"What was that?!"
The Dragon Duke and Zhao Wuji looked toward the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest at the same time. The ground suddenly shook as though an earthquake had struck, and the loose stones across from them kept heaving up and down.
Their instincts told them both that something enormous was coming!
"ROOOAR!!!"
The Titan Giant Ape's massive black body burst through the trees! The red markings on its body resembled molten lava, and an aura of domineering power rapidly spread around it, forming a thick wall of wind that swept toward them!
"That's the Titan Giant Ape!"
Zhao Wuji and the Dragon Duke recognized it simultaneously. For a moment, both wondered whether they were dreaming.
Why had one of the mighty overlords of the Star Dou Great Forest appeared in its outer reaches?!
And it seemed to be coming straight for them!
"Martial Soul Avatar!"
Zhao Wuji's Seventh Soul Ring instantly lit up! The Titan Giant Ape before him was a being capable of battling a Titled Douluo. Forget whether they could escape-even surviving was a distant hope.
"Dragon Duke, we have to hold it off together, or none of us will get away!"
Zhao Wuji took the lead, already charging toward Er Ming.
"Kids! Don't look back! Run!"
Those were the last words Zhao Wuji left them.
"Teacher Zhao!" Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun tried to follow him, but fortunately, Qin Ye stopped them in time.
"What are you two doing? Going off to die? Or getting in the way?!"
"That's an overlord of the Star Dou Great Forest, the Titan Giant Ape-the very embodiment of strength, a super soul beast! Are you two trying to become burdens on Teacher Zhao?"
Qin Ye immediately became the team's pillar of support and began calming everyone down.
"Everyone, get ready to retreat. As soon as Oscar finishes absorbing his Soul Ring, we'll leave."
Qin Ye stood guard at the center of the group, constantly watching Xiao Wu's movements behind him.
Xiao Wu quietly made her way to the front of the group and hid in a corner, seemingly exposing herself to the Titan Giant Ape on purpose.
Xiao Wu blinked at the Titan Giant Ape and repeatedly twisted her lips, but unfortunately, they were too far apart for the Titan Giant Ape to make out what she meant.
"HAAAH!"
Facing the mountain-sized Titan Giant Ape, Zhao Wuji charged forward like a little bear.
Bang!
When their fists collided, a deafening crash erupted, as though mountains were crumbling!
"HAAAH!" Veins bulged on Zhao Wuji's neck as all his soul power erupted! He desperately threw the strongest punch he could muster!
Bang!
The next instant, Zhao Wuji went flying.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Zhao Wuji's figure shot through the forest like an arrow, reaching the others in the blink of an eye.
Before the absolute king of strength, Zhao Wuji had only survived because Er Ming had held back. Had Er Ming used his domain as well, that punch would have killed Zhao Wuji outright.
"Cough, cough-pfft!"
Zhao Wuji spat out a great mouthful of dark blood.
"What overwhelming strength. Compared to that old gorilla, it's on an entirely different level. This is the true king of strength."
Zhao Wuji looked for the Dragon Duke, but he was already nowhere to be seen. When Zhao Wuji turned around, he discovered that the Dragon Duke had already fled with the Snake Granny and Meng Yiran!
Damn it! He sold me out!
Zhao Wuji cursed inwardly, then looked at the Shrek Seven Devils.
"Why haven't you run yet? Are you staying here to die?"
"Teacher Zhao, Oscar is still absorbing his Soul Ring. He's almost succeeded. This is the crucial moment-we can't interrupt him," Dai Mubai immediately stepped forward and explained.
Watching beads of sweat form on Oscar's forehead, Zhao Wuji felt immense pressure. He could tell that Oscar was doing his best too. Right now, they were desperately short of time.
"ROAR!"
Before Zhao Wuji could catch his breath, the Titan Giant Ape approached at tremendous speed with its enormous strides! It bore down on them like a Dayun truck!
"Damn it." Zhao Wuji clenched his fists in defiance. "Are we really going to die here today?"
"First Soul Skill, Waist Bow."
At that critical moment, Xiao Wu suddenly rushed out of the group and attacked the Titan Giant Ape.
"Xiao Wu! What are you doing?! Come back!"
Watching Xiao Wu charge forward, Zhao Wuji grew so anxious that sweat broke out on his forehead. A little girl with only two Soul Rings was confronting the Titan Giant Ape head-on. Wasn't that courting death?!
The Titan Giant Ape immediately stopped when it saw Xiao Wu, reached out with its enormous hand, and seized her by the waist.
"Xiao Wu!"
Qin Ye shouted in feigned panic, already rushing out of the crowd.
"Qin Ye! You come back here too!"
Zhao Wuji could only watch as two of his students rushed toward the Titan Giant Ape, feeling utterly helpless.
"Brother Ye, don't worry about me. Hurry back with the others."
At the same time, the Titan Giant Ape swept up a vast cloud of dust with a punch, turning it into a wall of wind that blocked Qin Ye.
Leaving only those final words behind, Xiao Wu was carried into the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest by the Titan Giant Ape.
When the wall of wind dispersed, Xiao Wu and Er Ming had already vanished without a trace.
"Xiao Wu!"
Qin Ye reached toward the direction Xiao Wu had disappeared in and moved to follow her as he shouted.
"Qin Ye, what are you doing?!"
Zhao Wuji immediately grabbed Qin Ye's arm.
"Calm down, Qin Ye. The one who took Xiao Wu is the Titan Giant Ape, an overlord of the Star Dou Great Forest. If you follow it, you'll only throw your life away."
"I understand how you all feel right now. I can hardly accept that Xiao Wu was captured either, but we have to look ahead. Our immediate priority is to leave this place."
"Teacher Zhao." Qin Ye's chest rose and fell, his eyes bloodshot as he turned to look at Zhao Wuji. "If Dean Flender had been taken, would you go save him?"
"I..."
Zhao Wuji hesitated.
"Does Shrek have a school rule that says we abandon our companions? If it does, I'll leave right now. But if it doesn't, I'll go bring Xiao Wu back."
Qin Ye gazed into Zhao Wuji's eyes with unwavering resolve. Even Zhao Wuji could not bear to meet those utterly sincere eyes.
"Shrek will always stand as one. We won't abandon anyone. As long as there's even the slightest chance that Xiao Wu is alive, we have to bring her back."
Qin Ye looked at the Shrek Seven Devils behind him.
"Everyone, are you willing to come with me to save Xiao Wu?!"
"Yes!"
Everyone from Shrek answered in unison except Tang San.
After Xiao Wu's betrayal, Tang San had lost any desire to risk his life to rescue her. All he had left now was the coldest reason, and it told him to leave this place.
Even Oscar, who had just awakened, made his stance clear.
"Brother Ye, we're all behind you. As it happens, my third soul skill boosts speed. Let's go bring Xiao Wu back together."
"At worst, we'll die. Shrek will always be of one heart. Even if we die, we'll die together."
"That's right. Xiao Ao is right." Dai Mubai firmly clapped Oscar on the shoulder.
"Shrek will always stand together. We won't abandon anyone."
"This is the true Shrek."
Before you continue