye Tianxing removed the Dead Wood Bow from his back and slowly submerged it into the water.
The instant it touched the lake, the calm surface rippled slightly. The bow grew heavier and heavier until it sank completely, embedding itself in the muddy bottom.
Throughout the process, Ye Tianxing kept his eyes closed. His connection to the bow remained intact. He could feel it: a pure, vibrant energy slowly flowed into his body, like rain returning to the earth. It was the breath of life itself.
Deep beneath the lake, the Dead Wood Bow began to crack open. From within the dead shell, a fresh green surface emerged, radiating vitality. A subtle fragrance filled the entire lake.
The Dead Wood Bow was transforming—evolving—by absorbing the life essence of the Star Dou Great Forest's core. It was undergoing a complete rebirth.
Meanwhile, Ghost Leopard Douluo had already led the two beast kings far from the core.
He intentionally slowed down to appear fatigued. As the Titan Giant Ape seized the opportunity to strike, Ghost Leopard Douluo suddenly accelerated again—vanishing in a flash and leaving the ape swinging at air.
Lightning flashed across the sky. Thunder rumbled. Ghost Leopard Douluo's speed, already legendary among the Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo, made him seem like a streak of light.
Suddenly—thud!—a small rock struck the Titan Giant Ape squarely in the face.
Crack!
Another pebble hit the Azure Bull Python's forehead. Never had the two beast kings been so humiliated.
In their century of existence, they had never met a human so bold—so stupidly unafraid of death.
Just as the two beasts roared in fury and resumed their pursuit, a sharp whistling echoed from behind—back toward their home.
BOOM!
A brilliant green light erupted from the center of the forest. It twisted into the form of a bow before being caught by a figure—a young man.
Then, two figures swiftly approached and whisked him away. It all happened in the blink of an eye.
But to the Azure Bull Python, it felt like their sanctuary had just been robbed.
"Don't chase, Er Ming," said the Azure Bull Python, its voice cold.
"Brother, that human was just a decoy. The real thief sneaked into our home while we were distracted," the Titan Giant Ape said, its chest heaving with rage.
Pounding his chest, he howled to the sky, "Despicable humans!"
Furious and humiliated, both soul beasts had been tricked—by four humans, no less.
The Azure Bull Python was equally enraged. But what could anger do? Ghost Leopard Douluo was long gone, and Qianjun and Demon Bear Douluo were no pushovers either. If they recklessly pursued, they risked being killed themselves.
With a dark expression, the Azure Bull Python slowly returned to the lake. The Titan Giant Ape followed reluctantly, huffing and puffing.
The lake was still. A pale crescent moon hung above, its reflection shimmering on the surface.
The Azure Bull Python felt around the lake, then slowly opened his eyes. "It's intact… But more than half of the lake's life essence is gone. It'll take time to recover."
"Brother, is that the end of it?" The Titan Giant Ape asked nervously, his eyes darting about. Being tricked had clearly left a psychological shadow.
"You want to go stir trouble in the human world?" The Azure Bull Python said flatly as it slipped into the water to investigate.
The Titan Giant Ape hesitated, then suddenly slammed his fists together. "Brother, I'm going! I will smash those..."
WHAP!
A blue, whip-like tail lashed out from beneath the water and struck him across the face.
"Brother, why'd you hit me?" the Titan Giant Ape asked, looking aggrieved.
"…"
The Azure Bull Python said nothing. He had thought, for a brief moment, that his brother had matured. But no… still the same old idiot.
I don't know him. I swear I don't know him.
The moon shone down on the lake, casting a long, lonely shadow. Beside the rippling waters, the Titan Giant Ape sat in silence, wondering what he'd done wrong, his massive back looking strangely forlorn.
The next day, before dawn.
A red dragon horse pulled a sleek carriage carrying the four companions swiftly back toward Spirit Hall.
The Star Dou Great Forest trip had ended—successfully. All four returned safely, and none were seriously injured.
Well… except Ghost Leopard Douluo, whose legs were still trembling after an entire night of being chased by two hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts.
"Tianxing," Qianjun Douluo said once they were far from danger, "has your bow changed?"
He hadn't asked before—too cautious of a possible counterattack. But now, his curiosity was overwhelming.
If those two soul beasts dared step into the outside world, Spirit Hall would mobilize every Titled Douluo to hunt them down and take their soul rings and bones.
Ye Tianxing smiled. "After absorbing the lake's vitality, the Dead Wood Bow gained a new ability—healing. As long as the wound isn't fatal, I can recover naturally just by wearing it."
"Oh?" Qianjun Douluo's eyes lit up with interest.
Ye Tianxing demonstrated. He summoned the bow—now vibrant emerald green, its formerly withered body completely renewed. He aimed it at Ghost Leopard Douluo's twitching legs and pulled the string gently.
A soft glow enveloped the wounded Douluo, and in the next moment, his legs stabilized. Even his hidden injuries seemed to fade away.
The effect was immediate—and remarkable.
[Thank you, LordRamcel, for the review, and if others are also curious as to why the title is named like this, please have patience for a few more chapters. It will all make sense...]
[PS: Please leave some comments or corrections, if there are any. I will fix them. And I promise to leave bonus chapters if we get a review or 50 power stones. ]