Tang San, meanwhile, also sat down nearby, appearing to recover through cultivation.
Time passed.
When Oscar finally opened his eyes, excitement shone across his face.
"I did it!" he exclaimed."My third soul skill—it's a flying-type ability!"
The Shrek students erupted into cheers.
Tang San stood up slowly, exhaled, and spoke calmly,
"I've also reached Level 30. The fight just now helped stabilize my breakthrough."
Zhao Wuji's brows lifted in surprise.
Despite the faint, buried grudge in his heart, Zhao Wuji did not allow personal emotions to interfere with his duty as an instructor at this moment.
He nodded solemnly then swept his gaze across the students.
"Let's rest briefly. After that, we'll begin searching for Tang San's third soul ring."
The group sat down to recover their stamina, adjusting breathing and circulating soul power. The forest was eerily quiet—too quiet.
After several minutes, Zhao Wuji stood and gestured forward.
"Move."
They had barely advanced a short distance—
When suddenly—
A massive shadow loomed ahead.
The air itself seemed to grow heavy.
Before anyone could react, an enormous figure silently emerged from between ancient trees.
Its body was colossal—towering like a mountain.
Its muscles bulged unnaturally, dense and knotted, resembling solidified granite. Each step it took pressed the earth down, yet strangely, it made almost no sound.
Zhao Wuji's pupils shrank violently.
His heart nearly stopped.
'Impossible… How did something like this get so close without us noticing?'
Zhao Wuji's face turned pale as he recognized the soul beast before them—
One of the overlord of the Star Dou Forest.
"The… Titan Giant Ape!"
His voice rang out hoarsely, stripped of all bravado.
Zhao Wuji reacted instantly, roaring,
"Oscar! Now! Mushroom sausages—everyone!"
Oscar did not hesitate for even a heartbeat.
His third soul ring flashed.
"Third Soul Skill — Swift Flight Mushroom Sausage!"
He began the compulsory chanting,
"I, your father, have a mushroom sausage!"
One after another, brownish-yellow mushroom sausages appeared in his hands. He thrust them toward the others as fast as he could.
Dai Mubai grabbed one, Tang San and Ma Hongjun caught their's in midair. Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong followed and took one for themselves immediately.
Zhao Wuji then stepped forward alone.
His body trembled—not from fear alone, but from the overwhelming pressure radiating from the creature before him.
Suppressing the urge to flee, Zhao Wuji cupped his fists and bowed deeply.
His tone was unprecedentedly respectful.
"Lord Titan," he said loudly,"I am Zhao Wuji of Shrek Academy. If we have unintentionally trespassed into your territory, we sincerely apologize."
"We will leave immediately."
Every word was spoken with utmost caution.
Zhao Wuji knew the truth—
Against this being, resistance was meaningless.
The only thing he could bet on was a chance for escape.
The Titan Giant Ape lowered its massive head slightly.
Its huge eyes—blinked slowly.
Then—
It opened its mouth.
A terrifying sound tore through the forest.
ROAR—!
The roar was like thunder splitting the heavens.
The ground shook violently. Leaves and dust were blown into the air. The students staggered under the pressure, ears ringing, blood surging.
In that instant—
Zhao Wuji's shout tore through the forest like a desperate command born of blood and duty.
"Eat the mushroom sausages and retreat—now! Head straight for the Soul Hunting Town!"
His voice cracked, veins bulging on his neck.
He did not wait for confirmation.
The Titan Giant Ape, Er Ming, stood like a living mountain before them. Yet unlike the terrifying presence it radiated, its movements carried no killing intent.
In truth, Er Ming was not here to slaughter. Its gaze had already locked onto Xiao Wu.
To Er Ming, the others were no more than passing insects—noise in the forest. A casual sweep of its massive arm followed.
To Er Ming, it was nothing more than brushing aside leaves.
But for the others— It was a catastrophe.
The pressure from that single motion crushed the air itself.
Zhao Wuji stepped forward without hesitation.
His eyes burned red.
"Sixth Soul Skill — Strength Enhancement!"
A violent aura erupted from his body.
His muscles expanded grotesquely as veins surged across his skin.
"Seventh Soul Skill — Martial Soul Avatar!"
A deafening roar answered his call.
Zhao Wuji's body expanded rapidly, fur bursting forth as he transformed into a towering Vajra Bear, radiating brutal power.
He slammed both arms forward.
BOOM—!
The casual paw of the Titan Giant Ape collided with him head-on.
The impact was earth-shattering.
Zhao Wuji's massive body was flung backward like a broken doll, smashing through trees and tearing a trench through the forest floor.
Blood sprayed from his mouth mid-air.
Bones cracked.
Yet—
That single exchange bought something priceless.
Time.
"Go—!" Zhao Wuji roared hoarsely, coughing blood.
The students did not hesitate.
Oscar shoved another mushroom sausage into Ning Rongrong's hands and pushed her hard.
"Fly—don't look back!"
Caught off guard, Ning Rongrong stumbled forward, wings unfurling instinctively as she shot into the air.
Her heart trembled. The others followed.
One by one, wings formed on their backs as the mushroom sausages took effect.
Dai Mubai grabbed Ma Hongjun and Tang San steadied Oscar mid-flight.Xiao Wu had just taken off—
When—
A massive shadow fell over her and a giant palm closed effortlessly.
Xiao Wu was caught.
"XIAO WU!"
Tang San screamed, his voice breaking.