Wu Ming's martial soul was the Golden Crow, a very powerful fire-type martial soul.
In terms of quality, it was not much inferior to Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire Phoenix.
At only twenty-seven years old, she had already cultivated to level seventy. Even within the genius-filled inner court of Shrek Academy, she was among the very top tier.
Without even using the Golden Crow True Fire granted by her martial soul, the sheer heat carried within her soul power caused the dense shrubs around them to wither rapidly and turn into ash.
A relatively flat clearing quickly appeared.
Zhang Lexuan glanced around. A wave of invisible spiritual power spread out from her body as the center, which made Xu Zihuang instinctively look over.
Spiritual power projection.
For Zhang Lexuan, the inner court's senior sister, being capable of this was only natural given her talent.
"Zihuang, your senior sister's spiritual power has nearly caught up with you. Her future achievements will be limitless," Tianmeng Iceworm's refreshed voice suddenly rang out within Xu Zihuang's spiritual sea.
It seemed that thanks to the qualitative change in Xu Zihuang's spiritual power, it too had benefited greatly.
Though Zhang Lexuan's cultivation far surpassed Xu Zihuang's, under normal circumstances, unless a non-spirit attribute soul master had fused a head soul bone, they could only barely achieve spiritual power projection upon reaching the Soul Douluo realm.
And most Title Douluo never reached the formless-yet-substantial realm in their lifetimes.
In other words, Xu Zihuang's spiritual power already rivaled that of a Title Douluo. This was the uniqueness of spiritual attribute soul masters.
The role of spiritual power was self-evident. The stronger it was, the greater the mastery over soul power, soul skills, and martial souls. For those at the Title Douluo level, it was also the key to breaking through further.
Zhang Lexuan's current level of spiritual power was close to the formless-yet-substantial stage, meaning she was almost guaranteed to reach at least level ninety-five.
Since witnessing Xu Zihuang's talent, this was the first time Tianmeng Iceworm had praised another person like this.
"If I'm not mistaken, your senior sister must have fused with a top-quality head soul bone. Zihuang, if you too could fuse with a spiritual-type soul bone, breaking into the formless-yet-substantial realm would be no problem."
"We'll see. You can't expect me to fuse that thirty-thousand-year Fear Demon Dragon head soul bone, can you?" Xu Zihuang responded in his spiritual sea.
The Tianmeng Iceworm snorted arrogantly.
"You're someone I've taken a fancy to—how could that trash soul bone be worthy of you? Let's set a small goal first: get yourself a hundred-thousand-year head soul bone. With so many strong people in your Shrek Academy, even the one following you is close to the human limit. With your talent, isn't it reasonable for them to help you hunt some hundred-thousand-year soul beasts?"
At this, it began chuckling mischievously.
Though boastful, its words weren't baseless. Given Shrek Academy's regard for Xu Zihuang, such a thing was very possible.
"Alright, back to business." Xu Zihuang chuckled.
"Tianmeng, what age of soul ring can my body currently withstand?"
"As long as it's not above thirty thousand years, with your body's condition, absorbing it shouldn't be a problem. Didn't I tell you before? I can seal part of the soul ring's power and release it later once your body can handle it," Tianmeng said proudly, then paused.
"Mm, try to find a spiritual-type soul beast close to forty thousand years. They're rare, but not impossible to encounter in the Star Dou Forest. Besides, you've got that human following you."
"Then don't go falling asleep again. If you sense a suitable beast, remind me."
"Hmph, am I that kind of worm?" Tianmeng muttered.
"…"
While Xu Zihuang conversed with the Iceworm, the group had already made camp in the clearing.
Calling it a camp was an exaggeration—it was simply two large beast-hide mats spread on the ground, with the five of them sitting to rest.
In the depths of the Star Dou Forest, dangers lurked everywhere. Setting up tents to sleep was unrealistic.
Zhang Lexuan and Wu Ming shared one mat, Ye Liu and Chu Qingtian the other, sitting opposite.
Out of respect for Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan, Ye Liu and Chu Qingtian dared not look directly at her and Wu Ming.
Feeling awkward, Ye Liu cheerfully waved at Xu Zihuang, who was standing in the middle.
"Junior Brother Yu."
Xu Zihuang was about to respond when Zhang Lexuan's gentle voice called from behind him.
"Junior Brother Yu, come sit with me."
Xu Zihuang stiffened slightly, then met her clear, gentle gaze and smiled.
"Yes, Senior Sister."
Ye Liu and Chu Qingtian's looks grew strange. With their playful personalities, if it had been another inner court senior sister, they might have teased—but never Zhang Lexuan.
It wasn't that she was cold or strict. In fact, she was always kind and patient to every disciple. To them, she was more like a respected elder, even though she wasn't much older.
Her intention was simple—to better protect Xu Zihuang.
Here in the Star Dou Forest, anything could happen. With her deep feelings for Shrek, she already regarded Xu Zihuang as the academy's hope, and her gesture also carried sisterly care.
What Xu Zihuang hadn't expected was that Zhang Lexuan actually shifted slightly, making space between her and Wu Ming.
Seeing him dazed, Wu Ming teased boldly,
"What? Afraid your senior sister might eat you? You may look good and be talented, but you're too young—not my type."
Xu Zihuang's face twitched, but he calmly sat down.
The mat wasn't large—though their bodies didn't touch, he could clearly catch the faint fragrance of both Zhang Lexuan and Wu Ming.
Across from them, Chu Qingtian nearly lost control of his expression at Wu Ming's blunt words.
He even gestured at Xu Zihuang—hand clenched, with thumb and forefinger leaving only a tiny gap.
Xu Zihuang secretly flipped him the middle finger.
Zhang Lexuan then addressed everyone.
"Many soul beasts roam here, but from what we've seen along the way, none strong enough to claim this place as their territory. Tonight we'll take turns keeping watch. The rest will meditate in place. I'll take the first half. Ming'er, you and Qingtian will guard the second. Ye Liu and Junior Brother Yu, you two can rest. Any objections?"
"No problem, Senior Sister," Wu Ming agreed readily.
Chu Qingtian, hearing he'd be on watch with Wu Ming, nearly despaired. Along the way, most attacking beasts had been handled by her—with frightening brutality. Thinking of their grisly ends made him shiver.
But Zhang Lexuan's arrangement was fair, so he couldn't refuse. After a pause, he nodded.
"No problem, Senior Sister."
Ye Liu, knowing his limits, wisely stayed silent—his greatest help was not being a burden.
In the forest, lighting a fire was out of the question. Soul beasts weren't simple animals, and some were drawn to flames.
Wu Ming's martial soul also wasn't ideal for night watch, since her golden-red flames were too conspicuous. But with limited manpower, and her being the second strongest among them, there was no better choice.
As night deepened, only Zhang Lexuan and Xu Zihuang stayed awake, while the others meditated after eating some dry rations.
Zhang Lexuan smiled at Xu Zihuang.
"Junior Brother Yu, are you anxious since we haven't found a suitable soul beast?"
"Senior Sister, if you don't mind, just call me Tianhuang," Xu Zihuang smiled and shook his head.
"Hunting soul beasts depends largely on luck. I'm not anxious. My martial soul is special—I can still detect distant movements at night. I want to contribute."
Admiration flickered in her eyes.
"You've already done very well, Tianhuang. I won't discourage you, but promise me you'll meditate in the second half of the night. In this forest, we can't afford carelessness."
"I understand, Senior Sister."
The forest was quiet, moonlight and starlight seeping through the towering trees. Luminescent insects added faint light.
A strand of starlight fell on Zhang Lexuan's face, stirring memories she could not suppress.
The night her family was slaughtered had been just as quiet. Her mother, falling beside the bed, used her body to shield it and covered her mouth with a trembling hand.
Cold starlight streamed in through the window. Most memories were blurred now, but her mother's peaceful expression in death remained vivid.
Xu Zihuang, watching from the corner of his eye, felt her loneliness deeply.
They were alike—both carrying heavy burdens.
She had Mu En to avenge her and later devoted herself to Shrek to numb the pain.
But he had only himself, driven by unshakable resolve to avenge Xu Tianran, seize the throne, and unify the continent.
Perhaps, one day, they would stand opposed.
Just then, a ghostly green light flashed through the forest. A deadly sense of danger surged in Xu Zihuang's heart.
"Zihuang, be careful! A soul beast approaches—at least ten-thousand years old, and no ordinary one!" Tianmeng's voice warned.
At once, Xu Zihuang and Zhang Lexuan rose, scanning warily.
Though surprised by Xu Zihuang's keen senses, Zhang Lexuan knew this wasn't the time to ask.
She quickly called out, "Ming'er, Qingtian, Ye Liu—soul beast incoming! Prepare for battle!"
The trained inner court disciples reacted instantly, springing to gather around Zhang Lexuan and Xu Zihuang.
Wu Ming moved to Xu Zihuang's side, fiery red-gold soul power flaring in her palm as she asked,
"Senior Sister, what kind of beast is it?"
She had faced many ten-thousand-year beasts with Zhang Lexuan before, but had never seen her this tense.
Zhang Lexuan signaled them to hold formation as she answered,
"This presence… it's a top-tier first-class soul beast, at least ten-thousand years."
"First-class?" Wu Ming, Chu Qingtian, and Ye Liu all grew grave, summoning their martial souls.
Soul beast "classes" weren't strict categories, but rather a way to rate talent. For example, the Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear was absolutely first-class—and among the very strongest.
A ten-thousand-year first-class beast could threaten even a Soul Douluo. A peak specimen, like a Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear, could rival ordinary Title Douluo or even hundred-thousand-year beasts.
No wonder they were alarmed—such an enemy could wipe them out.
Of course, with Zhang Lexuan and Elder Xuan secretly following, such an end was unlikely.
Reassured, Wu Ming and the others steadied themselves.
Golden light flickered in Xu Zihuang's eyes. Though fast, his Golden Pupils captured the beast's form.
It was a great tiger, its body gleaming dark green.
"Senior Sister, it's a Nether Ghost Tiger, about fifteen thousand years," Xu Zihuang reported, as three purple thousand-year rings rose around him.
"Nether Ghost Tiger?" Zhang Lexuan's brows arched. Behind her, a crescent moon appeared, hanging as if above the trees, illuminating the area.
Her skin glowed under its light as her rings rose—two yellow, two purple, three black, and one red. When the dazzling hundred-thousand-year red ring emerged, the distant green figure hesitated.
Zhang Lexuan pointed, and moonlight lanced from the crescent, fully revealing the beast.
It wasn't a soul skill but martial soul instinct—proof of a top-grade martial soul.
Though the green figure vanished the next instant, everyone had seen enough.
They hadn't seen as clearly as Xu Zihuang, but combined with his words, they could confirm it.
Zhang Lexuan wasn't doubting him—only cautious, as leader responsible for their safety.
"Indeed, a Nether Ghost Tiger," Wu Ming declared, scarlet-gold wings spreading behind her. Compared to Ye Liu's white wings, hers were flashier and more domineering. Six rings rose—two yellow, two purple, two black—glittering amid her flames.
The Nether Ghost Tiger was an evolved form of the Ghost Tiger, just as the Dark Devilgod Tiger far surpassed the Evil Eyed Tiger.
Chu Qingtian, crackling with lightning, was thrilled.
The Nether Ghost Tiger's abilities matched his martial soul well. Absorbing its ring could greatly boost his speed, and perhaps grant him one of its powerful innate skills—transforming his strength.
Yet despite sensing Zhang Lexuan's Soul Douluo aura and hundred-thousand-year ring, the tiger showed no intent to retreat.
They realized then: the area hadn't lacked a dominant beast—it was just that the tiger had been away.
Most beasts had avoided them, some only posturing from afar. But this Nether Ghost Tiger, upon spotting them, had charged with murderous intent.
Such beasts acted for three main reasons: extreme aggression, hunger with a taste for humans, or defending territory.
To soul beasts, humans were supreme delicacies—their bodies refined by soul power. High-level beasts craved high-level soul masters, some even able to absorb their soul power directly.
And of course, territory. Powerful beasts often claimed domains, attacking intruders.
The Nether Ghost Tiger before them checked all these boxes.
This was already destined to be a fight to the death.
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