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"Don't look back—run!!!"
Though Zhao Wuji was terrified, as a teacher, he chose to prioritize his students' safety.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun didn't hesitate for a moment and bolted without looking back.
Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing paused briefly, but Zhao Wuji's roar rang out again.
"Run! Don't worry about me!"
At that, Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing finally fled.
The moment Tang San spotted the Titan Giant Ape, he was the first to grab Xiao Wu and make a dash for it.
However, Ning Rongrong, being a support-type soul master, was the slowest among them. Paralyzed by fear, she couldn't speak and collapsed on the ground. The others had no time to help her—they were all focused on escaping.
Seeing this, Zhao Wuji gave a bitter laugh. "Sigh, Flender, you've really gotten me into trouble this time!"
If he'd only brought Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing, this likely wouldn't have happened. But as a teacher, he couldn't abandon Ning Rongrong.
"No choice. Martial Soul Avatar!"
In an instant, the form of a powerful Vajra Bear emerged, its massive body blocking the Titan Giant Ape's path.
Ning Rongrong, accustomed to a pampered life, had once again frozen in a life-or-death moment.
But the Titan Giant Ape had no interest in wasting time with Zhao Wuji. With a single punch, it sent Zhao Wuji's Martial Soul Avatar flying over a hundred meters. It ignored Ning Rongrong at its feet and charged straight toward Xiao Wu.
Tang San, fleeing with Xiao Wu, was struck with dread. "Why? Why is the Titan Giant Ape chasing me and not Oscar or the others?"
Unbeknownst to him, Xiao Wu had been silently signaling the ape, urging it to hurry and take her away.
"ROAR!!!"
The Titan Giant Ape leaped high into the air, its mountain-like frame displaying shocking agility. Even with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track pushed to its limit, Tang San couldn't gain any distance.
Xiao Wu signaled with her eyes, "Er Ming, don't hurt Tang San. Just take me and leave quickly."
The Titan Giant Ape gave a nearly imperceptible nod and slammed down, shattering the ground. Tang San and Xiao Wu were both flung into the air, powerless to resist.
The Titan Giant Ape reached out, grabbed Xiao Wu, then bolted into the forest without looking back. To a bystander, it might have looked like it was stealing someone's bride.
"Xiao Wu!!!"
Tang San's eyes were bloodshot. He tried to chase after her, only to be thrown to the ground by the fierce wind the Titan Giant Ape kicked up.
The beast even gave a disdainful, human-like glance, as if thinking: "This weakling—how can he possibly protect Sister Xiao Wu?"
The Titan Giant Ape disappeared in just a few breaths.
Just then, Zhao Wuji reappeared, carrying Ning Rongrong. Seeing the mess, he asked urgently, "What happened? Is anyone hurt?"
Oscar and the others, seeing the danger had passed, regrouped around Zhao Wuji. In the Star Dou Forest, the safest place was by his side.
"Xiao Wu, my Xiao Wu!"
Everyone saw Tang San's distress and realized Xiao Wu had likely been taken by the Titan Giant Ape.
"I have to save her!" Tang San cried, running in the direction the ape had gone.
But with only the strength of a level-29 Soul Grandmaster, how could he possibly challenge the Titan Giant Ape? Even if he caught up, he'd just be throwing his life away.
Already on edge, Zhao Wuji knocked Tang San unconscious with a single palm strike.
"Rest here!"
Xiao Wu's fate was uncertain. Though they wanted to help, their strength was limited. Everyone looked grim. Even if they had their differences, Xiao Wu was still a fellow Shrek student.
Zhao Wuji paced like an ant on a hot pan. "Why hasn't Hua-zi shown up yet? Doesn't he know the Titan Giant Ape is in the outer forest?"
But Lan Minghua already knew—he had known even before them. Still, this was a private matter he had no intention of interfering with. The Titan Giant Ape and Xiao Wu were also smart enough not to harm anyone from Shrek. They knew Lan Minghua was in the forest, and hurting his students would only bring trouble.
After a while, Zhao Wuji sensed another presence rapidly approaching.
"Something else is coming! If it looks bad, run immediately!"
Everyone was on edge, like startled birds. After all, they had just faced the king of the Star Dou Forest.
Fortunately, this time it wasn't another powerful beast, but a snake-like one with a vivid red crown.
"That's... the Scarlet-Crested Phoenix-Tail Snake!"
Talk about finding what you've been searching for by pure luck. Zhao Wuji had been considering relocating to find Oscar's third soul ring, but now the snake had come right to them. Judging by its size, it was over a thousand years old—perfect.
"It's a Scarlet-Crested Phoenix-Tail Snake. Oscar, you're in luck."
Zhao Wuji didn't let the students waste time. He smacked the charging snake on the head, nearly killing it.
"Oscar, finish it off and absorb its soul ring."
After everything that happened, Zhao Wuji had forgotten Lan Minghua's new instructions. But Oscar didn't know this and still considered the snake his top choice.
Just as he was about to strike the killing blow, three figures suddenly rushed toward them.
"Wait, young man!"
A hoarse voice shouted, forcing Oscar to halt.
"Who's there?!" Zhao Wuji stepped protectively in front of Oscar, his eyes fixed on the newcomers.
It was an old man, a woman, and a teenage girl.
When Zhao Wuji saw the dragon-headed cane and snake-headed staff, he instantly recognized them.
"The Invincible Dragon and Snake?!"
The old man was Meng Shu, known as the Dragon Duke. The woman was Chao Tianxiang, known as the Snake Matron. The girl was their granddaughter, Meng Yiran.
"Well, I didn't expect a Soul Saint would recognize an old man like me." The Dragon Duke spoke calmly, not surprised. After all, the couple was a well-known pair in the soul master world.
"This junior, Zhao Wuji, greets the Dragon Duke and Snake Matron," he introduced himself respectfully.
"So it's the Unmovable King. No wonder you reached the Soul Saint realm at such a young age." Zhao Wuji had gained some fame for escaping Spirit Hall pursuers, and many veterans had heard of him.
Seeing that Zhao Wuji was the only teacher present, the Dragon Duke felt at ease.
"This Scarlet-Crested Phoenix-Tail Snake was meant for our granddaughter, Yiran. We inflicted the wound on its tail. If possible, we hope you'll let us have it."
The Dragon Duke wasn't known for being polite; these words were already a show of respect. After all, making an enemy of a Soul Saint wasn't wise.
Zhao Wuji looked troubled. After what had just happened, he wanted to leave the forest as soon as possible.
At that moment, Tang San regained consciousness and sensed the strength of the newcomers. Hope ignited in him, and he spoke up at once.
"Seniors, my sister has been taken by the Titan Giant Ape! If you can rescue her, I'm willing to do anything!"
"You want this snake, right? Take it—just please save my sister!"
He made the decision without even consulting Zhao Wuji, which made his teacher deeply unhappy.
The Dragon Duke smirked. "In that case, I'll gladly accept this snake."
Ignoring Zhao Wuji's dark expression, he reached for it.
Suddenly, a slipper dropped from the sky and smacked the Dragon Duke's outstretched hand.
A mocking voice followed from above:
"Is that yours for the taking?"
(End of Chapter)