Challenge

Challenge

Shi Yi looked toward the source of the voice. Yu Xiaogang had arrived.

"Yo, Teacher, you're here." Shi Yi smiled as he spoke to Yu Xiaogang.

At Shi Yi's somewhat flippant greeting, a trace of helplessness flashed across Yu Xiaogang's face. He looked at Shi Yi and said, "You don't seem surprised that I came here."

"Of course not. How else would you continue refining your theories without me? How would you prove them without Xiao San? Wherever the two of us go, wouldn't you have to follow? Luckily, I can still attend the academy with Xiao San for now. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to split yourself in two." Shi Yi said with a grin.

Yu Xiaogang's face darkened at that. Shi Yi was right, but didn't he, as a teacher, have any dignity?

Yu Xiaogang coughed awkwardly and said somewhat wistfully, "Eight years have passed. I never expected you to surpass your teacher already, even breaking through to Soul Elder before Xiao San."

"Thanks to you for introducing me to such a good academy. The facilities may be lacking, but every teacher here is exceptionally capable." Shi Yi smiled at Yu Xiaogang.

Not just anyone could raid a Thousand Jun Ant nest. Shrek might have had the worst facilities of any academy on the continent, but it had its own advantage: its faculty. It was practically a small-class academy with outstanding teachers.

"Is that so? Then that's good." Yu Xiaogang could not help smiling.

"Besides, isn't surpassing you pretty easy?" Shi Yi spread his hands.

Yu Xiaogang's smile instantly vanished. He glared at Shi Yi with a dark expression.

Shi Yi patted Yu Xiaogang on the shoulder and chuckled. "Just kidding. Don't be upset. There are still some things I want from you."

Yu Xiaogang asked curiously, "What do you want?"

"Let me study your Blue Lightning Body Tempering medicinal bath. You should also have information on medicinal herbs beneficial to Soul Masters, right?"

"I do, but can you afford them, kid? These things aren't cheap." Yu Xiaogang explained.

Shi Yi spread his hands. "No, but let me study them first. I may not have money now, but that doesn't mean I won't in the future. It's not hard for Soul Masters to make some money. At worst, I'll fight at the Great Soul Arena every day."

Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly, then took a prescription and a book from his Soul Tool.

"This is a medicinal bath used by direct descendants of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Its main purpose is to heal hidden injuries, relieve fatigue, and replenish energy. It is primarily used to support training. This book introduces medicinal herbs beneficial to Soul Masters, as well as Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. However, since they are Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, they naturally grow in places rich in the energy of heaven and earth. Such places are often extremely dangerous." Yu Xiaogang introduced them.

Shi Yi was rather surprised. He had not expected the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to have a book like this. He hurriedly accepted it from Yu Xiaogang and began flipping through it.

Dragon Emperor Grass, Golden Crow Flower, Dragon Bone Gold... I've never even heard of these things, Shi Yi thought.

Just as he was about to close the book, the words Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum appeared on the page. Shi Yi continued flipping through it, but found no further records of other Immortal Herbs.

"What are you looking for?" Yu Xiaogang's voice sounded beside Shi Yi's ear.

"This Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum should be the Martial Soul of that person from Spirit Hall, right? Are there any other exotic flowers?" Shi Yi asked Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang shook his head slightly. "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan does not care much about such things. Aside from this medicinal bath, which was painstakingly researched for the cultivation of direct descendants, everything else was collected casually. Look at this material—almost everything in it benefits Soul Masters with dragon-type Martial Souls. As for the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, few experts would fail to recognize it. Even if they did, they probably would not dare consume it recklessly. Other than Chrysanthemum Douluo, no one should know what effects it would have when consumed."

Shi Yi nodded slightly. With Dugu Bo's knowledge, he would certainly recognize the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. But just as Yu Xiaogang had said, would anyone dare casually eat the weapon someone carried around every day? Even knowing it was a Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure, an exotic flower, Dugu Bo and Yue Guan were old rivals. Even an idiot could tell from fighting Yue Guan that the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum was an item of extreme yang.

Snakes belonged to yin. If Dugu Bo consumed something of extreme yang, there were only two possible outcomes: he could use the yang substance to evolve his Martial Soul once more, transforming the Serpent Emperor into a dragon, or he would die.

Shi Yi nodded slightly. It seemed that aside from Tang San, if he wanted detailed information on Immortal Herbs, he would probably have to start with the Breaking Clan or Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan.

Still, Shi Yi was not worried. If there was no butcher, could he not still eat a pig with its hair on? He would take whatever he could, and eat whatever he could not take on the spot. Shi Yi refused to believe that if he had Little Ant stand before an Immortal Herb and take a bite directly, the medicinal effect could still dissipate. If he did not know how to pick or preserve them, then he simply would not pick or preserve them.

"Alright, continue training. I still need to go see Xiao San," Yu Xiaogang said to Shi Yi.

Shi Yi nodded, put the items into his Soul Tool, and resumed running along his usual training route.

Soon, after breakfast, the bell rang on schedule, gathering all the students on the academy field.

Today was especially lively. Not only had the dean and vice dean, Flender and Zhao Wuji, arrived, but Yu Xiaogang and the academy's other teachers had also come to the field.

The Shrek students consciously formed a line, while Shi Yi stood beside Yu Xiaogang.

Everyone looked at Shi Yi in surprise. Seeing that the teachers said nothing, the Shrek students also remained silent.

"Good, everyone is here. I have several matters to announce." Flender walked before the seven students, his gaze sweeping sternly across them.

"First, I'll introduce the academy's teachers to the four new students." As he spoke, Flender pointed to the elderly man Tang San had met before, whose Martial Soul was a long staff.

At Flender's words, delight appeared on Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's faces. They had accurately caught the phrase "four new students." In their eyes, Shi Yi, who had entered through the back door, had clearly been kicked out of the academy by the dean.

"This is Teacher Li Yusong. His Martial Soul is the Dragon Patterned Staff, and he is a Rank 63 Soul Emperor."

"This is Teacher Lu Qibin. His Martial Soul is Star Luo Chess, and he is a Rank 66 Soul Emperor."

"This is Teacher Shao Xin. His Martial Soul is Candy Beans, and he is a Rank 71 Soul Sage, a Food System Soul Master. Among the Food System Soul Masters I know, Teacher Shao is absolutely among the top five."

Flender walked to Yu Xiaogang's side, put an arm around his shoulders, and said, "This person needs a proper introduction. Through his own research, he formulated the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls. He is hailed as the foremost authority on Martial Soul theory and the wisest Soul Master. He is also Tang San and Shi Yi's teacher: Mr. Yu Xiaogang. Of course, he is also my old brother. We have known each other for decades. You may not recognize his name, but I imagine you have all heard his title. From now on, you may call him Master."

Hearing Flender's introduction, Shi Yi could not help snorting with laughter. Yu Xiaogang beside him blushed with embarrassment.

"Alright, hurry up and introduce Xiao Yi." Yu Xiaogang slowly pushed Flender away and gave a light cough.

Flender came before Shi Yi with the corners of his lips slightly raised. Behind his square-framed glasses, a sly glint flashed through his hawk-like eyes. "As for this one, you should already know him. Shi Yi, Master's disciple. From now on, he is Shrek Academy's Specially Appointed Theory Teacher."

The Shrek students instantly turned their eyes toward Shi Yi.

"Dean!" Dai Mubai had barely called out before he could voice his objection when Flender raised his hand.

"I know some of you are unconvinced, or simply do not wish to be taught by someone your own age. Now I'll give you an opportunity. Defeat him, and prove to him that you do not need his instruction." Flender chuckled.

Excitement immediately filled Dai Mubai's evil eyes. He stepped forward and sharply raised his hand. "I'll do it!"

Flender nodded slightly, then shifted his gaze to Shi Yi.

A trace of helplessness crossed Shi Yi's face, but he nodded.

Flender then gestured for the teachers to move back and leave enough room for battle. The rest of the Shrek students also retreated on their own.

The teachers who had not seen Shi Yi before watched the field with great interest. They had only recently heard of Shi Yi's deeds from Zhao Wuji. Looking at these vigorous youngsters, they could not help smiling.

Shi Yi slowly stepped forward, not taking Dai Mubai seriously at all. Even at Rank 27, he had been confident he could chop off Dai Mubai's hand, much less now.

Dai Mubai stared coldly at Shi Yi. It seemed he had finally seized his chance, and he sounded impatient as he introduced himself. "Dai Mubai, White Tiger Martial Soul, Rank 37 Attack System Battle Soul Elder."

"Shi Yi, Thousand Jun Ant Martial Soul, Rank 31 Attack System Battle Soul Elder," Shi Yi said lazily.

The Shrek students stared at Shi Yi in shock. Even Dai Mubai's expression shifted. Since Shi Yi had already broken through to Soul Elder, it naturally meant that the Soul Ring he had obtained was from the hunt when he had left alone with Zhao Wuji that day.

If Dai Mubai could think of that, the others naturally could as well.

"Four ranks in a single day? How is that possible?" Ning Rongrong exclaimed softly.

Senior Disciple Brother really broke through. I wasn't wrong about what I sensed that day, Tang San thought.

So what if he advanced four ranks in a day? He's still six ranks below me, Dai Mubai thought.

"White Tiger Possession!"

A fierce pale light suddenly erupted from Dai Mubai's body. His arms stretched out to either side, his chest thrust forward, and his bones crackled throughout his body. His muscles abruptly swelled, stretching his clothes tight. Every muscle became sharply defined beneath the fabric, and even the air around him seemed to grow restless.

His golden hair instantly became black and white, with white making up the majority. Several strands of black hair stood out conspicuously among it. Four faint markings emerged on his forehead—three horizontal lines and one vertical line, forming the character for king.

His hands underwent the greatest change, growing more than twice their previous size. White fur covered his palms, and with every flex of his fingers, dagger-like claws extended from and retracted into his hands. Each claw resembled a blade, gleaming with a cold, sinister light.

Dai Mubai assumed a combat stance, slowly lowering his upper body forward. Both pairs of pupils in his eyes turned a deep, profound blue. At his feet, three shining rings rose in succession, two yellow and one purple. As the Soul Rings revolved, surging Soul Power formed a wave-like pressure that rushed forward.

Shi Yi smiled, his body utterly relaxed. He summoned Little Ant, and three Soul Rings likewise rose one after another.

Dai Mubai looked at Little Ant beside Shi Yi, but his gaze remained fixed on Shi Yi himself. He understood that if he wanted to defeat Shi Yi, he could only attack Shi Yi's body directly.

"Little Ant, go beat him up. Don't be too cruel." Shi Yi chuckled as he gently stroked Little Ant's exoskeleton.

Little Ant nodded humanly and quickly moved forward. Little Ant was quite large now, almost no different in size from a thousand-year Soul Beast. With each step, its forelegs plunged deeply into the ground, making the Shrek students swallow nervously.

"One stomp from that thing, and wouldn't it pierce straight through Boss Dai?" Ma Hongjun whispered to Oscar beside him.

In an instant, Little Ant's coxae, tibiae, and tarsi exploded with force. With a thunderous blast, it leaped into the air.

Jumping was one way of converting strength into speed. Little Ant's six legs had a unique structure that allowed them to unleash tremendous elastic force in an instant.

The next second, Little Ant descended toward Dai Mubai on the ground with its powerful forelegs and Sword Teeth.

Dai Mubai reacted quickly as well. The instant Little Ant landed, he made a tiger leap and dodged its attack from above.

Immediately afterward, Dai Mubai moved too. After his Martial Soul Possession, he seemed to have become an entirely different person. Just as his white hair lifted, his body, brimming with explosive strength, had already reached Shi Yi.

The claws on all ten fingers sprang out simultaneously, slashing toward Shi Yi's body.

Shi Yi smiled at Dai Mubai without taking any defensive action. Before Dai Mubai's claws could touch Shi Yi, however, he felt a powerful gust of wind behind him.

At this distance, Little Ant did not even need to jump with much force.

Dai Mubai did not halt his attack to turn and defend. Instead, at the moment he struck at Shi Yi, white light flashed around his body. His first and third Soul Rings lit up in succession. The first Soul Ring blazed, forming a circle of white light around him. He tried to defeat Shi Yi before Little Ant could shatter the shield.

"First Soul Skill, White Tiger Body Protection Barrier!"

"Third Soul Skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"

His already burly body swelled again from the White Tiger Martial Soul Possession. His muscles bulged exaggeratedly, his upper clothes bursting apart completely to reveal terrifying muscular contours. Most bizarrely, black stripes appeared across his skin. If not for the lack of fur, he would have looked no different from a tiger's hide.

"Trying to withstand Little Ant's attack head-on? What a joke. You think you're worthy? First Soul Skill, Thousand Jun Great Strength."

Shi Yi's voice remained as lazy as ever. Before Dai Mubai could even get angry, just as his claws were about to touch Shi Yi, he heard the sound of something shattering. In an instant, an irresistible force struck him. The White Tiger Body Protection Barrier could not even delay Little Ant for a moment.

"How is that possible?"

As Dai Mubai landed backward on his backside in an undignified sprawl, a twisting pain struck his stomach the next second. Sweetness rose in his throat, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

The Shrek teachers were also greatly surprised by this sight. With Dai Mubai's first and third Soul Skills stacked, he might not have been invincible among Soul Elders, but they had never seen anyone break through his defenses so effortlessly.

Still, the teachers understood that Shi Yi had shown mercy. If Little Ant's foreleg had thrust straight forward, that sharp limb could have pierced Dai Mubai's heart in an instant.

"Pure strength really is brutal. Unless they're Control System or Agility Attack System, no one can gain any advantage against this kid. For an Attack System Soul Master to try a head-on clash with him—isn't that like hanging oneself on a birthday?" Zhao Wuji said with a chuckle.

"Old Shao, give that kid a few Candy Beans. Don't let him get beaten into something serious," Flender said to Shao Xin.

Shao Xin nodded and slowly walked to Dai Mubai, helping him up before stuffing several Candy Beans into his mouth.

"Thank you... Teacher Shao..." Dai Mubai said with difficulty.

"You're a pretty sturdy kid." Shao Xin smiled.

At that moment, Yu Xiaogang watched the scene with considerable satisfaction. Once upon a time, he had seen such a version of himself in his dreams.