Hidden Body Tempering, Affection Blooms and Causes Ripples

The sun climbed higher, the scorching rays enveloping the Shrek Academy training grounds as the combat drills organized by Flender and Zhao Wuji unfolded in full swing. The grueling intensity of the sparring left Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun with their soul power nearly exhausted. They collapsed onto the ground, drenched in sweat, their ragged breathing echoing one after another as they presented a truly disheveled sight.

Compared to the trio's exhaustion, the performance of Lin Chen and the three girls—Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong—appeared remarkably composed, though beneath this calm lay hidden mysteries unknown to others. Lin Chen stood to one side of the training ground, eyes slightly closed as if catching his breath, but in reality, he was circulating his soul power through a refined technique. He quietly smoothed out the surrounding fluctuations of soul power while keeping a constant watch on the state of the three girls. The medicinal efficacy of the immortal herbs they had consumed last night had not yet fully dissipated, and it was subtly reshaping the foundations of their martial souls. He had to maintain control throughout to ensure the three of them perfectly suppressed their surging power, never revealing the slightest anomaly, all while taking the opportunity to circulate his own cultivation method to temper his body and soul power.

Xiao Wu sparred with Dai Mubai, her agile figure tracing light arcs under the sun. Every step she took contained the mysterious rhythm of the body granted by the Lovesick Heartbreak Red. Even when caught by the residual waves of Dai Mubai's soul power, she felt no discomfort, yet she still feigned a look of slight struggle, her willow-leaf brows knitted as she called out softly, "Brother Mubai, please go easy on me," perfectly mimicking her usual level of strength. Her peripheral vision remained fixed on Lin Chen; catching the youth's gentle gaze, a trace of sweetness bloomed in her heart. The reliance and adoration in her eyes were fleeting, hidden away so tightly that no one noticed.

Zhu Zhuqing engaged in close-quarters combat with Ma Hongjun. She pushed the ghostly footwork of her Hell Spirit Cat to the limit, yet she deliberately suppressed the speed and power bolstered by the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, keeping every strike precisely within the bounds of her original strength. Tempered by the immortal herb, her stamina and physical strength had increased significantly, leaving her without a hint of fatigue even after a prolonged battle. Her cold, aloof face remained calm, save for when she inadvertently locked eyes with Lin Chen, causing a faint blush to bloom on her earlobes. The wariness in her eyes vanished, replaced by deep-seated tenderness and trust. She could clearly sense that whenever her soul power circulation hit a slight snag, Lin Chen would use an imperceptible fluctuation of his own soul power to quietly help her stabilize the medicinal effects and smooth out her energy. This silent protection made her affection grow deeper, and she became even more diligent in concealing her transformation.

Ning Rongrong stood in the safety zone, her hands cradling the seven-story Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. The brilliant light of her support enveloped her partners evenly, the amplification no different from usual. Yet, only she knew that the origin power of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda within her was continuously feeding back into her own body. Her soul power foundation had become incredibly profound, and even after long periods of using her martial soul for support, there was not the slightest sign of depletion. She would always quietly tilt the support light more toward Lin Chen, her gaze filled with worship and admiration. The once willful little princess was now all obedience and compliance, firmly remembering Lin Chen's instructions and never once harboring the thought of revealing the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

Oscar watched the increasingly composed trio, then glanced at the exhausted Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun beside him, unable to help but mutter, "It's really strange. The three of us are falling apart from exhaustion, yet you three are getting more relaxed. Your progress is just too ridiculous." Dai Mubai wiped the sweat from his forehead and nodded in agreement, his gaze subconsciously drifting toward Zhu Zhuqing. Finding that she was focused solely on Lin Chen from start to finish, a trace of disappointment flickered in his heart, though he attributed it to her naturally cold disposition and thought nothing more of it. Ma Hongjun, meanwhile, lay on the ground focused entirely on recovering his soul power, completely oblivious to the hidden strength and subtle emotions on the field.

In the distance, Flender and Zhao Wuji watched the group on the training ground, nodding in satisfaction with faces full of gratification. "These little ones are progressing rapidly, especially Lin Chen. He is steady and measured, his control over soul power far exceeding his peers. And the three young ladies have also matured quite a bit," Flender said with a smile, his tone filled with expectation. "Once Tang San returns, the overall strength of our Shrek will surely reach a new level." Zhao Wuji agreed in a deep voice, highly approving of Lin Chen's potential. Both were completely blinded by the surface appearance, failing to notice the earth-shattering transformation of Lin Chen and the three girls, nor did they know that the Tang San they were so eagerly awaiting had long since extinguished any desire to return to the academy.

During a break in training, the group rested, and the three girls gathered around Lin Chen, their unique intimacy evident. Xiao Wu was the first to approach, naturally handing over her water skin, her voice soft and caring: "Lin Chen, you've been standing for so long, drink some water and rest." Her actions were natural and intimate, the exclusive consideration for the one she loved. Although Zhu Zhuqing did not speak, she silently placed clean rations by Lin Chen's side, met his gaze for a moment, and quickly turned away, a faint blush blooming on her cold cheeks—her silent care fully displayed. Ning Rongrong hopped over, her eyes curved with a hint of pride: "I gave you the most support just now, did you feel especially smooth in your performance?" Her eyes were full of a young girl's coquettish anticipation, her heart and mind entirely occupied by Lin Chen.

The three of them surrounded Lin Chen, their undisguised favoritism leading Dai Mubai and the others to assume it was merely the deep bond between companions; they could not see the adoration hidden deep within the girls' eyes. Lin Chen calmly took Xiao Wu's water skin, smiled as he ruffled Ning Rongrong's hair, and gave a slight nod to Zhu Zhuqing, his tone gentle yet firm: "You've worked hard. Keep your state stable and do not be in a hurry to reveal your strength. I will help you fully digest the medicinal power of the immortal herbs later." A simple instruction made the three girls trust him completely, and they all nodded in agreement.

Lin Chen looked at the three girls who were entirely focused on him, a hint of softness flashing in his eyes before it was covered by deep contemplation. The Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament was drawing near, and the eyes of Martial Soul Hall and the major clans were everywhere. The slightest carelessness could expose the secret of the immortal herbs and the transformation of the three girls, leading to a catastrophe. He not only had to help the three girls stabilize their strength and temper himself in secret, but he also had to lay out defenses in advance to deal with all potential crises, moving step by step to ensure he gave no enemy any opportunity.

As the sun set, the day's training officially came to an end, and the group returned to their dorms together. The orange-red afterglow stretched their shadows long. Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong followed quietly behind Lin Chen, the three exchanging glances and tacitly retracting all their sharp edges. They continued to disguise themselves as their former selves, silently guarding their secrets and holding fast to their feelings for Lin Chen. Lin Chen walked in front, feeling the warmth behind him, the corners of his lips curling upward. The current dormancy was only to accumulate strength for a sudden burst; he would eventually lead this hidden power to shine in the world of soul masters and sweep away all obstacles.

Meanwhile, in a hidden valley thousands of miles away, the air was filled with blood and malice, a stark contrast to the peace of Shrek. Under Tang Hao's near-cruel and rigorous training, Tang San's body was covered in wounds of varying depths, his clothes soaked through with blood. Yet, the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand carried an increasingly violent soul power, his strength soaring at a terrifying speed. The malice swirling around him grew heavier, and he had completely shed his former innocence and gentleness.

Tang Hao stood to the side, his cold, hard voice echoing through the valley: "The world of soul masters is one where the strong prey on the weak; to be soft-hearted is to invite your own death. Anyone who knows your secrets and threatens your path must be uprooted and destroyed to prevent future trouble. You must never show the slightest mercy!" This ruthless teaching completely shattered the last false illusions Tang San held about Shrek and infinitely magnified the darkness and selfishness in his heart.

During this period of closed-door cultivation, Tang San never once harbored the thought of returning to Shrek Academy. Instead, under Tang Hao's guidance, he used his soul power perception to detect the anomalies at Shrek: Lin Chen had emerged as a dark horse with unfathomable hidden strength, not only completely stealing the hearts of Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong but also seemingly prying into his core secrets, such as his twin martial souls and the Clear Sky Hammer. Furthermore, everyone at Shrek knew his past, and each one had become a hidden threat on his path to becoming stronger.

Tang San had always been extremely controlling and placed great importance on his own secrets. He would never allow his trump cards to be seen through by others, nor could he tolerate the situation where Lin Chen replaced him and the three girls turned their backs on him completely. The so-called reunion at the academy was nothing more than the wishful thinking of Flender and the others. At this moment, only one cold, decisive thought remained in Tang San's heart—to kill them all to silence them.

Killing intent surged in his eyes, and his soul power suddenly erupted. He slammed the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand into the ground, the impact sending gravel flying and cracking the earth into deep fissures. He gripped his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white, having already finalized his ruthless plan: once he fully mastered the power of the Clear Sky Hammer and his strength was completely stabilized, he would not step foot into Shrek Academy. Instead, he would lurk in the shadows, infiltrate the academy silently, and slaughter everyone who knew his secrets and stood in his way—leaving no one alive!

Whether it was Flender and Zhao Wuji, who knew his past, or Lin Chen, who had taken the three girls and seen through his trump cards, or even Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong, who no longer relied on him and knew too much of his history—anyone who threatened him or touched the bottom line of his secrets had to die. He would use the most thorough method of silencing to erase all hidden dangers, seal his secrets away forever, and use bloody means to clear his path to the top, leaving no survivors and giving no one a chance to strike back.

Cold, bone-chilling killing intent completely enveloped the silent valley. Tang San's hand, hanging at his side, trembled slightly—not from fear, but from an extreme obsession and ruthlessness regarding the bloody purge. A fatal conspiracy targeting the entire Shrek Academy, aimed directly at Lin Chen and the three girls, had already taken shape in his heart. It awaited only the right moment to transform into a monstrous killing intent, sweeping toward the unsuspecting group at Shrek. A life-and-death crisis was already quietly closing in.