The Dark Gold Bear Arrives at Last, Keeping Shrek Safely in Front

"What just happened to me?"

The second of the Sun Moon Four-Person Group to wake was Liao Mengkai. He stared at the Demon God Twin Blades in his hands, lost in thought. What was I doing just now?

"Probably spaced out." Sword Addict's cool voice rang out. He had noticed nothing unusual.

"Cut the chatter. That kid seems to be watching us. Is he asking for a beating?"

Xiao Hongchen was the last to wake. Easygoing as ever, he paid no attention to the details, but Huo Yuhao's icy gaze sent a chill down his back.

It felt like being watched by a guard dog.

"Yuhao! Yuhao!"

The Tang Sect duo arrived, late but here at last. A girl of fourteen or fifteen came rushing onto the scene, her footsteps swift as the wind. Her neat ponytail swung with youthful vitality. She had fair skin and delicate features, and urgency showed on her flawless, oval face. Her fitted blue outfit outlined her lovely curves.

She charged straight toward Huo Yuhao, as though she had not even noticed the four living people nearby.

Behind her, a handsome boy with short, dark blue hair emerged from the forest, a fond smile on his lips. Refined and easygoing, he walked politely up to the four and greeted them.

"Hello. I'm Bei Bei from Shrek Academy. Thank you for looking after Yuhao."

"A pleasure. We were only passing through. I wouldn't call it looking after him."

Yu Tianjun shook his head, unwilling to have anything to do with Huo Yuhao. "Please, go about your business."

"All right. I'm Bei Bei from Shrek Academy. You're welcome to visit for an exchange sometime."

Bei Bei smiled graciously, confidence appearing on his face. In a place like the Star Dou Great Forest, announcing his affiliation was the best way to protect himself.

"Until next time."

Yu Tianjun nodded lightly, while a flash of fighting spirit passed through Xiao Hongchen's eyes.

The Mingdu Four-Person Group quickly left the scene.

Bei Bei watched the Mingdu Four-Person Group leave, then turned and walked toward Huo Yuhao.

"Yuhao, your grilled fish is delicious. Could I have another? We'll help you hunt for a soul ring!"

Meanwhile, Tang Ya's taste buds were ready to erupt. She held the banner of grilled fish high—vast as heaven and earth might be, eating came first.

"Yes, yes, there's grilled fish." Emotion stirred in Huo Yuhao's eyes. Though this was their second first meeting, it still felt so warm.

He had been born in darkness, and even a little light was enough to fill him with gratitude. Tang Ya was a teacher he respected, even though she had hardly taught him anything.

"But I've already absorbed the Wind Baboon's soul ring. Look."

Huo Yuhao released his soul ring. The million-year soul ring floated up, its white color utterly unremarkable.

"Huh? Your mental-type Spiritual Eyes absorbed a ten-year Wind Baboon?"

Tang Ya was startled. He had absorbed a ten-year Wind Baboon as the soul ring for a mental-type martial soul? Hadn't that ruined him?

Beside her, Bei Bei fell into thought. The first soul ring was a soul master's foundation and had far-reaching effects. By absorbing an unsuitable ring, Huo Yuhao had cut off a chunk of his own potential.

"A Wind Baboon will do. A shabby little sect like ours can't demand too much. Yuhao, where do you want to go next? Big Sister will take you."

Tang Ya quickly adjusted her expectations. The Tang Sect was a fallen house that had once known glory. It needed to lower its recruitment standards a little to escape the awkward situation of being a two-person couples' business.

As long as they persuaded Huo Yuhao to join, the Tang Sect's membership would grow by half.

"I want to study at a good soul master academy."

At just the right moment, Huo Yuhao let his eyes show his longing for an organization to take him in.

"That's wonderful! We can get you into the continent's number one academy, Shrek Academy. You just have to join our sect..."

"I'm willing."

Huo Yuhao cut in. He could hardly wait to enter Shrek Academy and see those old acquaintances.

Mu En at the dormitory entrance, Xuan Zi in the Sea God's Pavilion with a chicken leg in one hand and wine in the other, his penny-pinching senior brother Yan Shaozhe, hot-tempered Sister Xiaotao, and Dong'er in the dormitory.

Tang Ya sounded rather surprised. "I haven't even told you what sect it is..."

"Go ahead."

"My sect is called the Tang Sect."

"I'm willing to join. Joining the Tang Sect has been my dream since childhood."

"That's wonderful."

Like a turtle taking a fancy to a mung bean, the two immediately saw eye to eye. Beside them, Bei Bei found the whole thing rather theatrical and offered a reminder.

"Yuhao, once you join the Tang Sect, you must never betray it for the rest of your life. If you defect, everything you gained from the Tang Sect will be taken back."

"I understand."

Huo Yuhao answered without hesitation, declaring himself ready to work toward the Tang Sect's revival at any time.

The Tang Sect had declined because its hidden weapons could not compete with soul tools. With his extensive knowledge of soul tools, he could combine them with Tang Sect Hidden Weapons to create soul tools such as the Godly Zhuge Crossbow Cannon.

Of course, none of that could happen without Teacher Xuan Ziwen. He was the greatest contributor to the progress of both the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy's Soul Tool Department. But before Teacher Xuan arrived, Huo Yuhao could...

It seems I can't do much before Teacher Xuan arrives anyway. I need to spend all my time cultivating, so forget it. There aren't any regrets here that need changing.

As long as he brought Teacher Xuan Ziwen back from the Sun Moon Empire, everything would improve.

Bei Bei was a little surprised by his new junior brother's instant familiarity, but that was a good thing. He nodded and began teaching Huo Yuhao the basics.

"Yuhao, remember every word I'm about to say. First, the Tang Sect's rules..."

Tang Ya was less reliable than Bei Bei, so he naturally taught on his teacher's behalf. He began with the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record. Huo Yuhao listened with exceptional attention, a happy smile spreading across his face.

This time, I'm doing everything exactly as Father-in-law wishes. Surely he won't keep finding fault with me now?

As he imagined that beautiful future, Huo Yuhao unknowingly forgot Electrolux, just as he had never attempted to revive the teacher who had given him everything after ascending to the Divine Realm.

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm lay in Huo Yuhao's Sea of Consciousness, muttering to himself, "This fellow is strange. The moment he sees people from the Tang Sect, he loses himself and goes all out, forgetting everything else. He isn't even embarrassed that all his earlier boasting has blown up in his face."

Huo Yuhao had temporarily forgotten Electrolux, and Sky Dream Ice Silkworm naturally had no intention of reminding him.

In his plans, the Sea of Consciousness only needed him and Ice Empress. Electrolux should never have come in the first place.

That night, in the mixed zone of the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Qilin, have you had something on your mind all this time? You keep looking deep in thought."

Ji Juechen and Yu Tianjun sat beside the campfire on night watch. For once, Sword Addict took the initiative to ask a question.

Yu Tianjun said softly, "I'm thinking about the future. Those three people we met today—we'll probably be dealing with them again."

A rare change came over Ji Juechen's indifferent expression. "Our Soul Tool Department is far stronger than Shrek's. Shrek's strength lies in its Martial Soul Department. With you here, we can catch up and surpass them."

His voice was quiet and his words calm, but they carried unwavering trust.

"May your words bring good fortune."

Yu Tianjun fed twigs into the campfire, his tone relaxed. "There's one thing our academy falls far short of Shrek in, though: its glory."

Ji Juechen thought for a moment, then asked, "Why is that?"

"Shrek is powerful. Ten thousand years as the world's number one carries enormous weight. Their Inner Court's Inspection Corps is outrageous, acting freely without regard for the three empires' rules."

Yu Tianjun thought, Other academies are all financially constrained by the four great empires. Only Shrek stands above it all.

When news spreads that Shrek has defended its championship, even students who haven't graduated feel proud, as though they share in that glory.

Even if a teacher expels them for not running enough when they enroll, they'll think they failed the teacher's test.

Shrek's graduates are already dragons and phoenixes among men. Defending Shrek means defending everything they possess.

Ji Juechen drew in a sharp breath. "That really is frightening. If I joined Shrek, I might end up the same way."

"Not just you. As long as Shrek's invincible, ten-thousand-year championship record remains unbroken, even our academy's elite students would develop those feelings after spending a few years there."

Yu Tianjun watched the fire. "Everything has to begin with winning next year. Shrek has countless admirers. Once it becomes the weaker side, things will change dramatically..."

As he spoke, Yu Tianjun's brows rose. "People and soul beasts are approaching!"

Clang!

Ji Juechen stood. Faint flames burned to the Southeast, and the Heavenly Meteorite Iron Sword in his arms began to hum.

"What's going on?"

Liao Mengkai's broad-shouldered figure shot out of the tent. His fierce eyes were cold as blades, revealing the iron-blooded bearing of a legion commander.

He carried Xiao Hongchen in one hand and shook him awake with a few quick jolts.

"There's fighting nearby. A pursuit—people chasing fleeing soul beasts. They're making quite a commotion."

Yu Tianjun spoke as he observed the situation through a soul-tool telescope.

Xiao Hongchen hurriedly took out his own telescope and looked, slightly startled. "That female soul master chasing the soul beasts has a powerful martial soul. Is it the divine beast Golden Crow?"

"Yes. Golden Crow Wu Ming, a former member of the Shrek Seven Devils. Her flames are close to ultimate fire in strength."

Yu Tianjun nodded lightly. Wu Ming was an active volcano of the Inner Court, as notorious as Ma Xiaotao.

It looked as though she was pursuing a soul beast, but its attribute did not suit her.

The original story didn't devote much ink to this woman. I think it mentioned that she was ambushed by a soul beast while soul hunting in the Star Dou Great Forest and fought her way deep into the forest. Could this be that incident?

Yu Tianjun pondered silently.

Ji Juechen said, "There are some people behind her. They might be Shrek students hunting soul rings with her."

Liao Mengkai said, "I haven't spotted a Shrek teacher, but we can't rule out an expert hiding in the shadows."

"It's best if there isn't one, but even if there is, it's no big problem."

Yu Tianjun said, "Shrek Academy rarely sends teachers to protect its Inner Court students. When they do, it's usually Taotie Douluo."

"Taotie Douluo is supposedly Shrek's strongest expert, a level 98 Super Douluo," Xiao Hongchen reminded him.

"Whenever he leads a team, Shrek students are bound to meet with disaster. No exceptions."

"Then we're fine." Xiao Hongchen's mouth twitched.

Question marks practically sprouted on Liao Mengkai's forehead. Is Taotie Douluo an undercover agent too?

"Let's go. Wu Ming's pursuit is causing a huge disturbance. We'll see if it can draw out a dark gold terrorclaw bear."

"Young Master Xiao, please contribute some soul power from your Three-Legged Golden Toad. Give this soul tool that simulates a metal-attribute natural treasure a little extra substance."

Yu Tianjun took out the soul tool capable of simulating a Metal-Attribute Heavenly Treasure, hoping to attract their dear big golden bear.

Although he was not hunting a soul ring for himself, the thought of killing a dark gold terrorclaw bear filled him with inexplicable excitement.

"Oh."

Xiao Hongchen placed his hand in the simulator's absorption slot. Only after supplying half the allotted amount did he ask, "Why aren't you doing it? Your Five-Element Qilin has the metal element too."

"What's the rush? You first, then me."

With that, Yu Tianjun placed his hand on it and channeled his soul power. Metal energy mingled with the auras of two great divine beasts was enough to make every Metal-Attribute Soul Beast lose its mind.

"Come on, let's go watch Shrek's show."

With their equipment ready, the four donned advanced soul tools that concealed their auras and quickly followed.

Half an hour later...

The Golden Crow's ringing cries awakened the sleeping soul beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest. Great numbers of Metal-Attribute Soul Beasts scented the treasure's aura and surged toward the Mingdu Four-Person Group.

The Mingdu Four-Person Group trailed far behind the Shrek Inner Court's soul-hunting team, keeping that team safely in front of them.

After being attacked by a soul beast, Wu Ming had turned the tables and pursued it. The Inner Court's soul-hunting team had no choice but to follow, only to face the oncoming charge of Metal-Attribute Soul Beasts that had lost their reason.

This was unexpected, but since the Inner Court's soul-hunting team was so enthusiastically shielding the Mingdu Four-Person Group from disaster, it would have been impolite to refuse.

Within moments, a pride led by a fifty-thousand-year golden lion king surrounded the Inner Court team. Ten-thousand-year golden tigers, golden elephants, golden wolves, and other soul beasts followed close behind.

"Senior Sister, just how many soul beasts did Ming'er provoke? If this continues, something could go wrong."

Han Ruoruo swung the Shaking Gold Rope, lashing two golden lions away as she called to Zhang Lexuan.

Eight rings circled Zhang Lexuan. The eighth was scarlet as blood, releasing the overwhelming aura of a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, deep as an abyss and terrible as a prison.

Several soul rings flashed in succession. The attacking soul beasts were either sliced to pieces or turned into moonlit sculptures, creating a safe zone.

"Something's wrong. Ming'er may not have provoked all these soul beasts. They probably sensed some Metal-Attribute Heavenly Treasure, and we've been caught in the fallout."

Zhang Lexuan drove her moon disc to cut down three ten-thousand-year soul beasts in succession. She gritted her teeth, anxiety appearing on her gentle, jade-like face as she spoke to Han Ruoruo.

"Take everyone out first. I'll go find Ming'er."

"All right," Han Ruoruo agreed.

"Senior Sister, that Golden Lion King would be perfect for my seventh soul ring. Can I have it?" an Inner Court student asked loudly.

At those words, Zhang Lexuan's Seventh Soul Ring abruptly shone. Her martial soul descended from the sky, and she merged completely with the Silver Moon. Silver Moon Avatar!

Beams of moonlight shot out like grade-seven Soul Guidance Rays. The Golden Lion King's pride swiftly fell, and fear appeared on the Metal-Attribute Soul Beasts' faces.

"Ruoruo, take everyone away. I'm going to find Ming'er."

Zhang Lexuan withdrew her Martial Soul Avatar. The ground before her had been cleared, and a fleeting pallor crossed her cheeks.

"All right."

"Thank you, Senior Sister! You're the best senior sister in the world!"

With a sweep of her Shaking Gold Rope, Han Ruoruo lifted the dying Golden Lion King. Overjoyed, the Inner Court student repeatedly promised, "I'll definitely treat Senior Sister to a meal when we get back," then shouldered the lion king and hurried away.

The Inner Court's soul-hunting team split into two groups. Zhang Lexuan, bold with the confidence of her skills, went alone after Wu Ming, while the others retreated with their second senior sister, Han Ruoruo.

Less than three minutes after both groups left the battlefield, the Mingdu Four-Person Group arrived, having switched off their simulation soul tool.

"That woman is incredible. She cut her way through a whole pack of soul beasts single-handedly."

Xiao Hongchen looked grave. Zhang Lexuan's combat strength was monstrous.

"When she led the team, she swept through every opponent like an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves. She's extremely powerful."

Yu Tianjun spoke. Barring unforeseen circumstances, she would become a level 98 Super Douluo.

Liao Mengkai's eyes gleamed. "Why don't we capture her and take her back to become Master Kong's honorary granddaughter?"

"Huh???"

Three pairs of eyes turned toward Liao Mengkai in unison. Old Liao, you're into human trafficking too?