The Shrek group moved swiftly through the Star Dou Great Forest, their formation still neat, but the excitement and nervous anticipation they had felt upon entering was long gone. After two full days of fruitless searching and constant vigilance, fatigue showed clearly on every face.
"Xiao San, don't get impatient. This is how spirit ring hunting is, especially once you start looking for thousand-year rings. Back when I was searching for my third spirit ring, Dean Zhao and I spent more than three days before we succeeded," Dai Mubai said, noticing Tang San's low spirits and trying to comfort him.
"Don't worry, Boss Dai, I understand. I just feel bad making everyone suffer with me, wandering the Star Dou Great Forest just to find a spirit beast for my ring."
"What are you saying? We're a team!" Dai Mubai slung an arm over Tang San's shoulder.
He was about to continue when Qian Jue, who had been at the rear, suddenly froze. His sharp eyes locked onto something ahead.
"What is it, Brother Jue?" Xiao Wu, who was walking just in front of him, instantly noticed the change when he stopped and turned to ask.
Qian Jue gave her a glance, then suddenly roared:
"Level One Alert! Everyone, fall back to the teachers—now!"
"Huh? What's going on?" The sudden shout startled everyone, leaving them briefly confused. But the training from Grandmaster quickly kicked in, and they retreated without hesitation according to Qian Jue's order.
This was part of the rules drilled into them before entering the Star Dou Great Forest: as the team's scout, if Qian Jue issued an emergency command, the others must obey instantly. A "Level One Alert" meant they had encountered a danger utterly beyond their ability to resist—something only the teachers could handle.
At the same time, Flender and Liu Erlong had already sensed something was wrong. A terrifying beastly aura was closing in rapidly. Even from just a rough impression, it was clearly over ten-thousand-year-level pressure—far beyond what the children could handle.
They immediately led Grandmaster forward to regroup.
'So this is… the Titan Giant Ape!'
Through the eyes of his wolf spirit, Qian Jue caught sight of the figure. But even without seeing it directly, the crushing dominance of this Beast King could already be felt.
'Crack… crunch… snap…'
The sound of branches breaking and leaves being trampled echoed. A colossal figure over ten meters tall forced its way through the dense canopy, emerging into view.
Black fur like ink, a body bulging with terrifying muscles, lantern-sized eyes shining like twin suns—an ape, yet not quite a monkey.
"This is… the Titan Giant Ape!!!"
Not just Grandmaster, but almost everyone recognized the beast immediately. It had been one of the core topics in Grandmaster's spirit beast lectures.
The Titan Giant Ape—ruler among spirit beasts, bearing the bloodline of the primordial Titan. Just as there were peerless prodigies among spirit masters, the Titan Giant Ape was a supreme beast, one that could wield strength far beyond its cultivation years.
Grandmaster had explained before: even a hundred-year Titan Giant Ape was enough to terrify most ten-thousand-year beasts into avoiding it. Its strength, speed, defense, vitality—every attribute was at the pinnacle. On top of that, it could release abilities comparable to spirit skills. Wherever it appeared, it was the undisputed overlord of the forest.
Someone had once asked Grandmaster what should be done if they encountered one. His answer had been only a single word: 'Run!' Run at all costs. Never even think of fighting, because anyone who had thought of resisting had already died.
And this Titan Giant Ape before them, standing at over ten meters tall, was no mere juvenile. A quick estimate from Grandmaster told him its cultivation was at least 50,000 years. To face it would require nothing less than a true Titled Douluo—just to barely hold their ground.
Grandmaster's eyes hardened. No hesitation.
"Flender, Erlong!"
At his shout, Flender and Liu Erlong stepped forward, taking position in front of him. The three clasped hands, forming a triangle.
They exchanged a single look—each one's eyes filled with the same fire. For Flender and Erlong especially, this was a moment they had waited for far too long.
"Sun—Moon—Shine—Radiance—Golden—Tri—Formation!"
Flender enunciated every word of the incantation. As the last syllable fell, three golden beams of light erupted from beneath their feet, spiraling skyward, entwining into a dazzling triangular column of gold.
Within the glowing prism, intricate runes took form, weaving into a mysterious array. Grandmaster raised his hand, releasing his spirit. The plump, bewildered form of Luo San Pao appeared in the center.
The moment San Pao saw the light and runes enveloping it, its foggy eyes widened in recognition. Though it had been nearly twenty years since they had last used this technique, that overwhelming mix of pain and power was unforgettable.
Its gaze locked with Grandmaster's.
'It's here…'
'Come on!'
The three placed their palms upon San Pao. One by one, their spirit rings detached, fusing into its body. Sixteen rings in total. With each one, San Pao howled in agony. By the last black ring, its roar became unbearable.
"ROAAAR!!!"
Its body warped violently under the power. Muscles swelled monstrously, fangs pierced from its jaw, scales tore forth across its body in a spray of blood.
Its screeches shifted, deepened—pig-like squeals giving way to a draconic roar.
With a thunderous crack, colossal golden wings tore free from its back, spreading majestically. A tail, claws, a horned head followed.
In the blink of an eye, a golden dragon wreathed in lightning descended from the light, radiating awe and majesty.
The Titan Giant Ape—Er Ming—had of course been summoned by Xiao Wu. She had sent her aura to the forest's beasts, who relayed it until Er Ming himself had come.
Originally, Er Ming thought taking Xiao Wu away would be effortless. As the overlord of the forest, who could stop him? But the golden dragon before him, born of the fusion skill, gave him pause. For the first time in ages, he felt a faint sense of danger. He was not afraid, but… Xiao Wu seemed not to be an enemy of these humans.
So his colossal eyes turned toward her, waiting for her signal.
Shrek's group, however, felt only icy dread under that gaze. Their bodies trembled uncontrollably. Only Xiao Wu, when no one was watching, gave the tiniest shake of her head.
The Titan Giant Ape remained still, simply staring. Grandmaster frowned, unsure of its intent.
But they didn't have the luxury of waiting. A spirit fusion technique had limits.
"Xiao Jue! Take them and go! We'll find you later!"
With that, Grandmaster directed the golden dragon born of Luo San Pao forward, charging at the Titan Giant Ape—hoping to force it back before the fusion time ran out.
…