The Eldest Miss Arrives

The morning sun surged with vitality.

Shrek Square was already bustling with people, the sound of discussion rising in an endless hum.

"What? Dean Yan has taken on another personal disciple? I wonder which little monster it is this time."

"Don't push, don't push, let me see..."

"Twelve years old, a level 33 Soul Elder?! This kid is terrifying!"

"It's Lin Feng from the freshman Class Nine. Teacher Mu Jin has really struck gold this time."

Not far away, Ning Tian and Wu Feng, who were walking side by side, heard the surrounding chatter.

Ning Tian gently tugged at Wu Feng's sleeve and whispered, "Wu Feng, did you hear that? Are they talking about Lin Feng from our class? But didn't he only just reach level 30 last week? This cultivation speed... it's just too exaggerated."

Wu Feng's expression remained cold, but a flash of shock crossed her eyes. "I didn't expect it to be this fast either. However, it is reasonable. His first and second soul rings are both of ten-thousand-year quality; his path was destined to be extraordinary."

"Ten-thousand-year soul rings?! Are you sure?"

Ning Tian widened her eyes slightly, and after confirming it repeatedly, her perception of Lin Feng changed completely.

She had originally considered her own talent to be no less than Lin Feng's, after all, they were both twelve and had both reached level 30.

Moreover, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was a top-tier auxiliary tool spirit on the continent, one that had once produced a deity.

But facing the current Lin Feng, that faint sense of superiority instantly dissipated.

Lin Feng passed through Shrek Square as usual and ran into Ning Tian and Wu Feng, who were lingering there.

"Lin Feng, good morning!" Ning Tian actually took the initiative to smile and greet him.

One must know, ever since she was warned by Ma Xiaotao last time, Ning Tian had been intentionally or unintentionally keeping her distance from Lin Feng.

Lin Feng was a bit surprised, but he still smiled and responded, "Good morning, you two are out early as well?"

He didn't think much of it, assuming it was just a normal greeting between classmates.

The three of them then walked toward the teaching building together.

As soon as they entered the Class Nine classroom, Ning Tian pulled over a chair and sat down next to Lin Feng's seat quite naturally.

"Lin Feng, Wu Feng told me everything," she blinked, her tone filled with curiosity. "I'm a little curious, is your third soul ring... a thousand-year one, or a ten-thousand-year one?"

"Wu Feng, how could you break your promise to me?" Lin Feng laughed in spite of himself.

"You scoundrel, you weren't this serious when you were taking advantage of me," Wu Feng snorted softly. "Ning Tian is my sister, what's wrong with me venting to her?"

"Fine, fine, I'm the scoundrel," Lin Feng admitted with a laugh. "The third soul ring is ten-thousand-year, ten-thousand-year, happy now? I need to catch up on some sleep, don't wake me unless it's important."

"You still dare to sleep? Have you forgotten about the Optimus Pillar incident last time?" Wu Feng teased with a wicked smile.

Lin Feng jolted, instantly wide awake; he had almost forgotten his plan to "reward" the little rascal in front of him.

"The past is too painful to look back on, so I won't sleep then," he rubbed his brow and looked at the two of them. "By the way, I plan to go out for some practical training alone next week. Do you want to come along? If I remember correctly, you've both reached level 30, right?"

"Just the three of us? Without a teacher leading the team... wouldn't that be too dangerous?"

"It doesn't necessarily have to be for soul rings; if we run into something suitable, we'll see. Besides, who am I? I don't need to brag about that, do I?"

Ning Tian thought for a moment and smiled slightly. "Alright then, it'll be a good chance to witness the strength of Dean Yan's personal disciple and broaden my horizons."

"I have no objections," Wu Feng replied coldly.

Time quickly arrived at the new week.

The three met at the gates of Shrek City as agreed.

Lin Feng had snuck out while Ma Xiaotao was still carrying him, so to speak.

However, he had learned his lesson and specifically left a letter, hoping it would lighten his "punishment" upon returning.

"My lady, is this outfit really for practical training?" Lin Feng looked Ning Tian over, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.

Ning Tian snorted and tugged at the hem of her luxurious long dress. "Mind your own business. That Shrek uniform is ugly and stiff; I've had enough of wearing it. I don't know which person with no taste designed it."

Her short golden hair was styled more delicately than usual, and although she still possessed that heroic, masculine-leaning beauty, her features now held a rare, soft grace.

This elegant attire made her look like a completely different person from her usual cold image at the academy.

When dealing with others, she was always as distant and restrained as Wu Feng.

Only in front of Lin Feng did she shed all her disguises, her natural girlish instincts flowing out quite naturally.

Sure enough, as soon as they passed through the bustling market, Ning Tian's pace slowed down.

The dazzling array of shops instantly captured her attention.

Since she had rarely taken leave to go out, she immediately pulled Wu Feng along and began to browse with great enthusiasm.

Lin Feng couldn't win, so he had to resign himself to being a follower and a porter.

"Lin Feng, what do you think of this dress?" Ning Tian held up a dress and held it against herself.

"It looks good," Lin Feng said without even looking up.

"Can't you give me a serious opinion?" Ning Tian muttered.

"Fine, it really looks good," Lin Feng replied helplessly.

He had finally figured it out: Ning Tian was treating him like a boyfriend-in-training.

In contrast, Wu Feng was much quieter, rarely speaking, yet her frequency of trying on clothes didn't lose out to Ning Tian's at all. As expected, even this tomboy was a girl at heart.

Just as Lin Feng was feeling utterly hopeless, his gaze was suddenly drawn to a shop window.

Hanging there was a lace nightgown in the same style as the one Ma Xiaotao wore.

His heart skipped a beat, and as if possessed, he walked inside.

"Boss, wrap up this set in black, white, pink, and red for me."

Lin Feng pointed at the silk nightgowns as he spoke.

Ning Tian and Wu Feng followed him in, both stunned by his words.

"Lin Feng, what are you buying these for?" Ning Tian couldn't help but ask.

"Uh... if I said Sister Xiaotao asked me to buy them for her, would you believe me?" Lin Feng attempted to brush it off.

"You scoundrel! You pervert!" Wu Feng said bluntly.

"Hey, hey, give me some face in public, would you..." Lin Feng rubbed his nose in embarrassment.

The shopkeeper gave him an "I understand" smile and efficiently packed the clothes, handing them over. Lin Feng took the paper bag, bracing himself.

"I'm done shopping, I'm not in the mood anymore. Let's go."

Ning Tian suddenly pouted and turned toward the shop exit, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible jealousy.

"Fine, then let's head straight to the Sunset Forest." Lin Feng sighed.

As they left the city, a subtle silence hung between the three of them, and no one spoke a word.

"Finally here, the air is so fresh!"

It wasn't until they stepped into the outer perimeter of the Sunset Forest that Lin Feng finally broke the silence.

Seeing that the two still wouldn't respond, he curled his lips into a smile and added, "Though, why does it smell like there's a huge amount of vinegar in the air?"

"Stop with the glib talk and help me find a soul beast," Ning Tian finally spoke, her tone still carrying lingering irritation. "I want a 1,500-year-old one."

"Actually, you could try for a 2,000-year-old one."

"2,000 years? We aren't freaks like you; how could we absorb that much beyond our limits?"

"I have a way," Lin Feng said, his tone turning serious. "I can channel life force to assist you and increase the success rate of absorption. You know Tang Ya from the Tang Sect, right? Her third soul ring was 2,000 years old, and I was the one who helped her back then."

"Senior Tang Ya? I do know of her..." Ning Tian's tone softened, and after a moment of hesitation, she said, "Fine, I'll trust you this once."

Ning Tian and Tang Ya were both direct descendants of the first generation of Shrek's Seven Devils, so they had some contact, though the situations of their respective sects were worlds apart.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was one of the great sects of the current era, while the Tang Sect had dwindled down to only three people—or four, if you counted Lin Feng, the freeloader.

With their targets set, the three began to push deeper into the forest.

Relying on Lin Feng's precise spiritual detection, their efficiency in searching for soul beasts was extremely high, and they quickly vanished into the verdant shadows of the trees.