Is this the opportunity you mentioned? Half of my Shrek Academy's elites are gone just like that?

Star Dou Great Forest, outer area.

Passing through the lush forest, a small river came into view for the members of Shrek Academy.

"This is it?"

Ma Xiaotao frowned slightly, her red eyes fixed on the river surface. The surrounding area felt no different, except for this river. She tried to sense what was within it, but couldn't perceive anything.

"It looks... very ordinary," Gongyang Mo said, scratching his head in confusion.

"Haven't we been near here before? We didn't think there was anything special."

"That was before," Xuan Zi said indistinctly, sitting in his wheelchair and stuffing chicken legs into his mouth. "This river now is a treasure trove. If you jump in, you can obtain unimaginable opportunities."

Xuan Zi's eyes were fervent, as if he could already see Shrek Academy dominating the continent. As for Lin Feng, the guy who crippled his legs, he would send him to death after he was done using him!

Ling Luochen, standing at the back of the group, cast a cold gaze upon the river surface, remaining silent.

In her mind, the figure of the new Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion involuntarily surfaced. Mu En, who was excessively young yet suffocatingly powerful. He was the one who emerged from this river. Stronger, younger, with more potential. But... was that person really the Elder Mu from before? If he jumped in, and a stronger "self" emerged to replace the current one, would it be an opportunity or...?

The unsettling feeling in Ling Luochen's heart grew stronger, and she subconsciously took half a step back.

Dai Yueheng felt the same way. As the eldest son of Duke White Tiger, he was deep-thinking and instinctively wary of such a sudden windfall.

"Alright, stop dawdling!" Xuan Zi urged impatiently, waving his hand. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! For the glory of Shrek, hurry up and jump in!"

Under the watchful eyes of Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe, two super experts, Xixi, Chen Zifeng, Yao Haoxuan, and Gongyang Mo exchanged glances. Despite their apprehension, they gritted their teeth and stepped forward. It was, after all, an order from the academy, and Elder Xuan said it was an opportunity, so it should... be fine, right?

"Then... we'll go first." Gongyang Mo took a deep breath and leaped in.

Splash!

Following him, Xixi, Chen Zifeng, and Yao Haoxuan also jumped into the river. Water splashed everywhere, and the four figures quickly disappeared beneath the surface without even a ripple.

On the bank, only Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Ling Luochen remained.

"Why aren't you three jumping?" Xuan Zi frowned, the chicken bone in his mouth crunching.

"Elder Xuan, we... want to observe for a while," Dai Yueheng said respectfully, cupping his hands. "This river is rather strange. If something unexpected happens to everyone after jumping in, we won't have anyone to help. The three of us are slightly stronger, so it's better to stay here for support."

Yan Shaozhe nodded slightly in agreement. It was good to be cautious. "Yueheng's considerations are thorough. Xiaotao, Luochen, you should wait and see for now. The opportunity is right here, it won't run away." These three were, after all, the core combat power of the main team, especially Ma Xiaotao, who was Yan Shaozhe's favorite. Letting them observe the situation first was indeed more prudent. If something went wrong with the four who jumped in, at least half of the Shrek Seven Devils' combat strength would be preserved, preventing a total annihilation.

Just as everyone was anxiously watching the river surface.

"Whoosh—"

The calm water suddenly rippled violently. Lin Feng, sitting on his signature blue stone and holding a fishing rod, leisurely floated up from the bottom of the water. He glanced at the group on the bank, his gaze lingering on Xuan Zi's pig-like face for a second, a playful smile curving his lips.

"Young, swollen-faced Xuan Zi~ Were these four golden Shrek students the ones you dropped just now?"

Before Xuan Zi could react, Lin Feng gently twitched his fishing rod. Four shimmering golden figures broke through the water and hovered in mid-air.

That's... the full golden armor edition of Xixi, Chen Zifeng, Yao Haoxuan, and Gongyang Mo!

"This..."

Yan Shaozhe and Dai Yueheng, along with the others, were stunned. Dai Yueheng could sense from those individuals that their strength was definitely greater than his own. He knew that he himself had once been the second strongest among the Shrek Seven Devils!

Is this the power of that river?!

If only I could bring these four back...

Yan Shaozhe's breathing quickened. As expected, this river is Shrek Academy's fortuitous encounter!

Xuan Zi was about to speak up and say no, after all, Mu En had already tested it. If he lied, not a single one would remain.

"Roar--!!!"

A deafening roar suddenly echoed from the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Immediately after, an incredibly terrifying heatwave swept over, causing the surrounding temperature to soar instantly, as if being placed in a furnace.

The aura was fierce, domineering, carrying the terrifying pressure of a Three-Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, rapidly approaching them!

This is... the Crimson King!

One of the Ten Great Fierce Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest, the Three-headed Crimson Demon Mastiff!

Xuan Zi was naturally no stranger to this aura.

His heart jolted, and he blurted out subconsciously:

"It's--"

Before he could utter "Crimson King," he choked on the chicken leg he hadn't managed to swallow yet.

"Cough! Cough, cough, cough--!!!"

Xuan Zi's face turned red, and he desperately pounded his chest, the rest of his words turning into a series of violent coughs.

This damned chicken leg! Why now, of all times, did it have to get stuck?

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow, looking at the old man coughing his lungs out, the smile on his lips growing even brighter.

"Dishonest fellows, none of you will get anything!"

With that, Lin Feng flicked his wrist.

The water's surface returned to its calm.

The four members of the golden Shrek Seven Devils vanished without a trace, and the original versions did not reappear either.

"Cough, cough, cough... Ugh!!!"

Xuan Zi, finally coughing out the chicken bone, happened to hear Lin Feng's last sentence.

He suddenly widened his eyes, staring at the empty water surface, completely dumbfounded.

Xixi, Chen Zifeng, Yao Haoxuan, Gongyang Mo...

Four members of the Shrek Seven Devils... gone just like that?!

All because he choked on a chicken leg and didn't finish his sentence?!

"No--!!!"

Xuan Zi let out a piercing scream, his eyes rolled back, and he almost fainted again.

It's over.

Everything is over.

He came here to stock up, but not only did he fail to get the goods, he even lost his initial investment!

The remaining Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Ling Luochen, witnessing this dramatic scene before them, felt a chill run down their spines, a deep coldness surging from the soles of their feet to the crown of their heads.

Fortunately...

Fortunately, they hadn't jumped in earlier!

Yan Shaozhe looked at the scene, his mouth agape, unable to utter a single word.

Half of Shrek Academy's elites, lost just like that?

Yan Shaozhe's gaze fell upon Xuan Zi, his anger almost manifesting physically.