The next morning.
Golden sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, and the forest floor glowed with a faint dew.
"Ugh…"
Er Ming rubbed at his giant nostrils with two massive palms, wiping away the fresh streams of nosebleed.
"Hahaha…"
His breath came out heavy, steaming hot. The blue silver grass carpeting the ground quivered at the wave of energy, sprouting and growing like bamboo shoots after a rainstorm.
"Big bro, I can't eat anymore…"
Er Ming's face was completely flushed and dizzy. He covered his nose with one hand, wobbling as if the entire world was spinning beneath his feet.
He seriously had no clue what kind of so‑called supplement Lu Yuan had fed him—but there was only one word for it.
Too much!
Now not only did his head feel like it was five sizes too large, but his nostrils wouldn't stop leaking blood either.
"Keep eating!"
Da Ming's cold, deep voice cut through the forest. His tone allowed no refusal.
These were treasures! Even as a soul beast that had lived for over a hundred thousand years, he had only seen such rare medicinal herbs a handful of times. And each time, he had refrained from touching them because of the risk—one wrong stalk could be poisonous enough to kill.
But now, with Lu Yuan delivering them directly—safe, pure, and brimming with energy—how could he possibly let such an opportunity slip by? Missing this was like walking past the gods' table without tasting a single dish. Impossible!
"Come on, Er Ming, try this one."
Lu Yuan pulled out another stalk of immortal herb from his soul guide.
This particular plant looked unassuming. Its body was an emerald green, and three white leaves fanned out from the stem. Nestled in the center of the veins were a few crystal‑like droplets of water, gleaming faintly.
Er Ming's massive eyes stared at the herb. His heart quivered.
As the king of this forest, he had once been fearless, the absolute tyrant of beasts. Yet today… today he was terrified.
These herbs were too overwhelming!
"This is just your sixth stalk, continue eating!" Da Ming pushed firmly.
He was Er Ming's elder brother—if anyone knew what Er Ming's body could withstand, it was him. These herbs might be overwhelming, but they would never harm him. In fact, they were forging a strength he'd never dreamed of.
This kind of good fortune is once in a lifetime.
With a deep, reluctant sigh, Er Ming opened his mouth and tossed the whole stalk in.
"!!!" His massive eyes suddenly lit like lanterns.
"Pfft—!"
A fountain of bright red blood burst out from his nose.
Really killing him!
His head swam; up, down, left, right, the whole world spun. He toppled heavily to the ground, panting and wheezing like an ox.
What kind of punishment was this?!
Half an hour passed.
At last, Er Ming's vision steadied, and the dizziness ebbed away. His mind actually felt clearer—brighter—more awake than ever before.
"Aba… ba…"
His thick tongue formed strange sounds, and then, finally—
"I… I can speak human words!"
Though rough, halting, and unfamiliar, the words were clear enough.
Er Ming was stunned for three seconds. Then unrestrained joy surged through him—he had finally unlocked the ability human cultivators so easily wielded!
"Xiao Wu, Big Bro!" His deep voice boomed. "I can really talk like humans do!"
He laughed like a child, clapping his enormous hands together in delight, shaking the forest with his glee.
"Lu Yuan… you are… welcome!" Er Ming bellowed, jabbing a giant finger at Lu Yuan's chest.
"…?"
Lu Yuan blinked in confusion, entirely unsure what exactly he was supposed to be polite about.
"Pfft—!" Tang Yuehua couldn't hold back her laughter, her graceful body trembling as she doubled over. Lu Yuan himself had drunk himself silly before and gotten nonsensical—watching Er Ming make the same mistakes was truly comedy gold.
"Uh… Lu Yuan, is there any more of that immortal grass?" Da Ming suddenly spoke, his deep eyes betraying a trace of greed.
Though as an ancient beast he could already speak human words easily, he had lived too long to resist curiosity. Would just a single stalk of herbs not count as harmless indulgence?
"Yeah, yeah! Give Big Bro one, at least a little bit!" Er Ming chirped quickly, eager to help defend Da Ming's request.
"Bang!"
Da Ming's massive tail swept, cracking against Er Ming's rear.
"Shut up!" he snapped, face dark. "Can you not speak nonsense for once?"
Squeezed out between the teeth—what kind of cheap words were these? He had his dignity as the emperor of the forest to uphold!
"That's enough."
Without further ado, Lu Yuan pulled out another stalk from his soul guide. This one was a fiery red blossom, petals curling and glowing faintly with hot vitality.
He didn't even know its proper name. But whatever—it was clearly another piece of immortal herb.
"Brother!" Da Ming's solemn face broke into a smile. He accepted the gift wholeheartedly.
Not long after, both brothers were beaming at Lu Yuan. Their opinion of this human rose higher and higher.
It wasn't simply about the herbs. No—Lu Yuan had rescued Xiao Wu from certain death before. That one act carried more weight than any number of gifts. With just this, neither Da Ming nor Er Ming held the slightest malice toward him.
"Lu Yuan, when are you going back?" Tang Yuehua whispered, sliding closer to his side.
They had been in the Star Dou Great Forest for several days already. Surely they weren't planning to live out their lives in the company of spirit beasts? Yesterday, he had off‑handedly mentioned leaving. She had been waiting for her chance ever since.
"What, going back already? Are we not good enough here?" Er Ming's cavernous voice rumbled angrily.
Even if Tang Yuehua thought her voice low, it was impossible to hide from a beast of his cultivation.
He had just learned to speak human language and was ready to enjoy it—and now everyone wanted to leave?! No way!
Tang Yuehua flinched, her boldness instantly vanishing at Er Ming's glare. She scurried behind Lu Yuan, peeking nervously from the safety of his figure. Lu Yuan's presence was the only security she had in such a forest.
"Of course I can't stay here forever!" Lu Yuan answered casually, hiccupping as if nothing mattered. "I'll come back for a drink when I'm free."
Leave, and definitely return. He had too much waiting for him outside—Little Chili, his son, and countless problems brewing in the Martial Soul Hall. Who knew what conspiracies that nest of old schemers was plotting right now?
Chen Xin and Gu Rong were probably already worried to death.
And then there were Ranran, Xueke, Kitty… and all the other girls—it was impossible not to miss them. Even old Dugu Bo couldn't be forgotten.
No, everything had to be reclaimed step by step once he returned.
Hearing this, Tang Yuehua nearly exhaled in relief. Finally, finally—it wasn't his plan to stay among beasts forever. She couldn't hide her small, satisfied smile.
Their moment didn't last long.
Da Ming's massive eyes suddenly sharpened, filled with vigilance. A powerful aura was approaching.
With one subtle glance, Er Ming immediately crouched, his hands and feet pressing into the earth. The brothers' cooperation had been forged over countless years—it was flawless.
Within breaths, Er Ming locked onto the intruder's aura. With a tremendous leap, his colossal body shot upward, a giant stone‑like fist crashing down from the air toward the source.
"Careful!"
A sharp burst of Sword Qi erupted outward. The brilliance struck the earth with enough force to send recoil surging back into the body, bouncing the intruder nimbly away from Er Ming's crushing strike.
"The King of the Forest, wait!" A calm but forceful voice rang out. "My name is Chen Xin! We met outside the Star Dou Great Forest before. I know you saved Lu Yuan's life, and I am deeply grateful. I came here today only to see him."
Da Ming and Er Ming froze. The owner of the aura wasn't hostile—but before Er Ming could launch another punch, Chen Xin stepped aside, revealing the figures behind him.
It was Liu Erlong—carrying a small child in her arms.
Lu Xiaoyu!
Chen Xin hadn't wanted to bring mother and child along. But Liu Erlong's temper had come flaring up again. Stop her—? He couldn't. This explosive woman would even order the Qibao Glazed Sect around if she felt like it.
At this point, Chen Xin could only sigh inwardly. Honestly, he had to admire Lu Yuan—being able to tame such a fiery woman enough that she'd bear him a child? Truly, that was the work of a senior.
And now that child had come face to face with his father once again.
--
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