Return to the Academy! Celebration!

"Hahahaha! This feeling is so refreshing!"

Ma Hongjun danced and gestured in the air, darting around like a fat-headed fly.

"Xiao Pang, slow down, don't crash into a tree!"

Oscar shouted from below.

"Got it, got it... Ah!"

Ma Hongjun dove headfirst into a treetop.

Zhao Wuji shook his head, leaped up, and plucked him down from the branches.

With his head covered in leaves, Ma Hongjun wore a smile that looked worse than crying.

"This thing... is not very easy to control."

"You'll get better with practice."

Oscar patted his shoulder. "This is my first time flying too, but I'm much steadier than you."

"That's because you already adapted when you absorbed the spirit ring."

Ma Hongjun was unconvinced. "This is my first time; it's already good enough that I can fly."

Flender did not eat the Flying Sausage, choosing to store it away instead.

"How long can this sausage be stored?"

He asked a crucial question.

Oscar thought for a moment. "With my current spirit power, it can be stored for about a day."

"A day is enough."

Flender nodded. "From now on, make enough for everyone before we set out each time."

"That way, no matter what situation we encounter, we'll have a way to retreat."

"Understood."

Oscar nodded vigorously.

Fu Wen took a Flying Sausage, but instead of eating it immediately, he examined it carefully in his hand.

Blue light flowed across the surface of the sausage, and the wing patterns were so exquisite and delicate that they looked carved.

He could feel the power of flight contained within the sausage, pure and abundant.

"Xiao Ao, the potential of this spirit skill of yours is immense."

Fu Wen looked up at Oscar. "The speed of a Sharp-Tailed Rain Swallow, combined with a one-hour duration, is enough for you to escape from anyone below the level of a Title Douluo."

"When your spirit power grows stronger, the quantity of sausages and their duration will both increase."

"By then, you will be the hardest food-type spirit master to kill."

Oscar felt a bit embarrassed by the praise and scratched his head.

"I didn't expect it to be this strong either... I just followed your advice and went to find a Sharp-Tailed Rain Swallow."

"You helped me choose it; it's not my own merit."

Fu Wen shook his head.

"I chose the spirit ring, but you were the one who realized the spirit skill yourself."

"The same spirit ring can yield different spirit skills when absorbed by different people."

"The fact that you obtained the Flying Sausage shows that your compatibility with the Sharp-Tailed Rain Swallow is very high."

"This is your own ability."

Oscar was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

"Alright, I'll reluctantly accept that."

Ma Hongjun leaned in, still clutching half a Flying Sausage in his hand.

"Brother Ao, your sausage allows for an hour of flight, but can you stop halfway? Can the remaining time be used later?"

"No."

Oscar shook his head. "Once you eat it, the timer starts."

"Whether you are flying or standing still, it expires after one hour."

"That's too wasteful."

Ma Hongjun muttered. "If you land after only flying for half the time, isn't the rest of the time wasted?"

"That's why you need to plan well," Fu Wen said. "Eat it only when you encounter danger; don't waste it otherwise."

"That's true."

Ma Hongjun nodded, finished the rest of the sausage in a few bites, and the blue wings of light on his back lit up once again.

He hopped in place twice, restraining himself from taking flight.

"Alright, alright, stop messing around."

Flender clapped his hands: "Today's mission is complete, time to head back."

"Xiao Ao's second spirit ring and Xiao Pang's first spirit ring have both been secured."

"We'll have Shao Xin add some dishes when we get back to celebrate properly!"

"Yay!"

Ma Hongjun was the first to cheer.

Oscar joined in the commotion.

Fu Wen walked at the very back, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

Oscar's Flying Sausage, Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Holy Light Strike.

One can fly, the other can fight.

These three students of Shrek Academy are looking more and more impressive.

When the group returned to the academy, the sky had already darkened.

Shao Xin had long since prepared the meal, a table full of food, even more sumptuous than a New Year's feast.

"You're back? Go wash your hands and eat!"

Shao Xin poked his head out from the kitchen, his face breaking into a smile as he saw the three children safe and sound.

"Uncle Shao, what good food do we have today?"

Ma Hongjun was the first to rush into the cafeteria, sniffing the air vigorously.

"Braised pork, sweet and sour pork ribs, steamed fish, stewed chicken with mushrooms..."

Shao Xin listed the dishes as he brought them out: "Is that enough?"

"Enough! Enough!"

Ma Hongjun was practically drooling.

Flender walked in, glanced at the table full of dishes, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Old Shao, this meal is to celebrate both Xiao Ao and Xiao Pang obtaining their spirit rings, so it has to be something good."

"Isn't this good enough?"

Shao Xin rolled his eyes: "If you're going to be picky, should I take two dishes back?"

"No, no, no!"

Flender waved his hands hurriedly: "I was just saying, just saying."

Zhao Wuji, Li Yusong, and Lu Qibin walked in one after another.

A round table, seven people, filled to the brim.

"Come, don't rush to eat just yet."

Flender stood up and raised his glass: "Let me say a few words first."

"Today is a good day."

"Xiao Pang's first spirit ring, a 400-year-old Dawn Light Spirit Crane, spirit skill Phoenix Holy Light Strike, capable of both attacking and purifying."

"Xiao Ao's second spirit ring, a 700-year-old Sharp-Tailed Rain Swallow, spirit skill Flying Sausage, allows one to fly after consumption."

"Both children chose their spirit rings excellently, exceeding my expectations."

"So, I toast to them both with this drink."

After finishing, Flender downed his drink in one gulp.

"Dad, I'm not of age yet, I can't drink alcohol."

Oscar raised his teacup: "I'll substitute tea for wine."

"Me too."

Ma Hongjun followed suit and raised his cup.

Flender waved his hand: "Whatever, whatever, it's the thought that counts."

Zhao Wuji raised his glass, looking at Oscar and Ma Hongjun with a rare smile.

"Xiao Ao, save one of those *Flying Sausage*s for me in the future."

"Although I can fly, my speed doesn't compare to a Sharp-Tailed Rain Swallow."

"With your sausage, it'll be more convenient for me to chase people down."

"No problem!"

Oscar patted his chest: "Teacher Zhao, I've got your sausages covered from now on!"

"Get lost."

Zhao Wuji laughed and cursed, "What do you mean you've got it covered? That sounds weird."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Li Yusong pushed up his glasses and looked at Ma Hongjun.

"Xiao Pang, today I only saw the power of your Phoenix Holy Light Strike, not its purification effect."

"Tomorrow, perform it alone so I can take a closer look."

"Understood, Teacher Li."

Ma Hongjun nodded.

Lu Qibin didn't speak, just silently picked up food to eat.

But his gaze kept shifting between the three children, a smile playing on his lips.

After the meal, Flender called the three children into the courtyard.

"Both of you obtained spirit rings today, which is a good thing."

"But I must remind you that spirit rings are only an external force; what truly determines how far you can go is your own effort."

"Starting tomorrow, your training load will be doubled."

"Xiao Ao, you must practice not only the production speed of your Flying Sausage but also the stability of your flight."

"Xiao Pang, your Phoenix Holy Light Strike has enough power, but your accuracy is still far from enough. Start practicing on targets tomorrow."

"Fu Wen, continue to lead them both in close-quarters combat training."

"Understood."

The three replied in unison.

Flender nodded, turned, and headed back into the house.

At night.

Fu Wen lay on his bed with his eyes closed, but he wasn't asleep.

He was thinking about what lay ahead.

Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire problem was currently suppressed by the passive purification of the Phoenix Holy Light Strike.

But this was not a long-term solution.

The purification power of the Dawn Light Spirit Crane was limited; once Ma Hongjun's spirit power increased, the Evil Fire would grow stronger as well.

When that time came, he would need to find a higher-tier light-attribute spirit beast.

Or...

Go find an Immortal Herb.

The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, where was that thing again?

Sunset Forest? Or the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well?

Fu Wen thought for a moment and decided it was too early to think about these things.

Ma Hongjun was only at the first ring, and he himself was only at the first ring.

It wouldn't be too late to go to those places once their strength was sufficient.

"Brother Wen, are you asleep?"

Ma Hongjun's voice came from nearby.

"No."

Fu Wen opened his eyes. "What's wrong?"

"I just wanted to say thank you."

Ma Hongjun's voice was a bit soft. "If it weren't for you today, I might still be worrying about the Evil Fire."

"What's there to thank?"

Fu Wen said calmly, "Cultivate well in the future and don't let this spirit ring go to waste."

"Yeah!"

Ma Hongjun nodded vigorously. "I will definitely work hard!"

Oscar, lying nearby, turned over and muttered, "Stop chatting, you two. We have training tomorrow..."

"Fine, fine, go to sleep."

Ma Hongjun tucked himself back into his quilt.

Fu Wen closed his eyes, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

The night breeze blew through the window lattice, carrying a hint of chill.

In the courtyard of Shrek Academy, moonlight spilled across the ground.