Give It Up, Oscar

The morning sunlight pierced through the thin mist at the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, casting dappled light and shadows on the marching team. After the hotel incident last night, the atmosphere within the team was noticeably more somber.

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun walked in the middle of the group, their eyes scanning their surroundings warily from time to time, completely unlike their arrogant selves from yesterday. Zhao Wuji's warning and Shi Nian's shadow acted like invisible shackles, causing them to restrain their arrogance.

Yan Zu walked at the front of the group, his Illusion-Breaking Spirit Eyes operating silently, a pale golden light flickering in his eyes as he watched for potential dangers.

Xiao Wu followed beside him. Although they had returned to their familiar forest home, there was a hint of worry in her expression. She longed to see Da Ming Er Ming, but she was also worried that their appearance would cause unpredictable conflicts, and she was even more concerned about her identity as Soul Beast being exposed.

However, he had the Auspicious Beast Same-Heart Talisman on him, so as long as he didn't actively release his aura, Da Ming and Er Ming wouldn't know that he had entered the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Everyone, stay alert! We've entered the edge of the mixed zone, and thousand-year-old Soul Beast are starting to appear frequently." Zhao Wuji waved his hand, his deep voice echoing through the forest. "Oscar, keep your eyes peeled and watch out for Soul Beast that suit you. The rest of you, stay on guard!"

"Yes, Teacher Zhao!" everyone responded in unison, becoming more alert.

About an hour into the forest, Yan Zu suddenly raised his hand to signal a halt, his sharp gaze fixed on the right front. "Something is approaching rapidly, at an extremely fast speed."

Not long after they finished speaking, a rustling sound came from the dense forest ahead. Then, a pale red shadow darted out of the bushes like an arrow and flashed past everyone's eyes! It was a strange snake that was six or seven meters long, covered with peach-colored scales, with a bright red crest on its head and a fan-shaped tail.

It seemed frightened; it had a deep wound on its abdomen that was oozing blood, and although it was moving quickly, its flight path was somewhat erratic.

"It's Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent!" Zhao Wuji's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "Good heavens, and it's injured! Oscar, this beast is fast and can fly briefly; it's a top-grade agility-type Soul Beast, perfect for you!"

Oscar was overjoyed upon hearing this, for his Third Soul Ring was right before his eyes! The group immediately launched a pincer movement. Zhao Wuji took the lead, unleashing his Soul Saint aura to lock onto the snake shadow; Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing flanked from both sides; Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shone brightly, amplifying the group's power.

However, just as everyone was about to surround the snake, an old man's angry shout came from another direction, "Stop! I injured this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent first!"

An old woman carrying a snake-headed cane rushed out of the forest, her six Soul Ring pulsating. It was none other than Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang from the Exotic Beast Academy! Behind her followed Meng Yiran, panting heavily and looking unwilling.

Seeing that there were people fighting over it, Zhao Wuji immediately blocked the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's escape route. With a swift punch, he unleashed a burst of Soul Power that struck the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's head, stunning it.

The Snake Granny's gaze swept over the Shrek Devils, lingering especially on Zhao Wuji, whose Soul Power fluctuations were the strongest. She said coldly, "This Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent was first discovered and injured by me. According to the rules of the Soul Master World, it should be absorbed by my granddaughter. Who are you, sir? Please grant me this favor."

Seeing this, Zhao Wuji stopped, and seven Soul Ring slowly rose from beneath his feet—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—the optimal combination of Soul Saint's aura subtly emanating. He said in a deep voice, "I am Zhao Wuji, a teacher at the Shrek Academy, leading a team to acquire Soul Ring for my students. Madam, the Soul Beast in this Star Dou Great Forest are always ownerless; whoever hunts them first gains their opportunity. Although you injured it, now that it is before us, it is our prey."

Upon hearing the name "Zhao Wuji" and seeing the seven Soul Ring on his body, especially the three deep black Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang's eyes narrowed slightly, her anger subsided somewhat, but her tone remained firm. "So it is the Immovable Wisdom King in person. I am Chao Tianxiang, and I am honored by the kindness of my friends in the Soul Master World, who call me ' Snake Granny '."

"This Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent is of great importance to my granddaughter. I beg Brother Zhao to do me a favor for the sake of my old lady and my husband, ' Dragon Duke Dragon Duke ' Meng Shu." She brought up her and her husband's names, the Peerless Dragon Snake couple, who were quite famous in the Soul Master World and were usually given some face by ordinary Soul Master.

Upon hearing the names "Dragon Duke and Snake Granny," Zhao Wuji frowned slightly, not expecting to encounter such a troublesome couple. However, with the Dragon Duke absent, it was impossible for him to simply give up the top-grade Soul Beast he had acquired.

He chuckled and said, "So it's Senior Chao Tianxiang. I've heard so much about you. However, I, your student, am also in dire need of this Third Soul Ring. Senior, are you trying to intimidate me by bringing up the name ' Dragon Duke '? Although I, Zhao Wuji, am not very talented, I must fight for it for my student's sake."

As the two powerful figures clashed, their Soul Power surging, the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Meng Yiran's gaze swept across the faces of the Shrek students. When she saw Yan Zu, whose demeanor was calm and different from others, she bit her lip, suddenly stepped forward, and said in a clear but stubborn voice, "Teacher Zhao, Grandma, since both sides have their own opinions, and the Soul Master World values strength above all else, why don't we let the younger generation have a competition to decide the ownership of this Soul Beast?"

Upon hearing this, Snake Granny looked at Meng Yiran and saw the fighting spirit in her eyes. She then looked at the Shrek Academy group opposite her and thought the method was feasible, so she nodded.

Zhao Wuji was happy to agree, as a direct confrontation with the Snake Granny would inevitably be troublesome. Considering the difference in their ranks, he said, "Alright. Little San, you..."

Before he could finish speaking, Meng Yiran raised her hand and pointed directly at Yan Zu, her beautiful eyes blazing. "I want to compete with him!"

Everyone was stunned. Tang San had just taken half a step when he heard this, his face immediately stiffened, his outstretched foot slowly retracted, and his fists, hanging at his sides, quietly clenched. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, on the other hand, showed expressions of anticipation.

Yan Zu was slightly taken aback and looked at Meng Yiran. He saw that the girl's pretty face was slightly raised and her eyes held an undisguised challenge.

Xiao Wu and Rongrong glared at each other angrily. Xiao Wu, in particular, was about to speak when Yan Zu gently pulled her back. Seeing that Yan Zu had his own ideas, Xiao Wu Yan Zu had no choice but to suppress her anger and wait and see.

The Snake Granny frowned. She could tell that Yan Zu seemed to be the youngest, but his aura was the most composed, and he looked like he was not easy to deal with.

However, since her granddaughter had specifically requested it, she couldn't very well object.

Zhao Wuji looked at Yan Zu: "Yan Zu, what do you say?"

Before Yan Zu could answer, Oscar grew anxious and ran to Yan Zu's side, whispering, "Yan Zu, this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent is perfect for me, with its flying ability! You have to win!"

Yan Zu patted Oscar on the shoulder, giving him a reassuring look, then stepped out of the group and bowed to Meng Yiran and Snake Granny: "Miss Meng, Senior Chao Tianxiang. A friendly spar and exchange of skills is perfectly acceptable. But before that, I have a few words I'd like to say to Oscar, so please be patient."

He turned to Oscar, his voice clear and steady. "Oscar, this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent does indeed provide temporary flight capabilities, which is practically a divine skill for Auxiliary System Soul Master who currently lack life-saving means."

Oscar nodded repeatedly, his face filled with even greater anticipation.

"However," Yan Zu changed the subject, "Have you considered the limitations of this Soul Skill?"

Oscar paused, then asked, "Limitations?"

Everyone looked puzzled.

"While the flight ability is good, have you considered the time factor?" Yan Zu continued, "This Soul Skill is only the Third Soul Skill after all. I estimate that the flight time it provides will not exceed one minute at most. In the early stages, it might be enough to get you out of danger, or it might have a surprising effect in certain tactics. However, Oscar, you are Food System Soul Master with Innate Full Soul Power. Your goal is to become Titled Douluo, or even a higher realm."

His gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Oscar's face. His tone carried a convincing certainty. "Upon reaching the Soul Saint level, some Soul Master can fly using their Martial Soul Avatar. Although it consumes a lot of energy, it offers freedom and flexibility. At the Titled Douluo, everyone can fly. At that point, how much value will this one-minute Flying Sausage have for you and the team? Won't it seem somewhat... useless?"

"A Soul Ring and a Soul Skill mean limitless possibilities for someone like you with Innate Full Soul Power. Are you really willing to use a 'one-minute flight' skill, whose value may greatly diminish in the future, to lock in your Third Soul Ring?"

Yan Zu's words struck Oscar like a thunderclap. The excitement on his face gradually faded, replaced by contemplation. Yes, the ability to fly seems impressive now, but if it only lasts for a minute, it will be extremely useless.

Titled Douluo... that was the realm he had always dreamed of. If his Third Soul Skill was useless at the Titled Douluo level, wouldn't that be a waste of his Innate Full Soul Power?

Ning Rongrong nodded thoughtfully, "Yan Zu is right. Our elders in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have also said that the selection of Soul Skill requires foresight and cannot be based solely on immediate needs, especially for those with exceptional talent."

Zhao Wuji stroked his chin, remaining silent, but a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes. He had to admit that Yan Zu had indeed thought far ahead.

Snake Granny and Meng Yiran were also stunned. They hadn't expected Yan Zu to analyze things from this angle, and it sounded... quite reasonable. Snake Granny looked at Yan Zu with a hint of surprise in her eyes.

"But..." Oscar hesitated, "If we give up on this, can we find something better? There aren't many Soul Beast suitable for Food System Soul Master to begin with..."

"Trust me." Yan Zu looked at Oscar with unwavering eyes.

His confidence stemmed from the reward he received when he saved Zhu Zhuqing, "The Atlas of Mountains and Rivers)," which contained a Soul Beast that was very suitable for Oscar. If he could obtain that Soul Skill, it would be of great value both now and in the future, far more practical than the one-minute flight.

"Since I've asked you to give up, I will definitely help you find a more suitable, higher-potential, and more suitable Third Soul Ring that can accompany you to the peak. I, Yan Zu, swear this promise with my Martial Soul."

(Thanks to book friends Shiina Hui and Yi Mengfanchen for their monthly ticket support)