Seeing Ye Zhiqiu and the others leave, Zhao Wuji shouted at the inn door:
"Aren't you all going to sleep? Waiting for me to tuck you in?"
Hearing this, Dai Mubai and the others stopped watching the commotion and hurried upstairs to the inn.
After a peaceful night's sleep, time quickly passed to the next day—
After breakfast, Zhao Wuji and Su Yu led everyone to the Star Dou Great Forest.
The distance was only fifty kilometers, and they could use Soul Power to travel. The group reached the Star Dou Great Forest in half an hour!
No one could say for sure how many years the Star Dou Great Forest had existed in the Douluo Continent.
But upon entering the forest, the dense canopy blocking out the sky was enough to tell people of its ancient existence.
As soon as they entered the forest, fresh air blew toward them, carrying the refreshing fragrance of plants that was indescribably pleasant.
Taking a deep breath, all thirty-six thousand pores in their bodies seemed to open up, an indescribably comfortable feeling.
"Everyone, stay alert."
Zhao Wuji's voice broke the forest's tranquility, carrying a tone of gravity.
"The depths of the Star Dou Great Forest hide hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts. Even in the periphery, thousand-year Soul Beasts are not uncommon."
"Remember the rules: don't touch what you shouldn't, and follow all commands."
"Yes, Teacher Zhao!"
After entering the Star Dou Great Forest, Xiao Wu was the most excited. This was her home, and she didn't feel it was a dangerous place at all.
Watching Xiao Wu skipping around, her expression filled with undeniable joy, Zhao Wuji frowned deeply.
But with Su Yu and him both providing protection, he didn't say much more.
The group moved deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest, encountering many small groups of Soul Beasts along the way.
Time quickly passed until noon, and the group reached the middle section of the Star Dou Great Forest's periphery.
They had seen many thousand-year Soul Beasts along the way, but unfortunately, none had attributes suitable for Oscar!
They spotted a few Soul Beasts that would suit Oscar, but their age was only over eight hundred years—unsuitable for a third Soul Ring!
As noon approached, after being highly tense for so long, they needed to rest.
"Alright, rest here for half an hour! We'll continue forward later!"
The group found a clearing, sat down, and took out dry rations and water to eat.
Just as everyone was halfway through their meal, Su Yu stood up and alerted the group:
"Everyone up, something is approaching us!"
Zhao Wuji was the first to react upon hearing Su Yu's words, immediately standing up.
"Teacher Su Yu, are you sure? Is something really approaching?"
"Yes, five hundred meters to the right, a Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent is heading toward us!"
To the right? Five hundred meters?
If not for Su Yu's serious expression, Zhao Wuji would have thought he was joking!
"This Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent is about thirteen hundred years old, very suitable for Oscar's Soul Ring."
"It's accelerating toward us now. Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, you two take high positions and keep us informed of its movements!"
"Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, you're at the front. You must restrain the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent the moment it appears!"
"Xue Na, you're responsible for the main attack. Strike the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's wings immediately!"
"Tang San, when necessary, use your Blue Silver Grass to control this Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent!"
"Rongrong, you and Oscar stay with me and Teacher Zhao Wuji, don't run off!"
"Of course, if you fail to stop this Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent, Teacher Zhao Wuji and I will step in to help! Is that clear?"
"Understood!" Xue Na and the others responded in unison.
"Good! Now, begin the operation!"
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu leaped onto nearby tree branches in a few swift movements, keeping a close watch on the bushes ahead.
"Get ready, the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent is approaching, about two hundred meters away from us!"
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu's voices carried over, prompting Xue Na and the others to focus intently and assume combat stances.
"It's here!"
In just five breaths, rustling sounds emerged from deep within the bushes.
Accompanied by the hissing of scales scraping against the ground, a six-meter-long Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent came into view.
The serpent's body was covered in black-red scales, with tail feathers resembling a phoenix's plumage trailing behind.
Its most distinctive feature was the bright red, rooster-comb-like fleshy crest on its head.
"Third Soul Skill: White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"
Dai Mubai shouted lowly, purple rings glowing around him as his body instantly swelled in size. Pale golden fur bristled, muscles bulged, and his aura surged dramatically.
The next moment, Dai Mubai lunged forward, precisely blocking the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's path.
The serpent clearly hadn't expected humans to appear suddenly. It snapped its jaws wide, revealing sharp teeth, and lunged at Dai Mubai.
"Not so fast!"
A cold glint flashed in Dai Mubai's eyes as his hands shot out like iron clamps, gripping the serpent's upper and lower jaws firmly and forcing its mouth open.
The Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent thrashed violently, its immense strength causing Dai Mubai's arms to tremble slightly.
"Hurry! This Soul Beast is too strong—I can't hold it for long!"
Dai Mubai gritted his teeth, sweat already beading on his forehead.
"First Soul Skill: Phoenix Fire Line!"
Ma Hongjun, having charged his power, unleashed a precise stream of purple-red flames at the serpent's spread wings.
"First Soul Skill: Leopard Shadow Lightning Mark!"
A leopard-head mark appeared between Xue Na's eyebrows as she condensed Lightning Balls in her hands, directing them toward the serpent's wings!
"Sss—"
Simultaneously, the searing pain of flames and the numbing sensation of lightning coursing through its body struck the serpent.
In agony, the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent let out a sharp hiss, thrashing even more violently. Dai Mubai's arms went numb from the shock and he was thrown aside.
"First Soul Skill: Blue Silver Entanglement! Second Soul Skill: Parasitism!"
Tang San shouted, raising both hands as Soul Power surged into the ground like a tide.
Instantly, countless thick Blue Silver Grass shoots burst from the earth, coiling around the serpent's body like agile ropes, pinning it to the ground in layers.
"Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, strike its seven-inch weak spot!"
At that moment, Su Yu called out to remind them. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a glance and leaped from the branches without hesitation!
"Second Spirit Ability: Nether Hundred Claws!"
Zhu Zhuqing's black cat claws gleamed with an eerie light as she descended. Her fierce claw strikes rained down like a storm on the serpent's seven-inch spot.
Each claw strike was accompanied by the crisp sound of shattering scales, leaving deep, bloody gashes.
"Sss—!"
The Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent let out a sharp hiss as it was struck in a vital spot.
Its slender body stiffened abruptly before thrashing even more wildly.
The immense force caused the Blue Silver Grass restraining it to tremble violently.
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