"Barely Becoming a Titled Douluo, and the Counterattack System Arrives

Although Tang Hao's words were unpleasant, Lin Fan had to admit—at his current strength, he wasn't capable of killing the Titan Giant Ape.

Unless his second martial soul, the Sword of Slaughter, gained two powerful 90,000-year soul rings, he wouldn't stand a chance.

After all, the Titan Giant Ape could easily overpower ordinary ten-thousand-year soul beasts even as a mere hundred-year-old cub. Its title as "King of the Forest" wasn't undeserved.

"Tang Hao, don't tell me you're planning to save this Titan Giant Ape for your son in the future, too?" Lin Fan said coldly, his voice tinged with mockery. "You want Xiao Wu, and now you want the Titan Giant Ape too? Aren't you being a bit too greedy?"

"You're overthinking it, Swordshadow," Tang Hao replied calmly. "Even I can't defeat this Titan Giant Ape."

"Oh?" Lin Fan's tone shifted suddenly. "Then what will you do now that it's headed straight for your son?"

Tang Hao's expression stiffened. He had assumed the Titan Giant Ape was just passing through. But in the blink of an eye, it was already barreling toward Tang San and the others.

The beast's target was clear—it smashed boulders and uprooted trees in its path, charging toward them like an unstoppable juggernaut.

"Why is this happening? Why would a hundred-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape specifically target Tang San and the others?" Tang Hao's mind raced. "Zhao Wuji can't possibly stop it."

But at the same time, Tang Hao hesitated.

If he intervened now and became entangled with the Titan Giant Ape, would Swordshadow take advantage of the chaos to snatch Xiao Wu? After all, this was the Star Dou Great Forest—finding a person here would be nearly impossible.

Lin Fan watched Tang Hao's flickering expression with amusement. He could tell Tang Hao was utterly torn inside.

"Not yet… I can't act unless it's necessary. I must not fall into Swordshadow's trap." Tang Hao kept his guard up against Lin Fan while also worrying about Tang San.

"Hmph," Lin Fan snorted softly, folding his arms with a calm, indifferent look, showing no intention of acting.

Meanwhile, the Titan Giant Ape had already arrived at their position. It leapt through the air, soaring nearly a hundred meters before slamming down in front of them like a mountain crashing to earth.

Tang San and the others stared in terror at the colossal creature towering over them.

"The King of the Forest—Titan Giant Ape!"

"Damn it… This Titan Giant Ape looks like it's reached the ten-thousand-year level. The kids are in danger…" Zhao Wuji's face turned grim. "No, as their teacher, I have to take responsibility."

However, Xiao Wu's reaction differed from the others'. Instead of fear, a helpless look crossed her face.

"I should have expected this… I haven't stepped into the forest for so many years. With Er Ming's childlike nature, once he sensed my aura, of course, he'd rush over to find me and play." Though Xiao Wu felt helpless, she couldn't say anything.

This wasn't the time for explanations, and since she had taken human form to cultivate anew, her once-vast spiritual power was gone. She couldn't communicate with the Titan Giant Ape mentally.

"Respected King of the Forest, we mean no harm. We'll leave your territory immediately," Zhao Wuji called out respectfully.

But the Titan Giant Ape didn't respond. It merely stared at the group, occasionally glancing at Xiao Wu, as if analyzing their relationship with her.

Seeing the creature remain motionless, Zhao Wuji quietly turned to Dai Mubai. "Mumbai, take them and run—don't look back. I'll hold it off."

But Dai Mubai shook his head. "Tang San, you lead them out. I'll stay to assist Teacher Zhao! Third Soul Skill—White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"

Ning Rongrong also stepped forward, defiantly releasing her martial soul. "I won't leave! Seven Treasures, appear!"

Soon, the others followed suit, activating their martial souls and preparing to fight alongside Zhao Wuji.

The Titan Giant Ape seemed provoked by this show of defiance. With a mighty roar, it sent clouds of dust flying into the air.

"Idiots! Do they think they can intimidate a ten-thousand-year soul beast with this? If they can run, they should have run. Absolute fools!" Tang Hao cursed inwardly.

The creature's roar was overwhelming. Besides Zhao Wuji, who could barely stand his ground, the others were sent flying like rag dolls.

The Titan Giant Ape then casually uprooted a massive tree and hurled it at Zhao Wuji, forcing him to dodge.

At that moment, it reached out and grabbed Xiao Wu, retreating swiftly.

"No! Xiao Wu!" Tang San, who had been using his Purple Demon Eyes to monitor everything through the dust cloud, was the first to see Xiao Wu get captured.

"A perfect opportunity." Lin Fan's eyes gleamed. "Tang Hao, I'll go after the Titan Giant Ape. You'd better stay here and protect your son."

Lin Fan deliberately taunted Tang Hao, knowing it would trigger him.

Tang Hao instantly panicked. "Swordshadow does intend to kill Xiao Wu in the chaos! While he can't defeat the Titan Giant Ape, with his speed, it wouldn't be difficult for him to snatch Xiao Wu away."

Without hesitation, Tang Hao blocked Lin Fan. "No! Swordshadow Douluo, leave Xiao Wu to me. You stay here and watch over them."

Without waiting for a reply, Tang Hao immediately dashed off to pursue the Titan Giant Ape.

Watching him leave, Lin Fan's lips curled into a sly smile.

"Hook, line, and sinker, Tang Hao. But my real target isn't Xiao Wu… It's your son."

Hundred-thousand-year soul beasts were rare—but they weren't that rare.

But the Eight Spider Lances? That external soul bone appeared only once in the entire Douluo Continent.

If he missed this chance, there would be no second opportunity.

Besides, a hundred-thousand-year soul beasts could always be hunted later.

Some soul beasts can live a few more years, Lin Fan thought coldly, his gaze now locked onto Tang San.

Meanwhile, Tang San ignored the pain and grabbed a Mushroom Sausage from Oscar, consuming it in one gulp. Instantly, Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent-like wings sprouted from his back, propelling him forward in hot pursuit.

"Don't be reckless, Tang San! Stop!" Zhao Wuji shouted in panic.

"Oscar, we're going too!" Dai Mubai demanded another Mushroom Sausage.

"Alright!" Oscar quickly handed them over.

Just as the others were about to follow, a flash of green light blocked their path—Lin Fan appeared, sword in hand, stopping them cold.

"Enough foolishness. Stay here. Don't make this worse," Lin Fan ordered sternly.

Are you kidding me? Lin Fan thought. If they follow along, how am I supposed to make my move openly?

"Swordshadow Douluo! Please, go save Xiao Wu! She's been taken by the Titan Giant Ape!" Zhao Wuji pleaded anxiously.

"That's no mere ten-thousand-year beast. It's a hundred-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape. I can't handle it," Lin Fan replied calmly. "But I sense Xiao Wu has great fortune. She'll be fine. I'll focus on stopping Tang San instead."

"H-Hundred-thousand-year soul beast?!" Zhao Wuji and the others turned pale.

"Enough talk. Stay here and recover. I'll bring Tang San back safely." Lin Fan then disappeared in pursuit of Tang San.

"All we can do now is trust Swordshadow Douluo…" Zhao Wuji said gravely.

"Yes… We have no choice but to rely on him now," the others nodded, too frightened by the thought of a hundred-thousand-year beast to chase after.

Roughly a kilometer away, Lin Fan caught up to Tang San—just in time to see him encountering the Man-Faced Demon Spider.

It's finally happening, Lin Fan thought, a pleased smile spreading across his face. My patience has paid off.

He watched from a distance as Tang San unleashed his Blue Silver Grass and hidden weapons, battling fiercely against the terrifying spider.

In the climax of the fight, Tang San summoned his second martial soul—the Clear Sky Hammer—smashing the spider into a daze.

Finally, he pulled out his ultimate hidden weapon, the Godly Zhuge Crossbow, and precisely struck the spider's weak points, killing it instantly.

Excellent technique, Lin Fan grinned in satisfaction.