The dense canopy of the Star Dou mixed zone filtered sunlight into motley patches. Shafts of golden warmth danced on roots and leaves as a boy with an exquisite, almost unreal appearance strode forward.
Behind him lumbered a colossus. Ten meters tall, its black hide glistened with runic magma-like scars. Each step shook branches from trees—a prehistorical mountain of muscle and roar.
The Titan Giant Ape.
Gu Yuena herself had ordered Er Ming to escort Su Bei to his destination—the home of a certain little rabbit.
Emperor Tian had nearly choked at this assignment. To him, the boy was nothing but a burden, a dangerous liability treated like treasure. But the Lord's command was absolute, and so the unbending beast of eight hundred millennia smoldered in sour silence. Secretly, Emperor Tian hoped some strong human soul master would snatch the boy away—the Lord would be angry, yes, but at least the order of beasts would be restored.
Ironically, Su Bei more or less shared the sentiment. Part of him longed to break free from these suffocating bodyguards. Stuck amidst these ancient hulks with no sense for aesthetics, his peerless face was utterly wasted.
Besides, his true goal lay ahead.
According to Tian Qing Niu Mang, the rabbit girl—Xiao Wu—still lived here in her human form. Younger than seven by human age. Just about his own apparent age.
The corner of Su Bei's lips quirked. Excellent.
The Titan Ape huffed like a steam vent, hot gusts from its nostrils bending weeds flat. With a grunt, it lowered itself in front of Su Bei, dark eyes gesturing: Climb on.
Su Bei hooked his delicate hands into the ridges between the giant's armored scales and scrambled up. The ride was far rougher than he imagined.
In the movies, fighting alongside prehistoric titans looked cool, majestic. In reality? Whiplash. Every explosive leap rattled him like dice in a cup. Branches tore at his hair and clothes. By the time Er Ming landed deep within the mixed circle by a secluded spring, Su Bei looked distinctly less like a peerless prince and more like a handsome beggar, leaves and twigs sticking from every angle.
Still, his flawless face made the wildness seem more… roguishly charming.
Wiping himself down, Su Bei muttered darkly, "Compared to that bull python's smooth scales, this guy really handles like a bumpy tractor…"
The Titan Ape merely sneezed.
At the clearing's center, a clear pool of spring water shimmered. Silver steam rose delicately into the air.
Su Bei's eyes lit. Perfect for bathing. It had been days since he transmigrated. Other than being practically scrubbed in front of an entire forest when Gu Yuena claimed him, he hadn't had a proper wash. Stripping eagerly, he stepped onto the wet stones by the pool.
Just as his hand touched his collar—
"Who's there?!"
A clear, furious voice rang out with the splash of water.
Another child's voice.
The surface rippled as a slender figure burst upward.
A young girl, drenched, clutched scraps of cloth against her chest. Her long black hair streamed wet like a waterfall, framing a face as pale and supple as jade. Red flushed her cheeks, her wide eyes glistening with a mixture of anger and panic. Water beaded across her soft skin, reflecting the sun in curves too mature for her age.
She looked utterly flustered. This was her sanctuary, a spring no human ever dared trespass. And now a boy—half naked no less—stood there gawking.
Su Bei froze midslip, heart thumping. Recognition blazed.
Xiao Wu!
A system chime exploded in his skull.
[System Alert: Goddess Target Detected – Xiao Wu. Check-in Rewards Available (C-Tier).]
[Choose one reward: +10% permanent Strength | +10% permanent Speed | +10% permanent Defense.]
Eyes flicking, Su Bei instantly chose Speed. Lingbo Micro Step would soar even higher. Survival first. Seduction second.
Still, the girl's flushed glare pinned him like lightning.
"Sorry!" Su Bei whipped around, heart pounding. "I—I didn't know anyone was here! Put your clothes on first!"
Inside, his thoughts screamed: Three years early! Maximum penalty!
Behind him, fabric rustled hastily.
Moments later, Xiao Wu leapt from the pool like a sword loosed from its sheath. She twisted midair, fast as lightning, legs scything forward. Before Su Bei could react, her white jade thighs clamped around his neck with shocking strength.
"Urk—!" Su Bei tumbled to the ground, rolled over three times, and found himself pinned.
The rabbit girl's body pressed him down, her thighs locked to his neck like a vice. All it would take was one twist, one flick, to crush his windpipe.
Her violet eyes burned down at him. "Who are you?! Why are you spying on me?! Why do you know my name?!"
Su Bei gagged, instinctively tugging at her soft, bare skin for air.
Then—her pupils tightened. The feeling of his warm hand cupping her thigh made her flush crimson.
"Y-you… pervert! Obscene human!"
With a startled shout, she released him, flipping backwards and landing in a crouch.
Su Bei lay groaning, stunned, throat burning. His mind screamed double standards. I didn't do anything! She's the one who drilled legs into my neck!
Xiao Wu glared, pouting fiercely. "Have you ever seen such a shameless scoundrel?!"
Her scent lingered maddeningly around him, soft like spring grass. Su Bei rubbed his sore throat, trying not to grin.
His eyes flicked to the side. Beside the spring sat a simple little bundle—a travel pack.
"Are you planning to leave Star Dou… to join the human world?" he asked casually.
Xiao Wu stiffened. Her violet eyes sharpened with guarded panic. He…knows? That means he knows I'm a soul beast in disguise!
She snapped back defensively. "What nonsense are you talking about?!"
"Don't panic." Su Bei smiled gently, raising his hands in peace. "I mean no harm. My name is Su Bei. Er Ming brought me here."
Her tense expression twitched. "Er Ming?"
"Yes. So… are you really not peeping?"
"Of course not!" Su Bei coughed. "I honestly stumbled into your bath."
Her suspicions wavered when she looked at his face. His features were too exquisite, too perfect. Any girl who looked at him would falter. No wonder even Er Ming let him near.
"…Hmph." She folded her arms, tilting her head. "Fine. You don't feel like a bad person. And it's true, if you were, Er Ming would have slapped you into paste already."
Su Bei's heart swelled in smug triumph.
Yep. Good looks truly are the ultimate golden finger.
She hopped closer, studying him intently, her long braid dripping droplets down her chest. "Still… how can a human boy be here in the mixed circle? Even Gu Yuena's fierce land is off-limits. You're too little."
He chuckled, gently tapping her nose. "True. But though I am human, I walked from the heart of that very Fierce Land. Recognized, no less, by the strongest soul beast alive."
Xiao Wu sucked in a breath. The Fierce Land. Even she, a one-hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, wouldn't dare.
Her heart wavered.
Looking straight into his handsome youthful face, she whispered, "Then… you must be someone very special."
Her voice trembled faintly, soft like a rabbit's heartbeat.
Inwardly, Su Bei grinned ear to ear. Tang San… sorry, bro. This rabbit might hop into my arms first.