"Brother Hongjun"
Zhu Zhuqing stared at the red-haired boy's gentle smile and confident expression. As she felt the warmth of his large hand, a blush gradually spread across her delicate face.
"Alright."
She took a deep breath and nodded firmly. Her beautiful eyes, usually cold and distant, now burned with intense emotion.
The intensity was so overwhelming that Ma Hongjun didn't dare meet her gaze.
"Go ahead and absorb it. We'll probably have more training later."
He quietly took a step back and lightly patted her shoulder.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded obediently, found a spot, and sat down cross-legged. Even as she closed her eyes, her gaze lingered on the boy.
"So lucky..."
Although Ning Rongrong felt a twinge of jealousy, she was still genuinely happy for her best friend.
But why the jealousy?
Damn it, why can't Brother Hongjun hold my hand too?
She pouted in frustration.
Did soul bone transfer really require that kind of physical contact?
"So, we're heading back to the Star Dou Great Forest again?"
Oscar suddenly smacked his forehead as the thought struck him.
Seeing the others looking at him curiously, he shrugged. "Think about it—Rongrong will hit level 30 soon, and Zhuqing just absorbed a soul bone. Her soul power will definitely spike. Doesn't that mean we'll be returning to the forest for spirit rings?"
At his words, everyone looked at one another with surprise.
"What's wrong with the Star Dou Forest?"
Gu Yuena asked curiously, her beautiful eyes shimmering.
Her sudden question surprised everyone—even scared Oscar a little.
It was the first time this quiet beauty had initiated a conversation.
"Uh… well, not exactly a problem,"
Uncle Big Sausage scratched his head awkwardly. "Let's just say we've got… psychological trauma. You haven't experienced it, right?"
He waved his hands and made a terrified face. "That gorilla—the Titan Giant Ape—the king of the forest!"
Dai Mubai and the others nodded, visibly unsettled by the memory.
The terror on the teachers' faces, and the helplessness they felt when Hongjun disappeared, were still fresh in their minds. None of them were eager to return.
Gu Yuena: ??
Titan Giant Ape? King of the Forest?
She remembered the small, obedient creature squatting outside the and wondered if she'd misheard.
That guy?
If he was the king of the forest… then what did that make Di Tian?
"We can't be that unlucky... 'King of the Forest,' seriously."
Xiao Wu forced a dry laugh, trying to ease the tension.
"Maybe… maybe he just got lost and wandered out for a stroll?"
The girl with the scorpion braids felt a little guilty and silently vowed to scold Er Ming next time they met.
Scaring everyone like that—how could he?
"Aren't there any other forests where we can hunt soul rings?"
Oscar sighed. "I think I've developed a condition—I freeze up the moment I hear the words 'Star Dou Forest'!"
Just as he finished speaking, loud laughter echoed around them.
"Oscar, you're actually right. There is another one—the Sunset Forest."
The group turned around to see Flander approaching with a big grin.
"Good morning, Dean/Teacher!"
They all greeted him respectfully.
"Haha, my little monsters are so polite today."
Flander's face, lined with age, was glowing with joy. He looked so refreshed, it was as if he had aged in reverse, making everyone curious.
"Though the Sunset Forest is smaller than the Star Dou Great Forest, it's still one of the continent's largest. At least until you reach the "Spirit Douluo", it'll be good enough for hunting spirit beasts."
He smiled and continued, "We'll be heading there for our future hunts."
"What's gotten the dean in such a good mood? He's smiling like a blooming flower."
Oscar leaned toward Ma Hongjun, rubbing his goosebumps while whispering.
"Oscar, don't—"
The red-haired boy quickly tried to shut him up.
But it was too late.
Flander still had a smile on his face, but a cold gleam flashed in his eyes behind his glasses.
"Oscar, did I just hear you say something about a condition that prevents you from walking in the Star Dou Great Forest?"
Uncle Big Sausage froze and looked pitifully at Flander. "Dean, I was wrong…"
"That won't do, Oscar. As a food-type soul master, your top priority should be mobility. Here's the deal—run around the village twenty times. If you're not back by noon, no lunch."
Flander said it all with a big smile.
"Dean, I—"
"One minute late? Add another lap."
Oscar bolted immediately.
Ma Hongjun watched him run and shook his head with a sigh.
Why hasn't he learned by now?
"By the way, Dean, why are you so happy today? Can you tell us?"
Ning Rongrong asked with a curious smile.
"Hehe, it's nothing… just a little increase in strength."
Flander waved his hand modestly.
But anyone could see how proud he was.
After all, he'd just obtained two 60,000-year-old soul bones!
Not only had his soul power leapt toward the Soul Douluo level, he'd also gained two powerful new abilities. It was a genuine leap in power.
And it was all thanks to his good disciple!
Flander looked at the red-haired boy with deep gratitude.
The night before, Hongjun had come to report that he was safe, he offered the soul bones to Hongjun. But the boy refused without hesitation, saying he'd find better ones in the future.
Flander knew that was just an excuse. Soul bones stronger than these would have to be 100,000-year-old ones! Even if the big boss favored Hongjun, it was unlikely he'd hand over something that rare.
And besides, 100,000-year-old soul beasts weren't exactly easy to kill.
This disciple of mine has given me so much.
"Ahem, in any case, I've got an important announcement."
Flander cleared his throat and spoke loudly.
"In half a month, we'll be relocating the academy to Tiandou Imperial City!"
Tiandou Imperial City?!
The students' eyes widened in shock—even Ma Hongjun was caught off guard.
Did Tang Hao's appearance push this decision forward?
The red-haired boy wondered.
Moving to Tiandou Imperial City would be a great change. The training environment was better, and there was more interaction with the main storyline.
It would also be easier to earn evolution points than in Soto City.
Speaking of which, I still haven't used the points I got from Gu Yuena and the Man-Faced Demon Spider…
"Really, Dean?!"
"Awesome! My shopping street, my garden, my swimming pool—I've missed them all so much!"