I'm Really Fired Up Now!

"Guiyun, what are your requirements?"

Zhang Lexuan's question drew everyone's gaze toward Mu Guiyun, their hearts filled with curiosity about this little newcomer.

"I need a soul ring of about six thousand years. The species doesn't matter, but it must be a top-tier soul beast."

Mu Guiyun rubbed his chin as he gave his answer.

Six thousand years!

That was the age for a fourth soul ring. Was he already a Soul Ancestor at such a young age?!

Everyone looked at each other, unable to suppress their shock.

Zhang Lexuan, however, frowned deeply and said softly, "Guiyun, isn't a six-thousand-year soul ring a bit too difficult for you? You are only at the Soul Elder level..."

So he's just a Soul Elder, that's fine then.

Hearing this, the group breathed a sigh of relief. While a twelve or thirteen-year-old Soul Elder was still rare, it wasn't unheard of at Shrek Academy. As for absorbing a soul ring beyond the standard limit, everyone present had soul rings that exceeded the norm by at least a few hundred or a thousand years.

However, they didn't know that Mu Guiyun had just celebrated his tenth birthday...

"It's fine, Senior Sister. The teacher has already agreed."

Mu Guiyun waved his hand. Ever since his martial soul awakened, he had been eating rare spirit herbs and grasses like daily meals. Although his Light Element martial soul didn't provide a massive boost to his physical body, it was still far beyond what an average beast-type soul master could compare to.

"Is that so? Very well. But if you encounter danger while absorbing the soul ring, I will still intervene to stop it."

Zhang Lexuan's expression turned serious, and she scanned the group: "We are entering the Star Dou Great Forest now. Han Ruoruo and I will take the lead, Wu Ming and Nan Xun will bring up the rear, Ma Xiaotao will guard the flank, and the rest of you stay in the center."

Zhang Lexuan finished assigning the tasks with crisp efficiency, then fixed her gaze on Mu Guiyun, her voice softening: "Guiyun, come here. From now on, you are not allowed to be more than three meters away from me!"

"Senior Sister, can I—"

"Xiaotao!"

Ma Xiaotao was about to retort, but was ruthlessly cut off by Zhang Lexuan: "I know what you want to say, but Guiyun is the future of the academy. As a Soul King, what makes you think you can protect him properly?"

Zhang Lexuan's unquestionable authority caused Ma Xiaotao to wilt instantly.

"Fine then..."

Ma Xiaotao pouted, kicking a stone aside to vent her frustration.

The others kept their heads down in silence. It was the first time they had seen Zhang Lexuan so stern, and especially regarding those words, they all felt something was slightly off.

Seeing that Ma Xiaotao no longer opposed her, Zhang Lexuan returned to her usual gentle and intellectual demeanor. She slowly extended her jade-like hand and said softly, "Guiyun, come here."

Ma Xiaotao, standing to the side, saw Mu Guiyun standing still and looking toward her instead, and a flicker of joy rose in her heart.

She lifted her chin, looking triumphant: "Go on, go on. Don't keep Senior Sister waiting."

She didn't forget to shoot a provocative glance at Zhang Lexuan.

See that? Guiyun is only yielding to your tyranny; in his heart, he still favors me!

This scene made Zhang Lexuan narrow her eyes subconsciously, though a warm, gentle smile remained on her beautiful face.

"I'm going then, Sister Xiaotao, be careful."

Mu Guiyun nodded and walked toward Zhang Lexuan.

He was mostly afraid that Ma Xiaotao would hold a grudge. If he didn't say anything, that woman would definitely use her Phoenix Evil Fire to roast his little Guiyun when they got back...

When Mu Guiyun reached Zhang Lexuan, her jade hand remained suspended in mid-air, showing no sign of pulling back.

Mu Guiyun felt puzzled, but noticing the hidden meaning and the firm look in Zhang Lexuan's eyes, he could only sigh and extend his palm.

As their fingers interlaced, Mu Guiyun felt as if he were playing with a warm piece of jade—smooth and soft.

The small interaction did not escape Ma Xiaotao's sharp eyes. Her pretty face stiffened, and her internal triumph vanished, replaced by an unprecedented surge of anger.

"I am so furious right now!"

Ma Xiaotao gritted her teeth, wishing she could drag Mu Guiyun away right now to vent her fire.

"Strength, strength! Isn't she just a few years older than me? If it weren't for the burden of the Phoenix Evil Fire, I could have broken through to Soul Douluo by twenty-two!"

Ma Xiaotao cursed inwardly, and deep within her crimson eyes, a faint, eerie pink heart shape flickered.

The group had high standards for the soul ring, aiming directly for the mixed zone of the Star Dou Great Forest.

A day passed in the blink of an eye, yet the group had gained nothing, eventually having no choice but to set up camp and prepare.

Compared to the core zone, the quality of soul beasts in the mixed zone was much lower, consisting mostly of thousand-year soul beasts, with the occasional ten-thousand-year one.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"

A few small pink rabbits gathered around Mu Guiyun, their lack of fear causing everyone to marvel.

"Guiyun, what's going on with these Soft Bone Rabbits? It's strange that they would dare to approach humans."

Han Ruoruo picked up one of the Soft Bone Rabbits, its cute appearance truly endearing.

Mu Guiyun smiled: "This is the Seventh Sense that accompanied my first soul ring—the Beast Taming Technique! Not only can I communicate with soul beasts, but I can also control weaker soul beasts whose strength is far below mine."

"A peculiar ability."

As a veteran of the Inner Court, Han Ruoruo was one of the few who understood the capabilities of Mu Guiyun's martial soul, yet he still managed to open her eyes.

The full potential of the Beast Taming Technique had yet to be realized by Mu Guiyun, as it was tied to his current Soul Power Level, but it served as a decent reconnaissance tool for the time being.

As the sky gradually darkened, the rest of the group gathered around the campfire to replenish their energy with dry rations, save for the few students keeping watch on the perimeter.

"I reckon we won't be making it back to the academy for at least two or three months."

A male student sighed, clearly displeased with the environment of the Star Dou Great Forest.

While the students chatted idly, Mu Guiyun sat quietly to the side.

With the Gold Element and Aether already unlocked, any of the remaining elements—Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Lightning, or Light—would represent a massive boost for Mu Guiyun.

Not to mention the possibility of unlocking an innate Seventh Sense; if luck were on his side and he unlocked the Ice Element and Extreme Healing, he would be soaring to new heights instantly.

In a trance, Mu Guiyun's expression tightened as he said in a low voice, "Something is coming from the eight o'clock direction!"

The previously noisy group fell deathly silent at his words; without a hint of doubt, they immediately entered combat readiness.

Only a few breaths later, the students on perimeter watch issued a warning.

"Eight o'clock direction, initial assessment suggests it's a bear-type soul beast!"

Sure enough, not long after, a deafening roar erupted from the depths of the forest.

"ROAR!"

As the soul beast gradually came into view, the group's expressions shifted to shock.

Good grief, a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear!

Judging by its size, this Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear was nowhere near ten thousand years old; for the group, this was no different than a pie falling from the sky!