Entering Star Dou Again

Early the next morning, before dawn had broken, the group had already gathered at the academy gates.

This time, everyone was going.

Flender, Zhao Wuji, Shao Xin, Li Yusong, and Lu Qibin.

Not a single one of the five teachers was absent. Together with the two students, Ma Hongjun and Oscar, the group of seven set off grandly for the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Dean Flender, if we all leave, shouldn't someone stay behind to watch the academy?" Oscar asked curiously, a bulging bundle slung over his back.

Flender glanced at him and said expressionlessly, "What is there to guard at that dump called Shrek? No money, no valuables—not even worth stealing from."

Oscar opened his mouth, only to realize that he could not refute it.

Zhao Wuji added another stab from the side. "All the valuable stuff is in our storage Soul Tools anyway. The academy only has a few rundown rooms left. Anyone who wants them can take them."

"..." Oscar silently closed his mouth.

The corners of Ma Hongjun's lips lifted slightly.

The words were harsh, but they were indeed the truth.

Shrek Academy was dirt poor. Even its teaching facilities were ramshackle. The only valuable things it had were the belongings the teachers carried with them.

Rather than leave two people behind to guard an empty shell, it was better for everyone to go together. There was strength in numbers, and they would be safer in the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Let's go." Flender waved his hand. "Try to find the target within three days. Don't drag this out for too long."

The carriage traveled south along the official road.

The two-day journey passed quickly amid laughter and conversation.

Oscar and Zhao Wuji bickered endlessly along the way, while Shao Xin's occasional jokes kept the carriage filled with laughter.

Even the normally stern Li Yusong and Lu Qibin occasionally revealed faint smiles.

Leaning against the carriage window, Ma Hongjun watched the scenery rush past outside, calm yet expectant.

Star Dou Great Forest—he had returned.

On the morning of the third day, the group arrived at the entrance to the Star Dou Great Forest.

Just as it had been on their previous visit, towering trees rose from the ground, their layered canopies sealing off the sky.

The air was filled with the damp scent of earth, mingled with the fresh fragrance of vegetation and an indescribable fishy odor.

The distant growls of soul beasts rose and fell, instinctively putting everyone on guard.

"Get into formation."

Flender's voice was not loud, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.

The advantage of having everyone along was that they could arrange their formation more tightly.

Flender walked at the front, his Four-Eyed Owl Martial Soul ready to be summoned at any moment as his sharp gaze swept over the path ahead and both flanks.

Zhao Wuji brought up the rear, his burly body like a moving wall, his Vajra Bear Martial Soul poised to emerge.

Li Yusong and Lu Qibin walked on the left and right respectively, Dragon Pattern Staff and Chessboard Martial Soul in hand, each guarding his own direction.

Shao Xin led Ma Hongjun and Oscar through the middle, slightly toward the rear. Though he was not a Battle Soul Master, as a Soul Emperor, his perception and adaptability were far from weak.

The group of seven pierced into the Star Dou Great Forest like a sharp blade.

The forest's interior was much darker than outside.

Sunlight could only filter through gaps in the leaves, casting mottled patches of light and shadow across the ground.

Thick roots bulged from the soil like enormous pythons coiled across the forest floor.

A thick layer of fallen leaves lay beneath their feet, soft and springy when stepped on. Who knew what might be hidden beneath them?

Ma Hongjun walked in the middle of the group, his eyes constantly sweeping the surroundings.

He had already reached level twenty. He was no longer the burden who could only be protected as he had been last time.

Though he still could not compare with the teachers, both his perception and reaction speed had undergone a qualitative leap.

"Hongjun, nervous?" Oscar asked in a lowered voice as he walked beside him.

"Not nervous," Ma Hongjun answered honestly. "A little excited."

Oscar grinned. "Me too. Last time, I was the one hunting for a Soul Ring. This time, it's your turn. Once we both have our second Soul Rings, we can have a proper fight."

"You still can't beat me now."

"Bullshit! I'm level twenty-three, and you're only level twenty!"

"Want to try?"

"Fine, let's try! We'll do it when we get back!"

Walking ahead of them, Shao Xin could not help but smile and shake his head at the two children's bickering.

Flender was walking at the very front, but his ears remained perked up, catching every word of the two children's conversation. He did not turn around, but the corner of his mouth rose slightly.

Shrek Academy might be shabby, poor, and have only two students.

But those two students would surely stand at the pinnacle of the continent one day.

He had confidence in that.

Flender stopped and turned to look at everyone.

"According to the plan, we'll search the outer region first today. Light Element soul beasts prefer places with abundant sunlight. The forest depths have canopies that are too dense for sunlight to reach, making them unsuitable for such creatures. Focus on clearings in the woods, hillsides, and the banks of streams."

Zhao Wuji nodded. "Dean Flender and I will each lead a team and search separately. It'll be more efficient. Teacher Li and Teacher Lu will go with Dean Flender, while Teacher Shao comes with me."

"Hongjun comes with me," Flender said, calling out the assignments. "Oscar goes with Teacher Zhao."

Ma Hongjun's thoughts stirred.

Flender's arrangement clearly had deeper meaning.

By going with Flender, he could use the Four-Eyed Owl's aerial scouting ability to search for Light Element soul beasts more efficiently.

With Zhao Wuji, Oscar would be better protected by a power-type Battle Soul Master, especially as a Food-Type Soul Master.

"If anyone finds something, send a signal."

Flender took a bamboo-tube-shaped Soul Tool from his robes and handed it to Zhao Wuji.

"Once the signal flare goes up, we'll rendezvous immediately."

Zhao Wuji accepted the signal flare and tucked it into his robes.

"Let's move."

The two teams split apart in the forest and headed in different directions.

Ma Hongjun followed behind Flender, with Li Yusong and Lu Qibin guarding the flanks as the four searched upstream along a small creek.

The creek murmured along, its water so clear that the bottom was visible. Every now and then, they could see a few small silver fish swimming through it.

The trees along the creek were sparser than elsewhere, allowing sunlight to shine directly on the water. The whole area was much brighter than the depths of the forest.

"Places like this have a higher chance of Light Element soul beasts appearing."

As Flender walked, he said, "Most Light Element soul beasts prefer warm, bright environments. They cannot stand dark, damp places."

Ma Hongjun nodded, his gaze constantly scanning the treetops and rocks on both banks.

He suddenly remembered something.

"Teacher, after Little Oscar obtained that External Soul Bone last time, when you went back, did you..."

Ma Hongjun carefully chose his words, unsure how to ask.

"Did I tell anyone else?" Flender took over.

Ma Hongjun nodded.

Flender did not slow his pace, his tone calm. "No. The fewer people who know, the better. You people who were there only need to keep it in mind. Once we leave this forest, no one is allowed to mention this again."