"What… what's going on?"
Yan's eyes widened, his voice rising in panic as the ground quaked.
Bibi Dong's gaze sharpened. "This aura… it can only be one."
"Who?" Yan demanded.
"The King of the Forest," her voice cut like ice.
Hu Liena, drunk and nestled in Subei's arms, raised her little hands like claws, miming a monkey as she swayed. "Hehe… forest king… monkey, monkey~!" She giggled before Subei pressed her restless hands down.
Then it clicked—like thunder waking a dreamer.
Subei's lips curved faintly. "The Titan Giant Ape?"
Bibi Dong nodded coldly. "Yes. The Titan Ape—a hundred-thousand-year beast, the ruler of these forests." Her eyes glowed dangerously. "Convenient. The Pope came not only to hunt soul rings for Tang San—but to provide an… entertainment program."
In the next instant, her murderous aura rolled out, blanketing the clearing. Ghost Douluo vanished into shadow, reappearing above the canopy. From that vantage he saw it: entire swathes of trees swaying, trunks splitting as a colossal ape forced its way through, shadow blotting the moon as it leapt. The Titan descended, smashing the grass flat and leaving a crater in its wake.
"Wine…" it rumbled, saliva trailing from its maw as it scanned the camp.
Ghost's face darkened. "Pope… it truly came for the wine."
"The bait worked," Bibi Dong snorted. "So be it. A thief beast sneaking after human liquor dares to appear before me? Then tonight we'll see its hide stripped and turned into Xiaobei's soul bone."
Her hand swept upward. With a wave of immense power, she seized Yan, Hu Liena, Tang San, and even Subei in coils of Spider Emperor energy, whisking them back hundreds of meters out of direct range. Her instinct was iron: protect Subei, above all.
"Stay there! Your realms are far too low—this is not prey you can face."
From that safe distance, a dozen hidden Deacons of Spirit Hall emerged from shadows, kneeling. "We await the Pope's will!"
Subei blinked in admiration. So she really did prepare an ambush net this entire time. Truly cautious. But… she has no idea the Titan doesn't come to fight—it just wants me. And my wine.
The next moment proved him right.
The Titan Ape's bulging muscles rippled, its knees flexing. With a burst of brute speed, it shot not toward Bibi Dong—but straight toward where Subei had been sent.
Ghost Douluo's expression twisted. "No! It's rushing His Highness Subei's position—!"
Before anything else, the air cracked.
Bibi Dong roared, and all nine soul rings erupted beneath her: yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black, red. The killing aura blasted through the forest like a hurricane.
Behind her, her spirit form unfurled—a titanic purple-black spider, eight gleaming legs dripping with venom thick enough to corrode soil with each drop.
[Third Soul Skill: Death Cobweb Bind!]
A barrage of black-purple webs exploded outward, filling the air. The ground hissed and turned black where the venomous strands struck. Dozens of coiling nets converged, wrapping the Titan Ape mid-charge and dragging it into a prison of poisonous silk.
The Titan bellowed, smashing trees as its fists tore at the sticky web. Each punch could split mountains, but Bibi Dong's webs expanded elastically, creating endless layers of buffer. The forest king's power met her cunning control—the beast trapped, snarling furiously, unable to push forward.
Ghost Douluo's lips trembled. The Pope's strength… too terrifying. Were it me standing in her place, I'd already be pulp under those fists.
The ground shook harder. Wine spilled across the lawn, bottles scattering, their fragrance surging stronger into the Titan's nose. Its lantern-sized eyes fixed directly on Subei, who stood behind the distant disciples.
Tang San's heart froze. "Teacher… it's staring right at you."
His Purple Demon Eye confirmed—bright pupils locked only on Subei, ignoring everyone else.
Hu Liena, drunk but stubborn, stumbled forward, her knees weak but her spirit fierce. She slurred boldly, "No… no! This ugly black ape wants my Bei? Then I… I'll protect him! North belongs to me, you ugly thing!" She puffed out her chest, patting Subei's arm as if shielding him.
Subei twitched, then held her firmly to stop her collapse. "Nana…"
Tang San stepped forward with grim resolve. "Teacher! Let's retreat further. The Titan isn't after me or the others—it's only after you. That's why it's insane. Let me buy time—for you to escape!"
Sincerity blazed in his eyes.
But Subei only shook his head. His jaw tightened, watching the Titan thrash in Bibi Dong's poisonous threads.
The others didn't know what he knew.
That ape wasn't here to fight. It wasn't here to kill. It was only here—for wine, for Xiaowu, for its King.
It had once escorted him and Xiaowu safely to the edge of the forest, deterring other beasts. It was no mere beast to him—it was a friend.
The Titan's eyes shone red not with killing intent, but with panicked tears. It wailed and strained helplessly, its gaze screaming words its mouth could not form:
I just… came for wine. And to ask… where is Xiao Wu?
But caught in Bibi Dong's deadly web, it could only thrash, desperate and miserable.
Subei clenched his fists. Bibi Dong thinks she's earning me a gift. But if she kills this Titan—our fragile peace between beasts and humans will snap. And worse—my friend will die.
His heart pounded. All around him, Spirit Hall's Deacons steadied themselves, their faith anchored on their Pope. The apprentices whispered in awe at her might.
But only Subei understood.
He sighed softly and stepped forward, eyes flickering with calm determination.
Titan Ape… hold on. I'll get you out of this.
The next move would decide more than just one beast's fate.