Chapter 82: Er Ming (Patreon)

Upon hearing the term "his wife" Meng Yiran's eyes dimmed slightly.

Chao Tianxing asked curiously, "Might I ask who is..."

She naturally wanted to know who the Alliance Master's beloved wife was.

Lu Feng introduced, "This is my fiancée, Zhu Zhuqing, from the Zhu family of Star Luo City."

Chao Tianxing was startled. "Could it be the family of the Netherworld Spirit Cat...?"

"Indeed."

"Excellent, truly excellent."

Chao Tianxing's face wrinkled into a smile like a blooming chrysanthemum. It was a joyous occasion—the Alliance Master forming a marriage alliance with one of Star Luo Empire's top noble families.

Originally, after Lu Feng helped them take revenge, she had considered whether she could arrange a marriage between her granddaughter and him once he was older, both as repayment and for the immense benefit it would bring her granddaughter and family.

At that time, Lu Feng had no spirit power, so she thought it wouldn't be difficult.

But now, Lu Feng had awakened a god-level martial soul, and the girls around him were all stunningly beautiful and exceptionally talented. Her granddaughter likely no longer stood a chance.

Meng Yiran fixed her bright blue eyes on Lu Feng and said respectfully, "Please make your decision."

A bitter smile tugged at Oscar's lips.

He had already given up in his heart. Lu Feng and Meng Yiran were both part of the Merchant Alliance, and Meng Yiran had a slender, graceful figure—she was a rare beauty. If he were in Lu Feng's place, he'd prioritize her too.

All eyes turned to Lu Feng.

But Lu Feng had already made up his mind. "Give it to Xiao Ao (Oscar). However, we'll also do our best to help Yiran hunt down a spirit ring that suits her even better."

Hearing this, Oscar froze, then was overcome with joy—like reclaiming something he'd lost. Tears welled in his eyes as he looked at Lu Feng with deep gratitude.

Zhao Wuji laughed heartily. "Xiao Feng is right! Since we're traveling together now, we'll definitely help Yiran find a better spirit ring."

Chao Tianxing nodded in satisfaction. "That would be ideal."

"Elder Chao, did you know? Our Shrek Academy is actually half-affiliated with the Merchant Alliance," Zhao Wuji said, seizing the rare chance to bond.

"This old woman wasn't aware. So it seems we're practically family."

Chao Tianxing had no objections to Lu Feng's decision and remained amiable. She understood the weight of the Alliance Master's words.

Besides, the Alliance Master had promised to help secure a more suitable spirit ring—she believed he could deliver, but even if he couldn't, it didn't matter.

....

After Oscar Absorbs the Spirit Ring

He gained his third spirit skill: Fantastical Flying Mushroom Sausage.

After eating it, the user could fly for a short time—an incredibly useful support skill that greatly improved the team's mobility. Now, they could simply fly over deep chasms and ravines instead of finding a way around.

Later,

The two groups merged into one team, now searching together for a suitable spirit beast for Meng Yiran's spirit ring.

Meanwhile, Tang San, who had just broken through to the 30th rank during meditation, also needed a spirit ring.

Tang San wasn't thrilled about Meng Yiran joining them, but since Lu Feng and Zhao Wuji had already agreed, and no one else objected, what could he do? He had no choice but to follow along reluctantly.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted nearby—the earth trembled violently, leaves rained down from the trees, and flocks of birds scattered in panic.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

An entire row of towering ancient trees collapsed in sequence, as if some colossal spirit beast was charging straight toward them.

Even before they could see the beast, its terrifying pressure had already descended upon them.

"How could this—? No! Everyone, retreat NOW!"

"Martial Soul True Body!"

Zhao Wuji roared for the others to flee—yet instead of running himself, he activated his Great Strength King Kong Bear martial soul and instantly unleashed his Martial Soul True Body. His body crackled like popping beans as his muscles swelled explosively, tearing through the sleeves of his shirt.

This was the mark of a truly great teacher.

In a life-or-death moment, Zhao Wuji didn't hesitate—he would buy time for his students to escape, even if it meant facing certain death himself.

"Yiran! Alli—ahem—Lu Feng! Get out of here!"

Chao Tianxing had weathered countless storms in her lifetime. There was no time to question why such a monstrous spirit beast had appeared in the outer regions of the Star Dou Great Forest. Faced with mortal danger, she slammed her serpent staff into the ground and leaped to Zhao Wuji's side, ready to fight to the death without fear.

Even a few extra seconds of resistance could mean a sliver of hope for her granddaughter and Lu Feng to escape.

But the sheer oppressive might of the unseen beast was overwhelming—Chao Tianxing's frail body swayed, barely held upright by her staff. She doubted she could survive even a single strike from whatever horror was coming.

The others were frozen in terror.

Only Xiao Wu and Lu Feng remained calm—because they knew there was no real danger.

The Titan Giant Ape Arrives

"ROOOAR—!"

With an earth-shaking bellow, the Titan Giant Ape smashed through the last row of trees and loomed over them like a living mountain.

The King of the Forest stood before them, radiating unstoppable dominance and an aura of primal dread. Its mere presence sent debris flying, the very air trembling under its wrath.

Tang San, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and the others lost their footing, tumbling to the ground with cries of panic.

The Titan Giant Ape's gaze swept over them like a god scornfully eyeing ants.

It had come for one purpose, to take Xiao Wu.

Whether she agreed or not.

But as its cold eyes locked onto Xiao Wu, it also noticed—

Lu Feng, gripping Xiao Wu's delicate hand tightly.

And his other hand, fingers interlaced with Zhu Zhuqing's, steadying both girls against the tremors.

Lu Feng's long hair whipped wildly in the wind, his feet sinking inches into the earth—yet his body stood unshaken, defiant against the Titan Giant Ape's crushing pressure.

All around him, plants within a 500-meter radius swayed violently, channeling their energy into Lu Feng, amplifying his resistance.

That insignificant human… dared to hold Wu-jie's hand and refuse to let go?

Rage ignited in the Titan Giant Ape's eyes.

Ignoring Xiao Wu's frantic, pleading glances, it prepared to lunge forward—

As for the human Soul Sage and Soul Emperor blocking its path?

It didn't even spare them a glance.

Suddenly—

It sensed an aura…

An aura of a spirit beast bloodline so noble, it dwarfed the Titan Giant Ape's own by countless degrees!

This presence only became detectable once it got close—

And it was emanating from that human boy holding Xiao Wu-jie's hand.

Dragon blood… No, the aura of the Ancient Dragon God Himself!!!!!!

The Titan Giant Ape stared at Lu Feng in disbelief, its eyes flickering with something rare and unfamiliar—fear.

Any being carrying the bloodline of the Dragon God was, by default, recognized as the Sovereign of All Spirit Beasts.

That supreme lineage naturally suppressed all other spirit beast bloodlines.

As a pure spirit beast (unlike Xiao Wu, who had taken human form), the Titan Giant Ape could far more keenly sense what Lu Feng's aura truly meant.

The moment it even considered harming him, a deafening roar of the Ancient Dragon God seemed to thunder in its ears—

A warning.

A command.

An absolute order to kneel.

With a shudder, the Titan Giant Ape staggered back two steps, its massive frame trembling. Then—

It dropped to one knee in a hurried bow toward Lu Feng from afar…

Before whirling around and bolting away faster than it had arrived!

In the blink of an eye, the forest fell silent once more.

Xiao Wu: "…"

Lu Feng: "…"

Everyone else: "…"

A long pause stretched.

Finally, Lu Feng snapped out of his daze and glanced at Xiao Wu.

She was already looking back at him.

Their eyes met.

Xiao Wu's lips twitched—she was barely holding back laughter.

But bursting into giggles now would be way too suspicious.

She quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, disguising her amusement as shock.

In all her years, she'd never seen Er Ming (the Titan Giant Ape) so utterly humiliated.

The mighty King of the Forest, fleeing in terror from a mere soul ancestor human?!

She'd known Lu Feng possessed an extraordinarily noble spirit beast bloodline, but she never imagined it could affect Er Ming to this degree.

Meanwhile, Lu Feng inwardly pieced it together—the Dragon God bloodline's influence.

The Titan Giant Ape's reaction proved its power far exceeded his expectations.

Nearby, Tang San clambered up from the dirt, his face pale with lingering fear.

"Pr-professor Zhao… W-what just happened?!" he stammered, dusting off his robes with shaky hands.