After the Shrek Academy gathering, Tang San headed straight for the Great Star Dou Forest, primarily to find Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu, as a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, lived near the Lake of Life in the core area of the Great Star Dou Forest. Tang San simply needed to head toward the center of the forest to find her.
Due to various chain reactions, Tang San's appearance had undergone some changes, but not to the extent of the complete physical and facial transformation seen during the second awakening of his Blue Silver Emperor in the original storyline.
Moreover, Tang San hadn't encountered any members of the Spirit Hall's Soul Hunt operation along the way, let alone infiltrated their ranks covertly.
Tang San reached the Lake of Life in the Great Star Dou Forest without obstruction. After five years apart, Tang San and Xiao Wu were overjoyed to reunite, embracing affectionately—it was a heartwarming scene.
Tang San avoided encountering Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo mainly because the Soul Hunt operation had changed significantly.
The Spirit Hall's Soul Hunt operation underwent major adjustments this time, including the addition of a plan to assassinate Crown Prince Xue Beng.
As a prince of the Tiandou Empire, Xue Beng was under strict protection, especially while stationed at the Tiandou Imperial Academy.
To successfully eliminate Xue Beng, the Spirit Hall specifically assigned Ghost Douluo to carry out the assassination personally. He used a specially prepared toxin from his martial spirit, ensuring no traces would be left—making it impossible to determine the enemy from the wound.
Ghost Douluo himself was enigmatic, elusive, and ghost-like, capable of effortlessly killing Xue Beng despite the heavy protection and leaving no evidence behind.
By the time Ghost Douluo regrouped with Chrysanthemum Douluo at the outskirts of the Great Star Dou Forest, they had already missed encountering Tang San.
Furthermore, the Spirit Hall suffered immense losses during this Soul Hunt operation. Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan, who were originally part of the operation, did not participate in the Great Star Dou Forest mission. Instead, Hu Liena, as the Holy Maiden, focused on comforting the wounded after the Spirit Hall's crushing defeat, which severely dampened morale.
This resulted in only Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and twenty Soul Sages being dispatched to capture Xiao Wu—a relatively formidable force.
However, such strength was insignificant within the Great Star Dou Forest, home to countless spirit beasts, many of which were top-tier. Ordinary eighty-thousand-year spirit beasts possessed combat abilities on par with Title Douluos, and hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts could single-handedly defeat ordinary Title Douluos.
Although Yang Xiong's group hastily entered the Great Star Dou Forest, their preparations were thorough and diverse.
They not only had two exceptional auxiliary assets—Ning Rongrong and Ning Fengyuan—but also Oscar, who provided food-based support.
Before entering the forest, Yang Xiong had Oscar prepare various types of sausages. All non-Title Douluo members carried Flying Mushroom Sausages, and everyone was equipped with Super Recovery Sausages and Invigorating Pink Sausages.
Yang Xiong intended to strike a crippling blow to the Spirit Hall, so he meticulously planned for every contingency, aiming to maximize their team's potential.
When the group reached the core area of the Great Star Dou Forest, Bai He returned from scouting ahead. The core area was filled with the sounds of an intense battle.
Yang Xiong's group moved quickly, advancing stealthily toward the source of the commotion.
Sure enough, about one kilometer away from the Lake of Life, they encountered a terrifying battle scene.
The Titan Ape emitted a horrifying roar that seemed to shatter the ground beneath it.
On its shoulders were two small figures—Tang San and Xiao Wu.
Under normal circumstances, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo wouldn't stand a chance against both the Titan Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python. However, their goal wasn't to defeat these two hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts but to capture Xiao Wu from the Titan Ape's shoulder.
Ghost Douluo transformed into an eerie shadow, moving as fast as lightning, and shouted:
"Ju Hua Guan, you distract this giant creature head-on. I'll go after the rabbit. Once I succeed, I'll retreat immediately."
"The rest of you hold your positions."
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo had cooperated for decades, sharing an inseparable bond and deep familiarity with each other's abilities.
Chrysanthemum Douluo activated his seventh soul ring, unleashing his seventh soul skill—the True Body of his martial spirit.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's body rapidly expanded, transforming into an enormous Chrysanthemum Piercer. The towering flower radiated infinite golden light, instantly shooting toward the Titan Ape.
Simultaneously, the Chrysanthemum Piercer released countless petals, each sharp like a blade, attempting to envelop the Titan Ape. These petals specifically targeted Tang San and Xiao Wu.
Though the Titan Ape's defense was formidable, Tang San and Xiao Wu were merely ordinary Soul Emperors, with Tang San not even reaching full Soul Emperor level yet. They couldn't withstand the attack of a Title Douluo.
Meanwhile, Ghost Douluo turned into a ghostly figure, moving at lightning speed, directly heading for Tang San and Xiao Wu on the Titan Ape's shoulder.
Though the Titan Ape was powerful, it showed disdain for Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo. Its massive hands blocked the attack, effortlessly absorbing Chrysanthemum Douluo's assault.
The Titan Ape's defense was indeed extraordinary, even beyond what Chrysanthemum Douluo could easily penetrate.
However, the petals seemed to be controlled remotely, bypassing the Titan Ape's defenses and targeting Tang San and Xiao Wu.
Ghost Douluo's movements were ghost-like, reaching extreme speeds as he attempted to circle around the Titan Ape's massive body and capture Xiao Wu.
But the Titan Ape reacted swiftly, shaking its shoulders. Tang San and Xiao Wu leaped off just in time.
At this moment, the Titan Ape showcased its terrifying combat prowess, displaying speed far surpassing its size—its movements were incredibly swift.
The Titan Ape's massive hands swatted at Ghost Douluo, who was flying toward Xiao Wu, completely ignoring Chrysanthemum Douluo's attacks.
Its hands emitted a terrifying force, suppressing the surrounding ground as if controlling gravity.
This was the Titan Ape's innate ability: the Gravity Control Domain. Under its influence, Ghost Douluo felt an overwhelming pressure, slowing his movements drastically. Even the surrounding space seemed distorted.
The Titan Ape truly deserved its status as one of the most powerful spirit beasts in the Great Star Dou Forest, possessing the strongest bloodline among spirit beasts and the rare Gravity Control Domain.
Most Title Douluos didn't possess domain abilities, highlighting the Titan Ape's dominance. No wonder it had roamed the Great Star Dou Forest for countless years without being hunted.
On the other hand, when facing Chrysanthemum Douluo's attack, the Titan Ape simply shifted its massive body slightly, blocking the onslaught of petals with ease.
Even Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were astonished by the Titan Ape's offensive and defensive capabilities—it was flawless.
Without hesitation, Ghost Douluo activated his seventh soul ring, using his True Body.
His body transformed into a shadowy, illusory form, becoming difficult to grasp.
However, the Titan Ape showed disdain. Its Gravity Control Domain suddenly disappeared, causing Ghost Douluo to feel weightless, losing control momentarily.
At that moment, the Titan Ape's massive hands slammed into Ghost Douluo, sending him flying.
The Titan Ape truly lived up to its reputation as a top-tier spirit beast. Its intelligence and combat instincts rivaled that of an adult human. This calculated move—to withdraw the Gravity Control Domain just as Ghost Douluo activated his True Body—was executed with precision, catching him off guard.
Meanwhile, Chrysanthemum Douluo relentlessly attacked the Titan Ape, but the plant-based petals couldn't harm its granite-like black skin. The Titan Ape shrugged off Chrysanthemum Douluo's True Body attack without injury.
At this moment, the surface of the lake began to boil. A massive bull's head, over four meters tall, emerged from the water, accompanied by a colossal tail that lashed out, striking Chrysanthemum Douluo directly.
This was the Sky Azure Bull Python, clearly enraged.
Though Chrysanthemum Douluo had activated his True Body, the Sky Azure Bull Python radiated terrifying lightning, especially through its tail, which moved like a bolt of lightning, freezing the surrounding air.
Under this powerful strike, Chrysanthemum Douluo was sent flying.
The Sky Azure Bull Python's body was enormous, its head alone exceeding four meters, with a length spanning dozens of meters. Its entire body shimmered with blue light, resembling lightning.
"Big Brother, kill them all. Leave none alive."
The Sky Azure Bull Python's words were calm, but its cold gaze emitted a faint green glow, turning the surroundings into a green-hued world where everyone's movements slowed dramatically.
From afar, Yang Xiong and his group watched the battle unfold. Under the green glow, everyone's movements visibly slowed.
This was the Sky Azure Bull Python's Slowing Domain, a pure control domain that surpassed the Titan Ape's simple Gravity Control.
Yang Xiong's group grew extremely serious. These two hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts were far stronger than anyone had anticipated.
Even Sword Douluo's expression turned grave: "These two hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts are incredibly strong, especially the Sky Azure Bull Python. Its strength likely rivals mine."
"Little Xiong, when do we strike? Aren't you worried that Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo will flee after seeing these two spirit beasts?"
Yang Xiong chuckled: "They're acting under Bibi Dong's orders—they won't give up capturing Xiao Wu so easily. Besides, it's still early. Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo haven't unleashed their full strength yet."
"When the battle reaches its peak, we'll act according to plan and eliminate them all. Not a single person can escape, or it will cause trouble later."
Sword Douluo nodded: "This is what the Spirit Hall owes us, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. We must make them pay the price."
Yang Xiong seemed to recall something: "Teacher Sword Douluo, help me observe the surroundings. Can you sense Tang Hao's presence?"
"Tang San is Tang Hao's son. I don't believe Tang Hao would let Tang San come to the Great Star Dou Forest alone to hunt for a soul ring."
After careful observation, Sword Douluo replied: "I don't sense Tang Hao's presence. Normally, Tang Hao should be at level ninety-five. If he were within a kilometer, I'd be able to detect him."
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiong was speechless. Tang Hao must have an incredible amount of trust in his son, allowing him to venture into the Great Star Dou Forest alone to hunt for his sixth soul ring.
For a typical soul master, the sixth soul ring should come from a spirit beast around twenty thousand years old, especially in the Great Star Dou Forest. How could Tang Hao not worry about his son encountering a high-level spirit beast and losing his life?
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