Nothing happened that night.
Early the next morning, before dawn had even broken, Shrek Academy's gates were already bustling.
Flender, Zhao Wuji, Shao Xin, Li Yusong, and Lu Qibin—all five teachers were present.
Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Dai Mubai, the three students, were fully prepared to depart.
There were seven people, one more than the last time they had gone to the Star Dou Great Forest.
The extra person was Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai stood among the group in a brand-new Shrek Academy uniform: a dark blue stand-up collar, double rows of brass buttons, polished brass clasps at his waist, and an emblem at his collar glinting faintly in the morning light.
The uniform had only been finished the day before yesterday. After taking his measurements, the tailor had worked through the night and delivered it to the academy before their departure.
After putting it on, Dai Mubai had stood before the mirror for a long time.
Flender walked over from the front of the group and looked him over from head to toe.
"Set off."
Ma Hongjun stood in the middle of the group, looking at the road ahead that led to the Star Dou Great Forest.
When he had first traveled this road last year, he had been a level-twenty Soul Grandmaster. Now, as he traveled it again, he was already a level-thirty Soul Elder.
One year, ten levels.
Neither fast nor slow.
But this time was different. Dai Mubai had joined the group as well. The three of them would hunt their third soul rings together and step into the Soul Elder realm together.
Oscar walked beside Ma Hongjun with a bulging pack on his back.
It contained the dry rations and drinking water Teacher Shao Xin had prepared.
"Hongjun, what kind of soul beast do you