The setting sun sank westward, its lingering rays piercing through layer upon layer of dense branches and leaves, scattering mottled fragments of light across the ground blanketed in fallen foliage.
The afternoon-long team training had finally come to an end. The ferocious beast roars around the outskirts of Sunset Forest gradually subsided, leaving only the soft rustle of the evening wind through the trees. The oppressive danger of daytime had faded, replaced by a touch of quiet gentleness.
All seven members of Shrek stood gathered in the woods, briefly taking stock of the day's gains.
The Soul Core and scales of a thousand-year Azure-Patterned Giant Python, along with Soul Bone fragments and materials from various hundred-year soul beasts, filled their packs. Their haul far exceeded that of any previous training expedition.
Dai Mubai casually wiped the fine sweat from his forehead, his tone full of emotion. "We really struck it rich today, especially with that thousand-year Soul Core. It's incredibly valuable. Back when we trained as a team, there were always setbacks—someone would hold back or keep things for themselves. But today, the whole team worked as one. Our efficiency practically doubled."
At those words, everyone silently agreed.
They all knew that the person Dai Mubai meant by someone hiding things was Tang San, who had long since been imprisoned by Spirit Hall.
The team had once appeared harmonious on the surface, but hidden currents ran beneath it. Tang San had a twisted nature and concealed ambitions. He seemed modest and courteous in everyday life, yet he was constantly scheming against his teammates. At critical moments, he cared only for his own safety and had even harbored the vicious intent to silence the entire team.
If Lin Chen had not seen through everything early on, secretly laid out his plans,