Chapter 165: Zao Wuji: "Are There Stronger Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Forest?" Yu Xiaogang: "No!"

"If the Titan Giant Ape is the King of the Forest in the Star Dou Forest, then the Azure Bull Python is its Emperor!"

Both Zao Wuji and Flender were shocked to hear this from the Grandmaster. They hadn't expected Yu Xiaogang to know even this detail—he truly lived up to his reputation. It was the first time they had heard that there was a soul beast in the Star Dou Forest even stronger than the Titan Giant Ape.

Curious, Zao Wuji asked, "Grandmaster, are there any soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest that are even stronger than the Azure Bull Python, or are the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python the strongest?"

Yu Xiaogang was momentarily stunned. He didn't know for sure. He had learned about the Azure Bull Python when a Titled Douluo had gone to challenge the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python appeared.

It was said that in the presence of the Azure Bull Python, the Titan Giant Ape was like a child before an adult—completely submissive. If it hadn't been for the Azure Bull Python, the Titan Giant Ape might not have survived the encounter. This was the basis for Yu Xiaogang's conclusion.

As for whether there were stronger beings, he didn't know. After all, he didn't have the strength to explore the forest himself.

However, the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python had remained in the core area of the forest for many years, and no rumors of stronger beasts had surfaced. So, Yu Xiaogang confidently said, "Based on my years of theoretical study, there shouldn't be any stronger soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest. The limit for soul beasts on the continent is 100,000 years of cultivation.

"Among 100,000-year soul beasts, unless they have a bloodline superior to the Titan Giant Ape or Azure Bull Python, they wouldn't stand a chance against them."

"Moreover, if there were stronger soul beasts, there would have been some information or rumors by now."

Both Zao Wuji and Flender agreed with Yu Xiaogang's reasoning. In their understanding, 100,000-year-old soul beasts were already incredibly powerful. How could anything be stronger?

(Deep Sea Demon Whale King: "You're so ignorant. I've been alive for nearly a million years!")

Boys' Dormitory

After returning to his dorm, Su Ming immediately entered the combat training space. Now that no one was around to disturb him, he could finally explore the wonders of this space.

The moment he entered, he found himself in a vast arena, and a panel appeared before him, allowing him to choose his opponents and their strength. This made Su Ming smile—this reward was fantastic!

Su Ming decided that whenever he had time, he would use this space to accumulate real combat experience. And even though it was possible to die in the space, he resolved not to use his Kamui or Susano'o, since that would render the training meaningless.

The space was meant to train his reaction time and combat instincts. If he relied on Kamui or Susano'o, which made him nearly invincible, there would be no point in training.

Although the system didn't explicitly say it, Su Ming guessed that the combat space likely consumed his mental energy, just like the learning space. Therefore, he would only use his soul power for battles here.

Without hesitation, Su Ming set his opponent as a 100,000-year Titan Giant Ape. He knew he couldn't win, but he wanted to see how long he could last.

Half an hour later, Su Ming failed. He died.

Upon exiting the combat space, Su Ming noticed that part of his mental energy had been depleted. It seemed that the cost of death in this space was a reduction in mental energy.

Su Ming couldn't help but laugh bitterly. His attacks had been ineffective against the Titan Giant Ape, but thanks to the life force of his Wood Release, even when his creations were destroyed, they quickly regenerated. He had thought he could kite the beast indefinitely, but he had gotten a little overconfident.

In his arrogance, he forgot that the Titan Giant Ape had a gravity domain. Once the domain was activated, Su Ming was rendered immobile.

He tried using his Blue Silver Domain to see if it could counter the gravity, but it was useless—the two domains weren't even on the same level. As a result, he died.

Reflecting on his failure, Su Ming realized that while he could handle challenges beyond his level, domains were a major problem, especially when they were stronger than his Blue Silver Domain, which was still in its initial stages.

If he had used Susano'o, he might have been able to resist the Titan Giant Ape's gravity domain. But since he didn't use it, this was a valuable learning experience.

Su Ming then glanced at the system's other reward, the title of Golden Warrior. He was very curious about its effects and couldn't wait to test it out when the opportunity arose.

The next morning, summoned by the bell, everyone quickly gathered on the academy's training field.

Su Ming, Tang San, and Xiao Wu immediately recognized the middle-aged man standing next to Flender—it was Yu Xiaogang!

Tang San was thrilled to see his teacher. He had been wanting to ask him about the spider legs that had grown from his back.

Yu Xiaogang, of course, noticed Tang San right away, as well as Su Ming, Xiao Wu, and the other students.

The previous night, during his conversation with Flender and Zao Wuji, Yu Xiaogang had learned about the talents and strength levels of the academy's new students.

What surprised him the most was that his disciple, Tang San, had the lowest soul power level, even lower than Ning Rongrong, a support-type soul master. It was almost unbelievable.

In Yu Xiaogang's experience, it was normal for Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan soul masters to reach their twenties in soul power by age twelve, but Ning Rongrong's level had broken her father Ning Fengzhi's record. Truly, she was her father's daughter!

Then there was Zhu Zhuqing, who possessed the Netherworld Spirit Cat martial soul, a rare exclusive to the Zhu family of the Star Luo Empire. Normally, her innate soul power wouldn't exceed level seven, yet her cultivation speed was abnormally fast, just like Su Ming's.

Su Ming, however, was even more outrageous!

Yu Xiaogang began to realize that perhaps he had been at Nuoding Academy for too long. The talents of the world were beyond his expectations.

Initially, he had assumed that Tang San would be the top student at Shrek Academy, right behind Su Ming and Xiao Wu. But in reality, he was in last place. It was an awkward realization. Still, when he thought about Tang San's fortuitous gains from the Star Dou Forest, he felt more balanced, even a sense of pride. Given time, Tang San would surely surpass the others!