Marvel 264

Xu Lulu originally had a basic Food-type spirit, which evolved into the Lotus Bun, a healing and control-type spirit.

Yang Min started with a Handkerchief Spirit, now transformed into the Heavenly Silk Ribbon, specializing in control and slicing attacks.

Lan Hui awakened the Blue Silver Emperor Grass, a rare and powerful bloodline spirit with exceptional control capabilities.

Li Tian possessed Angel Wings, which evolved into the Celestial Guardian Wings, granting unmatched speed and aerial combat power.

Aside from the original four students personally nurtured by Max, three more had joined the academy later — each one proving their worth through sheer talent and relentless dedication.

The first of these was Jin Lian, who had enrolled when Ghidorah Academy first opened its gates. He came from a humble background, a commoner with no known cultivation heritage. Yet his Martial Spirit had undergone a rare mutation: born from his mother's simple Embroidery Needle Spirit, it transformed into the Netherworld Needle — a lethal, thread-like weapon infused with piercing ghostly energy and shadow-type properties. It allowed him to attack swiftly and silently, disrupting spirit energy flow and crippling opponents with pinpoint strikes.

The second was Su Xulu, a noble girl from a minor baron family of the Tiandou Empire. She joined in the academy's second year and quickly rose through the ranks. Her Flame Pattern Spear spirit carried the legacy of both her parents — a fusion of her father's Silver Spear and her mother's Flame Staff. This mutation granted her martial spirit both ranged firepower and close-quarters piercing power. She was known for her balance of elegance and aggression, and her spear strikes left fiery afterimages that burned through defenses.

The third was Bai Chao, a sturdy, quiet boy with a rare beast-type spirit: the Snapping Turtle. At first, he was underestimated due to his slow pace and defensive fighting style. But over time, it became clear that his spirit excelled in endurance, counterattacks, and impenetrable defense. With proper training, his Snapping Turtle Martial Spirit evolved to include partial elemental defense against water and physical attacks. On the battlefield, he became an unmovable fortress — often the last one standing in team spars.

Of course, there were many more students in Ghidorah Academy, but these three had climbed into the top ten solely through their own hard work. No noble backgrounds, no special treatment — just pure grit, talent, and tireless dedication.

Max looked at the seven students assembled before him — his top talents, the pride of the academy.

"Since all of you have reached Level 30, it's time," he said, standing up straight with a calm yet commanding tone. "We'll head out and begin the hunt for your third spirit rings."

These weren't just any level-30 spirit masters. Under Max's training and the academy's advanced cultivation techniques, each of them had not only reached Level 30 but had also refined and compressed their spirit power to the absolute limit before breaking through.

Because of this, their spirit foundations were strong enough to withstand and absorb spirit rings far above the standard limit.

"Each of you," Max continued, "can now handle spirit rings nearing 9,000 years of age — rings usually meant for Spirit Kings or even stronger. That means your third rings will rival the power of a typical sixth ring for others."

The students' eyes lit up with both excitement and determination.

"Go get ready. We leave in ten minutes," Max said firmly.

The students immediately rushed off to prepare their gear and essentials. Since many of them were girls, Max knew it would take a little extra time — after all, they were heading into the spirit beast zones and would be gone for at least a month. Everything from personal supplies to spirit combat gear had to be packed.

Within the hour, the students were gathered near the main gates of Ghidorah Academy, where a sleek, reinforced spirit carriage awaited them. Its body was made from treated soul-forged wood, lined with spirit beast hide for durability, and powered by twin Spirit Horse Beasts—creatures known for both speed and stamina.

Max stood at the front as the students loaded in, his expression calm and dignified like an dean.

All ten students, Max's three girlfriend and other seven boarded the carriage as he sat in too as the carriage moved with destination being the Star Dou forest.

As the carriage pulled out of the city, the scenery gradually shifted. From the bustling streets of Soto City to the open plains, and eventually the dense foliage that marked the outer regions of the Star Dou Forest—a place both feared and revered.

The journey was long, and though the carriage was fast, Max knew better than to rush into the depths of the forest after sunset.

By dusk, they arrived at a resting town on the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest, a place often used by spirit masters before venturing in. The group pulled into a large, rustic inn—The Iron Fang Lodge. It was well-known among travelers for its fortified walls and simple, hearty meals.

"Dean, I think there's a fight going on," Jin Lian suddenly said. His Martial Spirit was spiritual-based, and his perception range was exceptionally wide.

"Hm… seems so," Max nodded. What they were sensing was the scene of Shrek Academy's clash with Canghui Academy.

"We're not here to get involved," Max added. "Ignore the noise. We rest tonight, and at dawn, we head into Star Dou Forest."

With that, he led the group into the inn. As they moved inside, Max passed by a man in teacher robes being knocked down by a big, burly figure—Zhao Wuji. Max simply glanced at the scene and continued forward without a word, heading straight for their reserved meal.

Despite the ruckus, they didn't interfere—nor did Shrek Academy students recognize them just yet.

"Hey boss, look at those babes," Ma Hongjun muttered as he nudged Dai Mubai, pointing subtly toward Gwen and the other girls in Max's group. All the boys in his team were clearly gawking.

Ma Hongjun then added, "But who's that guy leading them?"

Dai Mubai scowled slightly. "Who knows? Probably just some academy kids. Whatever—let's just go get the girls."

***

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