A year later.
Shrek Academy, training ground.
The morning sunlight fell upon the four youths, casting long shadows behind them.
Fu Wen stood in the center of the training ground, bare-chested, his lean, powerful muscles clearly defined.
Bronze-colored patterns spread from his shoulders across his chest, glimmering faintly beneath the sunlight.
He held a horse stance with both arms extended straight out, two thirty-jin iron weights tied to his fists.
Sweat streamed down his cheeks and dripped onto the ground, soaking a small patch of dirt.
Yet his breathing remained steady, and his arms did not tremble in the slightest.
"Brother Wen, you broke through again?"
Ma Hongjun emerged from the dormitory, rubbing his eyes. The moment he saw Fu Wen already training, he woke right up.
"Mm."
Fu Wen did not look at him.
"I broke through last night."
"What level are you now?"
"Thirty."
Ma Hongjun froze for a moment, then jumped up. "Level thirty?! A Soul Elder?!"
Fu Wen nodded.
Ma Hongjun turned and ran toward the cafeteria, shouting as he ran, "Old man! Brother Wen broke through to level thirty! A Soul Elder! A Soul Elder!"
Flender was drinking porridge in the cafeteria. Hearing Ma Hongjun's shout, the spoon in his hand paused.
He set down his spoon, wiped his mouth, and walked into the courtyard. He looked Fu Wen up and down.
"Level thirty?"
"Level thirty."
Fu Wen withdrew his Soul Power, set the iron weights on the ground, and flexed his wrists.
Flender stared at him for several seconds, then smiled.
"Good! Very good! In one year, you went from level twenty to level thirty, gaining less than a level per month on average. It wasn't fast, but it was steady."
He patted Fu Wen on the shoulder.
"Only with a solid foundation will