Douluo: The Ultimate Self

At this moment, the Sky Azure Bull Python let out a thunderous roar that seemed to shake the entire Great Star Dou Forest. Even Lin Gong, with all his strength, felt a chill run down his spine.

The Sky Azure Bull Python truly lived up to its title as the Emperor of the Forest. With just one roar, the entire core zone of the Great Star Dou Forest fell into an eerie silence—all the earlier animal cries had vanished without a trace.

The Sky Azure Bull Python's enormous eyes locked onto Lin Gong, and a voice filled with immense authority echoed: "Human, was it you who dared to provoke me?"

Upon hearing these words, Lin Gong felt his scalp tingle. He stood frozen, unsure whether to stay or flee.

Meanwhile, though Yang Xiong was under immense pressure, he forced himself to speak through gritted teeth: "Senior Sky Azure Bull Python, we didn't come here looking for you. We're here to find Xiao Wu."

The Sky Azure Bull Python roared again: "Human, you claim to know Sister Xiao Wu? Are you planning to harm her again?"

A faint smile appeared on Yang Xiong's face: "Xiao Wu and I are classmates. I came to the Great Star Dou Forest to see her. Rest assured, I bear no ill intentions toward you."

The Sky Azure Bull Python seemed hesitant but let out another roar, as if calling for someone.

Sure enough, not long after, a massive roar echoed from afar, radiating boundless energy.

Soon, the ground began to tremble, and an enormous Titan Giant Ape emerged from the forest. Standing over fifteen meters tall, its body resembled granite, exuding an overwhelming presence.

And perched on the Titan Giant Ape's shoulder was a slender girl—none other than Xiao Wu, who had escaped from Spirit City.

Seeing Yang Xiong from afar, Xiao Wu was surprised: "Little Bear, what are you doing in the Great Star Dou Forest?"

Yang Xiong's expression darkened at the nickname. This Xiao Wu was extremely close to Ning Rongrong and had adopted the same teasing name for him, leaving Yang Xiong feeling awkward.

He forced a wry smile: "I thought you wouldn't escape Spirit City that day. Never expected to see you looking so carefree now. Do you think being in this forest makes you completely safe?"

Xiao Wu smirked proudly: "Of course! Who in the Great Star Dou Forest can harm me? Da Ming and Er Ming are incredibly powerful."

Yang Xiong replied: "Can you come down from the Titan Giant Ape? It's uncomfortable talking like this."

Xiao Wu turned to the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python: "Da Ming, Er Ming, this is my classmate. I don't think they'll harm me."

The previously terrifying Sky Azure Bull Python now seemed surprisingly gentle, its voice deep and rumbling: "Sister Xiao Wu, humans cannot be trusted. This boy doesn't look like a good person."

Yang Xiong's expression darkened at the accusation, but Xiao Wu brushed it off casually: "Da Ming, don't worry. This little bear may not be a good person, but he won't harm me—he'd have to answer to Rongrong if he did."

Yang Xiong was left speechless. Why was he being labeled as a bad person?

Though the Titan Giant Ape seemed uncertain, it carefully lowered Xiao Wu using its massive palm, handling her with surprising gentleness.

Yang Xiong couldn't help but roll his eyes at the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python. These two hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts were incredibly powerful, yet they acted like obedient pets in front of Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu approached Yang Xiong, her face bright with a smile: "Little Bear, why did you come to the Great Star Dou Forest?"

Yang Xiong chuckled: "Xiao Wu, have you forgotten? I was already level forty during the soul master tournament. Naturally, I came to the Great Star Dou Forest to obtain a soul ring. But I've already finished hunting for my soul ring."

Xiao Wu's expression darkened: "You humans are despicable, always hunting us spirit beasts."

Yang Xiong sighed helplessly: "What can I do about it? Didn't your Brother San also hunt spirit beasts?"

Xiao Wu quickly interjected: "Brother San only kills evil spirit beasts. He's nothing like you, Little Bear. By the way, that old hag in Spirit City didn't harm you, did she?"

Yang Xiong smiled: "I'm backed by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Bibi Dong isn't ready to openly antagonize us yet."

…

The two exchanged updates, particularly about the members of the Shrek Team.

When Xiao Wu heard the news, she grew a bit melancholic: "Little Bear, you said Uncle Big Sausage went back with you to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Did Teacher Zhao go with you too?"

Yang Xiong nodded: "Oscar and Teacher Zhao stayed with me at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. However, Oscar will likely leave soon for training, while Teacher Zhao remains to teach me combat skills."

Xiao Wu frowned slightly: "Only rich people like you would do something like that."

She then asked: "So, you didn't come here specifically to see me, right? Do you have other plans?"

Yang Xiong suddenly turned serious: "Xiao Wu, do you remember Bibi Dong from Spirit City?"

Xiao Wu's expression darkened instantly: "That woman is my greatest enemy. I'll seek revenge on her sooner or later. Why do you bring her up?"

Yang Xiong smiled: "Do you remember Huyan Zhen of the Elephant Armor Sect? He's one of Bibi Dong's most ardent supporters."

Xiao Wu thought for a moment: "I think Brother San mentioned this big guy before. He's probably the grandfather of Huyan Li, whom we met. From what I hear, he's not a good person."

Yang Xiong nodded: "Exactly. The Elephant Armor Sect has always supported Bibi Dong. During our trip to obtain soul rings, Teacher Lin and I happened to see that many members of the Elephant Armor Sect were also in the core zone of the Great Star Dou Forest, likely obtaining soul rings. Since they're your enemies, I thought I'd inform you."

Xiao Wu looked suspicious: "You're always sneaky, Little Bear. Are the Elephant Armor Sect also your enemies? Are you trying to use us to get rid of them?"

Yang Xiong laughed: "There's no question of borrowing your hand. Whether it's the Elephant Armor Sect or the Spirit Hall, they're enemies of both the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and you. They're our common enemies. Shouldn't we stand on the same side?"

Xiao Wu asked: "What do you mean?"

Yang Xiong grinned: "This time, the Elephant Armor Sect brought three Soul Douluo and nine Soul Sages—almost all their top experts. If they all perish here, wouldn't that sever half of Bibi Dong's strength?"

Xiao Wu's lips curled in anger: "You're still trying to use us to eliminate your enemies. You really aren't a good person."

Yang Xiong shook his head: "They're my enemies and yours alike. Moreover, they've come in such large numbers to hunt spirit beasts—they've made themselves enemies of your entire race. Doesn't that make sense?"

Xiao Wu's expression became conflicted, alternating between anger, hatred, and suspicion.

After much thought, she finally spoke: "What's your real plan? Are you trying to get us to fight while you sit back and reap the benefits?"

Yang Xiong chuckled: "The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect isn't ready to openly oppose the Spirit Hall or the Elephant Armor Sect. However, we can offer resources. Consider it a small favor I owe you—I'll repay you someday."

"This is the Great Star Dou Forest. It's normal for soul masters to be attacked by spirit beasts while hunting soul rings. If the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python intervene, you could even rally many spirit beasts to attack the Elephant Armor Sect. Of course, you shouldn't personally intervene—you'll need to move freely in the human world in the future."

Xiao Wu clenched her teeth: "Fine. I want revenge on Bibi Dong. Since the Elephant Armor Sect are her lackeys, I'll wipe them out first."

After some discussion, Yang Xiong's gold coins and food supplies were thoroughly looted by Xiao Wu. Only then did she leave satisfied.

Xiao Wu whispered something to the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python. Though the two hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts hesitated at first, upon learning that the Elephant Armor Sect served Bibi Dong, they had no further reservations.

Together, the Titan Giant Ape, the Sky Azure Bull Python, Xiao Wu, Yang Xiong, and Lin Gong moved stealthily toward the Elephant Armor Sect group. Despite their massive size, the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python moved quietly, showcasing their intelligence as top-tier spirit beasts.

As they approached, Huyan Zhen's group sensed something amiss. The presence of such apex predators naturally intimidated nearby spirit beasts, and the surrounding area had fallen eerily silent.

Huyan Zhen, a top-tier Soul Douluo, immediately noticed the anomaly: "Who's there? Are you planning to ambush my Elephant Armor Sect?"

Summoning his enormous Diamond Mammoth martial soul, along with his two yellow, two purple, and four black soul rings, Huyan Zhen's aura shook the surrounding trees.

But before he could say more, the Titan Giant Ape burst out of the forest, causing the ground to quake violently.

Huyan Zhen froze upon seeing the Titan Giant Ape. He never expected their soul beast hunt to attract the King of the Forest.

Huyan Zhen attempted to communicate: "Respected Titan Giant Ape, we mean no offense. Please allow us to leave."

The others in his group were equally tense, hastily summoning their martial souls and soul rings. Their strength and discipline were evident—they were indeed elites of the Elephant Armor Sect.

However, the Titan Giant Ape ignored Huyan Zhen's words entirely. With a thunderous roar, it unleashed a devastating punch directly at Huyan Zhen, cracking the ground and sending shockwaves rippling outward.

Huyan Zhen's eyes widened as he unleashed his fourth soul skill: Death Crush. His massive Diamond Mammoth erupted with tremendous force.

But compared to the Titan Giant Ape, Huyan Zhen's strength was laughably weak. After all, the Titan Giant Ape's power rivaled that of a Level 95+ Title Douluo, especially in terms of raw strength.

With a single blow, Huyan Zhen was sent flying, and several others were knocked back.

The members of the Elephant Armor Sect exchanged glances and simultaneously summoned their true forms. Countless Diamond Mammoths materialized, their appearances ferocious.

By now, they were seething with anger. At this critical moment, any disturbance could jeopardize their soul ring absorption process.

The Elephant Armor Sect split into two groups: some continued guarding the soul ring absorption, while Huyan Zhen and another Soul Douluo prepared to resist the Titan Giant Ape.

Just then, an anomaly occurred. A streak of blue light shot out from the shadows, resembling a terrifying bolt of lightning that struck the Elephant Armor Sect from behind.

Pythons were among the deadliest predators in the forest, with terrifying stealth abilities. Even when they were close, they were nearly impossible to detect, and their attacks were swift and lethal.

Especially the Sky Azure Bull Python, a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast whose attack power was extraordinarily fearsome. With just one strike, even though the Elephant Armor Sect members detected the anomaly and resisted fiercely, many were struck by the Sky Azure Bull Python's lightning.

The members of the Elephant Armor Sect were plunged into despair. They couldn't believe the Sky Azure Bull Python had appeared as well—it was an unlucky day for their soul beast hunt.

The Sky Azure Bull Python moved with incredible speed, striking like lightning toward a Soul Douluo. Even though the Soul Douluo unleashed his eighth soul skill, the earlier lightning strike had already paralyzed his body. Combined with the Sky Azure Bull Python's overwhelming strength, he was crushed into fragments.

Meanwhile, the Titan Giant Ape grew even fiercer and stronger, relentlessly pursuing Huyan Zhen and his group.

…

The attack lasted for over ten minutes, and the Elephant Armor Sect suffered catastrophic losses. Only Huyan Zhen and a few others managed to escape narrowly; most of their members perished on the spot.

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