Return to the Star Forest
As they stepped into the familiar scenery, memories surged in Ma Hongjun's heart, and he smiled softly.
This forest held a special place for him—it was where he and Xiao Wu had deepened their bond, and where he had first met Gu Yuena.
To him, the Star Forest was nothing short of beautiful.
"Alright, little monsters. Even if the Star Forest feels familiar, it's still full of danger," Flander warned sternly.
"I don't want what happened last time to repeat itself. Everyone, stay close to me and Erlong."
His expression grew serious.
He hadn't forgotten their last visit, when Ma Hongjun was captured by a powerful soul beast.
He couldn't allow that kind of incident to happen again.
"Oh? What exactly happened before?" Liu Erlong asked, curious.
"Nothing much," Flander replied with a sigh. "Just that... some beings in this forest are best left alone."
Even now, as he recalled those terrifying presences, a trace of fear lingered in his eyes.
With his strength, all he could do was observe them from a distance—he didn't even qualify to approach.
Liu Erlong knew him well. When she saw the seriousness in his expression, she understood this wasn't something to take lightly.
"Teacher, don't worry. It was just an accident last time," Ma Hongjun said with a reassuring smile.
He could tell that the incident had left a shadow in Flander's mind.
"But we've grown stronger. The soul beasts on the outskirts are no longer a threat to us. There's no need to be so tense."
Xiao Wu and the others behind him nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Dean, don't worry. We'll be fine," Xiao Wu added quickly.
She didn't want Flander watching her every move—if he kept a close eye on her, she wouldn't get the chance to sneak away and visit Daming and Erming.
She missed them terribly after all this time apart.
Flander sighed in frustration.
These little monsters had no fear or respect for the Star Dou Forest at all.
He shook his head helplessly.
"You have no idea how terrifying the Star Dou Forest truly is. If you provoke the soul beasts that dwell deep inside, you may not even have the chance to run."
His tone was grave.
But among the Shrek Seven Monsters, three of them still didn't take his words seriously.
They continued venturing deeper.
On the way, they encountered several soul beasts—but none strong enough to challenge them.
They didn't even bother to look at thousand-year soul beasts anymore.
Flander understood this, so he urged them to move faster and head further into the forest.
As the sky darkened and night fell, silence descended on the woods.
"We'll camp here for the night. Get some rest. Erlong and I will keep watch," Flander announced.
He took out a soul guide he had prepared in advance and began setting up tents.
Liu Erlong also brought out some special medicinal powder and sprinkled it around the campsite to repel snakes, insects, rats, and ants.
With their soul guides, everyone quickly unpacked and settled in.
Flander stood alert, his sharp gaze sweeping the surroundings—nothing in the darkness could escape him.
Soul beasts lurking nearby felt his powerful aura and quietly retreated deeper into the woods.
Xiao Wu lowered her head, her eyes flickering with emotion.
She missed Daming and Erming deeply and longed to see them again.
Ma Hongjun noticed her silence and immediately guessed what she was thinking.
At this point, it was obvious—Xiao Wu wanted to go find Daming and Erming.
After all, she didn't need to hunt soul beasts for spirit rings—hers could be formed naturally.
Seeing Flander still on high alert, Ma Hongjun also began thinking about how he could help Xiao Wu slip away unnoticed.
After dinner, everyone retired to their tents.
They had brought ample supplies this time, and several of the girls shared a tent.
Xiao Wu glanced at Gu Yuena, who lay quietly on one side with her eyes closed.
Uncertainty flashed in her gaze.
She wasn't sure if she should ask Gu Yuena for help—even though something told her Gu Yuena definitely had the power to help her leave unnoticed.
After hesitating for a long time, Xiao Wu finally made her decision.
For some reason, Gu Yuena gave her a strange sense of fear.
But since they were all teammates, that fear wasn't overwhelming.
Gu Yuena had already sensed the little rabbit's inner struggle.
She opened her eyes and looked calmly at Xiao Wu.
"What's going on?"
Her voice was cool and emotionless.
Xiao Wu instinctively glanced at Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong.
The two were whispering excitedly, trying to figure out how to win over Brother Hongjun.
With a soft sigh, Xiao Wu lowered her voice.
"I want to see Daming and Erming," she admitted honestly.
Gu Yuena hadn't expected that.
"I can't sneak away with Teacher Erlong and the Dean always watching. Once Daming and Erming sense me nearby, they'll definitely come to me."
She sighed again, clearly troubled.
She knew Erming too well. The moment he sensed her, he'd rush over without hesitation.
"You really think I can help you?" Gu Yuena asked, surprised.
"I do. I don't know who you really are, but I believe you have the power to help me," Xiao Wu said, fingers tightly clasped, eyes full of trust.
Gu Yuena looked at the little rabbit and finally let out a soft sigh.
"I'll find a chance tomorrow and let you leave for a short while."
With that, she closed her eyes again.
Seeing Gu Yuena agree, Xiao Wu's face lit up with joy.
Deep in the Soul Beast Forest
Erming sat by the pond, looking sullen.
Sister Xiao Wu had been gone too long, and with Daming cultivating in the depths of the pool, he was left all alone.
Bored, he yanked at a tree, when suddenly he caught a familiar scent.
"Daming! Daming! I smell Sister Xiao Wu!" he shouted toward the water.
The pond began to ripple violently, and then a massive figure emerged.
The figure sniffed the air and spoke in a deep voice.
"Yes… it's Sister Xiao Wu's scent."
"And not just hers—the human from before is there too."
Daming was certain.
When he heard that the new soul beast leader was with Sister Xiao Wu, the excited Erming suddenly went quiet.
"So… he's there too," Erming muttered, disappointed.
He wanted to see Sister Xiao Wu, but he didn't dare provoke those beings in the inner forest.
That human had become the leader of the soul beasts in the deep zone.
"Calm down. Sister Xiao Wu will come to us," Daming said.
"Don't forget how much noise you made last time. If we attract another group of Titled Douluo, we won't be able to handle it."
Daming was calm and firm as he scolded Erming.
Erming didn't dare argue. His massive frame shrank slightly as he sat obediently beside the water.
"I know… We can't show ourselves outside the forest so easily."
He muttered under his breath, full of grievance.