The deeper they pressed into Star Dou Great Forest, the heavier the air became. What once felt like mist now pressed against Oscar's skin like molten iron. Even his mother, who carried the weight of the Supreme Pontiff, narrowed her eyes at the density of spirit energy.
Every step forward rattled the ground. Branches were thicker, trunks wider than fortresses. And every so often, a howl echoed far away—so deep that the air trembled.
Oscar whistled, low and sharp. "Well, this feels cozy. Like walking into a dragon's stomach. Tell me, Mother, do we turn back now or after something bites my head off?"
Bibi Dong glanced at him, expression serious. "You still want to continue?"
He grinned, teeth white despite the dried blood at the corner of his mouth. "If I stop here, what kind of son would I be? Besides, after that panther, I feel like I'm owed dessert."
Her lips almost twitched. Almost.
It appeared like an earthquake.
The ground shook violently, trees swaying, roots cracking as a massive shadow pushed through the treeline.
It was a beast like no other Oscar had seen. Its body was colossal, like a mountain given flesh—horned like a rhino, but broader, with armor-plated skin that gleamed like black steel streaked with glowing golden cracks. Each breath it exhaled was hot, heavy, leaving scorch marks on the ground.
Its eyes, molten gold, locked onto Oscar with a weight that made his bones tremble.
Bibi Dong's voice was low. "Ironhide Titan Beast. Twelve thousand years. Known for absolute defense."
Oscar tilted his head, sweat beading at his temple. "You weren't kidding. That thing looks like it eats siege weapons for breakfast."
The Titan snorted. Sparks leapt from its nostrils. Its step made the forest quake.
Bibi Dong's hand hovered near her spirit rings. "Oscar, even most Soul Kings would avoid this fight."
He didn't look away. His golden scales rippled into place, wings crackling faintly with crimson lightning. His grin was sharp, proud, defiant.
"Good. Then I'll make it mine."
The Titan roared, earth splitting beneath its hooves, and charged.
Oscar barely had time to react. He flared his Scarlet Lightning Wings, body blurring sideways as the beast tore through trees like twigs. The wind of its passage hurled him backward, smashing him against a trunk.
He coughed blood, staggering upright. "Okay… definitely not a rabbit."
It turned, molten eyes blazing, and slammed a hoof into the ground. The earth rippled like water before exploding upward in a shockwave. Rocks and dirt slammed into Oscar, tearing his cloak, rattling his bones.
He spat blood again and laughed, ragged. "You hit like a drunken uncle at a family feast!"
The Titan bellowed, charging again.
Oscar roared back, golden aura erupting, Dragon God shadow looming behind him. His claws glowed, wings flared, and he met the beast head-on.
The impact shook the forest. His claws raked sparks across its armor, leaving faint scratches but no deep wounds. Its hide was like steel, unyielding.
It lowered its horn, slamming into his chest. Pain exploded—he felt ribs crack, blood flooding his mouth. He flew like a broken doll, tumbling through splintered trees.
Bibi Dong's eyes flickered, spirit energy surging, but she froze when Oscar raised a trembling hand.
"No," he croaked, staggering up, body shaking. "This is mine."
The Titan thundered toward him, each step like a war drum.
Oscar inhaled, tasting blood, and grinned through it. "Alright, metal cow… let's dance."
He used his wings, darting around the beast, claws flashing, aiming for its joints. Sparks flew, shallow cuts scoring its armor. It roared, tail whipping, nearly crushing him flat.
He moved faster, aura pressing down, forcing it to hesitate. Each second he lived was a victory. Each wound he made, no matter how shallow, fueled his pride.
"Come on!" he shouted, laughter ragged, eyes blazing. "Is that all you've got?!"
The Titan answered with a roar that shook the leaves from trees. It gathered its spirit energy, molten cracks blazing across its body. The ground groaned as it prepared its ultimate charge.
Bibi Dong's nails dug into her palm. If it hit him now, even with Dragon God aura, he'd be crushed.
Oscar knew it too. And still, he grinned.
"Guess this is it. Let's see who breaks first."
He spread his wings, lightning sparking, Dragon God aura erupting in full, golden light blazing across the forest. His claws shone, sharper than ever, a glow that pierced the mist.
The Titan charged.
Oscar charged.
Dragon and beast collided, thunder splitting the sky.
When the dust cleared, Oscar stood trembling, body covered in blood and ash, one claw buried deep in the Titan's throat.
The colossal beast shuddered, molten eyes dimming, before collapsing with a quake that shook the earth.
Oscar staggered, barely staying on his feet. "Hah… looks like… dinner's served."
Then he collapsed to his knees.
The spirit ring rose, glowing gold-black, twelve thousand years of condensed power. It hovered above him, pulsing with weight enough to crush a weaker soul master's spirit.
Oscar forced his body upright, sat cross-legged, and drew the ring in.
Agony unlike anything before wracked him. His veins felt like molten iron, his bones threatening to shatter, his heart pounding so violently it might burst.
But he didn't scream. He clenched his teeth until blood ran down his chin, wings trembling, aura thrashing wildly.
The Dragon God's shadow wrapped around him, steadying, tempering, forcing the Titan's overwhelming might to bend.
The struggle seemed endless. But slowly, painfully, the power fused into him.
The glow faded. His body sagged, sweat soaking him.
A sausage appeared in his palm, glowing golden, aura pulsing with defensive energy.
"Defense Boost Sausage," he whispered hoarsely. Then he laughed, breathless. "Now I'm really a full-course meal."
But then, once more, the impossible happened.
The Titan's body shimmered, glowing with molten light. A massive fragment of bone tore free—an armored spine, glowing with golden cracks.
It floated toward Oscar, fusing into his back with searing heat. His body arched, wings sparking violently, golden veins spreading across his skin.
He gasped as the pain became ecstasy.
A second external spirit bone.
The Ironhide Titan Spine.
His wings flared wider, crimson lightning now interlaced with molten golden cracks. His back shimmered, forming a faint layer of living armor beneath his scales.
Bibi Dong stared in disbelief. "Two external spirit bones… before rank forty… This defies all reason."
Oscar rose unsteadily, wings crackling, eyes glowing gold. His aura surged higher and higher, no longer stopping at thirty-nine.
It broke past.
Level 40.
A Soul Ancestor.
He grinned at his mother, battered and broken yet unyielding. "See? I told you I was irresistible."
She shook her head slowly, awe and fear mingling. "You… are becoming something this world has never seen."
He coughed blood, then smirked. "Then let's hope the world's ready for me."
Far away, in the Lake of Life, the spirit beasts stirred.
Di Tian's golden eyes blazed. "Two external bones… before forty. The Dragon God's vessel will shake the plane itself."
Gu Yuena's voice trembled, not with fear but with anticipation. "This… is our hope. The divine realm cannot ignore this. And neither can we."
Back in the forest, Oscar leaned on his mother's arm, wings humming, armor faintly glowing, body trembling with exhaustion.
"Mother…" he muttered weakly.
"Yes?"
"Next time… let's hunt something less terrifying. Maybe… a rabbit."
Then he passed out, still smiling.