Chapter 69: Encirclement Hunt, Titan Giant Ape!
"Why should I listen to you?" Hui Ho's voice was icy cold, making Zhao Wuji and Tang San's group behind him feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.
"Young Master Xiao, please wait!"
At this moment, a shadow suddenly emerged, quickly stepping forward and bowing respectfully in front of Xiao Yu: "Ning Zhou of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan greets Young Master Xiao!"
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan? Do you know me?" Xiao Yu was slightly taken aback, quickly searching his memory. He indeed had never met this person named Ning Zhou before.
Ning Zhou seemed to notice Xiao Yu's confusion and explained with a slight smile: "I used to be the personal guard of Sect Leader Ning. When the sect leader and Young Master Xiao were in discussions, I was secretly protecting him. While Young Master Xiao hasn't seen me, I have seen you."
"I see."
Xiao Yu nodded, understanding Ning Zhou's intentions but pretending to be ignorant: "Why is the sect leader's guard not by his side but here instead?"
Ning Zhou quickly stepped aside and introduced Ning Rongrong to Xiao Yu: "This is our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's young lady. I am here under the sect leader's order to protect her. I hope Young Master Xiao can give us some face and overlook today's incident."
"So, this young Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Soul Master is Sect Leader Ning's daughter!"
Xiao Yu looked up at Ning Rongrong and indeed saw the ordinary-looking Ning Pingping. He then turned to Ning Zhou and said, "Today, for the sake of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Sect Leader Ning, I won't hold this against them!"
Ning Zhou bowed gratefully: "Thank you, Young Master Xiao!"
Xiao Yu nodded in return and beckoned Hui Ho to follow him back to the inn.
As for the Shrek group, they felt too ashamed to enter the inn. Tang San and Oscar helped the three injured, Zhao Wuji, and the unconscious Zhu Zhuqing was supported by Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu.
After Ning Zhou revealed his identity to resolve the crisis, he quickly returned to hiding. The group headed towards the next town to find another inn for accommodation.
Whether this would have any consequences, like Oscar missing out on the Phoenix Tail Crest Serpent's spirit ring, was not Xiao Yu's concern. Xiao Yu remembered that Oscar's third spirit ability, flight, had often proven invaluable in crises for Shrek. Since he couldn't recruit Oscar now, weakening Tang San's support was the next best thing.
At dawn the next day, Xiao Yu set out with several Title Douluo experts and the two girls, Ye Lingling and Huo Wu. This time, they aimed to hunt a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast.
Initially, Xiao Yu wanted the two girls to stay in Soto City until he returned. Although Shura was injured, he could still protect them. However, neither girl was willing to stay. Xiao Yu had no choice but to agree after Ye Lingling pouted and threw a tantrum—a behavior he suspected Huo Wu had taught her.
The group's destination was clear. Once inside the Star Dou Forest, they headed straight for the core area near the Lake of Life, where they would wait for the Titan Giant Ape to find its sister Xiao Wu.
In addition to the Titan Giant Ape, there was also the Azure Bull Python near the Lake of Life. Against these two soul beasts, Xiao Yu's group of three Title Douluos and one quasi-Title Douluo had to protect themselves, Ye Lingling, and Huo Wu. It was uncertain if they could take down both beasts.
In the original story, even Bibi Dong, with six Title Douluos, took a long time to subdue them due to their fierce resistance, which ultimately benefited Tang San.
That didn't mean Xiao Yu feared them teaming up. With Master Saga on his side, they could handle as many hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts as needed unless Di Tian jumped out from the lake's center.
However, Xiao Yu only needed one hundred-thousand-year-old spirit ring. Killing the Azure Bull Python would only yield its spirit bone, which was a waste for Xiao Yu. The spirit ring of the Azure Bull Python was quite valuable.
Since the Shrek Seven Devils are about to enter the Star Dou Forest, the Titan Giant Ape will leave the Lake of Life alone within the next few days. Xiao Yu had previously stayed in the Star Dou Forest for ten days to half a month to obtain spirit rings, so waiting a few days now was manageable.
---
After feeding the mosquitoes for two days, Radamanthys, Aiolia, Milo, and Hui Ho seemed to have agreed upon a signal. They all looked in the same direction and simultaneously said, "It's here!"
Before their words faded, trees in the distance began to topple like wheat being harvested. A giant black gorilla, as tall as a small mountain, charged in one direction like a runaway wild horse.
"Follow it and wait until it's far away before we strike!"
Xiao Yu shouted in a low voice, and the group understood, immediately following. They were too close to the Lake of Life; causing too much commotion might attract the Azure Bull Python.
These two hundred-thousand-year-old soul beasts had dominated the Star Dou Forest for so long that they had lost their vigilance. The Azure Bull Python probably never dreamed that humans would dare hunt the Titan Giant Ape. By the time the Azure Bull Python realized something was wrong and started looking for its brother, it would only find a pile of bones.
No, the Titan Giant Ape was a top-tier soul beast, and its flesh was a great supplement for soul masters. So, they wouldn't even leave bones behind.
"Strike!"
The Titan Giant Ape, despite its large and seemingly clumsy body, moved quite quickly. In a short time, it had already run a hundred miles. Xiao Yu estimated they were now outside the Azure Bull Python's spiritual sensing range and immediately ordered the hunt.
Three beams of light—two golden and one dark black—shot into the sky. They were Radamanthys, Milo, and Aiolia. Hui Ho stayed behind to protect Xiao Yu and the others, waiting to deliver the final blow at a crucial moment.
"Roar!"
Sensing the approaching powerful spirit energies, the Titan Giant Ape immediately realized it was being hunted. It became furious. These humans were truly seeking death, daring to covet its spirit ring and spirit bone.
"Martial Soul True Body!"
Facing the renowned King of the Forest, the three men didn't hesitate. Their seventh spirit rings lit up, revealing the golden light of the golden lion and scorpion, and Radamanthys' winged dragon martial soul—a pitch-black dragon with wings, charged at the Titan Giant Ape.
The Titan Giant Ape let out a deafening roar. The collision of their spirit energies created terrifying shockwaves that spread in all directions.
Despite Hui Ho's protection, the naturally weaker physique of the support-type spirit master caused Ye Lingling to stumble and fall backward. Luckily, Xiao Yu was quick to react, grabbing her with one hand and supporting her waist with the other. He whispered, "Be careful."
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