"I tried my best to stop him at the time, but he wouldn't listen. Relying on his Invincible Golden Body soul skill, he rushed out without hesitation. But I knew, even though that skill is powerful, it can only last… maybe not even ten seconds.
So, to keep his sacrifice from being in vain, I used everything I had to escape. While fleeing, I heard his scream… I could only push myself to run faster…"
Zhao Ling's expression was filled with sorrow, leaving both the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape momentarily stunned.
Although something about the story felt a little off, the fact that he could identify Xiao Wu's father and even knew about the Invincible Golden Body soul skill made the whole account seem quite credible.
Most importantly, as guardians of the Land of the Great Calamity, both the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape were well aware of its location — a place far more perilous than even the core region of the Star Dou Forest.
So when Zhao Ling mentioned the Land of the Great Calamity, they were already halfway convinced.
The beings sleeping in that place were on a whole different level — even these two spirit beasts paled in comparison.
After a brief silence, the Sky Azure Bull Python asked in a probing tone,"If that happened years ago, why didn't you go looking for Aunt Xiao Rou and Sister Xiao Wu right after escaping the Star Dou Forest? Why wait until now?"
"Why do you think?" Zhao Ling retorted with a question of his own, before answering plainly,"After nearly losing my life in the Land of the Great Calamity, do you think I would dare stay in the Star Dou Forest core region? That's when I realized how weak I truly was.
So I focused solely on reaching level 90. I hunted for spirit rings and broke through to Titled Douluo. Now that I've achieved that and have respectable combat strength, of course I'm here to fulfill my promise. Is there a problem with that?"
"…No, not at all." The Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape quickly shook their heads.
They found Zhao Ling's reasoning sound. When you're still a Spirit Douluo and run into a beast over 300,000 years old, it's like facing off against a level 97 or 98 Titled Douluo — possibly even more dangerous because of how overwhelmingly powerful spirit beasts are physically.
So Zhao Ling's choice to flee the Star Dou Forest and devote himself to training wasn't unreasonable at all. Now that he had grown strong, he'd returned to fulfill his promise. All in all, he didn't seem like a cold-hearted man.
At this point, the eyes of the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape no longer burned with hatred as they looked at Zhao Ling.
Just then, the Sky Azure Bull Python noticed a figure dashing over from the distance, holding a small rabbit in her arms. He nudged Zhao Ling with a reminder.
"Hey, human — that woman running toward us is Aunt Xiao Rou. The rabbit in her arms is Sister Xiao Wu."
Upon hearing that, Zhao Ling turned around. A stunning woman with waist-length pink hair was sprinting toward them, holding a small bunny tightly in her arms.
Unlike her appearance in the anime version, this beautiful woman's delicate face radiated warmth and maternal charm, though her beautiful eyes were filled with sorrow for reasons unknown.
She quickly reached the Titan Giant Ape's side, panting heavily as she addressed the two beast brothers with concern.
"Da Ming, Er Ming — are you two alright? I just sensed a terrifying Titled Douluo aura erupting from the core area and was worried something happened to you both, so I rushed over with Xiao Wu."
Even though both Xiao Rou and Xiao Wu had already learned of Zhao Ling's existence through the Diary Replica, Xiao Wu had repeatedly warned her mother on the way here: do not take the initiative to speak with Zhao Ling. They must pretend not to know him.
Xiao Rou had a hard time understanding this. After all, the diary was already written and handed directly to them — why should they pretend?
Xiao Wu, unable to reveal the contents of the diary, could only hint cryptically: Zhao Ling may be the author, but he wasn't the one who delivered the diary to them.
Though confused, Xiao Rou chose to trust her daughter.
After all, Xiao Wu had possessed the diary replica longer, and the diary even had a voice playback function — allowing her to fully understand its contents even if she couldn't read the human language.
Apparently, prior diary entries hinted that Zhao Ling might truly be unaware that both mother and daughter had a copy of the Zhao Ling Diary Replica.
The strongest evidence? The diary could grant 80 years of extended lifespan, slow aging by 10%, and improve one's cultivation aptitude by 10%.
And these bonuses applied not just to her — her precious daughter also received them.
Such incredible effects were far beyond the capabilities of any ordinary Titled Douluo. Even a Limit Douluo couldn't pull that off.
This meant whoever delivered the diary must either be a god — or something beyond even the gods.
So, unsure of who that being was, Xiao Rou chose to act as if she knew nothing about Zhao Ling, merely watching to see why this young man had come to find her and her daughter.
Upon hearing Xiao Rou's concerned voice, the Sky Azure Bull Python wore a goofy, humanlike grin and replied, "We're fine, Aunt Xiao Rou. Nothing major. My second brother got a little hot-headed and exchanged a blow with this human. Took a bit of damage, I think."
Xiao Rou immediately turned toward the Titan Giant Ape, who was now wincing in pain. She asked anxiously, "Er Ming, are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Xiao Wu leapt from her mother's arms and, in a graceful arc using her 100,000-year-old Soft Bone Rabbit agility, easily landed on Er Ming's broad shoulder.
"Er Ming, where are you hurt?"
The Titan Giant Ape raised his right fist and offered a bitter smile. "I overestimated myself and traded punches with this human. Now I can't feel my right hand at all…
But it's no big deal. Give it a few days, and I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."
Xiao Wu immediately jumped off his shoulder and kicked him lightly on the cheek with her rabbit foot, scolding, "That's what you get for having such a bad temper! Serves you right. Next time you act up again, Sister Xiao Wu will kick you again!"
Of course, her light kick didn't hurt the Titan Giant Ape, but Er Ming, clearly taking the scolding to heart, lowered his head in embarrassment.