Could it be that the writer of the diary harbored some twisted thoughts about her and her daughter?
At this thought, Xiao Rou couldn't help but shake her head. That couldn't be, right?
She was just a widow—what was there to covet about her? And her daughter hadn't even fully taken on human form yet. Who would be so deranged as to desire her?
She was definitely overthinking. It must be that the writer had foreseen her demise and didn't want to watch it happen without trying to help, nor could they bear to see her daughter become an orphan.
With this in mind, Xiao Rou quickened her pace, dashing toward the core area of the Star Dou Forest.
At that very moment, Zhao Ling's Cloud-Piercing Shuttle had already arrived above the shimmering lake at the center of the forest's core region.
The Titan Giant Ape stared at the massive vessel hovering above the lake, its gaze sharpening.
Large bubbles began rising continuously from the lake's surface, and before long, the water level started to swell.
Moments later, an enormous ox head burst from beneath the water. As more of its head and body emerged, water cascaded off its massive frame and splashed back into the lake.
Even though Da Ming and Er Ming had never seen human ships before, they could easily guess that this flying vessel carried powerful human cultivators.
After all, soul beasts rarely used tools—let alone manufactured such massive manned flying machines.
Rather than landing, the large ship released a figure from above: a man over 1.9 meters tall, with a robust physique, strikingly handsome features, and an almost magnetic charm.
He jumped directly in front of the Titan Giant Ape, and with a wave of his hand toward the ship, it vanished into thin air. Both the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Blue Bull Python immediately grew wary.
This strange human suddenly appearing before them, unafraid and treating them as though they were mere ants—completely beneath his notice—left the brothers feeling deeply insulted.
They were, after all, soul beasts whose age approached the hundred-thousand-year threshold, on par with Titled Douluo in the human world. And yet this man treated them as if they were nothing. Was he mad?
More importantly, he had dared to enter the core of the Ten-Thousand-Year Forest alone and still acted as if they didn't matter.
His confidence suggested strength beyond their understanding, so the two brothers didn't let their guard down.
Based on their past experiences, humans entering the core region were always up to no good—usually here to hunt for soul rings or soul bones.
This man was likely no exception. Though they sensed his power might be extraordinary, Da Ming and Er Ming had no intention of giving up without a fight.
In their view, even if they couldn't defeat him, if he dared to threaten their lives, they would do their utmost to at least knock out one of his teeth.
Just as they debated whether to strike first, they saw the man looking them up and down with curiosity.
"A bull-headed serpent, and a giant ape—looks like you two are the legendary Sky Blue Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape. Hmm, you do look pretty formidable."
"???" The two soul beasts were utterly dumbfounded.
What was this guy saying? Why did it feel like he didn't harbor any hostility at all, even chatting like they were old friends?
"Y-You human, don't act like nothing's going on! Just tell us why you came to the Core of Star Dou Forest to find us!" Er Ming glared with his massive eyes, full of suspicion. They'd heard that some humans could look harmless but be incredibly cunning.
"That's right! Don't try to deceive us with your harmless appearance—we're not falling for it!" Da Ming added sternly, keeping his muscles tense, ready to strike at any moment.
"Heh, come on, you two little brothers. Why be so on edge? I have no ill intentions toward you. If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't be standing right now."
Zhao Ling's lips curled into a faint smile. Right in front of Da Ming and Er Ming, he released his martial soul: the Nether Demon-Suppressing Tower.
One purple, five black, and three red soul rings—nine in total—appeared around him. The terrifying pressure forced Da Ming and Er Ming to involuntarily back away several meters.
As his aura radiated in all directions, the force of it stirred up gales, whipping across the lake and raising waves that surged outward.
Sensing Zhao Ling's overwhelming power, countless soul beasts ranging from fifty to ninety thousand years in age fled in terror toward the forest's outer regions.
They didn't know exactly what was happening in the core area, but the sudden appearance of such a terrifying aura could only mean danger.
Their only instinct was to run—as far as possible—before they got caught up in the chaos.
Meanwhile, Xiao Rou and Xiao Wu felt the immense pressure and were filled with dread. They immediately increased their speed.
They had to reach the core quickly—otherwise, Da Ming and Er Ming might not survive…
Back at the lake, Da Ming and Er Ming's pupils contracted sharply when they saw Zhao Ling's monstrous soul ring configuration.
This man had three red hundred-thousand-year soul rings. That meant he had slain at least three soul beasts of that level.
Their eyes filled with both fear and hatred as they looked at Zhao Ling.
"You vile human! You've actually killed three hundred-thousand-year soul beasts? We'll fight you with everything we've got!"
Er Ming, the more hot-tempered of the two, let out a furious roar. His aura surged, but it was still far inferior to Zhao Ling's.
Enraged, he lunged at Zhao Ling, his massive fist—larger than Zhao Ling's entire body—swinging down.
Zhao Ling casually shrugged, not even bothering to activate any soul skills. Instead, he retracted his martial soul and simply raised a hand to meet Er Ming's incoming punch.
A huge and small fist collided with a deafening thud.
Zhao Ling barely flinched—though half his body sank into the ground—but Er Ming, caught by the recoil, was sent flying back dozens of meters, tumbling along the ground before finally coming to a stop.
He stared in shock. His right fist had gone completely numb.
Da Ming's eyes widened in disbelief. He and his brother were born as powerful soul beasts known for their immense strength.
Even among human cultivators, not many from the famed Clear Sky Clan—renowned for its strength-focused martial souls—could compete with them purely in physical power.
Yet this man, without using soul skills or even activating his martial soul, had repelled Er Ming in a straight-up clash of fists and left him numb.
Just how terrifying was his strength?