The Titan Giant Ape's furious roar shook the mountains and forests.
Li Zhexian's brows furrowed—then slowly relaxed.
"Senior Titan, please don't misunderstand."
"Last time, I spoke of the Spirit Hall's secret schemes."
"That is why I've invited these four seniors to assist…"
"No need!"
The deep, thunderous voice of the Azure Bull Python rolled through the forest.
"Er Ming, Sister Xiao Wu, and I are here in the Star Dou Forest. If the Spirit Hall dares come, let them try."
"Li Zhexian, what Er Ming said earlier was out of anger. The Lake of Life remains open for your beloved to recuperate."
"But you and your companions must leave the forest at once."
"Otherwise…"
"Don't blame me for being merciless."
The faces of the four Titled Douluo darkened.
"Hmph, you spirit beasts know no gratitude."
"Do you even understand how much Zhexian has risked for your sake?
He's maneuvered between the great powers, even braving a Titled Douluo battle himself—just so we would come lend aid."
Dugu Bo's green robes billowed, a sickly, toxic mist rising three feet around him as a foul wind spread.
"If I truly meant to attack this forest…"
He raised a bony finger.
The poison fog churned like living venom.
"Do you believe that with a single sweep of miasma, I couldn't kill thousands of spirit beasts—leave a hundred miles of forest barren?"
"ROAR——!"
The Titan Giant Ape bellowed in fury.
"How dare you!"
"What is there to dare!" Feng Bailong's fingers came together like a sword, slicing through the black silk over his eyes.
Two brilliant azure beams burst forth, condensing into razor-sharp sword qi that tore through the air in a deafening arc.
"Courtesy demands reciprocity!"
BOOM!
The violent explosion of energy sent a hurricane sweeping across the forest.
Ancient trees bowed beneath the blast, their leaves surging like crashing waves.
These four Titled Douluo treated Li Zhexian with warmth and respect—
But in truth, none of them were gentle souls.
To come here at his request was already a risk, defying the Spirit Hall itself.
Now to be rebuked as meddlers? How could they stomach such insult?
Yu Yuanzhen gave a cold snort.
A bolt of lightning cracked across the blazing sky.
"Were it not for young Zhexian's sake, what does your life or death have to do with me?"
Chen Xin's tone was icy.
"If we coveted your Spirit Rings, would we still waste words here?"
"Had Zhexian asked, you'd already be corpses beneath my sword."
Behind a boulder, the chronicler peeked out halfway.
"How dare you slander Lord Sword Wine's pure heart!"
"I'll be sure to write this down—every word of it!"
The Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python both froze, stunned by the barrage of rebukes.
For a long moment, the forest fell silent.
Li Zhexian shook his head with a weary smile and stepped forward.
"Seniors, your suspicions are understandable."
"But since Zhuqing remains at the Lake of Life—how could I ever gamble with her safety?"
His good intentions had been met with distrust.
There was little he could do but sigh.
Yet remembering the beasts' past and the suffering they'd endured, his irritation quickly faded.
In the end—
His heart was clear as the moon.
Others could think as they wished; he only sought to live true to himself.
"Da Ming! Er Ming! Let me go!"
A familiar, indignant voice came closer.
"I told you—Li Zhexian isn't that kind of person! You've misunderstood him!"
Rustle—
Moments later, the branches parted.
Xiao Wu darted forward, her steps light as a butterfly.
Seeing Li Zhexian standing beside the four renowned Titled Douluo who had once shaken the Pope Palace, her lovely face paled slightly. She bowed deeply.
"Sister Xiao Wu pays respects to the four seniors."
The four Titled Douluo's expressions remained indifferent; none returned her greeting.
Xiao Wu turned an imploring look toward Li Zhexian.
He exhaled softly.
Their anger was understandable—goodwill mistaken for threat would sour any heart.
Then Xiao Wu whirled toward the forest, hands on her hips, shouting:
"Da Ming! Er Ming! Come out!"
"If they meant us harm, do you think I'd still be standing here?"
"I know these four seniors well!"
"Hurry and apologize to Li Zhexian and them!"
For a moment, the forest was utterly silent.
Then suddenly —
Two black shapes appeared in the distant sky, rapidly growing larger.
BOOM!BOOM!
Twin impacts shook the earth, splitting the ground and sending dust billowing skyward.
The four Titled Douluo instantly moved to shield Li Zhexian.
Moments later, massive golden-furred hands parted the trees.
The immense forms of the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python emerged, towering and awe-inspiring.
"Sister Xiao Wu, thank goodness you're unharmed…"
The two great beasts looked first at the pouting Xiao Wu, then at the white-robed youth standing calmly with a faint smile, and finally at the four Titled Douluo standing tall and cold-faced behind him.
The Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python exchanged glances — in their eyes flashed confusion, then guilt.
They had revealed themselves — yet the other side had not attacked.
It really was a misunderstanding.
"Li Zhexian…"
The Titan Giant Ape opened its mouth, but found itself at a loss for words.
Even though Spirit Beasts had gained intelligence, their thoughts were far simpler and purer than humans'.
Thinking of how they had doubted this sincere young man, and remembering the harsh reprimands from the four Titled Douluo just moments ago, the two overlords of the Star Dou Forest felt a rush of shame and remorse.
"Zhexian…"
The Azure Bull Python slowly lowered its massive head until it was level with Li Zhexian.
"My brother and I have seen too much deceit and cruelty. Suspicion has long taken root in our hearts."
"Never did we think there would still be someone as honest and true-hearted as you."
"This time…"
"It was our mistake. Please forgive us."
The Titan Giant Ape also crouched down, extending a palm the size of a boulder toward Li Zhexian, and rumbled,
"Same here!"
Li Zhexian's handsome face softened into a smile.
He reached out and tapped the Azure Bull Python's horn and the Titan Giant Ape's palm lightly.
"In such dangerous times, caution is no fault. I take no offense."
"Heh…"
The Titan Giant Ape grinned, rummaging through the tangled golden fur on its chest until it carefully pulled out a clay figurine shaped like a monkey.
"Good thing I didn't crush the monkey you gave me!"
"But Da Ming messed up—he got your ring thing stuck in the ground!"
Li Zhexian chuckled and looked toward the Azure Bull Python.
Its blue eyes gleamed as its tail lashed out with a sharp snap, striking the ape.
"I'll dig it out later and polish it clean."
"That tail ring is a fine gift."
"Tail ring, huh… I suppose it's not bad," Li Zhexian said with a grin.
"Come, let's go back to the lake and talk properly."
The Titan Giant Ape laughed, scooping Xiao Wu and Li Zhexian up and placing them on its massive shoulders as it strode off.
Xiao Wu's laughter chimed like silver bells.
The Titan Giant Ape asked eagerly:
"Zhexian, what's this monkey called again?"
Beside them, the Azure Bull Python turned its immense body slightly, bowing its head toward the four Titled Douluo.
"Seniors, I was rash before. Please forgive my offense."
The four bowed in return.
Their gazes followed the Titan Giant Ape's broad shoulders—
Where the white-robed youth, the spirit beast maiden, and the forest overlords spoke and laughed together beneath the filtered light.
Even these battle-hardened Titled Douluo couldn't help but feel a surge of quiet admiration.
"This boy Zhexian," one murmured, "his heart is pure, his spirit clear as wind and moon."
"To have accompanied him on this journey — it was worth it."
The recording Spirit Master was still so moved that his hand trembled as he scribbled furiously across the page.
Then he felt a gentle breeze of sword qi lift him off the ground, carrying him steadily to follow behind the group.
As the figures of Li Zhexian and the others receded into the forest distance, a small cluster of ordinary Blue Silver Grass nearby swayed faintly.
A kilometer away, hidden within the forest's deep shadows —
A young man with long dark-blue hair slowly opened his eyes.
His face turned pale; his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles went white and trembled slightly.