"Zhang Fan did very well yesterday!"Zhao Wuji ran at the front, speaking as he moved:"In the Douluo Continent, the strong are respected. The less trouble, the better.Otherwise, unnecessary problems arise,and we might attract the attention of some hidden old monsters—now that would be real trouble.If someone bullies us, of course we fight back hard. Let them know our strength!"
Zhao Wuji had roamed the Douluo Continent for many years and knew the unwritten rule that some sects assassinate talented individuals.So thinking that talent, arrogance, and courting disaster are connected is foolish.When it's time to keep a low profile, stay low.But when trouble comes knocking—strike back with force.Zhang Fan's actions previously had been spot on.
They continued forward and arrived at the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.The air here was fresh, and the temperature slightly cooler.A breeze blew by, bringing the refreshing forest scent to their faces.It was very invigorating.
"The Star Dou Great Forest isn't like the national beast reserves. The soul beasts here are extremely ferocious. Stay within twenty meters of me!"Zhao Wuji said seriously, "Except Zhang Fan!"
"Got it!"The others replied one after another.
Then, they rushed forward.The deeper they went, the denser the forest became, blocking out the sun, filled with thick trees and overgrown weeds.
Once inside, Xiao Wu seemed very excited. After all, she was born in the Star Dou Great Forest. She hopped around happily, dancing around Zhang Fan.Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing also stayed close to Zhang Fan.
Bald Bai grew sharp claws on his palms and slashed away the weeds and thorns ahead with his hands.They moved forward quickly.Whenever they encountered a soul beast, Zhao Wuji led them to go around it.
"Why are we avoiding those soul beasts?" Bald Bai asked in confusion.
"Soul beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest have territorial instincts. If you kill one, you might provoke a whole group.It's dangerous. So avoid fights unless absolutely necessary!"Zhao Wuji explained as he walked.
"Everyone rest here for now!"Zhao Wuji sat on the roots of a nearby tree.
The others found clean spots to sit and rest.Ning Rongrong handed Zhang Fan a bottle of milk.Xiao Wu brought a taro leaf and used it to fan him.Zhu Zhuqing gave Zhang Fan a leg massage.
With three beauties attending to him so devotedly, Zhang Fan felt life was truly wonderful.Tang San, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Dai Mubai could only look on with envy.
After all, each of those three girls had her own unique beauty—they were exactly the types the four of them liked.Absolutely top-tier.But who would've thought all three were utterly devoted to Zhang Fan,completely unfazed by the idea of three girls serving one guy.
It was eye-opening, and filled the guys with jealousy and envy.
This time, their goal was to help Oscar hunt a thousand-year soul beast.
Zhao Wuji looked at Zhang Fan:"Zhang Fan, how many years do you plan to go for this time? Your third soul ring was thirty thousand years. Is your fourth also going to be thirty thousand?"
"Damn... thirty thousand years…"Ma Hongjun could already imagine how difficult that would be.
A thirty-thousand-year soul beast is equivalent to a Soul Emperor of around level sixty or seventy—definitely not easy to kill.Let alone to absorb its soul ring.Attaching a thirty-thousand-year ring to a level forty body would absolutely cause one's body to explode.
Everyone else stared at Zhang Fan in a daze, waiting for his answer.
"That's a secret, of course!" Zhang Fan grinned mischievously.
"You're not planning to absorb a soul ring on your own, are you?"Zhao Wuji's expression changed the moment he heard the word "secret."
"Exactly. After we help Oscar get his soul ring, I'll go hunt one myself."Zhang Fan said calmly.
"That's too dangerous!"Zhao Wuji said with concern.
"Don't worry! I'm confident."Zhang Fan replied confidently.
"Alright then." Zhao Wuji nodded.
"Shhh—rustle…"
The sound grew louder.Zhu Zhuqing immediately activated her martial spirit and climbed a tree, peering toward the sound:
"It looks like a flying snake. It has a fleshy crest on its head, very large, bright red like blood. The tail is fan-shaped."
"Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent! This soul beast is extremely rare. The crest has unique properties. Oscar, you're lucky!"Zhao Wuji said excitedly."Zhu Zhuqing, keep reporting its position and length."
"Got it!"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded."Still observing… its length is about six to eight meters."
"That's a thousand-year-old Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent. The pale red wings mark its millennium evolution. At six to eight meters, it's likely between one thousand and eighteen hundred years old."Zhang Fan said calmly, cutting off Tang San just as he was about to speak.
"Uh…" Tang San was momentarily stunned.
"Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpents are non-venomous but extremely fast. Their crest is where they store nutrients."Zhang Fan added.
Tang San was shocked. Everything the teachers had taught him—Zhang Fan already knew it all?
"Brother Fan is amazing! He knows everything!" Ning Rongrong said dreamily."A soul beast encyclopedia!" Xiao Wu pouted adorably."Impressive!" Zhu Zhuqing gave a thumbs up.
Bald Bai looked on, filled with jealousy.The others were also very surprised.
Soon, the Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent flew toward them.
"Alright, all of you go capture it together!"Zhao Wuji scanned the area to make sure it wouldn't escape.
"Whoosh—"Tang San darted forward, eager to show off.
Zhang Fan also stepped forward.The others rushed ahead too.
Dai Mubai suddenly spotted a vine ahead. He leapt on it, causing it to swing down across Zhang Fan's path.He hoped it would trip Zhang Fan and make him fall.
He couldn't help but smirk evilly—"Try stealing my girls, huh? Time to teach you a lesson."
"Whoosh—"But Zhang Fan leapt nimbly, as if he had predicted it, completely dodging the vine.
Dai Mubai was stunned. "This guy… his alertness is insane!"
That kind of sudden trap was the hardest to avoid, and yet he dodged it cleanly.
Dai Mubai's expression darkened. Zhang Fan was really a tough nut to crack.
Tang San activated Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, leaving behind streaks of afterimages.Xiao Wu stepped off a tree trunk and leapt gracefully through the air—her figure so beautiful that even Tang San was mesmerized.Zhu Zhuqing also leapt from tree to tree.
Ma Hongjun charged forward, his chubby body crunching through leaves with loud "snap-snap" sounds.
Zhao Wuji watched the energetic youngsters and couldn't help but cross his arms and smile meaningfully.It reminded him of his own youth—curious about everything, full of energy and passion.
Suddenly, he was startled. He saw a flash of light at Dai Mubai's feet—his soul rings activated.
His body swelled, evil light flared in his eyes, and his head gleamed brighter.He crouched slightly—
"Whoosh!" With a powerful burst from his legs, he shot out like a cannonball,his fist smashing down toward the Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent's head.
"Ding! Dialogue Modification Mission Triggered."
[Dai Mubai suddenly leapt and punched toward the wide-open mouth of the Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent.]
Zhang Fan grinned mischievously—"Trying to take the first move, Dai Mubai? Fine."He changed the word "punch" to "dive" and "head" to "mouth."