Chapter 43: Zi Ji's Public Humiliation

Meng Shu charged into the darkness, but soon, there was no sound from him.

The forest's darkness was like a monstrous abyss—silent and unfathomable. Anyone who stepped in would vanish without a trace, swallowed whole.

Snake Granny Chaotian Xiang instantly panicked. She had stayed behind to protect Dan Heng and his group, but now her husband and granddaughter had both disappeared?

"Young friend Dan Heng, stay here and do not move. I will return shortly!"

Summoning her Serpent Staff Martial Soul, six soul rings rose beneath her feet. Believing herself well-prepared, Snake Granny swiftly rushed into the darkness.

As she ran, she called out anxiously, "Old man… Yiran…"

Zhu Zhuqing grew tense at the sight and turned to Dan Heng.

The Dragon Serpent couple, especially, Meng Shu, was an undisputed Soul Douluo.

Yet now, after stepping into the darkness, even he had vanished without a trace. This could only mean one thing—the opponent was at least as strong as a Title Douluo, perhaps even stronger.

She couldn't help but suspect the Star Luo Imperial Family's involvement.

After all, the Star Luo Imperial Family had an ancestor who was a Title Douluo!

If they were responsible, would she be taken away from her teacher's side?

Uneasy, Zhu Zhuqing instinctively moved closer to Dan Heng.

Dan Heng cast a glance into the darkness, his brow raising slightly.

Though they were in the forest, this area had a steep slope, and the direction where Meng Yiran had disappeared led into a "lowland." From his position, he couldn't see anything clearly.

But he could sense it—that familiar aura…

A hundred-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape!

Why was it here?

Did it have some past grievance with the Dragon Serpent couple?

Though Dan Heng disliked unnecessary trouble, he had a good impression of this elderly couple.

They had even left Snake Granny behind to protect him—though it was more likely for Zhu Zhuqing's sake, as she was a young genius.

"Zhuqing, return to the carriage. I'll go take a look."

Dan Heng instructed.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded immediately, preparing to leave.

"Take this roasted meat with you…" Dan Heng handed her the freshly grilled rabbit meat.

Inside the Carriage

As Zhu Zhuqing lifted the curtain, she was met with an unexpected sight—Purple Pearl's face full of terror.

She was tilting her head back, mouth wide open, stuffed with roasted meat. Half of it was still sticking out, steam rising from it.

She flailed her arms helplessly, like a small bird trapped in a spider's web.

Gu Yuena clapped her hands lightly, then noticed the fresh piece of roasted meat in Zhu Zhuqing's hands. She smiled sweetly.

"This was grilled by my husband, wasn't it?"

Zhu Zhuqing blinked, then quickly realized what she meant. She handed the roasted meat to Gu Yuena.

"Yes."

She then glanced toward Zi Ji, finding it hard to believe that such a gentle and beautiful teacher's wife would punish Zi Ji in this manner.

Gu Yuena took small, delicate bites of the roasted meat and spoke softly:

"Zi Ji, go check on my husband. Make sure he doesn't run into danger."

Zi Ji, her face smeared with grease, swallowed the food hastily and nodded frantically before dashing out of the carriage.

If she stayed a moment longer, she feared she might be tortured to death by her mistress!

She needed to be much more careful in the future—never again could she steal from her mistress's plate!

Damn that old pervert for not warning her sooner!

But now that she understood the issue, she would never make the same mistake again!

As Zhu Zhuqing watched Zi Ji's hurried departure, she suddenly heard Gu Yuena let out a quiet cough.

Turning her head, she saw that the roasted meat in Gu Yuena's hand had a fresh stain of crimson blood.

"Teacher's wife!" Zhu Zhuqing's expression changed.

Gu Yuena was silent for a moment, then forced a smile. "It's nothing. Don't tell your teacher."

Zhu Zhuqing hesitated but eventually nodded, though her gaze remained filled with concern.

In the Darkness

The surrounding trees had collapsed.

The Titan Giant Ape was holding a small figure in its massive hand—Snake Granny Chaotianxiang. It gently placed her against a tree trunk before picking up a vine and binding her securely.

Beside her, Meng Shu and Meng Yiran were also tied up.

Though the vines weren't particularly strong and Meng Shu could break free easily, he didn't dare.

Because standing before them was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast—the Titan Giant Ape!

One of the rulers of the Star Dou Forest!

The fact that it hadn't killed them yet might mean it was merely toying with them. He had no idea what was going through its mind, but compliance was the only option.

If he displeased the Titan Giant Ape, their fate would be sealed—death.

He shot Chaotianxiang a glance, and as an experienced elder, she wisely remained silent, allowing the Titan Giant Ape to tie her up without resistance.

In the darkness, the three of them sat bound together.

Meng Yiran bit her lip, on the verge of panic.

This was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast!

Who knew if it might suddenly go berserk and slaughter them?

If that happened, they were doomed!

"What terrible luck… I hope young friend Dan Heng doesn't come over… Maybe this Titan Giant Ape will leave after a while?" Grand Dragon Meng Shu thought helplessly, watching the Titan Giant Ape's massive form.

It seemed to be staring at something—in the direction of their carriage.

Grand Dragon Meng Shu immediately tensed up.

Not only was he worried about Dan Heng, but he also feared that if Dan Heng acted recklessly and angered the Titan Giant Ape, everyone here would die!

"!!!"

As the three captives watched in horror, Dan Heng's figure emerged from the distant darkness.

Holding a book in his hands, he walked forward at an unhurried pace. He should have already seen the Titan Giant Ape, yet he showed no intention of turning back.

The Titan Giant Ape noticed Dan Heng's approach as well. Its lantern-like eyes locked onto him.

Dan Heng kept walking, his gaze calm as he looked up at the Titan Giant Ape, which was exuding hostility. His brow arched slightly.

Although he had once struck it with a Water Azure Dragon attack, the Titan Giant Ape shouldn't have been able to trace it back to him.

But now, it was unmistakably targeting him.

Yes, Dan Heng could already tell—the Dragon Serpent pair had been caught in this mess because of him.

This reminded him of his past escape, when those starships had been destroyed due to Blade's wrath.

Letting out a quiet sigh, he stepped forward until he was face-to-face with the Titan Giant Ape.

The Titan Giant Ape widened its eyes, glaring at Dan Heng, attempting to exert an overwhelming sense of pressure upon him.

Dan Heng merely looked up at it, his expression unshaken.

"You are a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, ruler of this forest. Why have you come here to trouble us?" Dan Heng asked.

"???"

At this late hour, facing such a colossal creature, Dan Heng remained composed and even questioned it.

The sight left Meng Shu and the others utterly stunned.

But then, Meng Shu realized—hundred-thousand-year soul beasts had human-like intelligence and were fully capable of conversation.

Yet, out of fear, he had subconsciously forgotten that fact.

Now, comparing himself to Dan Heng, he felt deeply ashamed!

The Titan Giant Ape bared its fangs, sneering coldly. "Because I damn well feel like it!"

Its gaze turned piercing as it spoke slowly, "I have an elder sister—she is of noble dragon lineage—but she was bullied by a disgusting insect. That insect has no real power…"

"But that insect relied on the strength of an adult and tormented my dragon sister in every possible way!"

"I want to see just what you insects are truly capable of!"

The Titan Giant Ape lowered its head, observing Dan Heng closely.

"What is your sister's name?" Dan Heng asked.

(End of Chapter)