That Figure

The enormous Crystal Wings, six meters wide when fully spread, unfurled and slowly lifted Fu Hua into the air. In the forest, birds and insects fell silent; all was still save for the rustle of wind brushing through the leaves.

The Crystal Wings beat, whipping up fierce gusts that sent dust and sand flying, like some ancient beast descending upon the world. Red and blue light flashed in alternation, radiating a dazzling brilliance.

Fu Hua wore a fitted azure outfit that accentuated her figure. Her deep blue hair streamed behind her, her expression cold and stern, her eyes almost demonic as she looked down upon Zhao Wuji and the others.

Soul Power in the surrounding air stirred once more. The thin Soul Power drifting in from afar flowed into the Crystal Wings, making their red and blue flashes quicker, yet it soon vanished beneath the wings, disappearing between their joints.

The Crystal Wings returned to their dim blue color, and Fu Hua slowly descended with them. When her toes touched the ground, the spread wings contracted like a folding frame, gathering behind her back.

From afar, Fu Hua looked like a Soul Beast that had yet to completely take human form.

The Crystal Wings on her back were simply too eye-catching.

"Fu Hua? Are you... all right?" Ma Hongjun asked in a trembling voice.

After what had happened with Tang San, he did not dare touch anything carelessly again. If he got poisoned and collapsed again, he would be the one suffering!

The Soul Power in the air stabilized and slowly dispersed. Fu Hua closed her eyes, then opened them again, the strange look in them fading away. At her command, the Crystal Wings behind her dissolved into the air.

Seeing this, Ma Hongjun let out a huge sigh of relief and unconsciously patted his plump palm against his chest.

"What is it, Ma Hongjun?" Fu Hua asked.

There was something indescribably strange about her voice, as though it carried a bone-chilling coldness.

Even Ma Hongjun, with his fire attribute, could not help shivering.

"Fu Hua, why do you sound... so cold?"

Fu Hua froze. She closed her eyes and silently sensed herself. It seemed that the awakening of the Honkai Beast genes within her had unconsciously affected her, but with gradual control, she could return to normal.

Hearing Fu Hua's explanation, everyone relaxed, nearly collapsing onto the ground. That icy tone had sounded like a god standing high above, indifferent to human life. Just hearing it had made their hearts tremble uncontrollably.

It seemed that Fu Hua's body had been changing subtly.

"Fu Hua, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? If you have any hidden injuries, you absolutely cannot keep them from us," Zhao Wuji said with a grave expression.

Fu Hua nodded to show that she understood.

Rather than hidden injuries, she felt better than ever. Not only had her cultivation improved, but her own strength seemed to have increased considerably as well. If she fought Ye Zhi Qiu again now, she would not need to waste so many moves.

One move would be enough!

This was Fu Hua's confidence. She had always been confident in her close-combat skills. As long as she wanted to, no one could touch her body.

Zhao Wuji understood, but the others began clamoring again.

Oscar was the first to ask, "Oh, right, Fu Hua, you've already broken through Rank 30, haven't you?"

She nodded.

"Then can you let us see your third soul skill?"

His face was full of curiosity, and even the other six could not help looking intrigued. Though Zhao Wuji hid it well, he was also deeply curious. What kind of soul skill would a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring bring? How powerful would it be?

Fu Hua understood, but this was not the place to use a soul skill, so she shook her head again.

"Let's wait until we return to the academy. There may be others around, and besides, if something like that happens again, we may not be so lucky."

Fu Hua's reasoning was sound, and Zhao Wuji agreed. In the end, they could only suppress their curiosity for now and set off for the academy.

They rested for two days in the small town they had to pass through, allowing everyone's tense nerves to relax. At the same time, Fu Hua learned from Ma Hongjun what had happened after she fell unconscious.

First, Tang San had absorbed a Soul Ring beyond his limits. Then Xiao Wu had somehow broken through Rank 30 and obtained a Soul Ring. Overall, their group had gained immensely from their trip to the Star Dou Great Forest.

Naturally, the happiest of all was Teacher Zhao, Zhao Wuji. No matter how extraordinarily talented Fu Hua and the others were, they were still students of Shrek Academy! Of course, as their teacher, he was delighted.

Some drank, some chatted, and without realizing it, the distance between them grew ever smaller. Even Ning Rongrong, after letting her true nature loose, was accepted by everyone.

Only then did Shrek Academy truly become united as one.

Their return journey went smoothly, and they arrived back at the academy in just one day. Looking at the long-familiar gates of Shrek Academy, everyone finally relaxed for real.

"All right, go back to your dorms and rest. I need to report what happened on this trip to Dean Flanders. Keep your voices down—it's already dark. Get some rest early. We're gathering on time tomorrow."

After saying that, Zhao Wuji left them behind and headed first toward Flanders's office.

Fu Hua and the others exchanged glances before silently choosing to obey.

"Oh, right, Fu Hua, you still don't know where the dorms are, do you? Let Zhu Zhuqing take you there. You two happen to be roommates," Dai Mubai suddenly said.

Fu Hua nodded and followed closely behind Zhu Zhuqing.

Everyone returned to their respective dorms. They did not even wash up before dropping straight into bed. Even though they had rested for two days in the town, nothing was as comfortable as resting back home.

Because this was where they were truly safe.

Inside the dean's office.

Flanders listened to Zhao Wuji's account of their trip to the Star Dou Great Forest in astonishment. His expression changed several times, and only when he heard that everyone had returned safely did he finally let out a breath.

"This time, I did not think things through carefully enough. Next time, we definitely need to bring two more teachers. We cannot let these geniuses be lost!"

"You can't be blamed either. Even if four teachers had been protecting them, they might not have been able to withstand that Soul Beast. Still, I wonder what species that Soul Beast was and why it appeared in the central region," Zhao Wuji said, still shaken by the ordeal.

"Describe that Soul Beast's appearance in detail," Flanders said, sitting in his office chair with his hands supporting his chin, his expression grave.

"Mm! I didn't get a good look at it then. It seemed to have purple-white exoskeleton armor, but what left the deepest impression were the pair of gauntlets on its arms—one blue, one red. Their defensive power was extremely high, and the energy carried by its attacks was very strange. It seemed capable of eroding the human body. I suffered because of its first strike."

Flender fell into thought. Even he had never seen such a Soul Beast before. How strange. Could something have happened within the Star Dou Great Forest?

"That should be a special kind of Soul Beast."

Just then, a somewhat stiff voice came from the doorway. Zhao Wuji was startled and was about to activate his Martial Soul Possession when Flender suddenly spoke.

"Haha! The expert is here. Xiao Gang, come in quickly."

The door opened, and a middle-aged man walked in from outside.

His face was rigid and his back straight. At first glance, he appeared somewhat dull, yet there was a trace of urgency in his deep black eyes. If Tang San had been here, he would have recognized this man at once.

Because he was Tang San's teacher, the renowned Master of the Soul Master world.

"Come, Wuji, let me introduce you. This is Tang San's teacher. Just call him Master—everyone in the Soul Master world calls him that."

Zhao Wuji was shocked as he looked at Master walking in.

"So you are Master. Hello, I'm Zhao Wuji."

Master said stiffly, "Immovable Ming King, there is no need for courtesy. You've returned. Tang San should have returned with you, then? Is he safe?"

"We returned safely. Master, you've taught an excellent student! When did you arrive at the academy?"

Flender cut in, "He only arrived the day before yesterday. If it weren't for Tang San, he never would have set foot in this place. Come, Xiao Gang, sit."

Only then did Master's expression ease. Without standing on ceremony, he sat down beside Flender.

Zhao Wuji then asked again, "Master, what did you mean by a special Soul Beast just now?"

"Did the Soul Beast you saw have purple-white exoskeleton armor, with extraordinary defense and attacks that carried corrosive energy?"

"Yes, yes, exactly."

Zhao Wuji thought to himself, As expected of Master. He even knows about this kind of Soul Beast.

But Master's next words shattered Zhao Wuji's understanding.

"I do not know much about this Soul Beast either. I merely saw it once in the past. The only advice I can give you is to stay away from it. The moment you see it, you must flee as far as possible. Otherwise, death is certain."

Master did not seem to be pretending. His words made Zhao Wuji break out in a cold sweat. Was he incredibly lucky? He had encountered such a Soul Beast and still survived.

"Then... is there no way to deal with it?"

Suddenly, Zhao Wuji recalled the fiery red figure he had once seen.

Master shook his head.

"Our Soul Master physiques simply cannot withstand that kind of power. But it is not absolutely unbeatable. If there is anyone capable of defeating such a Soul Beast, I believe there is only one person on the entire continent."

A trace of reminiscence appeared in Master's eyes.

That figure...

"Could it be that fiery red figure?" Zhao Wuji muttered.

Master was suddenly startled.

"What did you say? You saw that figure?"

"Y-yes. If not for that figure, we might not have been able to return safely."

Zhao Wuji was surprised by Master's reaction. He had actually seen astonishment on that rigid face.

Could Master know that figure?

"Right, I think that figure may know Fu Hua."

"Fu Hua?"

"Yes, she is one of our students. She is very strong. She..."

"She can fight a Soul Sage with her bare hands."

"Huh? Master, you..."

Zhao Wuji was truly bewildered. Could this Master really know that figure?

"I understand. Flender, I will stay here to teach these eight students, but you must remember what you promised me. Whenever Tang San needs a Soul Ring, you must be present. Now, there may be one more person to add." Master revealed a thoughtful expression.

"You mean Fu Hua! She and you..." Flender hesitated.

Master shook his head.

"Flender, you need not concern yourself with that. If I am not mistaken, Fu Hua's path to obtaining Soul Rings is undoubtedly far more difficult than that of ordinary people."

"Master, what... what do you mean?"

Zhao Wuji once again thought of that special Soul Beast. The Soul Ring Fu Hua had absorbed had come from that Soul Beast.

But Master merely shook his head again and said no more.

Inside the Shrek dormitory, Zhu Zhuqing led her to their room. The simple wooden hut contained two beds, just enough for two people. One side already showed signs of being occupied, while the other remained brand-new.

"That side is yours."

Zhu Zhuqing pointed to the brand-new bed on the other side. Fatigue was unmistakable in her cool voice. After traveling all day, even someone made of iron would feel tired.

Fu Hua nodded silently to show she understood.

"You sleep first! I won't make any noise."

Ignoring Fu Hua's words, Zhu Zhuqing lay down fully clothed. She truly seemed exhausted.

Walking over to her own bed, Fu Hua removed her tight combat outfit. The blue uniform wrapped around her body silently dissipated. It was a battlesuit formed from surplus Honkai Energy, highly defensive and not easily damaged.

That rare white butler uniform had been ruined when she washed herself. If not for this combat outfit during the journey, she might not have had anything to wear. After all, she did not have a storage Soul Tool yet!

Speaking of storage Soul Tools, it seemed she was not entirely without one.

She untied her azure-blue hair, and the smooth, unkempt strands slid across her flawless back. Beneath the bright moonlight, Fu Hua's features appeared even more refined, making Zhu Zhuqing, who happened to turn and see the sight, blush uncontrollably.

Her breathing rose and fell slightly.

Fu Hua glanced sideways but paid it no mind, remaining focused on her own task.

First, she needed to create a set of casual clothes. After all, she still was not used to sleeping naked.

Purple-white light flashed, and a simple yet stylish outfit appeared, covering a woman's private areas well.

Her long hair draped over her shoulders, and beneath the radiant moonlight, she carried an added touch of tenderness. Warmth softened her brows and eyes, as though they held endless unspoken affection.

Zhu Zhuqing watched in a daze.

"You're still not asleep?"

"Ah! Ahem! I'm not sleepy yet."

Since she had been noticed, she no longer bothered hiding it.

Everyone loved beauty. It was only natural to look twice when seeing something beautiful. This attire, so different from her usual appearance, added a charm to Fu Hua that few could resist.

An ethereal aura seemed to linger around Fu Hua, drawing people's eyes toward her. Zhu Zhuqing was no exception.

"We have to get up early tomorrow. Girls shouldn't stay up late."

"You too."

"I'll sleep after I finish a few things."

"Good night."

"Good night!"

The night was so quiet that they could hear each other's heartbeats.

PS: There didn't seem to be anything to say in this chapter, but if I didn't add a PS, it somehow felt strange. If I think of anything later, I'll add it.