At that moment, Tang San understood his situation the instant he was thrown out.
"Tian Meng, what should we do? Why is the Titan Ape here?"
Tang San's voice was filled with panic—he couldn't stand by and watch his father die.
Even Tian Meng was a little confused.
Logically, since it was the co-leader who had instructed him to bring Tang San to the Lake, there shouldn't have been any interference.
He also knew that the Titan Giant Apes were one of the two powerful soul beasts guarding the outskirts of this dangerous land.
Could it be that the co-leader forgot to inform them?
No—there was no need to ask. This was the truth.
Gu Yuena had picked this location, but she had forgotten one crucial fact: Da Ming and Er Ming could not tolerate the presence of humans.
Especially not humans who trespassed into their territory.
"Don't panic. I can sense that your father is strong. Go help him. Maybe the two of you can bring that soul beast down."
Tian Meng started bluffing again.
In his view, not even multiple Tang Haos would find it easy to deal with a Titan Giant Ape. Let alone Tang Hao and Tang San alone.
Tang San's attacks likely wouldn't even scratch its defenses.
Still, Tang San hesitated at Tian Meng's words.
"What are you afraid of? My power is still inside you. If we don't defeat the Titan Ape, we can't move forward."
"Don't you want to seize this power? Don't you want to grow stronger and go back to prove yourself?"
"Do you want to be a failure forever and let them keep laughing at you?"
Tian Meng didn't hold back. He knew Tang San's inner desires better than anyone.
As expected, the moment he heard those words, Tang San—who had been uncertain—suddenly became determined.
"I can't let my dad die here. I want to stand with him."
"Tian Meng, do you have any way to help me? With my current strength, I'm no match for the king of the forest."
Tang San knew his limits. That's why he placed all his hope in Tian Meng.
"Relax. Once we get close to the Titan Ape, I'll use my spiritual power to control it."
"With my mental strength, I can definitely take it down!"
Tian Meng sounded so confident that Tang San, recalling its million-year cultivation, was half-convinced.
He dashed forward, racing toward Tang Hao's position.
At that moment, Tang Hao was wielding the Clear Sky Hammer, striking the Titan Giant Ape with powerful, relentless blows.
Every strike was vicious and precise.
Even the Titan Ape couldn't easily endure such a ferocious assault.
"Dad, let me help!"
Tang San appeared at the edge of the battlefield, holding a few silver needles that glowed with faint purple light.
With a flick of his wrist, the needles shot through the air.
But before they could even touch the Titan Ape, they were blocked by the black aura shielding its body.
Tang San had expected that and wasn't discouraged. More silver needles appeared in his hand—this time aimed at the Titan Giant Ape's eyes.
He was here to create an opening.
His method worked. As the needles approached, Er Ming instinctively raised his arm to block them.
That brief distraction was all Tang Hao needed—he launched another fierce strike without hesitation.
Dozens of hammer blows landed in the same spot.
Despite the Titan Ape's impressive defenses, one of its arms was finally severed.
Er Ming let out an enraged roar, his voice echoing through the forest.
Far away, beside a pond, Xiao Wu sat quietly.
Over the past few days, she had condensed her fourth soul ring.
Thinking of the look on Ma Hongjun's face when she returned, a soft smile appeared on her lips. The Azure Bull Python remained nearby, silently watching over her.
"Sister Xiao Wu, you seem happier now than before you left."
The Azure Bull Python spoke in a warm, gentle voice.
Ever since Xiao Wu had gone to the human world, he and Er Ming had constantly worried about her.
The human world was dangerous. In order to become human, she had given up her one hundred thousand of cultivation.
Right now, Sister Xiao Wu was a prime target for humans—a delicious prize with no real way to defend herself.
That's why Er Ming always rushed to her side whenever he sensed her presence.
"Da Ming, I've found someone I like—and he doesn't hate soul beasts."
A soft smile appeared on Xiao Wu's face as she remembered her first time with Ma Hongjun.
It had also happened near this very pond.
As her memory deepened, a faint blush colored her cheeks.
"It must be the new co-leader."
Da Ming immediately guessed.
It had been obvious ever since Xiao Wu came back.
But what kind of charm did this new co-leader have to make Xiao Wu fall for him so deeply?
"Maybe… this is what my mother had hoped for back then."
Xiao Wu murmured to herself.
At the mention of her mother, both of them fell silent.
Then suddenly, Er Ming's roar rang out from afar—this time mixed with clear weakness.
"Oh no! Er Ming's hurt!"
Xiao Wu's expression changed at once. She leapt up from the water.
"Sister Xiao Wu, get on my back."
Da Ming didn't hesitate. He immediately allowed Xiao Wu to climb on, and his enormous body slowly rose from the water.
Tang Hao's eyes were cold as he aimed the Clear Sky Hammer directly at the Titan Giant Ape's eyes.
Every soul beast had a weakness—and the eyes were a universal one.
Other parts of the body might be protected by fur or scales, but not the eyes.
They were the most vulnerable spot on the head.
Just as the hammer was about to land on its target, a dark figure appeared beside them.
A powerful tail lashed out and slammed Tang Hao, sending him flying into a tree.
"Er Ming, are you alright?"
Xiao Wu appeared beside the Titan Ape, concern on her face as she looked at the injured beast.
Tang San, who had been watching from the side, was stunned to see the Sky Blue Bull Python—but even more shocked when he saw Xiao Wu.
"Xiao Wu?! What are you doing here?!"
His voice cracked with disbelief.
Only then did Xiao Wu notice Tang San standing behind a tree. The moment she saw him, shock and panic swept across her face.
"You… you're a soul beast?"
Tang San wasn't stupid. Under Yu Xiaogang's teaching, he had learned a lot about the world of Douluo.
He knew some soul beasts could become human through special means.
Generally, this was only possible for soul beasts that had lived for one hundred thousand years.
"Hahaha… You're actually a soul beast. Does Ma Hongjun know?"
After the initial shock, Tang San burst into laughter, his face full of amusement and relief.
Ma Hongjun… Oh, Ma Hongjun—you'll probably never realize in your lifetime that Xiao Wu is a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast.
The thought of Ma Hongjun being completely in the dark filled Tang San with an almost gleeful satisfaction.