Zhu Ziyang stood in the middle of the group, surrounded by his senior brothers and sisters, his eyes locked onto the monstrous form of the Ghostmoon Python Emperor.
It was his second time facing a 100,000-year soul beast—but this was an entirely different experience. The Silver Dragon Wolf had been mortally wounded, without the will or strength to fight. But this python? It was completely healthy and seething with murderous intent.
This is it. A fight to the death. I can't hold back… Zhu Ziyang clenched his fists.
"Ziyang, are you sure you want to stay?"
Electrolux's voice echoed in his mind. "In my current state, I could still get you out of here—"
"Not yet, Teacher," Zhu Ziyang replied firmly. "I don't want to run. I trust in my seniors. If I fled now, I'd regret it for the rest of my life. Besides… Elder Xuan could be on his way."
"…Very well," Electrolux sighed, ready to intervene at any moment.
Once the Shrek team made their decision, they launched their attack. No one dared be careless. This was a 100,000-year beast—they all fought with everything they had.
Zhang Lexuan activated her martial soul's domain. A silvery mist spread out from her feet, enveloping the area. Within this Silver Moon Domain, her seven soul rings shimmered brilliantly. Even the plants and trees around them looked dreamlike.
Her seventh ring lit up, and her form vanished—replaced by a dazzling full moon in midair.
Silver Moon True Body!
Simultaneously, Han Ruoruo, Zhang Weiwei, and Cheng Hui unleashed their Martial Soul True Bodies without hesitation.
Han Ruoruo's body shimmered with silver light before she vanished, transforming into pure golden-silver energy. In an instant, dozens of glowing gold-and-silver shackling ropes spread across the battlefield, forming rings that surged forward at lightning speed.
Zhang Weiwei silently transformed into a massive, vibrant tree, its trunk covered in strange eye-like patterns that seemed to pull one's soul into their gaze. Green mist swirled from its roots.
Cheng Hui leapt into the sky, flipped midair, and transformed into a massive sky-blue bird. It measured five meters long, covered in razor-sharp blade-like feathers. Its talons gleamed like golden daggers, and its cry pierced the heavens.
Skyblade Roc True Body!
With four Soul Sages unleashing their ultimate forms, the rest of the team felt their burden lighten. They quickly activated their own martial souls, preparing for the desperate fight ahead.
The Ghostmoon Python Emperor watched them with calm disdain. It didn't see these humans as a threat at all. Instead, its gaze locked onto Zhang Lexuan's moonlit form, eyes gleaming with hunger. It had a premonition—her bloodline might be the key to its evolution into a Savage Beast.
Devour her.
That was its only thought.
Zhang Lexuan didn't know the python's intent. But she knew she had to lead by example—to inspire hope and determination.
Her first, second, third, and sixth rings lit up. The glowing moon in the sky suddenly radiated a flurry of moonlight beams, as if a celestial maiden were scattering flowers from heaven.
"ROAR!!"
The python bellowed. Its roar was eerily tiger-like. It tried to move—but realized something was wrong.
Looking down, it saw gold-and-silver ropes coiled around its body.
Han Ruoruo had struck. She and Zhang Lexuan had fought side by side for years—their coordination was flawless.
Following their lead, Cheng Hui and Zhang Weiwei joined in.
The Skyblade Roc flapped its wings, launching blade-like feathers imbued with wind energy, all aimed at the python.
Meanwhile, the Magic-Eyed Demon Tree extended countless vine-like tendrils that wrapped around the python's massive form.
At the same time, a barrage of other abilities struck:
Blue phoenix fire,
Golden flame swords,
Pink-glowing arrows,
Black and white sword arrays,
Golden energy beams,
And a hulking figure full of primal force—
—All of them rained down on the Ghostmoon Python Emperor.
But out of all these attacks, only Zhang Lexuan's moonlight rays and Luo Wei's arrows inflicted real damage.
Her beams pierced its scales and burned the flesh beneath. Luo Wei's arrow embedded itself deep into its massive body.
"Wretched ants!!"
The python howled in pain. Roaring with fury, it shook its body violently, breaking free from both Han Ruoruo's ropes and Zhang Weiwei's bindings.
Its serpentine form twisted and lunged, its colossal tail sweeping toward the group with terrifying speed.
Those at the front—Zhang Lexuan and the other close-range fighters—quickly dodged, leaping skyward or retreating. They narrowly avoided disaster.
But Zhu Lie, who had charged in for a melee strike, had no escape. He barely had time to activate two soul skills before the massive tail slammed into him.
He was hurled backwards, smashing through over a dozen trees before crashing into the ground fifty meters away.
The others couldn't even check on him—they could only pray he was still alive.
"Senior Sister Luo! The python's seventh scale under its jaw—that's its weakest point!"
Zhu Ziyang shouted from the back, standing with support-type soul master Su Meng.
"I see it!" Luo Wei's eyes lit up. She raised her shimmering pink bow—her sixth soul ring glowing.
"Cover her!" Zhang Lexuan ordered. She activated her fourth ring, bathing the python in radiant moonlight. Its thrashing body stilled momentarily.
Han Ruoruo's shackling ropes followed, binding it again. Zhang Weiwei activated her sixth ring, summoning a giant eye that blasted the python with a beam of light.
The others launched their attacks as well, surrounding the beast in a coordinated assault.
The python's eyes flared with fury. It broke free from the bindings again. Its scales transformed into mirror-like plates, reflecting and nullifying Zhang Lexuan's moonlight.
Han Ruoruo's ropes couldn't hold it. Only Zhang Weiwei's spiritual beam had any effect—briefly stunning the python.
That one second was all Luo Wei needed.
"Bullseye!" she whispered.
She loosed the glowing pink arrow, sharp as crystal, and it struck the seventh scale under the python's jaw with precision. The arrow pierced deep, drawing a pained shriek from the beast.
"Yes!"
Cheers erupted. Even Su Meng shouted in celebration.
But Zhang Lexuan, Zhang Weiwei, and Zhu Ziyang all remained silent. Their faces were grave.
It had hurt the python—but it wasn't nearly enough.
Wounding a 100,000-year beast was one thing. Killing it was another.
Enraged by the pain, the Ghostmoon Python Emperor's eyes burned with rage.
With terrifying speed, it coiled its massive body, raising its head like a mountain.
Then—it opened its jaws wide.
From its mouth erupted a blinding silver-white energy beam, surrounded by a powerful force that tore trees and rocks into the air as it passed.
Ghostmoon Shockwave.
"Everyone—DODGE!!"
Zhang Lexuan's voice cracked as she screamed the warning—
But would they be fast enough?