"Oscar! What exactly is your third soul skill?"
"Yeah, yeah! Can it be used as an extra meal?!"
It was evening. Since they still needed to hunt a spirit ring for Han Feng, the group hadn't left the Star Dou Forest. Instead, they chose a small hill to camp for the night. At this time, Oscar had just finished absorbing his third spirit ring and was immediately surrounded by Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, demanding answers.
Dai Mubai was simply curious about the effect of Oscar's third soul skill. As for Ma Hongjun...
He was far more interested in whether it tasted good.
And that was understandable. After all, they couldn't make fire in the Star Dou Forest, so their dinner options were limited to wild fruits and a few edible plants. For a foodie like Ma Hongjun, that was practically torture.
"Hehe… You won't believe it when I tell you! My third soul skill… can let people fly!"
Oscar's peach blossom eyes sparkled with excitement, and he couldn't help but smirk at the thought of his new ability.
Upon hearing the word "fly," Ma Hongjun immediately lost interest—How could that count as a soul skill? Isn't that something a martial soul could inherently do? Your soul skill is just my passive ability? So Oscar's third soul skill was only good as rations after all!
But Dai Mubai remained interested—he couldn't fly, after all.
Noticing the disdain in Ma Hongjun's eyes, Oscar snorted and said, "Of course my third soul skill isn't just about flying. The key is speed! My third soul skill lets all soul masters—including myself—fly for one minute at the speed of a Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent! That's a speed even you, Fatty, can't match right now!"
As Oscar finished speaking, the others, scattered around, immediately gathered, even the always-cold Zhu Zhuqing.
The speed of the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent was something even an agility-type soul master like Zhu Zhuqing couldn't currently match!
If not for Ma Hongjun's suppression, Zhu Zhuqing might not even have been able to keep up with that serpent!
Everyone gathered around Oscar to ask about the details of his soul skill—everyone except Han Feng.
He already knew what Oscar's third soul skill was. More importantly, he knew what was coming.
If Dai Mubai and the others knew that a hundred-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape was about to appear, they probably wouldn't be in the mood to joke.
Han Feng glanced at them and clicked his tongue softly. In the end, he said nothing.
He had no way of explaining it. Even if he could come up with a plausible excuse, he couldn't prevent the Titan Giant Ape's attack—unless they were willing to abandon Xiao Wu.
But was that even possible?
Sigh... Thinking this, Han Feng let out a sigh and prayed silently in his heart, "Hopefully the plot hasn't changed…"
According to the original story, the Titan Giant Ape was only here to find Xiao Wu and had no intent to harm anyone else. Otherwise, as the King of the Forest—a hundred-thousand-year soul beast that could rival a Super Douluo—how could Zhao Wuji possibly stop it!?
Let alone ensure everyone's survival!
"What's wrong? Worried about the third soul skill?" A gentle, concerned voice came from behind him.
Han Feng turned around to see Ning Rongrong standing quietly behind him, gazing at him calmly.
Right now, Han Feng had no energy to think about Ning Rongrong's personality shift, nor could he tell her what was on his mind. He casually replied, "Why are you here? Don't you want to know about Oscar's third soul skill?"
"Aren't you here too?" Ning Rongrong smiled slyly and shot back, "Besides, we'll all know eventually anyway, right?"
"Aren't you afraid Oscar will surpass you? You're also a support-type soul master." Han Feng chatted idly with her while staying alert for changes in their surroundings.
But Ning Rongrong seemed used to Han Feng's distant attitude. She smiled lightly and said, "Of course I'm afraid! That's why I'll work harder. You'll help me, won't you?"
Under the quiet night sky, the starlight seemed to shimmer in the girl's eyes as she looked at Han Feng with hope.
But Han Feng didn't notice the glimmer in her gaze. Even though he vaguely felt something, the looming pressure of the Titan Giant Ape left him no room to think about it. He only responded, "We'll talk about it later."
Ning Rongrong didn't mind. She just smiled quietly, knowing Han Feng wasn't in the mood. She didn't interrupt or ask why he was worried—he wouldn't tell her anyway.
Boom!
"It's coming!"
Minutes passed. Suddenly, Han Feng felt the ground beneath his feet shake violently. In the darkness, a massive object—dozens of meters in diameter—hurtled toward them. His pupils shrank, heart pounding violently!
Zhao Wuji reacted simultaneously. His fifth soul ring lit up, and using gravity control, he pulled the stunned Ma Hongjun and the others out of harm's way, yelling angrily, "What are you waiting for?! RUN!!"
On the other side, Han Feng grabbed Ning Rongrong without hesitation. Ignoring her startled scream, he threw her into the air, then flashed forward using his second soul ring. He blocked incoming debris with his Radiant Heaven Shield, caught her midair, and retreated.
"What is that?! Why are there two moons in the sky!?" Ma Hongjun shouted in shock once they landed.
Han Feng's heart pounded even harder. He had underestimated the Titan Giant Ape. In the original story, Tang San and the others had gotten away unharmed, but now—even before the beast had shown itself—Han Feng could already feel the crushing pressure in the air. He shouted without even looking up:
"That's not a moon—it's an EYE! RUN! It's a hundred-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape!"
But his outburst made Xiao Wu suddenly turn to look at him.
Seeing her gaze, Han Feng knew he'd have to come up with an excuse later. But for now, he had no time to think.
"Titan Giant Ape!?"
Even Zhao Wuji's expression flickered with panic upon hearing the name.
"RUN! Don't look back! Oscar—use your third soul skill! QUICK!"
"Xiao Wu, go!"
Everyone took Oscar's flight soul skill and bolted. When Tang San noticed Xiao Wu standing still, he quickly dragged her with him.
Seeing that, Han Feng nearly shouted,
"No! Leave her there! It's better for everyone!"
"ROAR!!!"
As expected, the moment Xiao Wu was taken away, the Titan Giant Ape went berserk. It let out a thunderous roar that made everyone's eardrums ache and buzz for what felt like ages.
While everyone was still dizzy, the Titan Giant Ape lunged for Xiao Wu. Tang San's eyes turned bloodshot.
"Xiao Wu!!"
"ROAR!"
As Tang San screamed in despair, another roar echoed. Zhao Wuji had summoned his martial soul avatar—a massive Golden Vajra Bear—to confront the Titan Giant Ape. Zhao Wuji was ready to risk his life.
As the leader, he would let no one hurt his students.
But to the Titan Giant Ape, it was just a provocation. With a glare, it gently placed Xiao Wu in its left hand, then raised its right fist and punched straight at Zhao Wuji!
Zhao Wuji didn't retreat. He roared and counterpunched.
"The Seven Treasures Have a Name! First: Strength!"
Ning Rongrong seized the opportunity to amplify Zhao Wuji with her first soul skill. But the power difference was too great—it drained all her soul power in an instant. Her body trembled and nearly collapsed, and Han Feng had to support her.
BOOM!
The two fists clashed.
Even with Ning Rongrong's boost, Zhao Wuji's power was only at Soul Douluo level. There was no way he could withstand a Titan Giant Ape. His martial soul avatar was shattered in one blow, and he suffered heavy backlash!