Following the original timeline, the group quickly discovered a spirit beast perfectly suited for Oscar—a thousand-year Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent of excellent age.
After careful analysis by Yang Xiong and Tang San, they determined the Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent measured between six and eight meters in length, with an age ranging from 1,300 to 1,800 years. This made it highly suitable for Oscar in terms of both attributes and other characteristics.
Tang San had received comprehensive education from Yu Xiaogang since childhood and possessed extensive knowledge about spirit beasts. Yang Xiong, having read through the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's library collection since youth, was equally familiar with various spirit beast information.
Following their analysis, the group swiftly took action. Soon, the Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent lay dying on the ground after being besieged by the team, waiting only for Oscar to deliver the killing blow.
During the process, they also encountered Snake Woman Chao Tianxiang and Meng Yiran, who appeared to have been pursuing this Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Serpent for considerable time.
However, no conflict arose this time. Yang Xiong stepped forward directly to communicate, and when Ning Rongrong displayed her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial spirit, the two wisely departed the area.
Although Meng Yiran showed clear reluctance, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's strength was not to be provoked lightly. Such major sects were notoriously protective of their members.
Oscar spent a full three hours absorbing the spirit ring, while Tang San and Xiao Wu showed no signs of imminent breakthroughs.
Zhao Wuji's expression radiated unusual happiness. "Little Ao, your luck was excellent this time. Judging by your excitement, your new spirit skill must be remarkable."
Oscar bubbled with enthusiasm. "Thank you, Teacher Zhao! My spirit skill is indeed excellent. It's called Flying Mushroom Sausage. It grants soul masters the ability to fly for a brief period—though only for one minute."
Everyone was shocked by this revelation. Although the soul master world featured countless martial spirits and spirit skills, achieving true flight typically required either being a flying-type soul master or reaching Titled Douluo level.
Yet Oscar had accomplished this with merely his third spirit skill. Despite the short duration, the effect exceeded everyone's expectations.
Yang Xiong remained silent for a moment, contemplating. Oscar's spirit skill seemed naturally designed for spirit fighting competitions, though it offered limited utility in other situations.
After all, even with fast flying speed, one minute would only cover one or two thousand meters—negligible for advanced soul masters.
Just as everyone prepared to depart, the ground began trembling violently, as if some extraordinarily powerful creature was approaching.
Yang Xiong felt shocked. Normally, the Titan Giant Ape shouldn't arrive so quickly. What was happening?
The Titan Giant Ape inhabited the Lake of Life in the Star Dou Great Forest's core area, hundreds of kilometers from their current location. Unexpectedly, just as they prepared to leave, they encountered this crisis. The group had spent only five or six hours total in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Zhao Wuji reacted with lightning speed, shouting urgently, "Everyone get behind me! We're leaving immediately!"
Though confusion showed on their faces, everyone quickly moved behind Zhao Wuji. The situation's severity became apparent when Zhao Wuji summoned his martial spirit, the Vigorous Vajra Bear.
The earth's vibrations grew steadily closer. Tall trees were forcefully pushed aside, and countless plants were trampled to pieces.
A colossal monster emerged before them—a giant ape.
The ape stood over ten meters tall, likely exceeding fifteen meters at full height. Its entire body was pitch black, resembling granite, with eyes that glowed like two enormous lanterns.
Yang Xiong also shouted in alarm, "That's a Titan Giant Ape—a genuine hundred-thousand-year spirit beast! We must leave immediately!"
Zhao Wuji appeared unusually composed as he bowed slightly to the Titan Giant Ape. "Respected King of the Forest, we mean no offense. We will leave your territory immediately."
At this moment, whether Zhao Wuji or the others, everyone trembled with fear. A hundred-thousand-year spirit beast was legendary in the Douluo world, its strength surpassing even Titled Douluos—an insurmountable mountain for their group.
The Titan Giant Ape roared directly before advancing toward the Shrek group. Its enormous strides covered ground with terrifying speed, closing the distance almost instantly.
Zhao Wuji, thoroughly frightened, shouted again, "All of you run! I'll hold it back!"
Multiple spirit rings on Zhao Wuji's body illuminated simultaneously as he activated several spirit skills at once. The Vigorous Vajra Bear appeared incomparably powerful.
After summoning his martial spirit and activating multiple skills, the surrounding space seemed completely compressed. The ground bore tremendous pressure, and gravity pressed toward the Titan Giant Ape—clearly utilizing gravity squeeze and gravity control skills, along with self-enhancement abilities.
But the Titan Giant Ape roared again, and Zhao Wuji's gravity squeeze vanished without a trace. A mysterious force flew toward Zhao Wuji, even more powerful than his own gravity squeeze spirit skill.
Yang Xiong immediately moved to Ning Rongrong's side. "Everyone prepare to retreat! This Titan Giant Ape is far too powerful!"
Dai Mubai instantly activated his third spirit skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, clearly intending to assist Zhao Wuji. However, an invisible force knocked him away the moment he approached.
The others summoned their martial spirits without hesitation. Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda rapidly emitted various colored lights, providing enhancement to everyone.
However, with Ning Rongrong's current strength, attempting to enhance a Spirit Saint like Zhao Wuji would rapidly deplete her spirit power.
Despite Zhao Wuji's formidable strength, the Titan Giant Ape sent him flying with a single slap.
While Yang Xiong urged everyone to flee quickly, Xiao Wu didn't retreat immediately. Instead, she jumped closer to the Titan Giant Ape.
The Titan Giant Ape's speed and reflexes proved extraordinary, radiating overwhelming pressure. Everyone was instantly knocked away, and Xiao Wu was caught directly in its palm.
Shock paralyzed everyone momentarily, especially Tang San, who erupted in fury. His eyes blazed purple as countless hidden weapons flew from his hands toward the Titan Giant Ape. Yet even these sharp weapons merely scratched against the creature's body like an itch, failing to penetrate its skin.
Zhao Wuji released an angry roar as his largest black spirit ring illuminated, activating his seventh spirit skill: Martial Spirit True Body.
Zhao Wuji, originally about 1.7 meters tall, suddenly exceeded two meters. Golden fur sprouted across his body as his muscles swelled dramatically, creating an incomparably sturdy appearance.
Simultaneously, he roared, "Everyone leave immediately! No one is permitted to attack!"
But even with Martial Spirit True Body activated, Zhao Wuji remained pitifully weak against the hundred-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape. After persisting for mere breaths, the creature knocked him away again.
The Titan Giant Ape, holding Xiao Wu in its grasp, strode away from the area, clearly heading toward the Star Dou Great Forest's depths.
Yang Xiong glanced at everyone urgently. "All of you recover as quickly as possible. I'm going after the Titan Giant Ape and Xiao Wu!"
Before Zhao Wuji could object, Yang Xiong's figure blurred as he pursued the Titan Giant Ape's direction.
The others appeared considerably worse for wear, especially Tang San. His fierce assault on the Titan Giant Ape had subjected him to gravitational backlash from the creature's roar, leaving visible injuries across his body.
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