Chapter 44: Returning to the Academy, Distributing Immortal Herbs

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Barak Kingdom, Suotuo City

After several days of travel, they finally returned to Soto City. Though not as bustling as Tian Dou City, this was where Li Luochen had grown up.

Shrek Academy was located in a village outside Soto City, housed in a modest wooden building.

"Uh... Chen, is this really the academy you attend?" Dugu Yan was momentarily at a loss for words. How could someone as talented as Li Luochen come from such a humble little village?

"Mm-hmm. Aside from lacking simulated training environments, our academy's resources are on par with the Five Great Elemental Academies. The key is that we have exclusive recipes." Li Luochen spoke casually. Shrek Academy indeed lacked simulated training rooms.

However, Shrek Academy had no shortage of high-quality soul beast meat, and the meals were excellent, prepared under the guidance of Spirit Emperor and Spirit Sage-level teachers. The only issue was the small number of students—otherwise, it would be difficult to sustain so many people.

Li Luochen himself understood that Shrek Academy only accepted geniuses, and geniuses could thrive anywhere. For instance, even if he had attended another prestigious academy, he still would have reached Spirit Elder level by age twelve.

Nevertheless, Li Luochen had a close bond with Shrek Academy, and he aspired to elevate it into the top soul master academy of the future. Of course, there was still much work to be done—but the future looked promising!

"Hmm, I think this place is great—it's perfect for retirement," Dugu Bo remarked as he admired the scenery. Though the village was simple, it was peaceful and picturesque. He liked it very much.

Before long, the teachers and students of Shrek Academy came out to greet them.

Li Luochen had been away for over half a year. The teachers hadn't changed much—Zhao Wuji and Shao Xin had each advanced one level in spirit power, while Oscar had gained one and a half levels, reaching the peak of level 19 and nearing a breakthrough to level 20.

Ma Hongjun, who had just obtained his first soul ring before leaving, was now at level 14 after more than half a year.

Lu Qibin remained at level 66, and Li Yusong, Li Luochen's grandfather, was still at level 64. Both elders had long passed their prime cultivation years, so their progress was slow.

"Yo, Big Brother Flender and Xiao Chen are back! How was your six-month journey?" Zhao Wuji slapped Flender on the shoulder in his usual boisterous manner.

Li Yusong affectionately lifted his beloved grandson into a hug. It had been half a year, and he had missed him dearly.

"Alright, Grandpa, put me down. Let me introduce you—this young lady is Dugu Yan, my girlfriend, and this gentleman beside her is her grandfather, the renowned Title Douluo Dugu Bo."

Li Luochen introduced his grandfather to his future granddaughter-in-law and her grandfather.

Upon hearing the name "Dugu Bo," Zhao Wuji, Shao Xin, Lu Qibin, and even Li Yusong drew sharp breaths. To think that Li Luochen had managed to win the heart of a Title Douluo's granddaughter—he truly was remarkable.

"Hehe, from now on, I'll be the honorary principal of Shrek Academy. No need for too much formality," Dugu Bo said casually. He was only here for a short visit before resuming his travels across the continent. Besides, everyone here was family to Li Luochen, so there was no need for pretense.

Despite his casual tone, Zhao Wuji and the others still performed a formal salute to Dugu Bo—a gesture of respect for a powerful cultivator.

The group then moved to the dining hall to chat about their respective gains over the past six months.

"What?! Flender, you've broken through to Spirit Douluo? Weren't you just a level 78 Spirit Sage six months ago? And Xiao Chen, you've already become a Spirit Ancestor at level 44?"

Zhao Wuji's loud voice echoed in astonishment. It was understandable—no one had expected such dramatic changes in just half a year.

"This time, while traveling with Grandpa Dugu, I encountered some opportunities. Don't worry—I've prepared something for all of you. Let's eat first, and I'll distribute them afterward."

Li Luochen spoke casually, deliberately leaving out details. The teachers of Shrek Academy were all sharp individuals, and discussing such opportunities carelessly could invite disaster. 

Li Luochen trusted them not to speak of these matters lightly. After all, Li Yusong was his biological grandfather and wouldn't harm him, while Zhao Wuji, Lu Qibin, and Shao Xin had watched him grow up—they treated him like their own child.

As for Oscar and Ma Hongjun, though young, they were highly intelligent. Their teachers had often lectured them about the dark side of the soul master world, so they understood the importance of discretion.

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After the meal…

"Grandpa, Uncle Lu, this is a medicine refined by Grandpa Dugu, using Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia as the main ingredient. It removes impurities, strengthens the foundation, prolongs life, and helps break through cultivation bottlenecks. It will benefit both of you."

Li Luochen handed out treasures to the teachers of Shrek Academy. Next, he turned to his two younger brothers.

Oscar and Ma Hongjun stared at Li Luochen with hopeful eyes, silently pleading: 'Big Brother, don't forget us!'

"Hehe, you two are lucky. I've prepared true immortal-grade herbs for you—better than what the teachers received. Where else can you find a big brother as generous as me?"

Li Luochen boasted shamelessly. In truth, these herbs were what they were originally destined to receive, but that didn't stop him from tilting his head at a 45-degree angle and striking a smug pose.

"Long live big brother! Long live Brother Chen!"

"Little Oscar, this is the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid. Its properties are gentle yet potent, easy to absorb but requiring a long time to fully integrate. It strengthens the foundation and purifies impurities, making it perfect for your constitution as a food-based soul master. It will compensate for your slower cultivation speed and last until you reach level 70.

There's no special way to consume it—just chew and swallow. It tastes sweet and fragrant. Focus your spirit power to help the effects integrate into your body, and slowly absorb it over time."

In Li Luochen's hand appeared an eight petaled orchid, pure white and exuding an aura of elegance and otherworldliness.

Oscar didn't understand everything, but he grasped one crucial point—it would address his slow cultivation as a food-based soul master, lasting until level 70.

"Thanks, Brother Chen," Oscar said gratefully before sitting down to absorb and refine the herb.

Li Luochen then turned to Ma Hongjun. "Fatty, your martial soul's defect causes excessive energy. Though your first soul ring stabilized your Fire Phoenix lineage, it's only a temporary fix. Eventually, it will erode your body.

I've prepared a powerful yang tonic called Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. It will purify your martial soul into a true Fire Phoenix.

Here it is—the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. Do not chew it; simply swallow it whole. Focus your spirit power to guide its effects. No matter how painful it gets, endure it—if you give up halfway, the effects will diminish significantly. This herb's effects are immediate and should greatly enhance your spirit power and flame capabilities. If you fail midway, the potency will drop drastically."

Li Luochen produced a trembling red herb, soft and delicate, composed of simple red leaves. At the tip, it resembled a cockscomb, but upon closer inspection, its veins were a fiery gold. As soon as it appeared, the room's temperature soared.

"Got it, thanks, Brother Chen! I'll definitely succeed!" Ma Hongjun patted his chest confidently.

"Remember to circulate the Limitless Universe Technique while absorbing it—it'll help reduce the pain. Keep pushing forward and aim to surpass the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Become an Ultimate fire attribute Phoenix martial soul holder."

Li Luochen had high hopes for Ma Hongjun. By resolving his martial soul's issues early, he could lower the requirements for future soul rings. With purified Phoenix lineage and a strong fire attribute, he could seek out powerful fire attribute soul beasts to evolve his flames into Ultimate fire.

Ma Hongjun's talent was extraordinary—he had started with 9.5 levels of innate spirit power and possessed a variant martial soul. With proper cultivation, he would become the team's strongest explosive offensive soul master.

Once Ma Hongjun's excess energy problem was resolved, Li Luochen planned to feed him whale jelly and secure a Thousand-year second soul ring.

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