So… the Titan Giant Ape had learned its lesson.
After being tormented back in the Star Dou Forest, even though its power had surged upon arriving in the Sunset Forest, it had become far more cautious. It no longer acted with blind arrogance before assessing the enemy’s strength—clearly afraid of losing its life again.
It seemed that Lin Fan’s Zerg army had left a deep impression on the creature. Even after its evolution, the Titan Giant Ape was still wary—testing the waters before making any moves.
The group exchanged confused looks.
What… the ruler of the Star Dou Forest was now backing down?
The squad leader from the Heaven Dou Empire was stunned at first, then seemed to realize something, his eyes flashing with manic enthusiasm as he stared at the cloaked man standing in front.
Of course!
That had to be it!
The emperor would never randomly stuff an idiot into his elite team.
This cloaked man must be a hidden expert, maybe even one of those legendary reclusive monsters of old!
Otherwise, why would the Titan Giant Ape be so cautious—almost afraid?
After all, what kind of hundred-thousand-year soul beast would shrink back from a few insults?
The Heaven Dou captain’s body trembled with excitement.
If not for the timing, he might’ve jumped up and cheered right there.
“Heaven Dou Empire… finally has a true powerhouse!”
On the other side, the Star Luo captain quickly caught on to what was happening as well.
His expression shifted as he glared slightly at the Heaven Dou commander.
“Damn it. When did they gain someone this powerful?”
The entire situation had flipped because of this cloaked man’s presence.
Everyone held their breath, no one daring to move, waiting for either the Titan Giant Ape or the mysterious man to speak or act first.
Only Lin Fan, who knew the truth, could barely keep from laughing.
“So this is what they mean by 'bystanders see clearly while the players are lost in the game.’”
However…
Lin Fan narrowed his eyes, watching the cloaked figure closely, a thoughtful glint appearing in his gaze.
“Is this guy actually strong… or just bluffing?”
He couldn’t recall anyone like this from the original story.
There was no record in the canon of any mysterious powerhouse hidden within the Heaven Dou Empire—not even a hint of a Titled Douluo among them.
Even the mighty Star Luo Empire struggled to maintain a handful of Titled Douluo. As for the fractured, politically divided Heaven Dou Empire? Their royal family was known more for internal strife than military prowess.
If anything, it was already impressive enough that Heaven Dou could even maintain basic governance.
In the original timeline, Xue Qinghe—the supposed Crown Prince—was secretly replaced by Qian Renxue of the Spirit Hall, meaning the entire royal court was essentially infiltrated and hollowed out.
Even now, without Lin Fan interfering, the real Prince Xue Qinghe was nothing more than a weakling and puppet. The power of the Heaven Dou royal family had long been fragmented and diluted.
And yet… here was someone allegedly of quasi-Titled Douluo level? That would be as unbelievable as the Star Dou Forest’s rulers willingly serving humans as mounts.
Just as Lin Fan was lost in thought, the mysterious man in the cloak finally moved.
He sneered at the Titan Giant Ape’s hesitation and mockingly continued:
“The so-called ‘ruler of the Star Dou Forest’? Pfft. Nothing impressive about you.”
“At most, you’re just a dumb monkey that’s been overhyped by fairy tales.”
His disdain was practically oozing from his words.
The Titan Giant Ape’s heart skipped a beat, its massive eyes flickering with both fear and confusion as it tried to make sense of the man before it.
Meanwhile, the guards from the Heaven Dou Empire looked like their blood was about to boil. They were so fired up they could barely stop themselves from charging the Titan Giant Ape on the spot.
No one more so than the Heaven Dou squad leader.
His eyes blazed with passion, and he stared at the cloaked man with burning admiration.
“Yes! Yes!! Insult that damn monkey!
And then crush it, my powerful and mysterious lord!!”
Everyone’s gaze focused on the cloaked man, breath held in anticipation.
Then… he made another move.
His cloak flared without wind, rustling with dramatic effect.
An overwhelming pressure burst from him, sweeping over the entire area.
Everyone held their breath, eyes glued to him in awe.
But Lin Fan and the Titan Giant Ape… widened their eyes in disbelief.
“Wait, he’s actually going to—?”
Buzz—!
Eight soul rings exploded into view behind the cloaked man.
Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black.
Not even a standard optimal configuration.
Thunk.
The surrounding crowd was instantly stunned—faces frozen with disbelief.
It was like they’d all been petrified.
Lin Fan slapped a hand over his face.
“Oh, my god. I can’t watch. This is too cringe.”
He couldn’t believe it.
A genuine quasi-Titled Douluo idiot had just openly challenged a two-hundred-thousand-year soul beast!
“Who the hell gave him this much confidence?!”
The Titan Giant Ape stared, stunned for a moment, then cautiously said:
“M-maybe… you should show another trump card?”
“Hmph! Dumb monkey! Surprised I still have tricks up my sleeve, aren’t you?” the cloaked man smirked.
The Titan Giant Ape grew even more uneasy.
“Good thing I didn’t rush in…"
The others slowly relaxed, sighing in relief.
The Heaven Dou squad leader’s knees went weak, nearly collapsing to the ground.
“Oh thank the heavens you weren’t bluffing...!”
But Lin Fan just gave him a complicated look.
“I already scanned him.
If this fool actually has a trump card strong enough to defeat a two-hundred-thousand-year beast…
I'll chew down every tree in the Sunset Forest.”
Buzz!
The cloaked man’s seventh soul ring lit up.
“Martial Soul True Body—White Dragon Avatar!”
“ROOAAARR!!”
A draconic roar echoed through the sky as the man tossed off his cloak.
Scales surged across his face, quickly covering it entirely.
His hands transformed into fierce, clawed talons.
His voice grew guttural and deep.
“Afraid yet, dumb monkey? Kneel before my White Dragon Avatar!”
Smack.
Lin Fan slapped his forehead again and turned around, covering his eyes.
“Because what’s coming next…
is going to be brutal.”
“ROAAAAAARRRR!!! HUMAN!!!
YOU DARE MOCK ME?!
I’LL RIP YOU TO PIECES!!!”
The Titan Giant Ape’s furious roar tore through the skies.
****
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