Dusk had completely enveloped Shrek Academy. The training grounds, so noisy during the day, gradually fell silent, leaving only the rustling of the evening breeze through the trees.
Lin Chen strode into the boys' dormitory. Oscar and Ma Hongjun were laughing and teasing each other, while Dai Mubai leaned against his bed with his eyes closed, resting. A rare gloom shadowed his brows.
Lin Chen still looked warm and composed, like any student returning from cultivation. He casually took a bed in a corner and sat down. His Soul Power remained steady and contained; the surface-level strength of a thirty-sixth-rank Soul Elder showed no flaws. The source power of Star Hidden Grass flowed soundlessly, masking his true depths and every flicker of his emotions.
No one had the slightest idea that, moments ago, in the bamboo grove behind the academy, the [Secret Protection Permission] unlocked by the system had quietly merged into the source of his Soul Power. From now on, his protection of Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing would be even more imperceptible. Not even a Titled Douluo could detect the safeguards and bonds he had secretly established.
"Lin Chen, you're back! Our teamwork in today's practical match was incredible. Team up with us again next time!" Oscar grinned as soon as he saw him. A Recovery Sausage appeared in his hand, and he offered it to Lin Chen. "Have a bite and replenish your Soul Power. You must've used up a lot in that fight."
Ma Hongjun came over, too, and said in his honest, hearty way, "Exactly! You may look ordinary, but you're reliable in a team fight. Much steadier than Boss Dai!"
Dai Mubai opened his eyes at that and shot Ma Hongjun a helpless glare, but didn't argue. He had watched the four-person team fight from beginning to end. Lin Chen's tactics had been precise and his positioning solid. He had kept a low profile throughout, yet had been indispensable—not a single flaw to pick out.
Lin Chen gave a slight nod and accepted the sausage, thanking him with an easy warmth. His expression remained calm and natural. "I was just getting used to my teammates' rhythms. Everyone did their part."
His words were plain and unassuming, perfectly in keeping with the quiet, reserved image he presented.
No one knew that, throughout the match, he had seemed to expend very little, but had in fact torn through Soul Power barriers several times in secret, deflected lethal attacks, and covertly sent Soul Power to others. The strain had been far greater than it appeared. But with the deep reserves of a sixty-second-rank Soul Emperor, along with Star Hidden Grass's ability to heal injuries and strengthen his foundation, he had already dispelled every trace of fatigue.
After chatting for a while, they each settled down to meditate and cultivate. Before long, the dormitory held nothing but their even breathing and the faint sound of Soul Power circulating.
Lin Chen sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, seemingly focused on cultivation, but his mind had already quietly unfurled into an intangible sense that enveloped all of Shrek Academy.
This was a perception art he had secretly honed for a long time. Hidden among the Soul Power of heaven and earth, it stirred no Martial Soul fluctuations. Not even Zhao Wuji or Flender could detect this faint wisp of divine sense as it probed the surroundings.
In moments, everything happening around the academy came into his mind.
From the girls' dormitory came three familiar, peaceful auras.
Xiao Wu's Soul Power was gentle and lively, carrying a hint of reassuring warmth. Her mind was clear; she had evidently let go of the sourness she'd felt during the day and trusted his patience and plans completely.
Ning Rongrong's Soul Power shone with a pure brilliance, the source light of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda warm and soft. The girl's emotions stirred faintly. She was likely still reliving the scene of fighting side by side during the day. The inexplicable trust and fondness in her heart were quietly taking root.
Zhu Zhuqing's aura remained cold and keen, the Soul Power of the Hell Spirit Cat restrained to the utmost. She seemed to keep everyone at arm's length, yet Lin Chen clearly sensed that the taut string in her heart, pulled tight for years, had loosened just a little. A trace of warmth from his secret protection during the day remained within her, though her naturally cool temperament kept her from showing it.
Three delicate threads of emotional attachment, colorless and unseen, wound tightly around his spirit. Gentle, yet resilient, they became the softest ties in his hidden game of strategy.
Lin Chen withdrew his perception, a deep gleam passing through his eyes.
He knew well that Shrek's brief calm was nothing but the false stillness before a storm.
The Spirit Hall's informants had long since spread throughout Heaven Dou City. The Shrek Seven Devils were exceptionally gifted and had already been placed on the Spirit Hall's list of high-priority targets for surveillance. Xiao Wu's true identity, Ning Rongrong's inheritance from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the feud between Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai over the Star Luo Imperial Family—all of them were hidden dangers that could stir up trouble in the future.
Besides that, his covert investigations had revealed frequent fluctuations in Soul Power within Heaven Dou City lately. Quite a few hidden Soul Masters were moving about in secret. They seemed to wander without purpose, but were actually searching for talented young Soul Masters of the right age. Most likely, the Spirit Hall was laying the groundwork for the upcoming All-Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
And Shrek's students were among their main targets for scrutiny and caution.
"The wind is rising. It's almost here."
Lin Chen murmured to himself, his gaze calm and unruffled.
The events he knew from his previous life were unfolding steadily. With the Elite Tournament approaching, the Spirit Hall's schemes, the power struggle between the two empires, and the undercurrents between the sects would soon sweep up every young Soul Master.
His strength now stood firmly at the Soul Emperor level, and he was confident he could fight a Soul Saint beyond his rank. Combined with Star Hidden Grass's peerless concealment and his many hidden Soul Skills, he had enough to protect himself amid the chaos and secretly shield those around him. But it still wasn't enough.
To take complete control of his fate, protect the three girls, and shatter the Spirit Hall's world-spanning game, he needed to break through faster, wield greater strength, and keep deeper reserves in hand.
With his mind made up, Lin Chen focused again and quietly circulated the Soul Power throughout his body.
On the surface, it flowed at the slow, steady pace of a thirty-sixth-rank Soul Elder, fooling everyone around him. Beneath that, he cultivated at the extreme speed of a sixty-second-rank Soul Emperor, devouring, refining, and purifying the Soul Power of heaven and earth without pause, steadily strengthening his foundation with every passing moment.
He refused to chase quick, reckless gains. He advanced one solid step at a time, tempering every wisp of Soul Power to the utmost and laying an unshakable foundation for one day breaking through to Titled Douluo and standing against divine forces.
The night passed in silence.
The next morning, bright daylight spread across the academy, and a sharp gathering whistle cut through the quiet.
All the Shrek students assembled on the training ground on time. Flender stood before them with a grave expression, a stark contrast to his usual casual manner.
"Regular practical training is suspended for today."
Flender's gaze swept over them, his voice loud and solemn. "There are only half a month left before the preliminaries of the All-Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. From now on, we'll stop sparring at random and begin focused team battle training. We'll polish your teamwork, refine your tactics, and prepare you for high-intensity combat."
His words immediately roused everyone present.
The Shrek Seven Devils exchanged glances, fighting spirit flashing in their eyes. Only Lin Chen remained calm, understanding exactly what this meant.
The story had officially reached a crucial turning point. The Elite Tournament would be the first grand stage on which he could reveal part of his strength, secretly put his plans into motion, and claim opportunities for himself.
"For team battle training, you can still form your own groups, but every group must use flexible tactics and work together seamlessly. There are no restrictions on Martial Soul combinations. Recreate the conditions of a real tournament match," Flender continued. "Zhao Wuji will oversee everything and record everyone's strengths and weaknesses so we can address them one by one."
As soon as he finished speaking, the students scattered to form their own teams.
Almost at once, Xiao Wu looked toward Lin Chen without thinking, her gaze gentle and trusting.
Ning Rongrong hesitated, then instinctively started toward Lin Chen. The rapport and security she had felt fighting beside him the day before made her want to team up with him again.
Zhu Zhuqing's cool eyes shifted slightly, and her gaze quietly settled on Lin Chen at the edge of the crowd. She edged a little closer without drawing attention.
The three girls' gazes met briefly, each concealing the feelings in her heart. No one noticed.
Seeing this, Dai Mubai laughed and said, "Perfect. The four of us worked brilliantly together yesterday. Let's team up again today and refine our team battle tactics!"
Oscar and Ma Hongjun immediately chimed in.
Lin Chen lowered his gaze slightly, swiftly weighing the pros and cons.
Putting the whole group together would give him the perfect excuse to stay close to the four of them during team battle training. He could also observe the other students' weaknesses and work out the best tactics for Shrek in advance, avoiding deadly risks in the tournament to come. More importantly, a chaotic group battle was the ideal chance for him to intervene in secret, avert danger, and prepare contingencies without arousing suspicion.
With that decided, he nodded slightly, his expression as warm as ever. "All right."
Soon, the six members of Shrek's core team were together—the most compatible, most coordinated combination.
Zhao Wuji strode over and said in a deep voice, "The six of you will fight all the remaining students. No restrictions on your moves; give it everything you've got. Treat it like a battle when all hope is lost!"
As soon as he finished speaking, more than ten Shrek students across from them surged with Soul Power. Martial Souls of every kind burst into view, their gathered momentum pressing toward the six.
The fierce air of battle swept over the entire training ground. The wind rose from the smallest ripple, and fighting spirit spread like wildfire.
Lin Chen stood just behind the side of his team, still looking utterly ordinary. He appeared to be following along with the others, but his eyes were clear as he saw through every enemy's attack trajectory and Soul Power weakness.
Hidden currents stirred around him, feelings surged beneath the surface, and the game had begun.
In places no one knew of, he held the world in his hands and advanced step by step. He would hone Shrek's strongest team battle force and quietly guard the three secret attachments he held close, waiting for the wind to rise—and for the moment he would astonish the world.
The battle on the training ground was about to begin.
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