Their choices were entirely correct, but a correct choice does not mean a path to survival.
Ursine soul beasts excel in high attack and high defense, and while their speed is not considered top-tier, all of that applies when fighting opponents of the same rank. Not every person or soul beast can be like the Supreme Elder, failing to catch a Five-Ring Soul King familiar with the terrain despite being at Level 98.
Even though the Shrek side used the fastest acceleration methods available, and even though the Crystal Bear had been disoriented by Beibei's combat technique, buying them considerable distance, the gap in cultivation was simply too vast. Before they could even reach the outer perimeter, the Crystal Bear had already caught up.
Chapter 151