Plot Changes

About half an hour later, Oscar successfully absorbed the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's Soul Ring.

Letting out a long breath, Oscar slowly opened his eyes. In an instant, the pale pink glow around him suddenly changed into a brilliant rose pink, bathing his entire body in its radiance.

Three Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet. Aside from the original two yellow Soul Rings, a bright purple one now shone among them. Oscar had finally broken through the Soul Grandmaster rank and entered the realm of Soul Elder.

"Congratulations, Xiao Ao." Shi Yi smiled at Oscar.

The moment Shi Yi finished speaking, Oscar dashed toward him, intending to give him a bear hug. Fortunately, Shi Yi reacted quickly and held him back with one outstretched arm.

"Alright, it's just flying." Shi Yi spoke helplessly, though he understood why Oscar was so excited.

Though flight was an ability that became commonplace in the later stages, it was exceptionally precious for a Support-type Food Soul Master like Oscar. It not only eased the pressure on his survival as a Support System Soul Master to some extent, but also greatly expanded his capabilities in that role.

Seeing this, Zhao Wuji understood what skill Oscar had acquired. Even he looked astonished. Frankly, as a Soul Saint, he found it hard to believe. Generally speaking, for a Soul Master's Soul Power to effortlessly lift their own body and sustain the expenditure for a long time, the only option besides a flight skill was reaching the Soul Saint rank.

For most low-level Soul Masters, flight was still an insurmountable gulf.

Apparently hearing the commotion Oscar and Shi Yi had caused, Ning Rongrong, who had been paying close attention to Oscar's Third Soul Skill, immediately sprang out of the tent. Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu were also egged on by Ning Rongrong into coming out.

Xiao Wu said nothing as she looked at Oscar. Though she disliked Shi Yi, she had to admit that she recognized his theoretical knowledge after all these years. In her impression, nothing that came out of Shi Yi's mouth was wrong.

"Oscar, is your Third Soul Skill flight?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously, a trace of nervousness flashing through her large eyes.

The other tent had also noticed the activity outside, and the boys gradually emerged as well.

Oscar said nothing, choosing instead to prove Shi Yi right through action. Raising his right hand, he proudly recited his third Spirit Incantation: "I Have a Mushroom Sausage!"

The pride on Oscar's face, paired with that wildly suggestive Spirit Incantation, created such a stark contrast that everyone immediately lost it, including Shi Yi. Even Zhao Wuji burst into hearty laughter.

"Go ahead, laugh all you want. It's not just flight." Oscar said to everyone.

An odd sausage appeared in Oscar's right palm. Its tip bulged outward in all directions, forming an umbrella-shaped mushroom cap.

"Anyone who eats my sausage can fly at the speed of a Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent for one minute." Oscar showed off to the group.

Zhao Wuji sucked in a breath. Though the flight duration was short, flight combined with explosive speed gave low-level Soul Masters countless possibilities.

At that moment, Ning Rongrong felt as though her mind had exploded. As someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she naturally understood what this Soul Skill represented.

How far could one fly in a minute at the speed of a Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent? It was probably at least two thousand meters.

In other words, when faced with danger, one could escape two thousand meters away in a single minute, regardless of terrain.

With that thought, Ning Rongrong's gaze toward Oscar and Shi Yi became rather complicated.

Zhao Wuji nodded in satisfaction. "At least I didn't waste all that breath arguing with that old hag. Xiao Ao, your Third Soul Ring is excellent. With your current Soul Power, how many Mushroom Sausages like that can you make?"

Oscar estimated silently for a moment. "This Mushroom Sausage consumes far more Soul Power than the first two types. In my current condition, I can make ten at most in one go. After that, my Soul Power will be completely exhausted, and I'll need to recover fully before making more."

"Alright, Xiao Ao has finished absorbing it. Pack up, everyone. We'll leave immediately and return to the academy." Zhao Wuji told the group.

Zhao Wuji did not want to lead this team for even one more second. Every last one of them was a problem child. Though there were more people now, their problems had become more complicated too. From what Zhao Wuji knew alone, there was the issue between Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, the issue between Ning Rongrong and the entire academy, the issue between Tang San and Shi Yi, the issue between Ma Hongjun and Shi Yi, and the issue between Oscar and Ning Rongrong. He could not even count them all on his fingers.

Thinking of that gave Zhao Wuji a headache. He understood that someone had to take the lead and unite them if these problems were to be resolved. This group needed someone strong enough to keep everyone in line, but after sweeping his gaze over them, Zhao Wuji found no suitable candidate.

Zhao Wuji had a rough understanding of everyone's strength. In his view, Tang San should have been the strongest. If Shi Yi had not been there, Tang San would have been an excellent choice. But precisely because Shi Yi, his Senior Disciple Brother, was present, people from the same master's lineage would inevitably be compared. The theoretical knowledge Shi Yi displayed was so dazzling that it directly overshadowed Tang San's strength.

The power of words and knowledge was often more contagious than fists. Based on that theoretical knowledge alone, Zhao Wuji even believed Shi Yi could teach at Shrek rather than be a student there.

Zhao Wuji also understood that Shi Yi was a proud and aloof person. He would never do something like uniting everyone. Just as Shi Yi had told him before, he was different from Tang San. Tang San would pay for the mistakes made by people he deemed valuable, whereas he would not. At most, he might mention something out of respect for Flender.

As Zhao Wuji watched them pack up the tents while Shi Yi stood to the side chatting and laughing with Oscar, he could not help sighing softly.

As they finished packing and prepared to return,

Shi Yi thought to himself, Xiao San didn't fight Meng Yiran, so he hasn't broken through Rank 30 at this point either. That means we won't continue searching for Soul Beasts around the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. The plot has changed. Am I supposed to just give up and head back like this?

After thinking it over, Shi Yi decided he still needed Teacher Zhao's help. Devouring a living Man Faced Demon Spider might have a better effect. With that thought, Shi Yi slowly turned his gaze toward Zhao Wuji.

As though sensing Shi Yi's gaze, Zhao Wuji looked back at him in confusion. Then Shi Yi slowly walked over to his side.

"Teacher Zhao." Shi Yi approached Zhao Wuji with a smile.

Shi Yi's expression gave Zhao Wuji goosebumps.

"What kind of nonsense are you scheming now, brat?" Zhao Wuji asked irritably.

"Could you take the others back to the town, then bring me alone to hunt a few Soul Beasts?" Shi Yi asked quietly.

Zhao Wuji rolled his eyes. "You're only Rank 27. What Soul Beasts are you hunting...?"

Thinking of Shi Yi's unusual martial soul, Zhao Wuji suddenly understood what Shi Yi was planning.

"You want me to get some food for your martial soul, don't you?" Zhao Wuji said grumpily.

"Teacher Zhao sees right through me. It isn't convenient for them to come along anyway, right? We'll just run into more problems if we stay together. Why not take them all back to town and have them wait there? Since you've brought me to the Star Dou Great Forest this time, who knows when I'll come again. Please help me out?" Shi Yi said in a low voice.

"Brat, what do I, Zhao, get out of helping you?" Zhao Wuji asked with a grin.

Shi Yi said, "If the student does well, how could the teacher be any worse off? I'll get you a few Soul Bones in the future. I guarantee you'll become a Title Douluo."

Shi Yi's words made Zhao Wuji laugh.

"You sure talk big, brat. Soul Bones? A few of them? You'll guarantee I become a Title Douluo? Aren't you afraid your breath will choke me to death?" Zhao Wuji said irritably.

"I really don't have anything worthwhile to offer right now, but if you help me now, maybe I will in the future. Once I make something of myself, do you think I'll forget you?" Shi Yi continued.

"So you're not being a nonstick pan now?" Zhao Wuji looked at Shi Yi teasingly.

"You're different. You're an elder. Xiao San and I may not be close, but I have great respect for teachers." Shi Yi said seriously.

Suddenly, Zhao Wuji said to Shi Yi, "Brat, could it be that you aren't close to Tang San because you can't get any benefits out of him?"

Shi Yi looked at Zhao Wuji in surprise. "You got part of it right."

"Tell me, then. If you can convince me, Old Zhao won't mind taking you to hunt a few thousand-year Soul Beasts." Zhao Wuji smiled at Shi Yi.

"I believe I've been a fairly good Senior Disciple Brother. Whether it was the development of his martial soul, theoretical study, or even answering questions on our teacher's behalf, I did my duty. Even when I successfully figured out how to make Soul Tools and he wanted to learn, I taught him everything I knew. It isn't that I never wanted to take my relationship with Xiao San further, to become friends or even brothers. But I know very clearly that Xiao San has held things back from me."

"Do you see me using any of Xiao San's skills? That made me feel that perhaps our relationship could only go this far. It isn't that I don't want to deepen it. The key lies with Xiao San himself. Perhaps he thinks that what he has given is worth less than the things he possesses." Shi Yi gave a self-mocking smile.

Zhao Wuji nodded in understanding. "That kid really is good at hiding things. Even his little girlfriend doesn't know them, let alone you, his Senior Disciple Brother. Come to think of it, you can make Soul Tools too?"

Zhao Wuji swiftly moved past the somewhat awkward subject.

Shi Yi smiled and nodded. "I've made a little progress, that's all. I'm too poor right now. I don't have enough precious materials to experiment with."

"Fine, I agree. Once we take them back to town, I'll accompany you on a trip. With your martial soul, it shouldn't take much time." Zhao Wuji said with a smile.

Shi Yi looked earnestly at Zhao Wuji and gave him a slight bow, making Zhao Wuji feel a little embarrassed.

"It's only a few thousand-year Soul Beasts. No need for that." Zhao Wuji said with a laugh.

At that moment, Dai Mubai called out from not far away, "Teacher Zhao, we're packed up. We can leave now."

Hearing that, Shi Yi followed Zhao Wuji toward the others. Before long, the group arrived at a town on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Shi Yi and I are going back to find some suitable food for his martial soul. You can rest in this town for now. Once Shi Yi and I return, we'll head back to the academy." Zhao Wuji instructed everyone.

"Understood!" they answered in unison. Xiao Wu curled her lips and muttered, "Going to slaughter indiscriminately again..."

Before Xiao Wu could finish, Tang San tugged on her sleeve and stopped her.

Zhao Wuji frowned at Xiao Wu. It was only because he had become a teacher that his temper had improved enough not to argue with a little girl. If this had been in his younger days, he would have slapped her already.

After briefly giving a few more instructions, Shi Yi followed Zhao Wuji slowly out of town. The moment they entered the forest, Shi Yi summoned Little Ant.

Little Ant led the way while the two followed behind it at an unhurried pace.

"Teacher Zhao, just endure it. Xiao San is stubborn, and Xiao Wu has a loose mouth. If you want to deal with her, you'll inevitably clash with Xiao San. It isn't worth offending his father over her. Someone will deal with her eventually." Shi Yi said with a light laugh.

"Even I, a Soul Saint and their teacher, have to endure it. Who else could possibly deal with her?" Zhao Wuji said sarcastically.

"Whoever chased you back then can deal with her. Sooner or later, Xiao Wu's mouth will offend someone from Spirit Hall." Shi Yi said meaningfully.

Zhao Wuji's expression darkened. "Why do I feel like you're taking a jab at me, brat? Do you still want Soul Beasts or not?"

"Yes... yes..." Shi Yi replied with an ingratiating smile.

As if recalling something, Zhao Wuji sighed. "Still, you're right. Spirit Hall really does specialize in handling people like us. Maybe only a colossal force like Spirit Hall can deal with the Clear Sky Douluo. I heard the Clear Sky Sect's closure back then was inseparable from Spirit Hall."

After they walked for a while, Zhao Wuji looked in surprise at Little Ant, which was leading the way ahead. He had noticed that though the route Little Ant chose was winding, they had barely encountered any Soul Beasts. Even when Soul Beasts appeared within sight, they were usually quite far away.

"Your Soul Beast is useful. It can clear the way and scout ahead. Even Soul Masters with perception abilities might not compare to your martial soul. What kind of Soul Beast are you having it lead us to?" Zhao Wuji asked Shi Yi.

Shi Yi smiled lightly. "A spider."

"A spider? Isn't that its natural enemy?" Zhao Wuji asked in surprise. He had originally thought Shi Yi would have him raid an ant nest.

"Yes. The target I'm looking for isn't ordinary either—a Man Faced Demon Spider, known as the nightmare of small Soul Beasts, an existence that devours life. I hope that as Little Ant feeds, it will not only overcome its fear of its natural enemy, but also evolve the ability of Life Devouring." Shi Yi said quietly.

Zhao Wuji's expression changed, and he warned him sternly, "Don't you get any crooked ideas, brat. If Spirit Hall sets its sights on you, no one will be able to save you!"

Shi Yi rolled his eyes. "Is my talent that bad? Do I need to do that sort of thing? Besides, killing as many Soul Beasts as you want isn't against the law. Who would cross that red line for so little Soul Power?"

Hearing that, Zhao Wuji finally relaxed. "Good that you understand."