"Little ancestor, I'm going to cultivate in seclusion for a while, then I'll bring you some prey. How does that sound?"
The speaker wasn't human, but a soul beast.
This soul beast was over five meters long, with an extremely robust build resembling a lion's.
However, it had three identical heads. Each head was over a meter in diameter, and its terrifying fangs glinted with a crimson-golden sheen.
It was the Three-headed Crimson Demon Mastiff, the Scarlet King!
This was the deepest part of the Star Dou Great Forest, a forbidden land where even a peerless Douluo at rank ninety-nine absolutely wouldn't dare approach.
But who could have imagined that the most dangerous place on the continent concealed such a beautiful lake?
The surface of the lake was like a mirror, smooth and still. Its pale-green waters resembled the purest natural emerald, containing the purest life force, as if this were the source of life for the Star Dou Great Forest.
The direction in which the Scarlet King's three heads were staring held a soul beast that was clearly much smaller.
This soul beast was over two meters long and five feet tall at the shoulder. Its entire body was covered in brilliant golden fur that looked almost translucent, like crystal, and possessed an extraordinary texture.
Its overall shape resembled a lion, but its four paws were like dragons' claws. A ball of golden flame burned beneath each claw, and its muzzle was somewhat longer than that of an ordinary lion-type soul beast.
Fine golden scales seemed to be hidden beneath its fur.
Besides its normal pair of eyes, it actually possessed a third, vertical eye. Golden light flickered in its normal eyes, while the vertical eye radiated an eerie red glow.
"Scarlet King, go cultivate on your own. I want to sleep a little longer." The Three-Eyed Golden Lion shook her head and rejected the Scarlet King. "Also, I want Soft Bone Rabbit for dinner tonight."
"Okay. I'll catch one for you when I return. But before I do, you absolutely mustn't go out." The Scarlet King nodded, turned around, and walked toward the distant forest.
Sensing the Scarlet King's aura gradually fading into the distance, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, who had been pretending to lie on the ground, instantly stood up. Her eyes spun around, and she quickly ran toward the depths of the forest.
However, she failed to notice that a pair of seemingly evil eyes was watching her movements from afar, following her all the way.
After the farce, Chao Tianxiang left with her granddaughter, Meng Yiran.
After the two departed, Oscar immediately killed the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent. He sat cross-legged and began absorbing its soul ring.
The others surrounded him to protect him, not daring to slacken for even an instant.
A short while later, Oscar slowly opened his eyes.
In that instant, the pale-pink light around him suddenly changed, becoming a more brilliant hot pink. His entire body was bathed in the layer of pink radiance.
Three soul rings rose from beneath his feet. Aside from the two purple soul rings he had possessed before, the other bright-purple soul ring displayed its strength and extraordinary nature.
Oscar had finally broken through the Soul Grandmaster level and entered the Soul Elder realm, becoming a thirty-fourth-level Food System Soul Elder.
That's right—thirty-fourth level. The benefits of increased soul-ring age were only now being fully revealed.
Even in the history of the Douluo Continent, Oscar was absolutely the fastest-cultivating Food System Soul Master!
"Boom, boom, boom!"
Suddenly, a series of tremendous sounds came from the distance.
Zhao Wuji abruptly sensed something. His expression changed drastically, and he shouted sternly, "Everyone, quickly! Hide behind me at once!"
Everyone's eyes locked onto the scene. Two towering trees were actually pushed apart by a pair of massive hands, slowly moving to either side, while a colossal creature silently strode out through the mysterious gap.
It was like a living mountain. Its entire body was covered in pitch-black fur that glittered with dazzling golden radiance beneath the sunlight, as though it had donned a suit of golden armor.
Although it was on all fours, its shoulders still towered over seven meters high.
If it straightened its body, its height would likely reach the heavens, exceeding fifteen meters.
Its appearance possessed the agility of an ape as well as the might of a gorilla. Aside from a pair of enormous lantern-like eyes that flashed with sharp, yellow-golden light, its entire body was black as ink, exuding an inviolable majesty.
Moreover, its immense size was simply beyond imagination.
Every inch of its body was covered in powerful muscles harder than granite. Those bulging muscles resembled small hills, displaying its unparalleled strength.
Despite being such a massive creature, it made not the slightest sound as it walked. Even its breathing was utterly silent, as if it were part of the forest itself, fused with nature.
"No matter what happens next, you don't need to worry about me. Leave the Star Dou Great Forest immediately!"
Zhao Wuji's voice carried an unquestionable resolve. "Dean Shen, while I'm gone, everyone's safety is in your hands. You must protect them!"
Shen He nodded lightly, his eyes flashing with determination. He showed no trace of nervousness, as if everything were under his control.
Great Master Yu let out a cry of alarm, his legs going somewhat weak. "The King of the Forest, the Titan Giant Ape!"
"Honored King of the Forest, we didn't enter deliberately. We'll leave at once."
Zhao Wuji spoke in a deep voice. He knew that high-level soul beasts could understand human speech, and the Titan Giant Ape before him clearly could.
But the Titan Giant Ape ignored Zhao Wuji and continued walking forward.
Zhao Wuji understood that this battle couldn't be avoided.
He hurriedly activated his Martial Soul Avatar and said to the other students, "Remember, don't look back. Run now!"
Borrowing the strength of a large tree, Zhao Wuji soared into the air and charged straight at the Titan Giant Ape.
The Titan Giant Ape roared, grabbed Zhao Wuji, and casually hurled him toward Tang San and the others.
Zhao Wuji's tall body slammed heavily into the ground, after which he immediately fainted.
The Immovable Ming King, a Soul Sage, had actually been defeated by the Titan Giant Ape in a single exchange!
Shen He shot into the air, fully activating the Battle Saint Law. Nine soaring golden dragons formed around him, guarding his body.
Then his body shot toward the Titan Giant Ape like a meteor, and his fists collided viciously with the Titan Giant Ape's enormous fist.
"Boom!"
A terrifying shock wave spread outward. The nine golden dragons around Shen He's body shattered simultaneously, and he was sent flying by the Titan Giant Ape's punch, disappearing somewhere unknown.
Faced with such terrifying strength, even Transforming Strength was completely ineffective.
Yet the Titan Giant Ape's mountain-like body also swayed violently, and blood clearly seeped from its right fist.
The might of the Ancient Sacred Body was truly terrifying!
The Titan Giant Ape, enraged by the injury to its hand, roared. Its legs launched it into a mighty leap, and it pounced toward the members of Shrek Academy.
The shock wave created when it landed also sent the other members of Shrek Academy flying into the air.
Then the Titan Giant Ape reached out with its other hand, grabbed Xiao Wu from midair, and turned to leave.
"No! Let go of Xiao Wu!"
Tang San's eyes nearly split with rage as he shouted in anguish.
Before you continue