Star Dou Great Forest, outer region.
After passing through the lush forest, a small river came into view before the Shrek group.
"Is this the place?"
Ma Xiaotao furrowed her brows, her red eyes fixed intently on the river. The surrounding area didn't feel any different from usual. Only the river was unusual: when she tried to sense what lay beneath its surface, she couldn't detect anything at all.
"It looks... pretty ordinary."
Gongyang Mo scratched his head, puzzled.
"Have we not been around here before? I don't remember anything special about it."
"That was before."
Xuan Zi sat in his wheelchair, stuffing a chicken leg into his mouth as he spoke indistinctly.
"This river is a treasure trove now. Just jump in, and you'll gain an unimaginable opportunity."
Xuan Zi's eyes burned with excitement, as if he could already see Shrek Academy ruling the continent. As for Lin Feng, the man who had crippled his legs, once Xuan Zi had finished using him, he would send him to his death!
Ling Luochеn stood at the back of the group, her cool gaze resting on the river as she remained silent.
Involuntarily, the image of the newly appointed Sea God Pavilion Master came to mind.
Mu En, impossibly young, yet powerful enough to take one's breath away.
He had come out of this very river.
Stronger, younger, and more gifted.
But... was that person really still the same Mu En as before?
If she jumped in and a stronger "self" came out, replacing who she was now, then for the present her, would that be an opportunity—or...?
The unease in Ling Luochеn's heart grew stronger and stronger. Without thinking, she took half a step back.
Dai Yueheng felt the same way.
As the eldest son of the White Tiger Duke, he was a man of deep thoughts. When something this good fell from the sky, his instincts told him to be wary.
"Enough dawdling!"
Xuan Zi urged them impatiently, sweeping his hand through the air.
"This is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity! For Shrek's glory, get in there!"
Under the watchful eyes of Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe, the two super-powerful experts, Xixi, Chen Zifeng, Yao Haoxuan, and Gongyang Mo exchanged glances. Though uneasy, they gritted their teeth and stepped forward.
It was an order from the Academy, after all. And Elder Xuan had called it an opportunity, so it should... be all right, shouldn't it?
"Then... we'll go first."
Gongyang Mo took a deep breath and leaped in first.
Splash!
Xixi, Chen Zifeng, and Yao Haoxuan followed, jumping into the river one after another.
Water splashed everywhere. Their figures quickly disappeared beneath the surface, without so much as a bubble rising in their wake.
On the bank, only Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Ling Luochеn remained.
"Why aren't the three of you jumping in?"
Xuan Zi frowned, the chicken bone in his mouth crunching loudly.
"Elder Xuan, we... would like to wait and see first."
Dai Yueheng cupped his hands and replied respectfully.
"This river is a little strange. If something happens to everyone at once, there'll be no one left to help them. The three of us are somewhat stronger, so it would be good to stay here and provide backup."
Yan Shaozhe gave a slight nod of approval. It was best to be cautious.
"Yueheng has thought this through. Xiaotao, Luochеn, you should wait and see as well. The opportunity isn't going anywhere."
After all, these three were the core combat power of the main team. Ma Xiaotao in particular was Yan Shaozhe's precious student.
It really was safer to have them observe the situation first.
If anything went wrong with the four who had gone in, at least half of the Shrek Seven Devils' combat power would remain. They wouldn't be completely wiped out.
Just as everyone watched the river with bated breath—
Splash—
The calm surface suddenly rippled violently.
Lin Feng floated up from beneath the water, sitting on his signature green stone with a fishing rod in hand, as leisurely as could be.
He glanced at the people on the bank. His gaze lingered for a second on Xuan Zi's piglike face, and a playful smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Oh, young, swollen-face Xuan Zi~ Did you just lose these four golden Shrek students?"
Before Xuan Zi could react, Lin Feng gave his fishing rod a light flick.
Four gleaming golden figures burst out of the water and hung suspended in midair.
They were... fully gold-armored versions of Xixi, Chen Zifeng, Yao Haoxuan, and Gongyang Mo!
"This..."
Yan Shaozhe and the others were stunned. Dai Yueheng could sense that those four were definitely stronger than he was. And he had once been the Number Two Combat Power among the Shrek Seven Devils!
Was this the power of That River?!
If they could bring those four back...
Yan Shaozhe's breathing grew heavier. As expected, this river was an opportunity for Shrek Academy!
Xuan Zi was just about to say that they weren't, since Mu En had already tested it and none would appear if he lied.
"ROAR—!!!"
A deafening roar suddenly rang out from deep within the Star Dou Great Forest.
A terrifying wave of heat swept toward them. The temperature around them soared in an instant, as though they were standing inside a furnace.
The aura was savage and domineering, carrying the terrifying pressure of a three-hundred-thousand-year-old Soul Beast. It was rushing toward them at terrifying speed!
It was... the Scarlet King!
One of the Ten Great Fierce Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest, the Three-headed Crimson Demon Mastiff!
Xuan Zi was naturally familiar with that aura.
His heart jolted, and he blurted out instinctively:
"It's—"
He hadn't even managed to say "Scarlet King" before the chicken leg he hadn't yet swallowed got stuck in his throat.
"Cough! Cough, cough, cough—!!!"
Xuan Zi's face turned red as he desperately pounded his chest. The rest of his words dissolved into a fit of violent coughing.
Damn that chicken leg! Why couldn't it have gotten stuck earlier or later? Why now?!
Lin Feng raised his brows, watching the old man cough as if his lungs were coming up. His smile grew even brighter.
"Dishonest people don't get a thing!"
With that, Lin Feng flicked his wrist.
The water's surface returned to stillness.
The four golden members of the Shrek Seven Devils vanished without a trace, and the original versions didn't appear either.
"Cough, cough, cough... ugh!!!"
Xuan Zi finally coughed up the chicken bone—and happened to hear Lin Feng's final words.
His eyes flew open as he stared at the empty river. He was completely dumbfounded.
Xixi, Chen Zifeng, Yao Haoxuan, Gongyang Mo...
Four of the Shrek Seven Devils... gone just like that?!
All because he'd choked on a chicken leg and failed to finish what he was saying?!
"No—!!!"
Xuan Zi let out a shrill scream, rolled his eyes, and nearly passed out again.
It was over.
It was all over.
They'd come to stock up, but they'd come away empty-handed—and lost their entire investment!
Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and Ling Luochеn watched the farcical scene unfold. Their backs went cold, and a deep chill shot from the soles of their feet straight to their scalps.
Thank goodness...
Thank goodness they hadn't jumped in!
Yan Shaozhe looked at the scene and opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.
Half of Shrek Academy's elite had been lost just like that?
Yan Shaozhe turned his gaze toward Xuan Zi, fury nearly taking physical form.
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