Looking at the scene before him, Tang San felt his brain go numb.
He, Tang San, could be considered a man who had seen the world, having met several Titled Douluo, but now that Xiao Wu had suddenly sprung such a massive "surprise" on him, he truly didn't know what to say.
The truth of the world was simply too dramatic.
He was currently in the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest, standing by the edge of a lake surrounded by towering ancient trees. These trees reached straight into the clouds, creating a secluded and mysterious atmosphere for the lake.
The surface of the lake was as smooth as a mirror, and the pale green water resembled a massive emerald gemstone, shimmering with a soft glow. A faint mist hung over the water, and the humid air carried the unique fragrance of plants, giving one a sense of freshness and nature.
Through the instinct of his Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul, Tang San sensed the vibrant vitality surrounding the lake. The life force here was at least several times stronger than in the outside world. Moreover, natural elements of various attributes were active here, as if all the living creatures of the Star Dou Great Forest had been nurtured from this very place, filled with the profound truths of heaven and earth.
And the name of this lake was exactly as Tang San had sensed: the Lake of Life.
If it were just this, Tang San would only be overjoyed, for he had found an excellent place for cultivation. With the help of this treasure land, and relying on the abilities of his Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul, Tang San was confident he could maintain his previous leveling speed. But looking at the two behemoths by the side of the Lake of Life, Tang San really couldn't focus his attention entirely on this paradise.
Seeing Tang San's somewhat dazed expression, one "brother" became rather displeased and let out a heaven-shaking roar.
"Roar—"
"."
(What? Kid, do you have some kind of problem with us being a trio of siblings?!!)
With that roar, the mountains and rivers trembled, the lake surged, and the birds and beasts in the forest scattered, all fleeing the area as if they had sensed a natural disaster approaching.
This big brother, whose roar could change the color of the mountains and rivers, was an existence like a mountain (literally).
His dark black fur shimmered with an oily luster under the bright sunlight. Even though he was on all fours, his shoulder height definitely exceeded seven meters. In appearance, he was an existence that resembled both an ape and a chimpanzee, with a pitch-black body except for a pair of eyes the size of lanterns that shone with a yellow crystal luster. Not only was his body massive, but every part of it was covered in muscles even more terrifyingly robust than granite, bulging like small hills.
He was Er Ming, one of the two current Beast Kings of the Star Dou Great Forest, a Titan Giant Ape with one hundred thousand years of cultivation.
Seeing Er Ming being so reckless and unruly, the other "brother" also began to channel his own divine ability to stabilize the lake surface that his old brother had churned into a frenzy, saying in a muffled voice.
"Behave yourself, Big Sister Xiao Wu is still here."
"If you accidentally hurt Big Sister Xiao Wu, see how I deal with you!"
The one who spoke in human language was also not a human (literally), but a Soul Beast with a bull's head and a snake's body that had emerged from the lake. Its bull head was at least four meters in diameter, its two lantern-like eyes shining brightly, connected to a massive snake body that was dark green and several times thicker than a water vat.
Now, the figure it revealed was no less impressive than the Titan Giant Ape, but judging by the size of the bull head, the body beneath the lake was likely no smaller than what was exposed, which showed just how massive it was.
He was Da Ming, the other current Beast King of the Star Dou Great Forest, a Sky Azure Bull Python with one hundred thousand years of cultivation, whose strength was even above that of Er Ming.
Hearing his big brother speak, Er Ming dared not act out further and could only glare hatefully at Tang San.
Tang San, who had been startled awake by Er Ming's roar, was now even more stunned by Da Ming speaking, which completely shattered his stereotypical understanding of Soul Beasts from the past eight years.
Tang San looked back at Xiao Wu in disbelief.
"Xiao Wu, are they really your younger brothers? Are you really a Soul Beast in human form?!"
In this life, he had not consumed the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, and his Purple Demon Eyes had not broken through to the next realm, so he had never discovered Xiao Wu's identity. It wasn't until Xiao Wu brought him here, saying it was her home and that she wanted to introduce him to new friends, that he suddenly understood why she had asked him about his views on Soul Beasts taking human form that day. How should he put it? Things were so sudden that Tang San was a bit overwhelmed.
Seeing Tang San looking shocked and unable to accept the reality, Xiao Wu's rabbit eyes turned red, and she said with tears in her eyes.
"Third Brother, do you despise Xiao Wu?"
As the spokesperson for love-struck brains on the continent, she didn't even dare to imagine how she would live her human/beast life if Tang San gave her a negative response.
Initially, Tang San's brain had stalled, and he didn't know how to answer, but after Xiao Wu finished speaking, he clearly felt two cold, murderous gazes land on him, as if they would treat him like a snack on the spot if he dared to give an answer they didn't like.
Under the influence of these unfavorable external conditions, Tang San instantly regained his clarity. He tried his best to ignore the pressure from the two super Soul Beasts behind Xiao Wu and said with genuine sincerity.
"Silly girl, how could I despise you? I was just a bit too surprised for a moment. I never expected that I would encounter something like a Soul Beast taking human form, just as my father had."
Xiao Wu raised her slightly red eyes and looked at Tang San, pressing him further.
"Really?"
Tang San continued to withstand the ill-intentioned gazes of the two Beast Kings, looking straight into Xiao Wu's eyes, and affirmed with eyes full of tenderness.
"Of course."
"What does it matter if you are human or a Soul Beast? The fact that you could tell me such a huge secret as your transformation already proves how deeply you care for me; how could I despise you because of your identity!"
Having received both the look and the verbal confirmation from Tang San, Xiao Wu's mood improved, and she leaped into his arms. She felt she hadn't misjudged him; Tang San was indeed someone she could entrust her life to.
The two Beast Kings were very displeased to see Xiao Wu and Tang San hugging, but there was nothing they could do. They had always been timid; otherwise, they wouldn't have spent one hundred thousand years in secret love. Now that they saw Xiao Wu had found them a brother-in-law, they didn't know what to do other than sulk.
Tang San felt that although Da Ming and Er Ming still seemed displeased with him, their murderous intent had faded, and he let out a long sigh of relief in his heart.
He glanced at the happy Xiao Wu in his arms, then looked at the two Beast Kings, wondering what he was thinking.
He was certain that before he knew Xiao Wu was a Soul Beast in human form, his feelings for her were very deep, but now, even Tang San himself didn't know. The words he had just spoken were merely a stress response in the face of a life-or-death crisis, and it was hard to say how much of it was sincere. After all, if it were anyone else in this situation, there wouldn't be a second answer.
However, now that Tang San had calmed down and calculated carefully, it didn't seem so bad. The place Xiao Wu had brought him to was very suitable for him, and there shouldn't be any danger to his life, which was perfect for him to cultivate in peace for a while.
With this thought in mind, Tang San stayed behind to refine his cultivation.
Half a month later, by the side of the Lake of Life, a handsome youth with shoulder-length blue hair and a bare upper body was swinging a giant hammer in his hands.
Xiao Wu, standing to the side, stared intently at Tang San as he practiced with the hammer. Watching the sweat trickle down his smooth, natural muscle lines—which looked as if they had been carved from marble and were full of artistic sense—her face couldn't help but turn red. It was hard to tell if the Rogue Rabbit was shy or if she was recalling some happy experiences from her time living as a Soul Beast.
After finishing the final swing, Tang San let out a long breath and placed the hammer on the ground. The Twenty-Four Bridges on a Moonlit Night at his waist flashed, and a book appeared in his hand. Four vigorous and powerful characters were written on the cover.
'Clear Sky Nine Perfections'
Indeed, what Tang San was practicing was the Clear Sky Nine Perfections. In the Storage Soul Tool that Tang Xiao had left behind before he died, in addition to the cultivation method for the Great Sumeru Hammer, there was also this method for the Clear Sky Nine Perfections.
Tang San flipped through the book, frowning at the explanation of the Rupture Word Incantation: "Merge force in the stance, strike with speed to rupture." This hammer technique had been troubling him for half a month.
He had clearly seen Tang Xiao and Yun Ming use it during their battle, and he had the imagery in his mind. He could also understand the written descriptions of the practice methods, but whenever he tried to execute it himself, something always felt off.
As a man who had stolen sect secret manuals in his past life and managed to master them without any guidance, Tang San's character might have been questionable, but his learning ability was undeniable. Yet, this single hammer technique had stumped him for half a month, causing him to start doubting his own talent for hammer arts.
Seeing Tang San looking troubled, Xiao Wu ended her daydreaming session and asked him.
"What's wrong? Third Brother, is there a problem?"
Tang San replied casually.
"There's an issue with my hammer practice; I just can't seem to find the right feel."
He was just saying it offhandedly, not expecting to get an answer from Xiao Wu. Given her daily habit of slacking off in cultivation, even though she had previously possessed a hundred-thousand-year cultivation base, Tang San felt she had only reached her level by being a good sidekick and coasting on seniority.
Xiao Wu didn't know Tang San's thoughts, but if she could hear his inner voice, she would definitely retort.
You've got a sharp eye for people!
However, as a slacker who managed to coast all the way to a hundred-thousand-year level, she naturally had some skills, like right now. Xiao Wu glanced at the large hammer by Tang San's feet, her mind racing, and she actually came up with a solution. Her eyes lit up as she said to Tang San.
"Third Brother, I have a way to solve your problem."
Tang San was a bit surprised and looked at her with some skepticism. Could he have misjudged Xiao Wu? He asked with a hint of anticipation.
"Really? What way?"
Then, Xiao Wu gave a wicked smile, put her hands on her hips, and said confidently.
"The method is."
"Da Ming, Er Ming, come out and get to work."
Tang San and the peripheral observer Da Ming and Er Ming: "..."
Tang San felt he was a bit of a fool, really! Otherwise, why would he harbor such unwarranted expectations of Xiao Wu?
However, since Sister Xiao Wu had spoken, the sycophantic python naturally had to show some response. Da Ming emerged from the Lake of Life and reminded Tang San.
"Tang San, we don't understand what you are practicing, but I think if you want to find a direction, you can ask Er Ming. He should be able to give you an answer."
Tang San turned his head to look at the arrogant-looking Titan Giant Ape, Er Ming, and his eyes brightened.
Da Ming had reminded him; as a top-tier power-type soul beast who had been fighting for a hundred thousand years, Er Ming's comprehension of the Way of Strength must have reached a state of perfection. He would surely be able to learn a lot from him.
Thinking of this, Tang San cupped his hands toward Er Ming.
"In that case, many thanks, Brother Er Ming."
Er Ming looked down at Tang San, a fierce glint in his eyes. He really wanted to curse Tang San's mother right now.
He felt Tang San was simply going too far. Not only did he abduct his Sister Xiao Wu and show off his affection in front of him and his big brother every day, but he had also lived in this sacred land of soul beasts for half a month as a mere human, defiling the pure land of the three siblings. Now that his training wasn't going well, he even wanted him to teach him. He felt this guy was truly overstepping; he had no self-awareness at all. Who did he think he was!
The more Er Ming thought about it, the more annoyed he became, and he immediately wanted to refuse. But before he could roar, he saw the earnest expression on Sister Xiao Wu's face, and he couldn't bear to say no. In the end, he had to become a sycophantic ape, forced to serve Tang San. Filled with resentment, he cooperated with Tang San to complete a Da Ming Headman. Er Ming let out a loud roar.
"Roar roar. Roar roar."
What Er Ming meant to convey was roughly, "I don't know how to teach, if you want to learn, just follow me every day."
Teaching was definitely out of the question; that would never happen in this lifetime. This was the last bit of stubborn pride he had as an ape. After saying this, he turned and left to go hunting.
That silly rabbit Xiao Wu didn't notice Er Ming's annoyance and happily translated for Tang San.
Tang San didn't find any issues with it either; after all, it seemed normal for soul beasts not to understand teaching, at least for a hundred-thousand-year soul beast like Xiao Wu. He simply overlooked the difference in intelligence between Er Ming, a top-tier ape-type soul beast, and the "weakling" species of Xiao Wu.
Afterward, Tang San activated the flying soul skill of his Blue Silver Emperor spirit bone and chased after Er Ming.
Da Ming glanced at Er Ming, roughly understanding his intention, but he didn't expose it and let Er Ming be.
For the next period, Tang San followed Er Ming to hunt every day. Although, under Er Ming's intentional or unintentional negligence, Tang San was often hit by the aftermath of giant rocks, trees, and other battles during Er Ming's hunts, he actually learned a thing or two.
Just like that, through Er Ming's practical instruction and Tang San's personal enlightenment, Tang San's hammer technique broke through its bottleneck, got on the right track, and entered a period of calm cultivation.
The situation with Yun Ming was the same.
Two months after the Liquidation Operation, one morning.
Yun Ming finished his session, ended his daily Soul Power cultivation, and opened his eyes.
A golden soul light flashed through his eyes, and at the same time, his Soul Power experienced a momentary turbulence, but it quickly stabilized under Yun Ming's powerful control.
After these days of hard training, Yun Ming successfully broke through to level sixty, becoming a Soul Emperor in waiting.
Perhaps because Yun Ming's cultivation was becoming increasingly profound, the dormant power within his Atlas Divine Spear began to gradually awaken.
Sensing the fleeting spiritual fluctuation within his Martial Soul, Yun Ming whispered to himself.
"Don't be impatient, old friend!"
"We will be able to meet again very soon."
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: DaoistReader