Homeward Journey and System Rewards!

After leaving Moonflower Valley, Song Yunzhi did not immediately lead Huang Fei onward at full speed.

She deliberately slowed their pace, giving Huang Fei time to stabilize his newly broken-through cultivation and adapt to the changes brought by his Ten Thousand Year Second Soul Ring.

Huang Fei understood his teacher's intentions. Along the way, he silently circulated his Soul Power, familiarizing himself with the use of the Soul Skill "Life's Praise" while using the Wood Breathing Technique to harmonize the slightly restless Soul Power within him.

The two traveled one ahead of the other through the Outskirts of Star Dou Great Forest beneath the faint light of dawn.

When they encountered several Thousand Year Soul Beasts along the way, Song Yunzhi had Huang Fei deal with them himself, treating them as practical combat training.

Huang Fei also took the opportunity to test the effects of his Second Soul Skill.

Facing a two-thousand-year Iron Back Cang Wolf, he deliberately used his Left Arm to take a claw strike head-on, leaving a wound deep enough to expose bone.

Then his Second Soul Ring lit up, and jade-green radiance enveloped his Left Arm.

The wound healed completely in an instant, faster than with his First Soul Ring. It left no scar behind either—just basic stuff.

It consumed around thirty percent of his Soul Power, yet with the Wood Breathing Technique assisting him, it was fully replenished in an instant.

"Not bad recovery ability."

Song Yunzhi commented from the side:

"But in actual combat, Soul Power consumption must be carefully calculated."

"Your Soul Skill is powerful, but its consumption is not low either. Do not use it recklessly."

Huang Fei nodded. "This disciple will remember."

That was only what he said aloud.

Only he knew the truth.

With the Wood Breathing Technique and Wood Affinity,

his Soul Power was practically inexhaustible.

The two traveled at an unhurried pace, stopping and going. By sunset, the outline of Shrek City could already be seen in the distance.

Song Yunzhi stopped in a secluded forest outside the city.

"I'll see you off here."

"After you return, do not reveal anything about your Second Soul Ring for now."

She looked at Huang Fei, her gaze solemn.

"A Ten Thousand Year Second Soul Ring is simply too shocking. Once word spreads, it will surely attract covetous eyes from every side."

"Before you possess enough strength to protect yourself, you must learn to hide your edge."

Huang Fei bowed. "This disciple understands."

"Go."

Song Yunzhi flicked her sleeve. Her figure blurred, and she had already vanished.

Huang Fei headed toward the city gate alone.

By the time he entered the city, the lights had just begun to glow, and the streets remained lively.

He did not linger and headed straight back to Shrek Academy.

The dormitory building was brightly lit. Faint sounds of laughter and chatter drifted from the various rooms, along with the fluctuations of Soul Power from cultivation.

Huang Fei pushed open the door to his room. It was empty, naturally—this was his own luxurious single room.

He locked the door behind him, removed his outer robe, and sat cross-legged on the bed.

Today's events had been far too tumultuous. Only now that he had calmed down did he feel exhaustion wash over him like a tide.

But he did not rest immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes and turned inward, carefully sensing the changes after his breakthrough.

His Level 23 Soul Power was stable and solid, its total quantity three times greater than before.

Within his Dantian, one purple and one black Soul Ring floated quietly, radiating completely different yet equally powerful auras.

His Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul had evolved once more.

The grass leaves had completely turned the color of jade. Silver patterns spread through every leaf vein, while their edges gleamed with a pale gold luster. Its Life Aura was so dense it seemed ready to overflow.

"So this is the transformation brought by a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring..."

Huang Fei sighed inwardly. Just as he was about to withdraw from his Inner Vision state, the system notification suddenly sounded in his mind:

[Ding!]

[Detected that the Host has successfully absorbed a Ten Thousand Year Second Soul Ring and completed the second stage of the hidden achievement "Diligent Can Reach the Heavens."]

[Rewards Distributing...]

It was here!

Huang Fei's spirits rose as he listened intently.

[Reward One: Random Skill Upgrade Card ×1]

[Reward Two: Wood Affinity +10% (Current: 25% → 35%)]

[Reward Three: Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring Adaptability Enhancement (Passive)—when absorbing Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings in the future, Soul Shock is reduced by 30%, while absorption success rate and Soul Ring fusion increase.]

[Reward Four: Life Resonance Perception (Active)—allows vague perception of high-vitality targets within a five-kilometer radius.]

The barrage of notifications made Huang Fei's heartbeat quicken.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement as he began examining the rewards one by one.

First was the "Random Skill Upgrade Card."

With a thought from Huang Fei, the card appeared on the system interface. It was a square card glowing with pale gold light, its surface engraved with Mysterious Patterns.

"Use it."

[Random Skill Upgrade Card in use...]

[Detected that the Host possesses "Blacksmithing Skill Mastery"...]

[Matching upgrade direction...]

[Upgrade complete!]

[Blacksmithing Skill Mastery → First-level Soul Engineer (Mastery)]

[Currently mastered: all first-level Soul Tool manufacturing techniques, preliminary analysis of Second-level Soul Tool Blueprints, basic Core Magic Array engraving, Simple Soul Tool Repair.]

An immense flood of knowledge poured into his mind.

Soul Tool material identification, Core Magic Array configurations, Soul Power conduction optimization, Energy Balance adjustments...

Huang Fei closed his eyes to digest it all. A full quarter of an hour later, he slowly opened them, enlightenment flashing through his gaze.

At that moment, he had become a genuine First-level Soul Engineer.

Though it was only the lowest rank, it meant he had officially stepped through the doors of Soul Tools.

Whether crafting Soul Tools to assist himself in battle or analyzing more advanced Blueprints in the future, he now had a solid foundation.

"Perfect. Teacher is an Elder of the Soul Tool Department, so I can seek her guidance openly from now on."

A faint smile appeared on Huang Fei's lips as he turned to the second reward.

His Wood Affinity had risen to 35%.

He tried circulating his Soul Power, and the Wood Attribute Spiritual Energy around him responded noticeably faster. The flow of his Soul Power also became much smoother.

Most importantly, his connection with his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul had become even closer. It felt like an extension of his own body, as easy to control as his own limbs.

"The effects of my Soul Skills should improve as well."

Huang Fei did not rush to test it and instead continued to the third reward.

Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring Adaptability Enhancement.

This was a passive effect that could not be directly sensed, but it undoubtedly paved the way for him to absorb Soul Rings of even greater age in the future.

A thirty-percent reduction in Soul Shock might not sound like much, but at a Critical Moment, it could be the dividing line between success and failure.

Last was "Life Resonance Perception."

Huang Fei willed it into action.

A faint flash of Green Light flickered between his brows, and an Invisible Ripple spread outward, instantly covering a five-kilometer radius.

The next moment, he "saw"—

In the Depths of the academy's Back Mountain, a Dragon Blood Wood at least five thousand years old grew quietly.

In the direction of Sea God's Pavilion, the Golden Tree radiated vast Life Aura like an ocean.

Somewhere in the Inner Court, a Scarlet Flame Vermilion Fruit, crimson from top to bottom, was about to ripen.

Farther away, in the direction of Star Dou Great Forest, several powerful Life Source Points flickered in and out of perception...

The perception lasted only Three Breaths before dissipating automatically.

Yet Huang Fei had already broken out in a cold sweat.

This ability... was too powerful.

Within a five-kilometer radius, no target with powerful vitality could hide from him.

Whether searching for rare natural treasures or scouting powerful Soul Beasts, it was nothing short of a godly skill.

"That's enough."

Huang Fei calmed himself and exited the system interface.

He rose and walked to the Window, pushing it open. The night breeze brushed his face, cool and refreshing.

In the distance, the lights of Sea God's Pavilion glimmered hazily. Beneath the moonlight, the Golden Tree stood quietly, radiating a gentle glow.

Huang Fei clenched his fist, feeling the surging Soul Power and renewed strength within him. His gaze was firm.

The road ahead was still long.

But every step he took was steady.

Outside the Window, the moon shone bright.