"Hohoho! So, you are the King that the old turtle has chosen."

Akash Tagar was surprised when he heard those words. Akash calmed his beating heart as he wanted to appear as composed as possible in front of this beast that apparently knew Ancestor Turtle.

After getting his composure back, Akash looked at the beast. It was a 300-feet-tall golden hair ape. It had a hip-length ponytail and silver crown which decorated the top of its head. Akash saw a familiar staff in the hand of the ape. The same golden staff that the God Demon Panda used, in fact.

Ponytail was curious after seeing that staff as well. It quickly looked at its own, thinking that perhaps his had been stolen, but Ponytail reposed itself after confirming that that was not the case.

A sudden thought invaded Akash Tagar's mind, and he quickly called the System to ask a question. As he got his answer, he lowered his weapon and asked in a respectful manner.

"Are you perhaps... the King of the Golden Apes?"

It didn't take him long to remember the System's words that Ponytail is a hybrid and his father is The Golden Ape King, so he called the system to confirm this and the answer was positive.

The ape squinted its eyes and replied.

"No! I am the King of Copper Apes."

Akash eyes twitched, he didn't know what to say. Was the golden ape playing a trick on him? He wasn't exactly in a joking mood at the moment due to how tense he was.

The ape saw his confusion and spoke again.

"Hahaha, can't take a joke? Tsk how can Old Turtle make someone as humourless as you, his successor?"

From the ape's behaviour, Akash gathered that he was quite a proud and sarcastic beast.

Akash looked at Ponytail with a strange look, secretly saying 'don't turn into that'. Ponytail looked back at Akash in confusion as if to say 'what does that even mean'.

Akash quickly looked back at the ape and asked.

"My name is Akash Tagar, may I know Your Majesty's name?"

The ape humphed and answered.

"I am called Bholo."

Akash was so focused on Bholo that he even forgot about the clomping sound coming closer from another side of the forest.

The land started to shake, and Akash was immediately reminded of the existence of this other beast.

"Don't be afraid, that's just my wife."

Bholo said while looking in her direction with a smile.

With a loud clomp sound, a gigantic brown foot came out of the forest before the rest of her body was in Akash's view.

It was a 900-meter-tall bear, a female bear to be precise. It was brown from head to toe and had a black and white aura wrapped around its body, identical to Ponytail's sleeveless aura gi.

This time Akash didn't have to ask the System about that beast. Akash bowed and spoke.

"It's an honour to meet you, Queen of Ying Yang Bears."

The one who replied was not the queen but was the Ape King.

"You puny human... why you were not as respectful to me as you are to my wife? Do I look weak to you just because I'm smaller than her?"

Few veins bulged from his forehead. The Ape King's pride was hurt.

Akash Tagar didn't wait to reply.

"I never meant that, Your Majesty. When I met you, I couldn't immediately recognize you, I was confu... I mean I was actually afraid of your unbelievable power."

The ape appeared satisfied with that explanation.

"Hmph, you are not the only one who is afraid of me. Right, honey?"

The Bear Queen who was silently looking at Ponytail got disturbed by Bholo.

"Shut up, you will always be a brute with no brains."

Akash Tagar, smirked internally as he immediately agreed with her words.

The Bear Queen looked at Akash Tagar

"It's an honour to meet you, King Akash Tagar, The successor of Old Turtle and The new King of Akhrot Cosmos. The name of this lowly Queen is Richia."

Akash was expressionless, their greetings were as different from each other as the day was to the night.

He replied.

"It's an honour for me as well, to meet the parents of my beloved Ponytail."

Ponytail looked at Akash Tagar in a confused look, Akash remained quiet and kept looking at the Ponytail's parents.

Ponytail understood bits and pieces of what was going on and that was only because of the contract between them which allowed them to feel the other's feelings.

Richia looked sharply at Akash and continued.

"Pardon me? I think you are mistaken, my King. It's not our child but yours."

Akash understood the heavy implications behind those words, there was a reason why Ponytail was sleeping until Akash made the blood contract with him.

Akash couldn't say anything other than…

"I see."

Akash could clearly understand the pain and urge in Richia's heart to carry and hug her little son.

Richia continued.

"Everyone has to sacrifice something or someone important for the bigger picture, alas, we were not an exception to this.

Take good care of it, O' King."

Bholo clenched his fist with watery eyes while looking at Richia.

Akash replied earnestly.

"You don't have to worry at all, I assure you that Ponytail will be treated better than myself."

When everyone went silent, Bholo stared at Ponytail one last time before speaking once again.

"Let's get down to the business, lad."

Akash was instantly curious.

"What business, Your Majesty?"

Richia replied.

"We've already been informed of your arrival beforehand and have been tasked with safely escorting you to the training point. There, you will start your training."

Akash asked again.

"Will Ponytail be allowed to accompany me?"

"There were no restrictions on beasts. So, you can also take your companion for training as well."

Akash looked at Ponytail, pondered for some time and inquired.

"Can Your Majesties help me with something?"

Bholo replied in an irritated manner.

"Don't ask something silly lad and hurry up, we have important matters to attend to today."

Richia shivered a little which shook the land a bit. That shiver was not out of fear or excitement but rather an embarrassment.

She gave Bholo a deadly look filled with killing intent and said.

"Behave yourself Bholo or you will regret that you had a tongue!"

Bholo gulped and visible sweat appeared on its hairless forehead.

Akash couldn't resist laughing after understanding what they meant.

"Haha, I see. I won't beat around the bush then. I'm planning to go to the training area by myself and leave Ponytail in an area that's more suitable for its training. I want you both to teach Ponytail until I'm finished."

Both beasts were shocked, Richia could barely control her tears. The enormous Bear Queen bowed to Akash and uttered with immense gratitude.

"We will gladly accept it, Your Liege."

Bholo didn't bow but rather he cupped his hands and similarly spoke.

"Thank you... for choosing us to complete this task, we will do it wholeheartedly."

Akash did this because he knew they'd be the best teacher for Ponytail. They were his parents, after all. Both beasts were at the peak of the Star God realm and now they owed a debt to Akash for reuniting them with their son.

Akash instructed Ponytail as he carried him towards his parents.

"Listen, buddy, father will be away for a bit so train with these masters and obey them as you obey me. They are my friends, they will take good care of you."

Ponytail looked at Akash with watery eyes for a few seconds and then nodded with a coo cry.

Akash looked at the pair.

"Now that that's settled, please take me to the training point."

Bholo lowered its hand gently for Akash to climb onto before telling Richia to take care of Ponytail while he was gone. Akash climbed on its big hand and Bholo jumped towards the sky. He jumped so quickly and so high that they quickly reached the top surface of the forest.

During this Akash noticed, unlike Bholo's face, his hands and feet were the same as Ponytail's.

"You know, your son can jump high as well."

"I know, he's my son after all.

And don't talk to me so casually, I'm not Richia, I'm King Bholo!"

Akash laughed bitterly.

"I know, Your Majesty. I apologize."

As they passed, Akash saw wonderful sceneries in that forest. A myriad of unknown beasts, ferocious and powerful. There were beasts of the Star God Realm as well but they all halted when they saw Bholo.

Bholo stood on a strange tree resembling an Oak Tree and jumped downwards.

~THUUDD~

"We have arrived."

Akash looked in front, there was a strange gate emitting pure white light with all sides mixed with a black hue.

Bholo looked at Akash's curiously observing before urging him.

"Don't hesitate and go inside, didn't Old Turtle tell you to not be afraid of death. It will only benefit you."

Akash was startled before immediately smiling.

"How could I forget that. Thank you, Your Majesty."

Bholo coughed and spoke in a warmer tone.

"Well, you can call me Bholo from now on, Your Majesty is too long, I guess."

"Haha, as you say. Take care, Bholo."

Akash began to go inside when he heard Bholo's voice again.

"Take care of yourself as well, My King!"

When Akash looked behind, there was no sign of him. He smiled while looking at the rustling red leaves and replied.

"I will!"