At the time when Xuan Yan entered the forest, in the depths of the Star Dou Forest, where sunlight barely touched the ground, a cavernous space lay hidden among towering trees.
The air here was dense with spiritual energy, vibrating with the essence of countless millennia.
This was the real inner core of the Star Dou Forest, a place forbidden to all but the most powerful of spirit beasts.
There is an enormous serene lake situated at the centre of the forest...
At the heart of this lake, beneath it lay a majestic silver dragon.
Its massive body was coiled elegantly within the shadows, its silver scales shimmering faintly even in the dark.
Each rise and fall of its chest was slow and deliberate, exuding an aura of unparalleled power.
For centuries, this dragon had slumbered, its presence keeping the balance of the forest intact.
Suddenly, its closed eyelids flickered, and its enormous purple eyes snapped open.
The dragon looked toward a direction, focusing on a distant point far beyond its surroundings.
Its sharp pupils constricted slightly, a ripple of curiosity and contemplation passing through its gaze.
"He is here again," the dragon murmured as the womanly voice reverberated through the silver cavern.
The dragon shifted slightly, its silver scales catching and refracting the faint light, "Sure enough, there are various fluctuations and energies inside his body than the last time. As expected of someone who is not from this world."
"Now is not the time to meet him, I will meet him after four years... when eh reawakens his bloodline."
As it closed its eyes, it murmured "Di Tian."
A tall, handsome man who was standing outside the lake heard the woman's voice inside his mind, and instantly kneeled on the ground "Lord."
"Protect him."
Di Tian's gaze narrowed and he nodded his head "As you say, My Lord."
...
Back in the forest-
The stillness of the forest was shattered by a sudden tremor.
*thoom* *thoom* The sound of the tremors grew louder, accompanied by the snapping of trees and the rustling of panicked wildlife fleeing in every direction.
The group stood frozen and the Dean anxiously looked around 'What is happening these earthquakes.'
Xuan Yan used his Enhanced senses and his eyes narrowed 'There it is... one of the two kings of the Star Dou Forest, a 100,000+ year old Titan Giant Ape, Er Ming.'
Emerging from the shadows of the forest, a figure of immense size came into view, towering over everything.
It was a Titan Giant Ape, its colossal body standing over thirty meters tall. Its dark fur shimmered under the faint dappled sunlight, and its lantern-like eyes glowed.
The sheer presence of the creature was overwhelming.
Its steps shook the earth, and its deep, resonant voice echoed through the forest as it bellowed, "Humans, leave behind the Emerald Swan!"
The voice carried a weight that seemed to crush the very air around them.
A pressure descended upon the group like a tidal wave, forcing most of them to their knees.
The Titan Giant Ape had activated its Gravity Field, to display its dominance, which left no doubt about who was in control.
Xuan Yan stood firm amidst the chaos, his legs trembling slightly under the immense pressure.
He looked around, his eyes locking on Mo Xie, who was on her knees, her face pale with fear.
Her frightened gaze met his, and without hesitation, he reached out and held her hand tightly.
"Xie, hang onto me," he whispered to her, his jaw tightening as he fought against the overwhelming force.
Mo Xie hurriedly hugged him, her body trembling in panic "Brother Yan, Brother Yan, Brother Yan.."
"Calm down, Xie... urghhh!"
'This crushing force... so this is the gravity field skill, damn it. This dumbass gorilla.' He gritted his teeth, feeling the enormous pressure trying to crush him down.
The Dean, though visibly struggling, also managed to resist the urge to bow entirely.
His teeth were clenched as he attempted to maintain his dignity in the face of such an overwhelming force.
At that moment, the Emerald Swan, descended gracefully from the sky and landed softly before Mo Xie.
The swan's presence seemed to calm the atmosphere slightly, and the Titan Giant Ape withdrew its Gravity Field, sensing the swan's intentions.
The group exhaled collectively, relieved to be free from the crushing pressure.
However, their relief was short-lived as the Titan Giant Ape began to grunt deeply, its guttural sounds resonating through the air.
"Grrr... urree."
The Emerald Swan responded and echoed back, looking at the ape.
Xuan Yan noticed the interaction, realizing that the two spirit beasts were communicating.
Finally, the Titan Giant Ape turned its massive head toward the humans and spoke in a voice laced with authority. "I will take this little girl and the Emerald Swan. The rest of you may leave."
Huh? This startled the group and everyone looked at Mo Xie in confusion. Her?
Xuan Yan who was holding her raised his gaze to looking at the giant gorilla and replied "No, I can't give Xie to you."
Mo Xie was also scared to see that the gorilla is asking her and buried her face in Xuan Yan's chest 'Is it going to eat me? Brother Yan...'
The ape's glowing eyes focused sharply on him, a flicker of irritation evident in its gaze. "Human, do not test my patience. This girl has a special physique, and the Emerald Swan is injured and carrying its child."
"I will ensure both are safe and that the girl can absorb the swan's spirit ring while preserving the swan's bloodline."
The swan is a very rare spirit beast, and its protection was vital for the ecosystem of the forest.
Huh? Xuan Yan glanced back at Moi Xie who was hugging him tightly and she was also confused.
Getting some courage, Mo Xie pulled back slightly to look at the Giant ape and spoke "I-I... am the problem, right? If I came with you, would you let go of others? Brother Yan and others?"
The Titan Ape nodded its head "Yeah, you are the one I need right now."
Hearing this, Mo Xie's eyes darkened and she slowly stepped forward "T-Then.. take me, let Brother Yan go."
However, Xuan Yan hurriedly grabbed her hand "No, Xie.. wait...."
The Titan Ape was even more annoyed and looked at the Emerald Swan before speaking "Human, as I said... I won't kill that little girl. I will safely provide her the first spirit ring from the swan and bring her back to you."
"I am a Titan Giant Ape, one of the two sovereigns of this forest. I do not break my promises."
Xuan Yan nodded slowly, "Then I will come with you."
HUH? The group erupted in shock upon hearing this.
Mo Xie's grip on Xuan Yan's hand tightened, her lips parting as she stared at him in disbelief. "Brother Yan… what are you saying?" she whispered, her voice breaking slightly.
"You can't… You shouldn't-"
The Dean stepped forward, his voice filled with urgency. "No! You can't go Young Master Yan! If anything happens to you-"
Xuan Yan raised a hand to stop him. "Dean, I cannot leave Xie alone. You all can return and wait for us outside the forest. If I do not return within four days, inform my teacher."
The Dean's face darkened with worry and he spoke again "Young Master Yan..."
Xuan Yan glanced at him and spoke "Please, Dean, listen to me."
The Deputy Dean hesitated, torn between his duty to protect Xuan Yan and the reality of the situation.
His shoulders slumped slightly, and he let out a heavy sigh. "Four days," he said finally, his voice filled with concern. "No longer."
Xuan Yan nodded, grateful for the older man's reluctant trust "Also, please tell my teacher not to enter the forest for four days or try to rescue me..."
"Yes... Young Master."
And with that, the Dean and the rest of the group reluctantly departed.
The Titan Giant Ape observed the exchange in silence before lowering its massive hand to the ground "Humans, climb on."
Xuan Yan held Mo Xie's trembling hand and guided her onto the ape's massive palm.
The texture of its fur was surprisingly soft.
Once they were seated securely, the Titan Giant Ape gently lifted them onto its broad shoulder.
From their vantage point, the forest stretched endlessly in every direction, a sea of green punctuated by the occasional clearing.
Mo Xie clung to Xuan Yan's arm, her heart racing with a mix of fear "S-Sorry, brother Yan.. I even dragged you into this."
He reached over with his free hand and gently patted her head, his fingers lightly brushing over her soft hair. "Don't say that. You didn't drag me into anything."
He gave her a reassuring smile "I took that decision by myself."
The Titan Giant Ape began to move towards the core of the forest.
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I hope you guys liked this chapter!