"That's about enough. Watch out for the Blood-Vein Python's death throes." Xiao Qing signaled Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai to stop attacking. He looked at Oscar, then at Zhao Wuji.
Zhao Wuji nodded. "Xiao Qing, go with Oscar and finish it off. Be careful."
Xiao Qing and Oscar cautiously approached. A sharp dagger appeared in Xiao Qing's hand. He passed it to Oscar, signaling that he should get ready. Oscar took a deep breath and accepted the blade.
They exchanged a glance and struck at the same time! Xiao Qing's dagger pierced the Blood-Vein Python's vital point, seven inches below its head, leaving it no chance to fight back. Oscar struck as well, bringing the Blood-Vein Python's life to a definitive end.
The Blood-Vein Python's body gave a few final spasms, then lay still. Faint purple motes appeared above its corpse and quickly gathered into a bright purple Soul Ring. It revolved slowly in the air, radiating the distinctive energy fluctuations of a fifteen-hundred-year Soul Ring.
Oscar's face lit up with barely contained excitement. He looked at Zhao Wuji and Xiao Qing.
Zhao Wuji said in a low voice, "Don't waste time. Absorb it here and now. We'll guard you."
Oscar didn't hesitate. He immediately sat cross-legged beside the Blood-Vein Python's corpse, regulated his breathing, circulated his Soul Power, and began drawing in the purple Soul Ring. Purple light descended slowly, enveloping him.
Oscar had officially begun absorbing his third Soul Ring.
The others spread out around him, keeping watch. Zhao Wuji personally stood guard at Oscar's side, while Xiao Qing assigned Xiao Feng and Thunder Feather to patrol the outer perimeter and watch for danger.
The whole process went more smoothly than expected. The immense vitality and blood energy contained in the Blood-Vein Python's Soul Ring put considerable pressure on Oscar, but he had a solid foundation, had undergone gravity training, and possessed an unwavering will.
In just under an hour, he successfully absorbed the purple Soul Ring into his body.
When Oscar opened his eyes, a glint flashed in them. His Soul Power had grown noticeably stronger, and he had officially entered the Soul Elder realm.
By then, dusk was approaching.
Zhao Wuji directed the group to clear a patch of ground a little way from the Blood-Vein Python's lair, where the terrain was relatively flat and dry. They gathered firewood, lit a bonfire, and set up a simple temporary camp.
As long as they made it through the night, they could set off back to Shrek Academy tomorrow!
Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai took care of the Blood-Vein Python's corpse. They collected its most valuable parts—the gallbladder and venom glands—as well as a few of its toughest scales. They buried the rest to keep the smell of blood from attracting other Soul Beasts.
The bonfire blazed, driving away the night's chill. Oscar had just sat down beside it when the others swarmed around him, their eyes shining with anticipation.
Oscar looked excited about successfully absorbing his Soul Ring, with a hint of fatigue, but he was even more eager to try out his new ability.
He didn't keep them waiting. With a cheeky grin, he lit up the brand-new purple Soul Ring around him.
His right hand opened as he chanted the incantation. His voice was quiet but clear: "Blood-Nourishing Sausage!"
Soul Power flickered, and a conjured sausage unlike any he had made before appeared in his hand.
About a foot long, it was a dark red all over. Its surface was no longer smooth; instead, it was covered with fine markings like the Blood-Vein Python's scales. The scent it gave off wasn't unpleasant. It smelled faintly sweet and gamey, like rust mixed with some kind of herb.
Oscar raised the dark red "Blood-Nourishing Sausage" and looked at everyone, especially Zhao Wuji and Xiao Qing. "Who wants to try it? As for the effect... it should be pretty good."
Zhao Wuji could no longer contain his curiosity. He reached out, took the sausage, gave it a brief look, then popped it into his mouth and chewed heartily.
The moment it touched his tongue, his brows lifted slightly. The faintly sweet, gamey flavor spread through his mouth. It wasn't off-putting; instead, it had an unusual sweetness with a comforting warmth. The texture was chewier than that of Oscar's previous sausages, as if he were biting into concentrated meat paste.
Once swallowed, the sausage quickly turned into a warm current that spread through his limbs and body. Zhao Wuji could clearly feel that the current wasn't violent, but carried a vitality brimming with life.
Where it passed, his muscles swelled slightly, and his blood seemed to flow a little faster. A warm, restless feeling rose within him, like the sensation after light exercise. Even the circulation of his Soul Power seemed to grow a little more active.
But for a Soul Saint like him, this degree of physical reaction was almost instantly manageable, and the slight restlessness soon subsided.
"How does it feel, Teacher Zhao?"
Oscar asked, looking eager.
Zhao Wuji smacked his lips and considered the sensation carefully. Surprise and satisfaction showed in his eyes. "Not bad! This Blood-Nourishing Sausage feels like a sip of warming, nourishing aged wine. It makes me feel all warm inside, and my blood seems a little livelier. I even feel like I've got a bit more strength."
"As for how long it lasts... that warm current hasn't dispersed yet, so it should hold for a while. We'd need to test it in actual combat to measure the exact increase. But it's definitely a good thing!"
Encouraged by Zhao Wuji's approval, Oscar perked up and explained the effects of the Blood-Nourishing Sausage in detail. "My third Soul Skill is Blood-Nourishing Sausage. It has two effects."
"Taken over the long term, it can gradually nourish and strengthen the consumer's vitality and blood foundation, improving their constitution. But the effect is slow and takes time to build up."
"The short-term effect is the main one. After eating it, the consumer's basic physical abilities are temporarily increased by about twenty percent for a period of time. That includes strength, speed, endurance, and so on."
"The boost is fairly balanced and doesn't favor any particular attribute. Its duration depends on how quickly the extra vitality and blood energy provided by the sausage is used up. If you fight fiercely or expend a lot of energy, it won't last as long; otherwise, it'll last longer."
"My initial estimate is that in a moderately intense battle, it should last anywhere from a quarter of an hour to the time it takes two incense sticks to burn."
A twenty-percent increase to every aspect of their basic physical abilities! And it was temporary, but could be gained again and again! When they heard this, everyone's eyes lit up with delight.
What did that mean?
It meant a frail support-type Soul Master might, after eating this sausage, instantly gain a physique close to that of a Battle Soul Master of the same rank!
It meant Power Attack System Soul Masters could unleash even more terrifying strength and speed, Control System Soul Masters could gain better staying power and self-protection, and Agility Attack System Soul Masters could take their speed and bursts of power to the next level!
It was practically a full "hardware upgrade" to the team's overall combat strength! In some situations, its strategic value might even surpass a simple boost to their attributes!
"Good work, Oscar! Nicely done!"
Dai Mubai gave Oscar's shoulder a hearty pat. Ma Hongjun crowded closer, eyes fixed on the sausage in Oscar's hand. He clearly wanted to try some too.
Tang San's eyes sparkled as he began thinking through all the ways this sausage could be used in team coordination. Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu were happy for Oscar, too. A hint of anticipation appeared in Zhu Zhuqing's cold eyes.
However, the group's delight didn't last long.
Oscar had just finished explaining his Soul Skill, and everyone was still caught up in the excitement of gaining a powerful new ability when a sudden change struck!
"ROAR!!!"
A deep, resonant roar, brimming with savage power, suddenly came from the depths of the forest! It carried so far that it made everyone's eardrums ring!
Then came a second roar, and a third... They weren't alone. Countless Soul Beasts cried out in terror, accompanied by the thunder of frantic stampedes!
The Star Dou Forest, which had quieted down earlier, grew "lively" again. Soul Beasts were roaring loudly in every direction.
Even though Xiao Qing and the others were far away, they could feel the earth trembling. Pebbles all around them rattled and slid down.
Xiao Qing furrowed his brows. He hoped the newcomer wasn't what he thought it was.
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