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"Hehe, Xiao Ao, let me try it out sometime," Ma Hongjun teased with a grin.
The current Evil Fire Phoenix still couldn't fly, and Ma Hongjun was eager to experience the sensation of soaring through the skies.
Oscar gently pushed him away. "My sausages are reserved for Tianchen first. Everyone else, step back."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but flash a smug expression.
Zhao Wuji clapped his hands, interrupting the group's chatter. "Next up is Rongrong's spirit ring."
His gaze fell on Ning Rongrong. "Does your Seven Treasures Glazed Sect have any records about what kind of spirit beast is needed for the third soul ring?"
Unsurprisingly, Ning Rongrong's third soul skill would be a soul power enhancement.
Finding a spirit beast that met the criteria wouldn't be easy.
In the end, Zhao Wuji decided to search the nearby area first. After nightfall, they would set up camp on the spot. Starting tomorrow, they would focus solely on finding a spirit beast for Ning Rongrong.
"Tang San, Xiao Wu, your soul power is at Level 29. Hurry and break through to Level 30 as soon as possible. That way, we can obtain all the spirit rings in one go and avoid another trip," Zhao Wuji reminded them.
Even without his reminder, Tang San was more anxious than anyone else.
---
By evening, the group had set up camp in a clearing.
Ning Tianchen and Oscar were assigned to keep watch together.
"Tianchen, you can just call me Xiao Ao like Fatty does. Do you want to try my flying mushroom sausage? Take a spin around the area?" Oscar asked as he sat beside him.
Ning Tianchen shook his head. "Did you forget? My own soul skill already grants flight."
If everything went as expected, the Titan Ape would appear tonight. Not knowing exactly when it would arrive, flying around carelessly would only make him an easy target.
"By the way, Xiao Ao, if you consume your own sausages, how much will their effect weaken?"
An auxiliary-type soul master using their abilities on themselves would see a significant reduction in effectiveness. Ning Tianchen knew that for Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda soul masters, self-applied enhancements would lose half their potency.
Oscar replied, "It weakens by half. Still, that's not too bad. Most auxiliary soul masters see a reduction of over seventy percent."
Ning Tianchen felt a slight wave of disappointment. If the effects didn't weaken, Oscar might've had a real chance to become an actual battle-type soul master.
In the original timeline, he benefited from the copied martial soul, which gave him some combat ability.
But compared to battle-type soul masters of the same level, the gap was vast.
After an unknown amount of time, Ning Tianchen and Oscar, who were keeping watch, yawned.
Oscar abruptly stood up and stretched. "Tianchen, our shift is almost over. Let's head back early and rest."
For the second half of the night, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun would take over the watch.
Inside the tent, Ma Hongjun rubbed his sleepy eyes and was about to wake Dai Mubai when the ground suddenly trembled.
"Is there an earthquake?"
On the other side, Zhao Wuji quickly rushed out of the tent and shouted, "Everyone, leave the tents immediately!"
"Tianchen, could it be a spirit beast approaching?" Oscar instinctively hid behind him, his heart filled with worry.
"It's here." Ning Tianchen raised his head and looked toward the forest ahead.
---
Thanks to Zhao Wuji's shouts, the Shrek group woke up in a panic and scrambled out of their tents.
Zhao Wuji quickly made arrangements. "Ning Tianchen, Tang San, take everyone and leave the forest immediately. I'll hold this place. Remember, no matter what you hear, don't look back!"
Ning Tianchen knew the Titan Ape's target was Xiao Wu.
Therefore, no matter how Zhao Wuji tried to stop it, it wouldn't halt until it found Xiao Wu.
"Teacher Zhao, what's going on?"
Tang San asked, confused.
As soon as he finished speaking, the trembling of the earth grew even more intense.
Under the moonlight, a shadowy figure flashed through the trees ahead.
The next moment, the figure pushed aside the obstructing trees, revealing a mountain-sized form before everyone's eyes.
"The Forest King, the Titan Ape."
The group's pupils contracted, their bodies frozen in place.
With such a massive size, even if it wasn't a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, it likely had at least ninety thousand years of cultivation.
A spirit beast of this age had intelligence comparable to humans and the strength of a Title Douluo.
Zhao Wuji slowed his movements, careful not to provoke it, and respectfully said, "Respected Forest King, we didn't know this was your territory. If we've offended you, we'll retreat immediately."
The Titan Ape understood human language but didn't respond. Its gaze swept over the group before finally settling on Xiao Wu.
Ning Tianchen also kept studying the creature.
Without extraordinary opportunities, hunting the Titan Ape's spirit ring in the future seemed like a good choice.
The Titan Ape didn't understand human habits. Seeing Tang San protecting Xiao Wu, it assumed her safety was under threat.
The Titan Ape pounded its chest and let out a roar.
The cry of a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast could travel dozens of miles. At this range, the group was utterly terrified.
"Mommy!" Ma Hongjun collapsed to the ground, yellowish liquid seeping down his pants.
Xiao Wu felt helpless but dared not reveal herself in front of others, nor did she dare command the Titan Ape.
"Tianchen, hurry and take everyone away!" Zhao Wuji roared, immediately activating his True Body martial soul to engage the beast.
The Vajra Bear completed its fusion, charging forward to meet the Titan Ape.
The latter ignored it entirely, casually throwing a punch that sent Zhao Wuji flying.
The Titan Ape crouched down, reaching out to "rescue" Xiao Wu from behind Tang San.
"Xiao Wu!" Tang San's eyes bulged with fury.
Hidden weapons stored in his soul-guiding device erupted like a rain of pear blossoms.
But the Titan Ape's thick hide rendered the attacks useless, like scratching an itch.
"Er Ming, don't harm Brother San. Also, teach those two a lesson."
Amidst the chaos, Xiao Wu's voice went unheard by outsiders.
The Titan Ape understood and swung another fist toward Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.
Dai Mubai, who was fleeing, suddenly froze, unable to muster any resistance.
Zhu Zhuqing watched his reaction with growing disgust.
From the start, Dai Mubai had thought of abandoning the group and escaping alone.
Facing the Titan Ape's attack, he didn't even have the courage to fight back. How could someone like him ever become an emperor?
Seeing the situation, Ning Tianchen quickly retreated to Ning Rongrong and Oscar, pulling them both back a distance.
---
Just as the fist was about to descend, the Titan Ape's face revealed a barely noticeable smile. He pulled back his fist and instead grabbed Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, tossing them into the air and catching them repeatedly.
Already incontinent, Ma Hongjun was flung around, creating a scene of "free flight."
"Second Soul Skill, Dragon Sword Protection!"
A barrier formed by sword qi shielded the group, preventing the biochemical assault.
Tang San paid no heed to Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's fate. Under his control, the Blue Silver Grass grew wildly, determined to rescue Xiao Wu.
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