Thanks to the deterrence of the Jade Dust Martial Soul, the soul beasts in the forest dared not approach, allowing the Shrek Academy team to proceed deeper with surprising speed.
During their advance, Dai Mubai seized the opportunity to absorb the spirit ring of a five-hundred-year-old tiger-type soul beast, thereby officially breaking through to rank twenty-one.
As Xiao Wu was originally a soul beast in human form, she automatically obtained a hundred-year spirit ring upon reaching the corresponding level of strength, negating the need to hunt a soul beast.
Ma Hongjun, whose Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul had caused his hair to glow red, found his search more difficult. Due to the rarity of phoenix-type soul beasts, he likely wouldn't encounter one for years. As a compromise, he managed to capture a 480-year-old Firewing Bird and absorb its spirit ring.
The bird's flame attribute matched his martial soul well enough, enhancing his strength significantly.
Soon after, Tang San and Ning Rongrong also secured appropriate century-level spirit rings suited to their cultivation and martial souls.
At this point, only Zhu Zhuqing and Oscar had yet to acquire their second spirit ring.
"Thanks to Brother Chen, what should have been a dangerous expedition into the Star Dou Forest has become so smooth!" someone exclaimed.
"Exactly! If Brother Chen hadn't released his Martial Soul, we wouldn't have progressed this quickly."
"Sigh… it's tough! I've spent so long searching for a phoenix-type soul beast and failed, yet Brother Chen effortlessly obtained a thousand-year Phoenix Clan spirit ring! Some people really are just blessed!"
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong stood beside Yuchen, chattering excitedly in admiration.
Ma Hongjun, whose Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul was a rare mutant form of the phoenix, followed closely behind Yuchen with a look of reverent admiration.
Though a variant, his martial soul still belonged to the phoenix category, meaning he ideally needed to hunt phoenix-type soul beasts for optimal compatibility.
However, phoenix soul beasts were as rare and precious as dragon-type beasts, making them extremely hard to find.
Unlike Yuchen, Ma Hongjun lacked the divine selection ability to receive god-given spirit rings.
Worse still, while most young soul masters could only secure spirit rings from beasts under six hundred years old, Yuchen had acquired rings from beasts reaching forty to fifty thousand years!
The disparity in spirit ring age—and thus power—was almost a hundredfold!
It was precisely this awe-inspiring difference that made Ma Hongjun admire Yuchen even more.
"All right," Yuchen said calmly. "Since Zhuqing and Oscar still need to obtain their rings, let's move faster and aim to leave the forest before nightfall."
"Even though the coercion of Xiaochen's martial soul is immense, a powerful soul beast might still be drawn to it. We need to stay alert," Yu Xiaogang warned, his expression turning serious as he addressed the team.
"Yes, Master!" the others responded in unison, instantly falling back into focused formation as they pressed deeper into the forest.
As the terrain grew denser, the soul beasts encountered became increasingly formidable, ranging from four to five hundred years in age, with several reaching a thousand years or more.
"I've found a target worth attempting," Zhu Zhuqing declared, pointing ahead as the team had just advanced about three hundred meters.
"Please allow me to challenge this one alone, Teachers and Headmaster. I'd like to test myself."
The soul beast she indicated was a peculiar feline creature with sleek, dark-gray fur and three tails—its aura was elusive and swift.
Yu Xiaogang focused on the beast and nodded. "A Phantom Three-Tailed Cat… Six hundred years old. This species is known for exceptional speed. It suits your martial soul well, but you must be cautious—it won't be easy at your current level."
Without hesitation, Zhu Zhuqing summoned her Ghost Civet martial soul, her figure vanishing into a blur as she launched toward the Phantom Three-Tailed Cat.
In a flash, she engaged the beast, the yellow glow of her first spirit ring lighting up.
"First Soul Skill—Ghost Claw!"
Her right hand morphed into razor-sharp claws, slashing swiftly at the elusive cat.
"Meow!"
The Phantom Three-Tailed Cat shrieked and darted away with blinding speed, evading her attack easily.
Undeterred, Zhu Zhuqing gave chase, striking again.
Though agile and skilled, her speed was still inferior to the seasoned six-hundred-year-old soul beast. Again and again, she missed, unable to land a decisive blow.
"Zhu Zhuqing and that beast are moving so fast I can barely see them," Ning Rongrong whispered from beside Yuchen.
"Yeah… if this goes on much longer, it'll be hard to finish the fight before nightfall."
"Wait!" Xiao Wu suddenly tensed, frowning. "There are more soul beasts approaching! And not just one!"
Being a soul beast herself, Xiao Wu could sense incoming creatures more keenly than the others.
Yuchen's expression turned sharp. His pupils shifted—glowing faintly with an ancient hue as he activated his innate divine vision.
His gaze locked on a direction behind Zhu Zhuqing. Two massive serpents with leathery wings and blood-red scales were approaching rapidly. Their most distinct feature was the vibrant cockscombs atop their heads.
"Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Snakes!"
Yuchen recognized them instantly. One was approximately 1,500 years old; the other, about 600. Though non-venomous, they were fast, agile, and deadly.
Flender hovered above, merging with his martial soul as he noticed them as well. "Should we intervene?" he asked Yu Xiaogang. "They're Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Snakes—flight-capable and brutal. The younger ones might not cope!"
Yu Xiaogang paused briefly. "Let's wait. I think Xiaochen can handle this."
At that moment, the two winged serpents were already closing in on Zhu Zhuqing, who was still locked in combat with the Phantom Cat, unaware of the looming threat.
The serpents' speed far exceeded hers. Escape was not an option.
"Not good!" Zhu Zhuqing muttered in alarm, turning to flee—too late.
Hiss!
The serpents surged forward, their gaping jaws just meters from her.
"I command life and death."
Yuchen's cold voice rang out.
In a blink, he appeared before Zhu Zhuqing. Behind him, a mighty Azure Dragon materialized with a roar that shook the trees.
The black glow of his third spirit ring flared under his feet.
ROAR!
The dragon's aura exploded skyward as phantom shadows coiled around Yuchen's right arm.
Fist clenched, he drove it straight into the head of the 1,500-year-old Phoenix-Tailed Cockscomb Snake.
BOOM!
The beast's skull dented instantly under the force. Its once-brimming vitality scattered like mist, leaving it lifeless in a heartbeat.