Soul Beast Forest Trial Again, Undercurrents Surge, Edge Revealed

As the morning sun climbed to the center of the sky, the fluctuations of soul power on the training ground gradually subsided.

After a morning of targeted guidance, every member of the Shrek Seven Devils had made visible progress.

Xiao Wu's Soft Bone close-combat techniques had become increasingly cunning, and her evasive maneuvers were agile and swift, leaving no openings as they had before. Exhausted and panting, she still clung to Lin Chen's side, blinking her bright, lively eyes with pure adoration: "Brother Chen, you're just too amazing! I feel like I've become so much stronger all of a sudden!"

Lin Chen raised his hand to gently ruffle her hair, his tone natural and warm, carrying the doting affection one might show a younger sister: "Consolidate your gains well. With more practice in the future, your combat effectiveness will reach an even higher level."

Nearby, Zhu Zhuqing retracted her Martial Soul, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead. She had deliberately reined in the sharp, piercing aura brought by her Hell Spirit Cat Martial Soul. Her gaze toward Lin Chen remained cool yet held a hidden warmth. She walked to the side to adjust her soul power, engraving the essentials of the footwork Lin Chen had just taught her deep into her heart. Though the tips of her ears turned a faint red, she did not say a word, letting her actions serve as her response to his guidance.

Ning Rongrong held her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, the seven-colored soul power flowing through it with increasing stability. The precision and control of her support soul power had improved significantly, and the spoiled temperament of the past had vanished. She walked slowly to Lin Chen's side, her voice soft and obedient, completely shed of her young mistress attitude: "Lin Chen, I can now provide stable support. I will never hold the team back again."

Watching the three girls, each with her own demeanor yet all centered around him, Lin Chen nodded slightly. His expression was calm, his sense of boundaries perfectly maintained—giving enough recognition without the slightest overstep.

Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar had also completely stabilized their states. Guided by Lin Chen, Dai Mubai's White Tiger footwork had become several times more flexible, the evil fire within Ma Hongjun was suppressed into submission by the soul power techniques, and the speed at which Oscar condensed his sausages had increased by nearly ten percent. The looks they gave Lin Chen were filled with nothing but absolute submission and admiration.

Just as the group was resting, Flender and Zhao Wuji walked over side by side. Their gazes swept over the seven, who were all in excellent condition, their eyes filled with approval.

Flender's hawk-like gaze landed on Lin Chen, his tone carrying absolute trust: "Lin Chen, the coordination between the seven of you is improving. The academy has decided that you will head to the outer perimeter of the Soul Beast Forest again for team combat training. Hunt suitable hundred-year soul beasts to accumulate experience. You will retain full command of the team."

Training in the Soul Beast Forest was a necessary path for any Soul Master's growth; it could test the results of team cultivation, improve combat literacy, and was the key to obtaining soul rings to increase one's strength.

Lin Chen bowed immediately to accept the order: "I will follow the Dean's instructions. I will lead the entire team to complete this training successfully and ensure everyone's safety."

"Teacher Zhao will follow in secret to protect you. Unless it is a life-or-death crisis, he will not intervene." After Flender gave this instruction, he and Zhao Wuji turned and left, fully confident in leaving the team to Lin Chen.

The group immediately prepared for departure, and within half an incense stick of time, they were heading toward the Soul Beast Forest.

Along the way, Lin Chen methodically assigned the formation: Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun took the front as power attackers, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing acted as scouts on the flanks, Ning Rongrong and Oscar provided support from the center, and he brought up the rear to control the overall situation.

The formation was rigorous and the division of labor clear. With no objections, the entire team followed closely in Lin Chen's footsteps, quickly entering the Soul Beast Forest.

The forest was dense with vegetation, and the roars of soul beasts echoed one after another; the air was thick with a dangerous atmosphere.

With their previous training and Lin Chen's precise command, the group's progress was very smooth. They avoided several waves of unnecessary soul beast conflicts, remaining steady and orderly throughout without a hint of panic.

Relying on the keen senses of her Soft Bone Rabbit, Xiao Wu would occasionally call out to warn of the movements of nearby soul beasts, proving both agile and reliable. Zhu Zhuqing, relying on the extreme speed of her Hell Spirit Cat, moved forward several times to scout, bringing back precise information. Ning Rongrong remained focused, her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda ready at all times; the moment she sensed a fluctuation in soul power, she prepared to release her support. Dai Mubai and the others also remained on high alert, following Lin Chen's instructions to the letter.

As they reached the depths of the forest, a Blazing Tiger with hundred-year cultivation suddenly lunged from the bushes. Its body was wreathed in flames, and its fierce, murderous gaze locked onto the group, the pressure of a hundred-year soul beast instantly spreading out.

"A power-attack beast-type soul beast—perfect for practice." Lin Chen's eyes were calm as he issued the order: "Dai Mubai, pin it down from the front. Ma Hongjun, suppress it with fire from the flank. Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, flank and ambush from the rear. Ning Rongrong, activate full-attribute support. Oscar, prepare the Recovery Sausage!"

The instructions were clear and executed in one breath.

The group did not hesitate, acting immediately according to the orders.

Ning Rongrong was the first to activate her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Seven-colored light rained down, precisely covering every combatant, boosting attack, speed, and defense. Oscar instantly tossed out Recovery Sausages to ensure everyone's soul power. Dai Mubai activated Martial Soul Possession, his White Tiger claws slamming toward the Blazing Tiger. Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Fire Line surged forth, the flames sweeping over the beast. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing turned into two afterimages, launching a swift, sharp, and precise ambush from both sides.

The team's coordination was impeccable, their offensive flowing like water—a direct result of the training Lin Chen had put them through.

Though the Blazing Tiger was fierce, it gradually fell into a disadvantage under the group's coordinated siege, becoming utterly battered.

But just as the battle was drawing to a close, a violent fluctuation of soul power erupted from the other side of the forest. Three black shadows darted out, heading straight for the battlefield, their target aimed directly at the supporting Ning Rongrong!

The newcomers were all dressed in black with sinister expressions, their soul power thick and heavy. It was clear they were not there with good intentions and were obviously targeting the Shrek group.

"Watch out!" Lin Chen's eyes turned cold. His figure moved instantly, transforming into an ink-colored afterimage. His speed was at its limit as he arrived first to block in front of Ning Rongrong.

Ning Rongrong's face turned pale, and she instinctively grabbed Lin Chen's sleeve, her heart filled with reliance.

Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing also turned back instantly, guarding Ning Rongrong on both sides with wary expressions.

The men in black had intended to ambush the weakest support-type Soul Master to disrupt the team's formation in one fell swoop, but they hadn't expected Lin Chen's reaction to be so swift, leaving them blocked in their tracks.

The leader of the black-clad men spoke with a sinister tone, his gaze sweeping over the group before landing on Lin Chen: "Kid, you're quite sharp. Hand over the soul beast materials you have, and hand over this little girl from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and we'll spare your lives!"

Lin Chen's ink-colored soul power surged slowly around him, his eyes as cold as ice, his tone carrying an unquestionable strength: "You're courting death."

He saw through them at a glance; these were soul master bandits who habitually robbed people in the Soul Beast Forest. Their strength was only at the Soul Grand Master level. In normal times, they might have been able to bully ordinary students, but in front of him, they were nothing more than clay chickens and pottery dogs.

Deep in the shadows of the forest, a figure was quietly hiding—it was Tang San.

Watching the scene before him, the corners of his mouth curled into a vicious smile. These men in black were people he had secretly paid to come and target Lin Chen, to take revenge on the Shrek group. He wanted to see with his own eyes as Lin Chen fell into trouble and suffered humiliation!

Lin Chen glanced toward the shadows, having already seen through everything, and sneered inwardly.

Tang San's petty tricks were nothing but pathetic in his eyes.

His soul power erupted suddenly, the pressure of his Ink Shadow Spirit Cat Martial Soul fully unleashed. Without a moment's hesitation, he gave the order: "Everyone, join forces! End this quickly—leave no survivors!"

A fierce battle with the bandits erupted instantly, and Lin Chen would use this opportunity to completely crush Tang San's conspiracy, once again demonstrating his absolute strength, making the three girls beside him trust him even more, and ensuring the entire team submitted to him completely!