Refusing the Black Ship

"Now, the vote is unanimous."

"Ma Xiaotao, Lin Feng, are you two willing to become candidates for the Ultimate Soldier Project?"

"Student Ma Xiaotao, I submit to all arrangements made by the Academy."

"Student Lin Feng, I refuse to become a candidate for the Ultimate Soldier Project."

The moment those words fell, the expressions of the several elders turned fascinating; there was confusion, indignation, and even Xuan Zi stopped his chewing, a hint of amusement and surprise flashing in his eyes.

That was the supreme cultivation plan into which Shrek Academy poured its core resources, representing unimaginable training resources, guidance from top-tier mentors, and even the future expectations of the entire Academy.

"Lin Feng," Yan Shaozhe's face did not show anger, but his gaze grew heavy as he asked slowly, "Can you give your teacher a reason?"

"Teacher, this student has no grand ambitions; I only wish to live a simpler life." Lin Feng's tone was calm, even carrying a hint of mockery. "My dream is to be like Elder Xuan—eating, drinking, and living a life of leisure."

Lin Feng met Yan Shaozhe's gaze, a smile of near-honest ease appearing on his face, one that felt slightly out of place with the solemn atmosphere.

He had spent his entire previous life working; could he not enjoy himself in this one?

Furthermore, a man living between heaven and earth—how could he be content to dwell under others for long?

While the ship that was Shrek Academy was indeed vast and sturdy, once he boarded, would he still have a say in when it docked or where it sailed?

He did not want to be forcibly tied to the black ship of Shrek Academy and become a killing machine for imperial wars.

To him, Shrek Academy was merely a temporary shelter where he could reside, grow, and accumulate strength.

Deep down, he had never truly viewed himself as the property of the Academy.

One day, Lin Feng would leave this place to carve out his own world and establish his own sect.

"The Academy respects your choice. Shaozhe, if there is nothing else to discuss, let us adjourn."

Just as the atmosphere grew tense and various thoughts swirled, an aged, calm voice drifted from the recliner at the head of the table.

Mu En's voice was not loud, yet it carried a majesty that pulled everyone's attention back.

"Yes, Teacher. Then today's meeting ends here. Adjourned."

Following Yan Shaozhe's command, the elders stood up with varied expressions, their gazes lingering on Lin Feng, yet no one uttered another word.

Lin Feng's expression remained calm.

He knew that today's choice might bring some unknown ripples, but this was his path.

Ma Xiaotao gently nudged his arm, her eyes filled with concern and a trace of complex understanding.

The two exchanged a glance, then silently turned and walked side-by-side out of the Sea God Pavilion, a place that decided the fates of countless people across the continent.

Lin Feng's life returned to its usual rhythm.

He moved between the classrooms, training grounds, and his dormitory as always.

Attending classes, cultivating, occasionally bickering with Ning Tian, Wu Feng, and Wang Dong, helping out at Tang Ya's shop, or dealing with the "nourishment" feedings Ma Xiaotao insisted upon.

As for the Academy, under Mu En's decree, no forced measures or special surveillance were placed upon him; everything remained as usual, which made Lin Feng heave a sigh of relief.

Half a semester passed in a flash, and the freshman assessment was fast approaching.

This was not only a test of the past half-year's progress but also concerned resource allocation, class honor, and even the hidden ambitions of some.

Beneath the calm surface, currents were surging.

And Lin Feng knew that his seemingly peaceful daily life was likely about to be shattered.

As for Tang Ya, due to her long-term cultivation on Sea God Island and the feedback from the Blue Silver Grass on the island, she had unexpectedly risen from level thirty-five to level forty.

What she would face next was the backlash of the dark power.

Lin Feng took leave directly; he had found another way to resolve the dark power: ignite it, then devour it.

He also had to take Tang Ya to obtain her fourth Soul Ring, which was vital for her to pass the outer court assessment.

The two had a clear target: the Earth Cave Spider in the Sunset Forest.

The powerful crowd-control soul skill of Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, Blue Silver Cage, had been obtained from this very soul beast.

It was a pity that the Man Faced Demon Spider, another spider overlord, had been hunted to extinction by Tang San; otherwise, it would have been a consideration. The main point was that it had a chance to drop the External Soul Bone, the Eight Spider Lances, which was a one-in-a-million rarity.

Their luck was both good and not quite good enough. They hadn't searched deep in the Sunset Forest for long before they discovered a seven-thousand-year-old Earth Cave Spider Emperor.

Its strength was comparable to a human Soul Ancestor; not only was it extremely difficult to hunt, but its Soul Ring was also far beyond what an ordinary Soul Elder could withstand.

As for a fourth Soul Ring, five thousand years was the limit for most soul masters, but there were always exceptions.

"Sister Xiao Ya, the situation is somewhat similar to what your ancestor faced back then. Hunting it is no problem for me, but for you to absorb it... it is truly as difficult as ascending to heaven." Lin Feng's tone was heavy.

"It doesn't matter, I will endure it," Tang Ya said, her gaze firm.

"Good, then we will work together," Lin Feng affirmed.

He slowly released his martial soul, and three deep, black ten-thousand-year Soul Rings emerged from beneath his feet; the majestic aura made Tang Ya's heart tremble.

Before Tang Ya could recover, Lin Feng had already launched a thunderous assault on the Earth Cave Spider.

With a wide-area strike of the "Fire Phoenix Lotus," he cleared away the layers of traps set by the spider, followed by the "Mystic Ice Spirit Lotus" to precisely slow and stun the revealed beast, and finally, a "Red Dragon Heart Lotus" to strike a heavy blow to its bloated abdomen.

Everything was clean and swift, as if a god of war had possessed his body.

Lin Feng had never feared a one-on-one fight; he only dreaded the endless swarms of creatures like the Thousand Jun Ant.

Tang Ya delivered the final blow at the perfect moment, successfully finishing off the powerful soul beast.

"Xiao Feng, you make me feel a bit like a stranger... the gap between us seems to be growing wider and wider." Tang Ya's tone was dejected; she hadn't been able to help at all throughout the process, acting purely as dead weight.

"Don't talk nonsense. You don't need to compare yourself to me; comparing yourself to others is just fine."

Tang Ya nodded gently, sat down cross-legged in silence, and began to guide the deep, ten-thousand-year soul ring.

I do not know how much time passed before a sudden change occurred.

Blood began to seep from Tang Ya's seven orifices as the dark power that had previously been suppressed by Mu En suddenly erupted from within her.

Pitch-black Blue Silver Grass vines danced frantically, all of them attacking Lin Feng, who was guarding her.

Lin Feng did not resist at all, fearing he might damage Tang Ya's foundation, and allowed the thorny vines to bind him and Tang Ya tightly together.

The sharp thorns scraped across his skin, leaving trails of blood that healed rapidly under his powerful recovery ability.

The Fire Lotus soon succeeded in igniting the source of that dark power, and Lin Feng immediately circulated the Flame Mantra, beginning to absorb the ignited dark fire.

Three days and three nights slipped away in a silent confrontation.

When the vines that had entangled the two finally dissipated, Tang Ya slowly opened her eyes.

She had succeeded!

The first Soul Ancestor of the contemporary Tang Sect!

And that dark power had been thoroughly purified, no longer requiring the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline to keep it in check.

At this moment, Lin Feng also obtained his second karmic fire—the Blue Silver Nether Fire.

This fire was a terrifying karmic flame formed after the dark power, condensed from the resentment of the endless Blue Silver Grass on the Douluo Continent, was thoroughly ignited; it was ceaseless and ever-burning.

Having also reached level forty soul power, he condensed his fourth Exotic Flame Soul Ring and successfully advanced to become a Soul Ancestor.

The two embraced tightly.

Beneath them, on the land that had been scorched several times over, the seeds of the Blue Silver Grass were beginning to sprout...