Shhh-shhh…
The Star Dou Forest whispered in the wind. Leaves rustled against the tall trunks, while tremors snaked through the ground deep enough to alarm even the birds hidden high in the canopy.
At the forest's outer edge, an orange-haired girl tilted her head, sharp golden eyes narrowing at the rippling horizon. "Elder Ghost, what's happening inside Star Dou?"
Beside her, an elder in black armor, his face half-concealed in shadow, frowned deeply. He was Ghost Douluo of the Spirit Hall—ranked among the top Title Douluo.
"These past two days," the elder intoned, "I scouted the mixed circle myself. Empty. Too empty. As if the soul beasts vanished overnight." His tone was unnervingly calm. "But when I prepared to report this anomaly to the Pope… tens of thousands of years-old beasts suddenly poured outward, pouring from the core as if summoned. I've never seen the like."
Hu Liena's pretty mouth parted. "Even you, Elder, can't make sense of it?"
"No." Ghost Douluo's eyes gleamed like cold stars. "We'll report it to the Pope soon enough. But first—your third soul ring. That task takes priority."
He inspected her closely. She was the Pope's chosen prodigy, a child of innate full soul power, personally handpicked from thousands. For an elder of his rank to serve her as guardian proved as much as a shouting decree: this girl mattered enormously to the Spirit Hall.
Normal rules demanded her third ring be under two thousand years old, otherwise her young body would collapse. Normally, hunting wouldn't be an issue here, but strange tremors and unnatural silence had twisted the forest's balance.
Even with Ghost Douluo assuring her safety, noise rippled through the outer ring.
"Run!"
Soul masters scattered in horror. Branches cracked as a colossal shadow surged through. Dust-clouds swallowed the horizon.
Birds scattered into chaos. Tree trunks rattled as though bowing to some titanic presence striding past.
"Impossible," one veteran muttered, pale as ash. "Word is, a hundred-thousand-year Titan Ape appeared yesterday! It smashed a Soul King in one slap."
Ghost Douluo snapped his focus ahead, ascending in a single leap. His spiritual aura lanced like a blade skyward. Violet ghostlight shone in his hollow sockets as he scanned.
It was true.
The ground quaked. A tower of muscle loomed, fur dark and knotted with scars—Titan Giant Ape.
Hu Liena's breath shook. "That… that's not a spirit beast from the outer circle!"
Even Ghost Douluo's lip curled with unease. King of the Forest. If not for Gu Yuena herself, there is no creature more dangerous.
But then—a miracle.
The Titan Ape only lifted one arm high and waved. As if… waving goodbye. Then, with another leap, its mountain-sized form bounded away and vanished back into the core.
"…It waved," Hu Liena whispered, baffled.
Ghost Douluo said nothing, glowering. The image had unsettled him deeply. Was the ape… responding to someone it escorted? Guiding something—or someone—important outward?
If the Pope were here, this anomaly could become Spirit Hall profit: a beast to target, ten or twenty soul bones to forge! For now, though, he clenched his teeth and herded Hu Liena further.
"Come," he said flatly. "It's gone. We'll find your ring beast."
But Hu Liena lingered a little longer, eyes scanning the trees.
For just a blink of time, she had seen it. A boy—his steps light and elegant, as if dancing with the earth. His face—delicate lines, sculpted beauty, so dazzling that even she, disciple of the Pope, felt her heart skip wildly.
She blinked again. Gone. No trace but rustled branches.
Her cheeks flushed slightly despite herself.
"Elder," she asked softly, "did you… see a beautiful boy passing by?"
But Ghost Douluo wasn't listening. His mind weighed strategy, Spirit Hall's interests; a boy meant nothing, even if he resembled jade carved by heaven.
"Nana, stop with idle questions. We haven't the luxury. Come."
"Yes…" she murmured, reluctantly turning away. But her heart whispered: May fate let me meet him again…
At that moment—
A little further down a narrow path, Su Bei clasped Xiao Wu's hand and slipped quietly past.
Only once forest noise faded behind them did the boy let out the breath caged in his chest.
"Phew… close call."
Xiao Wu bounced lightly in step, braid swinging like a whip as she laughed. "Brother! Why does Er Ming listen to you so much? He never lets me out when I come alone."
Su Bei shrugged, lips curving. "Because he cares for you. Er Ming's afraid some human will bully you in the outside world."
Xiao Wu smiled softly. "Mm. Daming and Er Ming are my best friends. But now, Brother Bei is here!"
Her words warmed him briefly. Then she tilted her head. "Brother, where do we go now?"
That tugged Su Bei back to strategy. Pathfinding.
He thought quickly. Options…
Join Spirit Hall? Too dangerous. And too close to big players like Bibi Dong. Proximity meant exposure.
Hide with small sects? Weak cards, low ROI.
Best bet: Notting College. Start true plotline. Tang San, Master Yu Xiaogang, cheap godfather philosophy… it's too good an opportunity to sabotage.
Su Bei's lips tugged into a grin. "There is no trash martial spirit, only trash martial soul masters"? Let's see how cocky that 'Master' is when I, walking plot-breaker, sit in class.
He tightened Xiao Wu's grip reassuringly. "We go to Notting College first. Everything else can wait."
His gaze turned faintly mischievous. And of course, destroy Tang San's script inch by inch.
Xiao Wu tilted her head, eyes sparkling with trust. "Mm! Brother Bei makes the decisions, I'll follow."
He laughed softly, guiding her forward down the sun-dappled path.
But fate planted another twist.
As the two left the forest's canopy, stepping onto the wide road leading toward Fanos Province's borders, a figure appeared.
A striking woman stood at the roadside. She was clad in fitted blue martial attire, her long silky hair tied high, toned curves visible beneath practical armor. Her stance was spry, aura sharp, every inch of her a martial artist.
Her eyes suddenly caught Su Bei's face.
In that instant, her confident composure shook.
How could a boy so young… look like this?
Her heartbeat skipped, her stance stiffening between defense and blush.
Su Bei, meanwhile, simply froze in place—Isn't this…?!
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