Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Returning Things to Their Rightful Owner

Yu Chen nodded faintly, his tone as casual as if he were commenting on the nice weather. "That's right. I just broke through to Rank 50."

Wang Dong froze on the spot, her mouth slightly open, her beautiful eyes filled with one thought: This isn't scientific.

Just two days ago in practical combat class, this guy had beaten the entire class senseless with his Rank 47 cultivation. After only one night, he had jumped another rank and entered the Soul King realm? This cultivation speed was beyond ridiculous. Was he even human?

Wang Dong pursed her lips, instantly deflating like a punctured balloon, her face full of frustration.

How was this cultivation speed? This was practically riding a rocket! Against a monster like this, she could not even summon the thought of catching up. It was far too discouraging.

"Fine, as long as you know what you're doing. You should keep cultivating too. I'm off first—if I'm late, the paperwork will be a pain."

After saying that, Yu Chen did not waste any more words. He turned and headed straight for his homeroom teacher Mu Jin's office, intending to get his leave request for hunting a soul ring approved first.

Arriving outside the office, Yu Chen raised his hand and knocked twice on the door.

"Come in." Mu Jin's gentle voice came from inside.

Mu Jin looked up and saw Yu Chen entering through the door. Surprise immediately appeared on her face, and her pen paused mid-stroke. "Class is about to start. Why aren't you in the classroom? What are you doing here, slacking off?"

Yu Chen stepped forward and went straight to the point. "Teacher, I'm here to request leave."

Mu Jin put down her pen and raised an eyebrow at him. "Leave? At a time like this, what leave are you requesting?"

"I'm going out to hunt a soul ring."

The moment she heard that, Mu Jin sprang from her chair, disbelief filling her eyes. "Hunt a soul ring? Don't tell me you've broken through Rank 50?"

Yu Chen nodded slightly in confirmation. "Yes. I broke through last night."

Looking at the calm-faced boy before her, Mu Jin could not help laughing in exasperation. "Good heavens. As expected of you. Your monstrous cultivation speed really can't be judged by ordinary standards."

She picked up her seal to stamp the form, but suddenly paused, looking troubled.

"I can sign this for you, but that won't be enough. According to the red-file directive issued by the academy this morning, you count as a 'key protected individual.' All your travel procedures must go through the highest-level process. You'll need to take this leave slip to the dean for a second approval."

Yu Chen remained calm upon hearing this and nodded. "All right, I understand."

After taking the stamped leave slip and putting it away, Yu Chen turned and headed for the dean's office.

This special treatment had long been within his expectations. In the battle at the Soul Fighting Arena a few days ago, he had thoroughly crushed the outer academy's geniuses. It would have been strange if the academy higher-ups had not kept a close eye on him. A few more procedures were perfectly normal.

Before long, Yu Chen arrived outside the outer academy dean's office. After receiving permission in response to his knock, he pushed open the door and entered.

Yan Shaozhe, dressed in white robes, was bent over reviewing case files. He glanced up at the visitor and was just about to ask what he needed when he saw Yu Chen hand over a stamped leave slip.

He briefly scanned the reason for the request, then froze and looked at Yu Chen again, his tone filled with shock. "What? You're already Rank 50?"

Yan Shaozhe stared fixedly at the four words "hunting a soul ring" on the leave slip and could not help drawing in a sharp breath. This kid had only been Rank 45 when he enrolled, yet in such a short time he had stepped into the Soul King realm. Shrek's outer academy had not seen a monster like this in years.

He raised his brow, set down his pen, and asked with concern, "You're going out to obtain a soul ring? Do you need the academy to send someone with you? I can arrange for a sufficiently strong teacher to accompany you and keep you safe."

"There's no need to trouble the dean."

Yan Shaozhe frowned at that, worry entering his voice. "Are you certain? Star Dou Forest is a den of danger, filled with threats on every side. If you go out alone and something happens, how am I supposed to answer to the academy?"

Yu Chen smiled faintly and cupped his hands. "Thank you for your concern, Dean. I can protect myself. Nothing will happen."

Yan Shaozhe was about to persuade him further when an ancient, distant voice suddenly sounded directly in his mind—it belonged to Mu En, the master of Sea God Pavilion.

"Shaozhe, let the child go alone."

Yan Shaozhe was instantly stunned. Since Elder Mu had personally spoken, how could he dare obstruct Yu Chen any further?

He sighed and stopped trying to persuade him. Picking up his pen, he signed the leave slip and solemnly handed it back to Yu Chen. "Very well. Since you're confident, then go. Be careful in all things outside the academy, and make sure to protect yourself."

"I understand. Thank you, Dean."

Yu Chen accepted the approved leave slip and carefully put it away, then gave Yan Shaozhe a slight bow.

Yan Shaozhe waved his hand, though there was still concern in his eyes. "Proceed with caution in everything. If you encounter trouble you cannot handle, immediately send word back to Shrek. Also, the outer academy's freshman assessment begins in three months. Make sure you return before then. Don't miss it."

Yu Chen nodded in agreement and turned to leave the dean's office.

The moment Yu Chen stepped out of the office, the figure of a stooped old man slowly appeared behind Yan Shaozhe—it was Mu En.

Yan Shaozhe immediately stepped forward, his brows tightly furrowed. "Elder Mu, why did you specifically send a voice transmission telling me to let him go? His talent may be extraordinary, but he's only Rank 50. Hunting a soul ring alone is filled with countless dangers in the wild. What if he encounters a powerful enemy or a ten-thousand-year soul beast?"

Mu En calmly stroked his beard, his gaze directed toward the path Yu Chen had taken. "There is no need to interfere too much. This child has a steady temperament and is not one to act rashly. Since he dares to go alone, he naturally has confidence in himself."

The moment he stepped beyond Shrek's heavy city gates, the oppressive sense of restraint from within the city vanished completely. Yu Chen let out a long breath, relaxation written across his face.

Looking toward the endless mountain forests in the distance, he thought, At last, I can find somewhere uninhabited and get my fifth soul ring sorted out.

As he walked, Yu Chen suddenly stopped, inspiration flashing through his mind.

"I almost forgot about that treasure land!"

The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well! It was overflowing with rare treasures of heaven and earth, with immortal herbs growing in clusters. It was perfectly suited to my Golden Dragon bloodline, making it the ideal place to find my fifth soul ring. Maybe I can even upgrade my bloodline while I'm at it.

Having made up his mind, Yu Chen did not delay any further. He changed direction and raced toward the depths of Sunset Forest, where the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well lay.

As he hurried along, Yu Chen continued calculating inwardly.

The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well lay deep within the core region of Sunset Forest outside Heaven Dou City. That treasure land had always been occupied by Tang San, who regarded it as the Tang Sect's private territory.

The corner of his lips lifted, and a calculating glint flashed through his eyes. Since he was going there anyway, he ought to properly "greet" that so-called Tang Buddha.

The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well nurtured countless immortal herbs of heaven and earth, its spiritual energy unimaginably dense. Leaving all of it to the Tang Sect's tiny patch of land was simply too wasteful. It could only achieve its greatest use in his hands.

Yu Chen grinned and muttered inwardly, Sorry, Tang Buddha, but the immortal herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well in Sunset Forest will be entering my pockets today.

Yu Chen traveled through the air at high speed, thoughts surging through his mind.

According to the original setting, the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well was the place left behind after the deaths of the two Dragon Kings of Ice and Fire. The source of spiritual energy in this land had originally belonged to the dragon race.

Tang San had merely occupied the place by chance and picked up an enormous bargain. Now that he had come to collect immortal herbs with the Golden Dragon bloodline, it could at most be considered returning things to their rightful owner. It was only natural.

After racing at full speed for some time, a vast stretch of towering ancient trees that blocked out the sky appeared ahead. The thick, fishy scent of vegetation mixed with a faint poisonous mist rushed toward him. He had arrived at Sunset Forest.

Layers upon layers of gigantic trees sealed away the sunlight, leaving the forest dim. From time to time, the low roars of soul beasts came from deep within the dense woods, carrying a palpable sense of danger.

Ordinary soul masters would at most circle around the outskirts and would never dare venture deep into its interior. But Yu Chen was completely unafraid. Without slowing his pace, he raced straight toward the heart of the forest.

He knew perfectly well that the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well was hidden in the deepest part of this forest, isolated from outsiders by a poisonous formation laid by the Jade-Phosphor Seven-Absolute Flower. Others feared its deadly poison and avoided it at all costs, but with his Golden Dragon's ultimate physique, such mere miasma and toxic mist could not harm him in the slightest.