Chapter Eight: Xiao Wu, Rabbit Soft

Ling Xiao gently stroked the great fox, and the system alert sounded the next moment:

“Ding! Life Ancient God Trial, Second Test: Tame a soul beast. Reward: High-grade Life Water.”

“Hmph, tame a soul beast!” Ling Xiao looked at the large fox before him, a playful glint in his eyes. “Great Fox, would you like to be my pet?”

The soul beast stared at Ling Xiao, initially confused, but it quickly understood his meaning and nodded.

“Really? Wonderful! I’ll give you a name—how about Bai Ling?” Ling Xiao happily rubbed the great fox’s head.

“Ding, mission complete!”

Bai Ling wagged its head in delight and affectionately nudged Ling Xiao with its head.

“Bai Ling, can you shrink back to your original size? I can’t even hold you anymore.” Ling Xiao was still smaller than Bai Ling’s head and could barely grasp its snout with both hands.

Bai Ling nodded, and moments later, its form began to shrink, returning to its original size. It barked a few times toward Ling Xiao.

At this moment, the space-time returned to normal. Ling Xiao cradled Bai Ling and gazed out at the vast Starry Lake. “Such a big lake. I wonder if there are any fish inside.”

Bai Ling responded with a few barks.

Ling Xiao set Bai Ling aside and immediately jumped into the Starry Lake to search.

The Azure Bull Python had clearly heard Ling Xiao and, seeing him jump into the lake like that, twitched its lips again in disbelief. Which child was this? How reckless!

Still, wanting Ling Xiao to leave as soon as possible, it used soul power to catch a roughly one-meter-long fish and brought it to Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao saw the fish instantly, seized it, and swam toward the shore.

Meanwhile, Bai Ling waited by the lake, happily circling Ling Xiao as he dragged the large fish ashore.

Once on land, black flames flickered over Ling Xiao’s body, evaporating the water. Then he began gathering dry wood to start a fire.

Underwater, the Azure Bull Python watched Ling Xiao’s black flames warily, sensing danger from them.

“This child is so small yet already makes me feel threatened. When he grows up, won’t all soul beasts be in peril? Will there be any room left for soul beasts to survive on this continent?” the Azure Bull Python pondered, realizing such flames explained why Ling Xiao could pass through here.

But this was only a child. Should it kill him now? The Azure Bull Python’s expression shifted uneasily.

Ling Xiao pulled out a grill and various seasonings from his system space.

The Azure Bull Python was shocked—such treasures must be extremely rare. This human must hold a high status. With that powerful aura, it made sense.

Two figures hid in the shadows of a large tree in the forest, curiously watching Ling Xiao.

“Mom, what is that human doing?” the small figure whispered.

“That human seems to be grilling fish. I’ve seen it before in the human world,” the mature figure replied.

“Mom, does grilled fish taste good?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t eaten it in the human world either,” the mature figure answered uncertainly.

“Can we go eat with that human?” the small figure asked eagerly.

“No. We are soul beasts. If humans find us, it will be dangerous,” the mature figure said firmly.

“Oh.” The small figure sounded a little disappointed.

“Who’s there?” Ling Xiao suddenly called toward the forest.

Startled, the two figures accidentally met Ling Xiao’s gaze.

They had been discovered! Both hearts jumped. This child’s senses were incredibly sharp.

“Who are you?” Ling Xiao asked, clearly seeing them.

One was a petite girl wearing a pale pink dress with a pair of upright rabbit ears on her head. The other was a mature woman in white clothing, with a charming face and pink eyes.

After thinking for a moment, the mature woman took the little girl’s hand and stepped out.

As they emerged from the forest, the Azure Bull Python in the lake grew alert.

Ling Xiao looked at them curiously. How could there be humans here? This was the center of the Starry Forest, rumored to be too dangerous even for titled Douluos to enter. Yet here stood a soul emperor and a young girl who was not even a soul master.

---

“Hello, little one! Don’t worry, we mean no harm. I’m Tu Rou,” the mature woman said kindly.

“Hello! I’m Xiao Wu—Wu, as in dance!” The little girl chimed in cheerfully.

Ling Xiao noticed the girl staring intently at his grilled fish, the aroma wafting through the air.

“Smells so good!” Xiao Wu sniffed the scent, biting her finger and swallowing hard. She thought it must be even tastier than carrots.

Tu Rou was surprised by the delicious aroma of the grilled fish—she hadn’t expected it to smell so enticing.

Ling Xiao sat back down, flipping the fish on the grill while glancing at the two. “Who are you? How come you’re here?”

“We live here!” Tu Rou said. She sensed no malice from Ling Xiao, unlike a villain, and deliberately tore her gaze away from the fish.

“Hah!” Ling Xiao tilted his head slightly. Living here was dangerous even for titled Douluos!

“Brother, can we have some of your grilled fish?” Xiao Wu suddenly asked, eyes fixed on the fish, sniffing the aroma and swallowing hard. She pulled out a few carrots. “Here, I’ll trade you these carrots!”

“Brother?” Ling Xiao looked at Xiao Wu, realizing she was indeed younger than him.

Looking at them and then at the carrots in Xiao Wu’s hand, Ling Xiao thought to himself he couldn’t finish the big fish alone, and carrots would make a good complement.

“Alright!” Ling Xiao nodded.

Xiao Wu quickly ran over and handed him the carrots.

Ling Xiao washed the carrots by the Starry Lake, sliced them in half, skewered them on the grill, and sprinkled some seasoning.

Soon the fish was done. Ling Xiao took out a large plate, placed the grilled fish and some carrots on it, and handed out small plates and chopsticks to Xiao Wu, Tu Rou, and Bai Ling.

“Here you go!” Ling Xiao said, placing a large piece of fish on Bai Ling’s plate.

Bai Ling couldn’t use chopsticks, so it pressed the fish with its paws and tore into it happily, letting out joyful barks.

Xiao Wu also began eating, her eyes sparkling as she exclaimed, “So delicious!”

Tu Rou picked up a piece of fish. The flavor blossomed in her mouth, and she was amazed.

Underwater, the Azure Bull Python quietly swallowed, its earlier sense of danger dissipating. It wondered if the fish really tasted that good.

Nearby, a mountain-like figure silently watched the group eating, emotionless and with a vacant gaze. “Rou Yi and Sister Xiao Wu don’t love me anymore,” it thought.

…

After some time, the plates were cleared.

“Burp~” Xiao Wu rubbed her belly and let out a satisfied burp, blushing and burying her face in Tu Rou’s arms.

Tu Rou smiled quietly, covering her mouth, feeling happy.

Ling Xiao gently rubbed Bai Ling’s belly, now round and full.

As they rested after their meal, suddenly a loud noise erupted nearby.

Ling Xiao looked toward the sound and saw a colossal figure, mountain-like in size, appear.

Tu Rou and the Azure Bull Python were alarmed. This was bad!

Tu Rou’s expression grew anxious as she stared at the massive creature, unsure what to do.

The Titan Giant Ape was panicked as well. It hadn’t intended to reveal itself, but the irresistible smell of grilled fish had led it to lean against a tree. However, no tree could support its weight, and now it was helpless.

Tu Rou and the others feared the Titan Giant Ape might scare Ling Xiao, so they exchanged glances, silently urging it to leave quickly.

Ling Xiao, however, was not afraid. Instead, he stared at the mountain-sized Titan Giant Ape in awe. “Wow, such a big monkey!”

He was curious, but the ape’s strength was weak, not even reaching the first stage of Earth rank—just a mortal.

Tu Rou and Xiao Wu were stunned, noticing no fear on Ling Xiao’s face, only curiosity.

Next, to their shock, Ling Xiao jumped onto the Titan Giant Ape’s arm and began climbing toward its head.

The ape wanted to be angry, but Tu Rou’s warning glance stopped it. It dared not move.

---

Soon, Ling Xiao jumped down from the Titan Giant Ape.

“Little one, don’t pat it like that. This is a Titan Giant Ape, a very fierce soul beast. Stay away, or it might hurt you!” Tu Rou hurried forward.

The Titan Giant Ape looked at Tu Rou with a forlorn expression, as if saying, “You’ve changed, Rou Yi.”

Tu Rou ignored it, pulling Ling Xiao away and back to Xiao Wu, warning, “Little one, don’t be so reckless. Soul beasts are dangerous to humans. You’re still young; encountering a soul beast alone without adults can be life-threatening. Understand?”

Ling Xiao nodded. “I know! But this big monkey doesn’t seem dangerous.”

Tu Rou gave the Titan Giant Ape a meaningful glance. The ape immediately understood.

The Titan Giant Ape suddenly pounded its chest with both fists, roaring fiercely. It smashed a fist into the ground, causing the earth to tremble and crack. Ordinary people would surely lose their footing at such a sight.

But Tu Rou looked at Ling Xiao and saw not a hint of fear—only fascination.

Tu Rou thought, where did this kid come from? Why isn’t he afraid? Even Douluos and Soul Masters from the human world can’t behave like this!

Seeing Ling Xiao’s calm expression, Tu Rou signaled the Titan Giant Ape again, and it slowly approached Ling Xiao.

Tu Rou’s face grew anxious. “Little one, you need to leave quickly. This soul beast is angry. If you don’t go now, it will be too late!”

“Uh, what about you two?” Ling Xiao asked, tilting his head at Tu Rou and Xiao Wu’s anxious expressions. They didn’t seem as worried.

“It’s fine. I’m a Soul Emperor and can protect myself! Besides, we live here and are familiar with the Titan Giant Ape. It won’t harm us, but outsiders are different. Hurry and leave while it hasn’t attacked,” Tu Rou urged.

Xiao Wu also pleaded, “Brother, you should leave now. If the Titan Giant Ape gets here, you won’t be able to escape!”

Ling Xiao looked at their worried faces and glanced at the Titan Giant Ape less than twenty meters away. Scratching his head, he said, “Don’t worry. I’m stronger than the Titan Giant Ape!”

“Sigh, kid, why don’t you listen? You’re so young. How strong can you be?” Tu Rou tried to persuade him again.

The Titan Giant Ape heard Ling Xiao’s words and grew angry. It thought, Rou Yi says not to hurt you, but scaring you should be fine!

With that, the Titan Giant Ape roared and raised its massive fist, ready to strike.

Ling Xiao clenched his own fist, lightly jumped in front of the Titan Giant Ape, and casually threw a punch.

Just fifty thousand jin of force will do! Ling Xiao thought.

The Titan Giant Ape laughed contemptuously, not even bothering to defend. It was confident such a weak punch couldn’t hurt it. Tu Rou and Xiao Wu were about to warn it to be careful not to hurt Ling Xiao when a tremendous sound erupted.

“Boom!”

The Titan Giant Ape’s huge body flew backward, crashing through countless trees. Ling Xiao lightly landed on the ground.

Tu Rou and Xiao Wu gaped, their minds blank. They couldn’t believe the small Ling Xiao possessed such immense strength.

Even the Azure Bull Python underwater looked on in horror, unable to understand how this could be.

Why did the Titan Giant Ape get thrown flying? In terms of pure strength, Ling Xiao was no match for the ape, let alone a human.

Ling Xiao looked at the stunned Tu Rou and Xiao Wu, shrugged, and said, “I told you I’m stronger than the Titan Giant Ape. Do you believe me now?”

Tu Rou and Xiao Wu snapped back to reality, eyes wide with terror, stepping backward.

Ling Xiao was speechless. “Hey, hey, do you need to make that face? I’m not going to hurt you!”

Tu Rou swallowed nervously and stammered, “Who… who exactly are you?”

Ling Xiao crossed his arms proudly. “My name is Ling Xiao! I will one day break through the clouds and rise above all gods!”

Though he felt he had already surpassed the gods—the strongest divine king of the divine realm was only Earth rank stage four—Ling Xiao mused silently.

“Rise above all gods?” Tu Rou thought, what arrogance.