Shrek's Debt of Gratitude Could Never Be Repaid

"Does Shrek really want to unify the continent?!"

Only after Gu Mingyuan's figure had completely disappeared into the distance did the scout cautiously emerge from the bushes.

His face was still somewhat dazed, and the next moment he slapped himself. Just as he was about to slap himself a second time, he looked worriedly in the direction where Gu Mingyuan had left.

After confirming that no one was around, he rubbed his face a couple of times, gave up, and fled out of the forest.

At the same time, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

With Yan Shaozhe's help, Tang San sat cross-legged on the ground, barely suppressing the shock to his Divine Soul. He raised his head to look at Youyou by the spring, his voice hoarse:

"Go to the herb garden and first fetch some herbs that can nourish the soul and repair the spirit."

The Youyou flowerpot slowly rotated, and after watching him for a while, it said:

"I can give you some common elixirs to heal your injuries, but you can no longer fight in the valley, and you are not allowed to use force to touch the other companions' true forms."

Tang San sensed that the Immortal Herb's attitude towards him was far less compliant than it had been ten thousand years ago, and his irritation grew. However, he knew that now was not the time to lash out, so he could only suppress his anger and say, "Understood, get the medicine first."

Yan Shaozhe saw that Youyou had brought him several Calming Spirit Herb with vines, and Tang San was finally able to close his eyes and regulate his breathing after taking them, he breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at Huo Yuhao, who had been standing helplessly to the side.

Huo Yuhao hesitated for a moment, but seeing that Tang San did not stop him, he mustered his courage and stepped forward, bowing to Youyou and saying:

"Senior, may I now accept the test?"

In the Sea of Spirit, Yu Xiaogang, who had just been hit hard, regained his spirits and hurriedly urged:

"Go quickly, Yuhao! The trial at Yang Spring is fire-attribute, and your Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion is the Ultimate Ice, naturally countering all fire. If it really comes down to it, you might not be any worse than that kid Gu Mingyuan!"

Youyou turned her head Youyou and glanced at A Jiao by the Yang Spring. A Jiao swayed her fiery red branches and leaves:

"Then come on, let me see what you're capable of."

Amidst the splashing water, the crimson fiery figure wielding twin blades once again coalesced and leaped from the Yang Spring, rushing straight at Huo Yuhao.

Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, his arms instantly covered with glistening ice crystals, and activated [Ice Emperor's Pincers] to meet the attack.

After exchanging blows for more than ten rounds, Huo Yuhao, relying on his Spirit Eyes's Spiritual Detection to predict the trajectory, seized an opening and delivered a heavy blow, finally smashing the Hokage's arm into a shower of sparks.

A surge of excitement had just welled up within him.

The next moment, the fire shadow retreated back to the Yang Spring without stopping, drank a mouthful of spring water, and his severed arm grew back completely within two breaths. He then picked up his sword and charged forward again.

This happened three or four times in a row.

Huo Yuhao was only at the third level of cultivation. After several rounds of fighting, most of his Soul Power had been consumed, and he was breathing heavily. However, the Huo Ying on the other side, relying on the Yang Spring Origin Source, continued to launch fierce attacks.

In desperation, Huo Yuhao subconsciously turned his head to look at the Extreme Cold Ice Spring emitting white mist on the other side, wanting to imitate Gu Mingyuan's earlier actions and use it for leverage.

"Don't touch it!" The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm in the Sea of Consciousness immediately shouted to stop it.

"Gu Mingyuan definitely has methods we don't know about!"

"Your physical body and meridians are simply no match for the power of the Extreme Cold Ice Spring. If you jump in, you'll be frozen solid in less than three breaths!"

Huo Yuhao's heart sank.

In that moment of distraction and hesitation, the Hokage's twin swords had already struck his face, forcing him to retreat in a sorry state. The [Ice Emperor's Protection] shield flowing over his body also flickered violently under the high-temperature strikes and began to become unstable.

Yan Shaozhe dared not be careless. He quickly stepped forward, brushed aside the blade's edge with his sleeve, and grabbed Huo Yuhao by the back of his collar with one hand, pulling him out of the battle.

Seeing someone interfere, A Jiao on the shore immediately withdrew her Fire Shadow and shook the leaf. "This time isn't enough. You didn't beat it, so you can't pass."

Huo Yuhao, leaning on his knees, was panting heavily, sweat dripping from his chin.

He raised his head and looked at the edge of the Extreme Cold Ice Spring where Gu Mingyuan had just stood steadily, and felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

On the way down, he initially thought he was just unlucky and had arrived a step later than Gu Mingyuan;

It wasn't until he had personally fought with them that he finally understood that even if he had entered this valley first, with his current strength, he might not have been able to take these Immortal Herb.

In his Sea of Consciousness, Yu Xiaogang was equally stumped by this scene. After a long pause, he managed to squeeze out a dry sentence. "If you had used your Simulation Soul Skill earlier..."

Huo Yuhao lowered his head silently. This time, he did not humbly ask his teacher what to do next as he usually did.

Not far away, Tang San, who was meditating with his eyes closed, heard the commotion but didn't even lift his eyelids, coldly uttering:

"If he doesn't pass, tell him to leave. Don't let him delay us from picking up the medicine later."

Yan Shaozhe frowned slightly, glancing at the dejected Huo Yuhao. After all, he was still a promising candidate with Twin Martial Souls, highly regarded by the academy.

He hesitated for a moment, then took the initiative to walk towards the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass beside the Extreme Cold Ice Spring, cupping his hands in greeting:

"Senior, could you perhaps share another portion of that Ice-Cold Rain Dew you gave Gu Mingyuan earlier?"

"This child possesses Ultimate Ice Martial Soul. Shrek Academy is willing to exchange it with you for other rare and precious Heavenly Treasures or seeds used to cultivate plants."

The icy leaves of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass twitched slightly. After a while, it squeezed out a small droplet of icy blue liquid, only a third the size of the previous one, from between its flower stamens and presented it to us.

"We just divided up the Origin Source, and this is all we have now. If you want more, come back later."

Yan Shaozhe quickly took out an empty jade bottle to catch it, bowed solemnly in thanks, then turned back, placed the jade bottle in Huo Yuhao's hand, and patted his shoulder earnestly:

"Although you haven't passed the test yet, this medicine was obtained for you by the academy. Take it back and absorb it well in your cultivation; don't let the academy's efforts in nurturing you go to waste."

Huo Yuhao gripped the cool jade bottle tightly with both hands, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

The disappointment and frustration of being left far behind by Gu Mingyuan were somewhat alleviated by Yan Shaozhe's timely help.

He nodded emphatically and bowed deeply to Yan Shaozhe:

"Thank you, Dean Yan. I will certainly live up to the academy's expectations!"

Within the Sea of Spirit, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm extended a wisp of Spiritual Power, carefully sensing the jade bottle. Its previously tense voice softened again.

"Good stuff! Although it's less than what that kid took, the Origin Source extremely pure. This amount is just right for you right now, and you won't have to worry about damaging your meridians."

"Quick, find a clean spot to sit down. I'll protect you and help you absorb the essence!"

No sooner had it finished speaking than Yu Xiaogang, who was in the corner, hurriedly stood up and spoke:

"Yuhao, don't take it yet!"

"Go and ask Yan Shaozhe if you can exchange this bottle of Ice-Cold Rain Dew and that large flower for some medicine to nourish your soul. My Soul Body was just damaged, and if I can recover and strengthen it with the Immortal Herb here, I will be able to better guide your cultivation in the future..."