"All right. You'll come along on today's trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, too. Think of it as a chance to train."
After speaking to Dai Mubai, Flender turned to Oscar.
"Little Ao, we'll set out at noon. Have you thought about what you want for your next Spirit Ring?"
Oscar casually shoveled down a few bites of food, then paused to consider.
"My first Soul Skill is for recovery. It can restore Soul Power, injuries, fatigue, pain, and hunger, but it can't restore vitality. For my second Soul Skill, I want one that can restore vitality."
Flender was a little puzzled, but didn't ask further. Since this child had an understanding of Martial Souls that surpassed even the Grandmaster's, he must have his own ideas.
And that was indeed the case. Oscar had gained the powerful recovery Soul Skill, Recovery Sausage, but the problem lay with Feng Hou Qi Gate.
The Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley followed a set pattern. When he manipulated Feng Hou Qi Gate and reversed the cycles of the four plates, he had to pay a price!
Whenever he used Feng Hou Qi Gate, he also affected the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley within the array. The "wind" around him was thrown into chaos!
It was like a sinister wind blowing against the back of his head, constantly whisking away his vitality.
The small-scale layout of Feng Hou Qi Gate itself was fine. It wasn't as vast as the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley, and wouldn't cost him his life.
But when the twenty-four solar terms jumped straight from Great Heat to Great Cold, then back to Lesser Heat, he was still only a mortal with a flesh-and-blood body.
With the small-scale layout constantly shifting between hot and cold, who wouldn't come down with a fever? Who wouldn't develop a rash?
As long as he kept defying the laws of heaven by manipulating the four plates, more and more hidden ailments would accumulate in his body.
Besides, every time he used a technique within Feng Hou Qi Gate's small-scale layout, it consumed his body's energy—that was, the energy known as qi, called Soul Power in this world!
Once he depleted too much energy, the damage to his body would be severe!
It was like burning up his own life force every time he used it!
Especially when he combined it with his other two techniques—Turtle Fly Body and Chaos Gold Lock—the cost would reach its peak!
Back when he'd taken down the Evil Soul Master organization in Suotuo City, he'd already racked up a pile of ailments.
Without something to replenish his vitality, if he kept using Feng Hou Qi Gate, he'd eventually prove the Dao with his own body!
Thinking of this, Oscar looked at Flender.
"Dean, I hunted my first Spirit Ring in Soul Hunting Forest. I've never been to the Star Dou Great Forest. Could you tell me what I should watch out for there?"
Flender nodded slightly and answered Oscar.
"The Star Dou Great Forest is a wonderful place. It's the cradle of Soul Beasts, and a favorite destination for powerful Soul Masters."
Ma Hongjun frowned slightly and asked from the side,
"Then why haven't we gone to the Star Dou Great Forest before? With you and Teacher Zhao Wuji there, we shouldn't be in any danger, should we?"
Flender ruffled Ma Hongjun's hair. His hawkish eyes seemed to drift back to the past.
"Don't compare the Star Dou Great Forest to Soul Hunting Forest, which you've been to. Soul Hunting Forest doesn't even come close.
"You can hardly find a thousand-year Soul Beast there!
"Only Soul Scholars and Soul Masters go there.
"The Star Dou Great Forest is a vast primeval forest, with complicated terrain that includes wetlands, swamps, and more.
"The Soul Beasts there are terrifying, too. The closer you get to the center, the stronger they become. There are even hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts inside!
"Any Soul Master with enough strength and good fortune can find the Spirit Ring best suited to them there.
"But it's also the most dangerous place. Countless Soul Masters have become fertilizer for the trees in the Star Dou Great Forest.
"If we couldn't find a suitable Soul Beast within the age limit for Little Ao's second Spirit Ring in Soul Hunting Forest, we'd never take a group of teachers and students on such a risky trip.
"At the same time, this is a chance for you to broaden your horizons. Mubai, you'll come along, too."
Dai Mubai's eyes lit up. No matter how thorough the Star Luo Imperial Family's records on Soul Beasts were, they relied on hand-drawn pictures and written descriptions, which were a far cry from seeing the real things.
He'd come through the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest and seen quite a few Soul Beasts along the way, but unfortunately, he hadn't had time to learn more about them.
"Then I'll hurry back and get ready."
Dai Mubai quickly finished breakfast and ran toward the dormitory.
The group didn't have much to prepare for during the morning.
By the time the sun was at its hottest, they had assembled on the training ground. Flender, Zhao Wuji, Li Yusong, and Shao Xin had all arrived.
Only Lu Qibin, whose Martial Soul was Star Luo Chess, was absent. He was probably staying behind to watch over the academy.
All four teachers looked serious. Even Shao Xin, who usually wore a cheerful smile, was no exception.
Normally, they wouldn't need to be so cautious about taking three children to the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
But this time, they might have to stay in the forest for quite a while to help Oscar build up his knowledge of Soul Beasts.
In that damned place, the slightest mistake could lead to disaster!
"Everyone's here. Let's get going."
Flender glanced at the three boys and gave a slight nod.
There was no denying that these three children were outstanding—far better than students from any previous year!
"The Star Dou Great Forest is no place for games. You're all young and inexperienced.
"You'll follow orders on this trip. Don't go wandering off, understand?"
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun turned to look at Oscar.
Oscar nodded at Flender, then looked at Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai. His expression turned serious as well.
"Fatty, Mubai, you're both talented Soul Masters, and you're both proud. But just like the dean said, the Star Dou Great Forest is no place for games. You both need to be careful."
Ma Hongjun didn't say anything. He'd grown up at Shrek Academy, and he'd only looked at his senior out of habit.
Dai Mubai didn't say anything either, but his brows furrowed slightly.
He'd fought his way out through the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, and he couldn't help feeling that Shrek Academy's teachers were making... too much of a fuss.
Flender had naturally noticed this. After all, Dai Mubai had been born into the Star Luo Imperial Family, so it was only natural that he looked down on Shrek.
And besides... the boy had only been at Shrek Academy for a day.
Thinking of this, he turned to the other three teachers.
"Zhao Wuji, take the lead. Shao Xin, stay in the middle of the group and look after the three boys. Li Yusong, bring up the rear.
"I'll keep watch around us and provide support. Once we enter the forest, everyone will keep this formation and stay alert. Let's go."
Oscar calmly led Ma Hongjun into the middle of the group, and Dai Mubai followed.
None of the three boys was stupid. The Shrek Academy teachers had naturally worked together many times before; the instructions were being said aloud for their benefit.
They wanted the boys to take this trip more seriously!
The seven of them left the academy. There were no carriages here, of course, so as soon as they were out, they began running toward their destination.
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