"Everyone, be careful. We're already quite close to the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest. Although the aura of the Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear's blood has a strong deterrent effect, we can't rule out the possibility of powerful soul beasts approaching." As Wang Qiu'er began to steadily absorb the energy from the Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear's soul ring, Zhang Lexuan promptly reminded everyone.
The group tacitly surrounded Wang Qiu'er, keeping watch on all sides.
Under the effect of his spiritual-attribute soul core, Xu Zihuang's soul power rapidly recovered on its own, so he didn't need to deliberately meditate and cultivate. The spiritual power he released paused briefly over the corpse of this twenty-thousand-year Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear.
He was somewhat surprised to find that a soul beast of this level hadn't produced a soul bone.
But on second thought, he felt relieved. While it's true that the more powerful a soul beast, the higher the chance of producing a soul bone, only soul beasts at the hundred-thousand-year level are guaranteed to drop a soul bone upon death.
For a twenty-thousand-year Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear like this one, no matter how high the probability of producing a soul bone, as long as it isn't one hundred percent, it remains a non-guaranteed event.
Moreover, he didn't know what method the Zhongli trio had used, but this Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear's body seemed to have been tainted by some sinister, evil aura. The nourishing bear meat had been completely wasted as well.
The more cohesive and tacit a team is, the clearer the division of labor. One of the most basic requirements for a qualified soul master team captain is to maximize each member's strengths according to their specialties.
As auxiliary-system soul masters in the team, Ning Tian and Mo Xuan's responsibilities were to provide support during battles; under normal circumstances, they didn't need to handle sentry duties.
Zhang Lexuan also let the two of them rest and maintain their condition.
Mo Xuan had only just absorbed his sixth soul ring early that morning and needed to consolidate his cultivation. Besides, with Inner Court senior sister Zhang Lexuan and, in his eyes, the even more astonishingly talented Yu Tianhuang holding the line, he simply entered a cultivation state with peace of mind.
Meanwhile, Ning Tian leaned against Xu Zihuang, occasionally taking nuts out of her storage ring to feed the Thunder Beast.
The Thunder Beast accepted everything without refusal, its chubby little hands clutching the nuts to its chest as it squinted and nibbled away.
"Squeak squeak!"
Girls tend to be more sentimental. Watching such an adorable Thunder Beast, a smile unconsciously appeared on Ning Tian's pretty face.
Xu Zihuang occasionally exchanged glances with Ning Tian, tacitly understanding not to disturb the others.
At this moment, the sun was just rising. The morning mist filled the Star Dou Great Forest with heavy dew and moisture, yet it also made the aura of life even richer.
Xu Zihuang wrapped his arms around Ning Tian's slender waist, their bodies pressed intimately together. In this scene, a trace of warm, unusual feeling surged in his heart.
Ning Tian had been the person who had accompanied him the longest during his少年 years.
Triggered by Xu Zihuang's movement, Ning Tian tilted her head back, giving him a half-reproachful, half-smiling glare. Yet her water-blue eyes were filled with tender affection.
The boy and girl embracing were in the serene forest, with the golden morning sun behind them and a squirrel-like Thunder Beast perched on their shoulders, forming a beautiful and picturesque scene together.
Just as the last wisp of mist dissipated under the morning sun, the golden light emanating from Wang Qiu'er's body gradually converged. One soul ring after another began to rise from her.
Two yellow, two purple, one black, five soul rings pulsed at the same frequency. The final, even deeper black soul ring rose in an instant, as if time itself froze. Then it suddenly expanded and settled into the position of the sixth soul ring, slowly circulating together with the other five.
In the next moment, the golden light on Wang Qiu'er completely withdrew into her body. She had successfully absorbed the ten-thousand-year Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear's soul ring, and the entire process had taken only a little over an hour. Such a speed of soul ring fusion was truly astonishing for a Soul Emperor.
It's often said that soul rings prioritize years while soul bones prioritize quality. But that's the conventional understanding. The soul ring of a ten-thousand-year Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear clearly did not fall into that category.
If an eighty-level quasi-Soul Douluo had tried to absorb this twenty-thousand-year Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear's soul ring, they likely wouldn't have managed it as easily as Wang Qiu'er did.
"This girl is way too fierce." Li Yongyue, who had been paying relatively close attention to the ten-thousand-year Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear soul ring, subconsciously swallowed. Thinking back to Wang Qiu'er's rough and ferocious fighting style, he decided it was best to keep his distance from this naturally valiant girl.
In his mind, Wang Qiu'er's image had unknowingly risen to the same level as Ma Xiaotao, Wu Ming, and the like.
Can't afford to provoke her!
As Wang Qiu'er stood up, she withdrew all her soul rings into her body. Everyone else's gazes converged on her.
Mo Xuan and Li Yongyue exchanged a glance; his thoughts were similar to Li Yongyue's. Looking at Wang Qiu'er, a trace of instinctive awe appeared deep in his eyes.
Dai Luoli, meanwhile, was thinking about what kind of soul beast he should hunt next for his fourth soul ring and didn't pay much attention to Wang Qiu'er's situation. Among everyone present, he was now the only one who hadn't yet obtained a soul ring to advance.
As for the remaining Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian, they were completely immersed in their own little world.
Zhang Lexuan gazed at Wang Qiu'er. Gone was her usual gentleness; her eyes now carried obvious sternness.
"Wang Qiu'er, why did you act on your own earlier? Do you have any team awareness at all? If it weren't for Elder Song severely injuring those three evil soul masters' natal beast souls and Tianhuang unexpectedly killing one of them, your reckless behavior just now would have been enough to put the entire team in danger. What right do you have to become a member of Shrek Academy's Inner Court with an attitude like that?"
Having just suffered repeated setbacks on her Golden Dragon Spear, Wang Qiu'er was already in a bad mood. Being reprimanded by Zhang Lexuan like this immediately triggered her rebellious side. Her expression turned cold as she glared back without yielding.
"Whether I have the right to become an Inner Court member is not for you to decide. What gives you the right to lecture me? Even if they hadn't stepped in earlier, I wouldn't have dragged you all down."
Hearing Wang Qiu'er's words, veteran Inner Court disciples like Li Yongyue and Mo Xuan were greatly shocked. Since entering the Inner Court, they had never seen anyone dare to challenge the senior sister's authority like this.
Moreover, in their view, Zhang Lexuan's reprimand was completely reasonable. On the contrary, Wang Qiu'er's stubborn refusal to admit fault and her boasting lowered their impression of her; they frowned.
Seeing that Wang Qiu'er refused to repent, Zhang Lexuan smiled instead of getting angry.
"You wouldn't have dragged us down? Then let me ask you—what gives you the right to say such things? Do you think you can single-handedly take on three evil soul masters at the Soul Douluo level? Fine. If you truly have that kind of confidence, then your strength must be very great. If you refuse to accept my abilities, then after this operation ends, you can challenge me anytime."
Wang Qiu'er glared furiously at Zhang Lexuan, but for a moment she couldn't find words to retort.
Even with her confidence, she wouldn't claim she could defeat Zhang Lexuan at her current stage.
Zhang Lexuan gave a faint smile.
"As for whether you can become an Inner Court member, I actually do have the authority to decide. I am a member of the Sea God's Pavilion, and I have the right to suggest to the academy that an Inner Court student be expelled. Your behavior earlier not only violated the academy's rules but also lacked the basic qualities of a soul master. Shrek Academy has never lacked geniuses. I acknowledge that your talent is excellent. At just nineteen years old, your soul power has already broken through to Rank 60. But that's all there is to it. A true genius should be like Tianhuang, someone whose character matches their outstanding talent. With your current mindset, forget catching up to Tianhuang; in the future, you won't even have the qualifications to stand in his shadow."
"Moreover, in terms of talent, you are far inferior to Tianhuang."
Zhang Lexuan rarely showed that side of herself, and in doing so, she unintentionally caused a wave of hatred towards Yu Tianhuang. But this was a powerless measure. Among the students of the Inner Court, only Yu Tianhuang was able to consistently suppress Wang Qiu'er in terms of talent.
Moreover, Wang Qiu'er's behavior of disregarding the team's safety was truly too egregious. She had to lay these things out clearly. If Wang Qiu'er could correct herself, Shrek Academy would naturally accept her. But if she continued to act willfully, then sorry—there would no longer be a place for her in Shrek Academy.
"I'll give you one more chance. Will you guarantee that such behavior will never happen again and that you are willing to obey orders?"
Wang Qiu'er's eyes flashed with cold light. She clenched her fists in fury, her full chest heaving dramatically. The atmosphere grew extremely tense.
But then she seemed to think of something. The cold light in her eyes faded, her expression returned to calm, and she lowered her head, habitually falling silent.
Wang Qiu'er's submission did not bring the slightest trace of smugness to Zhang Lexuan's face. She first gave Xu Zihuang an apologetic glance, then walked to the front of the group.
"This isn't just about your own safety; it's about the safety of the entire team. I hope you can realize this. From now on, I'll take charge of the front line. The last soul beast we need to hunt has a cultivation of around five thousand years. For safety's sake, we'll temporarily move away from the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest and return to the outer mixed zone."
Xu Zihuang held Ning Tian's hand and followed behind Zhang Lexuan, a helpless expression on his face. Still, he understood Zhang Lexuan's actions.
Next came Li Yongyue, Mo Xuan, and Dai Luoli.
Wang Qiu'er hesitated for a moment but ultimately bit her silver teeth and followed behind the group.
…
Dou Ling Empire, Xuanming City.
Xuanming City is located in the central-southern part of the Dou Ling Empire. Though its scale cannot compare to the imperial capital Ling Dou City, it is still a main city-level large city.
What truly made Xuanming City's name resound across the continent was the hidden sect rooted here, the Xuanming Sect. This was also the hometown of Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan. The two of them originally came from the same city.
Xu Sanshi moved through the bustling streets of the city with familiarity. The streets were filled with crowds and lively activity, but he seemed deaf to it all, stopping in front of the entrance to a medical hall.
A young man dressed as a servant followed behind Xu Sanshi. The young servant had a somewhat sleazy appearance. Noticing Xu Sanshi's pause, he called out softly.
"Second Young Master?"
The young servant was named Chen Wen. He had been Xu Sanshi's friend since childhood; the two had grown up together like brothers. It was just that when Chen Wen awakened his martial soul, he had no innate soul power. Later, as Xu Sanshi's cultivation advanced and he entered Shrek Academy to study, the two gradually had less contact.
Back then, it was Chen Wen who had led Xu Sanshi to complete that transaction with Jiang Nannan.
Ever since, Xu Sanshi had felt guilty about it and instructed Chen Wen to visit Jiang Nannan's mother once every week on his behalf. During holidays, he would come in person.
Although ordinary people absorbed the effects of the Xuanwu Divine Pill slowly, after years of high-quality care in the city's best medical hall, Jiang Nannan's mother's body had long since nearly fully recovered.
Xu Sanshi took a deep breath. As always, he carried abundant gifts in both hands and strode inside with his usual boldness.
"Auntie, I've come to see you again!"
His hearty laughter echoed through every corner of the medical hall.
Xu Sanshi truly no longer planned to pester Jiang Nannan. What he was doing now came entirely from his own heart and had nothing to do with Jiang Nannan herself. His earlier pause had been him questioning his own feelings.
The truth was that what began as guilt had, over the years of interaction, turned into genuine respect. He had long since come to regard Jiang Nannan's mother as an esteemed elder.
Xu Sanshi had many flaws, but his loyal and righteous character alone was enough to make others willing to form deep friendships with him. In a way, he could be considered quite charismatic.
Not long after Xu Sanshi entered the medical hall, Jiang Nannan's figure coincidentally appeared on the street he had just passed through.
With her long hair draped behind her, Jiang Nannan pursed her lips. Her body trembled uncontrollably, as if enduring immense pain.
That day, that man whose entire body had later emitted black light, the one who had enveloped her, had brought her far too much pain and humiliation. Because of that one time, an indescribable shadow had formed in her heart.
Jiang Nannan continued walking forward. Looking at the familiar streets around her, she still clearly remembered how, after obtaining that sum of money and the Xuanwu Divine Pill, she had sent them to the medical hall and then immediately left for Shrek Academy.
Because she simply couldn't face her mother…
For the past five years, she had always written letters to her mother and sent money back, but she had never dared to return. She was afraid that seeing her mother would bring back memories of that night's pain.
It wasn't until Xu Sanshi, during the Sea God's Fate matchmaking event, had calmly said he would no longer pursue her, that her longing for her mother gradually grew stronger. Eventually, that longing overpowered everything else. After five years, she had finally returned today to the city where she was born.
Yet when she truly arrived here, she realized just how difficult it was to overcome the shadow in her heart.
What should have been a short walk took her a full half hour.
Finally, Jiang Nannan mustered the courage to stop at a distance outside the window—only to witness a scene she would never forget.
Seeing her mother chatting and laughing with Xu Sanshi, seeing Xu Sanshi stand behind her mother, gently massaging her shoulders and channeling soul power to regulate her body.
Her mother's rosy complexion, her kind smile, and the gentle, affectionate look she directed toward Xu Sanshi all struck Jiang Nannan deeply.
Tears streamed from her eyes.
In that instant, Jiang Nannan understood.
All these years, it had actually been Xu Sanshi who had been taking care of her mother?
"But why wouldn't you tell me?" Jiang Nannan's eyes were red, her gaze vacant. She seemed to feel, in some way, the grievances Xu Sanshi had endured all these years. Her mind couldn't help recalling the lonely and relieved expression on his face that night.
While Jiang Nannan was immersed in sorrow, Xu Sanshi and Chen Wen suddenly walked out and ran right into her.
Xu Sanshi froze for a moment, but his expression quickly calmed.
"Since you're back, go see Auntie. I know my presence here will remind you of some unpleasant things, so I won't disturb you."
His voice carried no great ups and downs, nor any trace of sulking. He simply, sincerely hoped that Jiang Nannan and her mother could reunite without tormenting each other because of him.
Jiang Nannan stared at Xu Sanshi's departing back. The soreness at the tip of her nose and the heaviness in her chest intertwined, but in the end, she said nothing.
On the other side, Chen Wen, who had been following Xu Sanshi, had witnessed the brief exchange between him and Jiang Nannan. Perceptive as he was, he quietly asked,
"Second Young Master, will we still come here in the future?"
"For now… no need."
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