Chapter 74: Titanic Giant Ape

Zhao Wuji, although he deeply agreed with Ning Rongrong's words, to avoid Oscar's emotional collapse, stepped forward and said a "fair comment," saying: "Little Oscar's soul skill is still very impressive; a single Flying Mushroom Intestine can let a person fly at the speed of a Phoenix-tail Rooster Comb Snake for a minute. In danger it can save a life, on the battlefield it can even decide victory, so it's a top‑grade soul skill."

"Alright, everyone get ready; once Little Tang San wakes up, we'll return to the academy immediately. We've just offended the legendary Dragon‑Snake couple, so to keep you safe we must leave quickly."

At that moment, Tang San, who was cultivating, suddenly opened his eyes and hurriedly said: "Teacher Zhao, I'm afraid we can't leave now. After the battle with Meng Yiran, my soul power level broke through to level 30, and I also need a Third Soul Ring."

This remark instantly shocked everyone, though the astonishment was brief, since Yu Tianyun was ahead; although Tang San's talent is outstanding, compared with Yu Tianyun at this moment he seemed somewhat mediocre.

Yu Tianyun's mouth curved into a smile; Tang San truly didn't disappoint him, and now the Titan Giant Ape should come online! Tang San looked at the slightly surprised expressions of the others, feeling a tinge of bitterness. In the past, each time he broke through, those around him were extremely shocked. But since Yu Tianyun appeared, he seemed to have become merely a supporting act.

Suppressing his displeasure, Tang San tentatively asked: "Teacher Zhao, can we stay here to look for a suitable Soul Beast for me?"

Zhao Wuji smiled slightly; a disciple's breakthrough is indeed something to celebrate, and he had no reason to refuse: "Of course. Since you've broken through, the academy will naturally help you find a Soul Beast, and it must be the most suitable for you. It seems we can't leave the Star Dou Great Forest for now; it's already late, so tomorrow we'll search for a suitable Soul Beast for Tang San, but for now let's find a place to camp."

With those words, everyone immediately reformed their formation and set off toward another area of the forest.

To prevent the Dragon‑Lord and Snake‑Lady from chasing them, they traveled a long distance, covering all traces along the way, and only after Zhao Wuji let them stop did they set up camp and prepare to rest.

The thing Zhao Wuji feared did not happen; the night passed peacefully.

After a whole night of rest, everyone's energy recovered to optimal condition.

The next morning, the group began the process of searching for a Soul Beast again.

Tang San had already planned his choice for the Third Soul Ring. Among the several Soul Beasts Yu Xiao Gang suggested, many were common; as long as the age matched, they could serve as his Third Soul Ring. Therefore he thought finding a Soul Beast would be easier for him than for Oscar.

But things did not develop as he had expected; under Zhao Wuji's lead, they searched carefully for two days but still could not find a suitable Soul Beast for him.

Because they had previously encountered the Snake‑Lady and her grandson, and the Star Dou Great Forest was fraught with danger, Zhao Wuji's strategy for finding Soul Beasts was extremely cautious, only scouting the forest's outskirts.

Along the way they did encounter thousand‑year Soul Beasts, yet none suited Tang San. The Soul Beasts that would suit him were all several‑hundred‑year‑old.

Night fell again; they found a relatively open spot, spread powder, and set up tents. The Shi Laike group fetched some food, while Yu Tianyun took out pre‑prepared Soul Beast meat and large pancakes from the Storage Soul Conduit to share with the three women. As a big eater, Yu Tianyun's Storage Soul Conduit was packed with food!

The Shi Laike group had become accustomed to this over the past few days, and could only swallow envious saliva in secret.

After dinner, Oscar thoughtfully sent Yu Tianyun four large recovery sausages; Yu Tianyun gladly accepted, as long as they weren't Flying Mushroom Intestines! Having a food‑type Soul Master accompany them in wilderness survival has obvious benefits.

As the teacher, Zhao Wuji naturally took the night‑watch duty. After everyone entered the tents to rest, he called Tang San to his side for a talk.

The night was especially quiet; aside from Zhao Wuji and Tang San talking, and Yu Tianyun who remained vigilant, the others fell asleep one after another.

Yu Tianyun stayed alert because he wasn't sure when the Titan Giant Ape would appear; if it came while they were sound asleep and stepped on them, that would be disastrous!

The silent night had everyone sleeping peacefully. Suddenly, without warning, Zhao Wuji let out a booming shout: "Everyone out of the tent, now! Quick!" Alert Yu Tianyun immediately grabbed the three women by the waist and rushed out.

Zhao Wuji had already summoned his martial soul Mighty Vajra Bear, muscles bulging, dense brown fur sprouting, seven Soul Rings swirling around him, watching the front vigilantly.

There came a massive trampling sound; the ground kept shaking, and many birds fled in panic to the distance.

At this moment, the Shi Laike disciples also burst out of the tents at speed.

Yu Tianyun, cradling the three women, moved silently away from Xiao Wu for a distance. If nothing unexpected occurs, this should be the Titan Giant Ape arriving; as long as it doesn't hinder it from taking Xiao Wu, there should be no danger.

Roar!

An earth‑shaking roar echoed from afar; everyone looked toward the sound and involuntarily inhaled a breath of cold air.

A massive ape, as tall as a mountain, sprinted toward the camp. Its whole body was covered in glossy black dense fur, each strand as hard as iron.

Its massive limbs, each landing, made the ground tremble, kicking up countless dust and stones.

Its broad shoulders spanned over seven meters, thick and powerful, as if it could bear the whole world.

Two huge orange‑yellow eyes shone like blazing lanterns, emitting a chilling fierce light.

The bulging muscles on its body were harder than granite; each protrusion resembled a small hill, displaying endless strength and majesty.

Its colossal head bore a ferocious visage that struck fear, its sharp fangs glimmered coldly in the moonlight.

Its stout tail, like a giant python, whipped through the air, generating gusts of wind.

Zhao Wuji broke out in cold sweat; at this moment he would rather face Tang Hao than the looming ape. He recognized it as the Titan Giant Ape, famed as the forest king with a hundred‑thousand‑year cultivation. The Titan Giant Ape is an apex Soul Beast; a hundred‑thousand‑year cultivation can rival a typical hundred‑thousand‑year Soul Beast, and such cultivation deters even most Title Douluos from provoking it.

This very Titan Giant Ape, a hundred‑thousand‑year creature, why is it appearing on the forest's outskirts? Shouldn't it be in the core area?

Zhao Wuji could not fathom it, but there was no time for contemplation; he immediately manifested his martial soul true form to buy time for escape, then turned his head and shouted: "Run!"

As soon as his words fell, Yu Tianyun instantly lifted the three women and flew to the side, distancing them from the straight line between the Titan Giant Ape and Xiao Wu.

Yu Tianyun's gaze remained fixed on the Titan Giant Ape, showing no fear, only a hint of excitement hidden within. So far everything had proceeded normally; it seemed the next step was simply to follow Tang San! …

(End of chapter)