LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 4: Perilous Predicament
Tang San was able to quickly identify the pink-scaled Datura snake with the help of his Purple Demon Eyes, even though it was quite far away.
"Teacher Wuji, it's a Datura snake. From its size and color, it must be at least 1,000 years old," warned Tang San.
"Xiao San, you have better perception than me. I can't even tell what kind of spirit beast it is. If it's only a thousand-year-old spirit beast, there's no danger."
"Mubai, kill it. We'll have roasted snake for dinner," instructed Zhao Wuji.
"Teacher, can I fight it?" asked Tang San.
"Hoho, Xiao San, you also want roasted snake, huh?" bellowed Zhao Wuji.
"No, teacher. I want to hunt the Datura snake for my third spirit ring," replied Tang San.
"Crafty Xiao San, if you wanted to eat roasted snake that badly, you should have just asked. No need to lie to your teacher," said Zhao Wuji.
"Teacher Zhao, I reached 30 soul power after the battle with the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent. I need a third spirit ring. Since we're already in Star Dou Forest, it's better if we get it now. That Datura snake looks old enough for my spirit ring," said Tang San.
"I remember Master teaching me that the ideal third spirit ring should be between 1,300 and 1,800 years old, and the Datura snake matches the attributes of my Blue Silver Grass," added Tang San.
"Xiao San, how old are you?" asked Zhao Wuji.
"I turned 12 a couple of months ago, teacher," replied Tang San.
"Damn, I thought Oscar was a monster for reaching Soul Elder at 13, but for you to reach it at 12—you're a monster among monsters!" said Zhao Wuji.
"You are the youngest Soul Elder in the whole Heaven Dou Empire. Good, if you want the snake for your spirit ring, go ahead. I'll eat something else for dinner."
Tang San marched toward Wang Lin after getting permission from Zhao Wuji, with hidden weapons in hand.
Wang Lin POV
Wang Lin followed the tracks of a Soft-Boned Rabbit until they came to a dead end. Along with the rabbit, there were eight other distinct scents in the area.
Their silhouettes vaguely resembled humans from a distance, but Wang Lin couldn't make an accurate judgment.
His presence startled the group, as he saw them stop whatever they were doing and simultaneously turn in his direction using his infrared vision.
As he considered his next move, one of them began walking toward him.
Quickly, Wang Lin turned to escape, but before he could get far, the grass around him sprang up like a serpent, winding around him and trapping him in place.
He thrashed desperately, trying to break free, but the Blue Silver Grass only tightened its hold.
As Wang Lin struggled, he saw something fly out of the hand of the person approaching him.
Tang San's hidden weapon struck Wang Lin with precision, pinning him to a tree and cutting off any chance of escape. He hung there, limp and trapped.
Tang San inched closer, and as he neared, Wang Lin mustered all his remaining strength to spray venom at Tang San's eyes in one final attempt.
Unfortunately for Wang Lin, Tang San had predicted the attack with his Purple Demon Eyes, dodging swiftly out of the venom's path and releasing another dart.
The second dart pierced Wang Lin just below his neck, further restricting his movement.
"I guess this is how I die for the second time. Well, I won't go alone. I'll take you with me, you bastard," Wang Lin hissed in fury. Yellow venom dripped from his fangs, and green blood flowed from his wounds, painting a gruesome sight.
Tang San stood motionless before the tree where Wang Lin was pinned, a dart in hand aimed at Wang Lin's head.
"Teacher Zhao, even though it's mutated, based on the length of this Datura snake, it's under 1,200 years old. You said I should be able to withstand something older with my physique," said Tang San.
He stared at the Pink Datura Snake for a while.
"Xiao San, now's not the time to worry about that," said Dai Mubai.
Confused, Tang San turned to see the Shrek team taking cover behind Zhao Wuji, who was surrounded by seven spirit rings. Before them stood a massive beast, towering a hundred meters tall—the Titan Giant Ape, a mythological spirit beast over 100,000 years old.
The Titan Giant Ape loomed over the trees of Star Dou Forest, casting a shadow over the Shrek group. It released an ear-shattering roar, pounding its chest and the ground beneath it.
The Titan Ape's roar sent shockwaves through the forest, causing all nearby spirit beasts to flee in terror.
Trees were uprooted as the ground shook with the force of the titan's movements.
In the midst of this chaos, Tang San reached the Shrek group, and together they took a defensive position behind Zhao Wuji.
"Oscar, give everyone your flying sausages. Xiao San, cover their escape. I'll hold the Titan Ape off for a while," ordered Zhao Wuji.
The Titan Giant Ape swung its enormous arm toward the group. Zhao Wuji activated his Spirit Avatar, momentarily blocking the blow, but the sheer force broke through.
The Shrek Seven barely had time to eat the sausages as they scattered in all directions.
Tang San used his Blue Silver Vines to pull team members who were too close to danger into the air.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing took cover in a pit, while Oscar and Ning Rongrong hid behind a giant boulder.
Tang San held Ma Hongjun with his Blue Silver Vines while swinging Xiao Wu into the air, away from the flying debris.
As Xiao Wu soared through the air, the Titan Giant Ape's massive hand reached out, capturing her in its grasp.
"NO! Xiao Wu!" cried Tang San as he watched in horror.
He attacked immediately, with Zhao Wuji also releasing his spirit abilities, but the Titan Giant Ape swatted their attacks away effortlessly.
With a powerful leap, the Titan Giant Ape crossed a vast distance, disappearing into the forest with Xiao Wu in its hand, leaving the Shrek team behind.