Because of the Pink Empress's lingering resentment, Oscar's absorption process was much slower than Ma Hongjun's the previous night. It took him a full three hours before he finally completed the process.
Perhaps influenced by the dazzling appearance of the Pink Empress itself, Oscar seemed noticeably more handsome after absorbing the soul ring. Seeing this, Ma Hongjun—who had just finished meditating—couldn't help but mutter, "Figures. No wonder you've always had that pretty-boy face."
Oscar, however, was unfazed by Fatty's jab.
"You're just jealous. I'll pretend I didn't hear that. Anyway, wanting to look as handsome as me in this lifetime? You can forget about it."
Ma Hongjun smirked, then cast a glance of admiration at Li Chang'an.
"You think you're handsome? Can you compare to Teacher Li?"
A man's handsomeness comes in three kinds: in looks, in temperament, and in wealth and power. The problem was—Li Chang'an possessed all three.
Hearing this, Oscar immediately deflated, though he still tried to argue back:
"Of course not. Teacher Li's looks are on another level altogether—beyond anything you could ever hope to copy."
Li Chang'an only smiled and didn't deny it. Instead, he asked Oscar directly:
"Oscar, what's your fourth soul skill?"
Among spirit masters, it was usually a great taboo to reveal one's soul skills. Most would never willingly disclose such secrets. But Li Chang'an had the authority—and the confidence—to ask.
Oscar's eyes shone with the same excitement Ma Hongjun had shown earlier that morning.
"My fourth skill is Stimulating Pink Sausage. Anyone who eats the sausage will have all attributes increased by ten percent for five minutes."
Hearing this, Dai Mubai frowned slightly in disappointment.
"Only ten percent? And it only lasts five minutes? That skill—"
Oscar snorted.
"Boss Dai, you didn't listen carefully. It's a ten percent boost to all attributes. That means after eating it, your overall combat strength instantly rises by ten percent. It's not as simple as you think."
"Not only that, but it can stack with other support skills. For those five minutes, it can raise your strength to one hundred and ten percent, while also dispelling all negative statuses."
From behind the Shrek Seven Devils, Li Chang'an's voice sounded.
"Exactly. Oscar's fourth soul skill is far more powerful than it seems on the surface."
At once, everyone turned their attention to him. By now, Li Chang'an's words on spirit master matters had already become absolute authority in their eyes.
Li Chang'an studied Oscar thoughtfully and continued:
"A ten percent increase may not sound like much, but it instantly pushes your overall combat strength to one hundred and ten percent. The key is that this is under the condition of completely nullifying all negative effects. No spirit master can claim to always maintain their peak in every battle. But Oscar's sausage guarantees you that edge. Tell me that isn't formidable."
Oscar nodded.
"Teacher Li, there are still two flaws with this skill, though. First, its duration is too short. Second, it can't be stored. Once I summon it, the sausage has to be eaten within one minute or it loses its effect."
"In other words, I can't prepare them ahead of time before battle. The good thing is, the soul power cost is about the same as making a Mushroom Sausage, and there are no side effects at all."
Then, chanting his incantation, he said:
"I, your father, have a pink sausage.!"
Pink light flared in his palm, and moments later, a translucent sausage—about as thick as a little finger—appeared in his hand.
Ma Hongjun immediately snickered.
"Oscar, since when did your sausages get so small?"
At once, the girls around them blushed furiously, glaring daggers at him.
Oscar snapped back:
"You've eaten my sausages plenty of times. You know perfectly well how big they are!"
Li Chang'an cleared his throat lightly, putting an end to the escalating "dirty talk."
"All right, enough of that. A few of you still haven't found suitable spirit beasts. Let's move on."
With his words, the banter ended immediately. The group tidied themselves and re-formed their traveling formation before setting off again.
The Sunset Forest, while not nearly as vast as the Star Dou Forest, was still far too large to cross in just a few days. The Shrek group continued their careful search.
Judging from overall quality, the spirit beasts here were on par with those of the Star Dou Forest, though none were especially powerful.
Even so, Li Chang'an already had plans in mind.
For Zhu Zhuqing, he wanted to aim for a ten-thousand-year-level spirit beast.
For Ning Rongrong, even if he intervened personally, five thousand years would be her upper limit.
As for Tang San—without the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's tempering, and without immortal herbs to strengthen his foundation—he could barely hope to absorb a five-thousand-year ring. In truth, this was a subtle weakening of Tang San's strength.
But after two whole days, the group had still not encountered any suitable spirit beasts for the others.
During a rest, Li Chang'an sighed. It seemed he would have to use that flower to lure spirit beasts out.
"Dean Flender, I do have a method," Li Chang'an finally said. His words instantly drew everyone's attention.
"But it's somewhat dangerous."
Flender frowned.
"And you're only telling us now? What is it?"
Li Chang'an smiled faintly.
"You remember the Fragrant Silk Beauty Immortal Herb I used to disperse the poison fog two days ago? As an immortal herb, it's a heavenly treasure."
"If I leave it out in the open, its aura will naturally attract powerful spirit beasts. However, I can't guarantee which spirit beasts will come. They may be far stronger than you can handle, and their numbers won't be small."
He deliberately emphasized "stronger than you can handle," rather than "stronger than I can handle." After all, if suitable beasts appeared for Zhu Zhuqing or Ning Rongrong, he would definitely take action. As for Tang San's—he wouldn't bother.
Flender gave him a sharp look.
"You brat. I know you well enough. If you're bringing this up, then you've already thought of a sure way to control the situation. Besides, with four Spirit Sages among us, are you saying we still can't survive in the Sunset Forest?"
Li Chang'an chuckled.
"Hehe, actually, I know a place that can block most spirit beasts. We can hunt from inside, and just pick off whichever looks suitable."
As he spoke, he pointed in the direction of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Of course, he had no intention of taking them inside. The outer area was enough. If not for the risk of exposing his demi-god-level spiritual power, he would have already blanketed the entire forest with his mental sense to locate the ideal targets.
"Ah—that place isn't good," Flender said gravely. "That's one of Spirit Hall's forbidden zones."
He had lived in Heaven Dou City for a long time and naturally knew some of its taboos. The place Li Chang'an mentioned was firmly within Spirit Hall's territory, and it had been declared forbidden. Trespassing there would cause endless trouble.
"Don't worry. I have a way." Li Chang'an's lips curved in a mysterious smile, and without further explanation, he strode off in that direction.
Yu Xiaogang spoke up quickly, trying to stop them:
"That's Spirit Hall's forbidden land! Even they can't control what's inside. Flender, don't be reckless—don't let him drag you all into danger."
But from the front, Li Chang'an's calm voice called back:
"Those who trust me—follow."
For a moment, everyone hesitated. Then, Liu Erlong stepped forward first. She followed him without a word.
After her came Ning Rongrong, then Zhu Zhuqing, then Xiao Wu.