Zhongli: "....."

"Acting Sect Master, after your explanation, I finally have some understanding after copying the texts 300 times!"

"I've grasped a bit of the Sect Master's profound meaning!"

A disciple of the Body Sect, who was diligently transcribing 'The Analects', confidently spoke.

His martial soul was his hands, so writing with both hands was like child's play for him.

"Oh, let's hear it then. Let this old man see how much of the Sect Master's wisdom you've interpreted," said Du Bafang, the acting sect master, with a pleased expression.

Upon hearing this, the young man did not hesitate and said, "The phrase that impressed me the most was: 'If one learns the Way in the morning, they can die in the evening!'"

"Oh? And what is your interpretation?"

The young man gave a wicked smile, the corners of his mouth slightly curling up. He said, "It means, if I learn how to get to your house in the morning, I'll come to kill you by night!"

"Truly worthy of our Sect Master! So clear and straightforward!"

"Acting Sect Master, what do you think…"

At this point, Du Bafang came back to his senses. Nodding, he said, "Good, as expected of a disciple of our Body Sect!"

"You've truly grasped the Sect Master's deep meaning so thoroughly!"

Zhongli: "???"

"Acting Sect Master, I've understood some phrases as well!"

"Go on, share with your brothers!"

"That phrase 'Since you've come, you might as well settle down!' had me confused before, but after recalling how you killed those two spies a year ago, it hit me like a revelation…"

"Since they came, they might as well be buried here!"

Du Bafang thought for a moment, then beamed with joy, saying, "Good! Well said!"

"Daring to spy on the Body Sect's secrets means seeking death!"

"No, wait, it should be: 'Since you've come, you might as well settle down!'"

"Truly worthy of our Sect Master! A man of countless skills, with a body forged over a hundred years…"

At this point, Du Bafang paused and scratched his head. He wasn't much of a scholar and didn't really know how to continue.

"A gentleman is not a tool!"

"A true master doesn't need weapons to kill their enemies!"

"We'll use our ultimate strength to crush them!"

"Doesn't this perfectly align with our Body Sect?"

"We train our bodies to be stronger than weapons!"

Everyone chimed in, each contributing a phrase or two of their own interpretations.

The only one who remained silent felt his brain spinning in confusion.

His martial soul was his brain, after all.

"Could this really be what the Sect Master meant?"

He stroked his chin, his eyes flickering with doubt.

He had a nagging feeling that something was off, but seeing his fellow brothers all sharing their thoughts…

When one person says something wrong, he could refute them. But when everyone agrees, he began to doubt himself.

"Doesn't make sense. I've read books too…"

"Could it be that my interpretation is actually wrong?"

In the end, he chose not to be the odd one out. Instead, he joined in with the group.

Who cares if it's right or wrong!

Brotherhood is more important!

Sometimes being too smart isn't good for you.

---

Sunset Forest.

Ever since the Body Sect settled in the mountains outside of Heaven Dou City, Sunset Forest had suffered greatly.

Soul beasts, whether hundred-year or thousand-year, were frequently visited.

Even ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts trembled in fear, occasionally meeting their end.

Sunset Forest was the largest natural soul beast forest within the Heaven Dou Empire's borders. Its soul beasts were second in quality only to those in the Star Dou Forest.

With the Body Sect's constant visits, the number of soul beasts in the forest had sharply decreased.

"Damn it, we've been searching for ages and haven't seen a single high-level soul beast!"

Dai Mubai couldn't hold back his frustration and cursed.

There were plenty of common soul beasts in Sunset Forest.

But as for higher-quality ones? Not even a trace.

"Am I really going to have to settle for absorbing the soul ring of this common Battle Tiger?"

He was utterly exasperated, but there was nothing he could do.

"Mubai, if this doesn't work out, I'll take you to Star Dou Forest to try your luck,"

Zhao Wuji said with a serious expression, arms crossed.

Ever since their last visit to Star Dou Forest, he had developed a psychological shadow.

A hundred-thousand-year soul beast had appeared in the outskirts!!

This…

"It's all because of the Body—"

Before Dai Mubai could finish, Zhao Wuji's face changed, and he quickly covered Mubai's mouth.

"Mubai, we can't say things like that!"

Everyone understood perfectly well that the Body Sect was responsible for this, but what could they do?

Reason with the Body Sect?

The Body Sect's Sect Master, Martial God Douluo Zhongli, was known to be quite reasonable.

But Body Sect disciples? They might not be as reasonable!

Due to their body-based martial souls, Body Sect disciples typically absorbed spirit rings far above their level, and the higher the quality of the soul beast, the better.

This is why high-quality soul beasts in the Sunset Forest have almost completely disappeared.

Of course, there were still plenty of ordinary soul beasts around.

Dai Mubai's eyes widened. After Zhao Wuji let go of him, he thought carefully about Zhao Wuji's words and the Body Sect. In the end, he decided not to push his luck.

With such a large sect like the Body Sect, their disciples frequently hunted soul beasts in the forest. No one knew if there might be someone nearby.

"Let's search a little more. If we still can't find anything, we'll have to head to the Star Dou Forest,"

Zhao Wuji sighed. He was just as angry as Dai Mubai, but there was nothing they could do.

They couldn't win. They just couldn't.

In this world, might makes right.

Even if you exclude the Sect Master, the Body Sect is not something Shrek Academy can afford to provoke.

It's important to remember that the acting sect master, Du Bafang, is capable of killing two Soul Saints barehanded without using his martial soul.

Zhao Wuji had encountered such power before—and was beaten by it.

Even if Du Bafang wasn't as strong as that person, he certainly wasn't far behind.

Dai Mubai was just about to respond…

-Roar…

A thunderous beast roar echoed from the distance, and even Zhao Wuji's face changed in an instant under the oppressive pressure.

It was the roar of some type of bear soul beast. Even from such a distance, Zhao Wuji could feel its threat. The terror it inspired spoke volumes about the sheer power of this soul beast!

Dai Mubai and Zhao Wuji exchanged glances, both hesitant.

They had just been lamenting that there were no high-level soul beasts in the Sunset Forest, and now this…

Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear: 'High-level soul beast?'

'You're all high-level soul beasts compared to me!'

"Should we check it out?"

"Or… should we forget about it?"

Zhao Wuji hesitated. He had an uneasy feeling that this soul beast was too strong.

His martial soul was even sending waves of fear throughout his body!

The Great Strength Vajra Bear is considered a high-level martial soul, and the fact that it could feel fear meant this creature had to be extraordinarily powerful.

-Roar…

Another roar echoed, but this one seemed much weaker, causing Zhao Wuji's eyes to light up.

"Mubai, let's quietly head over!"

"Right!"

As the two cautiously approached, they finally saw the source of the roar.

It was a bear with dark gold fur, arms extending past its knees, and long, deadly claws.

A Dark Gold Fearclaw Bear!

This was one of the most formidable soul beasts in existence.

At this moment, the bear was glaring furiously at two… or rather, two and a half humanoid figures!