Chapter 222: Da Ming and Er Ming
"Humans! Leave this place—this is not a land for your kind!" the Titan Giant Ape roared. But upon seeing the two Titled Douluos—Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo—behind Luo Ling, its expression turned wary.
Even as a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, it had to be cautious before two cultivators of such strength.
The two Douluos also released their martial spirits, locking eyes with the beast in a tense standoff.
Floating in midair, Luo Ling seemed completely unfazed by the confrontation.
Smiling, he said, "You must be the Titan Giant Ape—or should I say, Er Ming?"
The creature froze in shock. Er Ming—that was his name. For a human to know it was almost unthinkable.
Ignoring the beast's surprise, Luo Ling continued calmly, "I didn't come here to cause trouble. I came hoping you and Da Ming could help me with something."
Even as he spoke, the surface of the Lake of Life rippled violently. From its depths, a massive serpent with a bull's head rose—the Azure Bull Python himself.
"Human! Who are you? Why do you know our names?" the serpent's booming voice reverberated like thunder.
The Azure Bull Python's majesty surpassed even that of Er Ming. The weight of its aura pressed down on Luo Ling like an invisible mountain.
"My name is Luo Ling. I am a friend of Xiao Wu. She told me about you both," Luo Ling said evenly, completely untouched by the oppressive might bearing down on him.
"Xiao Wu? You know Sister Xiao Wu?" the Titan Giant Ape shouted excitedly, its golden eyes brightening.
"Of course," Luo Ling replied firmly. "Otherwise, how else could I know your names? She told me herself."
Er Ming's towering figure stepped forward, nearly trembling with eagerness. "Where is Sister Xiao Wu now?"
"Xiao Wu has already attained the Spirit King realm. She's in a safe place—you don't need to worry about her," Luo Ling said lightly. "If you wish to see her, I can bring her next time."
He answered vaguely, careful not to mention that Xiao Wu was now within Spirit Hall.
Her transformation into human form had been for vengeance—against Bibi Dong, whom she once believed had slain her mother. Luo Ling wasn't sure if she had ever told her two beastly companions that truth.
The Azure Bull Python scrutinized Luo Ling closely, suspicion flickering in its eyes, but in the end, it did not attack.
"Human," it rumbled. "I cannot completely trust your words. Yet only Xiao Wu could have known our true names. For now, I will consider you her ally. Why have you come to the Lake of Life?"
"I seek two spirit rings," Luo Ling answered casually.
The moment those words left his mouth, tension crackled through the air.
An immense pressure surged from Da Ming, and Er Ming let out an enraged roar, their killing intent locking directly onto Luo Ling.
Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo immediately moved to his sides, their foreheads damp with sweat.
To mention obtaining two spirit rings before two hundred-thousand-year beasts—it was bordering on suicidal.
Even though they themselves were both Titled Douluos of rank ninety-two, they knew a single Titan Giant Ape was likely beyond them. Against both, they would die without question.
But Luo Ling remained calm, smiling faintly. "Don't misunderstand. I wasn't referring to your spirit rings. I merely hoped the two of you could help me locate powerful spirit beasts within the forest."
The Azure Bull Python narrowed its eyes in disbelief. "A human... asking us to help him hunt spirit beasts?"
"Human! Are you mocking us?" the Titan Giant Ape roared again. "Even if you are Sister Xiao Wu's ally, we will never assist in slaughtering our kind!"
Behind Luo Ling, Qian Renxue and Hu Liena exchanged bewildered glances. The idea of spirit beasts aiding a human to hunt their own kind sounded utterly absurd.
Luo Ling, however, remained composed. "Please, don't reject the idea so quickly. The Star Dou Forest is vast—you must have enemies here too, dark creatures who threaten all balance. Evil soul beasts—like the Human-Faced Demon Spider, for instance."
"As the forest's kings, you must know where such cruel beasts dwell. I'm not asking you to fight them yourselves—only tell me where they are."
The two legendary beasts exchanged silence.
If Luo Ling intended to kill those corrupted and predatory creatures who cannibalized their kin, they found the request less offensive.
Beasts like the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger or the Human-Faced Demon Spider were hated even by their own kind—creatures that had grown in power through slaughter and devouring others.
Da Ming and Er Ming had once attacked the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger themselves but failed to defeat it before it escaped. Since then, it had vanished without trace.
"Two rulers such as yourselves should understand," Luo Ling said gently, "I only seek evil spirit beasts. Surely, that is not too much to ask?"
The Azure Bull Python let out a long, resonant bellow. "Human, for Xiao Wu's sake, we will share the locations of the corrupted soul beasts—but only those!"
"No problem." Luo Ling nodded easily.
That was all he needed anyway. Dark, spiritual, and corrupted attributes—nearly all such targets were considered evil beasts.
"Then, could you tell me the whereabouts of one near a hundred thousand years old—preferably with darkness, evil, or spirit-based powers?" Luo Ling asked.
"Hundred thousand years?" Da Ming's massive eyes flared. "You're only a Spirit Saint, and you intend to claim a hundred-thousand-year ring?"
"I'm... a bit exceptional," Luo Ling replied, shrugging.
The two colossal beasts exchanged another look, both clearly perplexed.
After a pause, the Azure Bull Python said, "We don't know of one truly beyond a hundred thousand years, but there is one close to that level."
"That works," Luo Ling said, nodding in satisfaction. "Anything around that range will do."
He knew, after all, that besides Da Ming and Er Ming themselves, the Star Dou Forest had few beasts of that caliber—mostly nightmarish predators.
"High-tier evil beasts are cunning," Da Ming warned. "Those who reach such age have survived countless hunts. Their power is immense. Are you certain this is what you want?"
"I'm certain."
"Very well. Follow me."
With that, the Azure Bull Python rose from the lake, soaring into the air and heading deeper into the forest.
Flying alongside, Luo Ling asked curiously, "What kind of beast are we going after?"
"The Shadow Devourer," Da Ming answered without turning.
At the sound of that name, Luo Ling's expression grew solemn.
The Shadow Devourer—a beast so corrupted it could consume light and energy itself, transforming all it devoured into its own strength.
(END CHAPTER)
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