Five Monsters Take Pills, Their Levels Soar

"Since everyone chose the pills, start taking them today! I believe you'll all improve significantly after a month. I'll cultivate alongside you, and any problems can be resolved at any time."

Tang San smiled as he spoke to his companions.

The five monsters nodded one after another and began.

They sat cross-legged in the room. Each of the five opened a jade vial and poured a pill into their hand. The pills were all the same color—yellow throughout and about the size of peanuts. Without hesitation, the five put the pills into their mouths and swallowed them, then began circulating their Soul Power and meditating.

Watching his five companions take the pills, Tang San turned to Xiao Wu beside him with a smile and nodded. The two of them then began cultivating in tacit understanding.

Over the following month, the seven monsters cultivated together during the day and only returned to their own rooms at night. As the pills in the five monsters' jade vials steadily dwindled, their levels and strength continued to rise. This greatly relieved Tang San.

One month later.

"Ah—! That felt great! I broke through again." Dai Mubai woke from cultivation with a smile and sighed softly.

"Boss Dai, congratulations on reaching level forty-three."

Tang San stepped forward to congratulate him.

"Xiao San, thank you so much. You let me rise two levels in just one month. It's simply unbelievable." Dai Mubai excitedly rose from the floor and patted Tang San on the shoulder.

"Hahaha! My Soul Power is rising like I'm flying. It feels like a dream." Oscar stood up and excitedly spun around in place.

At that moment, Xiao Wu woke from cultivation. Looking at Oscar's excited appearance, she said, "Are you putting on a talent show?"

"I call this dancing gracefully. I'm so happy I could fly. What do you think? My dancing isn't bad, right?"

Oscar strode up to Xiao Wu, brimming with confidence. He struck what he considered a charming pose, raised his eyebrows, and asked.

"Disgusting!"

Xiao Wu mocked him.

"Hey! Xiao Wu, this is art too," Oscar argued.

But Xiao Wu ignored him and got up to walk toward Tang San.

As time passed, the other monsters also woke from cultivation one after another. Without exception, sweet smiles filled their faces.

Tang San smiled at his companions and said, "A month has passed. Everyone has finished the pills in their hands, and your levels have all improved to varying degrees. Let's summarize our current strength. Boss Dai, you go first!"

Dai Mubai nodded. "Before taking the pills, I was level forty-one. Now I'm level forty-three, an increase of exactly two levels."

Tang San looked at Oscar. Understanding, Oscar smiled and said, "Before taking the pills, I was level thirty-three. Now I'm level thirty-eight, an increase of exactly five levels."

Next, everyone reported their improvements and current levels.

Evil-Eyed White Tiger Dai Mubai, level forty-three.

Sausage Specialist Oscar, level thirty-eight.

Thousand-Handed Asura Tang San, level thirty-eight.

Evil Fire Phoenix Ma Hongjun, level thirty-eight.

Soft-Boned Enchanting Rabbit Xiao Wu, level thirty-six.

Seven Treasures Glazed Glass Ning Rongrong, level thirty-eight.

Hell Spirit Cat Zhu Zhuqing, level thirty-eight.

Most of the Shrek Seven Monsters had originally only been a little above level thirty. Now, they had leaped to the point where they could charge toward level forty. The process had been so brief that even Tang San, who had refined the pills, had not expected it.

"Your progress has been so rapid because you paid a price. Breaking through major realms in the future will become exceptionally difficult. Pills are still pills, and this side effect cannot be avoided."

Tang San spoke to his companions with some guilt.

"Third Brother, you don't need to blame yourself. We all chose this willingly. We'll deal with the future when it comes! Perhaps the Shrek Seven Monsters will encounter some opportunity in the future and might even break through the side effects brought by the pills."

Ning Rongrong smiled as she comforted him.

Tang San forced a smile. "I hope you're right. I hope we encounter a great opportunity."

At that moment, Oscar spoke to Tang San somewhat gloomily. "Xiao San, there are only three months left until the Soul Master Tournament. Although I've reached level thirty-eight, I'm not confident I can break through to level forty in three months. Give me another spare pill. I'll try to reach level thirty-nine, then work hard over the next three months. I might be able to reach level forty by then. Once I obtain a Soul Ring, I'll enter the Soul Ancestor realm, and we'll have a better chance in the tournament."

"Oscar's right. We've already taken ten pills, so one more won't matter. Third Brother, give me one too. I'll also try to break through to level thirty-nine first, then charge toward level forty. If I gain another Soul Ring by then, our team's strength will definitely increase greatly." Ma Hongjun chimed in, agreeing with Oscar while extending his hand for a pill as well.

"Third Brother, I want one too," Zhu Zhuqing said.

"Third Brother, I want one too." Ning Rongrong also held out her small hand.

Tang San looked at the four who had reached level thirty-eight and gave a wry smile. Still, he agreed with their reasoning. They had already taken ten pills, so one more would not matter. If all four could break through to level forty before the Soul Master Tournament, the entire team would undergo a qualitative leap. There would also be another benefit: they could obtain their fourth Soul Rings together.

Tang San nodded and said, "All right! I hope you won't blame me in the future."

Tang San took the spare pills from the Twenty-Four Bridges Bright Moonlit Night, opened the jade vial, and gave one each to Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong.

"Thank you, Xiao San."

"Thank you, Third Brother."

"Boss Dai, do you want one too?" Holding the jade vial, Tang San looked at Dai Mubai.

"I won't need one. I feel there's still some energy in my body that I haven't absorbed yet. Besides, I'm already over level forty, so I don't need it."

Dai Mubai smiled and waved his hand at Tang San.

Tang San turned his gaze to Xiao Wu beside him and asked, "Xiao Wu, there are still six pills in here. Are you really not taking even one?"

Xiao Wu shook her head. "Xiao San, I won't take one for now. If I need one, I'll ask you for it. Having Forget-Worry Fragrance with me is enough for now."

"All right!" Tang San replied and put away the jade vial.

The four who had received the pills had already swallowed them and resumed cultivating.

Three days later, the four who had taken another pill had fully absorbed its effects. As they had hoped, all of them broke through to level thirty-nine, which Tang San found quite unbelievable.

At this point, aside from Dai Mubai, the remaining six Shrek Seven Monsters were all striving toward level forty, preparing for the Soul Master Tournament that was less than three months away.

The plaza before Blazing Fire Academy.

"Upperclassmen, the Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament, held once every five years, is about to begin. As one of the Five Elemental Academies, Blazing Fire Academy will certainly participate. After discussion between the academy and all the teachers, we have decided to hold a selection event for tournament participants tomorrow. This selection will determine who can represent the academy in the Soul Master Tournament. The number of spots is temporarily set at seven and may be adjusted if necessary. Students taking part in the academy selection must be at least level thirty. There are no other requirements. This is your best opportunity to show yourselves, and I hope you will participate enthusiastically."

As the principal of Blazing Fire Academy, Huo Feng made the impassioned announcement from the podium in the plaza.