Leaving Nuoding, Ambushed on the Way to Shrek

Leaving Nuoding, Ambushed on the Way to Shrek

As dusk, like spilled ink, soaked the sky above Nuoding Academy, Lin Che was wiping grass leaves from the Azure Water Sword with a cloth. Deliberately softened footsteps came from outside the Seventh Dormitory. Looking up, he saw Tang San standing beneath the corridor with the Black Iron Short Sword on his back. Blue Silver Grass flickered in his palm, its leaves still beaded with fresh dew—he had clearly just returned from the woods. The moment their eyes met, Tang San immediately looked away, though his fingers unconsciously tightened around the sword hilt.

"Brother Lin Che, Old Li said Master went to the academic affairs office this afternoon. It seems he was looking into your Martial Soul records." Jiang Zhu hurried over with a cloth bag in her arms. The Healing Scepter inside suddenly gave a faint tremble. "Also, when it touched the Snake Scale fragments on your clothes just now, it suddenly became very hot."

Lin Che's fingers paused, and tiny glass-like fragments on his sword tassel glimmered faintly. When he had absorbed the Mandala Snake's Soul Power that morning, several Snake Scales had indeed stuck to his clothes. Just as he was about to speak, a system panel abruptly appeared before him:

[Detected Master Yu Xiaogang activating the Martial Soul Source Tracing Program. Crisis Warning triggered: Remaining longer than 12 shichen will expose the Universe Cauldron Martial Soul.]

"It's time to leave." Lin Che sheathed the Azure Water Sword and turned into the dormitory to pack his belongings—only a cloth bag containing a Change of Clothes and Soul Concealment Talismans. "Nuoding can't hide us, nor can it hold on to our opportunities."

Though Jiang Zhu did not understand why, she immediately followed him. As they passed the training grounds, they happened to run into Master standing beside the testing platform. His gaze swept over them like that of an eagle from behind his lenses, filled with undisguised scrutiny. Lin Che deliberately slowed his steps and suppressed his Soul Power to the appearance of level fifteen, yet the Universe Cauldron in his palm still grew faintly hot—Master's Soul Power Detection was like countless fine needles, repeatedly probing his Martial Soul Barrier.

"Where are you going, Junior Lin?" Master's voice carried a chill as his fingertips traced a Soul Power Trajectory across the testing platform. "As far as I know, disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect never leave the academy midway through their studies."

"The sect has made new arrangements." Lin Che replied blandly. The Azure Water Sword hummed softly in its sheath, carrying a warning. "As for you, Master, instead of investigating other people's Martial Souls, you should properly guide Tang San. The Yellow Crystal Beast's Soul Ring may be stable, but compared to a Mandala Snake's, it still falls short."

Those words stabbed Tang San like needles. He abruptly raised his head, Purple Demon Eyes flashing across his gaze as Blue Silver Grass suddenly leaned toward Lin Che. Lin Che merely scoffed. With a light tap of his toe against the ground, Azure Sword Qi swept across the grass and neatly severed the tips of the Blue Silver Grass. "Want to try? You might not be my match."

"Enough." Master sharply stopped Tang San, his eyes fixed on the purple Soul Ring at Lin Che's waist. "Remember, the level of one's Soul Power is never the only measure of strength." He suddenly recalled the records of the "Universe Cauldron" in ancient texts—that ancient Martial Soul capable of devouring the Soul Power of all things had stirred the continent a thousand years ago. Could the boy before him truly be connected to that legend?

Lin Che said no more and left with Jiang Zhu. As they stepped through the academy gates, Jiang Zhu suddenly cried out, "The scepter!" The Healing Scepter inside the cloth bag was glowing silver-green, fine golden light seeping from its vine patterns as though fireflies were dancing within them. She took out the scepter, and its shaft actually rubbed itself against Lin Che's sleeve. Wherever Snake Scale fragments clung to the fabric, the golden light instantly surged.

[Detected an auxiliary Martial Soul absorbing special residual Soul Power. Mutation precursor triggered: Healing Scepter (unawakened).]

[Mutation direction: Toxin Purification + Soul Power Amplification. Further absorption of Immortal Herb energy is required to complete awakening.]

As the system prompt ended, the scepter suddenly fell quiet. Its golden light converged deep within the vine patterns, leaving behind only faint warmth. Jiang Zhu held the scepter in both hands, her eyes full of wonder. "It feels like it's become stronger. Just now, I could even sense the flow of Soul Power around us."

"It's the residual Soul Power of the Mandala Snake." Lin Che touched the scepter, warm Energy Fluctuations passing through his fingertips. "Once we find the Immortal Herbs, perhaps we can make it awaken completely." Before he could finish, a new prompt appeared on the system panel:

[Main Quest updated: Travel to Shrek Academy in Suotuo City and search for clues to the Immortal Herb Secret Realm. Reward: Exploration Can ×1.]

Suotuo City lay southwest of Nuoding. The two traveled along the ancient road, and when night deepened, they stopped at an abandoned roadside post station. Its firewood had long since become damp. Lin Che had just lit a torch when he heard the sound of garments cutting through the air in the distance. He immediately protected Jiang Zhu behind him as the Azure Water Sword flew from its sheath—three Black Shadows descended onto the post station roof like ghosts, silver serpent patterns embroidered on their black clothes.

"Spirit Hall's Shadow Scouts." Lin Che's pupils narrowed. Memories from his previous life suddenly surged forth: to control the movements of Soul Masters across the continent, Spirit Hall had planted Shadow Scouts in every city. These people excelled at concealment and tracking. Their Soul Power was not especially formidable, but they were extremely troublesome.

The leading Black Shadow scoffed as his Martial Soul suddenly possessed him. Gray-black bat wings spread from his back, and sharp fangs gleamed with cold light. He was a level twenty-six Agility Attack System Soul Master with a Vampire Bat Martial Soul. "By order of the Pope, we are investigating all abnormal Soul Ring fluctuations." His voice was shrill and piercing. "Explain the origin of your Soul Ring, or don't blame us for being discourteous!"

The other two Shadow Scouts also possessed their Martial Souls at the same time. One was a level twenty-two Control System Soul Master with a Spider Web Martial Soul; the other was a level twenty-one Assault System Soul Master with a Short Blade Martial Soul. The Spider Web Martial Soul attacked first, gray-white spider silk shooting toward them like a torrential downpour with a pungent, fishy stench.

"Jiang Zhu, get back!" Lin Che leaped onto the roof with a tap of his toe, the Azure Water Sword carving a green arc through the air. "First Soul Skill: Wind Scar Slash!" Sword Qi split open the spider silk, but the Vampire Bat Shadow Scout suddenly accelerated. With a flap of his wings, he shot three wind blades directly at Jiang Zhu.

"Azure Water Entanglement!" Lin Che swung his hand backward, and five vines of Azure Sword Qi burst from the ground, wrapping around the Vampire Bat's wings. But the Short Blade Shadow Scout had already seized the chance to rush close, his two short blades carrying Soul Power as they slashed toward Lin Che's throat. Lin Che twisted aside to dodge, secretly activating the Universe Cauldron with his left hand. A Pale Golden halo spread from his palm and instantly wrapped around the Short Blade Shadow Scout's arm.

[Universe Cauldron Martial Soul activated. Absorbing target Soul Power... Absorption progress: 20%...]

The Short Blade Shadow Scout suddenly screamed as his Soul Power was drained away like a receding tide. His short blade fell to the ground with a clang. Seeing this, the Vampire Bat Shadow Scout forcefully broke free of the vines with a powerful beat of his wings, only for Lin Che's Sword Qi to slash his wing. Blood instantly stained his black clothes red.

"Seeking death!" the Spider Web Shadow Scout roared angrily. His spider silk suddenly thickened, wrapping around Lin Che's ankle like glue. Lin Che frowned and was about to activate his Soul Power to break free when the Short Blade Shadow Scout pulled out poison needles from his waist and threw them toward Jiang Zhu—he actually intended to take her hostage!

"Watch out!" Lin Che's Sword Qi erupted, splitting open the poison needles, but the spider silk cut bloody marks into his arm. Seeing this, Jiang Zhu suddenly raised the Healing Scepter above her head. Silver-green light burst from the scepter and formed a circular halo that enveloped the entire post station. "I don't know what this is, but please help Brother Lin Che!"

[Detected Jiang Zhu triggering Martial Soul potential. First Soul Skill unlocked: Scar Healing Halo.]

[Skill effect: Group Healing + Soul Power Amplification. Allied units within range recover 5% Soul Power and injuries per second.]

The instant the golden light descended, Lin Che felt the Soul Power within him rapidly recover, while the wound on his arm healed at a visible speed. Joy rose in his heart, and his sword intent abruptly intensified. "Second Soul Skill: Azure Water Entanglement—Poison!" Light Purple Venom seeped from the azure vines, binding the Spider Web Shadow Scout's body. The venom spread along the spider silk, instantly robbing him of the ability to move.

Seeing the situation turn against him, the Vampire Bat Shadow Scout turned to flee. How could Lin Che let him escape? The Universe Cauldron operated at full power, Pale Golden halos wrapping around the scout's wings like chains and draining away most of his Soul Power. The scout crashed heavily to the ground, and Lin Che rushed over and held his sword to the man's throat. "Why is Spirit Hall investigating abnormal Soul Rings?"

Yet the Shadow Scout suddenly revealed a strange smile, black blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth. "The Pope's Order... You aberrations... must all die..." Before his words ended, he lost all breath—he had swallowed poison and killed himself.

Frowning, Lin Che kicked the corpse aside. A prompt suddenly appeared on the system panel:

[Successfully repelled Spirit Hall Shadow Scouts. Side Quest completed: First Encounter. Reward: Exploration Can ×1.]

With a thought, the Exploration Can burst open in the System Space. A beam of golden light floated out and turned into a yellowed booklet, its cover bearing the words "Shrek Admission Guide."

[Item obtained: Shrek Admission Guide.]

[Test difficulties marked:
1. Physical Fitness Test—Cross the Thorn Forest (must withstand Poison Thorns and Soul Power suppression);
2. Combat Test—Defeat Academy Students (hidden rule: lethal methods are prohibited);
3. Soul Power Perception—Find the hidden Spirit Beast Egg (requires Spiritual Power to break through the illusion).]

Lin Che opened the guide. Every page was marked in cinnabar with details, and it even included a route map through the Thorn Forest. He raised his head toward Suotuo City, and in the night it seemed as though he could see the outline of Shrek Academy. Jiang Zhu came over then. The golden light on the Healing Scepter gradually converged, but the light within its vine patterns grew brighter. "Brother Lin Che, are we really going to Shrek? I heard its entrance tests are very difficult."

"Good. Difficult is better." Lin Che put away the guide, anticipation flashing in his eyes. "Only the Immortal Herbs there can fully awaken your scepter and make me stronger as well." He looked toward the distant stars. The Immortal Herb clues on the system panel were flashing red—the closer they got to Suotuo City, the clearer the clues became.

The two traveled through the night and finally caught sight of Suotuo City's gates the next morning. The city walls were built from enormous bluish-black stones and covered in the marks of wind and time. The moment they entered the gates, they heard roadside merchants discussing, "Have you heard? Shrek is recruiting again. This year's test seems even harder than before. More than a dozen Soul Masters have already been eliminated!"

Lin Che and Jiang Zhu exchanged a glance and quickened their pace. The test difficulties in the guide surfaced in his mind. He could feel that a new challenge was waiting for them. Meanwhile, at Spirit Hall Headquarters in the distance, Pope Bibi Dong was staring at an image within a Crystal Ball—it showed Lin Che absorbing the Mandala Snake's Soul Power. A cold smile curved her lips. "Universe Cauldron... I did not expect the legend from a thousand years ago to truly reappear."

Beside the Crystal Ball, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan bowed. "Your Holiness, do you need me to make a trip to Suotuo City personally?"

"No need." Bibi Dong raised a hand to cut him off. "Let those old fools at Shrek test his abilities first. Remember—Alive or Dead."