Flying Back! Evil Fire Surges Again!

Five figures took flight above the Azure Sky River, streaking toward the direction of Suotuo City.

The effect of Oscar's Flying Sausage was truly astonishing; blue light wings unfurled behind each person, and the speed was so fast that even Flender, a seven-ring Soul Saint, had to admit it was impressive.

The speed of the Sharp-Tailed Rain Swallow was well-deserved of its reputation.

"Brother Ao, your sausage is too awesome!"

Ma Hongjun flew at the very front, shouting excitedly.

His round body wobbled in the air, looking like a drunken fathead fish.

"Steady yourself, don't crash into a tree!"

Oscar shouted 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 grab him at any moment.

Flender flew at the very back, his gaze constantly lingering on Fu Wen.

Fu Wen's flying posture was very stable.

It wasn't because he had experience.

This was his first time truly flying using a Flying Sausage.

It was because his body control far exceeded that of his peers.

Half a year of medicinal baths combined with the tempering of the Innate Divine Crocodile Art had allowed him to reach a level of microscopic control over every muscle in his body.

Even in the air, he could maintain perfect balance.

"Xiao Wen, have you flown before?"

Flender couldn't help but ask.

"No."

Fu Wen shook his head: "But the light wings of the Flying Sausage maintain balance on their own; I only need to control the direction."

"Then your control is just too steady."

Oscar leaned over from the side, his face full of envy: "I almost dove into the treetops just now."

"That's because you're too nervous."

Fu Wen glanced at him: "Relax, the light wings won't let you fall."

Oscar tried to relax his body, and sure enough, he became much steadier.

"It really works!"

He grinned.

The group flew for about half an hour before the silhouette of Suotuo City appeared in their field of vision.

Flender made a gesture, signaling to lower their altitude.

The five of them landed one after another at the entrance of Shrek Academy.

Ma Hongjun rushed in first, shouting as he ran: "Uncle Shao! We're back! Add more dishes! Add more dishes!"

Shao Xin poked his head out from the kitchen, and seeing that the three children were safe and sound, a smile appeared on his face.

"It's good that you're back. The food has been prepared for a long time, just waiting for you."

In the cafeteria, the table was filled with food.

Flender sat in the main seat, raised his wine glass, and wore a rare, relaxed expression.

"This trip today was a complete success."

"Xiao Wen has secured his second soul ring, a nine-hundred-year Iron-Spine Giant Crocodile, with the soul skill Flow-Severing."

"Our Shrek Academy now has its first two-ring student."

"Come, bottoms up!"

He drained his glass in one gulp.

Zhao Wuji, Li Yusong, and Lu Qibin followed suit and raised their glasses.

The three children drank tea in place of wine, enjoying it just as much.

Ma Hongjun drank three cups of tea in one breath and let out a loud burp.

"Brother Wen, are you going to aim for the third ring next?"

"No rush."

Fu Wen set down his teacup: "I need to stabilize my soul power from the second ring and master Flow-Severing first before considering the third ring."

"That's true."

Ma Hongjun nodded: "Then when will I be able to break through to level fifteen? I've been stuck for a long time."

"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 level fifteen back in the day."

"Then you were way too slow."

Ma Hongjun curled his lip.

"Say that again?"

Oscar rolled up his sleeves.

"I said you were too slow."

Ma Hongjun drew out the words, then turned and bolted.

The two chased each other around the cafeteria, nearly knocking over the soup Shao Xin had just brought out.

"Alright, alright, knock it off!"

Flender slammed the table. "Everyone get to training once you're done eating!"

"Yes!"

The two immediately straightened up.

After the meal, Fu Wen did not go to training, but instead returned to his dormitory and sat cross-legged on his bed.

He was sensing the second Martial Soul ring within his body.

Nine hundred years, deep yellow.

Compared to the yellow of his first Martial Soul ring, the color was deeper and the energy more abundant.

The two Martial Soul rings circulated slowly within his body, echoing each other and forming a delicate balance.

Fu Wen closed his eyes and attempted to circulate the Innate Divine Crocodile Art.

The energy of both Martial Soul rings was mobilized simultaneously, cycling back and forth within his body.

One cycle, two cycles, three cycles...

He could feel the energy of the second Martial Soul ring slowly merging into his body.

It wasn't being absorbed; it was being assimilated.

This was the terrifying aspect of the Innate Divine Crocodile Art.

It didn't just cultivate soul power; it could refine Martial Soul rings.

As time passed, the age of the Martial Soul rings would grow higher and higher.

Nine hundred years would become a thousand, a thousand would become ten thousand, and ten thousand would become one hundred thousand.

This was the true trump card of the China Divine Crocodile.

"Brother Wen, are you cultivating?"

Ma Hongjun pushed the door open and lowered his voice upon seeing Fu Wen sitting cross-legged.

"No, just thinking about some things."

Fu Wen opened his eyes.

"Thinking about what?"

Ma Hongjun walked over and sat down beside him.

"Thinking about your situation."

Fu Wen glanced at him. "How has your Evil Fire been lately?"

"Pretty good."

Ma Hongjun scratched his head. "Ever since I got the Phoenix Holy Light Strike, the Evil Fire rarely backlashes. Even if it gets a bit restless occasionally, I can suppress it by unleashing one move."

"That's good."

Fu Wen nodded. "But don't let your guard down. The purifying power of the Dawn Light Spirit Crane is limited, and your Evil Fire will grow stronger as your soul power increases. Once it reaches a certain level, the Phoenix Holy Light Strike might not be able to hold it back."

"Then what should I do?"

Ma Hongjun looked a bit nervous.

"Two paths."

Fu Wen held up two fingers. "First, find a higher-tier Light-type soul beast and use a more powerful purifying force to suppress it. Second, solve the problem at its root by finding a rare treasure that can purify flames."

"A rare treasure?"

Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up. "What kind of thing?"

"Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower."

Fu Wen uttered the five words. "An Immortal Herb that grows specifically near volcanic craters; it has an extremely strong purifying effect on fire-attribute Martial Souls. If you can find it, at least half of your Evil Fire problem will be solved."

"Where is this thing?"

Ma Hongjun asked eagerly.

"I don't know."

Fu Wen shook his head, speaking vaguely, "I only know the general direction: the volcanoes in the Extreme North, or deep within the Sunset Forest."

"That's too far..."

Ma Hongjun deflated.

"No rush."

Fu Wen patted him on the shoulder, "You're only at the first ring right now. When your strength is sufficient in the future, I'll go with you."

"Really?"

Ma Hongjun snapped his head up.

"Really."

Fu Wen nodded.

"Brother Wen, you're the best!"

Ma Hongjun lunged to hug Fu Wen, tears practically welling up in his eyes.

"Let go."

Fu Wen remained expressionless.

Ma Hongjun chuckled, released his grip, and wiped the corners of his eyes.

"Right, Brother Wen, that man in black you mentioned before—has he appeared again recently?"

"No."

Fu Wen shook his head, "He's vanished since then. He might have given up, or he might be waiting for an opportunity."

"Then do you think he'll come back?"

"Hard to say."

Fu Wen pondered for a moment, "But regardless of whether he comes or not, we'll keep doing what we're doing. If soldiers come, we block; if water comes, we earth-cover."

Ma Hongjun nodded and didn't ask further.

At night.

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

He was thinking about his upcoming plans.

He had his second soul ring, and the interruption effect of Flow-Severing had been verified.

What he needed to do next was steadily increase his soul power while refining Flow-Severing to perfection.

The goal for the third ring could now be put on the agenda.

But choosing a third soul ring was even harder than the second.

The age needed to be at least over a thousand years, perhaps even two thousand.

What kind of soul beast could be worthy of the China Divine Crocodile?

Fu Wen thought for a long time, but had no leads.

Forget it, no rush.

Things will work themselves out when the time comes.

He rolled over and drifted into a deep sleep.

Early the next morning.

Fu Wen was woken up by a commotion.

"Master! Master, come look! My Evil Fire, it's acting up again!"

Ma Hongjun's voice came from the courtyard, laced with obvious panic.

Fu Wen sat up abruptly, threw on his clothes, and ran outside.

In the courtyard, Ma Hongjun stood in the open space, flames erupting from his body uncontrollably.

These weren't the golden flames from the Phoenix Holy Light Strike, but red flames carrying a sinister aura.

The flames danced across his body, showing faint signs of spiraling out of control.

Flender had already arrived, his hands pressed onto Ma Hongjun's shoulders, channeling the full power of his seven-ring Soul Saint soul power to suppress the restless flames.

"Xiao Pang, don't panic! Steady your mind!"

Flender's voice was calm, but his brows were furrowed tightly.

Fu Wen stood to the side, watching Ma Hongjun's state, his heart sinking.

The backlash of the Evil Fire had come earlier and stronger than he had anticipated.

The purifying power of the Dawn Light Spirit Crane seemed to be on the verge of failing to suppress it.

"Brother Wen, am I going to die?"

Ma Hongjun's eyes turned red when he saw Fu Wen.

"You aren't."

Fu Wen stepped forward, reached out, and pressed his hand against Ma Hongjun's forehead.

A cool stream of Water Power slowly flowed into him, helping to stabilize the restless flames within Ma Hongjun's body.

"You are my brother; I won't let you die."

Fu Wen's voice was calm, but his gaze was resolute.

Ma Hongjun's tears finally began to fall.

Yet he gritted his teeth, refusing to let out a sob.