Chapter 36: Challenging the Titan Giant Ape as a Soul Venerable

Above the forest, two figures sped past.

"Xiao Wu! Xiao Wu!"

Tang San cried out with heart-wrenching desperation, completely oblivious to the other figure trailing behind him. The flight mushroom sausage provided by Oscar soon reached its limit. Eventually, the two landed one after the other.

Nian Yun did not approach Tang San but instead raised his right hand, the "Divine Tears of Furina" appearing in his palm. A sudden downpour descended, and Nian Yun concealed himself within the rain as he moved forward. Ahead of Tang San, a soul beast was moving rapidly toward him; the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the woods.

*Rustle.*

The rain released by his martial soul suppressed and obstructed Tang San’s senses and movements. Only when the soul beast stood directly before him did Tang San realize with shock how much his perception had dulled.

On the other side, guided by the water elements remaining on Xiao Wu, Nian Yun quickly reached the location a thousand miles away where she was staying.

"I should recover some soul power first. Let's just hope I don't get swatted to death in a moment."

By the time Xiao Wu was absorbing her soul ring and Tang San had fallen into a bitter struggle, Nian Yun acted.

"Tearfall."

Dark clouds gathered once more and drifted toward Xiao Wu. Sensing something unusual about the falling rain, the Titan Giant Ape turned its head to look at Xiao Wu, who was currently absorbing her soul ring.

"Roar—!"

Soon, the dark clouds enveloped the Titan Giant Ape, stopping just before they could reach Xiao Wu. The Titan Giant Ape looked up into the sky, where Nian Yun was suspended, treading upon the rain.

*Thump.*

With a heavy punch against the ground, the Titan Giant Ape leaped up with all its might, swinging its massive fist toward Nian Yun. Facing such a behemoth, Nian Yun did not dodge. Instead, he turned slightly, exposing the "Divine Tears of Furina" fully to his front.

"First soul skill: Invitation of the Solo Dance."

"Rain and Tear Domain, activate!"

"First soul skill: Jade Shield."

Invaded by the domain, the Titan Giant Ape’s strength was significantly weakened, dropping to the same rank as Nian Yun. Lacking its original force, the punch only sent Nian Yun flying without causing any harm. On the contrary—

"Second soul skill: Crag’s Judgment."

The rock elements on his body surged. With a wave of his hand, a massive pile of stones behind him followed his lead and took flight. Hovering in mid-air, he raised his left hand, and the rocks coalesced into a sphere.

"Heavenly Motion, crush them!"

The enormous stone sphere smashed down from the sky onto the Titan Giant Ape.

"Roar—!"

*Boom!*

The low roar of the Titan Giant Ape echoed through the dust.

*Rustle.*

Covered in wounds, the Titan Giant Ape leaped up again, desperate and reckless, determined to protect Xiao Wu behind it.

"In my domain, all below level one hundred shall kneel."

"Second soul skill: Lonely Heart Sand Dragon."

Behind Nian Yun, three blue, ethereal figures emerged.

*Puff.*

A sand-fist, larger than the Titan Giant Ape itself, struck out. Unable to parry, the battered Titan Giant Ape collapsed to the ground. Nian Yun stepped lightly through the air and arrived beside Xiao Wu.

"Roar—!"

"Quiet."

The three oceanic phantoms surrounded the Titan Giant Ape. Nian Yun slowly raised his hand, and the "Divine Tears of Furina" rained down blue droplets.

...

*Hoo.*

Those bright eyes slowly opened. Xiao Wu was just about to share her joy with Er Ming when she discovered he was surrounded by the three blue, shapeshifted creatures.

"You're awake?"

The sudden human voice made Xiao Wu tremble. Having assumed that the Spirit Hall had gathered men to hunt them, she breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Nian Yun, though it quickly turned to shock.

"Er... is the Titan Giant Ape... you..."

"It took quite a bit of effort. I'm just glad you're okay."

As he spoke, Nian Yun slowly retracted his martial soul and walked step by step toward the Titan Giant Ape. Seeing this, Xiao Wu breathed rapidly and stepped forward to block him. "Nian Yun, please, don't kill Er Ming."

Looking at the teary-eyed Xiao Wu, Nian Yun showed a puzzled expression. "Er Ming?"

"You said you also wanted to be friends with soul beasts, didn't you?"

"Is it your friend?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu nodded frantically. Nian Yun smiled without a word, stepped past Xiao Wu, and walked up to the Titan Giant Ape. The three ethereal figures quietly dissipated. He tossed the "Divine Tears of Furina" high into the air, and healing rain descended.

"You’ve seen what I can do. I hope you won't do anything foolish."

*Swish.*

A breeze blew away the dark clouds, revealing the light of the night sky.

*Step, step.*

The Titan Giant Ape felt its strength rapidly recovering, and the wounds on its body were healing quickly. It let out a low grunt and slowly stood up.

"Er Ming!"

Xiao Wu lunged forward excitedly and embraced the Titan Giant Ape tightly.

"Sorry about that, big guy."

Hearing the voice from behind, the girl and the beast slowly separated.

"Roar, roar."

"Er Ming knows you acted out of concern for me, and he really acknowledges your strength," Xiao Wu said with a smile, relaying the Titan Giant Ape's message.

"If I had known, I wouldn't have exposed my second martial soul. As long as you're okay. The teachers should be catching up soon; there isn't much time left for you to catch up." With that, Nian Yun walked silently into the distance.

System: "Mission complete, reward being issued."

"Nian Yun."

"Are you done?"

"Yes. Thank you, and I’m sorry you had to expose your second martial soul."

"As long as you're fine. Let's go, it's time to head back."

*Rustle.*

Just as Xiao Wu was dazed by Nian Yun's strength, a carrot appeared before her eyes. She had many things to say, but they were blocked by the carrot. Xiao Wu took the carrot with a smile and hopped along behind Nian Yun as they returned.

...

The sky had just cleared.

The rustling in the jungle immediately caught Zhao Wuji's attention.

"Teacher Zhao!"

Everyone looked over. Nian Yun walked out slowly, and behind him was Xiao Wu, hopping along with her bunny ears.

"Nian Yun, are you alright?" Ning Rongrong was overjoyed to see Nian Yun safe and sound. Zhu Zhuqing, following behind, was not as excited, but she also offered Nian Yun a smile.

"I'm fine. The Titan Giant Ape just accidentally took Xiao Wu away. When I arrived, I only found Xiao Wu, so I came to meet up with you all."

"Even Tang San couldn't catch up; how did you, a defense-type soul master, manage to?" Oscar asked, noticing the many tears in Nian Yun’s clothes.

"Why so many questions? Isn't it enough that we're back? By the way, how is Third Brother?" Xiao Wu suddenly interrupted Oscar’s questioning and leaned in to check on Tang San’s condition.

"That's right, isn't it enough that he's back? You're such a buzzkill." After rolling her eyes at Oscar, Ning Rongrong pulled Nian Yun aside to rest.

With that said, everyone except Dai Mubai stopped paying much attention.

At that moment, in the center of the forest:

"Roar— Barbatos!"

The Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape looked on in terror at the giant magic dragon that had suddenly appeared.

—

Heaven Dou City.

"Teacher."

Qin Ming’s pace was frantic. "We have received emergency instructions. A disturbance has occurred in the Star Dou Great Forest. The Imperial family has issued a notice to the entire nation: no one is allowed to approach the Star Dou Great Forest in the near future."

The seven of them looked at each other. Nian Yun sat at the head of the table, a faint smile sliding across his lips.