Chapter 97: Cockscomb Serpent

"You'll have to ask Dai Mubai about that."

Shi Quan smiled and said nothing.

Dai Mubai, however, remained silent.

Zhao Wuji couldn't help but shake his head slightly as he looked at Dai Mubai's expression; in his impression, Dai Mubai wasn't this kind of person, so how did he become like this after Shi Quan arrived?

"Brother, is Mu Bai targeting Zhuang Zhou all the time because of Zhuqing?" Xiao Wu asked in a low voice beside Tang San.

"I'm not sure either. I always feel that the relationship between Zhuqing and Mu Bai isn't simple."

Xiao Wu frowned and said, "It's obvious that Zhuqing hates Mu Bai and likes Zhuang Zhou more. Mu Bai still shamelessly goes up to ruin their relationship. If you count it that way, it should be Mu Bai's problem, right?"

Tang San shook his head. "That's not clear. But if you think about it seriously, given Mu Bai's style of lingering among flowers, why would he make such a scene with Zhuang Zhou for the sake of a Zhuqing? It must be because there is some special relationship between Mu Bai and Zhuqing that it turned out like this. These are all their private matters; we'd better not get involved."

Zhao Wuji didn't say anything more either. Returning to the hotel, everyone also went back to their respective rooms to rest.

With his Spirit Sense scattered, a massive amount of information appeared in Shi Quan's mind. When it comes to forest combat, the Blue Silver King martial soul is naturally the most suitable; the vast amount of vegetation provides him with much better enhancement and support than on the arena.

People who return home are just different.

"So many novel Spirit Beasts."

The night passed without incident. The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, Zhao Wuji used his booming voice to wake everyone up.

After entering the forest, Shi Quan rarely expressed his own opinions because the changes in the forest were the greatest. If he were to guide them even slightly, it was possible they wouldn't follow the path from the original story, and they might not even encounter the Cockscomb Serpent or the Titan Giant Ape.

Even when they encountered Spirit Beasts, it was Tang San who took the initiative to signal everyone to avoid them.

As the border between the two great Empires and one of the three major habitats for Spirit Beasts, the Star Dou Great Forest is the place countless Spirit Masters most hope to come to, but it is also the most dangerous place.

Everyone nodded in agreement, and after a brief rest outside the forest, they finally stepped into the forest.

When Shi Quan stepped into the Star Dou Great Forest, he truly felt that this forest was extraordinary.

After arranging their formation, the group left the small town and accelerated their pace. Not long after, the group arrived outside the Star Dou Great Forest.

But the air inside was indeed very comfortable to breathe. Besides the fragrance of grass and trees, a greater reason was that the heaven and earth energy here was dense.

"Remember, while maintaining the formation, do not stray too far from me. Ning Rongrong, Oscar, especially you two, must stick close to me. Also, I will not make a move against Spirit Beasts under a thousand years. For those over a thousand years, I will decide based on the situation! And, unless it is a needed Spirit Beast, you are not allowed to attack Spirit Beasts without my command! Do you understand?"

Arriving before the forest, the air became even more comfortable, as if the temperature had dropped by a few degrees. The refreshing feeling, carrying the fragrance of moist soil, constantly stimulated everyone's sense of smell.

Naturally, Xiao Wu, as a Spirit Beast, loved hearing that.

Shi Quan, who had never been to this Star Dou Great Forest before, was still very curious about this forest.

Even if it was just the outer forest, it gave people a sense of danger.

It was countless times more dangerous than the Hunting Soul Forest.

"Dai Mubai in the front, Tang San behind Dai Mubai, Oscar and Ning Rongrong, you two follow behind Tang San, Pangzi, Xiao Wu, you two on the left and right sides, and Zhuqing and I at the rear."

Pure natural air, towering ancient trees reaching into the clouds—it felt like truly entering a primitive great forest!

Watching Xiao Wu, who was jumping around and couldn't be happier, Shi Quan couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

Wherever his Spirit Sense reached, it was a vast ocean of green. Looking from afar, it was refreshing, but after walking closer, one found overlapping tree shadows wreathed in a faint mist, making it difficult to see the scene inside!

"Alright, everyone, let's rest for a while."

Seeing that it was already noon, Zhao Wuji finally issued the order to rest, and Dai Mubai quickly used his sharp claws to clear a hundred-meter open space.

"In the original story, it was after Zhao Wuji announced the rest that they encountered the Cockscomb Serpent. The original story didn't describe the terrain and environment, so I don't know if this is right."

Shi Quan leaned against a large tree, and while pondering, he fully activated his Spirit Sense.

"What's wrong?" Zhuqing sat down beside Shi Quan, her voice cold yet showing rare concern.

Shi Quan was stunned for a moment and said, "Nothing, just thinking about some things."

"Hmm." Zhuqing nodded lightly and didn't continue to ask, leaning against the tree trunk and closing her eyes to rest.

Shi Quan tilted his head slightly; although he pretended to be a blind man, he still retained the habits of a normal person, subconsciously turning his head to look at Zhuqing.

Most people would subconsciously ask what you are thinking about.

But Zhuqing just gave a light 'hmm' and sat quietly by his side.

The corners of Shi Quan's mouth lifted. If he hadn't appeared, Shrek Academy would indeed have been her destination and the reliance for her survival, but because of Shi Quan's appearance, Shrek was no longer Zhuqing's destination or reliance.

"It looks like the plan has to change..."

Shi Quan's original plan was not to return to Shrek Academy; he intended to quit Shrek Academy after leaving the Star Dou Great Forest. Now, he wanted to return to the academy to see the Master before quitting...

Because he wanted to take one more person away, and that was Zhuqing. Although he didn't know if she would be willing in the end, if he tried, at least there wouldn't be any regrets left.

Time passed second by second, and soon half an hour was almost up.

It was around this time in the original story that the Cockscomb Serpent appeared within the range of their camp.

"It's here!"

After some waiting, a fleshy-crested flying snake finally appeared within the range of Shi Quan's Spirit Sense.

"Zhuqing."

Shi Quan stood up, and Zhuqing beside him also stood up, revealing a look of being ready for battle.

Almost the next moment, Zhao Wuji and Tang San also looked in that direction!

While the two were looking, Shi Quan had already spoken, "Zhuqing, follow me up the tree."

Zhuqing didn't say a word either; she quietly leaped up, her sharp claws popping out, and climbed up a nearby large tree as if walking on flat ground. Shi Quan's figure was illusory as he arrived at Zhuqing's side.

"Zhuang Zhou, your kid's sensing ability is this strong?" Zhao Wuji looked at Shi Quan in surprise.

"Since my eyes can't see, my other sensing abilities are naturally a bit stronger," Shi Quan explained with a smile.

Zhuqing looked in the direction Shi Quan pointed, and before she could clearly see the appearance of the Spirit Beast, Shi Quan's voice had already sounded again.

"Xiao Ao, you're in luck. It's actually a Cockscomb Serpent. Although it's a snake, this Cockscomb Serpent is invincible; it belongs to the speed-type Spirit Beast. And judging from its age, it's over 1,400 years old, which is very suitable for you. If you absorb it, you will most likely obtain a soul skill that increases speed."

"Really?" Oscar's peach-blossom eyes immediately lit up. "What a coincidence! Hahaha, Zhuang Zhou, you are really amazing, to be able to judge the species and age of a Spirit Beast so quickly."

Hearing Zhuang Zhou's words, the way everyone looked at him changed a little; no one had expected that Zhuang Zhou's Spirit Theory would be this strong.

"However..." Shi Quan's voice paused, "This Cockscomb Serpent is injured. Looking at it like this, it should be fleeing."

"Since it's a Spirit Beast delivered to our doorstep, who cares if it has an owner? We're in the outer perimeter of the forest, what the hell are we afraid of?" Zhao Wuji said very aggressively.

"I'll weaken it first. Zhuqing, follow my command to follow up and attack its crest. When I make my move, Pangzi, release the aura of your Evil Fire Phoenix with full force."

Shi Quan quickly arranged the plan.

"It's here."

Just at this moment, Zhu Zhuqing's voice arrived right on time.

The figure of the Cockatrice suddenly appeared within everyone's field of vision.

The Third Soul Ring beneath Shi Quan lit up first, a Black Moon appeared above his head, and its light instantly enveloped the Cockatrice.

No matter how fast the Cockatrice's reaction was, how could it be faster than the speed of light?

Its high-speed forward charge slowed down instantly.

"Pangzi!"

Following Shi Quan's sharp shout, Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire Phoenix aura was released in full.

The Cockatrice sensed the aura of the Evil Fire Phoenix, and its already sluggish body trembled.

Also at this moment, the First and Second Soul Rings beneath Shi Quan lit up, a fiery red Phoenix phantom appeared in mid-air, and the pressure emitted by the Spirit Gathering Soul Awe Technique hit the target together with the impact of the Dream Wave.

The Cockatrice's forward-charging figure suddenly paused in mid-air.

"Zhuqing, now!"

Zhu Zhuqing's figure instantly turned into an afterimage, and a Nether Thrust pierced fiercely directly into the Cockatrice's crest.

"Hiss!"

The Cockatrice let out a shrill cry, and its massive body slammed heavily onto the ground, falling silent.

"That's it?"

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were also full of excitement; with the cooperation of the three, she had actually defeated a thousand-year Spirit Beast in one strike.

Even Zhao Wuji was stunned for a moment. He grabbed the Cockatrice that had already fainted on the ground and muttered, "It's a thousand-year Spirit Beast? How was it taken out in one hit?"

"All snakes fear predatory avian Spirit Beasts. Pangzi's Phoenix martial soul belongs to the king of birds; his martial soul aura itself can exert a suppressive effect on the Cockatrice. Zhuang Zhou's Third Soul Skill struck first, and besides reducing the Cockatrice's speed, it should have also affected its judgment."

"And just then, Pangzi released his martial soul. The appearance of the Phoenix's aura caused it to be terrified, while Zhuang Zhou's Second Soul Skill illusion and First Soul Skill weakening further deepened the Cockatrice's fear, causing it to lose all power to resist in a short time, which is why Zhuqing was able to succeed in one strike."

After listening to Tang San's analysis, everyone suddenly realized that the seemingly simple arrangement actually contained so many nuances.

Everyone was filled with shock in their hearts. It had taken less than a minute from start to finish; how much knowledge must one have to make such a perfect arrangement in such a short time?