Chapter: 116-125

Chapter 116: Hunting the Man-Faced Demon Spider

Er Ming scratched his head, pondering for a moment before finally saying,

"Da Ming and I have missed you."

Xiao Wu had initially been a little angry, but after hearing this answer, she fell silent for a moment.

After a while, she spoke softly,

"I'm sorry, Er Ming. I've missed you too."

Xiao Wu's encounter with Er Ming today was abrupt. Given the circumstances, she couldn't explain the situation to the Titan Giant Ape in front of her. She had only been able to use a special method to tell it repeatedly not to hurt anyone. Nevertheless, Er Ming had taken her away.

Although Xiao Wu knew Er Ming's actions stemmed from concern, this was not the situation she had wanted to see, especially since Yun Feng had been injured.

However, upon inspecting Yun Feng, she saw that his injuries weren't severe, a sign that Er Ming had held back.

The Titan Giant Ape's lantern-sized eyes glimmered warmly as it listened to Xiao Wu, its mouth stretching into a wide grin, clearly delighted.

"It's alright, Xiao Wu-jie."

Xiao Wu nodded before continuing,

"Er Ming, if I come to the forest again and you sense my presence, don't act recklessly. It could cause a lot of trouble!"

Er Ming listened and scratched its head awkwardly. It knew Xiao Wu had gone to the human world to train, as this would accelerate her growth. However, longing was an uncontrollable feeling, just like Xiao Wu's longing for Yun Feng after she and Tang San graduated early.

"I understand, Xiao Wu-jie."

Xiao Wu looked up at the Titan Giant Ape and finally smiled.

"Er Ming, how is Da Ming doing?"

The Titan Giant Ape nodded in response.

Xiao Wu glanced at Yun Feng and the others lying on the ground, then at Er Ming, before saying,

"Leave some of your aura here to keep other spirit beasts away. I'll go with you to check on Da Ming and come back quickly, alright?"

Hearing this, the Titan Giant Ape became as excited as a child. It let out a low growl, its voice not loud but resonating across a thousand meters. Within this range, all spirit beasts were terrified and fled their territories in panic.

After checking Yun Feng once more, Xiao Wu patted Er Ming on the shoulder. Following her gesture, Er Ming pulled a tuft of fur from its chest and grabbed a ten-thousand-year spirit beast, ordering it to protect the group from other spirit beasts.

Faced with the Titan Giant Ape's immense power, the ten-thousand-year spirit beast dared not disobey. Among spirit beasts, hierarchies were far stricter than in the human world.

After ensuring everything was set, Er Ming carried Xiao Wu and leapt swiftly toward the core of the Star Dou Forest, leaving the area at great speed.

Not long after their departure, Yun Feng's eyelashes fluttered. Under Ah Yin's urging, he soon regained consciousness.

Ah Yin used the soul bone within Yun Feng and the surrounding Blue Silver Grass to channel life energy into him, stimulating his recovery.

The spirit beast lurking in the shadows to protect Yun Feng appeared momentarily confused. It seemed the Titan Giant Ape had only instructed it to keep them safe from other spirit beasts, not to interfere with their actions.

Lacking the intelligence to understand further, the spirit beast simply continued observing from its hiding spot.

In fact, the tuft of fur left behind by the Titan Giant Ape was sufficient to ensure their safety, but Xiao Wu had wanted additional reassurance.

After waking, Yun Feng didn't get up immediately. Ah Yin had informed him through his spiritual sea that a spirit beast was hiding nearby, and Xiao Wu and the Titan Giant Ape had already left.

Upon learning that the spirit beast posed no threat, Yun Feng relaxed and pretended not to notice it, standing up nonchalantly as though nothing had happened.

He glanced at the unconscious women around him, smiled faintly, and left without hesitation.

However, he didn't take the Titan Giant Ape's fur with him. He was about to hunt for a spirit ring, and the fur's aura would scare away other spirit beasts.

Surveying his surroundings, Yun Feng followed Ah Yin's guidance, activating his fourth soul skill to take to the skies. He avoided several spirit beasts and pressed onward toward the Man-Faced Demon Spider's location.

After an extended search, Ah Yin's voice rang out at the perfect moment.

"It's just ahead. The Man-Faced Demon Spider is there!"

Hearing this, a gleam of excitement flashed in Yun Feng's eyes. After so long, he had finally found it!

Cautiously, Yun Feng didn't approach right away. Instead, he retrieved his soul tool, the Desert Eagle, preparing himself.

He knew this Man-Faced Demon Spider hadn't been injured by Meng Shu as it had in the original timeline. It was in perfect condition!

According to the original timeline's description, obtaining a spirit bone required the spider to experience intense resentment.

With this thought, a faint smile appeared on Yun Feng's lips.

Flying a bit further, Yun Feng soon heard a faint rustling sound. It was like someone changing clothes or leaves brushing against each other.

Following the sound, Yun Feng spotted the source—a figure resembling the Titan Giant Ape in its black coloring. However, compared to Er Ming, this creature was much smaller, though unusually large for its species.

Before Yun Feng stood a spider, its body over 1.5 meters in diameter with eight spear-like legs exceeding three meters in length.

Its black carapace gleamed, its long legs tapering to sharp tips that pierced the ground silently with each step.

The Man-Faced Demon Spider noticed Yun Feng at the same time he saw it. Its eight legs moved rapidly, creating a blur as it closed the distance in an instant.

Two forelegs raised high and stabbed toward Yun Feng like lances.

The motion of its legs lifted its body slightly, exposing its underside.

At that moment, Yun Feng confirmed he hadn't chosen the wrong target.

Without hesitation, he dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. Cold sweat ran down his back.

"Impressive!"

The spider's abdomen bore white markings that contrasted sharply with its black body, forming the shape of a sinister human face.

Its eight small eyes glowed with a faint purple light, set around the human face on its underside.

Chapter 117: Brutal Slaughter

It was nighttime, and if anyone else were in this situation, they would have never been able to see what was happening.

Looking at the vicious face of the creature before him, Yun Feng thought of many titles that could describe this monstrous spider.

The nightmare of small soul beasts, a life-devouring existence, the object of all soul beasts' hatred, a terrifying and evil killer.

These titles all served to describe the creature before him—a Man-Faced Demon Spider.

It was a terrifying existence among soul beasts, though not on the same level as the Titan Giant Ape, which was far superior. Yet, the Man-Faced Demon Spider was a creature even soul beasts feared.

It had a tough exoskeleton, incredible speed, eight legs with immense penetrating power and venom, and the most terrifying of all, its webs.

While ordinary spiders spin their webs by releasing silk, the Man-Faced Demon Spider directly spits out its webs, which are not only sticky but incredibly tough. The webs also carry a terrifying neurotoxic venom.

Generally, small soul beasts would become prey to it, as the Man-Faced Demon Spider could easily overpower them.

From Yun Feng's understanding, to hunt such a creature, there had to be powerful soul masters surrounding it.

The Man-Faced Demon Spider's webs are not only instantaneously fired but can cover an area ten times its size, making them nearly impossible to dodge. Even powerful soul masters would need time to escape, which could prove fatal as the spider would have ample time to strike.

Looking at the creature before him, Yun Feng could tell it was over a thousand years old by its appearance.

The Man-Faced Demon Spider could only fire its webs three times a day, and its first move upon spotting prey would always be to release its webs.

Facing a fully intact Man-Faced Demon Spider, Yun Feng felt immense pressure. While the spider could afford multiple mistakes, he couldn't afford a single one. If he got caught in its web, he would lose all chance to escape.

At present, Ayin was of little help in combat and could only offer minor assistance.

These thoughts raced through Yun Feng's mind in the briefest of moments as he gathered his focus.

When his body steadied, the Blue Silver King erupted from the ground, with countless long, thick grass-like tendrils rapidly wrapping around the Man-Faced Demon Spider's body.

Yun Feng, wielding his Desert Eagle, aimed at one of the spider's eight legs.

He fired.

A sound like a thunderclap rang out.

"Boom—"

"Si—"

A piercing, agonizing shriek erupted from the spider's mandibles, and Yun Feng couldn't help but feel elated at the sound. The Man-Faced Demon Spider was clearly in pain.

Looking at his Desert Eagle, Yun Feng felt a rush of excitement. After all, his goal was to have the spider die in extreme hatred and suffering.

He deliberately avoided striking the spider's weaknesses to achieve this.

After the agonizing shriek, the Man-Faced Demon Spider glared at Yun Feng with eyes full of hatred and madness. Seven of its legs began to move frantically, the one Yun Feng had shot was now completely paralyzed and could no longer move.

Seeing this, Yun Feng was slightly flustered but remained calm, quickly ascending to a height of 20 meters.

The Man-Faced Demon Spider glared at Yun Feng as he flew in the air and raised its weapon again, clearly unable to tolerate this.

Without hesitation, it fired webs from its abdomen. A web that spanned over ten meters was shot out almost instantaneously.

It was fast!

But Yun Feng had expected this. After all, the spider's web was its signature attack, so he had long prepared for it.

The Blue Silver King erupted from the ground once again, blocking the web. Although the Blue Silver King's body was corroded almost immediately, it still succeeded in blocking the web.

Seeing this, the spider's madness only intensified.

Two more webs were shot out in quick succession.

Yun Feng, seeing the webs coming, activated his first soul skill. A dozen large Blue Silver Kings appeared in front of him, shielding him from the webs. Meanwhile, Yun Feng took advantage of the openings between the Blue Silver King's tendrils and fired two more shots.

This time, his target was once again the spider's legs.

Crack!

The sound of breaking armor echoed as the Man-Faced Demon Spider's leg shattered, and greenish liquid began dripping from its body.

Yun Feng immediately realized that the purple light on the fallen leg was extremely dangerous. The leg was covered in corrosive poison, and coupled with the neurotoxin, it was a lethal threat. If even a single drop touched him, he would be dead.

As an evil killer, the Man-Faced Demon Spider had consumed countless soul beasts and soul masters who ventured deep into the Star Dou Forest.

The remaining six eyes on its abdomen flickered with a ghostly light, its fury only growing stronger.

Though it still maintained its form, the spider was clearly slower, and its attacks were now limited.

Seeing the danger reduced significantly, Yun Feng began thinking about how to torment the spider further.

At that moment, blinded by its hatred, the Man-Faced Demon Spider leaped into the air, using its remaining five legs to propel itself toward Yun Feng, who was flying high above.

Its huge jumping ability allowed it to reach Yun Feng's position almost instantly.

Yun Feng remained completely unperturbed. As the spider's long legs descended, he swiftly dropped a level, evading the spider's strike.

Without missing a beat, Yun Feng withdrew his wings and descended rapidly toward the ground.

He once again aimed the Desert Eagle at the spider's abdomen.

Realizing Yun Feng's intention, the Man-Faced Demon Spider hurriedly pulled in its legs to shield its vulnerable abdomen.

Seeing this, Yun Feng grinned.

This was exactly what he had wanted!

This time, Yun Feng didn't hold back. He concentrated his soul power into the Desert Eagle, and with a single motion, fired five rapid shots directly at the spider's remaining five legs.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The sound of thunder reverberated, and Yun Feng didn't use his fourth soul skill. Instead, he activated Ayin's soul bone for flight, dodging the spider's final attack with incredible speed.

The shadow of the spider loomed above him, but Yun Feng swiftly darted to the side.

"Boom—"

The Man-Faced Demon Spider fell to the ground with a massive crash.

Chapter 118: An Absorption Beyond Logic

The massive body of the Man-Faced Demon Spider crashed heavily onto the ground.

It struggled, attempting to rise again, but with all its legs severed, the once-formidable spider was reduced to nothing more than a massive, helpless meatball, completely devoid of danger. Even the webs it had painstakingly spun were entirely consumed.

Yun Feng stared at his prey below, his mind filled with disbelief.

So this is all the legendary Man-Faced Demon Spider amounts to?

The spider's many eyes glared at Yun Feng with intense malice as he descended slowly in front of it. Its venomous fangs opened wide, attempting to swallow him whole.

But Yun Feng was not about to let that happen. Maintaining a perfectly safe distance, he remained cautious despite his overwhelming advantage.

With a mere thought, dozens of thick Blue Silver King vines wrapped tightly around the spider's massive body, hoisting it into the air. Yun Feng began lashing at it repeatedly with the vines, laughing as he did.

Watching this scene, Ah Yin couldn't help but materialize in her human form. Her ring transformed into a graceful and mature woman with a gentle demeanor. She hesitated for a moment but ultimately said nothing. After all, in the world of spirit beasts, the Man-Faced Demon Spider was considered a malevolent creature.

Ah Yin's appearance was a reflection of her personality, but seeing Yun Feng so relentless made her uneasy.

Yun Feng, however, continued his act, his behavior bordering on madness. Every strike was deliberate, meant to increase the likelihood of a spirit bone dropping from the spider. Compared to Tang San in the original timeline, Yun Feng was far more ruthless.

As the whipping continued, purple and blue liquids oozed from the spider's wounds, corroding the ground below into gaping holes. The surrounding vegetation withered instantly upon contact.

After half an hour of lashing, Yun Feng noticed that the spider's thrashing had weakened significantly. Its carapace was now entirely covered in a bluish-purple sheen, and black-purple fluid flowed from its shattered eyes. The creature was clearly nearing death.

At this point, Yun Feng knew he had achieved his goal.

As the spider's life force dwindled, tiny specks of bluish-purple light began to condense above its body. Yun Feng spared it only a glance before turning to Ah Yin.

"Can you extract the energy from this spirit ring and channel it back to me?" he asked.

Ah Yin, who had been squatting nearby, quietly communing with the Blue Silver Grass, was momentarily stunned. Her face darkened with frustration.

I'm a plant-based spirit beast! Even in this form, I'm not entirely human. How am I supposed to absorb a spirit ring, let alone transfer it?

Yun Feng immediately realized the absurdity of his request after seeing her expression but quickly dismissed the thought. He was more focused on the rare external spirit bone he might obtain.

Taking a deep breath, Yun Feng sat cross-legged and guided the spirit ring above the spider to hover over his head.

Ah Yin, alarmed, exclaimed inwardly: What is he thinking?

Before she could stop him, Yun Feng had already begun the absorption process.

To Ah Yin's shock, Yun Feng wasn't absorbing the spirit ring in the traditional sense. Instead, he seemed to be stripping away the remnant soul within the ring.

How is this even possible?

Ah Yin didn't have time to dwell on the question. Yun Feng's actions were unimaginably dangerous—one wrong move, and he could face catastrophic consequences.

The process required Yun Feng to filter out the excess spirit power using his own body. Any failure would lead to the violent collision of energies within him, ultimately resulting in death by self-detonation.

As blood seeped from Yun Feng's body, Ah Yin's concern deepened. Biting her lip, she made a decision. Despite her frustration and embarrassment, she removed her light silks and pressed her hands against Yun Feng's back, channeling her life energy into him.

Yun Feng instantly regretted starting this process but was already too far along to stop. Just as he was nearing his limit, he felt a wave of warmth and vitality flow into him from behind. This life energy helped stabilize his injuries and brought immense relief.

Without wasting time on the source of the warmth, Yun Feng directed the energy to repair his body while continuing to absorb the spirit ring.

Soon, his body began to recover, but the process triggered drastic changes within him. A surge of foreign mental energy attacked his spiritual sea—remnants of the Man-Faced Demon Spider's will.

Yun Feng gritted his teeth. He wasn't afraid. With Ah Yin's will present in his spiritual sea, the spider's consciousness was no match. It took only a few clashes for Yun Feng to completely annihilate the invading spirit.

By this point, Yun Feng's entire body was enveloped in a faint red mist.

This mist wasn't a manifestation of spirit energy—it was his blood. His intense spirit energy fluctuations had caused beads of blood to seep through his skin. As the blood vaporized into the air, it formed the eerie red mist surrounding him.

Yun Feng's face was contorted in pain, his lips tightly pursed, and his body convulsed violently. The mist thickened with every passing moment, a testament to the immense suffering he was enduring.

From within the mist came the sound of cracking bones, each snap sending a chill down the spines of those who heard it. Yet, the third spirit ring, which should have appeared by now, remained elusive, indicating that Yun Feng hadn't yet fully absorbed the ring.

Ah Yin watched in horror as Yun Feng's body arched unnaturally. His spine curved upward as his chest heaved violently, a scream escaping his lips.

"Yun Feng!" Ah Yin cried, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails pierced her palms, drawing blood.

At that moment, with a sound like tearing fabric, Yun Feng's shirt ripped apart. Ah Yin, standing behind him, gasped as she saw eight fist-sized bulges forming on either side of his spine.

What is happening to him?

Ah Yin stared at the grotesque changes unfolding before her, helpless to intervene. Yun Feng's body continued to convulse as beads of blood seeped from his skin. He seemed to be enduring unimaginable pain.

Chapter 119: The Eight Spider Lances Find a New Master

The eight bulges on Yun Feng's back suddenly burst open. Strangely, his skin did not tear or peel back. Instead, eight dark purple appendages emerged from the openings and began to grow rapidly.

As these appendages extended, Yun Feng's previously pained expression eased significantly, although his body continued to spasm.

Under Ah Yin's astonished gaze, the dark purple limbs grew over a meter long in mere moments, continuing to stretch at an incredible speed. When they reached a length of about 1.5 meters, they paused momentarily before joints began to form at their ends. From these joints, the purple extensions grew outward in new directions.

"This… this is…"

The eight limbs grew until they exceeded three meters in length before stopping. Their surfaces gleamed with a dark, glossy purple sheen. Thickest at their base near Yun Feng's back, they tapered into sharp, needle-like points at their ends.

"These look just like the Man-Faced Demon Spider's legs!"

Ah Yin's gaze darted between Yun Feng and the corpse of the Man-Faced Demon Spider. She realized with shock that the appendages sprouting from Yun Feng's back bore a striking resemblance to the spider's legs, albeit slimmer and more refined. A faint sweet scent even emanated from them, making them appear more alluring than repulsive.

As a spirit beast herself, Ah Yin had witnessed many instances of spirit masters absorbing spirit rings, but never anything like this. She was utterly at a loss.

What on earth is Yun Feng trying to achieve?!

The bizarre events didn't end there. Once the eight spider legs unfurled behind Yun Feng, they began to move with subtle rhythm. Four of the legs lowered to the ground, piercing the soil and lifting Yun Feng's cross-legged body into the air.

Now elevated, Yun Feng looked like he had grown eight elongated arms, creating an eerie and unsettling sight.

Finally, Yun Feng's body stopped convulsing. His tattered clothes had disintegrated entirely. The Blue Silver King vines that had extended earlier now wrapped back around him, cocooning him like a giant chrysalis. Only the spider legs moved rhythmically outside the cocoon.

Ah Yin was utterly baffled by this transformation. For now, all she could do was wait. She focused her attention on the cocoon, listening to the faint sound of bones cracking and shifting inside.

A ridiculous thought crossed her mind. Is Yun Feng turning into a giant spider?

She quickly shook her head. That couldn't be it. Yun Feng's bloodline had already been influenced by hers. A spirit beast as lowly as the Man-Faced Demon Spider couldn't possibly alter his core. But why was this happening?

No matter how much she pondered, Ah Yin couldn't find an answer. Using her spiritual senses, she confirmed that while Yun Feng's body was undergoing changes, they didn't seem harmful. On the contrary, they were strengthening him.

Still, the sight of those spider legs remained unsettling.

Time passed slowly. Ah Yin kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, aware of her current lack of strength and taking no chances.

Soon, Yun Feng began to stir. Perhaps it was the life energy he had absorbed from Ah Yin, but the process seemed to accelerate. A faint groan snapped Ah Yin out of her vigil, and she quickly turned her gaze toward Yun Feng.

The Blue Silver King vines slowly unwrapped themselves, revealing the figure within.

Yun Feng's body was coated in a layer of dark brown residue. As the vines fully retracted, the residue flaked off like fallen shells, exposing his newly transformed body.

Ah Yin's face turned bright red as she realized Yun Feng was entirely bare. His muscles, though not overly bulky, were well-defined and exuded a sense of latent power. His fair skin now carried a faint purple glow that seemed to pulse with energy.

Suspended mid-air, his previously cross-legged position had relaxed, and his limbs now hung naturally. His disheveled black hair was streaked with a vibrant strand of purple, shimmering faintly in the light.

The groan she had heard earlier had come from Yun Feng. His eyes slowly opened, their gaze brimming with excitement.

Yun Feng himself had no idea how much time had passed. He only remembered enduring excruciating pain, his body trembling under the strain. When the agony abruptly ended, an indescribable euphoria washed over him, making him feel as though every cell in his body was singing in joy.

The sudden release of pain had sent him into a deep sleep, and when he awoke, he found himself in this strange state.

As his vision cleared, Yun Feng took in his surroundings. He felt a profound comfort in his body, as though every fiber of his being had been refined. Yet the peculiar itch on his back reminded him of the drastic changes he had undergone.

He instinctively moved, and the eight spider legs behind him responded in unison, lifting and stretching. Though strange in appearance, they didn't hinder his movements.

Ah Yin, observing his transformation, finally understood why Yun Feng had gone to such lengths to subdue and torture the Man-Faced Demon Spider. Connecting the dots with his earlier statements, she realized this must have been an opportunity Yun Feng had deliberately seized.

So this was meant for someone else, but he intercepted it?

Having experienced his transformation, Yun Feng noticed Ah Yin staring at him. With a thought, the eight spider legs retracted into his back, leaving no visible trace. He turned to her and asked, "Ah Yin, how long was I out?"

Ah Yin thought for a moment before replying, "Not long, not even half an hour."

Yun Feng smiled faintly at her hesitant expression. He already knew what she wanted to ask. Without waiting, he explained the story he had prepared long ago. After hearing his explanation, Ah Yin nodded, confirming her suspicions.

She's guessed most of it correctly, Yun Feng thought with satisfaction.

Chapter 120: A Far-Fetched Excuse!

Yun Feng didn't linger on the subject with Ah Yin. Instead, he turned to her and said sincerely, "Thank you, Ah Yin."

His gratitude was genuine. Without Ah Yin's help, his earlier risky endeavor might have cost him his life. Yun Feng had acted based on his extensive knowledge of spirit beasts, believing that as long as he was cautious, nothing would go wrong. However, the unexpected events had left him feeling helpless.

But it was over now. He had achieved his goal.

It was time to return to the others. Of course, he needed to come up with a convincing excuse for his absence.

After discussing his plan with Ah Yin, she transformed back into a blue-gold light and returned to his hand as a ring.

Surveying his surroundings, Yun Feng quickly followed Ah Yin's guidance to the original location. There, he saw Meng Yiran, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing still unconscious on the ground.

He cast a quick glance at the lurking spirit beast nearby before approaching the three girls. With a soft voice, he called out to them.

One by one, the three awoke. After a brief moment of confusion, their eyes filled with fear as they scanned their surroundings. Not seeing the massive spirit beast anymore, they finally breathed a sigh of relief, their faces lighting up with smiles of survival.

However, Zhu Zhuqing's sharp instincts immediately picked up on something unusual. She turned to Yun Feng and asked directly:

"Yun Feng, where's Xiao Wu? Where did she go?"

The question froze Ning Rongrong's smile instantly.

Right… where's Xiao Wu?

Yun Feng, of course, knew what had happened, but he couldn't reveal the truth. He paused briefly before responding:

"I don't know either. When I woke up, Xiao Wu was already gone. I searched the area thoroughly but couldn't find any trace of her."

Hearing this, the three girls fell silent, immediately understanding the implication. Xiao Wu had been taken by the Titan Giant Ape—the king of the forest. There was no need to speculate further; the outcome was obvious.

The atmosphere grew heavy. A vibrant life had disappeared before their eyes, leaving them with an overwhelming sense of loss. Xiao Wu had been their friend. Though their time together had been short, the bond was genuine.

As they mourned, a rustling sound came from the nearby forest, breaking the silence.

Startled, the group immediately summoned their martial souls, preparing for battle.

But just as Zhu Zhuqing and the others readied themselves, a familiar voice called out:

"Yun Feng! Rongrong! Zhuqing! Where are you?"

The group froze, exchanging incredulous glances. Xiao Wu's voice?

How could this be? Xiao Wu had been taken by the Titan Giant Ape. Could it be that the beast had abandoned her here?

Zhu Zhuqing furrowed her brow. No, this doesn't add up. Could it be a spirit beast mimicking Xiao Wu's voice to lure us into a trap?

Her caution was well-founded. There were indeed spirit beasts capable of imitating human voices to deceive their prey.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's wariness, Yun Feng couldn't help but smile faintly. No wonder she's survived this long. That cautious nature of hers must have played a significant role.

Still, Yun Feng knew the truth. Thanks to Ah Yin's earlier sensing, he was certain that the approaching figure was Xiao Wu. However, he remained silent, preferring to keep certain things to himself.

Sure enough, under the group's watchful eyes, Xiao Wu soon emerged from the forest, her face lighting up with joy when she spotted them.

Relief washed over the girls. Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Meng Yiran all relaxed. After all, they had never heard of a spirit beast capable of perfectly mimicking a human form.

"Xiao Wu, why were you wandering around alone? Yun Feng said he searched for you but couldn't find you," Ning Rongrong asked, her curiosity evident.

Xiao Wu glanced at Yun Feng briefly before answering, "When I woke up, I didn't see anyone around. At first, I thought something bad had happened to you all. But then I realized, if I could survive, so could you! So I retraced my steps and eventually found you. I'm so glad I did!"

Hearing her explanation, Yun Feng nearly burst out laughing. What a flimsy excuse. Anyone could poke holes in it.

However, the girls didn't seem to dwell on the inconsistencies. Xiao Wu's safe return was all that mattered to them. Yun Feng shook his head slightly, deciding to drop the matter. The priority now was to safely return to Zhao Wuji and the others.

After all, the Star Dou Forest was no ordinary place. Even with Xiao Wu and Ah Yin, they couldn't afford to be careless.

Meanwhile, Zhao Wuji, Meng Shu, and Chao Tianxiang were in a frenzy searching for their missing team members.

But Zhao Wuji's frustration didn't end there. Tang San had taken it upon himself to venture out alone, adding to the chaos.

By the time Zhao Wuji found Tang San, the boy was on the brink of death. A mere Spirit Grandmaster wandering the Star Dou Forest alone—if that wasn't courting death, what was?

Tang San learned his lesson after the near-death experience. With his life flashing before his eyes, he finally understood the importance of caution.

Zhao Wuji, seeing Tang San humbled, continued leading the group while hunting spirit beasts. Every additional hand strengthened their chances of survival.

Oscar managed to acquire a millennium-old bird-type spirit beast for his third spirit ring. The resulting skill, Rapid Speed, greatly enhanced his mobility and burst power. Though it wasn't as ideal as the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent, it was still a solid choice.

As for Tang San, his third spirit ring came from a 1,100-year-old Ground Spider. Zhao Wuji had initially been skeptical of Tang San's choice, but the boy's explanation—citing theories from Yu Xiaogang—convinced him.

Unbeknownst to Tang San, Zhao Wuji was still nursing grudges from his last defeat at Tang Hao's hands. His willingness to entertain Tang San's request wasn't entirely selfless.

Chapter 121: Tang San's External Spirit Bone?

Although openly retaliating wasn't possible, giving Tang San a little trouble behind the scenes was still manageable—and satisfying.

This time, however, Zhao Wuji wasn't doing it on purpose. He simply had no idea how the current spirit beast would benefit Tang San.

After all, his knowledge of martial souls was superficial at best, and his understanding of spirit beasts was only slightly better than average.

As for Tang San's decision to choose this spirit beast, the reason was straightforward: proximity. It was nearby, suitable for his martial soul, and, while not the best, it was good enough. If no better option appeared, this was the most practical choice.

Moreover, it could enhance the poison and toughness of his Blue Silver Grass martial soul.

Perhaps because of the lingering pressure from the Titan Giant Ape, or the exhaustion from rushing through the forest, Tang San had overexerted his soul power. Most importantly, facing the spirit beast alone nearly cost him his life.

As a result, absorbing the spirit ring became exceedingly difficult.

While Tang San was trying to absorb the spirit ring, Yun Feng, guided by Ah Yin's perception, managed to locate Zhao Wuji and the others. He also found the two elders, Snake Granny and Dragon Duke.

Curious, Yun Feng headed straight toward Tang San instead of searching for the elders. As he approached, he noticed the energy fluctuations around Tang San intensifying.

Yun Feng felt indignant. How is this fair?

Even with such severe injuries, Tang San could forcibly absorb a spirit ring. It was infuriating.

Frustrated, Yun Feng grabbed his water flask and took several big gulps. Feeling the increased circulation of his soul power, he finally felt satisfied.

If I can't beat him, I'll cheat!

But just as he finished drinking, Yun Feng noticed blood seeping from Tang San's wounds, forming a faint mist around him.

Immediately sensing something amiss, Yun Feng became alarmed. It wasn't just the blood—it was the familiar energy fluctuation.

Wait, didn't I already intercept Tang San's Eight Spider Lances? Why is this happening now?

Unlike Yun Feng, Zhao Wuji was starting to panic. Seeing Tang San in this state, a dreadful thought crossed his mind: Is he unable to absorb it?

This is just a thousand-year-old spirit ring! If something happens to Tang San under my watch, there's no way Clear Sky Douluo will let me off the hook!

As Zhao Wuji fretted like a cat on a hot tin roof, a series of light footsteps caught his attention.

"Who's there?" Zhao Wuji's cold gaze shot toward the direction of the sound, his soul power surging.

Tang San was at a critical juncture. Zhao Wuji would not allow anyone or anything to disturb him.

"Teacher Zhao!" A tall figure emerged from the trees, followed by four others.

Seeing them, Zhao Wuji froze, and so did everyone else.

It was none other than Yun Feng and his group.

At this moment, Yun Feng and the others looked somewhat disheveled. Their clothes were torn in several places, their hair was messy, but they appeared more mature than before.

"You're alive?" Oscar blurted out in shock.

Hearing this, Ning Rongrong immediately pouted in displeasure. "What kind of question is that? Are you hoping we were dead? What's your problem?"

Oscar quickly waved his hands and smiled awkwardly. "No, no! I was just surprised. I didn't mean anything bad. I'm thrilled you're back!"

By now, Zhao Wuji had regained his composure. Without hesitation, he pulled out a signal flare from his soul tool—a pre-arranged measure with the two elders. As soon as someone was found, the signal flare would be launched.

Given the dangers of the Star Dou Forest, it was better to regroup and leave together.

The flare shot into the sky, glowing red and bursting high above, lingering for a long time.

With the flare sent, Zhao Wuji finally breathed a sigh of relief. This trip to the Star Dou Forest had been nothing short of surreal, more thrilling than even his days on the run from Spirit Hall.

Yun Feng, however, ignored the commotion and kept his eyes fixed on Tang San.

He could feel a soul power fluctuation similar to what he had experienced when he absorbed the Eight Spider Lances.

If nothing unexpected happened, it seemed Tang San was also obtaining a fortuitous encounter.

Ah Yin, noticing the changes in Tang San, spoke decisively in Yun Feng's mind: "Yun Feng, should we interrupt Tang San?"

Her tone was resolute. Ever since learning that Tang San wasn't her son, Ah Yin's attitude toward him had completely shifted.

Yun Feng calmed Ah Yin with a few words before turning to Zhao Wuji. "Teacher Zhao, what's going on with Tang San?"

Zhao Wuji, in a good mood now that everyone was safe, explained readily, "He got lucky. While searching for you all, he encountered a suitable third spirit ring and began absorbing it. However, he was injured while searching, so the process hasn't been smooth."

Following Zhao Wuji's gaze, Yun Feng saw the lifeless body of a yellowish-brown spider lying on the ground.

Perhaps it was the sound of Yun Feng and Xiao Wu that spurred Tang San on, but his absorption process seemed to accelerate.

Just as Tang San was about to succeed, Yun Feng noticed six eye-like marks forming on Tang San's brow.

Sensing something was wrong, Yun Feng was about to act when two figures suddenly burst out from behind a tree, crashing into it. The resulting shockwave disrupted Tang San's nearly completed external spirit bone, causing part of it to dissipate.

Instead of eight eyes as expected, only six remained, leaving the external spirit bone incomplete and fully sealed.

"Yi Yan!"

"Yi Yan, are you alright?"

The newcomers were none other than Dragon Duke and Snake Granny. They had rushed over as soon as they saw the flare, not stopping for even a moment, which led to the current mishap.

Interrupted at the critical moment, Tang San spat out a mouthful of blood. While he managed to fully absorb the spirit ring, the damage to his body remained unrecoverable.

Chapter 122: Compound Eyes, Leaving the Forest!

Tang San was extremely frustrated inside. Who exactly had ruined his opportunity?

Three pairs of eyes opened simultaneously, emitting a vast purple light as they looked ahead.

However, when he saw who it was, he immediately fell silent.

During this time, he had become keenly aware of the gap between himself and the top-tier soul masters.

This wasn't something that hidden weapons could make up for—at least not at the moment.

So he forcibly suppressed the impulse within him.

He forcibly shifted his gaze.

But when he saw Yun Feng and Xiao Wu, Tang San's eyes immediately turned red, and tears shimmered, as if they were about to fall any second.

He directly rushed towards Yun Feng and Xiao Wu, arms wide, wanting to embrace them.

But when the others saw Tang San in this state, they couldn't help but take a step back.

How to put it?

It was just too disgusting!

Human foreheads had sprouted spider compound eyes.

And they were the eyes of the Burrowing Demon Spider.

No matter how you looked at it, it was revolting.

Seeing this, Tang San's steps slowed involuntarily, until they came to a complete stop.

He looked at the people in front of him.

Tang San's six eyes could see everything clearly.

He was terrified of what had happened to him.

But what could he do?

He didn't know why this had happened!

He had thought that after absorbing the martial soul, the expanded vision was a perfectly normal thing.

Now, it didn't seem right!

Realizing this, Tang San quickly took out a small mirror from his storage soul guide, Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlit Night.

When he saw his reflection in the mirror, he almost scared himself to death.

What kind of monster was this?

He had already been ugly, but now he had turned into an oddball!

Tang San couldn't accept it, and all the joy he had felt earlier vanished.

Why had this happened to him?

Yu Xiaogang hadn't taught him this!

He suddenly didn't know what to do. He had thought it was just because of absorbing a soul ring!

Could there be side effects like this?

Tang San felt like crying.

Would Xiao Wu still accept him like this?

After gaining power, he was now filled with emptiness.

Meanwhile, Yun Feng took a glance at Tang San, feeling extremely uncomfortable inside.

Not because of anything else, but because he had schemed so much, even risking his life to intercept, and now, this was the result?!

Was fate truly involved?

Was he really the child of destiny?

Yun Feng was completely stunned.

There's no way this can be true!

Could my guess really have been right?

Is someone above watching all of this?

That's why this is happening now?

At this moment, Zhao Wujie also noticed that something was wrong with Tang San, but seeing that there were no other apparent changes on his surface, he let out a small sigh of relief.

He said directly:

"Since there's no problem with the person, after we go back, we'll ask others about this and figure out what's going on."

Tang San glanced at Xiao Wu and Yun Feng before nodding.

At this time, Long Gong Meng Shu and She Po Chao Tianxiang looked at their granddaughter, who had been lost and found, and naturally couldn't be happier.

Since the purpose of their trip had already been fulfilled, they didn't want to stay any longer in the Star Dou Great Forest.

After thinking for a moment, they decisively nodded.

They had been out for so long, it was time to return.

But before that, Meng Shu simply asked his granddaughter.

"Yiran, how did you manage to escape?"

This question immediately attracted the attention of others.

After all, it was unbelievable that they had been captured by the Titan Giant Ape and still managed to escape.

So, everyone was eager to know the details.

However, under everyone's gaze, Meng Yiran shook her head in confusion.

"After we were captured by the Titan Giant Ape, we don't know how long we traveled. Then, with one of its roars, we were all knocked unconscious."

"Yun Feng and Xiao Wu were probably the first to wake up, so if you want to know, you can ask them."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu naturally couldn't tell everyone that the Titan Giant Ape had come specifically because it sensed her presence and had taken her away.

Before returning, Xiao Wu had already thought of an excuse.

"Actually, I'm not sure either. When I woke up, I was in a different area, all alone, and later, I met up with the others."

After Xiao Wu finished speaking, she didn't continue.

Everyone turned to Yun Feng.

Yun Feng shrugged, shaking his head.

"I don't know either. The Titan Giant Ape is so powerful, the only reason I can think of for it leaving us behind is that we weren't worth its time."

Yun Feng's words made sense. Upon further thought, it seemed impossible for the Titan Giant Ape to do anything else.

After all, it was the Titan Giant Ape!

She Po Chao Tianxiang thought for a moment, then looked at the sky and said directly:

"Alright, we'll talk about the rest later. The Star Dou Great Forest isn't very safe, so don't think about it too much. Everything can wait until we get back!"

As for Meng Shu, his mood was incredibly good at this moment. He had almost thought he was going to be left with no descendants.

Now that they were back, he couldn't stop smiling.

Zhao Wujie felt the same way.

This trip had added two soul masters to the academy, and it was a great success.

Yun Feng smiled and said:

"To celebrate our safe return, I'll treat everyone when we're out!"

Upon hearing this, everyone cheered in unison. After multiple life-and-death situations, everything was finally resolved, and they could return.

Furthermore, after this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, whether they had gained a soul ring or simply participated, everyone's only thought now was to return to the academy and have a good meal.

After all, no fires had been allowed in the Star Dou Great Forest, and they had been eating dry rations the whole time. They were already tired of it.

Then, after filling their stomachs, they couldn't wait to lie in bed and sleep.

On the way back, since Zhao Wujie and Meng Shu had already activated their martial soul avatars earlier, it hadn't been long, so their current strength was only at 50% of its optimal state.

Thus, the group was still very cautious when leaving the Star Dou Great Forest, fearing some special accidents.

However, the journey back was much faster than the journey in. Plus, since they were on the outskirts now, they didn't expend too much energy and quickly made it out of the forest.

Once they left the forest's range, although the air was no longer as fresh, everyone felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted, and they felt incredibly relieved.

At this point, Meng Shu smiled and said:

"We'll walk a little further, and we can rest in the town."

The rest of the group couldn't help but sigh. The feeling of surviving a calamity was truly wonderful!

Zhao Wujie nodded.

"If everyone's fine, let's hurry up. Yun Feng promised to treat everyone to drinks!"

Clearly, Zhao Wujie had completely relaxed at this point.

Chapter 123: The Inferiority of Tang San

What a ridiculous academy rule! He was the vice-president. After putting in so much effort this time, he wasn't going to treat himself to a good meal? He would feel guilty if he didn't!

Zhao Wujie was the type of person who acted on impulse, doing whatever came to mind.

At this moment, Yun Feng chuckled and said, "Of course, go ahead and drink as much as you like. I'll cover all the expenses!"

"Alright, didn't realize you were this loaded! My drinking capacity is pretty impressive, so get ready to bleed a little!" Zhao Wujie teased.

Yun Feng smiled calmly, "Don't worry, it's not just you, even if there were a hundred of you, it wouldn't be enough to drink me dry."

The Spirit Hall sent a steady stream of funds every month, so Yun Feng wasn't worried about money. What did he have to fear?

"Have you never heard the saying? If money can solve the problem, then it's not a problem at all!" Yun Feng continued with a smile, causing everyone to laugh.

Well, everyone except Tang San.

After everything that had happened, Tang San couldn't bring himself to laugh. It was a terrible feeling. He could only force a smile, but it was hard to mask the discomfort.

However, his mood didn't affect the rest of the group.

The team rested in the small town for two full days. Of course, they didn't need that much time to recover their soul power or physical strength, but the tension of the past days had to be relieved.

Yun Feng was generous, covering all their expenses for the two days.

Everyone took the time off to eat, drink, and have fun—there was a lighthearted atmosphere, unlike the usual training. Even Zhu Zhuqing, who usually had a cold demeanor, had softened up considerably during this time.

To her surprise, Zhu Zhuqing found herself enjoying having friends for the first time. Yun Feng had noticed this change in her but didn't mind. It was a good thing for Zhu Zhuqing, and he didn't need to interfere.

Two days later, it was time to part ways. For some reason, Meng Yiran felt a strange sense of reluctance deep inside. After what her grandparents had said last time, she had been paying more attention to Yun Feng, even if unintentionally. That image kept appearing in her mind.

Seeing how Yun Feng got along with everyone, sometimes she couldn't help but envy him. Although she wasn't without friends, they felt superficial, like mere acquaintances. But after witnessing Yun Feng and the others' strength and potential, Meng Yiran had to admit that if she didn't make any changes, she might not even be qualified to see his back in the future.

She took a deep breath, then, after her grandparents had finished saying their goodbyes, Meng Yiran didn't hesitate. She walked up directly.

Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang exchanged a glance and smiled, "Yiran, we're about to leave. Is there something you want to say?"

Meng Yiran bit her lip, glanced at her grandparents and the group around her, and then nodded seriously. Her gaze fixed on Yun Feng.

"I'd like to talk to you alone, if that's okay?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu froze for a moment, and even Ning Rongrong's heart skipped a beat. It was clear what was about to happen.

The two exchanged a look but quickly put on indifferent expressions and said, "You two go ahead and talk. We'll wait over there."

Although they spoke casually, their tone made it clear that something was amiss. The entire air seemed to carry a sense of sourness.

It was like someone had knocked over a vinegar jar.

Tang San naturally noticed this scene, but what could he say? Right now, his forehead was wrapped with a cloth, concealing his eyes. He didn't want anyone to see his face.

Inside, his feelings of inferiority were growing. His ugly appearance made him feel unworthy to stand by someone as beautiful as her.

At that moment, Tang San couldn't help but think that as long as Yun Feng treated Xiao Wu well, he would accept it. After all, it wasn't Yun Feng's fault that he had a handsome face, but it was his fault that so many girls were attracted to him.

As he watched Xiao Wu walk away, Tang San decided to hold back. He didn't feel the need to say anything. Zhu Zhuqing was even more silent, as Yun Feng had saved her life. Whatever he did didn't require her approval.

She trusted him, especially since he had never shown any improper intentions when saving her.

Zhao Wujie, on the other hand, wasn't interested in this kind of drama between the younger generation. He had better things to do, so he led Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Dai Mubai a little further ahead.

Oscar, however, couldn't help but have more complicated thoughts. Since meeting Ning Rongrong, he had become quite interested in the young lady. Despite his efforts, Ning Rongrong had firmly rejected him at every turn.

Unable to get anywhere with her, Oscar turned his attention to Meng Yiran. Though her talent wasn't as great as some of the others, her grandparents were powerful figures in the world of soul masters.

If he could build a relationship with her, it would make his future much easier. After all, once they graduated, he wasn't planning to stay in Shrek Academy. He wanted to explore the world and figure out how to obtain better soul rings after graduation.

Seeing Meng Yiran's current expression, Oscar finally realized what was going on. His mind began to race, and his jealousy sparked.

"Why all this mystery?" Oscar muttered under his breath.

Upon hearing this, Tang San shot him a cold glare. In his eyes, Yun Feng was his good brother, and no one else had the right to talk about him behind his back.

Even if Yun Feng did something wrong, no one but him could comment on it.

Oscar shuddered under Tang San's intense gaze. He quickly stopped talking and hastily followed Zhao Wujie and the others.

At that moment, Meng Yiran finally gathered the courage to speak to Yun Feng alone.

Chapter 124: A Girl's Tender Feelings Are Always So... Emotional

Tang San had come to thoroughly understand the personalities of the Shrek companions over time.

He didn't care how they treated others, but when it came to Xiao Wu or Yun Feng, he couldn't accept even the slightest transgression.

Even if he liked Xiao Wu, and she didn't like him but liked Yun Feng instead, Tang San firmly believed that, in the end, he would be the one to win her heart.

Meanwhile, Yun Feng, seeing most people had dispersed, looked somewhat confused as he glanced at Meng Yiran. Reflecting on their interactions over the past few days, apart from being taken by the Titan Giant Ape, they had barely had any contact.

Why would Meng Yiran single him out now?

Could it be that she was interested in him?

Admittedly, Yun Feng thought he was quite handsome, but not to such an extraordinary degree.

Unable to figure it out, Yun Feng directly asked:

"Miss Yiran, may I ask why you wanted to talk to me alone?"

Meng Yiran, looking at the blue-haired, black-eyed youth in front of her, immediately felt her face flush.

In truth, she didn't even know why she had called out to Yun Feng—it was an impulsive decision.

After stammering for a while, she finally said:

"I want to be friends with you, so I wanted to formally introduce myself."

Hearing this, Yun Feng immediately understood her intentions.

To say he wasn't moved would be a lie. After all, what boy hasn't had dreams of having a harem? But as time passed and events unfolded, such fantasies had largely faded.

Although Meng Yiran's style was a bit lacking, she was quite attractive without makeup.

Still, Yun Feng felt a bit uneasy.

He hadn't yet established a relationship with any girl.

After thinking it over, Yun Feng smiled and said:

"Of course, I think we're already friends, aren't we?"

Meng Yiran's eyes lit up with joy at his words, and a radiant smile spread across her face.

"You're right. We're already friends. But next time we meet, don't pretend you don't know me, okay? That would really hurt my feelings!"

Yun Feng chuckled at her playful warning and nodded.

"Alright, I promise not to act like I don't know you next time."

Relieved, Meng Yiran glanced around and, noticing that others were sneakily watching, blushed furiously before quickly retreating to her grandparents' side.

As Meng Yiran dashed off, Yun Feng exchanged a glance with Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang, nodding slightly with a smile.

Though he had no intention of joining their family, Yun Feng still held a favorable impression of them.

Watching the trio disappear into the sunlight, Yun Feng couldn't help but sigh internally.

A girl's tender feelings are always so... emotional.

After Yun Feng's situation seemed resolved, Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu could no longer contain themselves. They walked over to Yun Feng together, with Ning Rongrong teasing him with a hint of jealousy:

"Well, Yun Feng, it hasn't been that long, and you've already attracted another pretty girl. Aren't you worried Xiao Wu will get jealous?"

Her words not only distanced herself from the situation but also expressed her dissatisfaction.

Xiao Wu, who had been about to say something, suddenly didn't know how to respond. With everyone's eyes on her, her face turned a deep shade of red.

"Rongrong, what are you saying!?"

"You're so annoying! I'll teach you a lesson!"

Xiao Wu playfully lunged to tickle Ning Rongrong, who laughed and ran away.

Watching the two girls play under the sunlight, Yun Feng couldn't help but smile faintly.

All of this is because of strength.

He thought about wanting more moments like this in the future. To protect such moments, he knew he had to keep striving.

While Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong were being noisy, Zhu Zhuqing quietly stood beside Yun Feng and asked him:

"What were you two talking about?"

Yun Feng glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, surprised that she would show interest in such things.

After a moment's thought, he shook his head and replied:

"Nothing much, she just wanted to be friends."

Even though Yun Feng understood Meng Yiran's feelings, he knew some things shouldn't be said before they were officially together.

While he didn't consider himself a gentleman, he wasn't someone who would gossip about others, especially not about a girl who bore him no ill will.

Zhu Zhuqing realized she had overstepped. After all, Meng Yiran had called Yun Feng out alone, clearly not wanting others to know. Asking like this only put Yun Feng in a difficult position.

However, Yun Feng's reserved response made Zhu Zhuqing respect his character even more.

Yun Feng, on the other hand, wasn't overthinking it. He was already planning his next steps.

His next goal was simple: to reach the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well before Tang San and claim all the celestial herbs for himself.

Leaving such treasures to Tang San would be a waste.

Although Tang San posed no immediate threat, the fact that Yun Feng had taken Ah Yin meant their relationship would inevitably become one of mutual hostility.

Moreover, Yun Feng couldn't keep Ah Yin in the form of a ring forever. Sooner or later, he would have to face the situation.

In the Heaven Dou Empire, within the Heaven Dou City Crown Prince's mansion, Ning Fengzhi looked at his disciple with satisfaction after a few days of lessons.

"Qinghe, with your current skills, you're fully capable of taking over your father's political duties!"

Xue Qinghe, hearing this, quickly responded:

"Teacher, please don't flatter me. My father is still in his prime. With my meager abilities, I still need to learn much more from you."

Ning Fengzhi's smile grew even kinder at his student's humility.

Looking at Xue Qinghe, a thought suddenly crossed his mind, and he sighed.

"If only Rongrong were as mature and sensible as you."

Xue Qinghe replied with a gentle smile:

"Rongrong is still young and doesn't need to deal with such matters. When she grows up, she'll understand."

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi felt a sense of relief in his heart.

Chapter 125: Flender: Where am I supposed to find you a wife?

After briefly glancing at the situation outside, Ning Fengzhi stood up and slowly said to Xue Qinghe,

"Today's lesson ends here. You can take some time to digest and understand it, and I will come back later."

Seeing Ning Fengzhi about to leave, Xue Qinghe immediately stood up as well.

"Teacher, wait!"

"Hmm? Qinghe, is there something you don't understand?" Ning Fengzhi's expression was rather strange.

Xue Qinghe realized that Ning Fengzhi had misunderstood. He quickly shook his head and said directly to him,

"Teacher, it's like this. Rongrong has run away from home, and I'm very worried, so I sent people to investigate."

"I found that recently, Rongrong seems to have gotten quite close to a young man."

Ning Fengzhi thought it was something serious.

As a doting father, he of course knew what kind of people Ning Rongrong had been interacting with lately.

So, he used the intelligence network of their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to look into it.

It didn't take long for the investigation to shock Ning Fengzhi.

At the age of 12, a four-ring Soul King!!

How terrifying of a talent this was!

Naturally, Ning Fengzhi became interested, since such a genius could be a good candidate either to recruit into the family or to become Rongrong's future husband.

But there was one thing that puzzled him.

Logically, such an incredible prodigy should have been snatched up by the Spirit Hall.

Why would they allow him to develop on his own?

But that was the reality. Other than some regular financial transactions, the Spirit Hall hadn't given this young man much help.

It was as though he was treated like an ordinary soul master, with no attention paid to him at all.

But it was precisely because of this behavior from the Spirit Hall that Ning Fengzhi felt some doubts.

After all, such a genius...

Who wouldn't be moved by that?

It seemed a little off, but since his daughter was involved, Ning Fengzhi decided to observe the situation more.

This sort of thing couldn't be rushed.

Still, Ning Fengzhi felt there was a lot of room for maneuver in this matter.

He could invest a little. After all, even if the investment failed, it wouldn't be a big deal. Their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was rich and powerful.

They weren't afraid of such a small loss.

Plus, Ning Fengzhi didn't think he'd fail. After all, if Yun Feng could make so much money from his inventions and even set up a revenue-sharing system, it meant he wasn't an ordinary person.

It wasn't just a sudden flash of genius.

It showed that his mind was truly sharp.

However, in response to his student's concerns, Ning Fengzhi smiled and said,

"Rongrong's personality makes it hard for her to make friends. It's actually not a big deal that she made one this time, as long as she keeps a little distance."

"And when the time comes, I'll go personally to meet this young man."

Hearing Ning Fengzhi say this, Xue Qinghe naturally smiled and nodded.

"To have Teacher's attention is the young man's honor. I'm also a little curious and will look for an opportunity to meet him."

After hearing this, Ning Fengzhi nodded in satisfaction, his eyes full of appreciation.

After all, his disciple was going to be the future emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Having the ability to recognize talent was essential.

After all, the Heaven Dou Empire was currently rotten to the core in some ways.

But Ning Fengzhi couldn't say much, since he himself had benefited from the system.

"Making more friends is always good. The more paths you have, the more options you'll have in the future."

Outside Shrek Academy,

Tang Hao had been traveling day and night and had finally arrived here.

Looking at this familiar place, his mind was filled with confusion.

How long has it been since I was here?

Why is there suddenly such a huge palace?

And it's entirely made of Blue Silver Grass!

Seeing this, Tang Hao became even more certain that it was probably Ah Yin who had created it.

After all, in Tang Hao's understanding, no one else could make such use of Blue Silver Grass.

Moreover, no ordinary soul master would have this kind of control ability!

So, Tang Hao thought that Ah Yin must have been secretly protecting Tang San.

But how to find her was a big problem.

He also didn't understand why Ah Yin would act this way. Was it because of how he once schemed against her?

But he truly regretted it afterward!

Why was she still doing this to him?

Thinking about this, Tang Hao felt a sense of emptiness in his heart.

He had no idea what to do!

And he didn't dare search openly.

After all, the Blue Silver Grass tribe had an incredibly strong ability to scout.

As soon as he appeared within their range, the Blue Silver Grass would immediately detect him.

If Ah Yin wanted to avoid him, Tang Hao didn't think he could find her.

So, he felt helpless.

But to just leave like this felt deeply unsatisfying.

After thinking for a while, Tang Hao suppressed his aura, put on an extra layer of clothing to conceal his figure, and headed straight for Flender's office.

After explaining his suspicions, Flender was stunned.

Seeing Tang Hao's sudden visit, his mind went blank.

"Lord Haotian, you must be joking. Where am I supposed to find you a wife?"

Flender's heart was filled with a million curses.

He knew what had happened before. Among some powerful soul masters, Tang Hao's first wife was a soul beast, and she had already died in the last war.

A sacrifice!

The most brutal method.

Now you're telling me that your wife is hiding here in Shrek Academy?

When Tang Hao said this, Flender's heart trembled.

If this news reached the Spirit Hall,

the academy might not survive.

He knew this was their best batch yet, the one most likely to win the Soul Master Tournament.

He didn't want to waste it, so he immediately rebutted Tang Hao.

Tang Hao's gaze darkened, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.

"Then explain to me, what is that giant palace that appeared in the dormitory area? As far as I know, none of the teachers here at Shrek practice Blue Silver Grass!"

Tang Hao's words were full of pressure.

He didn't show Flender any respect, and his attitude made it seem like if Flender didn't know the answer, he'd crush his head in the next second.

Flender looked at Tang Hao in this state, wanting to say something, but in the end, he kept his words to himself.

After forcing a laugh, he said,

"It's like this, Lord Haotian. The palace did indeed appear under my watch, but it wasn't made by your wife!"

"What???!"

READ 30 CHAPTERS AHEAD OF EVERYONE FOR ONLY $7!

LINK: patr eon.com/SenatusPopulus