Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent

The team bypassed the Human-Faced Demon Spider's web trap and continued deeper into the forest.

The air grew increasingly humid, and the mist between the trees thickened, significantly reducing visibility.

The path beneath their feet was no longer soft, fallen leaves, but tangled tree roots and slippery moss; one wrong step could lead to a fall.

"Watch your footing, everyone!"

Zhao Wuji reminded them in a low voice, his own steps as steady as a mountain, each one planted firmly.

They hadn't gone far before Zhao Wuji stopped again.

He pointed toward a massive, lightning-struck rotten log ahead and said to the group, "Look there."

Following his gesture, they saw a swarm of fist-sized black ants moving in and out of the log's broken end, hauling wood chips.

The heads of these ants featured a pair of massive, metallic-glinting mandibles that looked exceptionally ferocious.

"These are Ink-Armored Thousand-Jin Ants."

Zhao Wuji began his field lesson, "A strength-type spirit beast. Don't let their size fool you; a single one has enough strength to flip an adult wild ox. Their nests are usually deep underground, with complex, interconnected tunnels. Look at the width of their mandibles—about three fingers wide. That indicates the queen of this colony has a cultivation of at least a thousand years."

"A thousand-year queen?"

Ma Hongjun smacked his lips, "Just how many soldier ants would that be? If we poked that hornet's nest—no, ant's nest—wouldn't we be picked clean to the bone?"

"That is why, when encountering such social spirit beasts, the best approach is to go around them."

Zhao Wuji said, "Although their spirit rings contain pure strength attributes, they aren't suitable for Oscar. Oscar, what kind of spirit skill are you looking for?"

Oscar scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed, "Teacher Zhao, I already have recovery and detoxification abilities. If I could get a flight-type spirit skill, that would be great. If I can't win a fight in the future, at least I can run away faster."

"Hahahaha!" Ma Hongjun was the first to laugh, "Oscar, you're certainly practical!"

Zhao Wuji nodded as well, "Flying through the sky or burrowing into the earth is indeed the best choice for a support-type spirit master to save their life. Very well, we shall focus our search on flight-type spirit beasts from here on out."

The team set off again, their goal now much clearer.

After traveling a bit further, an open clearing in the forest appeared before them.

The clearing was covered in colorful wildflowers, and swarms of butterflies danced among the blossoms, a scene of breathtaking beauty.

"Wow, so pretty!" Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu exclaimed almost simultaneously.

"Don't be deceived by appearances." Zhao Wuji's voice rang out in time, shattering the lovely atmosphere.

He pointed to a giant moth in the flowers with a wingspan of over a meter, its wings covered in eye-like patterns, "That is a Phosphor-Powder Giant Moth, a mental-type spirit beast. When it flaps its wings, it shakes off phosphor powder with hypnotic and hallucinogenic effects. Once inhaled, you will fall into hallucinations."

The group felt a chill, and looking back at that beautiful sea of flowers, they felt a cold shiver down their spines.

"The antennae of this Phosphor-Powder Giant Moth are about half a meter long. Based on that, its cultivation is around nine hundred and eighty years, nearing a thousand. Although it is a flight-type spirit beast, its flight capability is weak, relying mainly on phosphor powder for attacks, and its age isn't quite enough. Therefore, we will not consider it."

Zhao Wuji made his judgment decisively.

Continuing forward, the light in the forest grew dimmer, and the surrounding trees became taller and thicker; some trunks were even covered in strange fungi and vines.

Suddenly, a muffled "rumbling" sound came from ahead, and the ground began to vibrate slightly.

"What is that sound?" Dai Mubai asked, on guard.

Zhao Wuji signaled for everyone to stop and listened intently for a moment before pointing toward a stone wall wrapped in massive vines, "The sound is coming from there. If I'm not mistaken, it should be a Forest Giant Tortoise feeding."

The group carefully bypassed a thicket of bushes, and the sight before them made them gasp.

Beneath the stone wall, a giant tortoise with a shell over four meters in diameter, resembling a small hill, was chewing on a piece of hard ore, bite by bite.

Every time it chewed, it emitted a thunderous sound, and fragments of stone fell from its mouth, piling up into a small mound on the ground.

"My god..." Oscar was dumbfounded, "That shell... I'm afraid it could even block an attack from a Spirit Emperor, right?"

"This is a seventeen-hundred-year-old Forest Giant Tortoise."

Zhao Wuji's eyes held a hint of admiration, "A pure defense-type spirit beast, gentle in nature, and generally does not attack proactively. Its shell is excellent material for crafting top-tier shields. Unfortunately, its spirit ring attribute is too singular; aside from increasing defense, it has no other use. No one in our team needs it."

Having discovered several thousand-year spirit beasts in succession, only to find they didn't meet Oscar's needs, the group's spirits inevitably dampened.

Although the Star Dou Great Forest was teeming with spirit beasts, finding one with the perfect age and attributes truly required luck.

Just then, a sharp, piercing sound came from overhead.

"Watch out!" Zhao Wuji roared, shoving Ning Rongrong aside.

The group looked up abruptly to see a fiery red shadow streak between the treetops like lightning, moving so fast it was almost impossible to discern its form.

The shadow circled in the air before landing on a thick branch nearby.

Only then did everyone see its true appearance.

It was a large snake, about six or seven meters long, covered from head to tail in fine, red scales.

Its body resembled the finest ruby, still shimmering with a gorgeous luster in the dim light of the forest.

Most peculiar was its head, which bore a fleshy, cockscomb-like growth, while its tail resembled the tail feathers of a legendary phoenix—dazzling and magnificent.

"Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent!" Tang San exclaimed, "Its flight speed is extremely fast, and it has a volatile temperament and is highly aggressive!"

Zhao Wuji's eyes lit up, "That's right! It's the one! Look at its body length and the color of its cockscomb—bright red and dripping with color. With a length of nearly seven meters, that means its cultivation is at least around fourteen hundred years! Oscar, your luck has arrived!"

The Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent had clearly spotted the group as well. It coiled on the branch, raised its head high, and its bright red cockscomb trembled slightly. A pair of golden, slit pupils coldly locked onto the intruders below, and it emitted a threatening "hissing" sound.

Oscar's face flushed with excitement. "Teacher Zhao, that's it! I can feel it; its aura is perfectly in sync with mine!"

"Good!"

Zhao Wuji radiated an imposing air, a powerful pressure emanating from his body. "This Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent shall be your third spirit ring! However, I will not intervene directly to help you."

"Huh?" Ma Hongjun was taken aback.

"You are a team, and hunting for spirit rings is the best form of practical training." Zhao Wuji crossed his arms over his chest. "Attack together and learn how to coordinate in a complex environment. I will be watching from the sidelines, and I will only step in if you encounter a life-threatening danger."

Upon hearing this, a subtle glint flashed simultaneously in the eyes of Tang San and Dai Mubai.

The opportunity had arrived!

"Spread out, prepare for battle!" Dai Mubai roared, moving first.

"White Tiger Protection Barrier!"

With a fierce shout, Dai Mubai's physique instantly expanded, his muscles bulging as pale golden tiger stripes crawled across his entire body.

Like a tiger released from its cage, he lunged toward the large tree where the Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent was perched.

Tang San's reaction was equally swift, the third spirit ring beneath his feet lighting up.

"First Spirit Skill, Bind!"

The battle was ready to erupt at any moment.