The next day, at the core of the Great Star Dou Forest, the Lake of Life.
A colossal beast, towering over fifteen meters tall, resembling a mix between a monkey and an ape, its entire body pitch black, with arms thicker than its legs and covered in bulging muscles, sat dejectedly by the lakeside.
On the surface of the lake opposite the beast, a massive bull's head, over four meters in diameter and adorned with enormous horns, emerged.
Strangely, below the bull's head was not the sturdy four-legged body of a beast but a massive serpentine body, several times thicker than a water barrel, entirely blackish-green.
Although the massive serpent's body had not fully surfaced, merely a portion of it was visible, even that part alone dwarfed the towering beast on the shore, which stood over ten meters tall.
It was hard to imagine how enormous this bull-headed serpent would appear if its entire body were to emerge from the lake.
"Roar—"
The giant beast on the shore let out a low, dispirited growl.
"Er Ming, don't worry! Sister Xiao Wu is very clever; she'll definitely be fine!"
A deep voice rang out—it was the serpent with the bull's head, now consoling the giant beast on the shore.
These two beasts were none other than Xiao Wu's two younger brothers: Da Ming, the hundred-thousand-year Sky Azure Bull Python, and Er Ming, the hundred-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape.
"Roar roar—"
Unable to speak human language, Er Ming roared repeatedly, clearly showing disbelief in Da Ming's words.
Though Er Ming couldn't speak human language, it didn't mean it was stupid. It fully understood the dangers of the human world.
Especially since their Little Sister Xiao Wu had entered the human world shortly after transforming, losing her immense strength. If bad luck struck and she encountered a human soul master with a soul power level above 80, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Moreover, what troubled him most was that Da Ming referred to Xiao Wu as "clever," but honestly, she wasn't much smarter than Er Ming himself.
The human world was fraught with danger, and Little Sister Xiao Wu wasn't particularly clever. With no news from her for years, how could Er Ming not worry?
It wasn't just Er Ming who was worried—Da Ming was equally concerned. However, as the older brother, he couldn't show his anxiety in front of his younger sibling.
Doing so would only make the simple-minded Er Ming even more anxious. Besides, the human world wasn't like the forest; no matter how worried they were, it wouldn't change anything.
The only thing the two brothers could do was silently pray to the legendary great Beast God, hoping He would protect their Little Sister Xiao Wu and keep her safe.
Just then, a fiery red figure flew in from the distant sky. On the back of this fiery red figure stood a young woman dressed in white.
"Da Ming, Er Ming, I've come back to see you~!"
Looking at her two younger siblings in the distance, Xiao Wu waved and shouted loudly.
"Roar? (Who is this human?)"
Hearing the voice, Er Ming turned around, blinking his lantern-sized, crystal-clear yellow eyes, and let out a low growl toward Da Ming.
"She seems to recognize us?"
Shaking his massive bull's head, Da Ming carefully observed the white-robed girl riding the phoenix from afar and said skeptically.
It wasn't Da Ming and Er Ming's fault for not recognizing Xiao Wu. Eight or nine years ago, when Xiao Wu first transformed, she appeared as a six-year-old human girl, vastly different from her current teenage appearance.
Moreover, due to the mastery of the Absolute Control Technique, Xiao Wu concealed her aura perfectly. The two brothers hadn't been able to detect any familiar presence from her.
"You fools! Don't you recognize me anymore? You've made Sister Xiao Wu so angry!"
Seeing the suspicious looks from her two younger brothers, Xiao Wu landed by the lakeside and fumed.
You Da Ming and Er Ming, how dare you not recognize your own Little Sister Xiao Wu?
"Are you really Sister Xiao Wu?"
Although Xiao Wu had two rabbit ears atop her head, Da Ming still found it hard to believe.
"Hmph~, I'm mad now!"
Xiao Wu activated her Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul, revealing her aura, and pouted angrily.
"Roar roar roar!!!"
Instantly, Er Ming, who had been listless just moments ago, began pounding his chest excitedly.
The white-robed girl before him was unmistakably his Little Sister Xiao Wu. Though she had grown much stronger, her familiar aura remained, and with this Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul, there was no mistaking it!
"Moo—"
The massive Da Ming in the lake also raised his head and let out an excited roar. The water surged violently as his enormous body swiftly swam to the shore.
Seeing the excitement on her two younger brothers' faces, Xiao Wu forgot her earlier frustration at not being recognized. With a light tap of her toes, she leaped onto Er Ming's broad shoulders.
"Da Ming, Er Ming, how have you two been living in the forest during the years I've been away?"
Xiao Wu asked Da Ming and Er Ming.
"Roar!"
"Er Ming and I have been doing well! How about you, Sister Xiao Wu? Have you encountered any danger in the human world?"
"Haha~, look who you're asking! I'm your clever Sister Xiao Wu—how could I possibly encounter any danger~!"
With her hands on her hips, Xiao Wu proudly declared.
"Sister Xiao Wu, if we remember correctly, you've only been transformed for less than ten years, right? How did you manage to reach the seventh ring level of a human soul master so quickly?"
Staring at the seven soul rings glowing around Xiao Wu's body, which were configured far differently from those of ordinary human soul masters, Da Ming asked in confusion.
Though their transformed Little Sister Xiao Wu possessed incredible talent, it was comparable to a human soul master born with full innate soul power. To reach the Soul Saint level within ten years—was the heavens truly so kind to humans?
"Hehe," Xiao Wu smirked proudly and said, "Ignorance! After transforming, how could your Little Sister Xiao Wu be considered an ordinary soul master?"
"Roar—?"
At this moment, Er Ming glanced at the Fire Phoenix flying in the air and let out a puzzled growl.
This red-feathered bird—why did it feel so strange?
Er Ming wasn't unfamiliar with Fire Phoenixes. Though it exuded nobility, it didn't seem like a normal Fire Phoenix to him.
"It's Little Red, my brother's summon beast. Hmm? Who's my brother? Let me tell you..."
Xiao Wu briefly recounted her experiences after entering the human world.
After a long while, looking at Xiao Wu's radiant face brimming with happiness, Da Ming and Er Ming fell silent.
Could it be... Little Sister Xiao Wu had fallen in love?!
"Huh? Er Ming, why are you crying?"
Suddenly noticing tears streaming down Er Ming's face like a waterfall, Xiao Wu hurriedly asked.
"Waaah—"
If Xiao Wu hadn't mentioned it, Er Ming might have held back, but now his tears flowed even faster. He cried like a hundred-thousand-year-old child.
Sister Xiao Wu had fallen in love with a human and abandoned her little brothers. Heartbroken, sad...
---
Four days later, Xiao Wu bid farewell to her two younger brothers, climbed onto Little Red's back, reunited with Chu Chengzhou, and left the Great Star Dou Forest.
Chu Chengzhou hadn't gone to see his two "brothers-in-law" because Da Ming and Er Ming disliked human soul masters. Moreover, both seemed to secretly harbor feelings for Xiao Wu. If he went as Xiao Wu's boyfriend, he'd likely get beaten up by the dim-witted Er Ming.
Though Chu Chengzhou could handle opponents like She Long, facing Er Ming, a hundred-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape, he'd undoubtedly be crushed.
He also had no intention of teaching Da Ming and Er Ming techniques like Nine Breaths Qi Absorption Technique, Indestructible Golden Body, or Eternal Thought. It wasn't because he was stingy—it was because these two weren't human, and the techniques he mastered weren't suitable for soul beasts.
However, the method of condensing soul cores was an exception. He had Xiao Wu teach Da Ming and Er Ming the technique for condensing soul cores.
Under Xiao Wu's guidance, the stronger Da Ming successfully condensed his first soul core.
Though they couldn't utilize other techniques, the method of condensing soul cores was universal.
The ferocious beasts of Douluo's later generations all condensed soul cores. Especially the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King Di Tian, who condensed Dual Complementary Yin-Yang soul cores, becoming the continent's undisputed strongest existence. Clearly, the soul core condensation method was applicable to both soul masters and soul beasts.
Perhaps this technique was originally created by soul beasts and later adopted by human soul masters?
However, while Da Ming successfully condensed a soul core, Er Ming failed.
Though condensing the first soul core wasn't difficult—once one's strength reached a certain level, it was straightforward—this younger brother's brain wasn't particularly sharp. As a brute-force musclehead, his mental and control abilities lagged far behind his physical strength.
Fortunately, Xiao Wu knew her dim-witted younger brother well and hadn't expected too much. His failure to condense a soul core within a short period was entirely within her expectations.
Xiao Wu didn't wait around either. Since Da Ming had already learned it, he could slowly teach Er Ming in the future.
---
Evening.
"I'm back~!"
Returning to Tian Dou City, Xiao Wu cheerfully announced as she entered the house.
Hearing the commotion outside, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, who were at home, quickly came forward to greet her.
However, the smiles on the two sisters' faces vanished the moment they saw Chu Chengzhou beside Xiao Wu.
"Xiao Wu, you've returned just in time. Let's discuss important matters together, the three of us!"
Glancing at Chu Chengzhou, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing pulled Xiao Wu aside, preparing to retreat to the backyard to discuss matters.
"Huh? Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, did you two not see me?"
Seeing the two girls ignoring him, Chu Chengzhou felt somewhat disheartened.
After so many days apart, shouldn't you sisters warmly pull me aside to ask how I've been? Why this reaction?
"Hmph, we'll deal with you later!"
Glowering fiercely at Chu Chengzhou, the two sisters didn't look back as they dragged the confused Xiao Wu into the backyard.
Chu Chengzhou: "…"
Seeing this, Chu Chengzhou fell into deep thought.
Could it be that he had inadvertently angered these two young ladies?
---
In the backyard.
"What's going on with you two?"
Xiao Wu asked Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing in confusion.
The two sisters exchanged glances, and Zhu Zhuqing said, "Rongrong, you explain!"
Nodding, Ning Rongrong retrieved the letter Hu Liena had sent to Chu Chengzhou but which they had intercepted.
"I've arrived in Tian Dou City. See you tomorrow night at Room 506 of the Tian Dou Grand Hotel. Love you, mwah mwah."
After reading the letter, Xiao Wu blinked, still confused.
"The scoundrel has someone else on the side—it's a vixen writing to him!"
Ning Rongrong huffed angrily.
"A vixen? Really or fake?"
Xiao Wu's eyes widened in disbelief.
After all, the three sisters had basically kept close tabs on Chu Chengzhou. How could a vixen sneak in under such tight surveillance?
"Is this fake? That night, Zhu Zhuqing and I went to verify it. The big scoundrel indeed has someone else on the side!"
"Who?!"
Xiao Wu narrowed her eyes.
---
The little rabbit's heart wasn't big enough to tolerate Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing sharing him. That was only possible thanks to their previous sisterhood. Otherwise, it would've been unthinkable. Now, suddenly, a Hu Liena appears—she absolutely wouldn't accept it!
"Hu Liena, the newly appointed Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall!"
"Hu Liena?"
At once, Xiao Wu froze.
How did Chu Chengzhou get involved with Hu Liena?
If she remembered correctly, the two had no prior interactions, aside from during the soul master tournament. How did they hook up?
"Absolutely unforgivable!"
However, the next second, Xiao Wu clenched her teeth in anger, her previously good mood completely evaporating.
After all, the Spirit Hall Pope Bibi Dong was her mother's murderer, and Hu Liena was Bibi Dong's disciple. How could Chu Chengzhou hook up with Hu Liena, that vixen?
No, he shouldn't hook up with anyone!
"Xiao Wu, you're the eldest among us three sisters. What should we do?"
Ning Rongrong said seriously.
Zhu Zhuqing, standing beside her, nodded solemnly. They were the second and third wives, respectively, and such major matters were decided by the first wife.
Ten minutes later.
In the main hall, Xiao Wu summoned Chu Chengzhou.
"It's not too late—is dinner ready?"
Entering the hall and seeing all three girls present, Chu Chengzhou smiled and asked.
Without expression, Xiao Wu glanced at Chu Chengzhou, then looked away, waving her hand to dismiss the servants. "You may leave. Close the door behind you!"
"Yes, Mistress!"
Click—
Soon, the door closed tightly, leaving only the three sisters and Chu Chengzhou in the brightly lit hall.
Seeing this, Chu Chengzhou had a bad feeling—this was the rhythm of a tribunal.
Bang—
Suddenly, Xiao Wu slammed the table in front of her and shouted at Chu Chengzhou, "Confess! Tell us what wrong you've done to us three sisters!"
"Xiao Wu, confession doesn't mean leniency!"
Ning Rongrong tugged at Xiao Wu and whispered.
Hearing this, Xiao Wu nodded slightly.
Indeed, even if Chu Chengzhou confessed, leniency was out of the question. Otherwise, he might escalate and push boundaries in the future.
"What are you talking about? Even arresting a criminal requires stating what crime they committed, right?"
Chu Chengzhou raised his right hand, confused.
Chu Chengzhou: I'm more wronged than Dou E!
"Hmph, open your eyes wide and look carefully!"
Snorting coldly, Xiao Wu took out the letter from her storage soul tool and flung it mercilessly at Chu Chengzhou's face.
Chu Chengzhou: "..."
Removing the letter from his face, Chu Chengzhou examined it.
Upon seeing the content and the familiar handwriting, Chu Chengzhou immediately felt a jolt of alarm.
Damn, he's been caught!
Chu Chengzhou: So I'm not wrongfully accused!
At this moment, Chu Chengzhou finally understood the surprise Hu Liena had mentioned back in Spirit City.
Unfortunately, something unexpected happened—the surprise turned into a scare.
Of course, if he could smoothly get through this situation, a wonderful happy life awaited him?
Bang—
"Confess! When did you get involved with that Hu Liena?!"
Slamming the table again, Xiao Wu scolded fiercely.
"Well..."
Chu Chengzhou hesitated, wanting to lie his way out. Unfortunately, he hadn't prepared beforehand and couldn't think of a good excuse.
"Fine, you refuse to talk? Then go live with that vixen! Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, let's pack up and leave this house!"
Saying this, Xiao Wu got up and pulled the two sisters, pretending to return to their rooms to pack and run away.
Of course, running away wasn't the goal—it was a tactic. Otherwise, wouldn't it benefit the vixen?
Seeing this, Chu Chengzhou shouted, "Stop—!"
Immediately, the three sisters turned to look at him.
"I'm sorry!"
Chu Chengzhou said shamelessly.
"Oh, rare sight! Even you, Master Chu, can be wrong? What's your mistake?"
"I shouldn't have pursued other women!"
"Will you repeat this mistake?"
"I won't!"
Seeing Chu Chengzhou's repentant expression, Xiao Wu nodded in satisfaction. "Good, then sever ties with that vixen!"
"Can I not sever ties?"
Chu Chengzhou said thick-skinnedly.
Break up with Little Fox? No way, absolutely not!
If it had been just a bit of mutual attraction and nothing physical had happened, then maybe he could sever ties.
But since he'd already taken her body, breaking up now would make him a total scoundrel!
"Impossible! I absolutely won't allow Hu Liena into this family!"
Hearing this, Xiao Wu immediately jumped up, her face serious and resolute.
The disciple of her mother's killer—how could she become her sister? Absolutely not!
"Why can't she?"
Chu Chengzhou asked.
"Hmph, that vixen is the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall. You yourself said the Spirit Hall opposes the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Have you considered Rongrong's position? And have you forgotten who killed my mother?"
As she spoke, Xiao Wu's eyes reddened, and tears threatened to fall.
Discussing how to lie after being caught red-handed.
"Don't cry, don't cry. Precisely because I thought of these things, I got involved with Hu Liena!"
Chu Chengzhou embraced Xiao Wu and softly justified... comforted her.
His words shocked Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu stared at him in astonishment.
What kind of shameless excuse was this?
"Cough cough, wait, listen to my excu... explanation!
The Spirit Hall's strength far exceeds what people imagine. Xiao Wu, Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, you probably don't know this yet—the Spirit Hall has over twenty, nearly thirty, Titled Douluos.
Among them, seven elder priests possess soul power levels of at least 96, and the leading elder priest, Qian Daoliu, is known as 'Invincible in the Sky'. His soul power level is 99, a peerless Douluo just half a step away from godhood.
Additionally, Pope Bibi Dong possesses twin martial souls and is one of the continent's strongest. She has a high probability of ascending to godhood at Level 100.
With the Spirit Hall's immense strength, I had to plan for the future!
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect opposes the Spirit Hall. What if they clash in the future?
Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone surely can't match the Spirit Hall's numerous titled elders. For the sect's survival, I had to get involved with Hu Liena.
Since Hu Liena is the Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden and future Pope, if Rongrong becomes her good sister, she probably won't harm the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect in the future, right?"
Clearing his throat, Chu Chengzhou spoke earnestly.
Ning Rongrong: "..."
So you're feeding yourself to the tiger?
For the sect's survival, as the sect's young lady, perhaps she couldn't outright reject him?
After all, this scoundrel wasn't exclusively hers. Going from one-third to one-fourth wasn't too big a difference, right?
Then, Chu Chengzhou privately transmitted a message to Xiao Wu: 'Xiao Wu, compared to revenge, resolving grudges is better.
I've told you before—if a soul master reaches Level 100 and ascends to godhood, they can revive the soul beasts whose soul rings they've harvested.
To my knowledge, Bibi Dong carries divine inheritance. Once she ascends to godhood, there's hope for our mother's revival!
But why would Bibi Dong help revive our mother without reason?
If you become good sisters with Hu Liena, with this relationship, I'm sure Bibi Dong won't refuse."
Chu Chengzhou didn't explicitly say it, but since no one in the world besides him knew Xiao Wu's identity as a transformed soul beast, that secret could remain hidden forever.
Hearing this, Xiao Wu fell silent. Could there still be a chance for her mother to be revived?
Her mother loved her so much. For her mother, as a little bunny, she could compromise.
Seeing that he had basically resolved the issue with a few words, Chu Chengzhou couldn't help but silently praise his own cleverness.
As for Zhu Zhuqing?
Seeing the big cat staring at him, Chu Chengzhou felt a bit stumped—he couldn't think of a good excuse.
After some thought, Chu Chengzhou took action. Using his illusion technique, Void Illusion Realm, he pulled the big cat's consciousness into the illusion.
"Zhu Zhuqing, let's forget those troubles and enjoy ourselves!"
Without giving the big cat a chance to refuse, Chu Chengzhou pulled her into the illusion and started having fun.
Initially, Zhu Zhuqing resisted, still angry, but soon, she became absorbed in it.
---
Early the next morning, a letter was delivered to the Tian Dou Spirit Holy Hall, into the hands of Holy Maiden Hu Liena.
In the letter, Chu Chengzhou first sincerely apologized.
After all, even using his toes to think, he could imagine the embarrassing scene when Hu Liena, eagerly awaiting her lover at the Tian Dou Grand Hotel, was instead met by Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
Of course, the letter was filled with the stench of corrupt love.
Finally, at the end of the letter, Chu Chengzhou stated that he had settled matters with Xiao Wu and the others and invited her to dinner to discuss creating a harmonious and happy future together.
"This little brat settled things so quickly?"
After reading the letter and learning that Chu Chengzhou had resolved matters with Xiao Wu and the others, Hu Liena raised an eyebrow, astonished.
Perhaps every excellent man excels at stabilizing their household affairs?
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