Coordination and Advancement? Soul Power Near Level 35

At the break of dawn, Shrek's training ground had already been transformed into an illusion resembling Misty Forest. Flender used soul power to draw in the morning mist, shrouding the grounds. At the center stood a waist-high stone pedestal, upon which rested a massive egg covered in gilded patterns. The eggshell gleamed with the warm luster of a simulated Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast egg. Eight wooden pillars carved with defensive runes surrounded the pedestal, and the ghostly blue flames burning atop them cast flickering light over the egg.

"Gather around!" Flender floated above the stone pedestal, his voice carrying through the mist. "According to Gu Rong's message, Spirit Hall may have laid an ambush in Misty Forest. Spirit beasts are everywhere there, and the terrain is complicated. You must learn to fight while protecting your target." He pointed to the giant egg on the pedestal. "This is a simulated spirit beast egg. If the shell gains three cracks during the three waves of spirit beast attacks, the training fails."

Yu Xiaogang pushed up his glasses and added, "Each wave of spirit beasts will simulate Spirit Hall's tactical traits—the century-old wind wolves correspond to an agile attack squad, the Thousand Year Spider Emperor replicates poison control, and the ten-thousand-year remnant soul represents Titled Douluo-level energy attacks. Remember, protection takes priority over killing."

Dai Mubai immediately used Martial Soul Possession, his White Tiger Claws slamming into the ground. "I'll hold the front! Rongrong, give me Defense Amplification!" Ma Hongjun rubbed his hands together as Phoenix Fire danced in his palms. "Leave the long-range attacks to me. I guarantee no spirit beast will get within five steps of the egg!" Oscar had already filled a tray with sausages. Anti-Poison, Recovery, and agility sausages were neatly separated, while a new sausage glowing blue lay at the very top. "This is a Swift Sausage. It can temporarily boost reaction speed!"

Lin Che stood beside the stone pedestal, Azure Water Sword held diagonally at his waist while the Universe Cauldron quietly hovered over his palm. Last night, while studying the Huaxia Sword Skill Manual, he had discovered that Sword Momentum Force Dissipation could combine with his own soul power to produce a new move. He wanted to use this battle to test it. Jiang Zhu gripped the Seven-Colored Sacred Staff tightly. Green and golden patterns flowed across its shaft, and she had integrated the spirit grass sensing technique Lin Che taught her into her soul power, allowing her to predict the path of poison spread in advance.

"First wave, century-old wind wolves, attack!" Flender waved his hand.

Wolf howls instantly rang out from the mist. More than ten Grey Shadows burst through the morning fog, sharp wolf claws gleaming coldly as they moved so fast that only afterimages remained. This was an ambush tactic Flender had simulated based on the Swift Wind Demon Wolf traits of Feng Xiaotian, specifically targeting weak points in the defense. Dai Mubai was about to charge forward when three wind wolves suddenly changed direction and lunged straight at Oscar and Jiang Zhu in the rear.

"Good!" Lin Che sprang up with a tap of his foot, and Azure Water Sword flared with emerald light as it traced three curved sword beams along the wind. Wherever the blade passed, the morning mist was torn into spiraling currents. This was the new move he had comprehended by combining Sword Momentum Force Dissipation with the wind—Wind Scar Slash. The sword light did not pursue destructive power, but instead formed a barrier using the wind's momentum. The three wind wolves crashed into the airflow barrier, their bodies halting for a moment before Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Fire Line struck them precisely, turning them into dissipating black smoke.

The remaining wind wolves seized the opportunity to pounce at the stone pedestal. Dai Mubai roared and unleashed White Tiger Meteor Shower, but two wind wolves nimbly evaded it, their claws nearly scraping the eggshell. "Watch out!" Jiang Zhu promptly swung her sacred staff. The green patterns turned into vine-like energy that wrapped around everyone's arms, while the golden patterns raised a translucent barrier around the stone pedestal. The instant the wolf claws raked across the barrier, the green patterns suddenly lit up, instantly purifying the trace poison carried on the claws. Dai Mubai seized the opening to follow up with his tiger claws, smashing the last two wind wolves apart.

"Beautiful!" Flender's voice carried approval. "Jiang Zhu's preventive healing perfectly counters the wind wolves' poison. Lin Che's Wind Scar Slash blocks the enemy without compromising the defense. That wave was flawless teamwork!"

Jiang Zhu wiped the fine sweat from her forehead, and the green patterns on her sacred staff dimmed slightly. "That used up thirty percent of my soul power. If the poison had been stronger, the preventive effect might have been reduced." Lin Che handed her a Recovery Sausage. "The Spider Emperor's poison in the next wave will definitely be more troublesome. I'll help share the burden."

The eggshell on the stone pedestal remained completely unmarked, while the ghostly blue flames on the eight wooden pillars burned even more fiercely. Before they could catch their breath, a piercing screech suddenly came from the mist. A giant spider with a dark green carapace burst from the ground, and the venom dripping from its chelicerae corroded fine pits into the earth the moment it landed. It was the Thousand Year Spider Emperor, simulating the traits of Bibi Dong's Death Spider Emperor.

"Blue Silver Grass, entangle!" Tang San had prepared in advance. Emerald blades of grass surged toward the giant spider like a tide, attempting to bind its chelicerae and legs. Yet the instant the grass touched the carapace, it was corroded black and withered by the venom seeping from its surface. The giant spider took the opportunity to swing its chelicerae, firing two poison arrows at the egg on the stone pedestal.

"Control failed!" Yu Xiaogang's voice rang out at once. "The Spider Emperor's carapace resists plant-based poison. Blue Silver Grass can't attach to it!"

Lin Che moved instantly. Azure Water Sword flew from his hand, its blade turning into an emerald streak as it circled the giant spider. Sword threads wrapped around its legs like a spiderweb. This was Azure Water Entanglement: Poison, which he had created by combining the Huaxia Sword Skill Manual with the soul power of the Universe Cauldron. The sword threads could not only restrain the target, but also inject Spirit Nourishing Fire to purify poison. The giant spider struggled and sprayed out poisonous mist, but the Universe Cauldron in Lin Che's palm abruptly expanded. Its opening aimed at the mist and expelled a pale golden current of air, turning the poison into white smoke the moment it came into contact.

"Oscar, Anti-Poison Sausage!" Jiang Zhu shouted as she reinforced the stone pedestal's light barrier with her sacred staff. Oscar immediately threw a green-patterned sausage to Tang San. After swallowing it, Tang San activated Blue Silver Grass again. This time, the blades were coated in poison-resistant soul power and finally bound the giant spider's chelicerae. Ma Hongjun seized the chance to launch Phoenix Howling Heaven Strike. Orange-red flames spread along the Blue Silver Grass, and the giant spider let out a shrill scream amid the fire before finally turning into ash.

A faint mark appeared on the eggshell atop the stone pedestal—it had been caused by the Impact Force when a poison arrow grazed the light barrier. Dai Mubai punched the ground in frustration. "I was too focused on watching Lin Che control the field and didn't reinforce the defense in time!" Lin Che sheathed his sword. "My sword momentum was too hasty. I forgot to leave a gap for defense. We'll change tactics for the next wave."

Yu Xiaogang Walked Forward and drew a tactical diagram beside the stone pedestal. "The remnant soul is an energy body, so physical attacks are ineffective. Dai Mubai, guard the front of the egg. Tang San, use Blue Silver Grass to set up a Defense Net. Lin Che, use sword momentum to deflect the energy attacks. Jiang Zhu, focus on protecting the support positions."

Before everyone could fully readjust, the third wave of attacks suddenly descended. The mist churned violently as a solid Black Shadow rose from the ground. The pressure Emitted from all over its body caused everyone present to feel their soul power become sluggish. This was a ten-thousand-year remnant soul simulated by Flender using his own soul power. A dark purple Energy Ball condensed in its hand, replicating the lethal attack of a Titled Douluo.

"Careful! The Energy Ball has penetrating power!" Tang San hurriedly released Blue Silver Grass, weaving three layers of Defense Net before the stone pedestal. Yet the Energy Ball thrown by the remnant soul's Wave Hand passed directly through the grass net and flew toward Oscar, who Is Currently amplifying Dai Mubai. Caught off guard, Oscar was grazed on the shoulder by the Energy Ball and sent flying backwards. He crashed into a wooden pillar and Spurted Out a Mouthful of blood, scattering the tray of sausages across the ground.

"Oscar!" Jiang Zhu cried out and tried to rush over, only to see the remnant soul's second Energy Ball already aimed at the egg on the stone pedestal. Lin Che instantly stood in front of the egg, holding Azure Water Sword horizontally before his chest as the Universe Cauldron hovered above his Head Top. Spirit Nourishing Fire surged from the cauldron's three legs. Following the principles of the Huaxia Sword Skill Manual, he Operated his soul power, and the sword tip traced a spiraling path. Sword momentum and the cauldron's energy intertwined into a pale golden barrier.

The instant the Energy Ball struck the barrier, Lin Che lightly rotated his wrist, guiding his sword momentum along the patterns on the Energy Ball's surface. Thirty percent of its attacking soul power was diverted into the ground, sending shattered stones flying through the air; ten percent was rebounded, grazing past the remnant soul's Black Shadow. Yet the Remaining energy impact still made Lin Che's Blood and Qi Surged, and a thin line of blood seeped from the Corner of Mouth.

"Seven-Colored Spirit Healing!" Jiang Zhu's voice Trembled with soul power. She reached Oscar's side in time, and Seven-colored Light bloomed from the tip of her sacred staff. Golden and green patterns intertwined into a rain of light that Fell Onto Oscar. The moment it seeped into his wounds, Oscar's painful groans gradually subsided. His damaged Meridians repaired at a visible rate, and even his depleted soul power slowly began to recover. This was the new move she had gained after breaking through Poison and Heal Dual Ability, capable of repairing both physical injuries and soul power damage at once.

Seeing its attack blocked, the Black Shadow around the remnant soul swelled and Turned into countless Energy Arrows that shot toward everyone. "Rongrong, amplify Lin Che's speed!" Tang San shouted urgently as he used Blue Silver Grass to bind the remnant soul's legs, Attempting to restrict its movements. Two rays of light instantly lit up from Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, applying both speed and Strength Amplification to Lin Che.

Lin Che's figure Turned into an afterimage as Azure Water Sword continuously carved eighteen arcs through the air. Sword Momentum Force Dissipation worked together with the Universe Cauldron's suppression, deflecting or purifying the Energy Arrows one by one. Ma Hongjun Seized the Opportunity to unleash his strongest soul skill, Phoenix Meteor Shower, while Dai Mubai endured the Remaining energy impact and lunged at the remnant soul. His White Tiger Claw tore apart the core of the Black Shadow. When the final Energy Arrow was deflected, the remnant soul finally Turned into black smoke and dissipated in the mist.

"Training over!" Flender's voice rang out as the mist gradually dispersed. The eggshell on the stone pedestal bore only a single faint mark. Oscar could barely stand now, and he accepted the Recovery Sausage Jiang Zhu handed him. As Lin Che sheathed his sword, he suddenly sensed that the soul power Inside the Body was unusually active. While resisting the remnant soul's attacks, the Universe Cauldron had absorbed a considerable amount of scattered energy. Combined with the soul power infusion from the training reward, the soul power barrier at his Dantian was faintly loosening.

[Detected that the host has completed third-tier guardian training. Team coordination has reached 95%. Reward: Soul Power Amplification ×1, Spirit Grass Energy Crystal ×3]

[Detected that the Universe Cauldron has absorbed residual spirit beast energy. Spirit grass crystals converting... Soul power has broken through to level 34! Progress to level 35: 98%]

The instant the System Prompt sounded, soul power surged through Lin Che's body like a tide. Azure Water Sword gave off a faint hum, and the emerald glow along its blade deepened. He could clearly feel that he needed only a Trace of opportunity to break through to level 35, and that opportunity might lie in the coming ambush battle.

"Not bad, not bad!" Flender landed on the ground, a rare smile appearing on his face. "You managed to protect the target even against the impact of a ten-thousand-year remnant soul. You did far better than I expected!" Yu Xiaogang looked at Lin Che. "Your Sword Momentum Force Dissipation can already handle energy attacks. Combined with the Universe Cauldron's purification, Yue Guan's Petal Domain may not be able to trap you."

Oscar patted Lin Che on the shoulder gratefully. "Thanks for blocking that just now. Otherwise, I'd have been lying down until the ambush battle ended." Jiang Zhu also Walked Forward, the Seven-colored Light on her sacred staff not yet fully faded. "Your sword momentum leaves behind a trace of energy impact when it rebounds attacks. Next time, I'll give you an extra protective mark in advance."

Lin Che gripped Azure Water Sword, feeling the surging soul power Inside the Body. "In the next real battle, it's time to let Spirit Hall see our progress." Tang San nodded in agreement. "Master, I've already studied the terrain of Misty Forest. Blue Silver Grass is difficult to deploy over a wide area there, but we can plant seeds beforehand. At a crucial moment, they can form localized defenses."

On a distant treetop, Ghost Douluo's Black Shadow quietly vanished. Looking at the soul power surging all over Lin Che's body in the Crystal Ball, his expression darkened terribly. "His Majesty the Pope, Lin Che has broken through to level 34. His sword momentum can deflect energy attacks, and Jiang Zhu's healing ability has evolved as well."

Bibi Dong's voice carried Icy Cold killing intent. "Level 34? He is still nothing but an ant. Inform Yue Guan. Triple the dose of Bone Corroding Soul Poison in Misty Forest. I want their healing-type soul master to exhaust her soul power and die."

As the sun set, the Shrek group was still reviewing the training at the practice grounds. Lin Che Merged the Spirit Grass Energy Crystals into the Universe Cauldron. The cauldron gave off a warm golden glow as it slowly nourished his soul power. Tang San studied Blue Silver Grass seeds nearby, Attempting to improve them into a variety capable of growing in the mist. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun sparred, refining their offensive and defensive coordination. Meanwhile, under Jiang Zhu's guidance, Oscar tried to make new sausages capable of resisting energy impacts.

Lin Che gazed at the darkening sky, pale golden light flowing across the Universe Cauldron in his palm. Level 34 soul power gave him greater confidence. His practical use of Sword Momentum Force Dissipation had become increasingly proficient, and his team's coordination had grown ever more seamless. All of it was the foundation they needed to face Spirit Hall's ambush.

Yet he knew clearly that his soul power, only one step away from level 35, might need a true battle of blood and fire before it could truly break through. And in Misty Forest, Bone Corroding Soul Poison and the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum had long been waiting quietly in the darkness.