You Are Already on the Path to Death!

"It is a Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent between 1,200 and 1,800 years old. Oscar, this is suitable to be your third soul ring!"

After Zhuqing finished reporting the specific characteristics of the serpent, Tang San made his judgment.

"Fatty! Serpents fear avian types, you go!"

Tang San commanded, the Shrek Seven Devils already showing signs of initial coordination.

"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, second, Speed!"

Ning Rongrong had also recovered from her recent disappointment and threw herself into the battle.

Facing a thousand-year soul beast, the seven could only stand a chance by joining forces.

[Kid, let's end this boring farce!]

"Second soul skill, Ice Scorpion Pincer!"

No one noticed that Murong Ci had already dashed out, the phantom of an Ice Jade Scorpion behind him, the pincer in his hand coiled and ready.

Murong Ci struck straight toward the flesh tumor on the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent.

This Ice Scorpion Pincer held nothing back, piercing through instantly. Blood gushed out, leaving the beast with only a single breath remaining.

However, with the system's help, Murong Ci did not reveal his heaven-defying pair of purple soul rings; in the system's words, there was still a chance to show off later.

Zhao Wuji had been planning to intervene, but seeing the result of the battle, he couldn't help but be stunned.

This guy... he's got some skills.

Murong Ci casually picked up the dying Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent and tossed it to Oscar, then returned to the base of a large tree to close his eyes and rest.

"Thanks, brother." Oscar whispered his gratitude, his eyes filled with admiration.

In everyone's understanding, Tang San was the most gifted one, yet this person had just displayed strength several times greater than Tang San's?

Truly, there is always someone better.

Ning Rongrong couldn't help but walk over. "Murong Ci, I didn't expect you to be so powerful. Actually, what I said before was just out of anger, and with my father's coercion and inducements, I only..."

"But Miss, your eyes betrayed you. At the time, your gaze was indifferent, without a shred of emotion."

"I should actually thank you for driving me out of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, otherwise I wouldn't have had such an opportunity."

Ning Rongrong stared at him blankly, a tear overflowing from the corner of her eye, which was then replaced by a look of determination.

"You are stronger than me now, but I will catch up to you in the future!"

Murong Ci paused. It seemed this person had been tempered by Shrek to be less overbearing, and her resentment had lessened.

Though he didn't hate her that much; after all, having lived there for six years, a 400-year soul beast as a parting gift was more than enough to settle the score.

Just as Oscar prepared to deliver the final blow to the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, he was stopped by a shout.

"Stop!"

Following that, an old woman emerged with a young girl.

"We were the ones hunting this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent first; you lot just picked up the scraps."

This was Chao Tianxiang of the peerless Dragon-Snake couple, and the girl was Meng Yiran.

The two experts then began their introductions, though to Murong Ci, it was all just empty pleasantries.

"Brother Zhao, among these disciples of yours, is there anyone capable of absorbing a thousand-year soul ring?"

Zhao Wuji didn't beat around the bush and immediately had everyone release their martial souls.

Chao Tianxiang's expression darkened. In her view, her granddaughter was a genius beyond reproach.

Yet, among the Shrek Seven Devils present, not one was below the level of a Soul Grand Master, and they were all younger than her granddaughter, which made her look quite bad.

[Wait for it, this classic plot point from the original work won't change; it's a great opportunity for you to show off.]

Sure enough, Chao Tianxiang proposed a duel, asking for Oscar to fight Meng Yiran, but Zhao Wuji explained that Oscar was a food-system soul master.

At this moment, Chao Tianxiang was already imagining Oscar joining her sect in the future to assist her granddaughter.

Chao Tianxiang was about to open her mouth to recruit Oscar, but then, an abrupt voice rang out.

"Let me step in for Oscar. I am also a level 30 battle soul master. A fair duel, I won't bully you."

The one speaking was naturally Murong Ci. Once finished, he released his martial soul, and two purple soul rings appeared on his body.

Indeed... such a heaven-defying configuration was shocking news anywhere.

Everyone present was stunned. The first soul ring is purple?

Even monsters aren't this strong, right? Shrek prides itself on only accepting monsters, not ordinary people.

But in front of Murong Ci, those so-called monsters were merely ordinary people, perhaps even less than that.

Ning Rongrong swallowed nervously. She knew that the gap between her and Murong Ci would only grow wider in the future.

She now hoped that Murong Ci would forgive her and return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, perhaps even...

Her face flushed slightly, while Oscar, standing to the side, wore a look of disappointment.

Chao Tianxiang was already too shocked to speak. She knew her granddaughter was no match for the youth before her; two yellow rings against two purple was no different from asking for trouble.

"Forget it, forget it. This old woman will yield this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent to you. But tell me, little brother, who is your master, and what sect do you belong to?"

"I have no master and belong to no sect. I am currently studying at Blazing Fire Academy. I came in alone to hunt for my third spirit ring and happened to run into Senior Zhao, so I've just been following them."

These words made the eyes of Chao Tianxiang light up slightly. "Since you have no sect, would you be willing, after graduating from the academy..."

"No thanks. This kid prefers to travel alone and be free. As for sects and the like, I have no interest."

Before Chao Tianxiang could finish her sentence, Murong Ci interrupted her, simultaneously cutting off the last shred of hope Ning Rongrong had been harboring.

Seeing that, Chao Tianxiang did not linger any longer; she took Meng Yiran and left to continue searching for a spirit ring.

Just as Oscar was absorbing his spirit ring, Tang San let out a cry of surprise and sat down on the ground to meditate.

Before long, Oscar finished his absorption, and Tang San stood up as well.

He shared some good news with everyone: he had also reached level thirty and was ready to absorb his third spirit ring.

Thus, the group's journey through the Star Dou Forest entered a new phase.

"System, didn't you tell me to look for the Demon Eye Magic Tree? Why am I following them instead?"

[Just tag along for fun; you aren't in a rush to go back anyway. What, do you miss Huo Wu?]

"What else? It feels a bit strange not having her around these past few days."

[Just wait, it won't be long. Besides, aren't you looking forward to the auto-pilot mode? That's coming soon, too.]

Auto-pilot? Murong Ci pondered for a moment and finally realized they were about to encounter the Titan Giant Ape.

"System, do you mean you want me to fight the Titan Giant Ape, Er Ming?"

[That's right. But it won't be you fighting; it will be me. I want you to see the true power of Yongzhen. Although the cooldown is one month, you won't be facing any strong enemies in the next month anyway, so we can afford to play around.]

They spent the entire afternoon searching for a spirit beast for Tang San.

As night fell, the group set up tents to rest. Murong Ci, however, remained staring blankly at the moonlight, lost in thought.

"Brother Murong, what are you thinking about?"

The person who approached was Tang San.

Murong Ci snapped back to reality, his mind drifting; the current Tang San didn't seem all that bad.

"I was thinking about... Martial Soul Hall. I want to join Martial Soul Hall in the future; it is the holy land for spirit masters."

Tang San nodded slightly, naturally in agreement.

"Martial Soul Hall provides monthly subsidies to spirit masters and helps commoners awaken their martial souls for free. An organization like that can be considered excellent," Murong Ci continued to explain.

"Hmm, you're not wrong. It's a pity my teacher won't let me join Martial Soul Hall. I suppose that means we won't be able to fight side-by-side in the future?"

[Is the host actually touched by Tang San?]

"A little. I feel like he isn't too bad right now."

[He's thinking about how to get rid of you. You aren't a student of Shrek Academy, and you've declared your intention to join Martial Soul Hall. He naturally trusts Gangzi, and since Gangzi has advised him never to join Martial Soul Hall, he knows that, at least to Gangzi, Martial Soul Hall is nothing good. Therefore, he logically assumes you might not be anything good either. Add to that the fact that you haven't been particularly kind to Ning Rongrong, and he has already categorized you as an enemy.]

"..."

"Fine, I suppose I thought too highly of him. Tang Buddha is indeed Tang Buddha."

"Tang San, do you think we will become enemies?" Murong Ci asked suddenly.

Tang San's eyes flickered with evasion.

"Perhaps. After all, everyone has their own aspirations, and there is no banquet in the world that doesn't come to an end. Let's leave future matters for the future, shall we?"

Tang San sounded calm when he said this, but the system broadcasted in his mind.

[Character: Tang San. Inner thoughts: He can foresee everything; this person has already invited his own death.]

Just then, Zhao Wuji suddenly released his martial soul, and the Vajra Bear instantly possessed him.

Zhao Wuji let out a low roar at the people inside the tents.

Everyone scrambled out of their tents in an instant, standing ready for battle.

In the distance, a shadow as massive as a mountain emerged...