Gold Devouring Rat and the Breakthrough Hammer

At first light, the open ground before Shrek Academy was already steeped in a tense, murderous air. Flender, Master, and Zhao Wuji stood in a triangle, their gazes sweeping across the eight fully equipped students before them— even Xiao Wu, usually the most restless, and Oscar, who loved cracking jokes, had wiped away their smiles. Their faces were taut with the gravity of facing real danger.

"The Star Dou Great Forest is not the Soul Hunting Forest. It is the territory of soul beasts, and the danger there is no joke." Master's voice was colder and harsher than usual. "Ten-year and hundred-year soul beasts are merely appetizers. Thousand-year ones are everywhere, and if you are unlucky, you may even encounter ten-thousand-year ones. Let your guard down for even a moment, and you will lose your life."

Flender pushed up his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses sharp as blades. "Stay twelve parts alert! Remember, you are a team. No one acts alone! Follow the commands of Xiao Gang, Teacher Zhao, and me!"

Zhao Wuji snorted, his fan-sized hands cracking as he clenched them together. "Brats, don't expect me to save you in time every time something happens. Hold tight to your own lives!"

"Yes!" The eight answered in unison, their voices carrying the sharpness of youth as well as tightly suppressed nervousness.

"Move!"

Zhao Wuji led the way, while Flender and Master guarded the two sides, keeping the students in the middle as the group hurried toward the Star Dou Great Forest. The closer they came to the forest, the stranger the air became—the vegetation grew thick and wild, the wind carried the smell of rotting leaves and an indescribable sense of danger, while beast roars and insect cries from the distant woods made their skin crawl.

At last, an ancient forest stretching beyond sight stood before them. Towering trees blocked out the sky, vines coiled around trunks like giant pythons, and thick layers of fallen leaves covered the ground. They felt soft beneath their feet, but no one knew what might be hiding underneath. The dim light and invisible pressure made their chests feel tight.

"Maintain formation," Master ordered in a low voice. "Mubai and Tang San, scout ahead. Zhu Qing, investigate the flanks. Xiao Wu and Oscar, stay in the center. Rongrong and Xiaoxiao, bring up the rear. Fatty, watch the sky and our back."

The group immediately shifted formation. Dai Mubai and Tang San took the lead side by side, one fierce in presence and the other sharp-eyed as they vigilantly scanned their surroundings. Zhu Zhuqing slipped into the woods at the side like a wisp of black smoke, occasionally emerging to signal them. Xiao Wu pulled Oscar behind her protectively. Ning Rongrong and Xiao Xiaoxiao held the rear, while Ma Hongjun periodically looked up through gaps in the canopy.

The forest was even more terrifying within—hot and damp, with poisonous insects hidden beneath blades of grass and camouflaged venomous snakes possibly lying underfoot. But the Shrek Seven Devils had undergone Master's hellish training, and now their skills showed. They needed no words; a glance or hand signal was enough for them to avoid danger and clear obstacles in seamless coordination.

Tang San's Blue Silver Grass would occasionally shoot out, accurately binding hanging venomous snakes and flinging them away. Dai Mubai's Tiger Claw cut through thorny brush as easily as chopping vegetables. Zhu Zhuqing would emerge from the shadows and point in a direction, letting them know whether it was safe. Xiao Xiaoxiao's Phantom Moon Fox Senses were keen, warning them in advance several times about hidden poisonous insects and small soul beasts. Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda glowed at the ready, Oscar carried a pocketful of sausages, and Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire drove back several waves of scalp-prickling insect swarms.

They were searching for a thousand-year or older Flying Type or Spirit Attribute soul beast for Oscar. Time slipped by quickly under the intense tension. They encountered several groups of soul beasts, most only ten or hundred years old. Zhao Wuji and the others scared most away, while the few foolish enough not to flee were dealt with jointly by Dai Mubai, Tang San, and the others without causing much of a disturbance.

At noon, everyone rested in a dry clearing, taking turns chewing dried rations and drinking water.

"This place is seriously creepy," Ma Hongjun muttered as he chewed jerky. "I feel wrong all over."

"We have only reached the outer region." Tang San wiped down the Hidden Weapons in his hands, his voice low. "The deeper we go, the stronger the soul beasts will be."

He glanced at Xiao Xiaoxiao, who was handing water to Oscar. Her face was paler than it had been that morning, clearly from the heavy drain of constantly using her Spiritual Power to give warnings. Tang San said nothing. He took out a waterskin from Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlight Night and handed it to her.

Xiao Xiaoxiao was just feeling thirsty. She paused, then accepted it. "Thank you."

"Mm." Tang San answered and continued fiddling with his Hidden Weapons.

They had barely rested before setting out again. As they moved deeper in, the aura of thousand-year soul beasts became increasingly apparent, and the atmosphere grew more oppressive. Suddenly, Zhu Zhuqing, who had been scouting, swept back like a streak of black smoke. Her eyes were sharp as she said in a low voice, "There is movement ahead on the left. The Soul Power fluctuation is strong—at least a thousand years old. It is coming this way!"

Everyone's nerves instantly tightened!

"Prepare to fight!" Zhao Wuji roared. His muscles bulged, and the Immovable Ming King Body was faintly beginning to emerge. Flender and Master immediately released their Soul Power as well.

Dai Mubai and Tang San moved to the front. Xiao Wu pulled Oscar behind her, Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda lit up, sparks of flame sprayed from Ma Hongjun's mouth, and Xiao Xiaoxiao took a deep breath. Moonlight rose in her eyes as her Spiritual Power tightened to its limit.

"Rustle, rustle, rustle—"

The sound of vegetation scraping together drew closer, mixed with a sharp, grating squeaking that made everyone's teeth ache. The next instant, a massive black shadow burst from the bushes!

It was a giant rat covered in dark golden scales! It was over three meters long, with a pair of blood-red eyes that radiated brutality and greed. Its snout protruded forward, two dagger-like front teeth gleaming coldly. Its limbs were thick, and its claws sharp enough to tear open stone. The Soul Power fluctuation around it was powerful and vicious—it was absolutely beyond a thousand years old!

"It's a Gold Devouring Rat! Judging by its size and the color of its scales, it is at least fifteen hundred years old!" Master assessed quickly. "Its defense is extremely strong. Its teeth and claws can tear through metal and stone, and it is both greedy and vicious. Be careful!"

"Roar!" Dai Mubai did not hesitate. His White Tiger Vajra Transformation activated instantly, followed by his third soul skill, as he charged head-on—he knew he had to withstand the first impact!

"Bang!" Dai Mubai and the Gold Devouring Rat slammed into each other, and a humming shockwave exploded outward! Dai Mubai grunted as he was actually knocked half a step back, his chest feeling as if it had been crushed by a Giant Stone—this beast was incredibly strong!

"Seven Treasures Famous, second is: speed!" Ning Rongrong's boost landed on Dai Mubai in time. His speed immediately increased greatly, allowing him to narrowly evade the Gold Devouring Rat's follow-up claw strike.

"Entangling!" Tang San's Blue Silver Grass lashed out like countless tentacles, rapidly wrapping around the Gold Devouring Rat's limbs in an attempt to restrain it. But when the Blue Silver Grass coiled around it, only harsh scraping sounds rang out—the dark golden scales were too smooth and hard to bind!

"Screech!" The Gold Devouring Rat shrieked and violently struggled, snapping most of the Blue Silver Grass! Its blood-red eyes immediately fixed upon Ning Rongrong and Oscar in the rear, drawn by their enticing Soul Power!

Its hind legs kicked off the ground as it lunged at the Support System soul masters!

"Not a chance!" Xiao Wu bent at the waist and appeared at the Gold Devouring Rat's side as though she had teleported, her legs whipping toward its eyes!

The Gold Devouring Rat tilted its head. Xiao Wu's kick lashed fiercely against the scales on its neck with a dull thud. The creature merely swayed before snapping its jaws toward Xiao Wu!

"Xiao Wu, watch out!" Tang San cried urgently. Several Willow Leaf Knives silently shot out, flying straight toward the Gold Devouring Rat's open mouth!

With a crack, the Gold Devouring Rat shut its jaws. The Willow Leaf Knives struck its front teeth, scattering sparks before bouncing away! But that bought Xiao Wu time, and she hurriedly flipped backward to evade it.

"Phoenix Fireline!" Ma Hongjun spat out a stream of purplish-red flame that scorched the Gold Devouring Rat's back. Its scales glowed red and gave off a burnt stench, but its vital areas remained unharmed. Instead, it only enraged the beast further!

"Screech—!" The Gold Devouring Rat went completely mad. Ignoring the fire on its back, it charged violently toward Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong at astonishing speed!

"Stop it!" Zhao Wuji roared as he moved to intervene, but Master held him back. "Let them handle it themselves!"

Dai Mubai pounced forward again, only to be slapped away by the Gold Devouring Rat's claw. Three bloody gashes, deep enough to reveal bone, tore open on his arm! Zhu Zhuqing darted forward like lightning, her Nether Hundred Claws striking at the creature's softer belly, but she only left several white marks. Its tail then swept into her like a steel whip, sending her flying with a muffled groan!

At that critical moment!

"Third soul skill, Moonlight Illusion!" Xiao Xiaoxiao shouted, moonlight blazing in her eyes!

The Gold Devouring Rat, which had been about to pounce on Ning Rongrong, suddenly froze! Twisted light and shadows reflected in its blood-red eyes. It looked dazed, its movements becoming slow and erratic!

"Good chance!" Tang San's eyes lit up. Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track carried him instantly to the Gold Devouring Rat's side. In his hand was a short hammer gleaming with dark light—not Blue Silver Grass, but the Clear Sky Hammer!

The hammerhead was not large, yet it radiated astonishing force! Tang San half-turned his body, pouring all his strength into the strike. His Mysterious Jade Hand gripped the handle as he smashed it toward the spot behind the Gold Devouring Rat's ear, which had been slightly exposed while it was dazed by the illusion—that was where its scales were relatively thinner!

"Chaotic Gale!"

"Bang!!!"

A terrifyingly muffled boom rang out!

Dark light flashed!

The Gold Devouring Rat let out a shrill scream. Its huge body was sent flying sideways, crashing into a tree with a thud that shook leaves down in torrents! The scales behind its ear had cracked, blood pouring from the wound. It struggled to rise, but its body swayed violently. It had clearly been severely injured!

"Mubai! Zhu Qing! Xiao Wu! Fatty! Attack with everything you have!" Tang San did not pause as he shouted.

Everyone snapped out of their shock and immediately moved!

"White Tiger Fierce Light Wave!"

"Netherworld Slash!"

"Waist Bow!"

"Phoenix Roaring Sky Strike!"

Every one of their strongest soul skills crashed down like a torrential storm while the heavily injured and disoriented Gold Devouring Rat was helpless!

"Rumble!!"

Dust and smoke exploded outward, while Soul Power flashed with blinding brilliance! When the smoke cleared, the fifteen-hundred-year Gold Devouring Rat lay in a pool of blood, its body covered in charred wounds and torn gashes. It did not move. A deep purple soul ring slowly rose from its corpse.

The battle was over.

Everyone panted heavily, each carrying injuries to some degree. Blood ran down Dai Mubai's arm, Zhu Zhuqing's face was deathly pale, Xiao Wu was breathing hard, and Ma Hongjun had nearly exhausted his Soul Power.

Ning Rongrong hurriedly cast Healing Light on Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, while Oscar busily made Recovery Sausages. Tang San put away the Clear Sky Hammer, his face pale as well—the previous strike had nearly drained more than half his Soul Power. He quickly walked over to Xiao Xiaoxiao. She had forced herself to use an illusion against a thousand-year soul beast, and the consumption had been too great. Her body swayed, her face white as paper, and she looked about to collapse.

Tang San quickly reached out to support her arm. His palm pressed against her as a stream of pure Mysterious Heaven Skill Soul Power passed through the point of contact, steadying her weakening body.

"Are you all right?" he asked, with a trace of urgency he could not quite conceal.

"I'm... I'm fine..." Xiao Xiaoxiao leaned against his arm and weakly shook her head. Looking at the purple soul ring, her heart still pounded wildly. "That was close..."

If her illusion had not held the Gold Devouring Rat just now, if Tang San's hammer had not struck its vital point, the consequences were too frightening to imagine.

Zhao Wuji, Flender, and Master walked over. Zhao Wuji looked at the dead Gold Devouring Rat, then at the two supporting each other, and said in his deep voice, "Not bad! Your coordination was rough, but you did not fall apart when it mattered!"

Master swept his gaze over Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao, then nodded. "The connection between control and strong attack was decent, and the timing was well chosen. Xiaoxiao, your illusion is more useful than expected. It can affect a thousand-year soul beast despite the difference in level. Tang San, that final hammer strike was crucial."

Flender, meanwhile, looked painfully at Dai Mubai's wounds and the group's depleted Soul Power. "Recover quickly! We cannot stay here long. The smell of blood will draw other things here! Oscar, absorb the soul ring now!"

Oscar looked at the purple thousand-year soul ring, both excited and nervous. Protected by the others, he quickly sat down cross-legged and began drawing in the soul ring.

Deep within the forest, it seemed that more dangerous auras had been awakened by the commotion and were quietly closing in. The Shrek Eight Devils' first true trial had only just begun. And the bond between them was quietly deepening amid this bloody, fiery battle.