The Youngest Soul King

"Little Junior Brother, if there's nothing else, this Senior Sister will be taking her leave now." Wu Ming leaned down, pressing close to Lin Feng's ear as he struggled to sit up. Her breath was like orchids, and her voice carried an undisguised, provocative edge. "In the future... remember to come find this Senior Sister to play often."

"My body really can't take much more, Senior Sister, please have mercy..." Lin Feng wiped the sweat from his forehead, his tone filled with genuine exhaustion and helplessness; he was practically on the verge of tears.

This Senior Sister Wu Ming was clearly only twenty-six, yet her vigor and proactive nature were comparable to someone in their thirties...

"Then next time, this Senior Sister will bring more supplements," she said, not only failing to restrain herself but letting out a soft chuckle. She continued to whisper in his ear, her warm breath tickling his reddened earlobe. "How about some thousand-year Whale Rubber? It costs fifty or sixty thousand Gold Soul Coins for a small piece, you know? At your tender age, this is exactly when you need to nourish your body and build your foundation."

"Then... I shall let Senior Sister go to such expense." Lin Feng knew he couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to go along with her words, adding sincerely, "I also wish for Senior Sister to refine your Golden Crow True Fire to the ultimate realm soon, and evolve into that legendary Three-Legged Golden Crow."

"That will depend on..." Wu Ming reached out toward Lin Feng's exposed abdominal muscles, continuing to tease him by his ear, "...whether you, Junior Brother, are up to the task."

After Wu Ming finished this ambiguous remark, the smile at the corners of her lips deepened.

She suddenly leaned down, her soft, warm lips pressing gently against Lin Feng's sweat-dampened forehead. It was a fleeting touch, like a feather brushing past, yet it left a distinct sensation behind.

Only then did Wu Ming slowly straighten up. The pair of brilliant golden light-wing phantoms behind her flickered slightly, casting shifting light and shadows throughout the ice cavern.

"See you tomorrow, Junior Brother~" She blinked, her tone light and airy, before adding a rare touch of consideration, "Just kidding. Get some good rest."

As her voice faded, she lingered no longer. Her figure, light as a feather, darted out of the ice cavern's entrance and quickly merged into the undulating, deep blue water above.

The ice cavern returned to silence. Lin Feng lay back down on the ice, staring at the hazy, deep blue ice walls overhead.

After a long while, he let out a sigh of resignation, rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand, and then struggled to push himself into a sitting position.

The origins of the four exotic fires had now been successfully gathered within his Fire Lotus martial soul, and the Flame Mantra had successfully evolved to the Earth Rank.

As for the Red Dragon Heart Fire origin, it had yet to be condensed. Wu Feng's current cultivation was still too shallow; helping her condense it by force would be no different from pulling up seedlings to help them grow. He could only wait and see if there were any suitable immortal herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

That old hag Zhou Yi's martial soul was also a Red Dragon, and she was a six-ringed Soul Emperor; logically, she was the best ready-made choice.

But due to their previous animosity, and the fact that she was a married woman, if Fan Yu were to find out... Lin Feng reckoned he would be hacked to death on the spot.

That path was far too risky; no matter how he looked at it, it was not an option.

Lin Feng pulled his thoughts back; there were truly too many matters awaiting his attention.

The freshman assessment was imminent, but he could apply to skip it. After all, a Soul King bullying a bunch of Soul Grand Masters and Soul Masters was truly unnecessary.

Heading to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well was the top priority, not just for Tang Ya, but also for the great opportunities hidden within.

Lin Feng composed his mind, temporarily suppressing these chaotic thoughts.

One must walk the path one step at a time. For now, it was better to go find Yan Shaozhe to discuss the freshman assessment.

Soon, Lin Feng arrived at the Bright Phoenix Courtyard.

The courtyard was secluded, shaded by ancient trees, with flowers in full bloom and birds singing in chorus.

Yan Shaozhe was sitting before a stone table. Seeing Lin Feng enter, a gentle smile appeared on his face.

He tapped his finger lightly, and the small stove on the stone table ignited on its own. The clear water in the pot soon began to boil, and the fragrance of tea wafted through the air.

"Xiao Feng, it's been a while. Sit, and taste the tea your teacher has recently acquired." Yan Shaozhe gestured for him to sit.

"Thank you, Teacher." Lin Feng sat down and took the teacup.

"I've been busy preparing for the various matters of the freshman assessment lately, so I've neglected your guidance." Yan Shaozhe sipped his tea, his tone carrying a hint of apology.

"Teacher, you are too kind." Lin Feng set down his teacup, pondered for a moment, and cut to the chase. "Actually, this disciple came here today regarding the freshman assessment. I would like to request to... skip this assessment entirely. As for the rewards for core disciples, I am willing to forfeit them."

"Oh?" Yan Shaozhe's hand, holding the cup, paused. He looked up at him, a flash of surprise in his eyes. "Why don't you want to participate? Do you feel... the opponents are too weak, and you can't muster any interest?"

"Yes," Lin Feng admitted frankly. Meeting Yan Shaozhe's gaze, he added calmly, "Furthermore, this disciple has just... advanced to Soul King. Participating in a freshman assessment primarily for Soul Grand Masters and Soul Masters is indeed not very appropriate."

"..."

A brief silence fell beside the stone table.

Yan Shaozhe's action of holding the tea stopped completely, the rim of the cup resting against his lips. His face was filled with astonishment, doubting he had heard correctly.

"...Wait?" He slowly set down the teacup and looked at Lin Feng, confirming with disbelief, "You just said... Soul King? Level Fifty? Did this teacher hear you correctly?"

He remembered very clearly that during the last Sea God Pavilion meeting, this Lin Feng was only a level forty-seven Soul Ancestor. How much time had even passed since then?

Under his teacher's near-scrutinizing gaze, Lin Feng's expression remained calm as he gave a slight nod. "Yes. After I successfully devoured Senior Sister Wu Ming's Golden Crow True Fire, my soul power reached level fifty, and I obtained my soul ring on my own. I am currently stabilized at level fifty-three."

"..."

Yan Shaozhe remained silent for a long time. His deep gaze lingered on Lin Feng's calm face for a long while; he needed to re-examine—no, completely re-evaluate—this personal disciple of his.

A twelve-year-old Soul King.

This could no longer be described by the simple word "genius"; this was a terrifying existence capable of overturning the understanding of the entire soul master world, an unprecedented feat.

One had to know that if one could break through to become a Soul Elder by the age of twelve, they were already a one-in-ten-thousand prodigy.

Yet Lin Feng had directly crossed two major realms.

With such cultivation and potential, he was fully qualified to skip the freshman year and enter the Inner Court directly, or even... being selected for the Shrek Seven Devils would not be a problem.

"You..." Yan Shaozhe spoke slowly, seemingly searching for the right words, before finally shaking his head with a self-deprecating laugh. "...This teacher can no longer use the word 'monster' to describe you. Perhaps, there is simply no accurate adjective to be found."

He picked up the now-lukewarm tea but did not drink it, continuing in a complex tone, "It seems that I, or even the academy, have little left to teach you on this path of cultivation."

He said these words with sincerity, even carrying a hint of indescribable melancholy.

Lin Feng was like a peerless, double-edged sword with its edge fully revealed.

If he could be used by the academy, it would naturally be a cause for celebration, and the academy might one day reach unprecedented heights because of him.

But if there ever came a day when he stood on the opposite side of the academy... Yan Shaozhe did not even want to contemplate the consequences.

The sea is wide enough for fish to leap, and the sky is high enough for birds to fly.

This child's world was destined not to be confined to the small corner of Shrek. His flat refusal of the Ultimate Soldier Project earlier was already a clear and dangerous signal.

He had his own path to walk, and his pace was alarmingly fast.

However, what still provided a shred of comfort and deliberation in Yan Shaozhe's heart was that Lin Feng was still willing to call him "Teacher" and would still take the initiative to come and inform him of such a major breakthrough.

This showed that his direct disciple still held a sense of recognition and attachment toward the academy and toward him as a teacher.

Moreover, there was no sign of any massive power behind him... there was still a chance.

"Lin Feng, do you have any long-term plans for the future..."

Yan Shaozhe dispelled the uncertain expression on his face, looked back at Lin Feng, and asked cautiously.