Child of Nature

Chen Xing did not know this Teacher Zhou,

but judging by the look in his eyes, Chen Xing guessed he was probably here because of Shen Yi.

Great.

Looked like this guy was one of those petty villains who fawned over the woman he worshipped.

Sure enough, Teacher Zhou's gaze swept over Chen Xing's face, then settled on the faint blush at Shen Yi's ears.

His expression darkened at once.

"Teacher Shen, who are these two?"

The way he addressed him made Shen Yi uncomfortable, and he shifted half a step aside.

"Teacher Zhou, these are guests from the Blacksmiths Association. I'm showing them around."

Teacher Zhou looked at Chen Xing, a trace of scrutiny in his eyes.

"Guests from the Blacksmiths Association? You look pretty young."

Chen Xing smiled faintly.

"I am pretty young."

Teacher Zhou narrowed his eyes. He stepped closer and lowered his voice.

"Kid, I don't care who you are. Stay away from Teacher Shen."

Chen Xing's mouth twitched.

What a cliché.

Before he could speak, Tang Wulin lost his patience.

"Who are you? My brother and Teacher Shen are just walking together. What's it to you?"

Teacher Zhou's face darkened.

"What did you say?"

Shen Yi hurried between them.

"Teacher Zhou, stop it. They're guests of the academy!"

Seeing Shen Yi protect Chen Xing only stoked Teacher Zhou's anger.

But he was not an idiot. He knew he could not just start a fight inside the academy.

"Fine." Teacher Zhou stared at Chen Xing. "I hope you enjoy your time at the academy."

Shen Yi looked at Chen Xing apologetically.

"I'm sorry. Teacher Zhou isn't usually like this..."

Chen Xing waved it off.

"It's fine. I don't mind."

Shen Yi breathed a sigh of relief and continued leading them toward Sea God Lake.

With that, Teacher Zhou turned and left.

Chen Xing knew this was not over.

But Chen Xing had no interest in dealing with a clown like that.

What mattered was helping his younger brother obtain his soul ring.

The three reached the shore of Sea God Lake, and Shen Yi pointed to an island in the middle.

"That's Sea God Pavilion."

Chen Xing looked where she pointed.

A massive golden tree stood at the island's center. Its trunk was so thick that dozens of people would be needed to encircle it, and its crown blotted out the sky.

The Golden Ancient Tree.

Chen Xing narrowed his eyes slightly.

Tang Wulin saw the tree too and froze.

He stared at the Golden Ancient Tree for several seconds, confusion spreading across his face.

"Brother, that tree..."

Chen Xing glanced at him. "What about it?"

Tang Wulin frowned.

"I don't know. It just feels... kind of familiar."

Of course it does. That's your grandmother.

"Now isn't the time. We'll come back tonight. First, let's find Director Ya Li and discuss working together."

Tang Wulin nodded. "Okay. I'll do as you say, Brother."

Chen Xing looked at the Golden Ancient Tree, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

He had stayed up late last night using Illusory Creation to create something, all for today.

The Concealment Ring.

Using the Soul Tool knowledge Zhen Hua had taught him and AI Pom-Pom's analysis, Chen Xing had spent three years refining it.

Once someone put it on, even a Limit Douluo could not sense their presence.

That night,

Chen Xing took two Concealment Rings from his Storage Ring.

"Put this on. Don't take it off."

"What is it?"

"Questions later. Let's go."

Tang Wulin did not understand why, but he obediently put it on and followed Chen Xing out of the guest room.

Under cover of a dark, windy night,

The Golden Ancient Tree on Sea God Island radiated boundless vitality, enough to make all things flourish.

"Brother, where are we going?"

"The Golden Ancient Tree."

Tang Wulin froze.

"The tree in the Inner Court?"

Chen Xing nodded.

"Your fourth soul ring is waiting on that tree."

Tang Wulin opened his mouth to speak, but Chen Xing had already grabbed him and started running toward Sea God Lake.

Wearing their Concealment Rings, they avoided the patrolling students and teachers along the way.

Chen Xing had AI Pom-Pom scan the surrounding energy fluctuations and plot the safest route.

As they approached Sea God Lake, Chen Xing stopped.

"Pam Pam, is anyone around the Golden Ancient Tree?"

"Scanning, pam... I detect the presence of at least three powerful people nearby, but the Concealment Rings can completely mask your presence. They won't find you, pam."

Chen Xing breathed a sigh of relief.

He led Tang Wulin around Sea God Lake and came ashore at the back of the island.

The island was quiet. Only the wind rustling through the leaves could be heard.

Chen Xing and Tang Wulin crept toward the Golden Ancient Tree.

The closer they got, the stronger Tang Wulin's reaction became.

His Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul began emerging beyond his control, the golden patterns on its leaves flashing with light.

"Brother, I can't control it..."

Chen Xing put a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't panic. Let it out."

"This is the opportunity you came for."

Tang Wulin took a deep breath and stopped suppressing his Martial Soul.

The Blue Silver Emperor sprang from his palm, its golden patterns striking against the night.

The Golden Ancient Tree seemed to sense something. A faint golden glow spread across its trunk.

The next instant, a beam of green light shot from the ancient tree and entered Tang Wulin's forehead.

Tang Wulin shuddered and went rigid.

Chen Xing stepped back and watched in silence.

The fourth ring: Child of Nature.

It was taking shape.

Feeling the aura radiating from Tang Wulin, Chen Xing was filled with exhilaration.

It worked.

His younger brother had claimed the Child of Nature's opportunity.

Just then, Chen Xing sensed an incredibly faint fluctuation.

It came from the distant horizon.

The fluctuation vanished in an instant, but Chen Xing still caught it.

He looked up at the distant sky, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

Tang Hao.

So the Plane Lord noticed after all.

Chen Xing knew full well that bringing his brother here was bound to draw Tang Hao's attention.

But the Child of Nature's opportunity was too good to pass up.

Besides, if he did not bring his brother here now, it would be too late once Shrek was destroyed.

Tang Wulin was still absorbing the soul ring's energy. Chen Xing did not rush him; he simply kept a wary eye on their surroundings.

A few minutes later, Tang Wulin's eyes snapped open.

Green light flashed through them, then quickly faded.

"Brother... I really have another soul ring!"

Chen Xing glanced at his Martial Soul.

A faint green-gold halo now encircled the leaves of the Blue Silver Emperor.

Yep. Special green-gold soul ring: acquired.

Chen Xing nodded in satisfaction.

"Come on. Let's get out of here."

Before Tang Wulin could react, Chen Xing grabbed him and ran toward Sea God Lake.

Wearing the Concealment Rings, they left the Inner Court without a sound.

As they passed the academy gates, a student walking by suddenly stopped.

The student frowned and looked toward the Inner Court.

"Strange... Does the Golden Ancient Tree's aura seem a little weaker?"

"Really? Let me see!"

A classmate beside him came over and looked toward the Golden Ancient Tree: