Inside the Star Dou Great Forest, the group continued to maintain their previous formation, searching for suitable Soul Beast for Xiao Yan and Tang San.
The Grandmaster had already made plans for their third Soul Beast a long time ago.
Therefore, both of them had clear goals.
However, this time, they weren't as lucky as Oscar, who was able to encounter a suitable Soul Beast along the way.
After searching for two whole days, Xiao Yan and Tang San still hadn't obtained a suitable Soul Ring.
Either the Soul Beast's attributes were unsuitable, or its age was too young, so both rejected the idea.
In just two days, the eight people had developed a much better teamwork.
The slight estrangement that arose from the previous conflict with the Blue Sunshine Academy has gradually dissipated through cooperation over the past two days.
They were all intelligent people, and they knew that Xiao Yan was just expressing his thoughts. After two days of working together, their relationship gradually improved, and even Ning Rongrong, who had been somewhat detached from the group, gradually integrated into their group.
Oscar and Ning Rongrong provided support in the center, Xiao Yan and Tang San cleared the way, Xiao Wu and Ma Hongjun kept watch on both flanks, Agility Attack System Zhu Zhuqing constantly leaped and explored on the towering trees.
This made Zhao Wuji, who was standing to the side, nod in satisfaction.
At night, Xiao Yan and Tang San were in charge of this round of guard duty. The two sat by the campfire, chatting casually.
"The types of Soul Beast that our teacher pointed out to us seem to be rarely encountered on the outskirts of this Star Dou Great Forest."
Xiao Yan threw a branch into the fire and said with a frown:
"Perhaps we need to go a bit deeper..."
"I just don't know if Teacher Zhao will agree." Tang San helplessly shrugged.
"After all, the deeper you go into the center, the greater the dangers you'll encounter."
"If we still haven't found a suitable Soul Beast by tomorrow, let's go a little deeper," Zhao Wuji's voice suddenly rang out.
The two turned around and saw Zhao Wuji standing behind them.
" Teacher Zhao."
"Hmm." Zhao Wuji nodded slightly, his tone somewhat helpless.
"I remember there used to be quite a few Thousand-Year Soul Beast on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, but now they're becoming increasingly rare."
"I wonder if they hid deep in the forest, or for some other reason..."
The two exchanged a glance after hearing Zhao Wuji's words, and Xiao Yan spoke up:
"Our teacher has mentioned this to us before."
"A human Soul Master only needs a few decades to grow, while a mature Soul Master requires six Soul Ring, including hundred-year, thousand-year, and Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring."
"Since a Magical Beast can take hundreds or even thousands of years to grow, as the number of human Soul Master increases, more and more Soul Beast will die at the hands of humans."
"Moreover, this doesn't even include those bloodthirsty individuals; the number of Soul Beast that have died at their hands is truly alarming."
"If this continues, one day, Soul Master will find themselves in the awkward situation of having no Soul Ring available."
A hint of surprise flashed across Zhao Wuji's face upon hearing their conversation.
"So that's another way to understand it..."
Shaking his head helplessly, Zhao Wuji comforted the two:
"This is something we can't change; we can only try to hunt only the Soul Beast we need."
The three discussed Soul Beast and Soul Ring by the firelight.
Suddenly, Zhao Wuji stood up abruptly, his eyes turning cold instantly. His Soul Power surged forth, and with a low roar, his Great Strength Vajra Bear Martial Soul directly possessed him. He shouted:
"A Soul Beast is approaching! Everyone, leave the tent!"
After several days of working together, the group had developed an excellent rapport. The moment Zhao Wuji spoke, everyone inside the tent rushed out and protected Oscar and Ning Rongrong in the middle.
" Teacher Zhao, what's wrong?"
After cautiously surveying his surroundings, Xiao Yan asked Zhao Wuji, who, along with Tang San, had not noticed anything unusual.
Zhao Wuji did not answer Xiao Yan's question. Instead, he looked intently into the depths of the forest as if facing a formidable enemy, and without turning his head, he spoke:
" Xiao Xin, everyone. If anything happens, don't worry about me. Get out of the Star Dou Great Forest first. Mubai, the task of protecting everyone is yours while I'm gone."
Zhao Wuji's appearance made everyone's hearts tighten, and a sense of foreboding arose.
Did you hear me!?
Zhao Wuji let out a low growl, Dai Mubai gritted his teeth and nodded. "We understand, Teacher Zhao!"
Xiao Yan and the others looked in the direction Zhao Wuji was gazing, and soon witnessed a shocking scene.
Between the two towering ancient trees, each over ten meters tall and requiring seven or eight people to encircle, a massive black shadow suddenly appeared.
Then the two enormous ancient trees collapsed to either side.
Two enormous ancient trees crashed down, and the blocked moonlight fell into the forest, illuminating the area.
As they gazed at the eerie figure ahead, everyone almost stopped breathing; the aura of death filled their hearts.
Everyone finally understood why Zhao Wuji had made such an arrangement.
Bathed in moonlight, a colossal figure stood at the edge of everyone's sight.
It was a creature that looked like an ape, and it easily pried open the two fallen trees with its two hands.
His mountain-like body stood not far from the crowd, over ten meters tall, and if he stood up, he would probably reach twenty meters in height.
Besides its pair of eyes that glowed red like lanterns, its bulging, powerful muscles further emphasized its terrifying nature.
The enormous figure approached without making a sound, not even a breath.
Upon seeing this figure, the knowledge that the Grandmaster had instilled in them automatically surfaced in Xiao Yan's mind.
" King of the Forest, Titan Giant Ape..."
Xiao Yan's voice was a little hoarse. He finally understood why Zhao Wuji had told them not to worry about him and to leave the Star Dou Great Forest as soon as they had the chance.
Because the Titan Giant Ape is the absolute overlord among Soul Beast.
Titan Giant Ape of a hundred years or more can even contend with some Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast; it is a powerful being standing at the top of the Soul Beast Realm.
Such terrifying power has made it a coveted Soul Ring for many Soul Master.
Unfortunately...
In the history of the Soul Master World, only one person has ever hunted down a Titan Giant Ape; there are no other exceptions.
More importantly, in addition to its absolute strength, the Titan Giant Ape is also intelligent, comparable to humans, making it one of the few Soul Beast that possesses its own intelligence.
In the forest, the Titan Giant Ape is the absolute overlord.
To Xiao Yan and his companions' surprise, the Titan Giant Ape, which should live in the core area of Star Dou Great Forest, was appearing in this outermost periphery.
"Your Majesty, King of the Forest, we have no intention of offending you. If this is your territory, we are willing to withdraw immediately. Please calm your anger."
Zhao Wuji stood in front of the crowd, took a deep breath, bowed slightly to the Titan Giant Ape, and spoke.
He knew that the Titan Giant Ape before him would definitely be able to understand him.
After all, the Titan Giant Ape with this form must be more than ten thousand years old!
'boom!'
The Titan Giant Ape remained silent, simply taking a step forward, which brought it closer to the Shrek Devils.
" Mubai, lead them and retreat..."
Zhao Wuji watched as the Titan Giant Ape took a step forward but then stopped moving. He spoke to Dai Mubai and the others behind him, while he himself stood Xiao Xin in place.
Everyone knew this was not the time to act rashly, so they Xiao Xin moved their feet backward. However, they had barely made a move when the Titan Giant Ape let out a roar.
"Roar!"
"Not good!" Zhao Wuji's eyes changed instantly when he saw the Titan Giant Ape's movements. Four Soul Ring flashed on his body as he rushed towards the Titan Giant Ape.
" Mubai, lead everyone and retreat!"