Chapter 45: Star Luo City

"Boom!!!"

In a certain part of the Star Dou Forest, a black dragon flying at low altitude released the Titan Giant Ape from its mouth. The massive beast crashed to the ground, toppling numerous trees in its wake.

The Titan Giant Ape rubbed its rear as it got up from the ground, looking up at the black dragon in confusion.

"Big Sister Zi Ji, why did you do that?"

The black dragon emanated a dark glow in midair and reverted to human form.

Hearing this question only fueled her anger further. She floated in front of the Titan Giant Ape's eyes, pointing at its ear as she scolded,

"What did I tell you?! You must never reveal our soul beast identity in front of that old pervert!"

"Yet you nearly exposed our master! Do you realize how angry she would be?!"

"If our master gets mad, neither of us will get away unscathed!"

Zi Ji was fuming.

She thought to herself: Even if you're in the Star Dou Forest, our master might not be too harsh on you. But I have to follow him everywhere! That would be a death sentence for me!

The Titan Giant Ape nodded, finally realizing the problem. It scratched its large dark face.

"I see…"

Zi Ji was still furious. "And who told you to come here?! If that old pervert noticed something was off, we would be doomed! You—"

She raised her hand, and a black dragon phantom appeared behind her. She was ready to teach the Titan Giant Ape a harsh lesson.

Turning into her original form and flying away with the Titan Giant Ape—there was no way their master wouldn't find out! Who knew what kind of punishment awaited her upon their return?!

"I… I was standing up for you, Big Sister Zi Ji…" the Titan Giant Ape admitted honestly.

Zi Ji's raised hand froze midair upon hearing this.

That's right. The Titan Giant Ape truly treated her as an elder sister and had come all this way just to defend her. Could she really repay that kindness with punishment?

"W-Well… You still shouldn't have said so much…"

Zi Ji's face turned slightly red. If that old pervert discovered that the "Dragon Sister" the Titan Giant Ape mentioned was actually her, who knew what kind of punishment she would face?!

What if he made her lick his toes…? It wouldn't be dirty or anything, but her dragon pride…!

The Titan Giant Ape continued indignantly,

"But everything I said was true! That bastard treated you so terribly, Big Sister Zi Ji! I can't accept it! Even if I can't win, I have to fight! It's too outrageous! He must be avenged!"

The Titan Giant Ape was filled with righteous fury. His newly acknowledged big sister, Zi Ji, was a noble dragon.

Even his own brother, Da Ming, merely had Azure Dragon bloodline.

Yet Zi Ji was a pureblood true dragon on the same level as an Azure Dragon! As a soul beast, he held immense admiration for her, as dragons were the supreme rulers of all beasts.

And now, a weak human had bullied his Big Sister Zi Ji? How could he tolerate that?!

Zi Ji's expression became awkward. She stammered, wanting to clarify the misunderstanding, but she didn't want to ruin her image in the Titan Giant Ape's eyes.

She couldn't possibly say that everything she had claimed was just her imagination, right?

"Ugh! So annoying!!!"

Back at the campsite, the bonfire was still burning. After adding some firewood, it glowed brightly once more.

The Dragon Serpent couple and their daughter all felt a sense of having survived a disaster.

At the same time, they were left in stunned silence, overwhelmed by the absurdity of the situation.

On the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest, they had actually encountered a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast. And the reason for its appearance?

Utterly ridiculous.

Just as they had lost all hope, a dragon-type soul beast even stronger than the Titan Giant Ape had appeared.

The entire encounter was simply too bizarre.

"Young friend Dan Heng, thank you. As they say, true friendship is forged in adversity. I, Meng Shu, acknowledge you as a friend! From this day forward, if you ever encounter trouble, you may come to the Meng family for assistance!"

Meng Shu, stepped forward and grasped Dan Heng's hand earnestly.

Madam Snake and Meng Yiran also gazed at Dan Heng with warmth and familiarity in their eyes.

Dan Heng's unwavering stance before a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast had completely earned their respect and friendship.

"It was my duty," Dan Heng replied, shaking his head.

Though he wasn't entirely sure, it was highly likely that the Titan Giant Ape's arrival had nothing to do with the Dragon Serpent family—they were just unfortunate bystanders.

"I feel ashamed. I actually wanted to take your wife away just now…"

Meng Shu chuckled awkwardly and pulled Dan Heng to sit down with him. Their roasted meat was still unfinished.

He once again praised Dan Heng's disciples and even invited him to the Meng family—not as a recruit, but as an honored guest.

Dan Heng politely declined. This time, Meng Shu did not insist.

He truly saw Dan Heng as a friend now—a bond forged through life and death.

At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing stepped out of her carriage. Upon seeing Dan Heng safe and sound, she silently retreated back inside.

"Young friend Dan Heng, you are truly fortunate. May I ask where you are headed?" Meng Shu inquired with warmth and curiosity.

"To Star Luo City," Dan Heng replied.

"A long journey. Young friend Dan Heng, why don't we travel together? Coincidentally, I have a friend there whom I haven't seen in ages."

Meng Shu sighed.

His true intention was to provide protection, as he had noticed Dan Heng's group lacked powerful guards.

Dan Heng wanted to refuse, but since they weren't explicitly offering protection, he had no reason to reject their company.

"Yiran, pour Dan Heng a drink to warm him up," Meng Shu said cheerfully.

Meng Yiran pursed her lips, a shy smile on her face. With a fragrant breeze, she approached Dan Heng, pouring him a cup of wine. As she looked at him, she said,

"Dan Heng-ge, I finally understand… Compared to soul power, what truly matters in a man is courage."

"This first cup, I toast to you!"

Meng Yiran lifted her head and drank the entire cup in one go.

Meng Shu smiled faintly. He was now more than happy to see his granddaughter and Dan Heng form a bond.

After all, Meng Yiran would be the one supporting the Meng family in the future. Instead of finding a powerful yet unpredictable soul master, it would be far better to have someone like Dan Heng, whose character was steadfast and reliable.

Just then, a cold wind blew through.

Meng Yiran was about to say more when she suddenly sneezed.

"Huh? Why is it getting colder?" Meng Shu frowned, slightly worried. Hopefully, another hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast wasn't coming!

Dan Heng sensed a wave of resentment and softly said,

"The night is chilly. My wife has a frail constitution—I must go check on her."

Revealing his marital status, he stood up and left.

Meng Shu and the others all showed expressions of disappointment.

What a shame!

Back in the carriage, it was spacious inside. With thick carpets covering the floor, it could comfortably fit four people lying down, keeping them warm through the night.

As soon as Dan Heng entered, his eyes immediately went to Gu Yuena.

Her face was slightly pale, looking weak and fragile.

The moment he sat down, Gu Yuena burrowed into his arms without a word.

This was completely different from her usual self.

Dan Heng touched her wrist, frowning slightly.

Her condition was worsening.

Previously, she had barely been maintaining balance in her injuries, but now, her body was rapidly deteriorating.