Star Dou Great Forest

That day, Flender gathered the seven of them at the Training Ground once again. Master Yu Xiaogang stood beside him.

"Pack your things. We leave for the Star Dou Great Forest tomorrow." Flender adjusted his glasses, getting straight to the point.

"The Star Dou Great Forest?" Oscar cried out. "Dean, what are we going there for? The soul beasts there are way too fierce!"

"To obtain your third soul rings," Master said, his gaze sweeping across them. "Your Soul Power has all reached a bottleneck. You need suitable soul rings to break through. The Star Dou Great Forest is dangerous, but it has the soul beasts best suited for you."

He looked at Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao. "Especially you two. The further evolution of Blue Silver Grass and the Phantom Moon Fox requires exceptionally powerful soul rings for support. Ordinary soul beast forests can hardly meet that requirement."

Anticipation and anxiety seized all seven of them at once. A third soul ring meant they would all become Soul Elders, and their strength would undergo a qualitative leap!

Early the next morning, the group of nine—including Flender and Master—quietly left Suotuo City and set off for the Star Dou Great Forest.

The closer they drew to the Star Dou Great Forest, the heavier the atmosphere became. Towering ancient trees blotted out the sky, and the air was saturated with a primal, dangerous aura. It was far more terrifying than the Soul Hunting Forest outside Nuoding City.

"Stay close. Don't act on your own," Master warned in a low voice. "Ten-thousand-year soul beasts are not uncommon in the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest. There may even be Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts."

Everyone held their breath and carefully followed the two teachers deeper into the forest.

Finding suitable soul beasts was no easy task. Master knew every person's Martial Soul and needs inside out, so their goals were clear, but powerful soul beasts often lived farther within the forest.

On the afternoon of the third day, they finally found a suitable thousand-year Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent for Oscar. After a tense but ultimately safe hunt, Oscar successfully absorbed its soul ring and gained the Flying Mushroom Sausage ability. He was so excited he nearly shot into the sky.

Soon afterward, they found Ning Rongrong a thousand-year Aromatic Silk Beauty, further improving the support abilities of her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.

When it was Zhu Zhuqing's turn, however, the process was extremely perilous. She had set her sights on a Hell Spirit Cat with incredible speed and cultivation close to five thousand years. Zhu Zhuqing insisted on absorbing a soul ring beyond her level. The process was agonizing, and she nearly failed, but in the end, she endured through sheer force of will. The soul skill she gained, Netherworld Slash, was extraordinarily powerful.

Dai Mubai patted her shoulder. For once, he did not tease her, and his eyes were full of admiration. A faint smile also appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's pale face.

Next was Xiao Wu. She left by herself for a while, and when she returned, a purple soul ring had already appeared on her body. She said she had encountered a heavily injured thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit and gotten lucky. Although everyone found it somewhat coincidental, they did not ask further.

Now, only Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao had yet to obtain their third soul rings.

"We need to find two thousand-year spirit-system soul beasts, preferably with cultivation above five thousand years." Master's expression was solemn. "Such soul beasts are rare and cunning. They are the hardest to find."

They searched the forest for another two days. During that time, they encountered several waves of soul beast attacks and survived each without serious danger, but they still failed to find anything suitable for the two of them.

That evening, as everyone rested beside a relatively safe river valley, a strange Mental Fluctuation suddenly came from deep within the forest.

Xiao Xiaoxiao abruptly rose to her feet. Her Phantom Moon Fox Martial Soul appeared on its own, beyond her control, restless and agitated.

"What's wrong?" Tang San immediately noticed her abnormal state.

"Over there... something is calling to me..." Xiao Xiaoxiao pointed toward the source of the fluctuation, her eyes slightly dazed yet carrying a hint of longing.

Master and Flender exchanged a look, their expressions turning serious.

"Be careful. Let's go take a look," Master said in a low voice.

The group carefully followed the fluctuation forward. The farther they went, the stronger Xiao Xiaoxiao's feeling became. The fluctuation was resonating intensely with her own Martial Soul.

At last, they passed through a dense stretch of forest, and the view suddenly opened up. Before them lay a small lake hidden within a valley. Its water was crystal clear, and at its center grew a strange plant—its entire body as translucent as crystal, its leaves shaped like crescent moons, and a silver flower blooming at its peak, radiating a hazy glow.

"This is... a Moonlight Lotus?" Shock flashed in Master's eyes. "At least an eight-thousand-year spirit-system plant soul beast! It seems to be... actively drawing Xiaoxiao in?"

The Moonlight Lotus swayed without wind, its petals gently trembling as waves of soft silver radiance spread outward, precisely enveloping Xiao Xiaoxiao.

Xiao Xiaoxiao felt the Soul Power throughout her body boil. Her Sea of Consciousness was more active than ever, as though a long drought had finally met sweet rain.

"It chose me..." she murmured, unconsciously walking forward.

"Be careful!" Tang San grabbed her wrist, his eyes warily sweeping their surroundings. Such a heavenly treasure was certain to have a powerful guardian soul beast.

Sure enough, the lake suddenly exploded. A Giant Python, completely silver-white with a single horn growing from its head, shot out. Its cold vertical pupils locked onto the approaching Xiao Xiaoxiao, and with a hiss, a powerful Mental Shock rushed straight at her!

"It's a Silver Moon Horned Python! At least seven thousand years of cultivation! Protect Xiaoxiao!" Master shouted urgently.

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing immediately moved to the front, while Xiao Wu and Oscar guarded the flanks. Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda shone brilliantly, and her boosts instantly fell upon everyone.

The Silver Moon Horned Python was extremely cunning. It did not clash directly with Dai Mubai and the others. Its enormous body was astonishingly nimble, always finding gaps in their defense. Waves of Mental Shock flew like sharp arrows, all aimed at Xiao Xiaoxiao.

Xiao Xiaoxiao's face turned pale under the relentless Mental Shocks. If not for Tang San's special training over the past few months, which had strengthened her Spiritual Power considerably, she would have collapsed long ago.

Tang San's eyes sharpened. He unleashed Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and actually charged toward a Mental Shock. At the same time, several cold flashes flew from his hand, aiming directly for the Silver Moon Horned Python's vital point and eyes!

Clang! Clang! Clang! The Silver Moon Horned Python's scales were hard, and most of the Hidden Weapons bounced away, but they successfully drew its attention.

"Xiaoxiao, disrupt the position of its horn!" Tang San shouted. At the same time, even more Hidden Weapons shot out like a raging storm, sealing off the Silver Moon Horned Python's routes of movement.

Xiao Xiaoxiao endured the splitting headache and concentrated all her Spiritual Power, forming it into an invisible spike that viciously pierced the base of the Silver Moon Horned Python's horn—the core where it gathered its Spiritual Power!

The Silver Moon Horned Python released a pained hiss, its movements abruptly freezing!

Now!

Violet-gold light flared in Tang San's eyes. Seizing the opening, he activated his first soul skill, Entangling. The mutated Blue Silver Grass instantly wrapped around the python's body, madly injecting paralyzing venom. At the same time, his figure closed in like Gui Mei, and his Mysterious Jade Hand slammed viciously into the base of the horn!

Crack! A crisp sound rang out as a crack appeared in the horn!

The Silver Moon Horned Python suffered a heavy blow and struggled madly, on the verge of breaking free from the Blue Silver Grass.

"Boss Dai! Zhu Qing!" Tang San shouted urgently.

Dai Mubai's White Tiger Fierce Light Wave and Zhu Zhuqing's Netherworld Slash arrived at the same time, striking precisely at the crack in the horn!

Boom!

The Silver Moon Horned Python's horn completely snapped off. It let out a miserable wail and crashed heavily to the ground. After struggling a few times, it stopped moving, and a deep purple soul ring slowly condensed above it.

The battle was over, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Tang San quickly walked over to Xiao Xiaoxiao. "Are you alright?"

Xiao Xiaoxiao shook her head, but her gaze was anxiously fixed on the Moonlight Lotus in the middle of the lake. After its guardian had been defeated, the plant's glow became even gentler, and its call grew even stronger.

"Go." Master nodded. "It chose you. This is your opportunity."

Xiao Xiaoxiao waded toward the center of the lake. The closer she came, the more she could feel that vast and pure spiritual energy. She sat cross-legged before the Moonlight Lotus and gently touched a petal with one finger.

Buzz—!

The Moonlight Lotus transformed into a streak of silver light and poured into her body. Immense energy instantly filled every limb and bone, washing through her meridians and Sea of Consciousness.

The absorption process was far smoother than expected. Though the energy was immense, it was exceptionally gentle, blending perfectly with her own Martial Soul. She could feel her Spiritual Power growing wildly and undergoing a qualitative transformation, while countless insights seemed to arise in her mind.

After an unknown amount of time, she slowly opened her eyes. Moonlight seemed to flow within them, clear and profound. Three soul rings rose beneath her feet—two yellow and one purple. The final purple soul ring was especially deep in color, its edges carrying a faint silver halo.

"She succeeded!" Xiao Wu cheered.

Tang San looked at Xiao Xiaoxiao, whose temperament had subtly changed, and a trace of barely noticeable relief appeared in his eyes.

"What soul skill did you gain?" Master asked.

Xiao Xiaoxiao sensed it for a moment, then an excited smile appeared on her face. "My third soul skill is Moonlight Illusion. It can create a realistic mental illusion to trap opponents. And..." She paused, speaking uncertainly. "I think... I can slightly sense the emotional fluctuations of living beings around me now."

Group control combined with emotional perception! Everyone was stunned. This soul skill would be immensely useful in team battles!

"Good! Very good!" Master nodded repeatedly, his face full of gratification.

At that moment, Tang San suddenly turned toward the depths of the forest, his brows tightly furrowed. "Something is approaching... fast! And powerful!"

As soon as he spoke, a terrifying pressure swept over them like a tidal wave, making everyone's breathing stop!

The trees were brutally forced apart as an enormous figure slowly emerged. It was a Giant Ape with a completely black body and knotted muscles, over ten meters tall. Its eyes were as large as lanterns, gleaming with violent red light.

It merely stood there, yet the aura it emitted made everyone's legs go weak.

"It's... it's the Titan Giant Ape!" Oscar's voice trembled. "The king of the forest... a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!"

Everyone's faces turned deathly pale at once. Before such a legendary existence, they did not even have a chance to escape!

The Titan Giant Ape's gaze swept across the group before finally settling on—Xiao Wu?

It let out a low roar and actually extended its enormous palm, carefully reaching toward Xiao Wu!

"Xiao Wu!" Dai Mubai roared. He activated White Tiger Vajra Transformation and was about to charge forward.

"Don't!" Xiao Wu suddenly shouted, her voice filled with urgency and... complexity? "It... it doesn't seem to have any ill intent..."

The Giant Ape's fingers gently touched Xiao Wu, then pointed toward the depths of the forest, seemingly telling her to follow it.

Xiao Wu bit her lip, looking at her companions and then at the Giant Ape. The struggle in her eyes grew stronger.

At that moment, another sudden change occurred!

Another terrifying aura, not the slightest bit weaker than the Titan Giant Ape's, descended from the sky! A blue figure flashed like lightning, pouncing directly toward Tang San!

It was a blue Giant Ape, somewhat smaller in size but even more agile. It moved so fast that the naked eye could barely follow it!

"The Sky Azure Bull Python!" Master cried out in despair.

The two kings of the forest had appeared at the same time!

The Sky Azure Bull Python's target was clear: Tang San! It seemed to have sensed some special aura on Tang San—perhaps the Blue Silver Emperor Bloodline, perhaps the mark Tang Hao had left behind. Its eyes were filled with fury and killing intent!

Its enormous bull head rammed toward Tang San with destructive force. It was so fast that even Flender and Master had no time to save him!

Tang San's pupils contracted sharply. Before such an absolute gap in strength, every soul skill seemed pale and powerless!

"Tang San!" Xiao Xiaoxiao was closest to him. Almost instinctively, she threw herself forward, her third soul ring instantly blazing to its limit. "Moonlight Illusion!"

She unleashed every bit of the Spiritual Power she had just gained, which had not yet stabilized, attempting to create an illusion and interfere with the Sky Azure Bull Python! Even if it only bought them an instant!

However, how powerful was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast's Spiritual Power? The illusion was torn apart almost instantly! The powerful backlash made Xiao Xiaoxiao spit out blood. Her Sea of Consciousness felt as though it had exploded in unbearable pain, and her body collapsed limply.

But in that utterly insignificant instant she had bought!

Tang San's eyes instantly turned red! He caught the falling Xiao Xiaoxiao, and when he saw her pale face and the blood at the corner of her lips, an unprecedented violent emotion surged into his heart!

"Get lost!" He released a low roar that barely sounded human. A small black hammer appeared without warning in his left hand, carrying a terrifyingly heavy presence as it smashed toward the Sky Azure Bull Python's charging head!

It was not truly an attack, but more like an instinctive display of intimidation and expulsion!

Buzz—!

An indescribably dull boom erupted! The instant the Clear Sky Hammer met the bull head, even space seemed to twist!

The Sky Azure Bull Python's forward momentum abruptly halted. It let out an uncertain hiss, and disbelief and... wariness? flashed through its enormous eyes. It had actually been forced back a step!

Though it was only one step, though Tang San also vomited blood from the impact, his arm letting out a bone-cracking sound that made teeth ache, and the Clear Sky Hammer instantly vanished, he had truly blocked an attack from a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!

Everyone was stunned by the sudden scene!

Flender and Master stared dumbfoundedly at the place where Tang San's left hand had been, then at the Sky Azure Bull Python that had been forced back. Their eyes were filled with shock and confusion.

The Titan Giant Ape also stopped moving and looked over in confusion.

The Sky Azure Bull Python shook its enormous head, its scarlet eyes fixed on Tang San. It was uncertain and suspicious, seemingly unable to understand why this weak human could unleash such terrifying power, or what that small hammer had been.

Taking advantage of this opening, Flender and Master finally reacted. They rushed in front of Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao, releasing their Martial Souls with all their strength. Though they remained insignificant before the two kings, neither retreated a single step.

Xiao Wu hurriedly gestured at the Titan Giant Ape, anxiously saying something.

The Titan Giant Ape looked at Xiao Wu, then at the injured Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao, and finally at the guarded group. In the end, it let out a low roar and gently pushed the Sky Azure Bull Python with its massive palm.

The Sky Azure Bull Python unwillingly glared at Tang San. It then looked at Xiao Xiaoxiao, whom Tang San was tightly protecting in his arms, seemingly curious about the Spiritual Power that had interfered with it earlier. Finally, it raised its head and let out a long howl, then turned and vanished into the dense forest after a few leaps.

The Titan Giant Ape gave Xiao Wu a deep look as well, then turned and strode away, making the ground tremble beneath its steps.

The terrifying pressure receded like the tide.

They had escaped death!

Everyone collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, their backs soaked in cold sweat.

"Xiao San! Xiaoxiao!" Xiao Wu was the first to rush over, her voice choked with tears.

Ignoring his fractured arm and churning blood, Tang San hurriedly checked Xiao Xiaoxiao's condition. Her eyes were shut tight, her face as pale as paper, and her breathing weak. She had clearly overdrawn her Spiritual Power and suffered severe backlash.

He hurriedly took out the Recovery Big Sausage Oscar had given him earlier and carefully fed it to her. Then he activated the Mysterious Heaven Skill, slowly sending a weak stream of Mysterious Heaven energy into her body to protect her heart meridian.

Master and Flender gathered around, their faces grim. Flender checked Tang San's arm. "A fractured arm and internal trauma. You're badly injured." He then looked at Xiao Xiaoxiao, frowning deeply. "Xiaoxiao is in even worse condition. Spiritual Power backlash. If this goes badly, it could damage her foundation."

Master looked at Tang San, seeming to hesitate before speaking. In the end, he merely said in a deep voice, "We leave this place first. We can't stay in the Star Dou Great Forest."

Dai Mubai carried the unconscious Xiao Xiaoxiao on his back, while Oscar supported Tang San. Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu kept watch, Ning Rongrong gave her full support, and the group fled the Star Dou Great Forest in a bedraggled rush at the fastest speed possible.

Only when they could see the distant outline of Suotuo City did they dare stop for a brief rest.

Master had already roughly set Tang San's arm. Still, Tang San insisted on staying by Xiao Xiaoxiao's side. His gaze never left her pale face, his thin lips pressed tightly together as he remained silent.

Xiao Wu held a waterskin and carefully moistened Xiao Xiaoxiao's lips, her eyes red. "Xiaoxiao did it all to save you..."

Tang San's body trembled slightly. His fingers clenched, his nails digging into his palms.

Of course he knew. At that critical moment, she had stood in front of him without hesitation, using her fragile Spiritual Power to challenge the king of the forest.

Why? She was obviously so weak. Why was she always so willing to throw everything away?

A strange feeling surged in his heart, both bitter and burning, choking him until he felt panicked.

Just then, Xiao Xiaoxiao's long eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes. Her vision remained blurred for quite some time before it finally focused.