Update

Staying on the second floor, Xiao Tianyang sat on his bed and looked at his system interface.

Host: Xiao Tianyang

Physique: Pseudo? Immaculate Physique [Killing incurs no karmic consequences; all things are naturally drawn to it]

Strength Level: Level 13 [Soul Master]

Soul Skill: Myriad Transformation Flame

Soul Bone: None

Martial Souls: Scythe of Judgment [A symbol of life, the final resting place of the dead], Crimson Lotus Karmic Fire [Burns karma, purifies sins], Spirit of the Flame [The fire of life, the spirit of all things], Three Thousand Blazing Flame [Three Thousand Starry Sky Body, an immortal physique]

Lottery Points: 93

At the same time, the task interface had also updated. These were Main Quests triggered without anyone ever mentioning them.

"Trigger Main Quest: [Shrek Academy]. Objective: Join Shrek Academy!"

"Mission Reward: Random Character Bond Card!"

"Trigger Side Quest: [Challenge]. Objective: Defeat over a hundred Soul Beasts in Soul Hunting Forest that are more than a thousand years old!"

"Mission Reward: Specialty Skill [Firearms Grandmaster]!"

"Trigger Side Quest: [No Love Without Reason]. Objective: Use any means necessary to uncover Miao Zhenshan's true background!"

"Mission Reward: Body Martial Soul ×1!"

It had to be said that the task interface was far more exciting than his attribute interface. This was the first time Xiao Tianyang had received so many tasks.

There was no need to mention the Main Quest. Xiao Tianyang had already guessed at it before it appeared, and even if it had not, he had intended to go take a look anyway. After all, it was a pretty decent sightseeing spot to check in at.

The reward was also quite intriguing. A Character Bond Card—this was the first time he had heard of such a reward.

But all of that was still years away, so no matter how curious he was, it would have to wait.

As for the second task, it was somewhat difficult, but it largely aligned with what Xiao Tianyang was already planning to do, so he could set it aside for now.

"But what exactly does this third task mean?"

Xiao Tianyang looked rather awkward. "Teacher Miao does care about me a little, but it's not to the point of love, is it?"

Yet at the same time, Xiao Tianyang believed that the system would not act without reason.

Since it had appeared, there had to be a reason for it. Otherwise, why would it simply hand out a Body Martial Soul as a reward?

As for so-called Body Martial Souls, Xiao Tianyang knew a little about them. Put simply, they were martial souls formed from a part of one's body.

As for whether they were strong or weak, that was hard to say. It mainly depended on the user and how they developed them.

Setting aside the task's name, Xiao Tianyang began to think.

"First of all, Teacher Miao's identity definitely isn't simple. Otherwise, the system wouldn't deliberately prompt me to approach him."

"But if I investigate, the first thing to consider is that he may notice and become wary. Of course, it's also possible that he'll tell me the truth."

The task had to be completed, and the reward had to be claimed. That was Xiao Tianyang's bottom line.

But how should he do it? And how should he get it? That was the problem!

After pondering for a while without any results, Xiao Tianyang did not force himself any further. He went up to the third floor and began training.

First was the Lingbo Weibu he had just acquired. With the system's help, he did not need to open up his meridians or deliberately step according to specific footwork patterns.

All Xiao Tianyang had to do was integrate it into his own combat rhythm. That would be enough to achieve his goal.

However, after training for another two hours, Xiao Tianyang suddenly realized that not only was he not tired, but his circulation of energy had become even smoother.

Thus, without realizing it, he began circulating the Nine Yang cultivation technique as well, slowly merging the two.

Then, struck by another sudden idea, Xiao Tianyang kept his feet moving while maintaining the circulation within his body. Soul Power transformed into roaming dragons around his palms, which he thrust toward the sky.

Then he pressed his palms together before his chest and pushed forward. The two roaming dragons circled in reverse, changing direction from upward to forward as they bared their fangs and claws and lunged out.

This was one of the benefits Xiao Tianyang had gained after becoming a Soul Master: he could use the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms with far greater ease.

Although he had previously learned the form well enough, it had felt as though layers upon layers of walls stood in his way.

Whenever he made a breakthrough, he would be blocked again, unable to smoothly unleash all eighteen palms in succession.

Of course, this palm technique itself also had extremely high Soul Power requirements.

So even now, if he attacked continuously, Xiao Tianyang could support at most ten palms.

And their power would diminish layer by layer, unless he wanted to overdraw his Soul Power and collapse completely from exhaustion afterward.

It was not until midnight that Xiao Tianyang finally came to a stop and ended his training. The instant he stopped, he was drenched in sweat, his face pale.

Quickly reaching out to brace himself against the wall, Xiao Tianyang frowned. "This kind of training is indeed effective, but the burden is too great. If I keep this up for too long, it could easily overdraw my body and leave behind hidden injuries..."

However, Xiao Tianyang was no ordinary case. With the Spirit of the Flame's help, it was generally impossible for him to be injured.

Still, he could not allow himself to collapse from exhaustion after training too often. It was not only a burden on his body, but on his mind as well.

The Spirit of the Flame could enhance its host's vitality and life force; that much was true.

But in a sense, it could not heal mental trauma. So even if his body would not suffer any lasting damage, Xiao Tianyang certainly would not train like this too often.

"I'll take a bath and rest for the night. Tomorrow, I'll visit Teacher Miao. Maybe I can find some clues."

With that thought, Xiao Tianyang supported himself down the stairs, went to the bathroom on the second floor for a shower, changed clothes, then returned to the rooftop terrace and sat cross-legged to cultivate.

At the same time, he was accumulating Green Liquid for the Sky-Controlling Bottle, preparing for his next cultivation session.

"I'll take three drops first and see the effect. If it isn't enough, I'll add more."

Xiao Tianyang removed the Sky-Controlling Bottle from his waist, poured three drops of Green Liquid into his mouth, and began circulating the Nine Yang Divine Skill to absorb the burst of pure Spirit Power.

Now that he had his first spirit ring and was no longer constrained in strength, Xiao Tianyang could naturally continue using Green Liquid to improve himself.

This was his little Golden Finger, his shortcut. Why wouldn't he take it?

However, Xiao Tianyang had discovered during his previous cultivation that his Spirit Power Quality had improved again. Otherwise, a seven-thousand-year spirit ring could not have raised him by merely three levels. That was the only explanation that made sense.

The night passed without incident. He cultivated until morning, and when Xiao Tianyang opened his eyes, the rising sun had already passed, while every household had begun bustling about for their livelihood.

Getting up, Xiao Tianyang yawned, went downstairs to bathe and change clothes. He was rather particular about such things.

"I ate all the ingredients last night. Looks like I'll have to eat at the academy cafeteria today."

Xiao Tianyang checked the kitchen, and sure enough, it was completely empty. He searched downstairs as well, but after failing to find Bubu, he finally gave up and headed for the academy.

However, just as Xiao Tianyang rounded a corner and disappeared down the road, another figure poked his head out from an alley and muttered, "This kid is really strange. He has a dormitory but refuses to stay there, renting a place outside instead—and he even keeps a dog..."

If Xiao Tianyang had been there, he would definitely have recognized him as his next target, Miao Zhenshan.

And while Xiao Tianyang wanted to investigate him, Miao Zhenshan was not about to sit idle either.

After all, the abnormalities Xiao Tianyang had displayed had practically shattered common sense.

If Miao Zhenshan had not known about all this, Xiao Tianyang would probably have already been abducted and treated as a new human specimen for research.