"You two head back first. We'll go again early tomorrow morning."
"Understood, Dean."
Early the next morning,
Flender and Zhao Wuji took Su Ming and Dai Mubai to hunt for Soul Rings. The four of them used Su Ming's Martial Soul to fly toward Star Dou Great Forest.
Of course, the speed of Su Ming's first Soul Skill depended on how fast its user could fly. To move faster, Su Ming used his first Soul Skill to summon four clouds and join them together, making it easier to channel Soul Power into them at a higher speed.
Su Ming's first Soul Skill didn't provide any enhancement. If he tried to enhance two Soul Sages, he was afraid it wouldn't last even a minute.
So Flender and Zhao Wuji used their Soul Power to control the clouds. The four of them flew for less than a day before reaching Soul Hunting Town on the outskirts of Star Dou Great Forest.
Star Dou Great Forest stretched across the two great empires of Star Luo and Heaven Dou and covered a vast area. As a result, there were many Soul Hunting Towns around it.
After resting in town for one night, the four entered Star Dou Great Forest early the next morning and began searching for a Bright White Tiger Soul Beast between 700 and over 990 years old.
A Soul Beast with a powerful bloodline like the Bright White Tiger had to be sought in the mixed zone of Star Dou Great Forest. It couldn't be found in the outer region.
So Zhao Wuji led Su Ming and Dai Mubai through the forest below, following Flender's directions, while Flender activated his Martial Soul and flew overhead, searching for Bright White Tigers with the Four-Eyed Cat Owl's keen eyesight.
After a full day of searching, Flender finally found one the next morning. He sent word to Zhao Wuji and the others to wait, then went to take a look himself. He hadn't flown for long when he spotted a Bright White Tiger fighting a Dark Gold Bear.
With his Soul Sage cultivation, Flender easily flew to a tree beside the fighting beasts without being noticed. After observing them for a while, he confirmed that it was an over-800-year-old Bright White Tiger fighting a Dark Gold Bear over 700 years old.
The Bright White Tiger's age was just right for Mu Bai to absorb. Flender immediately unleashed his fourth Soul Skill, Eagle Blade Storm. One blade of wind struck the Bright White Tiger and left it badly wounded, while the other bear sensed the danger and fled as fast as its legs could carry it.
Flender glanced at the badly wounded Bright White Tiger. Ignoring the Dark Gold Bear, he flew down, grabbed the injured tiger, and headed straight for Su Ming and the others.
Flender hadn't carried the Bright White Tiger far before he sensed Zhao Wuji and the others. He flew over with the Soul Beast and dropped it in front of Dai Mubai.
"Mubai, this over-800-year-old Bright White Tiger is the Soul Beast you wanted. Hurry up and kill it, then absorb its Soul Ring."
Dai Mubai looked at the badly wounded Bright White Tiger sprawled in front of him and cupped his fists in salute to the Dean.
"Thank you, Dean."
As he spoke, he took a short knife from his Soul Tool and plunged it into the White Tiger's head. A Yellow Soul Ring appeared, and he sat cross-legged to begin absorbing it.
Seeing Dai Mubai start absorbing his Soul Ring, Su Ming realized there was nothing for him to do. He sat down cross-legged, recovering his Soul Power while channeling more into the Creation Furnace to accumulate Creation Qi.
An hour passed. As Su Ming channeled Soul Power into the Creation Furnace, he was about to form a third wisp of Creation Qi when he sensed the aura released by Dai Mubai after absorbing his Soul Ring. Su Ming opened his eyes and looked toward Dai Mubai. Flender and Zhao Wuji noticed it too.
Dai Mubai opened his eyes, golden light radiating from them. Su Ming immediately stood and went over to ask him,
"Boss Dai, how did it go? What's your Soul Skill like?"
Dai Mubai rose to his feet and looked at the three approaching him. Hearing Su Ming's question, he replied,
"I'm fine. The second Soul Skill is excellent. It's called Bright White Tiger Break."
"It ignores defensive Soul Skills, has extremely powerful penetration, and after wounding an enemy, it leaves the wound burning continuously with light attribute energy, making it difficult for them to recover."
Flender was very pleased to hear this, and the worry he'd been feeling finally lifted.
"Good, good. I'm glad you're satisfied."
Zhao Wuji saw this and chimed in,
"Not bad, not bad. With your first Soul Skill, White Tiger Bodyguard Barrier, enhancing your defense and attack, your second Soul Skill, Bright White Tiger Break, will hit like a thunderbolt."
Su Ming stored the Bright White Tiger's corpse away and looked toward Dean Flender.
"Teacher Zhao, Dean, Boss Dai, now that he's finished absorbing the Soul Ring, we should hurry back. If the smell of blood draws in a Soul Beast over 30,000 years old, we'll be in trouble. The mixed zone of Star Dou Great Forest is pretty dangerous."
"Right, right. Let's get moving."
The four then rode Su Ming's Martial Soul toward Shrek. This time, they didn't stop to rest in Soul Hunting Town, but flew straight to the academy, stopping overnight at an inn along the way. They reached the academy gates in less than two days.
Behind them, Flender and Zhao Wuji saw Su Ming sprinting straight into the school and hurriedly called out,
"All right, now that the Soul Beast hunt is over, Su Ming, Mubai, classes officially start tomorrow. Let Ma Hongjun and Little Ao know."
Four years later, one afternoon at Shrek Academy.
In an open space, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai, and Su Ming stood in a square around Zhao Wuji.
"Third Soul Skill, Gravity Control."
After using his Soul Skill, Zhao Wuji stepped aside and watched them practice their punches.
You're wondering what kind of punches? Of course, Tai Chi. And if you're asking where Tai Chi came from, Su Ming had naturally developed it with the help of the Creation Furnace. After all, Su Ming's second Soul Ring was a thousand-year one.
Su Ming had prepared for this long ago. He'd specifically brought out a set of boxing techniques to strengthen himself and had also explained how Soul Rings were connected to the body.
"All right, all right, that's enough practice. You all passed. Old Zhao, come over too."
The five saw the Dean approaching with a woman. Though they were curious, they didn't ask questions and quickly lined up in front of him.
Su Ming knew exactly who she was. She was Liu Erlong, the Killing Horn of the Golden Iron Triangle. Thanks to Su Ming's persuasion, she and Flender had met ahead of schedule.
"I'm sure you're all curious about the person behind me. Let me introduce her."
"This is Liu Erlong, the third member of the Golden Iron Triangle, the Killing Horn."
"After this, we'll move to Blue Tyrant Academy in Heaven Dou City. This is its Dean, Dean Liu."
"Greetings, Dean Liu," the four said in unison.
"So your talents won't go to waste, the students and teachers of Shrek Academy will all join Blue Tyrant Academy."
Hearing this, Liu Erlong hurriedly interrupted him.
"Brother Flender, since you're joining Blue Tyrant Academy, from now on it should be renamed Shrek Academy."
"We can discuss that later."
"So your talents won't go to waste, three others will join your team and represent Blue Tyrant Academy in the All Continent Soul Master Elite Tournament."
"All right. We'll leave tomorrow morning after we've packed. Go back and get your things ready."
Time really flew. In the blink of an eye, another four years had passed. Fortunately, I'd helped Liu Erlong and Flender get in touch ahead of time.
After all my tireless efforts, Boss Dai was now a level 39 Soul Elder, and he'd soon reach level 40 and advance to Soul Ancestor.
Fatty was a level 33 Soul Elder. He could now control the Evil Fire of his Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul freely and wouldn't easily be consumed by it.
With my urging, Oscar had also worked hard at his cultivation. He was now a level 31 Soul Elder.
Once we settled in at Blue Tyrant Academy, I'd find a chance to get in touch with Dugu Yan. I'd made extensive preparations for the Immortal Herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
First, I'd used the Vast Void Creation Furnace to create all things and get my hands on information about the Immortal Herbs. Then, with a massive amount of Creation Qi, I'd used the furnace to develop the Soul Core Method of a thousand years in the future. Just in case, I'd also made two Detox Pills with the Creation Furnace. Everything was ready; all that remained was to set off for Blue Tyrant Academy.
Before you continue