Chapter 32: King of the Forest - Titan Giant Ape (Part 3)

The Star Dou Forest was shrouded in an eerie atmosphere.

Chen Xiaoming took a deep breath, steadying his wounded heart. His expression grew serious as he lifted his head, locking eyes once again with the Titan Giant Ape's massive gaze.

"Big guy, don't blame me. If you want to blame someone, blame Xiao Wu for starting this whole public display of affection."

Soul power surged, an overwhelming force erupting from Chen Xiaoming's body. One after another, crimson Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings flickered with a blood-colored glow, and an astonishing pressure radiated outward from him.

"All of you, fall back! Don't get in my way."

With a furious shout toward the group still lost in their emotional exchanges, Chen Xiaoming stomped his foot. The ground trembled slightly as a red aura flickered and disappeared. Around him, his third soul ring shone with dazzling brilliance.

Fighting against the King of the Forest, the Titan Giant Ape, meant that Chen Xiaoming couldn't afford to protect everyone.

"Third Soul Skill—Entanglement!"

Thick vines burst from the ground beneath Chen Xiaoming's feet, rushing toward the Titan Giant Ape. They surged wildly, twisting like azure serpents, rapidly coiling around its four limbs.

Seeing Chen Xiaoming make his move, Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others didn't hesitate. They immediately embraced their loved ones and retreated.

Fatty Ma Hongjun, feeling particularly resentful, withdrew with Ning Rongrong and Oscar in tow.

This was a battle at the Titled Douluo level. Staying behind would only be a burden—none of them were foolish enough to do so.

"ROAR!"

The moment Xiao Wu was taken away, a trace of ferocity flashed through the Titan Giant Ape's eyes. More importantly, with Chen Xiaoming displaying the power of a Titled Douluo, the beast instantly recognized Xiao Wu's true identity.

At this moment, the Titan Giant Ape could no longer maintain its earlier composure. Soul power, as vast as a boundless ocean, surged violently within its body.

With an earth-shaking roar, a wave of black energy erupted from the Titan Giant Ape, surging toward Dai Mubai and the others. Simultaneously, the vines entwining its body stretched taut under the immense strain.

Struggling against the bindings, the Titan Giant Ape planted its powerful arms firmly into the ground, its body leaning forward as it pulled with all its might. Soul power condensed, its savage face contorted into a snarl as its massive maw unleashed another furious roar.

"Hmph!"

With a cold snort, a powerful soul force wave radiated from Chen Xiaoming, meeting the incoming black energy head-on.

The Titan Giant Ape had come at the perfect time. Chen Xiaoming had always been curious—how did the strength of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast compare to that of a Limit Douluo?

"Boom! Boom! Boom…!"

A series of explosive cracks rang out. Shrouded in a black energy storm, the Titan Giant Ape's muscular arms strained as it struggled fiercely. Bound by the vines, its legs kicked and twisted, soul power erupting in bursts.

Under its relentless struggle, the ground cracked apart, its legs sinking slightly into the earth.

Chen Xiaoming observed the scene. The vines entangling the Titan Giant Ape's legs had already begun to snap, and it was only a matter of time before they were completely destroyed.

"Boom!"

With another thunderous crash, the Titan Giant Ape's left leg finally tore free of its bindings. The beast shuddered, then planted its freed leg firmly onto the ground.

"ROAR!"

Using the force of its left leg, it completely shattered the remaining vines. Wasting no time, it lunged toward Chen Xiaoming, its colossal body leaping into the air. Two fists, each larger than a sledgehammer by several times, came crashing down toward him.

With terrifying strength and speed, the Titan Giant Ape executed a Mountain-Crushing Slam. Even before the attack landed, the air between them compressed sharply, an immense pressure bearing down on Chen Xiaoming.

Chen Xiaoming tilted his head slightly upward, meeting the Titan Giant Ape's massive form. Finally activating his long-unused second soul ring, crimson light flared as the power of his Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring surged into the ground beneath him. A red glow flashed, and from below, countless slender branches burst forth, swiftly encasing his figure.

"Second Soul Skill—Tree Shadow."

A soft whisper escaped from within the tightly woven branches as the Titan Giant Ape's devastating attack descended.

"BOOM!"

With a thunderous crash, a pair of massive fists slammed into the ground. The enormous figure descended with overwhelming force, its fists infused with terrifying power and surging soul energy. The entangling branches that had ensnared it were instantly pulverized into a pulp beneath its strike.

The earth cracked apart as deep fissures spread out in all directions, extending for hundreds of meters. In the next moment, the entire ground collapsed inward, unleashing a devastating shockwave of soul energy that radiated outward, forming a dark, violent gust far more powerful than before.

Dust filled the air. The spot where Chen Xiaoming had stood moments ago was now a massive crater, smashed open by the sheer force of the blow.

Despite landing a direct hit, the Titan Giant Ape did not relax. Its lantern-sized eyes swept across the surroundings, scanning carefully as if searching for something.

Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others, who had managed to escape just in time, felt the terrifying energy surge behind them. They took cover behind the towering trees, shielding themselves from the residual shockwave. Fortunately, they had reacted quickly enough—the force that reached them had weakened considerably, sparing them from significant harm.

After consuming a few of Oscar's Recovery Sausages, they felt much better.

"I wonder how Teacher Chen is doing... Can he really take on the Titan Giant Ape?"

Oscar, still unsure of Chen Xiaoming's true strength, handed a sausage to Tang San, his expression filled with concern.

"Don't worry. Even if he can't win, without us holding him back, Teacher Chen is a Titled Douluo—he can escape if he needs to."

Even the aftershock alone had left them slightly injured, a stark reminder of the overwhelming power of true experts. As Tang San swallowed the sausage, he couldn't help but recall Chen Xiaoming's words—

This world still belongs to the strong.

Meanwhile, back on the battlefield—

The Titan Giant Ape was still searching. That punch earlier... something felt off. The sensation wasn't the usual one of flesh and bone being crushed—it was more like smashing through wood.

Tap... Tap... Tap...

Soft footsteps echoed through the clearing.

Chen Xiaoming emerged unscathed from a distance, his expression calm. Aside from a light dusting of dirt, even the hem of his robes remained untouched.

"Looking for me, big guy?"

He chuckled as he gazed at the beast. His second soul skill—Tree Shadow—allowed him to leave behind an illusion at his original location while his true body teleported elsewhere.

It reminded him of a technique from an anime he had once watched—a certain Substitution Jutsu.

The only limitation? There had to be trees nearby.

The Titan Giant Ape's massive eyes locked onto Chen Xiaoming once more. This time, there was no surprise—only a growing sense of solemnity.

Its already pitch-black face darkened further, its expression turning grim.

Sensing the change in atmosphere, Chen Xiaoming subtly adjusted his stance, his soul power beginning to stir as he grew more serious.

Boom!

With a thunderous stomp, the Titan Giant Ape launched itself forward like a cannonball, tearing through the air in an instant.

It roared furiously, sending out a terrifying shockwave as fierce winds howled through the battlefield.

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