Chapter 295: The Pinnacle Battle of Whale and Shark

Dugu Yan felt her newfound spiritual energy, and everything around her became crystal clear.

Bo Saixi, the Sea God Douluo, watched as Dugu Yan approached her. A faint smile appeared on her face.

"Congratulations. Though I don't know exactly what happened to you or how you reached this level at such a young age, I can confirm that your spiritual energy has risen to the same tier as mine. Am I right?"

Dugu Yan stared blankly at Bo Saixi. The voice she heard hadn't come from Bo Saixi's mouth but directly from within her mind. This was… telepathy?

"Yes, this is spiritual communication. Simply focus your spiritual energy, and you'll be able to sense my thoughts. Of course, this form of communication only works between soul masters with spiritual energy on par with ours.

If you wish to keep your thoughts private, you can shield your mind with your spiritual energy. Doing so will prevent anyone from probing your thoughts."

"Thank you, Senior." Dugu Yan bowed respectfully to Bo Saixi with a smile.

Bo Saixi smiled faintly and said, "It's nothing—it's my duty. Judging by the situation, your companions have already completed the third trial. Since you've also finished, it's time for me to return to the Sea God Temple."

With that, Bo Saixi transformed into a streak of blue light and vanished. Dugu Yan sensed this departure through her spiritual energy. To others, it would have seemed as though Bo Saixi had disappeared into thin air.

After pondering for a moment, Dugu Yan went to find her companions. She discovered that the rest of Shrek Academy was lying there, fast asleep.

Once everyone completed the third trial, they collapsed onto the rocky mountaintop and fell into deep slumber. This past year had been grueling for them all. Among them, the ones who suffered the most were undoubtedly Ning Rongrong, Ye Lingling, Zhu Zhuqing, and Bai Chenxiang.

These four girls—three auxiliary-type soul masters and one flight-type soul master—weren't physically strong to begin with. Now, they looked noticeably thinner, their once fair skin now tanned and healthy, their elegant and noble demeanor replaced by a fierce vitality. They no longer resembled auxiliary-type soul masters but rather combat-oriented ones.

Such intense training left both body and spirit utterly exhausted. Dugu Yan was tired too, but instead of sleeping, she sat cross-legged to rest. Her soul power was now at Level 94.

Not only had her soul power soared, but the other members of the group had made tremendous progress as well.

However, three full years had passed since their arrival on Sea God Island.

During these three years, each of them had experienced a qualitative leap in strength. Yet, they had also endured unimaginable suffering.

In just three short years, they had endured more than they had in the previous twenty-plus years combined. For every gain, there must be sacrifice. Three years of excruciating physical and mental torment were finally beginning to take their toll.

Without proper adjustment, auxiliary-type soul masters like Ye Lingling and Ning Rongrong, whose bodies were inherently weaker, might even risk losing their sanity.

After adjusting her own state, Dugu Yan decided to check the content of the fourth trial.

[The Pinnacle Battle of Whale and Shark: Assist the Demon Soul Great White Shark clan in slaying the Evil Demon Tiger Shark King among the Evil Demon Tiger Whales.]

"The Evil Demon Tiger Whale King, huh? It should be a hundred-thousand-year soul beast on par with Xiao Bai. But my soul rings are already full. Chen mentioned that I should reserve the torso bone slot for the Deep Sea Demon Whale King.

Killing the Evil Demon Tiger Whale King might feel like a waste.

Wait… Zhu Zhuqing's soul power is now at Level 89. If she can quickly reach Level 90 within a short period, perhaps this soul ring won't go to waste. Yes, that's what we'll do!"

Several days later—

"It's simple. Our trial is to deal with the Evil Demon Tiger Whale clan. However, our priority is to kill those above thirty thousand years old.

I recently asked Xiao Bai about the number of Evil Demon Tiger Whales. The Evil Demon Tiger Whale King is stronger than Xiao Bai. One adult Evil Demon Tiger Whale is equivalent to two adult Demon Soul Great White Sharks.

Moreover, the Evil Demon Tiger Whale clan outnumbers the Demon Soul Great White Sharks. So don't hold back when killing them—just avoid completely wiping them out. Focus on those above thirty thousand years old.

For the rest, simply drive them away. As long as there are enough younger whales (ten to twenty thousand years old) leading the clan, they shouldn't face extinction."

After analyzing the Evil Demon Tiger Whale clan thoroughly, Dugu Yan planned to launch a massive assault, hoping to score some soul bones.

"All right! ×N"

Dugu Yan: "If there's no objection, the soul ring and soul bone of the Evil Demon Tiger Whale King will go to Zhu Zhuqing. She currently has the second-highest soul power after me at Level 89 and should break through within half a year.

As for Yang Wu and Niu Dun, both of you are stuck at the Level 80 bottleneck. You'll need to hunt high-level Evil Demon Tiger Whales to obtain your eighth soul ring. Any objections?"

"No! ×N"

"Good, Sister Yan!"

Dugu Yan: "Alright then. Let's regroup in half a year and finish the trial!"

The members of Shrek Academy dispersed. Zhu Zhuqing went into intensive cultivation, while the others either rested, shopped, or played. After all, they had half a year before the next trial.

At this point, the strength of Shrek Academy had significantly increased.

- Dugu Yan: Level 94 Title Douluo 

- Zhu Zhuqing: Level 89 Agility-Attack Combat Soul Douluo 

- Ye Lingling: Level 88 Auxiliary Healing-Type Soul Douluo 

- Ma Hongjun: Level 87 Power-Attack Combat Soul Douluo 

- Bai Chenxiang: Level 70 Agility-Attack Combat Soul Emperor 

- Oscar: Level 84 Food System Soul Saint 

- Ning Rongrong: Level 79 Auxiliary System Soul Saint 

- Yu Tianxin: Level 80 Power-Attack Combat Soul Saint 

- Yang Wu: Level 80 Power-Attack Combat Soul Saint 

- Niu Dun: Level 80 Power-Attack Combat Soul Saint 

- Jing Ling: Level 78 Agility-Attack Combat Soul Saint 

- Huang Yuan: Level 78 Power-Attack Combat Soul Saint 

- Zhu Zhuqing: Level 76 Healing-Type Soul Emperor 

- Dai Mubai: Level 66 Power-Attack Combat Soul Emperor 

(A/N: Dai Mubai's third trial was to endure attacks from two ten-thousand-year Demon Soul Great White Sharks in the deep sea for the duration of an incense stick's burn. He has already completed it.)

At this moment, only Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Yu Tianxin remained in the room.

"Sister Yan, I've reached Level 80. In the next six months, I plan to seek out Lord Sea Dragon and venture into the ocean to search for a lightning-element subspecies of sea soul beast.

After all, my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul requires the rare condition of a subspecies sea soul beast."

Dugu Yan replied indifferently, "Understood. When do you plan to leave?"

"Today!"

"Fine. Go ahead, but don't forget to return and regroup in six months!"

"Yes!"

Yu Tianxin left, heading straight for the location of the Sea Dragon Holy Pillar.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing had gone into seclusion for intensive cultivation. Before closing herself off, Dugu Yan gave her the method for condensing a soul core and a Breakthrough Barrier Pill.

The Breakthrough Barrier Pill was jointly developed by Dugu Bo, Yang Wudi, and Ju Douluo. Made from the fusion of several immortal-grade medicinal herbs and countless rare materials, it was designed to help overcome bottlenecks.

Dugu Yan only had two of these pills. She planned to give one to Zhu Zhuqing and one to Ye Lingling—after all, sisters share resources.

Thanks to the rewards from their top-tier eight trials, both Zhu Zhuqing and Ye Lingling had advanced rapidly. Not only had their soul ring years increased, but their soul power had also surged dramatically.

Still, Dugu Yan couldn't help but feel a little regret. With Zhu Zhuqing in seclusion, she'd lost someone to sleep with. She used to cuddle with two people, but now one was missing.

But hugging Ye Lingling to sleep wasn't bad either. With that thought, Dugu Yan picked up Ye Lingling and prepared to head back to bed.

...

This half-year was the most relaxed period Shrek Academy had experienced since arriving on Sea God Island.

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