The Ox Talisman, Immense Strength

Shendu felt a surge of helplessness.

He had long known that Zhong Su was a troublemaker, but he hadn't expected the frequency to be this high. The turmoil from the recent changes to the Spirit Master cultivation rules had barely settled before he pulled another stunt like this.

At the mere thought of having to expend his divine power for him again, Shendu felt his heart bleeding.

"Zhong Su is indeed becoming a bit arrogant, but his strength shouldn't have recovered to the god-level yet. He won't be able to stir up much trouble," Shendu said calmly.

Bibi Dong stood there quietly, clutching her Pope Staff. "Then what should we do now? Are we to go to Thunder City to pay him a visit?"

"Pay a visit? Is he even worthy?" Shendu dismissed the idea with disdain, making no effort to hide his contempt.

"The weak have no right to speak such words. It seems Zhong Su is asking for a lesson."

Among the Eight Demons, Shendu possessed the greatest strength, followed likely by Zhou Lan, while Zhong Su could only be considered a strong contender for third place; he could not firmly claim that seat.

Both Po Kong and Di Kui were formidable rivals for that position.

However, with his own strength depleted and his body sealed into the form of a statue, he was reluctant to burn through his divine power, leaving him temporarily unable to do anything about him.

He would have to rely on schemes.

"Rest assured, doesn't Spirit Hall have Qian Daoliu? Even if I don't expose myself, Zhong Su won't be able to defeat him. Although that fellow Qian Daoliu is merely the floor tile of the Peerless Douluo, he should still be slightly stronger than the current Zhong Su."

Shendu told Bibi Dong to remain calm.

Bibi Dong nodded. She had come solely to deliver the news, and seeing that Shendu had nothing more to say, she turned and left.

Walking through the secret chamber passage, Bibi Dong paced along the carpet, her thoughts racing.

Is Shendu truly unwilling to expose himself, or is he unable to? He claims to fear the Immortal Gods, but to be this terrified without even seeing a shadow of them—it doesn't quite make sense!

Could it be that what he fears isn't the Immortal Gods at all, but the other demons?

A bolt of lightning flashed through Bibi Dong's mind, and her train of thought suddenly cleared.

The leader of the Eight Demons, the eternal and omnipotent Shendu, had found himself a challenger.

Mortals always covet the power of gods, without exception.

In the secret chamber.

"Dai Xieyue." Shendu's voice was hoarse as he watched Dai Xieyue standing there, brimming with excitement.

"Master!" Dai Xieyue bowed respectfully to show his deference.

"You've done well. Tell me, what reward do you desire?"

"This subordinate only wishes to serve Shendu forever and carry out his will!" Dai Xieyue knelt on one knee, expressing his loyalty with fervent passion.

I know of your loyalty; I brainwashed you myself, after all.

Shendu felt a sense of impatience, so he casually chose a reward for him. "In that case, I shall raise your strength to level 81!"

A red light emitted from the statue's eyes, bathing Dai Xieyue in its glow. Dai Xieyue pressed his palms together, grateful for Shendu's gift.

Within his body, his surging soul power flowed like water from a pipe, pouring continuously into his reservoir until it was completely filled.

Crack—

With a crisp sound of shattering, Dai Xieyue broke through the barrier, becoming a level 81 Soul Douluo.

He opened his eyes and looked at his hands in excitement. Wisps of black soul power swirled between his fingers, and a black-and-red soul ring rose beneath his feet, his entire aura surging like a rainbow.

"Many thanks, Shendu!" Dai Xieyue knelt on one knee, the arrogance between his brows growing even more pronounced.

If Shendu hadn't already assimilated his spirit, it would be hard to imagine this fellow submitting to him.

"Go. Continue searching for the talismans for me. Bring the Dragon Talisman back as soon as possible," Shendu said flatly before falling into silence.

Dai Xieyue bowed respectfully and turned to leave.

With his blackened martial soul and soul skills, combined with his ruthless nature and the enhancement from his mask, he was now a match for an ordinary Title Douluo.

I never thought I, Dai Xieyue, would one day become a Title Douluo!

Dai Xieyue left Spirit Hall, his heart still pounding with excitement.

Once upon a time, he had craved power so desperately because of that throne, because of that ridiculous and cruel system of succession.

He traveled through the shadow world to his heart's content.

Even though he had been split in two, he had not forgotten the past. Every humiliation he had suffered, he would pay back in full.

"Star Luo Empire, Dai Davis, my dear brother, I've missed you so much. How have you been?" Dai Xieyue sneered, his speed increasing.

A few days later.

Target: Star Luo Empire.

An intangible shadow slipped between the shadows of two large trees, moving so fast that no one noticed.

If the talisman couldn't be found in the Heaven Dou Empire, it was only logical to search the Star Luo Empire.

Dai Xieyue comforted himself again; he really had searched the entire Heaven Dou Empire and found no trace of the talismans. The only one he had found, the Tiger Talisman, was off-limits because Shendu had already spoken for it.

He truly had no other choice!

Shendu's concern on this point was quite valid; if Dai Xieyue were to snatch the Tiger Talisman, would he not also try to seize the Book of Antiquity?

If I don't snatch them, wouldn't it feel like some Black Hand is pulling the strings behind Tang San and his group's development?

Therefore, splitting them up is for the best.

By a stroke of luck, Dai Xieyue happened to fulfill Shendu's wish by heading to the Star Luo Empire to search for the Talismans, ensuring he wouldn't cross paths with Tang San and the others.

At Shrek Academy, Tang San had been confined to his bed to recover ever since his return, his immortal herbs naturally tucked away in his medicine pouch.

Because the immortal herbs required him to personally refine them into pills—consuming them raw would cause one's body to explode and lead to death—everyone followed his instructions, waiting quietly for him to recover so he could refine the pills for them.

Inside the room, Tang San lay on the bed while Xiao Wu and a few others gathered around him.

"Don't you worry, Third Brother. With me around, the team will be just fine." Oscar gave a thumbs-up, revealing two rows of pearly white teeth.

After losing Tang San, the Shrek Team had found a new backbone: Oscar.

All of this stemmed from the Talisman in his possession.

The Talisman Oscar had found was engraved with the image of an ox; it granted one immense strength and seemed to significantly enhance one's physical constitution, allowing the user to wield that power.

He now held the title of Shrek Hercules.

"Congratulations, Oscar." Tang San's face was pale, and he managed a forced smile.

"Just focus on your recovery, Third Brother!" Seeing his condition, Oscar stopped showing off.

"That's right, Third Brother." Xiao Wu held his hand worriedly, tears threatening to fall.

After the group visited Tang San for a while, they left the room together; training tasks were still waiting for them.

Inside the room, Tang San sat up. His pale, weak appearance vanished in an instant, replaced by a vicious and ruthless gaze.

Hmph, the Talismans can only be mine. To dare show off in front of me, Oscar, you have already paved your own path to death.

He clenched his fingers tightly.

The other Tang San had been forced away by him earlier, barely escaping with his life, but he believed that fellow would return.

The importance of Shrek to Tang San went without saying; that guy would definitely come back to take revenge on him.

Hmph, I'll be waiting for you. Once you arrive, I'll make sure you die without a burial place.

Tang San is mine; the Book of Antiquity, the immortal herbs, and the Talismans are all mine. His gaze was venomous as he plotted against his counterpart in his heart.