Looking at the two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, Ye Renxin couldn't muster even a shred of resistance. In fact, he was already contemplating how he could die without looking too pathetic.
At the same time, his heart was filled with regret…
Why had he brought his granddaughter to the core region of the Great Star Dou Forest?
Now it was all for nothing. He hadn't obtained the external soul bone, and he was about to die in the Great Star Dou Forest.
It wasn't until he heard Ye Lingling's excited words that he hesitantly asked, "Lingling, what do you want Grandpa to look at…?"
"It's Chengfeng! Chengfeng is back!"
Ye Lingling pointed excitedly toward the distance, her voice brimming with unrestrained joy.
"Chengfeng?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Renxin instinctively followed the direction his granddaughter was pointing.
"What?"
In an instant, Ye Renxin's pupils contracted slightly, his eyes filled with shock.
Amidst the endless darkness of the Great Star Dou Forest, a colossal black ape, its form as towering as a mountain, had already arrived not far from them at lightning speed.
With every step it took, the ground trembled as if struck by a small earthquake.
And atop the ape's broad shoulders stood a tall youth, his long hair billowing in the wind, his robes snapping loudly, surrounded by golden innate origin metal qi…
Who else could it be but Dai Chengfeng, who had gone missing for a day?
"Could it really be… His Highness, the Fourth Prince?"
Ye Renxin's jaw dropped in astonishment, his mind swirling with uncertainty. "His Highness, the Fourth Prince, actually standing on the shoulder of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?!"
Ye Renxin couldn't comprehend how this Prince Dai Chengfeng had managed such a feat.
After all, this was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast—an existence equivalent to a human Title Douluo, and far beyond any ordinary Title Douluo!
Ye Renxin rubbed his eyes hard, making sure he wasn't mistaken. "Is this… a bit too exaggerated?"
By this time, the Azure Sky Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape had already arrived at the campsite.
"So these are the humans you mentioned who were traveling with you?"
Er Ming stopped, turned his head slightly, and looked at Dai Chengfeng, asking.
"Yes."
Dai Chengfeng nodded.
"Human, don't resist. Don't blame me if you get hurt."
As he spoke, Er Ming casually waved his massive hand, his thick fingers gently scooping up Zhu Fan, Ye Renxin, and Ye Lingling, placing them on his shoulder.
Then, with a single leap, he continued racing toward the outer regions of the Great Star Dou Forest.
"Chengfeng, Uncle knew you'd return safely!"
Zhu Fan, who had been too overwhelmed to speak earlier, tightly embraced Dai Chengfeng the moment he landed on the Titan Giant Ape's shoulder.
Thud, thud!
Zhu Fan patted Dai Chengfeng's back forcefully, his voice brimming with uncontainable joy and relief.
"Mm, I'm back."
A faint smile appeared on Dai Chengfeng's face as he looked at Zhu Fan, whose eyes were slightly red, warmth flooding his heart. "I made Uncle worry."
"No, it's all my fault. Uncle is useless."
Zhu Fan pressed his lips together, guilt written all over his face. "If only Uncle were stronger, strong enough to defeat the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, you wouldn't have had to take such risks."
"I'm sorry, Chengfeng. It's Uncle's fault."
"Uncle, it's not your fault. After all, no one could have predicted this."
Dai Chengfeng softly consoled the guilt-ridden Zhu Fan.
At the same time, he took a deep breath…
Stronger, huh?
It seemed that the refinement of the Great Restoration Pill needed to be prioritized, and the matter of immortal grass must be resolved soon, followed by seclusion.
Only by becoming stronger could he protect those around him and stop them from worrying about him.
At this moment, Ye Renxin could no longer contain his curiosity. "Chengfeng, how did you…"
He cautiously glanced at the towering Da Ming and Er Ming beside him, lowering his voice. "How did you end up on the shoulder of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast? Could it be that you know them?"
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Dai Chengfeng's lips. "We just met recently."
Then, his expression turned serious as he continued, "But that's a long story. Let's talk about it after we return."
"For now, we need to leave the Great Star Dou Forest as quickly as possible. That Dark Demon Evil God Tiger hasn't given up yet."
Hearing this, Ye Renxin's heart instantly tightened at the thought of the terrifying Dark Demon Evil God Tiger.
He quickly nodded, refraining from asking further questions.
But his inner amazement remained…
After all, these were hundred-thousand-year soul beasts—ordinary people would flee at the sight of them, yet Dai Chengfeng was traveling alongside them.
Even more frightening was that, from their earlier conversation, there was no sign of Dai Chengfeng being threatened—he was speaking to them as equals.
This was simply… unbelievable!
Meanwhile, Ye Lingling remained silent the entire time, quietly standing by and watching Dai Chengfeng.
But upon closer inspection, she seemed to exhale deeply, her brows and eyes radiating happiness.
About an hour later
Finally, the endless expanse of forest came into view at its edge.
Gazing at the brightly lit city in the distance, "No wonder they're hundred-thousand-year soul beasts—their speed truly surpasses ours."
At this moment, Ye Renxin reflected on their journey through the Great Star Dou Forest, feeling as though it had all been a surreal dream.
By this time, Da Ming and Er Ming, having reached the edge of the Great Star Dou Forest, stopped. Er Ming slowly lowered Dai Chengfeng and the other three humans to the ground.
"Humans, we've arrived. Remember your promise!"
Er Ming's voice boomed like a bell, echoing through the air.
Dai Chengfeng nodded, smiling. "Don't worry. I always keep my promises."
Pausing briefly, he added, "If you want to find Xiao Wu, go to Tiandou Empire's Nuoding City… But there's a very powerful Title Douluo there, so be careful."
With that—
Dai Chengfeng turned to Zhu Fan, Ye Renxin, and Ye Lingling. "Let's keep moving. The farther we get from the Great Star Dou Forest today, the better!"
"Mm!" the three replied in unison.
Soon, the four figures disappeared into the distance.
Watching Dai Chengfeng's retreating back, "Tiandou Empire, Nuoding City…"
"Big Brother, do you think that human was lying to us?"
Er Ming scratched his head, his tone uncertain.
Da Ming shook his head slightly, his vertical pupils narrowing. "No, I could tell from his gaze when he spoke that he didn't flinch or hesitate."
"Unless he's a habitual liar, he was probably telling the truth."
"In that case, this human is quite interesting." Er Ming grinned.
"Interesting?"
"Yeah. He's just a mere human Soul Grandmaster—someone we could crush with a flick of our hands."
"But in the end, he wasn't afraid of us. This is the first time I've seen something like this."
"After all, most humans—even those so-called Soul Douluo—tremble in fear when they see us!"
Er Ming chuckled, his face full of fascination.
Upon hearing this, Da Ming nodded slightly, his tone filled with admiration: "Yes!"
"This human is truly… special!"
"I have a feeling his future will far exceed our imagination!"
As he spoke, Da Ming's expression suddenly turned solemn. Turning his head toward the depths of the forest, he said, "You go back. I promised him I'd stay until dawn."
---
A/N: Some comments mentioned whether external soul bones increase soul power. There are differing opinions, and some readers don't care either way.
Since Tang San and Huo Yuhao didn't gain increased soul power, I've chosen to follow that rule. However, soul bones from parts of the body that can't grow naturally would indeed increase soul power.
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