"What are you looking at? Hurry up and go back to sleep!"
Zhao Wuji urged Tang San's group of seven, while he walked back into the inn with his hands behind his back, smiling. His mood was as brilliant and refreshing as gorgeous fireworks.
Fighting people without using soul skills really was comfortable!
The next day, the eight entered the Star Dou Forest and soon discovered a Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake of about 1,300 years. Just like in the original plot, the injured Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake was quickly beaten down by the combined efforts of the seven, then left with no resistance after Zhao Wuji violently slammed it around until it was completely unconscious.
"Oscar, stab down from its red cockscomb. This spirit ring is yours."
"Yes, Teacher Zhao."
Just as Oscar pulled out his dagger and was about to stab the Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake's cockscomb, the entire ground suddenly shook violently. The surrounding trees swayed in all directions as if struck by a fierce impact.
"Oscar, Ning Rongrong, get behind me!"
Zhao Wuji immediately shielded the two auxiliary spirit masters who had little combat ability behind him, while the others activated their martial souls and vigilantly watched the commotion ahead.
"ROAR—"
A massive ape roar tore through the sky, approaching from far to near, bringing immense pressure to Tang San and the others. Then a giant ape over 20 meters tall with golden patterns all over its body leaped in front of them. Its huge eyes looked down, making Zhao Wuji panic.
"This is a Titan Giant Ape! How could it appear in the outer area of Star Dou Forest?"
"Titan Giant Ape? This is the 100,000-year soul beast Titan Giant Ape?"
This was Tang San's first time seeing such a massive 100,000-year Titan Giant Ape that could multiply their pressure with just one roar. He was very surprised, and his mind was racing rapidly, quickly searching for a reasonable way to escape.
The other six felt similarly to Tang San, all clenching their fists and preparing to respond to the Titan Giant Ape's attack at any moment.
"Sixth soul skill—Gravity Crush!"
Before Zhao Wuji's gravity could press toward the Titan Giant Ape, an even stronger and heavier enormous pressure directly broke through his sixth soul skill, simultaneously pressing all eight people to the ground. Their faces twisted in extreme discomfort.
Xiao Wu looked at the Titan Giant Ape and silently shook her head at it, which prevented everyone's bodies from suffering great damage.
Then the Titan Giant Ape directly grabbed Xiao Wu in its hand and quickly ran toward the core area of Star Dou Forest.
Seeing this, Tang San felt worry and cold killing intent suddenly emerge.
"Teacher Zhao, regardless of whether Xiao Wu is alive or dead, I must find her. This is my promise to her."
However, just as he was about to chase in the direction the Titan Giant Ape had left, an old woman with a snake staff and a face full of wrinkles, accompanied by a 15-year-old girl, walked over.
"Wait! This Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake is ours!"
"We killed this Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Snake. On what grounds should we give it to you?"
...
While Zhao Wuji was entangled with the Snake Woman, at the same time, Xiao Wu was brought back to the core area under the Titan Giant Ape's continuous running.
"Er Ming, you scared my friends by doing that. Don't do it again next time."
The Titan Giant Ape lowered its three-meter-tall head like a child who had done something wrong, looking very aggrieved.
"Is Da Ming alright?"
As soon as Xiao Wu finished speaking, the water in the Lake of Life in the core area began to vibrate. A soul beast over 50-60 meters tall with a bull's head and snake's body emerged from the surface, speaking in human language:
"Sister Xiao Wu, I'm the one who asked Er Ming to find you."
"Da Ming, seeing that you two are safe puts my mind at ease. I need to go back immediately, or Third Brother will worry and might even risk coming to find me."
Just as Xiao Wu was about to jump down from the Titan Giant Ape's shoulder, the Azure Bull Python spoke again with its extremely authoritative voice:
"Sister Xiao Wu, you haven't reached maturity yet. If any Spirit Douluo or Titled Douluo discovers you, you might very well repeat Aunt's tragedy. The human world is very dangerous."
The Azure Bull Python had given this warning dozens of times. It only hoped that Sister Xiao Wu would wait until she cultivated to level 70 and entered maturity before venturing into the spirit master world. This was both its and Er Ming's wish, as well as something Aunt had specifically instructed before.
After all, the female spirit master who had killed Aunt already knew that another 100,000-year Soft Bone Rabbit was still alive. They might have already started gathering information.
If Xiao Wu stayed by their side, they could protect her. But if she went to the human world, she might very well become someone else's spirit ring again.
"Da Ming, Third Brother will protect me."
Xiao Wu said somewhat bashfully, even a little embarrassedly.
"Third Brother? Are you talking about a male human?"
There was already some hostility in the Azure Bull Python's tone, and a flash of killing intent passed through its huge eyes. It continued:
"Humans are too greedy and never satisfied. This human who has captured your heart will always be—"
Before the Azure Bull Python could finish, Xiao Wu interrupted:
"Da Ming, Third Brother is very good to me, caring for me like a mother, letting me feel familial love."
The Titan Giant Ape beside them, seeing that the atmosphere between Xiao Wu and Da Ming was getting awkward, immediately spoke up to support Da Ming:
"Sister Xiao Wu, just listen to Big Brother. It won't be too late to leave Star Dou Forest after you cultivate to maturity."
Don't think that just because it seemed simple-minded, it couldn't distinguish between danger and safety. It completely agreed with what Da Ming said.
"Da Ming, Er Ming, I'm your big sister! If you try to stop me from going to the human world again, I'll never speak to you two again!"
Xiao Wu turned away huffily, not even looking at the two great soul beasts.
Seeing this situation, the Azure Bull Python's massive bull head snorted out a water column, somewhat dissatisfied. Then it helplessly took out the things the two great soul beasts had collected during this time.
One after another, extremely precious herbs floated beside Xiao Wu.
"Xiao Wu, these several high-quality herbs are what Er Ming and I have collected during this time. Since you insist on going to the human world, these herbs can help you reach the human Spirit Emperor level within three years."
As it spoke, the Azure Bull Python specifically singled out one herb that glowed with pink crystal-like light, resembling ginseng.
That very beautiful herb floated further in front of Xiao Wu.
"This is a treasure among herbs—Sacred Soul Grass. Sister Xiao Wu, after you eat it, your spiritual power will double, and your cultivation speed after Spirit King will also rapidly improve. If you don't consume it, carrying it with you can also conceal your soul beast aura. Even Titled Douluos won't be able to detect it."
Xiao Wu looked at the Sacred Soul Grass that had fallen into her palm, and her last trace of worry completely disappeared. A long-absent smile appeared on her face.
With this, I can stay by Third Brother's side forever, never to be separated.
۞۞۞۞
~ Push the story forward with your Power Stones