At this moment, the Sky Azure Bull Python suddenly let out a deafening roar, shaking the entire Star Dou Forest. Even Lin Gong, with all his strength, felt a chill run down his spine.
The Sky Azure Bull Python truly deserved its title as the Forest Emperor. With just one roar, the core area of the Star Dou Forest fell silent. The earlier waves of beastly cries all vanished instantly.
Its massive eyes stared directly at Lin Gong, and from its mouth came a voice full of authority: "Human, are you the one provoking me?"
Lin Gong's scalp tingled upon hearing that. He stood rooted to the spot, unsure whether to stay or flee.
Although Yang Xiong was under immense pressure, he still gritted his teeth and spoke up: "Senior Sky Azure Bull Python, we're not here to confront you. We're here looking for Xiao Wu."
The Sky Azure Bull Python roared once more: "Human, you know Sister Xiao Wu? Are you here to harm her again?"
A faint smile appeared on Yang Xiong's face. "Xiao Wu and I are classmates. We came to the Star Dou Forest just to see her. Don't worry, we mean no harm."
The Sky Azure Bull Python looked suspicious but let out another loud roar, seemingly calling out for something.
Sure enough, moments later, a deep roar echoed from the distance, also radiating immense energy.
Soon, the ground began to shake. From within the woods emerged a towering Titan Giant Ape, over fifteen meters tall, its body like granite, radiating power and menace.
Seated on the Titan Giant Ape's shoulder was a slender girl,Xiao Wu, who had fled from Spirit City not long ago.
Seeing Yang Xiong from afar, Xiao Wu looked surprised. "Xiao Xiongzi, what are you doing in the Star Dou Forest?"
Yang Xiong's face turned slightly black upon hearing the nickname. Xiao Wu, being close friends with Ning Rongrong, also used that nickname, which always made things awkward for him.
He forced a smile. "I thought you wouldn't make it out of Spirit City that day. But you look quite happy now. Do you think living in this forest means you're safe from all harm?"
Xiao Wu proudly replied, "Of course! Who in this forest could possibly hurt me? Da Ming and Er Ming are both powerful."
Yang Xiong said, "Can you get off the Titan Giant Ape for a moment? It's kind of awkward talking to you like this."
Xiao Wu then turned to the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python. "Da Ming, Er Ming, these are my classmates. They won't hurt me."
The Sky Azure Bull Python, who had been extremely intimidating earlier, now seemed rather gentle. Its voice rumbled lowly, "Sister Xiao Wu, humans can't be trusted. This guy doesn't look like a good person."
Yang Xiong's face darkened again, but Xiao Wu didn't seem to mind. "Don't worry, Da Ming. Xiao Xiongzi isn't exactly a good person, but he won't harm me. Otherwise, he won't be able to face Rongrong."
Yang Xiong felt utterly speechless. Why was he constantly being labeled a bad guy?
The Titan Giant Ape, still a bit wary, gently lifted Xiao Wu from his shoulder with his huge hand, treating her very carefully.
Yang Xiong couldn't help but roll his eyes at the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python. These two mighty ten-thousand-year soul beasts looked so fearsome, yet they turned into complete softies around Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu walked over to Yang Xiong with a cheerful smile. "Xiao Xiongzi, what brought you to the Star Dou Forest?"
Yang Xiong smiled. "Xiao Wu, did you forget I reached level forty during the Soul Master Tournament? I came here to obtain a new soul ring, but I've already got it."
Xiao Wu's expression darkened. "You humans are so cruel, always hunting soul beasts."
Yang Xiong shrugged. "I had no choice. Didn't your Third Brother hunt soul beasts too?"
Xiao Wu quickly replied, "Third Brother only hunted evil ones, not like you, Xiao Xiongzi. By the way, did that old witch in Spirit City do anything to you?"
Yang Xiong smiled. "I'm from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Bibi Dong isn't ready to act openly just yet."
The two chatted for a while, sharing updates about the Shrek team.
After hearing everything, Xiao Wu looked a bit sad. "Xiao Xiongzi, so Uncle Sausage went back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with you? Even Teacher Zhao?"
Yang Xiong nodded. "Oscar and Teacher Zhao are with me. Oscar will probably head out to train soon, while Teacher Zhao is teaching me how to fight."
Xiao Wu pouted. "Rich people always like to do things like that."
"By the way, you didn't come here just to see me, did you? Do you have some other reason?"
Yang Xiong suddenly grew serious. "Xiao Wu, do you still remember Bibi Dong from Spirit City?"
Xiao Wu's face turned cold. "That woman is my greatest enemy. I'll get my revenge one day. Why bring her up?"
Yang Xiong grinned. "Do you remember Huyan Zhen from the Xiangjia Sect? He's one of Bibi Dong's most loyal supporters."
Xiao Wu thought for a moment. "I think Third Brother mentioned that big guy before. He's the grandfather of Huyan Li, who we encountered. Not a good person, from what I've heard."
Yang Xiong nodded. "Exactly. Xiangjia Sect has always supported Bibi Dong. When we came here for my soul ring, we saw many of them in the core area of the forest. I figured, since they're your enemies too, I should let you know."
Xiao Wu looked suspicious. "Xiao Xiongzi, you're always scheming. Are they your enemies too, and now you want to use us to eliminate them?"
Yang Xiong laughed. "There's no 'using you.' Whether it's the Xiangjia Sect or Spirit Hall, they're enemies of my sect and yours. We're on the same side, aren't we?"
Xiao Wu said, "So what are you suggesting?"
Yang Xiong replied, "The Xiangjia Sect sent three Soul Douluos and nine Soul Sages. That's most of their top experts. If they all fall here, it would severely weaken Bibi Dong."
Xiao Wu's expression darkened. "You still say you're not using us? You're clearly trying to get us to do your dirty work."
Yang Xiong shook his head. "They're our enemies,mine and yours. And they're here to hunt soul beasts on a massive scale, which makes them enemies of your entire soul beast race."
Xiao Wu's expression flickered,anger, hatred, doubt,all mixing on her face.
After a long moment, she finally asked, "So what do you want? You're not planning to stay back and reap the benefits, are you?"
Yang Xiong smiled. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect isn't ready to go head-on with Spirit Hall or Xiangjia Sect yet. But we can support you. Think of it as me owing you a favor. I'll repay it in the future."
"This is the Star Dou Forest. If soul masters get attacked while hunting soul rings, it's just part of the risk. If the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python act,or if you summon other soul beasts,it won't raise suspicion. Just don't get involved directly. You still need to live among humans someday."
Xiao Wu clenched her teeth. "Fine. I'll take revenge on Bibi Dong one day. If the Xiangjia Sect are her dogs, then I'll start with them."
After their talk, Xiao Wu cleared out all the gold soul coins and food Yang Xiong had on him before she was satisfied enough to leave.
She whispered to the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python. Though they hesitated at first, upon hearing the Xiangjia Sect served Bibi Dong, they had no more doubts.
The two top-tier soul beasts, along with Xiao Wu, Yang Xiong, and Lin Gong, began heading toward the Xiangjia Sect's location. The Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python even deliberately moved stealthily through the forest.
Yang Xiong was surprised. Given their massive size, it was shocking how stealthy they could be. No wonder they were considered high-intelligence soul beasts.
As the group approached, the Xiangjia Sect sensed something unusual. Such high-level soul beasts radiated a powerful aura that suppressed nearby beasts,an unusual quiet had fallen over the area.
Huyan Zhen, a top Soul Douluo, instantly noticed the disturbance. "Who's there? Do you plan to ambush the Xiangjia Sect?"
He summoned his giant Diamond Mammoth. With two yellow, two purple, and four black rings, he projected tremendous pressure even into the surrounding forest.
But before he could do anything, the Titan Giant Ape burst through the woods. The ground trembled with its arrival.
Huyan Zhen was stunned. He never imagined their soul beast hunt would draw the attention of the Forest King.
Trying to communicate, Huyan Zhen called out, "Respected Titan Giant Ape, we mean no offense. Please let us leave peacefully."
The others also summoned their spirits and soul rings immediately. They were clearly strong and well-trained, the best of the Xiangjia Sect.
But the Titan Giant Ape ignored Huyan Zhen's words. With a furious roar, it slammed a fist down at him, shattering the earth beneath.
Startled, Huyan Zhen unleashed his fourth soul skill: Death Crush. His Diamond Mammoth released immense power.
But to the Titan Giant Ape, Huyan Zhen's strength was insignificant. The ape's power had already reached level 95,on par with a Titled Douluo,and it was especially unmatched in raw force.
With one blow, Huyan Zhen was sent flying. Others nearby were also shaken and knocked back.
The Xiangjia Sect quickly regrouped. Some members protected those absorbing soul rings, while Huyan Zhen and another Soul Douluo prepared to fight.
Just then, a blue flash erupted from the shadows like terrifying lightning, striking the Xiangjia Sect from behind.
Snakes are the most dangerous ambush predators in the forest, and their stealth is unmatched. Even close up, they're hard to detect. Their attacks are deadly and swift.
The Sky Azure Bull Python, as a ten-thousand-year soul beast, possessed even more fearsome power. Its single strike, enhanced by thunder, hit hard despite the Xiangjia Sect's defenses. Several members were instantly wounded or killed.
Despair swept over them. They hadn't expected even the Sky Azure Bull Python to appear. Their soul beast hunt had turned into a nightmare.
The Sky Azure Bull Python moved like lightning, instantly wrapping around a Soul Douluo. Though the target tried to resist with his eighth soul skill, the earlier thunder attack had already numbed him. In the end, the Sky Azure Bull Python crushed him into pieces.
Meanwhile, the Titan Giant Ape relentlessly pursued Huyan Zhen and the others, more ferocious than ever.
The battle lasted for over ten minutes. The Xiangjia Sect suffered devastating losses. Aside from Huyan Zhen and a few who barely escaped, nearly all others were killed on the spot.
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