Handsome possessed intelligence no less than that of humans. He could distinguish right from wrong, and in his eyes, humans were both friends and beings he was destined to protect.
Today, meeting a "little big brother" he could communicate with made Handsome's heart swell with joy. His steps grew lighter, and he walked with a spring in his step.
He had been lonely for a long time. Since his parents' death, Handsome had been the world's only gorilla. Without family, without kin, and unable to find a suitable mate, his life was destined to be solitary.
His heart ached!
Now that he had a big brother, he finally felt a sense of companionship, as if he had a family again.
*Thump! Thump! Thump!*
Handsome and Han Shaoqing communicated telepathically, sharing amusing anecdotes from their time on Skull Island as they strode forward. Each step left a massive footprint in the ground.
As the sunlight gradually faded, creatures that hunted in the darkness began to emerge.
With Handsome around, most monsters automatically kept their distance, but some foolish ones dared to approach.
"Shaoqing, look."
Artoria pointed ahead, and countless black dots rapidly approached, like a dark cloud descending upon Han Shaoqing and his group.
Han Shaoqing scanned the horizon. The dark shapes weren't a cloud, but a large flock of creatures resembling bats, though far larger.
"Terror Vultures."
Having encountered them in the Inner World, Han Shaoqing recognized them instantly.
The Terror Vultures on Skull Island were smaller than their Inner World counterparts, with wingspans of about two to three meters. Their bodies were dark brown, armed with sharp fangs and claws, and they were bloodthirsty predators that posed a deadly threat to ordinary humans.
Moreover, Terror Vultures always attacked in flocks, overwhelming even Third-Tier Mutants like saber-toothed tigers.
"Roar!" Handsome let out an angry roar.
Yet the Terror Vultures showed no fear. Instead, they swooped down with ravenous speed, like wolves descending on a feast, each vying to be the first to strike.
All living things have their place, but some are exceptions. Terror Vultures were pure predators, driven by greed. Though their actions served to propagate their species, they easily disrupted the ecological balance, earning Handsome's disdain.
Han Shaoqing also disliked these creatures. They were too ugly, insatiable, and utterly revolting.
Individually, Terror Vultures weren't particularly strong, but their sheer numbers, astonishing speed, and fearless combat style made them terrifying hunters of the night.
Han Shaoqing estimated there were about four to five hundred Terror Vultures before him.
Too many.
While nature operated on the principle of "survival of the fittest," disrupting the balance could have devastating consequences.
Since these Terror Vultures had foolishly targeted him, Han Shaoqing felt no need to show them mercy.
With a leap, Han Shaoqing soared into the air. He drew the Neptune's Trident and unleashed the "Demon-Subduing Chaos Dance." As the trident whirled, lightning flashed, and his energy surged like a rainbow.
In a single strike, a thunderous dragon of lightning pierced through the Terror Vulture flock, carving a clear path through the dense flock.
Charred, smoking Terror Vultures plummeted from the sky. The once-mighty flock was instantly reduced by over half. Even the unintelligent creatures, terrified by the carnage, scattered in all directions.
After Handsome had gone far, the Terror Vultures cautiously returned to scavenge and tear apart the remains of their own kind.
These creatures would eat anything. Fortunately, Skull Island was perpetually surrounded by storms; otherwise, their unchecked proliferation would have posed a grave threat to humanity.
As for why they weren't wiped out, every living thing has its purpose. The Terror Vultures are a link in Skull Island's food chain. As long as their numbers remained controlled, they posed no threat. Eliminating them entirely would disrupt the ecological balance.
We can't just exterminate them because they're ugly.
"Ooh-ooh-ooh! (Brother, you're amazing! How did you summon lightning?)"
Handsome, witnessing Han Shaoqing's electrifying display of power, grew intensely curious.
Never underestimate the ambition of a Titan Giant Beast.
Handsome, too, craved immense power.
"This is martial arts. Since you're not human, you probably can't learn it. But feel free to try if you have time."
Han Shaoqing didn't mind teaching Handsome. If the creature could truly master the *Overlord Spear Technique*, it would be quite entertaining.
"Oh, oh, oh! (It's settled then, you can't lie to me!)"
Handsome let out a happy, booming roar that Artoria couldn't understand, but Han Shaoqing nodded. "I won't lie to you."
Hearing Han Shaoqing's agreement, Handsome hopped excitedly toward the bamboo grove.
This was the territory of the Long-Legged Mother Monsters.
Long-Legged Mother Monsters were massive arachnid creatures. Unlike other spiders, their limbs were long and slender. When motionless, their long legs blended seamlessly with the bamboo, turning the entire grove into a deadly trap.
Theoretically, Long-Legged Mother Monsters were mutated variants of Blind Spiders, adept at opportunistic attacks. They possessed eight razor-sharp, blade-like legs, each tipped with a potent neurotoxin. Many prey entered the bamboo grove unsuspecting, only to be impaled to the ground, unable to move.
After striking their prey, the Long-Legged Mother Monsters would use their legs like straws to drain every drop of living nutrients from the victim's body.
They don't eat humans, but they're all juice-squeezers!
However, compared to their offensive capabilities, the Long-Legged Mother Monsters' defenses were relatively weak.
Seeing the handsome male pass by, the Long-Legged Mother Monsters wisely retreated, clearly more sensible than the Terror Vultures.
Han Shaoqing turned to Artoria. "Wait here for me."
With a flash of movement, he appeared atop the tallest Long-Legged Mother Monster. Activating the Red of All Living Beings, he gained the ability to regenerate its severed limbs.
Simultaneously, a notification appeared from the Check-In System:
Ding! The host is currently atop a Long-Legged Mother Monster, meeting the check-in requirements. Do you wish to check in?
Due to the Red of All Living Beings, the Long-Legged Mother Monster didn't react wildly to Han Shaoqing's presence.
Standing steadily on its head, Han Shaoqing silently thought, "Check in."
Checking in... 10 seconds remaining... 10, 9, 8... 3, 2, 1... Check-in successful! Congratulations, host, on obtaining the Eight Spider Soul Bone from the Douluo World.
Eight Spider Soul Bone: An external soul bone of the Human-Faced Demonic Race. It enhances the user's physical attributes, allows for consumption of other beings, and imbues the user with a highly toxic property.
Claim?
"It can even reward soul bones? But this thing is useless to me."
Seeing the reward, Han Shaoqing showed no interest and immediately teleported back to Handsome's shoulder.
Skull Island was quite large. By the time Handsome reached the Iwi Tribe's fortress, the sun had completely set, and a bright moon hung high in the sky.
Handsome strode forward, expertly avoiding the traps along the way as he approached the fortress.
(End of Chapter)