The so-called "Shatter Effect" is a variant of the Power of Destruction. While pure destruction annihilates instantly, shattering is far more agonizing. Being struck by the shatter effect results in extreme pain, whereas being hit by destruction leaves no sensation at all—because by then, you have already ceased to exist.
The back of the Vajra Baboon's hand exploded, leaving a gaping hole over half a meter wide in its left palm. Flesh and blood splattered everywhere.
Roaring in pain, the Vajra Baboon howled toward the sky. Though its hand was massive, about one and a half meters in diameter, the half-meter-wide hole in the center made the entire palm virtually useless. The excruciating pain caused its entire arm to twitch uncontrollably.
For someone like Gu You, there was no such thing as mercy.
His feet pushed off the ground, propelling him like a rocket. His Purple Emperor Terror Claw tore through the Vajra Baboon's defenses with unstoppable force.
The severe threat, coupled with the agony in its palm, sent the Vajra Baboon into a frenzy.
Its eyes instantly turned completely blood-red, and even its light-golden fur seemed to ignite, deepening in color until it became dark red.
Its entire aura became violent and frenzied. Already lacking intelligence, the Vajra Baboon lost even the last vestiges of its reasoning upon entering its berserk state.
No longer feeling the pain in its palm, its massive, muscular arms flailed wildly, while its enormous body charged recklessly toward Gu You.
After going berserk, the Vajra Baboon looked utterly terrifying. Its already massive body swelled further, growing to over twelve meters tall. Its swinging arms created shockwaves in the air, producing a continuous string of explosive sounds.
But so what? Against absolute power, it was meaningless.
Gu You's Purple Emperor Terror Claw suddenly enlarged in the Vajra Baboon's eyes. Five immense blades of light pierced straight through its flesh.
In an instant, blood and torn flesh rained down as a torrent of crimson gushed forth, filling the entire metallic chamber with an overwhelming stench of blood.
Xu Xiaoyan had never witnessed such a brutal sight before. She could only shut her eyes tightly, her face deathly pale.
The rest of the team looked uneasy as well. The sheer brutality of the scene was enough to turn anyone's stomach.
Only Yuanen Yehui remained calm. Her Titan Giant Ape Martial Soul was actually excited, subtly affecting her mood as well.
The Vajra Baboon and Titan Giant Ape were sworn enemies. In ancient times, Vajra Baboons had once served under the Titan Giant Ape as subordinates. Every Vajra Baboon was once under the Titan Giant Ape's rule. But later, an anomaly emerged among the Vajra Baboons—one that possessed intelligence.
Although the Titan Giant Ape was individually stronger than the Vajra Baboons, the Vajra Baboon species had far greater numbers at the time.
That intelligent Vajra Baboon took advantage of a temporary dispersion in the Titan Giant Ape clan and launched a rebellion. It led the strongest Vajra Baboons in an assault that severely injured a portion of the Titan Giant Ape population, igniting a war between the two species.
That war shook the entire soul beast world. Both the Titan Giant Ape and Vajra Baboon were apex predators among soul beasts.
The Titan Giant Ape was a top-tier soul beast, while the Vajra Baboon was slightly inferior but had overwhelming numbers. Their battle was like the collision of two celestial bodies.
The war raged on for centuries. In the end, the Titan Giant Ape clan, after paying a massive price, managed to slay the intelligent Vajra Baboon. Leaderless, the Vajra Baboon forces crumbled in the face of the Titan Giant Apes' superior intelligence.
However, even though the Titan Giant Apes won the war, it was a Pyrrhic victory. Their numbers were devastated, and their dominance in the soul beast world crumbled. Though they remained the kings of the forest, they were never the same again.
From that moment on, the enmity between the two species was unbreakable. "Hatred as deep as the ocean" wouldn't even begin to describe it.
Back when soul beasts were more abundant, any time a Titan Giant Ape and a Vajra Baboon encountered each other, they would fight to the death—regardless of the odds. A Vajra Baboon would rather die than submit, even if it knew it stood no chance against a Titan Giant Ape.
Now that Yuanen Yehui had inherited the Titan Giant Ape Martial Soul, she had also inherited some of its instincts. Just like how Gu You initially felt repulsed and enraged by the Silver Dragon Spear, the weapon of the Silver Dragon King.
"Twelfth trial, cleared. You may choose to absorb the Vajra Baboon soul spirit or continue the trials." A mechanical voice announced.
Yuanen Yehui strode over to Gu You.
The two exchanged a glance and nodded. Without hesitation, Yuanen Yehui walked over to the entrance and tapped on the floating Vajra Baboon icon.
Gu You gathered golden soul power in his left hand, condensed it, and then tossed it toward her, guiding it into her body.
A sphere of dark-gold light slowly formed over Yuanen Yehui's shoulder. The golden glow trembled slightly as if struggling, clearly unwilling to fuse with her. However, she remained seated, unmoving, her posture rock-solid. No matter how much the golden light struggled, it could not escape from her shoulder.
Gu You turned back to the others. "The upcoming trials will only get harder. You can choose to exit now."
Xie Xie opened his mouth to say something, but Gu Yue stopped him. "Promise me." She gave Gu You a deep look.
"What promise?" Gu You laughed. "You'll be watching me from outside the whole time. I'm just curious to see what kind of hundred-thousand-year soul beast awaits me at the top."
"Then we'll watch from outside." Yue Zhengyu's expression turned serious. He was eager to see what a hundred-thousand-year soul beast truly looked like. For him, this was a rare learning opportunity.
In his mind, Gu You was no longer just an ordinary genius. Even calling him a "monster"—a title usually reserved for Shrek Academy's most exceptional talents—wasn't sufficient anymore.
Two hours later.
A beam of light descended onto Yuanen Yehui's body. A ten-thousand-year soul ring materialized beneath her feet, its power radiating outward. A terrifying aura erupted from within her.
She had successfully absorbed the ten-thousand-year Vajra Baboon soul spirit!
After bidding Gu You farewell, the rest of the team reappeared at the metallic entrance.
Leng Yaozhu stood there waiting, smiling faintly. "As expected of Shrek's prodigies. So young, yet already possessing ten-thousand-year soul rings. If any of you are interested, the doors of the Spirit Pagoda are always open to you. We offer the best resources available, and joining us won't interfere with your studies at Shrek Academy."
The group exchanged glances.
Yuanen Yehui stepped forward. "I'll join."
Xie Xie looked at her in shock but then shook his head, recalling his own allegiance.
"I'll join as well." Yue Zhengyu added casually. Though his Sacred Family had always been aligned with Shrek Academy and Tang Sect, he was somewhat rebellious by nature and had yet to pledge allegiance to any faction...
(End of Chapter)