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"That you'll have to ask Dai Mubai."
Shi Quan smiled but said nothing.
Dai Mubai, however, remained silent.
Zhao Wuji looked at Dai Mubai's expression and couldn't help but shake his head slightly. In his impression, Dai Mubai wasn't like this. How did he become like this after Shi Quan arrived?
"Brother, Mubai has always targeted Zhuang Zhou, is it because of Zhuqing?" Xiao Wu whispered to Tang San.
"I'm not sure, but I always feel that the relationship between Zhuqing and Mubai is not simple."
Xiao Wu frowned and said, "Zhuqing obviously dislikes Mubai very much and prefers Zhuang Zhou. Mubai still shamelessly tries to sabotage their relationship. So, it should be Mubai's problem, right?"
Tang San shook his head, "I don't know about that. But if you think about it seriously, given Mubai's style of lingering among flowers, why would he make such a fuss with Zhuang Zhou for one Zhuqing? There must be some special relationship between Mubai and Zhuqing for it to turn out like this. These are all their private matters, so it's better if we don't interfere."
Zhao Wuji said nothing more. Back at the hotel, everyone returned to their respective rooms to rest.
After arranging their formation, the group left the town and accelerated their pace. Before long, they arrived outside the Star Dou Great Forest.
Even when they encountered a Spirit Beast, Tang San would take the initiative to signal everyone to avoid it.
Everyone nodded in agreement. After a brief rest outside the forest, they finally stepped into the forest.
However, the air inside was indeed very comfortable to breathe. Besides the fragrance of plants, the main reason was the rich Heaven and Earth energy in this place.
Looking at the jumping and joyful Xiao Wu, Shi Quan couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
Shi Quan, who had never been to the Star Dou Great Forest, was still very curious about this forest.
Wherever his Spirit Sense reached, it was a vast green ocean. From afar, it was refreshing, but upon closer inspection, layers of tree shadows intertwined with a faint mist, making it difficult to see the interior!
"Dai Mubai is at the very front. Tang San, you are behind Dai Mubai. Oscar and Ning Rongrong, you two follow Tang San. Fatty, Xiao Wu, you two are on the left and right sides. Zhu Zhuqing and I are at the tail of the team."
As the border between the two great Empires and one of the three major Spirit Beast habitats, the Star Dou Great Forest was the most desired place for countless Spirit Masters, but also the most dangerous.
People who are going home are just different.
"So many novel Spirit Beasts."
"Remember, while maintaining your formation, do not stray too far from me. Ning Rongrong, Oscar, especially you two, must stick close to me. Also, for Spirit Beasts below a thousand years, I will not intervene. For those above a thousand years, I will act depending on the situation! And, unless it's a necessary Spirit Beast, do not actively attack a Spirit Beast without my command! Understood?"
The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Zhao Wuji woke everyone up with his booming voice.
As they approached the forest, the air became even more pleasant, as if the temperature had dropped a few degrees. The refreshing sensation, coupled with the moist Earth aroma, constantly stimulated everyone's sense of smell.
Even the outer forest gave people a sense of danger.
As his Spirit Sense spread out, a large amount of information appeared in Shi Quan's mind. When it came to forest combat, the Blue Silver King Martial Spirit was naturally the most suitable. The vast amount of plants provided a much greater boost and support for him than on an arena.
It was countless times more dangerous than the Soul Hunting Forest.
The pure natural air and ancient trees reaching into the clouds made it feel like truly entering a primeval forest!
When Shi Quan stepped into the Star Dou Great Forest, he truly felt that this forest was extraordinary.
After entering the forest, Shi Quan rarely expressed his opinions, because the changes in the forest were the greatest. If he guided them even slightly, they might not take the original path, and might not encounter the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent and the Titan Giant Ape.
Xiao Wu, as a Spirit Beast, naturally liked to hear such things.
"Alright, everyone, let's rest for a while."
Seeing that it was already noon, Zhao Wuji finally gave the order to rest. Dai Mubai quickly used his sharp claws to clear a hundred-meter-wide open space.
"In the original story, they encountered the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent after Zhao Wuji announced a rest. The original story didn't describe the terrain, so I don't know if this is correct."
Shi Quan leaned against a large tree, thinking, while his Spirit Sense was fully active.
"What's wrong?" Zhu Zhuqing sat beside Shi Quan. Her voice, though cold, showed a rare concern.
Shi Quan was startled for a moment, then said, "Nothing, just thinking about some things."
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly, not asking further, and leaned against the tree trunk to rest with her eyes closed.
Shi Quan tilted his head slightly. Although he pretended to be blind, he still maintained the habit of a normal person, subconsciously tilting his head to look at Zhu Zhuqing.
Most people would subconsciously ask, "What are you thinking about?"
But Zhu Zhuqing just gave a soft "Mm" and then sat quietly beside him.
Shi Quan's lips curved upwards. If he hadn't appeared, Shrek Academy would indeed have been her home, her reliance for survival. But because of Shi Quan's appearance, Shrek was no longer Zhu Zhuqing's home and reliance.
"It seems the plan has to change..."
Shi Quan's original plan was not to return to Shrek Academy. He intended to withdraw from Shrek Academy after leaving the Star Dou Great Forest. Now, he wanted to return to the Academy to see Master before withdrawing... because he wanted to take one more person with him, and that was Zhu Zhuqing. Although he didn't know if she would eventually be willing, if he tried, at least he wouldn't have any regrets.
Time passed by minute by minute, and soon half an hour was almost up.
In the original story, it was also around this time that the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent appeared within their camp's range.
"Here it comes!"
After some waiting, a crested flying snake finally appeared within Shi Quan's Spirit Sense range.
"Zhuqing."
Shi Quan stood up, and Zhu Zhuqing beside him also rose, displaying a look of readiness.
Almost at the next moment, Zhao Wuji and Tang San also looked in that direction!
As the two looked, Shi Quan had already spoken, "Zhuqing, follow me up the tree."
Zhu Zhuqing also didn't say a word, quietly leaping up. Her sharp claws extended, and she quickly climbed a nearby large tree as if walking on flat ground. Shi Quan's figure became illusory and he appeared beside Zhu Zhuqing.
"Zhuang Zhou, your sensing ability is so strong?" Zhao Wuji looked at Shi Quan in surprise.
"When you can't see with your eyes, your other sensing abilities naturally become stronger," Shi Quan explained with a smile.
Zhu Zhuqing looked in the direction Shi Quan pointed. Before she could clearly see the appearance of the Spirit Beast, Shi Quan's voice rang out again.
"Little Ao, you're lucky. It's actually a Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent. Although it's a snake, this Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent is invincible and belongs to the speed-type Spirit Beasts. And from its age, it's over 1,400 years old, very suitable for you. If you absorb it, you'll likely gain a Spirit Ability that boosts speed."
"Really?" Oscar's peach blossom eyes immediately lit up. "It's that coincidental? Hahaha, Zhuang Zhou, you're really amazing to be able to determine the Spirit Beast's type and age so quickly."
Hearing Zhuang Zhou's words, everyone's gaze towards him changed slightly. No one expected Zhuang Zhou's Martial Spirit theory to be so strong.
"However..." Shi Quan's voice paused, "This Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent is injured. From the looks of it, it should be fleeing."
"Since it's a Spirit Beast delivered to us, who cares if it's owned or not? We're on the outskirts of the forest, so what's there to be afraid of?" Zhao Wuji said very rudely.
"I'll weaken it first. Zhuqing, follow my command and attack its crest. When I make my move, Fatty, release the full aura of your Evil Fire Phoenix."
Shi Quan quickly arranged the plan.
"Here it comes."
Just then, Zhu Zhuqing's voice came through.
The figure of the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent immediately appeared within everyone's field of vision.
Shi Quan's Third Martial Spirit Skill lit up first, and a black moon appeared above his head, its light instantly enveloping the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent.
No matter how fast the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent reacted, how could it be faster than the speed of light?
Its rapid forward momentum instantly slowed.
"Fatty!"
With Shi Quan's fierce shout, Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire Phoenix aura was fully released.
The Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent felt the aura of the Evil Fire Phoenix, and its already sluggish body trembled.
At this moment, Shi Quan's first and second spirit rings lit up. A fiery red Phoenix phantom appeared in mid-air. The pressure emitted by the Concentrated Soul-Suppressing Technique, along with the impact of the Dream Ripple, struck simultaneously.
The Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's forward momentum abruptly halted in mid-air.
"Zhuqing, now!"
Zhu Zhuqing's figure instantly transformed into an afterimage, and a Hell Rush Stab directly and fiercely pierced into the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's crest.
"Hiss!"
The Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent let out a mournful cry, and its huge body then crashed heavily to the ground, becoming still.
"That's it?"
Excitement filled Zhu Zhuqing's eyes. With the cooperation of the three, she had actually defeated a thousand-year Spirit Beast with a single strike.
Even Zhao Wuji was stunned for a moment. He picked up the unconscious Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent from the ground and mumbled, "Is it a thousand-year Spirit Beast? How was it instantly killed?"
"All snakes fear aggressive avian Spirit Beasts. Fatty's Phoenix Martial Spirit is the king among avians, so his Martial Spirit aura itself has a suppressive effect on the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent. Zhuang Zhou's Third Soul Skill struck first, not only reducing the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's speed but also likely affecting its judgment."
"And at that moment, Fatty released his Martial Spirit, and the Phoenix's aura appeared, causing it to feel fear. At the same time, Zhuang Zhou's Second Martial Spirit Skill's illusion and First Martial Spirit Skill's weakening further deepened the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's fear, causing it to instantly lose its ability to resist for a short period. That's why Zhuqing was able to succeed with one strike."
After listening to Tang San's analysis, everyone suddenly realized that what seemed like a simple arrangement actually contained so many intricacies.
Everyone's hearts were filled with shock. All of this happened in less than a minute. How much knowledge reserve must one possess to make such a perfect arrangement in such a short time?