Five figures took off above the Azure Sky River, racing toward Suotuo City.
Oscar's Flying Sausage was truly astonishing. Blue Light Wings spread behind each of them, and they flew so fast that even Flender, a Seven-Ring Soul Sage, had to admit it.
The Sharp-Tailed Rain Swallow's speed was every bit as impressive as its reputation.
"Bro Oscar, your sausage is incredible!"
Ma Hongjun flew at the very front, shouting excitedly.
His round body wobbled in the air like a chubby fish that had had too much to drink.
"Keep steady! Don't crash into a tree!" Oscar called from behind.
He wasn't flying very steadily himself. After all, he wasn't a combat-type Soul Master, and his control over flight was limited.
Zhao Wuji flew beside Ma Hongjun, ready to reach out and catch him at any moment.
Flender flew at the back, his gaze constantly drifting toward Fu Wen.
Fu Wen's flying posture was steady.
It wasn't because he had experience.
This was the first time he had ever truly flown with a Flying Sausage.
It was because his control over his body far surpassed that of others his age.
Half a year of medicinal baths, together with the tempering of the Innate Divine Crocodile Art, had given him fine control over every muscle in his body.
Even in the air, he could keep his balance perfectly.
"Xiao Wen, have you flown before?" Flender couldn't help asking.
"No." Fu Wen shook his head. "But the Light Wings from the Flying Sausage keep themselves balanced. I only need to control the direction."
"You're still flying way too steadily."
Oscar came over from the side, his face full of envy. "I nearly plunged into the treetops just now."
"You're just too nervous." Fu Wen glanced at him. "Relax a little. The Light Wings won't let you fall."
Oscar tried to relax his body, and sure enough, he steadied considerably.
"It really works!"
He grinned.
The group flew for about half an hour before Suotuo City's outline appeared in the distance.
Flender gestured for them to descend.
One by one, the five landed at the gates of Shrek Academy.
Ma Hongjun was the first to rush inside, shouting as he ran, "Uncle Shao! We're back! Make us something extra! Something extra!"
Shao Xin poked his head out of the kitchen. Seeing that all three children had returned safe and sound, he smiled.
"Good to have you back. The food's been ready for ages. I was just waiting for you."
The dining hall was filled with dishes, covering a whole table.
Flender sat at the head of the table, raised his cup, and wore a rare, relaxed expression.
"Today's trip was a complete success."
"Xiao Wen got his second Soul Ring—a nine-hundred-year-old Iron-Spine Giant Crocodile—and the Soul Skill Flow-Severing."
"Shrek Academy now has its first student with two Soul Rings."
"Come on, bottoms up!"
He drained his cup.
Zhao Wuji, Li Yusong, and Lu Qibin raised their cups after him.
The three children drank tea in place of wine, but they enjoyed it just as much.
Ma Hongjun downed three cups of tea in a row, then let out a loud burp.
"Brother Wen, are you going to start aiming for the third ring now?"
"No rush." Fu Wen set down his cup. "First I'll stabilize my Soul Power at the second ring and get the hang of Flow-Severing. Then I'll think about the third."
"Fair enough." Ma Hongjun nodded. "So when can I break through to level fifteen? I've been stuck for ages."
"You only broke through to level fourteen half a month ago. What's the rush?" Oscar rolled his eyes. "It took me a month and a half to go from level fourteen to fifteen."
"Then you're way too slow." Ma Hongjun pursed his lips.
"What did you say?"
Oscar rolled up his sleeves.
"I said you're way too slow."
Ma Hongjun drew out the words, then bolted.
The two chased each other around the dining hall, nearly knocking over the soup Shao Xin had just brought out.
"All right, all right! Cut it out!" Flender slapped the table. "Once you've finished eating, you're all going to train!"
"Yes!"
The two immediately settled down.
After dinner, Fu Wen didn't go to train. Instead, he returned to his dorm room and sat cross-legged on the bed.
He focused on the Second Soul Ring inside him.
Nine hundred years old, deep yellow.
Compared with the yellow of his First Soul Ring, its color was richer, and its energy more abundant.
The two Soul Rings revolved slowly inside him, resonating with each other and forming a subtle balance.
Fu Wen closed his eyes and tried to circulate the Innate Divine Crocodile Art.
The energy of both Soul Rings stirred at once, flowing through his body in an endless cycle.
One circuit, two, three...
He could feel the energy of the Second Soul Ring slowly seeping into his body.
It wasn't being absorbed. It was being assimilated.
That was the terrifying part of the Innate Divine Crocodile Art.
It didn't just cultivate Soul Power. It could refine Soul Rings as well.
As time passed, the Soul Ring's age would keep increasing.
Nine hundred years would become a thousand, a thousand would become ten thousand, and ten thousand would become a hundred thousand.
That was the true trump card of the China Divine Crocodile.
"Brother Wen, are you cultivating?"
Ma Hongjun pushed open the door. Seeing Fu Wen sitting cross-legged, he lowered his voice a little.
"No, I'm thinking about something." Fu Wen opened his eyes.
"What are you thinking about?"
Ma Hongjun came over and sat beside him.
"About you guys." Fu Wen glanced at him. "How's your Evil Fire been lately?"
"Pretty good." Ma Hongjun scratched his head. "Ever since I got Phoenix Holy Light Strike, the Evil Fire rarely flares up. Even when it gets a little restless, I can suppress it with one strike."
"That's good." Fu Wen nodded. "But don't let your guard down. The Dawn Light Spirit Crane's purifying power is limited, and your Evil Fire will grow stronger as your Soul Power increases. Once it reaches a certain point, Phoenix Holy Light Strike might not be able to hold it back."
"What do I do then?"
Ma Hongjun looked a little nervous.
"There are two ways."
Fu Wen held up two fingers. "First, find a higher-grade light-type Soul Beast and use its stronger purifying power to suppress it. Second, solve the problem at its root by finding a rare treasure that can purify your flame."
"A rare treasure?" Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up. "What kind?"
"Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower."
Fu Wen spoke the five words clearly. "It's an Immortal Herb that grows near volcanic craters and has a powerful purifying effect on fire-type Martial Souls. If you can find one, it should solve at least half of your Evil Fire problem."
"Where can we find it?" Ma Hongjun asked urgently.
"I don't know." Fu Wen shook his head, giving only a vague answer. "I only know the general area: the volcanoes in the Extreme North, or deep in Sunset Forest."
"That's way too far..." Ma Hongjun's excitement faded.
"No rush." Fu Wen patted his shoulder. "You're only at the first ring now. When you're strong enough, I'll go with you."
"Really?" Ma Hongjun jerked his head up.
"Really." Fu Wen nodded.
"Brother Wen, you're the best!"
Ma Hongjun threw his arms around Fu Wen, nearly moved to tears.
"Let go." Fu Wen's face remained expressionless.
Ma Hongjun chuckled, let go, and wiped the corner of his eye.
"By the way, Brother Wen, have you seen that man in black you mentioned before?"
"No." Fu Wen shook his head. "He disappeared after that. Maybe he gave up, or maybe he's waiting for an opportunity."
"Do you think he'll come back?"
"Hard to say." Fu Wen thought for a moment. "But whether he comes or not, we'll keep doing what we need to do. If soldiers come, we'll meet them; if water comes, we'll dam it."
Ma Hongjun nodded and didn't ask anything else.
That night.
Fu Wen lay in bed with his eyes closed, but he wasn't asleep.
He was thinking about what to do next.
He had his Second Soul Ring, and he had confirmed Flow-Severing's interrupting effect.
Next, he needed to steadily increase his Soul Power and master Flow-Severing until it was second nature.
He could start planning for the third ring.
But choosing the third Soul Ring would be harder than choosing the second.
It needed to be at least a thousand years old, perhaps even two thousand.
What kind of Soul Beast could be worthy of the China Divine Crocodile?
Fu Wen thought about it for a long time but came up with nothing.
Never mind. There was no rush.
When you got to the bridge, the boat would cross.
He turned over and fell into a deep sleep.
Early the next morning.
Fu Wen was jolted awake by a commotion.
"Master! Master, come look! My Evil Fire is back!"
Ma Hongjun's voice came from the courtyard, thick with panic.
Fu Wen shot upright, threw on his clothes, and rushed outside.
Ma Hongjun stood in the open space, flames spilling uncontrollably from his body.
They weren't the golden flames released by Phoenix Holy Light Strike, but red flames tinged with sinister energy.
The flames danced over him, showing signs of slipping out of control.
Flender had already arrived. Both hands pressed against Ma Hongjun's shoulders as he unleashed the full force of a Seven-Ring Soul Sage's Soul Power to suppress the restless flames.
"Xiao Pang, don't panic! Keep your mind steady!"
Flender's voice was calm, but his brow was tightly furrowed.
Fu Wen stood off to the side, watching Ma Hongjun's condition. His heart gave a jolt.
The backlash from the Evil Fire had come sooner and hit harder than he expected.
The Dawn Light Spirit Crane's purifying power seemed close to its limit.
"Brother Wen, am I going to die?"
When Ma Hongjun saw Fu Wen, his eyes reddened.
"No."
Fu Wen stepped forward, reached out, and pressed his hand against Ma Hongjun's forehead.
A cool stream of Water Power flowed into him, slowly helping Ma Hongjun stabilize the restless flames inside his body.
"You're my brother. I won't let you die."
Fu Wen's voice was calm, but his gaze was resolute.
Ma Hongjun's tears finally spilled over.
But he gritted his teeth and didn't make a sound.
Before you continue