Oscar's clone transformed into a streak of light, chasing after the departing Titan Giant Ape. However, the opponent's strength was simply too overwhelming, leaving almost no trace behind. The clone could only rely on its unmatched speed to pursue in a certain direction.
If he could catch up this time, Oscar definitely wouldn't let the Titan Giant Ape off so easily.
He had thought the Titan Giant Ape might attack them, but he hadn't expected it to go all out in a crushing assault. After all, in the original story, the Titan Giant Ape had toyed around with Zhao Wuji for quite a while.
Reality proved that the events of the original work could be used as reference, but absolutely couldn't be taken as gospel because the things one does now won't necessarily unfold according to the same plotline.
Deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, if the Shrek Academy students could see the way the Titan Giant Ape was moving forward, they would be utterly shocked.
Because, at this moment, Xiao Wu was no longer gripped in its massive hand. Instead, she was seated cross legged on its broad, sturdy shoulder. Though the Titan Giant Ape was running at great speed, its movements were extremely steady sitting on its shoulder, Xiao Wu could hardly feel a single jolt.
But on the Titan Giant Ape's shoulder, Xiao Wu's face was filled with worry. From time to time, she glanced back in the direction they had come from.
"Er Ming, let's stop here," Xiao Wu said anxiously. "Don't keep going. I have to return quickly. Otherwise, they'll be worried."
Finishing her words, she frowned at the Titan Giant Ape's massive head. "Er Ming, you really shouldn't have come to find me."
Hearing Xiao Wu's words, the Titan Giant Ape actually stopped in its tracks, lowering its body so that she could step down from its shoulder. At the same time, its huge head shook slightly, its eyes showing an innocent look.
Xiao Wu didn't truly blame it. In a soft voice, she said, "Er Ming, this time you really were too impulsive. You went all out and injured San and the others."
"And now that you've taken me away, San must be terribly anxious. And Senior too, he… Forget it, I won't nag you right now."
"Er Ming, next time you sense my aura, observe from a distance first. Don't attack rashly. Otherwise, if you hurt my friends, it'll be a huge problem."
When Xiao Wu had suddenly seen it today, there had been no way to explain herself clearly to the Titan Giant Ape in such a situation. She could only use special methods to signal it repeatedly not to harm anyone.
Yet in the end, it had still made a move, taking her away. Even though Xiao Wu knew Er Ming was acting out of concern for her, this was not the outcome she wanted at all. Especially now that Tang San and Oscar had been injured her worry grew heavier.
Oscar had protected her so much, but this time, because of her, everyone in Shrek Academy had been hurt.
Although Xiao Wu knew Er Ming had held back, its strength was far too terrifying. Even Flender and Zhao Wuji, who were already Contras, couldn't withstand a single exchange from itlet alone Oscar and Tang San.
The Titan Giant Ape scratched its head awkwardly, speaking in its simple, honest voice: "Sister Xiao Wu, I…"
Looking at it, Xiao Wu sighed. "I'll forgive you this time, but next time you absolutely mustn't be so rash. Understand?"
Hearing this, the Titan Giant Ape finally nodded with a sheepish smile. "I understand, Sister Xiao Wu. Next time I'll be careful."
Xiao Wu then looked up. "Er Ming, how is Da Ming?"
The Titan Giant Ape replied, "Big Brother and I have been waiting for you at Star Lake. This time I came because Big Brother wanted me to as well. We… we both miss you."
Xiao Wu smiled faintly. "That's good. I miss you both too. But right now, I can't leave. Besides… my safety isn't something you need to worry about anymore. Someone is protecting me."
Hearing this, the Titan Giant Ape's eyes flickered, emotions hidden deep inside. Concerned, it said, "Sister Xiao Wu, humans are hostile to us soul beasts. Even the humans you trust most you must keep a watchful eye. If anything happens, run straight into the Star Dou Great Forest. Big Brother and I will come immediately."
Her heart warmed at those words. Other than Tang San and now Oscar, Da Ming and Er Ming were the only ones she trusted completely the only place she could feel truly at ease.
But now she was deeply worried about Tang San and Oscar, since all of this was undeniably connected to her.
In fact… she even thought that with Oscar's intelligence, once he saw her return safely, he would surely guess something. That's why she had to hurry back and explain clearly.
Otherwise, she feared Oscar might misunderstand her. If his goodwill toward her faded, she would have nowhere to cry.
Xiao Wu said to the Titan Giant Ape, "Er Ming, I'm worried about my companions. I need to go back quickly."
The Titan Giant Ape hesitated a moment, then asked, "Sister Xiao Wu, I sense your spirit power has reached level thirty. Should I protect you while you condense your third spirit ring before returning?"
It wasn't just about safety the Titan Giant Ape also wanted more time with her. After this meeting, who knew when they would next see each other?
But Xiao Wu had considered this already. With Oscar there, she chose to return quickly and explain the situation to him and the others.
So she replied, "No need, Er Ming. I have my own plans. Please just take me back."
The Titan Giant Ape's eyes dimmed slightly, but it nodded. "Alright."
It gently placed Xiao Wu on its shoulder, preparing to head back.
But just as it was about to move, its amber eyes fixed on the direction they had come from, flashing with light.
"Sister Xiao Wu, a human is coming one from your team," it said.
Xiao Wu's heart skipped, but when she looked in that direction, she couldn't see anything. She was only level thirty, after all, while Er Ming was a hundred thousand year soul beast the gap between them was vast.
Nervously, she asked, "Is he wearing white?"
The Titan Giant Ape nodded. Seeing this, Xiao Wu let out a breath of relief. As long as it wasn't Tang San, she wasn't too worried.
Still, she felt moved that Oscar had chased after her. Even if he suspected her unusual bond with Er Ming, his act of coming after her proved his genuine concern.
She thought for a moment, then said, "Er Ming, you should leave. I'll be fine."
The Titan Giant Ape frowned. "But Sister Xiao Wu, that human's spirit power is close to level fifty. If I leave…"
Before it could finish, Xiao Wu interrupted: "Er Ming, remember if not for Senior Oscar, I would've long since become someone's spirit ring and bone. He knows my identity and has protected me, even teaching me how to hide my aura…"
Hearing this, the Titan Giant Ape was stunned, staring in disbelief at the white streak rapidly approaching.
Could a human really ignore the lure of a free hundred thousand year spirit ring and bone? It didn't believe it. In its long life, it had seen kind humans but never one free of greed.
If Oscar already knew Xiao Wu's identity, then perhaps this was just a trick to keep her close until he could harvest her ring and bone.
Agitated, it said, "Sister Xiao Wu! How can you trust a human so much? What if he's only pretending to protect you, waiting until the future to kill you and take your ring and bone?"
But Xiao Wu felt no doubt. She had already questioned Oscar about this before. His answer had been simple: if he coveted her ring and bone, she would already be his teacher's ninth ring.
Oscar had told her his teacher, Gai Yue, was about to break through to Title Douluo. If Oscar truly wanted to harm her, why waste time?
She had even confirmed through Shrek Academy that this was true. That was why she trusted Oscar and why she showed closeness toward him.
After all, a senior who would not covet a hundred thousand year ring and bone could change not just her fate, but the entire future of the soul beast race.
So she only smiled. "Er Ming, I understand your worries. But this issue is already resolved. If he meant me harm, you wouldn't even see me now."
The Titan Giant Ape still found it hard to believe. To it, the idea that a human wouldn't seize such a prize was inconceivable.
Then Xiao Wu pointed to the sachet at her waist. "This was given to me by San's father, though even San didn't know its use. Back when I joined the academy, I often forgot to wear it. But once Senior Oscar discovered my identity, he not only reminded me of its importance but kept my secret and even helped plan my cultivation path. He said if nothing went wrong, he'd help me become a Title Douluo, maybe even beyond."
Hearing this, the Titan Giant Ape looked again at the rapidly approaching white figure, shaken. Could such a human really exist?
It then recalled how carefully it had held back when suppressing Shrek earlier. Its gravity pressure had been precisely controlled to immobilize them temporarily yet somehow this human had already caught up.
That meant his strength was far beyond what it seemed.
A young human soul master with such talent, strength, compassion, and vision…
The Titan Giant Ape couldn't imagine what he might mean for the future whether nightmare or blessing for the soul beast race.
Finally, it looked at Xiao Wu, then at the white figure drawing near, and solemnly said, "Sister Xiao Wu, I believe your choice. Take care."
With that, it gently set her down and vanished into the forest with a few great bounds.
Watching Er Ming's departure, Xiao Wu felt a pang of melancholy. Not long after, Oscar's clone appeared, quickly reaching her side.
Seeing him land before her, Xiao Wu didn't know how to speak at first. Oscar simply asked, "Are you alright?"
Xiao Wu shook her head. "Senior, I worried you. I'm fine."
Oscar checked her quickly, confirming she was unharmed. His silver eyes scanned the surroundings but even with his spirit power nearing the Soul Emperor level, he could find no trace.
After all, the Titan Giant Ape was a hundred thousand year soul beast. If it chose to hide, he had no way of tracking it.
Still… he wasn't about to let things slide. What if it was still lurking, watching them?
And indeed, he was right. The Titan Giant Ape hadn't gone far. Though it trusted Xiao Wu, it needed to be certain she was truly safe before leaving. With its strength, hiding from Oscar was child's play.
Though Oscar's power was strong, it was still only close to Soul King level. The gap between him and the Titan Giant Ape was immense.
Seeing Xiao Wu unharmed but finding no sign of the beast, Oscar asked gravely, "Xiao Wu, that Titan Giant Ape just now it was your friend?"
Xiao Wu decided not to hide anything. Since Oscar already knew her identity, if she tried to conceal more, it might only create distance between them. Besides, if he knew she had a hundred thousand year beast as a friend, it might deter him from ever harboring bad intentions.
Unaware of her thoughts, Oscar's silver eyes locked onto hers. After a moment, Xiao Wu nodded. "Yes, Senior. Its name is Er Ming. It has always been my close friend like family to me."
Then she apologized sincerely: "I'm sorry, Senior. I bear responsibility for what happened today. I never thought Er Ming would suddenly come for me, I…"
Seeing her genuine apology, Oscar's sternness eased slightly. Calmly, he said, "I understand. Though this wasn't your fault, you do bear some responsibility."
Xiao Wu didn't argue. He was right. She would accept that responsibility.
"Senior, I won't shirk it. Whatever you ask of me, I'll bear it," Xiao Wu said.
Oscar ignored her nervous hands twisting together, his voice cool:
"No. Since it was your friend's mistake that hurt the dean and my sister… I think it should give me an explanation."
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