477. The King of Forest

The Shrek group advanced cautiously toward the mixed zone.

Along the way, they encountered several hundred-year-old spirit beasts, some traveling in packs, others alone. Zhao Wuji didn’t order any attacks, choosing instead to lead them around the creatures.

“Stop! Rest here for one hour,” Zhao Wuji ordered at midday.

The mixed zone was just ahead.

Hearing his command, the tense Oscar and the others finally relaxed.

Dai Mubai extended his tiger claws and quickly cleared a space for the group to rest.

Ning Rongrong leaned on Zhu Zhuqing’s shoulder, sipping water in small gulps, casting a sideways glance at Xiao Wu, who seemed to be enjoying herself.

With a pout and an eye roll, Ning Rongrong muttered inwardly, What a tease!

Xiao Wu, leaning against a tree, paid no attention to Ning Rongrong’s gaze. With a playful grin, she tossed a box of braised snacks toward Tang San.

“Hehe, Tang Xiao San, you’ve done well. Here’s a reward from Sister Xiao Wu!”

“As long as you’re happy,” Tang San replied with a smile, stashing the snacks into his spirit tool.

Sitting outside, he continued to fan Xiao Wu with a large banana leaf.

“Of course I’m happy!” Xiao Wu beamed, her eyes curving like crescent moons as she sucked on a lollipop.

After all, she would soon see the Holy Son, Qian Renjue. How could she not be delighted?

Tang San, seeing her radiant smile, felt content but also slightly conflicted. His gaze drifted toward the surrounding forest, a trace of worry in his eyes.

How can I leave the group? he wondered.

Missing this opportunity meant waiting at least another two years to break through and return to the Star Dou Forest, the wild spirit beast habitat with the most diverse and abundant species. It was the perfect place for spirit ring hunting.

As Tang San waved the banana leaf in thought, his resolve hardened. He was tired of living without spirit abilities and longed to truly experience the wonders of his martial spirit.

After about half an hour of rest, Zhu Zhuqing opened her sharp eyes, her expression serious as she reached out to hold Ning Rongrong.

“Zhuqing?” Ning Rongrong asked curiously.

“Rongrong, stick close to me and don’t be afraid. This is what the teacher instructed,” Zhu Zhuqing said firmly, her purple eyes flashing with determination.

“Holy Son Brother?” Ning Rongrong was momentarily stunned, unsure how Zhu Zhuqing had made contact but obediently nodded. “Okay, I understand.”

Zhu Zhuqing held Ning Rongrong tightly, her gaze fixed on a swaying tree branch in the distance, her nerves taut.

Suddenly, Zhao Wuji’s eyes widened, his expression changing drastically as he shouted, “Everyone, get up! Quickly—get behind me!”

Already prepared, Zhu Zhuqing pulled Ning Rongrong to her feet. The latter clung to Zhu Zhuqing, her earlier calm shaken but not entirely lost.

Zhao Wuji’s fierce aura snapped everyone to attention. Though confused, Tang San instinctively shielded Xiao Wu and led her to stand behind Zhao Wuji.

“Everyone, activate your martial spirits!” Zhao Wuji growled. “If anything unexpected happens, forget everything else and run!”

As his words fell, Zhao Wuji’s Vigorous Vajra Bear martial spirit manifested, its earthy yellow eyes fixed on the forest’s depths.

“Teacher Zhao, what’s going on?” Dai Mubai asked, puzzled by Zhao Wuji’s heightened alertness.

Tang San, using his Purple Demon Eyes, quickly discerned something and spoke in a shocked tone: “Open your martial spirits now! Something big is coming!”

No sooner had he spoken than Xiao Wu smiled gently, looking at Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong.

“Zhuqing, Rongrong, don’t worry,” Xiao Wu reassured them calmly.

Before they could respond, the ground began to quake violently.

Boom, boom!

A deep, thunderous roar swept through like a storm, leaving everyone’s heads spinning.

“Roar!”

Massive trees toppled on both sides as two golden eyes, like twin suns, appeared in the sky.

A mountain-like figure emerged. Its jet-black fur gleamed under the sunlight, and even on all fours, its shoulders stood over seven meters tall. Muscles piled like mountains, exuding overwhelming strength.

The group froze in place, their breathing nearly halting.

Ning Rongrong, no longer composed, paled in fright at the beast’s ferocious aura.

“Don’t be afraid,” Zhu Zhuqing whispered, comforting Ning Rongrong despite her own tension and shock.

Can the teacher really control a hundred-thousand-year-old Titan Giant Ape?!

“This is bad!” Tang San’s voice trembled, his eyes filled with fear as he recognized the creature before them.

“Teacher Zhao, this is the legendary King of the Forest—a ten-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape!”

“Damn it! How could we run into such a monster?” Zhao Wuji cursed internally, his heart sinking.

We’re still only on the outskirts!

None of them noticed Xiao Wu subtly communicating with the Titan Giant Ape through hand gestures.

Forcing himself to remain calm, Zhao Wuji prepared for the worst.


He understood clearly.

A Titan Giant Ape of this level could undoubtedly comprehend human speech!

Zhao Wuji quickly organized his thoughts and raised his head, speaking respectfully:
“Honorable King of the Forest, we mean no harm—”

“Roar—!”

Before Zhao Wuji could finish, the Titan Giant Ape let out an earth-shaking roar, pounding its chest in excitement.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Sister Xiao Wu is coming home!

The Titan Giant Ape gleefully took a massive step forward. Its enormous body closed the distance to Xiao Wu and the others in an instant, stirring up a cloud of dust that made it hard for the group to keep their eyes open.

Their hearts threatened to stop beating.

“Ah!”

Ning Rongrong, her eyes stung by the flying dust, buried her face into Zhu Zhuqing's embrace.

Xiao Wu quickly laughed and reassured them,
“Zhuqing, Rongrong, don’t be scared! We’ll be fine.”

“Something’s wrong!”

Zhao Wuji’s panicked voice broke through.

The Titan Giant Ape reached out its enormous hand, heading straight for them.

“Dai Mubai! Quickly, take them and run!” Zhao Wuji roared in anger.

Escape was impossible.

With the extraordinary backgrounds of the students behind him, Zhao Wuji couldn’t bring himself to abandon them.

The spirit rings on his body flared brilliantly, casting a golden glow as his burly figure launched itself into the air.

“Teacher Zhao!”

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun cried out in alarm.

“No time to talk—run!” Zhao Wuji shouted back.

Taking a deep breath, he charged directly toward the Titan Giant Ape’s massive hand.

Boom!

Before Tang San and the others could even turn to flee, Zhao Wuji was swatted away like a fly by the Titan Giant Ape.

“Teacher Zhao!”

Tang San let out a terrified scream, his pupils trembling violently.

The approaching giant hand brought with it the oppressive feeling of death, leaving Dai Mubai and the others frozen in fear.

“Beast!”

Dai Mubai roared, activating his second and third spirit rings as he unleashed a milky-white energy blast.

“Xiao Wu! Run!”

Tang San snapped back to his senses, urging Xiao Wu to escape while deploying his hidden weapons, which rained relentlessly toward the Titan Giant Ape.

“Phoenix Fireline!” Ma Hongjun yelled, while Oscar frantically produced recovery sausages.

“Rongrong, stay back!”

Zhu Zhuqing shielded Ning Rongrong behind her, glaring at the oncoming massive hand.

“Zhuqing, don’t go!” Xiao Wu cried out, quickly pulling Zhu Zhuqing back.

At that moment, the Titan Giant Ape ignored the attacks hitting it like mosquito bites, its giant hand unwavering as it reached for Xiao Wu, enveloping her instantly.

“No—!”

Tang San’s anguished scream rang out as his eyes widened with desperation. He unleashed his hidden weapons like a madman, but they were utterly ineffective.

“Ah—!”

Xiao Wu let out a joyful squeal as she vanished into the ground with a burst of flying dirt, leaving only a crater behind.

“Xiao Wu!”

Ning Rongrong cried out in despair, while Zhu Zhuqing’s anxious eyes reflected her shock. Just moments ago, Xiao Wu had been cheerfully reassuring them—now she was gone.

However, Zhu Zhuqing quickly composed herself, pulling Ning Rongrong close and whispering repeatedly in her ear:
“Rongrong, it’s okay. Xiao Wu will be fine. The teacher will find her!”

“Xiao Wu! No—!”

Tang San’s screams were drowned out by the Titan Giant Ape’s thunderous roar.

“Roar—!”

The roar scattered the clouds above, leaving the group dizzy and briefly unconscious.

Following Xiao Wu’s instructions, the Titan Giant Ape ensured it didn’t harm anyone.

When Dai Mubai and the others regained consciousness, they were met with the sight of the devastated surroundings, their hearts filled with shock and lingering fear.

“Ah! No, stop, Tang San!”

“Don’t touch that! That’s my sausage—stop digging around!”

Oscar’s weak protests suddenly echoed.

The others turned to see Tang San rummaging through Oscar’s belongings, taking every single sausage before sprinting off in the direction the Titan Giant Ape had gone.

“Tang San, come back!”

Dai Mubai roared, but his trembling legs made it impossible for him to chase after him.

Zhu Zhuqing, holding Ning Rongrong tightly, was drenched in cold sweat.

“Is the show over?”

Hidden in the shadows, Qian Renxue leaned lazily in a warm embrace.

“Yes, the first act is done. The second will come soon.”

Qian Renjue, his arms wrapped around her slender waist, replied gently. Resting against her fragrant shoulder, he gave an order to Ling Yuan:
“Sister Ling Yuan, stay here and keep an eye on Rongrong and the others.”

“Understood,” Ling Yuan replied, nodding as she watched Qian Renjue and Qian Renxue disappear into the distance.