Duolou: After taking advice, I became Supreme!

Chapter 141: Xiao Wu: Speechless

In their previous matches, whenever Xiao Wu managed to close the distance, Tang San found himself powerless without the use of hidden weapons.

Now, with her spirit power enhanced beyond Rank 30, Xiao Wu immediately activated her first spirit ability, Waist Bow, after finishing her sentence. With a swift movement, she hooked Tang San's ankles, lifting him off the ground.

Her Waist Bow, now enhanced by over 120%, was not something any spirit master of the same rank could resist with brute strength alone.

Tang San, feeling the immense force from Xiao Wu's technique, was startled but quickly shouted,

"Not necessarily!"

A blue-green light flared up around him as his Spider Web Restraint activated, targeting Xiao Wu.

However, Xiao Wu simply smiled and activated her third spirit ability. She effortlessly phased through Tang San's web, completing her Waist Bow technique and throwing Tang San to the ground with a loud thud.

"Ouch! That hurts!"

Tang San groaned, clutching his head, which had taken the brunt of the impact. Clearly, the fall wasn't light.

"Alright, that's enough. Stop now!"

Yu Xiaogang's voice interrupted the match, prompted by concern for his beloved disciple's injury.

At the same time, Oscar, who had been rapidly dodging and maneuvering, finally came to a stop.

Dai Mubai glanced at Oscar and suddenly remembered—Oscar's sausage effects were weakened when consumed by himself. Unfortunately, Dai Mubai's spirit power was already too depleted to turn the tide.

Tang San looked at Xiao Wu, feeling a pang of disappointment.

After defeating him, Xiao Wu didn't even glance at him but instead ran excitedly to Yun Feng, animatedly recounting her performance.

Tang San, who had been hoping for Xiao Wu to extend a hand to help him up, suddenly felt like a clown.

Yu Xiaogang ignored Tang San's awkwardness and turned to the group, signaling for Ma Hongjun to stop his mid-air movements. His gaze swept across the five who had just fought.

"Tell me what you've learned."

Dai Mubai was visibly frustrated. Losing to Tang San's third spirit ability was understandable—after all, Tang San was a control-type spirit master. But losing to Ma Hongjun, who had never been a match for him, was harder to accept.

"If my spirit power had been at its peak, they wouldn't have stood a chance," Dai Mubai grumbled.

Hearing this, Yun Feng couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Already irritated, Dai Mubai immediately snapped,

"What's so funny? Am I wrong?"

But when he turned around and saw Yun Feng, his momentum faltered. Before he could continue, Yun Feng spoke calmly:

"Do you think your enemies will only attack you when your spirit power is full?"

Dai Mubai froze, unable to respond.

Yun Feng continued,

"You knew Oscar could provide Mushroom Sausages, so why did you let Ma Hongjun consume one instead of stopping him? If you had conserved your spirit power or interrupted his buff, you would have won this fight."

Ma Hongjun, hanging his arm around Oscar's shoulders, grinned smugly.

"This feels amazing! Who knew I'd ever beat Boss Dai? Oscar, your sausages are a lifesaver!"

Oscar chuckled.

"Of course! I'm a Spirit Elder now, after all."

Yun Feng remained silent, but Yu Xiaogang's cold gaze fell on the two.

"Dai Mubai did make mistakes, and Yun Feng's points are valid. But are you two feeling proud of yourselves? Ma Hongjun, when Oscar's Mushroom Sausage wore off, why did you let him fall behind? If Dai Mubai had one last attack left, Oscar would've been finished. What then?"

"I…"

Ma Hongjun was stunned, unable to answer.

Yu Xiaogang then turned to Oscar.

"And you, Oscar. As a food-type spirit master, your priority is to protect yourself at all costs. If Ma Hongjun doesn't shield you, you should know how to stay behind him.

"If this were a real battle, and Dai Mubai had the strength to target you first, you'd already be dead. Even food-type Title Douluos can't withstand the direct assault of a battle spirit master."

Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun looked at each other in silence, unsure how to respond.

Meanwhile, Yun Feng watched Yu Xiaogang's lecturing with a bemused expression.

To Yun Feng, Dai Mubai had indeed made a tactical mistake. But as for Ma Hongjun and Oscar? Wasn't Yu Xiaogang just nitpicking?

The fight had ended. Yu Xiaogang had called for a halt. Were they supposed to stay on high alert even after the match? It was ridiculous!

Still, Yu Xiaogang seemed satisfied with their reactions, believing they now respected his authority.

"Xiao San," Yu Xiaogang called.

Tang San immediately stepped forward.

"Teacher, I'm here."

"Tell me your thoughts about your match with Xiao Wu."

Tang San blushed and admitted,

"Teacher, I was wrong. I let my guard down and fell into Xiao Wu's second spirit ability, Charm, putting me at a disadvantage. I also used my Spider Web Restraint prematurely without knowing her third ability, worsening my position."

Yu Xiaogang nodded.

"It's good you realize your mistakes. Even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit. You made an unforgivable error by underestimating your opponent. Control-type spirit masters must not only control their enemies but also themselves."

Finally, Yu Xiaogang turned to Xiao Wu.

"Your third spirit ability is teleportation, isn't it? Likely from a thousand-year Lightning Rabbit spirit ring. Teleportation is one of the rarest and most valuable abilities. I'm impressed."

He continued,

"With teleportation combined with your flexibility, your combat strength has increased significantly. However, why did you assume victory the moment you wrapped your legs around Tang San's neck?

"If you had been more cautious and teleported out of his attack range before continuing, you wouldn't have needed to take such a risk."

Listening to Yu Xiaogang, Xiao Wu couldn't help but feel speechless.

Didn't she know her own spirit abilities better than anyone?

As a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, she might not have lived that long, but her instincts were honed by countless battles. Did she really need lessons on how to fight?

And why would she teleport away? Wasn't that giving Tang San—the control-type spirit master—more time to set traps?

Her Charm ability was already difficult to land once. If Tang San had been alerted, hitting him again would be almost impossible!

Xiao Wu rolled her eyes, utterly exasperated by Yu Xiaogang's so-called "guidance."

Chapter 142 - Yu Xiaogang: "Please Cooperate with Me, I Beg You!"

Xiao Wu was now certain—

Yu Xiaogang was just talking nonsense and even lecturing her.

However, considering he was Tang San's teacher, Xiao Wu decided to endure it.

Yet her silence only gave Yu Xiaogang an excuse to continue his tirade.

Yu Xiaogang's stiff face looked rather unpleasant.

"So this is what you call a team of genius monsters? Your performance today has deeply disappointed me. Every one of you has made unforgivable mistakes. Therefore, all of you will face punishment. Start running immediately, supervise each other, and do not use soul power. Run from the academy to Soto City and back. I require ten round trips before lunch. Only after you finish can you eat."

"Tang San, your mistake is the most serious, so you'll run twelve round trips. Move now. Begin!"

Tang San was the first to run out. Yu Xiaogang's words were no different from orders to him.

Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun followed closely behind.

Only Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Yun Feng remained standing there, watching without moving.

They did not immediately set out.

Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang realized this was going to be difficult.

After organizing his thoughts, he directly asked:

"Why aren't you going?"

Ning Rongrong blinked, glanced at her companions, and then looked at Yu Xiaogang. She frowned and asked:

"Did we do something wrong?"

"Why should we run?"

Yu Xiaogang's lips curled into a faint smile.

He had been waiting for this question.

"You're a team. How can you stand by and watch while your teammates are punished?"

Hearing this, Ning Rongrong pondered for a moment but quickly responded:

"You're twisting concepts here. And what's the point of this? If you want us to train, you could just say so. Why call it punishment?"

"Does this make your twisted mind feel better?"

Yu Xiaogang was stunned into silence by Ning Rongrong's retort.

"You—"

"I what?"

"What's wrong with me?"

Ning Rongrong crossed her arms and said with disdain in her eyes:

"If you can't give a reasonable explanation, I'm not going."

Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu stood silently nearby, also feeling this was unreasonable.

Yu Xiaogang looked at them with a headache and finally sighed, saying softly:

"This training is meant to build team coordination. Didn't you want to see the results of my training methods?"

"If you participate, you'll understand. What I said earlier was just to inspire your team spirit."

Yu Xiaogang's sudden softening surprised Yun Feng.

It seemed even a tyrant had its match!

Though Ning Rongrong wasn't exactly a villain, her nickname "Little Witch" wasn't for nothing.

She only behaved a bit more restrained around Yun Feng, but not everyone received the same treatment.

Yu Xiaogang's plan to assert authority was completely ruined.

The three girls exchanged glances and then turned toward Yun Feng.

Yun Feng wasn't too concerned.

Given his current physical fitness, even running a hundred laps wouldn't be a problem.

He might as well treat it as post-meal exercise, though the food in his stomach had likely already turned into energy.

Of course, Yun Feng didn't intend to let Yu Xiaogang's plan succeed.

He had his own motives—he didn't want the three girls to grow closer to the others in Shrek Academy.

So he nodded and said directly:

"Let's join. We shouldn't act special, right?"

"If the method doesn't work, we'll revise it later."

Zhu Zhuqing was the first to agree with Yun Feng's suggestion.

To her, Yun Feng was the real master.

After just a few days of training with him, her abilities had noticeably improved, especially her reflexes.

Static and dynamic objects seemed slower when she moved at high speed.

Her stamina had also increased.

So she wanted to test herself further.

As for Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong, they didn't overthink it.

In their eyes, Yun Feng was a genius—even more talented than they were.

They trusted his judgment and wouldn't doubt his words.

Seeing Yun Feng and the three girls agree, Yu Xiaogang smiled and said:

"Please cooperate with me later. I beg you!"

Everyone understood what Yu Xiaogang meant and didn't object, nodding in agreement.

When they arrived at the academy's gate, Tang San and the others were already waiting.

Yu Xiaogang cleared his throat and said:

"Here are some prepared rocks. Each of you must carry one while running. Remember, you are a team. If one person fails to complete the punishment, no one eats."

Although they couldn't use soul power, their bodies had already been strengthened through years of soul power cultivation, making them far stronger than ordinary people.

Still, simple running wouldn't achieve Yu Xiaogang's goals.

The distance from the academy to Soto City wasn't far, about three or four kilometers each way.

Ten round trips meant covering about sixty to seventy kilometers. Adding weight made it no easy task.

After Yu Xiaogang finished speaking, everyone noticed the punishment wasn't evenly distributed.

In fact, it seemed pre-arranged.

Eight woven bamboo baskets filled with stones of various sizes were prepared, each labeled with a name.

Yun Feng's basket was the heaviest.

Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun carried slightly lighter loads.

Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Oscar's baskets were smaller, and Ning Rongrong's was the lightest.

Seeing this, Ning Rongrong's dissatisfaction eased a little—it wasn't completely unfair.

Yu Xiaogang watched the eight of them set off with their baskets and smiled faintly.

He muttered to himself:

"This won't be easy. I swapped out all the stones."

His words were clearly directed at Yun Feng.

After noticing Yun Feng's disdainful look earlier, Yu Xiaogang decided to prove his training methods were superior.

He had only recently learned about the training Yun Feng designed for Zhu Zhuqing.

Now he wanted to see whose methods were better.

If Yun Feng couldn't hold out, Yu Xiaogang would win.

He planned to push Yun Feng to his limits.

"Running long distances with weights without using soul power—isn't that too harsh? Hundreds of kilometers? They won't finish by noon, maybe not even by nightfall. I didn't expect you to be more ruthless than me."

Chapter 143: Cheating?

Flender had unknowingly approached Yu Xiaogang and spoke with some concern.

Yu Xiaogang, however, responded calmly to Flender's inquiry:

"Only through enduring hardships can one rise above others. I've carefully calculated their physical conditions. They won't be pushed too hard. Besides, do you think the hearty breakfast they had this morning was for nothing? Without experiencing shared struggles, how can they become true companions who can entrust their backs to one another?"

Flender raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Fine, I'll leave it to you. I know you care about these kids even more than I do. However, I must remind you once again—our academy's funds are limited."

"Are you sure you can handle this?"

Yu Xiaogang was blunt, giving a cold snort in response.

"Would a living person let themselves be held back by trivial matters? Do you think I'm like you—a dignified Spirit Sage who can't even secure funding for an academy?"

His words were full of disdain.

But Flender wasn't entirely without temper. He immediately turned to Yu Xiaogang with a slight anger:

"That's only because I refuse to grovel and depend on others. Otherwise, with my strength, living in luxury wouldn't be difficult at all. I'd like to see how you solve this problem—especially since you're even more prideful than I am."

Yu Xiaogang glanced at Flender with twitching lips. Clearly, Flender's jab about his pride had stung him a little.

Even if it was true, hearing it said aloud was still hard to bear.

He snorted coldly before replying:

"Just wait and see."

Carrying his bamboo basket, Tang San took the lead, sprinting forward.

It wasn't until he started running that he realized how heavy this punishment truly was.

If they were allowed to use their spirit power, running sixty to seventy kilometers in half a day wouldn't be a problem—it could even be done with ease.

However, without using spirit power and carrying additional weight, completing the task suddenly felt far more difficult.

"Yunfeng, everyone, let's stop for a moment."

While running, Tang San suddenly stopped in his tracks.

They hadn't gone very far, yet his forehead was already glistening with sweat, indicating he had noticed the problem.

Yunfeng, on the other hand, seemed unaffected.

Even without using spirit power, he didn't feel the strain.

Tang San and the others, however, had consumed spirit power earlier, leaving them slightly uncomfortable.

Despite this, they were among the most physically capable students at Shrek Academy. By this point, Xiao Wu, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar had already fallen behind by several hundred meters, while Zhu Zhuqing had caught up with them, and Ning Rongrong lagged at the very back.

Yunfeng continued running alongside Tang San, neither surpassing him nor falling behind.

He subtly increased his pace, silently encouraging Tang San to push himself harder and exhaust his stamina.

Hearing Tang San's words, Yunfeng stopped and smiled.

"Tang San, what's wrong?"

He looked at Tang San with some curiosity but still paused to listen.

"We have ten laps to run, and it's not a short distance. Let's keep going."

Tang San thought for a moment before explaining:

"Yunfeng, do you remember what Teacher said earlier? We are a team, and we need to complete this punishment together. Look—Zhuqing and Rongrong are also being punished with us. Besides the twelve laps I need to run, you all need to finish at the same time."

"Based on what I know about Teacher, this isn't just a punishment—it's also meant to train us. Teacher mentioned to me yesterday that physical strength is the foundation of a Spirit Master. More importantly, I believe this punishment is also a test of our teamwork."

"We're a unit. Physically, you and I might be able to endure, but the others might not. I think we need to come up with a way to ensure everyone can complete this challenge together."

Hearing Tang San's reasoning, Yunfeng couldn't help but feel a bit impressed.

It wasn't that Tang San was particularly exceptional—it was the experience and wisdom accumulated from his past life that made his thoughts more mature than those of the others at Shrek Academy.

No wonder the others would later follow him so willingly.

Yunfeng didn't comment further.

Knowing the talents of his teammates, Tang San also began considering ways to build relationships and improve the group's position.

While he had already taken certain actions, Tang San wasn't worried.

Some people could be drawn in, while others, if they harbored hostility, could be eliminated when the opportunity arose.

"Alright, let's discuss this when everyone catches up."

Soon, the others arrived, and Tang San explained his thoughts on the punishment once again.

Oscar frowned slightly and surveyed the group before saying:

"I think Tang San is right. Teacher is testing us. Our weights are different because Teacher likely calculated each person's physical limits. Yunfeng, for instance, should be able to complete this without much difficulty and still have energy left."

"Fatty, however, might be right at his limit—or even slightly over it. If we don't work together, we won't be able to complete this. As for those whose weights exceed their limits, like me and Rongrong, we're going to need everyone's cooperation."

By the end of his statement, Oscar smiled bitterly.

After running only two kilometers, the bamboo basket on his back already felt unbearably heavy. With so much more distance to cover, he doubted he could make it.

Ma Hongjun spoke up boldly:

"How about we cheat? We can sneak some of Oscar's recovery sausages—then we won't need to worry about running out of energy!"

"Cheat?"

Oscar glared at Ma Hongjun. He was too smart to take such a risk.

"Fatty, let me ask you one thing—can you guarantee that Teacher hasn't arranged for someone to monitor us? If we're caught cheating, the punishment could be far worse. Besides, Teacher must have a reason for this punishment—it's ultimately for our benefit. We need to find a way to save as much energy as possible instead."

Hearing this, Yunfeng was speechless.

It was almost amusing how willing they were to follow Tang San's lead. Yunfeng thought to himself—if handled properly, he could probably sell them out, and they'd still count his money afterward.

Surprisingly, Oscar's suggestion was unanimously agreed upon by Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai, and even Tang San, who nodded thoughtfully.

Suddenly, Tang San said:

"Teacher wants us to carry weights and run without spirit power, but the total weight for the eight of us is fixed. As long as we carry the required weight, we should be fine. Oscar, give me your stones."

Chapter 144: In the Face of Absolute Strength, Teamwork Becomes Meaningless

Oscar was initially overjoyed and was about to hand his stones to Tang San when Yunfeng interrupted:

"There's no need for that. It's not about neglecting others, but rather maintaining a steady pace based on the slowest runner. That way, we can stay together as a group, and running at a constant speed is the most energy-efficient approach."

"If anyone can't keep up later, you can give them the stones then."

Yunfeng's words immediately made everyone pause and rethink.

That's right!

Although Yunfeng had said this, before they started running, he had already taken all the stones from Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong's baskets.

The two girls initially wanted to refuse, but seeing Yunfeng running effortlessly with the extra load, they quickly gave up resisting.

As for Zhu Zhuqing, Yunfeng had considered helping her, but after seeing the determination in her eyes, he decided against it.

Hardworking people shouldn't be undermined!

Once they set off again, it was clear that Oscar and Ning Rongrong, being auxiliary-type soul masters, had the worst stamina. The group adjusted their pace to match theirs, moving steadily toward Soto City.

The first round-trip was completed at this uniform pace.

As the run continued, everyone started to feel the strain of the added weight. Running six kilometers without spirit power wouldn't normally pose a challenge for them.

Their bodies, strengthened by soul power, gave them superior stamina compared to ordinary people. Even Oscar and Ning Rongrong, as support-type soul masters, had above-average endurance.

However, with the added burden, their bodies struggled to adapt. After completing the first lap, Oscar was drenched in sweat, and the others also showed signs of fatigue.

Ning Rongrong, predictably, was the weakest of them all. Oscar had an edge due to his third spirit ring, which enhanced his physical attributes. With no weight to carry, Ning Rongrong actually looked better off than Oscar.

Seeing everyone struggling, Yunfeng smirked and glanced toward the sky.

Without warning, he sped up.

In an instant, Yunfeng, carrying the weight of three people's stones, sprinted ahead, leaving the others behind.

Hidden in the shadows, Flender and the others were completely dumbfounded.

So this was Yu Xiaogang's rigorous training plan?

What was going on?

Yunfeng, carrying such a heavy load, ran like it was nothing—effortlessly leaving everyone else in the dust.

And judging by his expression, it was as if he had noticed their presence all along!

This was ridiculous!

Flender and the others knew the weight distribution for each participant.

Tang San and Dai Mubai carried 15 kilograms each, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun carried 10 kilograms, while Oscar and Ning Rongrong carried only 5 kilograms. Yet even with such light loads, Oscar and Ning Rongrong looked as if they were carrying mountains on their backs, struggling just to keep moving.

Meanwhile, Yunfeng's starting weight was 50 kilograms—meant to curb his arrogance.

Yu Xiaogang had specifically designed this punishment to humble Yunfeng, whose indifferent attitude often irked him. There was even a hint of personal vengeance behind the decision.

But Yunfeng's performance left Flender and the others speechless.

How had this training turned into such a farce?

From the academy gates, Yu Xiaogang watched as the students completed their first lap.

A table stood beside him, holding a large barrel of slightly salty warm water.

"Drink some water, then keep going," Yu Xiaogang instructed tersely.

Under his supervision, each student was allowed only one cup before being sent off to continue their punishment.

As the sun climbed higher, the heat became increasingly intense.

The salted water replenished their strength slightly, helping Tang San and Dai Mubai maintain their pace. Oscar and Ning Rongrong, however, felt a more significant boost.

Watching his students run off, Yu Xiaogang's expression remained stoic, though a trace of satisfaction flickered in his eyes when he saw them working together.

He wasn't surprised that Yunfeng wasn't with the group.

Yunfeng had already returned once, skipped drinking water, and set off again.

Yu Xiaogang assumed it was merely Yunfeng's competitive streak, trying to show off in front of his peers.

He was certain Yunfeng would soon exhaust himself.

Speed didn't matter—what counted was maintaining endurance throughout the task.

However, as the laps continued—second, third, and fourth—Yu Xiaogang's confidence began to crumble.

By the time Yunfeng completed all ten laps, Yu Xiaogang was completely stunned.

His prized students were still struggling through their third lap, while Yunfeng had already finished the entire run.

Yunfeng had proven one undeniable truth—absolute strength made teamwork meaningless.

Not only had he finished first, but he had also exceeded expectations.

Now sitting comfortably in a chair that Yu Xiaogang had prepared, Yunfeng sipped water with an air of calm satisfaction.

Yu Xiaogang was at a loss.

How was he supposed to continue teaching after this?

Yunfeng had completely shattered the rules.

Several times, Yu Xiaogang tried to question Yunfeng, but each time Yunfeng would preempt him with a teasing remark:

"Master, I'm exhausted after that intense training. I suddenly feel like eating something. Why don't you make me a meal? Don't worry, I'll watch over the others while you're gone."

"My legs feel so sore!"

Yu Xiaogang wanted to refuse, but after a moment of contemplation, he reluctantly agreed.

He was curious to uncover the source of Yunfeng's incredible stamina and power—something that defied all logic.

While Yu Xiaogang went off to prepare food, Yunfeng didn't sit idle.

He quickly set off again, running toward the struggling group.

When he spotted Zhu Zhuqing pushing herself near her limit, he considered helping but decided against it after seeing her determined expression.

Instead, he hoisted the nearly unconscious Ning Rongrong onto his back and sprinted toward the academy.

Yunfeng's goal was clear—to completely upset the balance and prove that raw strength could defy expectations.

Chapter 145 - Totally Exhausted!

Didn't Yu Xiaogang want teamwork and mutual support?

Now it was time to lend a hand and see what he had to say about it.

Meanwhile, Flender and the others, who were observing from the shadows, were utterly speechless.

On one hand, they were shocked by Yun Feng, and on the other, they were perplexed by Yu Xiaogang.

But the journey wasn't over yet—especially for Tang San.

His punishment was double that of the others.

Even completing the normal amount was already pushing his limits, let alone twice the workload.

Tang San's heart was full of resentment.

Before witnessing Yun Feng's absurd physical capabilities, he might not have thought much of it.

But after seeing Yun Feng's freakish stamina, Tang San couldn't help but grumble inwardly.

Was this even fair?

What kind of teamwork could make up for this imbalance?

And it wasn't just Tang San—everyone else had similar thoughts.

Was Yun Feng even human?

Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu, however, didn't dwell on these thoughts. Instead, they gazed at Yun Feng, who had come over to check on them again.

There was a flicker of admiration in their eyes.

Zhu Zhuqing envied Yun Feng's strength, while Xiao Wu admired his natural talent.

This was the final round trip.

Yun Feng looked at Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Tang San without saying much, but he could tell they were all in poor condition.

Without a word, Yun Feng continued running alongside Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.

However, Zhu Zhuqing, who had trained in the grove earlier before starting this exercise, had already expended most of her energy.

She lasted for a while but eventually collapsed, falling heavily to the ground.

Fortunately, Yun Feng was close enough to catch her in time, preventing her from hitting the ground.

Xiao Wu was also at her limit.

Before she could protest, Yun Feng scooped her up and carried both girls, dashing off as Tang San and the others watched in despair.

Yun Feng quickly returned to the starting point with the two girls, leaving the others behind.

Tang San and the others had no choice but to grit their teeth and continue running.

Before long, Oscar and Ma Hongjun also collapsed.

Determined to complete his teacher's assignment, Tang San sighed, glanced at Dai Mubai, and then carried the heaviest—Ma Hongjun—on his back.

Dai Mubai struggled as well but managed to support Oscar.

Already burdened with weights, carrying their unconscious teammates made every step agonizing.

After running for a while, Ma Hongjun and Oscar woke up due to the jolting motion and immediately began vomiting.

They leaned on each other, dragging their feet forward step by step.

The end was finally in sight, but their bodies were moving purely on willpower at this point.

Tang San, still burdened with rocks and supporting Ma Hongjun and Oscar, relied on the resilience of his Xuan Tian Gong to push through. Without it, he wouldn't have made it this far.

Dai Mubai's back was bent under the weight, and his evil eyes glinted red. Every step felt like a thousand pounds pressing down on him.

Four hundred meters… three hundred… two hundred… one hundred…

Yu Xiaogang's stiff expression finally appeared before them.

Watching the group stagger forward, supporting each other, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but feel moved, though he masked it well.

Of course, Yun Feng was the exception.

The three girls had already been sent to rest by Yun Feng, and he was now enjoying the food prepared by Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang's jaw dropped when he learned that Yun Feng had carried Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing back.

His gaze toward Yun Feng was filled with bitterness.

How was he supposed to lead this team with someone like Yun Feng around?

Fortunately, his disciple Tang San was still holding his own.

This last round trip took them a full hour, but they finally made it back.

Thud. Thud.

The four remaining runners collapsed almost simultaneously, fainting from exhaustion.

Yu Xiaogang watched them fall one by one but didn't move until the last two—Tang San and Dai Mubai—went down.

Only then did a faint smile cross his face.

"Never abandon, never give up. Good. Very good."

Flender, along with Zhao Wuji and the other teachers, approached Yu Xiaogang silently.

"Xiaogang, you're ruthless."

Yu Xiaogang ignored Flender's thinly veiled criticism and waved his hand.

"Quick, get them inside."

The teachers rushed to unload the weights and carry the students back to the academy.

Meanwhile, Yun Feng finally finished his meal and casually wiped his nonexistent sweat.

"I'm coming too! Running that far exhausted me!"

Yu Xiaogang's stiff expression twitched several times at Yun Feng's comment, but he nodded.

"Of course. You're part of the academy, too. Good job today."

When Zhu Zhuqing and the others woke up, they found themselves inside a grand hall.

A warm sensation seeped into their bodies, so comfortable that they almost moaned aloud.

Regaining focus, they realized they were lying naked in a medicinal bath.

The liquid in the bath had a brownish tint, and Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong were still fast asleep in the barrels beside them.

The hall was enormous, and the bath was spacious enough to accommodate three people comfortably.

Zhu Zhuqing stirred the liquid with her hand. The faint medicinal aroma confirmed her suspicions.

This was a medicinal bath.

On the other side, Tang San also woke up.

However, his accommodations were far less luxurious.

He found himself in a wooden barrel, stark naked, with Ma Hongjun beside him, equally unclothed.

Tang San frowned as he glanced at the snoring Ma Hongjun, choosing not to disturb him. Instead, he examined the liquid in the barrel.

Though he hadn't studied this world's medicine extensively, he recognized that many herbs here resembled those from his previous life.

This liquid likely had properties to relax muscles, promote blood circulation, and strengthen the body.

No wonder he felt no severe pain despite the intense exhaustion—only mild soreness and weakness in his legs.

Chapter 146 - Were You Not Wearing Clothes Either?

A note was stuck to the side of the wooden barrel, with Yu Xiaogang's handwriting on it:

"Go to the cafeteria for a meal after you wake up."

Seeing the word "meal," Tang San's stomach immediately rumbled, and a wave of hunger surged through him.

Standing up from the water, he noticed two smaller barrels filled with clean water placed beside the large wooden barrel—clearly meant for rinsing off. The clean water was not warm, and as Tang San dipped into it, a shiver ran through his body, instantly refreshing him. The soreness in his muscles gradually faded.

He quickly rinsed off the medicinal residue, put on clean clothes, and left the dormitory.

To his surprise, the sky was already adorned with stars. The quiet night was filled with occasional chirps of insects and birds, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

Stretching his body forcefully, his bones emitted a series of popping sounds, as if his entire body had been reinvigorated.

Taking a couple of deep breaths to expel the stale air inside him, he strode toward the cafeteria.

From a distance, he could already see the cafeteria lights glowing. When he entered, he found someone sitting there, eating heartily.

Hearing the footsteps, the person turned around. It was Yun Feng.

"Tang San, come and eat. The food is great," Yun Feng greeted him warmly with a smile.

At this time, Yun Feng wasn't inclined to reveal anything suspicious.

As Tang San approached, he noticed the pile of empty plates next to Yun Feng. It was obvious Yun Feng had already eaten a lot.

Tang San couldn't help but wonder how Yun Feng managed to eat so much without any visible discomfort.

But hunger had taken over Tang San's thoughts. Without dwelling on Yun Feng's appetite, he sat down next to Dai Mubai. There were seven portions of food neatly arranged on the table—clearly prepared for him and the others. Another note, also written by the master, was left on the table:

"Finish eating, clean the dishes, empty and wash the barrels in the room, and practice soul power before dawn. Morning training begins at sunrise."

The dinner was hearty—a large bowl of fragrant stewed meat, five fluffy white steamed buns, a bowl of rich soup, a plate of vegetables, and some fruits.

Tang San didn't bother to speak to Yun Feng. Driven by hunger, he devoured the food as if a storm had swept through the table.

Satisfaction washed over him. After exhausting his energy, replenishing it felt like his body was rapidly absorbing nutrients.

At that moment, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Dai Mubai entered the cafeteria.

Without a word, they sat down and immediately started eating.

Ma Hongjun's appetite was impressive. He finished his portion before the others and then leaned on the table, watching Tang San. When Tang San finished, Ma Hongjun commented:

"Tang San, the master is really tough. This is even stricter than Dean Flender. Judging by the master's instructions, I doubt we'll have an easy time ahead. Was this how he used to train you?"

Tang San shook his head.

"No, the teacher mostly taught me theoretical knowledge before. This kind of training is new to me. But yesterday, he mentioned that physical fitness is the foundation for a soul master. This must be his plan."

Oscar sighed bitterly.

"This isn't just about improving strength. The master's training is designed to push us to the limit. If we weren't physically strong, we'd probably be lying in bed for days. But that strange liquid in the barrel seems to have helped."

Yun Feng nodded thoughtfully.

"Yeah, this training nearly killed me. If I weren't in decent shape, I'd have collapsed."

Hearing this, the others fell silent and stared at Yun Feng blankly.

They weren't blind. They'd seen Yun Feng's performance earlier. While he had indeed worked hard, collapsing was clearly an exaggeration.

Sensing the awkwardness, no one pursued the topic further, fearing Yun Feng might make more absurd remarks.

Just then, a voice rang out:

"I'm starving! Where's the food?"

A figure dashed in hurriedly, paying no attention to Tang San or Dai Mubai, and went straight for the food.

It was Xiao Wu. Her flushed cheeks were glowing, bringing smiles to Yun Feng and Tang San's faces.

Clearly, Xiao Wu had also recovered from the intense training.

She ate while glancing at the note on the table and made a few hand gestures toward Yun Feng, signaling to wait until she finished eating before speaking.

Seeing Xiao Wu's cheerful demeanor, Yun Feng leaned lazily on the table, watching her devour the food without any pretense of ladylike manners.

The food portions for the girls were slightly smaller, with only two steamed buns instead of five. Everything else was the same.

Despite having a small mouth, Xiao Wu didn't hold back. In no time, most of her food was gone.

Not long after, Zhu Zhuqing also arrived.

Her expression was calm until she noticed Yun Feng, and then a faint smile appeared.

Unlike Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing ate gracefully. Her slow and deliberate movements were elegant, yet somehow quick. Watching her food disappear so rapidly despite her composed manner was almost unbelievable.

"Ah, that felt so good!" Xiao Wu sighed contentedly, leaning against Yun Feng's shoulder without hesitation.

"Yun Feng, did you come back later?"

Yun Feng smiled.

"With training this intense, you'll struggle if you're not used to it. I wanted to check on everyone."

Zhu Zhuqing also looked at Yun Feng with a glimmer in her eyes.

Suddenly, Xiao Wu blushed and straightened her posture, lowering her voice:

"You went into the bath later too? Were you not wearing clothes either?"

Yun Feng froze, then instinctively nodded before quickly clarifying:

"Don't worry. The village women helped you change. I didn't see anything."

Both Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing visibly relaxed at his words, though their expressions hinted at mixed emotions.

Chapter 147 - Soul King!

Why didn't Yun Feng help them instead?

As soon as this thought surfaced, both girls blushed deeply.

What were they even thinking?!

So embarrassing!

Tang San, on the other hand, found Xiao Wu's flushed face as cute as a red apple.

Adorable!

But Xiao Wu's embarrassment wasn't directed at herself, which made it even worse.

Ning Rongrong arrived the latest.

After finishing her meal, she sighed contentedly.

"That was so satisfying!"

Once everyone finished eating, they washed the dishes together.

Yun Feng then led the group of girls back to his palace.

The night passed uneventfully. By the time Yun Feng woke up again, it was already dawn. His biological clock, honed by his recent training sessions with Zhu Zhuqing, had become second nature.

After a brief practice session, the familiar bell rang, and the Shrek group gathered at the training grounds without hesitation.

Yu Xiaogang was already waiting for them in the center.

Seeing his calm yet stern expression, everyone except Yun Feng instinctively felt nervous—even slightly fearful.

"Very good. You're all early today."

Yu Xiaogang nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone's faces.

"Your performance yesterday satisfied me. Although some of you didn't complete your punishments, what pleased me was the spirit you showed—never abandoning, never giving up.

"As teammates, how can you trust each other enough to entrust your backs in battle? It comes down to one word—trust. And all of you demonstrated that trust well, enabling you to complete yesterday's test."

Yu Xiaogang deliberately avoided looking at Yun Feng as he spoke, feeling somewhat awkward.

But he quickly regained his composure and added with a straight face:

"Before today's lesson begins, Tang San, go complete the punishment you missed yesterday."

"Yes."

Tang San answered immediately and ran off toward the academy's perimeter to finish his task.

Once Tang San left, the others began their training.

Yu Xiaogang's methods were straightforward—daily combat drills lasting one to two hours.

The battles varied, with random combinations such as one-on-one, one-on-two, two-on-two, and even three-on-three or three-on-four matches.

To make things more challenging, Yu Xiaogang imposed restrictions—limiting the types of soul skills that could be used or specifying certain constraints during combat.

After combat training, they moved on to physical conditioning.

Just like the first day, no soul power was allowed during physical training, and exercises had to be completed as a team.

Yu Xiaogang had no shortage of ideas for pushing their limits, including weighted runs, uphill sprints, and other intense routines.

Regardless of the method, his goal was to push everyone to the edge of their physical capabilities.

Over time, the group grew accustomed to waking up in barrels of medicinal liquid each night.

For the others, this grueling regimen felt like hell.

But for Yun Feng, it was nothing.

Despite the harshness of the training, Yu Xiaogang spared no effort in providing nourishment, ensuring everyone received enough food to recover.

Three months passed, and except for Yun Feng, everyone underwent noticeable changes.

It wasn't that the training was ineffective.

Another development during this period was that the group registered their soul master ranks in Soto City.

To avoid drawing attention, Yu Xiaogang had them wear custom-made masks.

Although this sparked some suspicion, concealing identities wasn't unheard of in the soul master world, so they managed to receive their stipends without issue.

The three months of intense training didn't significantly increase their soul power.

In fact, only Ma Hongjun's level increased by one.

However, their physical endurance and strength improved drastically.

Unfortunately, most of them felt these improvements were meaningless.

But Yun Feng didn't think so.

Improved physical fitness could make a significant difference in absorbing soul rings and increasing survival rates in soul battles.

By now, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Xiao Wu could carry weights exceeding 30 kilograms during long runs without breaking a sweat.

Without using soul power, this was an impressive feat.

Zhu Zhuqing, however, began to feel her body becoming stiffer.

While her strength had increased, she worried about losing flexibility—something vital to her combat style.

Despite these concerns, everyone experienced visible improvements.

Thanks to the intense training and ample nutrition, the girls' physiques also changed noticeably.

Zhu Zhuqing, in particular, had become even more curvaceous, drawing envy from Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu.

After all, what girl wouldn't want Zhu Zhuqing's figure?

Yun Feng, on the other hand, didn't pay much attention to these things.

Because at this point, he had already reached the level of Soul King.

In just three months, Yun Feng's soul power had jumped from level 46 to level 50.

With Yu Xiaogang's training complete, Yun Feng started contemplating how to acquire his fifth soul ring.

For Yun Feng, the source of the soul ring didn't matter much—as long as its age met his requirements.

Keeping his breakthrough a secret, Yun Feng quietly left Shrek Academy and headed toward the Star Dou Forest.

Traveling alone would be faster than moving with the group.

Once he reached the forest outskirts, Yun Feng activated his soul skills and soul bone abilities after confirming no threats nearby.

With the speed boost granted by his fourth soul skill and the enhancement from his soul bone, Yun Feng soared through the forest, reaching its edge in just a day.

He hesitated briefly before deciding to venture deeper.

After all, thousand-year soul beasts were rare in the outer region, and the fifth soul ring's absorption limit was 12,000 years.

Yun Feng was determined to claim the best soul ring possible.

Chapter 148 - Fire Cloud Silkworm

After assessing his physical and spiritual strength, Yun Feng didn't hesitate.

This time, the soul beast he aimed to hunt had to be at least 20,000 years old.

While a 20,000-year-old soul beast was typically only absorbable by Soul Emperors, Yun Feng wasn't just anyone.

With his body having undergone countless enhancements, if he couldn't absorb a beast just a few thousand years older than his level allowed, he'd be too embarrassed to continue.

He'd never live it down!

Venturing deeper into the forest, Yun Feng quickly spotted a suitable target—a small red figure perched atop a tree branch.

He immediately recognized it.

Fire Cloud Silkworm.

The fiery cloud patterns on its body numbered eight segments, confirming its age—at least 20,000 years, perhaps even older.

This soul beast was infamous for its deadly poison.

Even slight contact with it would result in a fire toxin that burned continuously, often leading to death.

Worse yet, the toxin was extremely difficult to neutralize.

However, Fire Cloud Silkworms were rare due to their size.

Their small frames often made them collateral damage during battles between larger soul beasts, resulting in low survival rates.

In summary—high attack, low defense.

Seeing such a soul beast made Yun Feng excited.

Hunting a 10,000-year-old soul beast alone was nerve-racking, and Yun Feng would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous.

One wrong step could spell the end.

After all, this wasn't some ordinary creature!

Despite its weak defenses, its speed was remarkable, making it hard to handle even for experienced hunters.

After weighing his options, Yun Feng pulled out the sniper rifle he had crafted during the past three months.

Close combat wasn't an option—keeping his distance was safer.

This was also part of his strength, so why not make the most of it?

Setting up the sniper rifle, Yun Feng took aim.

Thanks to its pre-charged energy, he didn't need to channel soul power, which avoided drawing attention.

When everything was ready, a faint pop echoed through the forest.

The Fire Cloud Silkworm let out a sharp screech before plummeting from the tree.

A grin spread across Yun Feng's face.

But to be sure, he emptied the rest of his rounds into the silkworm's body, only relaxing after seeing it completely motionless.

By then, its body was practically mangled, leaving Ah Yin speechless.

"Was that really necessary?"

Yun Feng only chuckled awkwardly in response.

Approaching the corpse, he carefully drew the black soul ring out with his soul power.

Meanwhile, back at the academy, Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing noticed Yun Feng's absence.

After searching for him, they found a note on the table:

"Gone for a few days. Be back soon."

The girls didn't think much of it, but Zhu Zhuqing's eyes revealed a trace of disappointment.

Without Yun Feng, her training would lose some effectiveness.

Not that she couldn't train alone—just that the results wouldn't be as good.

Elsewhere, Tang San had started to bond with Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Dai Mubai.

Whatever Yu Xiaogang had told him seemed to shift his mindset.

Even Dai Mubai, who harbored the most resentment toward Tang San, had softened, at least on the surface.

Finally getting a break, Oscar collapsed into bed for a long nap.

Tang San continued his cultivation, while Zhu Zhuqing maintained her training routine.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's dedication, Dai Mubai offered to train alongside her.

Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong decided to relax, enjoying their time off like Oscar.

Only Ma Hongjun couldn't sit still.

Despite whining the most during training, the moment he got a break, he snuck off to Soto City to "handle personal matters."

That evening, as Tang San assembled mechanical components for his hidden weapons, time flew by.

By the time Oscar woke up and called him to dinner, the sun had already set.

Walking to the cafeteria, they spotted someone staggering toward them.

"Whoa! Who the heck looks like a pighead?"

Oscar exclaimed dramatically.

Looking closely, Tang San realized it was Ma Hongjun.

But his appearance was shocking—his clothes were torn, his face swollen, his eyes blackened, and dried blood clung to his lips.

"Fatty, what happened to you?"

Tang San hurried forward to support him, while Oscar handed over a recovery sausage without hesitation.

Ma Hongjun wolfed it down and finally looked a bit better.

"Damn it! What a disaster."

His eyes burned with anger. Already small-eyed, his swollen face now made his eyes almost invisible.

"Who did this to you?"

Tang San's voice turned cold.

Ma Hongjun felt touched by Tang San's concern.

"It was some creepy old man. Damn embarrassing!"

Oscar frowned.

"Fatty, don't tell me you got beaten up over some girl again?"

Ma Hongjun snapped, "What do you mean? I saw her first! That sleazy old man had no right to take her from me!"

Hearing this, Tang San immediately understood.

It was obvious—Ma Hongjun got into trouble while indulging in his hobbies.

Patting Ma Hongjun's shoulder, Tang San said, "Let's go eat first. You can explain everything later."

Chapter 149 - Birds of a Feather!

Thanks to Oscar's recovery sausage, Ma Hongjun's condition improved significantly, and the three of them finally entered the cafeteria.

Inside, Dai Mubai was already feasting.

"Damn, Fatty, what the hell happened to you?"

Seeing Ma Hongjun's disheveled appearance, Dai Mubai was startled.

His fiery temper flared up immediately—though his strength didn't always match his temper.

Slamming his chair back, his evil eyes flashed with anger.

Ma Hongjun put on a pitiful expression and wailed:

"Boss Dai, you've got to stand up for me! Look at what they did to me. My handsome face is ruined! How am I supposed to charm girls now?!"

Dai Mubai twitched visibly at Ma Hongjun's words.

Handsome? Seriously?

But whether it was out of loyalty, appreciation for Ma Hongjun's talent, or something else, Dai Mubai still nodded seriously.

Oscar snickered.

"Handsome? Your face looks like a pig's head. Tell us what happened first."

Dragging over a chair, Ma Hongjun began recounting the events.

"I left this morning to take care of some personal business in Soto City. I spotted this beautiful girl—like a phoenix in a haystack. Just as I was about to approach her, this creepy old man showed up."

"That guy looked around forty, short hair, and kind of plain at first glance. But if you looked closer, his eyes were full of perversion. He even had one hand wrapped in bandages, but he still dared to fight me over the girl."

"I asked him, 'Old man, your hand's like that, and you still want to mess around?' Guess what he said? He actually said, 'I don't need my hands for that.' I've seen sleazy guys before, but this guy took it to another level!"

Tang San resisted the urge to call them birds of a feather.

Couldn't they focus on something more important?

Still, remembering Yu Xiaogang's advice, he refrained from commenting.

Dai Mubai pressed, "So then you fought him?"

Ma Hongjun puffed out his chest.

"Of course! He was bullying me. How could I let that slide? I just wanted to scare him off at first. But who knew he was a Soul Ancestor with four rings? He thrashed me in a few moves and tossed me out of the brothel!"

"But the worst part? He flicked my…you know what… and mocked its size!"

"As a man, how could I stand for such an insult? So I got up and fought him again—and this is what happened."

"That guy wasn't just hitting me; it felt like he was slapping all of your faces too! We're brothers, right? You've got to back me up!"

"If I hadn't been training hard lately, I might not have made it back in one piece."

Clearly shaken, Ma Hongjun poured out his grievances, leaving the others frowning.

Tang San asked, "What's his name?"

Ma Hongjun wiped his face with his sleeve.

"The brothel madam called him something like Bu Le, but that's probably not his real name."

"Bu Le? A Soul Ancestor dares to bully our brother? Fatty, lead the way. Let's go!" Dai Mubai snapped.

He had plenty of experience with love rivalries, though his circumstances had changed after certain incidents. But seeing Ma Hongjun beaten so badly ignited his anger.

Tang San nodded, sensing something off.

"Let's go check it out."

Oscar and Dai Mubai didn't overthink the situation.

To them, it wasn't about who was right or wrong—it was about sticking up for a friend.

Oscar grinned.

"I'm definitely going. I want to see who's sleazier than our Fatty. Worst case, we can run away with my mushroom sausage if things go south."

Hearing his friends' support, Ma Hongjun cheered up.

"Good brothers! Let's go now—we might still catch him! Too bad Yun Feng isn't here, or we'd scare him senseless."

He wasn't wrong.

If Yun Feng were present, his strength alone would have made this confrontation a joke.

The past three months of training had completely convinced everyone of Yun Feng's overwhelming power.

But thinking about Yun Feng only made the group shake their heads and refocus.

Excited, Ma Hongjun jumped up, seemingly forgetting his injuries, and started running outside.

Dai Mubai grabbed him by the collar.

"What's the rush? Eat first. You need strength to fight. And tell us about his martial soul while you're at it. Know your enemy to win the battle."

Reluctantly, Ma Hongjun sat back down, and the group ate while discussing the encounter.

"That guy's short—maybe 1.6 meters—with a dark complexion like he just crawled out of a coal mine. His martial soul isn't an attack type, defense type, or speed type. Honestly, it felt…"

Ma Hongjun hesitated, then looked at Tang San.

"It felt similar to your martial soul, but it looked different."

Tang San and Dai Mubai exchanged glances and said in unison:

"Control-type soul master?"

Ma Hongjun nodded.

"Probably. His martial soul looked like two pink, semi-spherical domes, about the size of steamed buns. When he summoned them, he wore them on his head. It was disgusting.

"He used two soul skills against me. The first one enlarged the domes to block my Phoenix Fire Line. The second one trapped me between the domes, completely sealing me in like a rice dumpling.

"No matter how much I burned them, they wouldn't break, and then he turned me into a punching bag."

If Yun Feng had been there, he might've explained it immediately.

But the real mystery was—how did underwear manifest as a martial soul in this world?

Perhaps it was the result of some author's strange sense of humor.

Still, this unusual martial soul highlighted the sheer diversity of soul abilities—not everything stemmed from beasts.

One thing was certain—they'd find out soon enough what this Bu Le character was really capable of.

Chapter 150 - Fifth Soul Skill, Demon Eye Devourer

Pink-colored domes?

What kind of martial soul was that?

Even after years of learning under Yu Xiaogang and gaining extensive knowledge, Tang San couldn't figure it out.

Tang San thought carefully and decided to be cautious. He asked, "So he has two more soul skills he hasn't used yet?"

Ma Hongjun didn't think much and replied, "Tang San, with you three Soul Elders and me, a level-27 Soul Grandmaster, what's there to fear? Besides, you're also a control-type soul master!"

Ma Hongjun misunderstood, thinking Tang San was afraid.

Tang San wasn't scared but didn't want to underestimate the opponent. He said, "Control-type soul masters are unique. In one-on-one combat, they have a big advantage. Fatty, if we fight him, you focus on long-range attacks to distract him. Dai Mubai and I will fight head-on, and Oscar will handle support.

"If I'm right, his martial soul naturally suppresses fire, which is why your flames didn't affect him. When we fight, I'll counter his control. Even though his soul power is higher than mine, I can at least disrupt him. Control-types can't withstand direct attacks, no matter if he's level 40."

With only a ten-level gap, Tang San was confident he could counter the opponent's control abilities.

Yu Xiaogang had taught him that the best way to handle a control-type was to counter control with control.

In terms of team dynamics, offense-types were the core, support-types were the foundation, agility-types were the eyes, and control-types were the soul.

Three months of training had improved Tang San's physical strength, and Yu Xiaogang had also given him special training at night. The focus was the mysterious third eye on his forehead.

The training revealed the eye's abilities—enhanced dynamic vision and stronger spiritual power. Tang San's Purple Demon Eye had already reached the second stage, Mustard Seed Realm.

Meanwhile, Yun Feng had completed his hunt and left the Star Dou Forest, arriving at Soto City.

With his 52nd-level soul power, Ah Yin's soul bone, and his fourth soul skill, he moved quickly.

He didn't return to Shrek Academy right away because he was hungry. He had also been eating casually for days and needed to restock materials for crafting soul tools.

Yun Feng then spotted Ma Hongjun and decided to test his fifth soul skill. Instead of helping Ma Hongjun, Yun Feng targeted Bu Le.

Yun Feng's fifth soul skill came from a 21,000-year Fire Cloud Silkworm, which transformed into a Demonic Eye King Soul Ring. The Demonic Eye King was a Thousand-Eyed Demon Tree with hypnosis and mental control abilities.

The Demon Eye Devourer had two effects. It could strengthen allies, making them fearless, and boost Yun Feng's Blue Silver King. It could also cause enemies to lose self-awareness and become obedient to Yun Feng.

The duration depended on Yun Feng's strength. Yun Feng tested it on Bu Le and waited for the group's arrival.

After dinner, Ma Hongjun ate two of Oscar's recovery sausages, and the four quietly left the academy. Ma Hongjun didn't tell others since being beaten at a brothel wasn't something to share.

As they reached the gate, a shadow suddenly appeared, blocking their path.

Startled, Ma Hongjun released his Phoenix Martial Soul, lighting up the area with purple-red flames. Seeing who it was, he sighed and put away his flames.

"Damn it, Xiao Wu, are you trying to scare me?"

Xiao Wu wore brown pants and a white top. Her long black braid and slim waist made her look agile. She asked, "What are you sneaking off to do? Fatty, what happened to your face? Did someone beat you up?"

Ma Hongjun hesitated. He didn't mind talking about it with the others, but Xiao Wu disliked his habits.

Xiao Wu looked closely at his injuries and laughed.

"Who did this? Tang San, was it you?"

Tang San said, "No. Fatty got beaten up while hitting on a girl. We're going to settle the score."

Xiao Wu said, "Count me in. I can't miss this!"

Despite past complaints about Ma Hongjun, their training had brought them closer. Xiao Wu enjoyed fighting and was eager to join.

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TL: Sorry for the late update.