"Can't you stay a little longer?" Xu Jiujiu bit her lip. Dressed in a regal purple palace gown, she hid her hands behind her back, fingers twisting together. She forced a smile on her stunning face.
"There's a lot of fun in the Star Luo imperial capital. Let me take you around."
"I still have a mission. I'm afraid I can't."
Seeing the beauty's dimmed expression, Su Wen still shook his head.
Elder Yi already had an initial plan to help Elder Mu recover, but the specifics required seeing him in person and testing step by step. There was no time to lose—he had to return quickly to help treat Elder Mu.
Once that towering tree stood up, Shrek Academy would finally have a bit more sense of security. Otherwise, with Elder Xuan alone, it would be negative security…
"Mm, then next time." Xu Jiujiu forced a smile. "How about… a hug?"
"Okay."
Su Wen didn't refuse.
The girl took a step forward, lightly lifting the hem of her gown. Elegant, like a swan—clearly a princess well-versed in elaborate court etiquette.
They embraced gently.
After a few minutes, Xu Jiujiu released him and stepped back. "Goodbye…"
…
After receiving their prizes, the group hurried back.
As expected, the rewards were three ten-thousand-year spirit bones. The Star Luo Empire was generous. They even intended to let Su Wen and the others pick treasures from the national vault to win over Shrek Academy, but Su Wen refused.
Speaking of spirit bones:
Spirit masters die, but spirit bones don't. When a spirit master dies, the spirit bones shed from their body. So the common saying goes, spirit bones can be passed down three generations—the man is gone, but the bones remain. Unless someone deliberately destroys them, spirit bones are rarely damaged.
Currently, one topic in spirit bone research on the continent is spirit bone fusion—combining several spirit bones into a brand-new, higher-tier one. However, there's a chance of damage. Even wealthy Shrek Academy can't really afford the research.
Su Wen, however, was quite curious.
If fusing bones could really roll an SSR… that'd be a massive win…
They didn't encounter the Holy Spirit Church or the Body Sect along the road—surprisingly smooth. Only when Shrek City came into view did Su Wen finally relax a bit.
…
Outside Shrek Academy.
The four deans were already waiting.
"Our champions are back!" Yan Shaozhe grinned.
"Hahahaha…" Qian Duoduo laughed heartily.
Cai Meier cast a kindly look. Xian Lin'er walked up with a bright smile, pinched Su Wen's cheek, and teased, "I hear you went to the Star Luo Empire and stole the princess's heart. Not bad, kid."
Yan Shaozhe's eyes widened. "Weren't you the one who hated scumbags most? Especially guys like me? Didn't you say all men are no good…"
"How is he the same as you?" Xian Lin'er waved him off impatiently. "You annoy me. Go away!"
"Okay, okay." Yan Shaozhe surrendered, shaking his head helplessly.
They boarded a boat to Sea God Island.
The competitors looked around in curiosity. The legendary place—the most mysterious part of Shrek—naturally stirred their interest.
Su Wen remained expressionless—not pretending to be aloof, he just felt nothing. When you've lived somewhere day in, day out since childhood, how could it feel novel?
"Wow, it's so beautiful here." Wang Dong'er whispered.
"It's fine." Su Wen nodded.
"There are so many rare herbs. The number of precious medicines is comparable to the core of Star Dou Forest," Mu Qiu'er marveled.
"So-so." Su Wen nodded.
"I just wonder what Shrek's Elders look like…" Bei Bei clicked his tongue.
Even as Elder Mu's great-grandson, he had never been here.
If not for winning the tournament, he wouldn't have had the qualifications.
"Old," Su Wen said.
Everyone: "…"
…
They arrived before the golden Sea God Pavilion.
Golden light cascaded from the rooftop, falling on the group. Bei Bei and the others froze, starting a rare opportunity, while Su Wen and Ma Xiaotao walked straight to the top like nothing was happening.
"Hehe, our heroes have returned."
Even Mu En, seated at the head, smiled and teased.
"This time, it was all thanks to Xiao Wen turning the tide. Without him, we might not have taken the championship," Elder Zhuang added with a squinting smile.
It wasn't just the weight of the title.
Even if they had only taken second, third, fourth, or eighth, the elders wouldn't have blamed them. The tournament came suddenly, and the boy shouldered pressure from all sides and won in dominating fashion—that wasn't just bringing honor to Shrek; it was fame echoing across the land.
Shrek is strong—that's a given.
But with the main force absent, the reserve team still cut through everyone and took first place… that raised Shrek's honor another notch.
"I've advanced to Soul King."
Su Wen didn't hide his strength.
He also described the evolution forms of Gale and Little Gold, and even mentioned that Snow Empress was his fifth soul beast. The bustling hall fell silent at once.
Yan Shaozhe gaped, throat bobbing as he forced out: "You said… Little Gold evolved into what?"
"Behemoth." Su Wen repeated.
"Behemoth… Behemoth…" The more Yan Shaozhe said it, the more shocked he looked.
Behemoth!
A truly legendary existence.
If it can evolve to Behemoth at level 50, what about level 70? What then? The legendary Golden Behemoth or the legendary Amethyst Behemoth?
Honestly, even if Su Wen's pet only had the Darkgolden Dreadclaw Bear bloodline, everyone already thought that was insane. But now… Behemoth?!!
What surprise could top that?
Don't tell me a pet will evolve into the legendary Dragon God next!
Each of his pets could stand alone as a top-tier martial soul, yet Su Wen produced them in piles…
Like cabbages.
"Then Elder Mu's injuries can be healed?" Cai Meier asked softly.
"If Xiao Wen's Azure Luan could evolve into a higher-bloodline beast, could we find a way to cure Elder Mu?"
Everyone paused and looked at Su Wen.
But he shook his head.
"There's not enough time. And the Azure Luan's previous skills were tested—and failed. Even Elder Zhuang couldn't do it, so I naturally can't."
The elders sighed.
Yes. If even Elder Zhuang couldn't do it, it's too much to ask of a child.
"However… I have another way to treat Elder Mu's injuries!" Su Wen's tone shifted as he looked solemnly at Elder Mu.
"…"
…