A growing sense of danger, taking leave for secluded cultivation

At the bustling Crossroads of Suotuo City, crowds still surged without pause. Carriages and horses threaded through the streets amid a boiling clamor of voices, and the entire city brimmed with lively energy.

Lin Chen stood quietly at the edge of the crowd, his tall, clean-cut figure at odds with the noisy bustle around him. His calm gaze rested on Flender as he recruited Dai Mubai nearby.

His eyes seemed utterly unruffled, yet deep within his heart, a long-buried sense of danger suddenly broke through the soil and spread swiftly through every limb and bone.

Over the past several years, he had cultivated steadily, quietly honing his foundation in actual combat. He had waited for the plot to unfold as a spectator, always relaxed and composed.

Yet the moment he witnessed Dai Mubai's arrival in Suotuo City, he abruptly realized with perfect clarity that Shrek's turbulent chapter had officially begun.

Only one year remained before the male and female leads, Tang San and Xiao Wu, made their appearance.

At that thought, countless scenes from the original story surged through his mind, each vividly clear.

He remembered clearly that the classic hotel clash at Tang San and Dai Mubai's first meeting had been the initial spark that brought the Shrek Seven Devils together.

At that time, Tang San had only just arrived in Suotuo City and entered Shrek, but his soul power had already settled firmly at rank twenty-nine. His foundation was solid and his combat strength astonishing. Though he appeared to be an ordinary Soul Grandmaster, the foundation provided by his Mysterious Heaven Skill and his various hidden weapons gave him strength far beyond that of ordinary Soul Masters at the same rank.

Meanwhile, under the guidance of Shrek Academy's teachers, Dai Mubai had already reached the lofty cultivation of a rank thirty-seven Soul Elder.

A rank thirty-nine Soul Elder against a rank twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster—a full eight-rank gap in cultivation was already a chasm nearly impossible to cross within the Douluo Continent's soul power system. In a normal battle between Soul Masters, such a difference would result in absolute domination, with no possibility of turning the tables.

Yet in the end, Tang San, with his heaven-defying foundation, had forcibly held his own through exceptional combat talent, the support of an exquisite cultivation method, and combat maneuvers so unpredictable that even gods and ghosts could not fathom them.

That first clash alone was enough to offer a glimpse of Tang San's strength.

As his thoughts continued tracing back through the past, Lin Chen's heart grew heavier.

He would never forget those days at Notting Junior Academy. Merely because Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang had repeatedly tried to take him as a disciple, Tang San had secretly harbored hostility toward him and kept his guard up.

If he remained at his current cultivation a year from now, keeping pace with Shrek, entering the unfolding plot, and controlling his own future would be out of the question. He might even become a stepping stone for someone who quietly watched him with suspicion and guarded against him in secret.

Lin Chen lowered his gaze to his palm. His fingertips were slightly cold, and a flicker of deep self-reflection passed through his eyes.

His current cultivation was only at the early stage of rank twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster.

Among his peers, he seemingly already stood at the very top. An eleven-year-old rank twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster was a one-in-ten-thousand genius among the Heaven Dou Empire's younger generation, far surpassing most cultivators of the same rank. He could even cross the boundary between tiers to contend with low-ranked Soul Elders, and he held a firm place at the top of Suotuo Intermediate Academy.

But measured against Tang San, such cultivation was nowhere near enough.

Tang San's growth could never be judged by ordinary standards.

He had the support of the Mysterious Heaven Skill and countless fortuitous opportunities at his side. His cultivation advanced a thousand miles a day, and at every step, his foundation, combat strength, and reserves far surpassed those of his peers.

By contrast, if Lin Chen continued standing still and clinging to his present cultivation, he would be utterly weak before Tang San when the time came, without a single advantage to speak of.

A sense of danger swept through his heart in wave after wave, completely shattering his former easygoing mindset.

For the past three years, he had progressed steadily, securing his footing at every step. He had never rushed recklessly or craved quick success, seeking only a solid foundation and deep reserves. He would rather advance a little more slowly than allow the slightest hollowness in his cultivation.

But now, this turning point in the plot had arrived. Time was no longer abundant, and few opportunities remained for him to consolidate steadily and hone himself at leisure.

The days of lying low and cultivating slowly had come to an end.

If he wanted to stand firm amid the approaching storms of change, avoid being swept away by the torrent of the plot or eclipsed by the protagonist's brilliance, and hold his destiny and future firmly in his own hands, he had to break his current rhythm, achieve rapid breakthroughs, and force his cultivation higher!

"My rank is still too low."

Lin Chen murmured to himself, his voice steady yet carrying unquestionable resolve. The composure in his eyes faded entirely, replaced by a fierce drive to advance.

His leisurely mood and desire to unwind vanished completely. The flourishing street scenes and noisy voices could no longer stir his attention in the slightest.

An invisible barrier seemed to cut off all the surrounding bustle. Between heaven and earth, only one thought remained in his heart—Cultivate, break through, and raise my soul power as quickly as possible!

Without lingering to watch any longer, Lin Chen withdrew his gaze, turned decisively, and strode toward the city's shopping street. His steps were hurried, stripped of their earlier leisurely ease.

He knew that over the next few days, he would enter complete seclusion and focus single-mindedly on breaking through, without setting foot outside his dormitory. He had to prepare all his supplies beforehand and eliminate every outside distraction.

Suotuo City's shopping street was fully stocked and lined with stores. Ready-to-eat foods, Energy-Storing Pastries, and every other kind of provision were available, all excellent supplies suited to Soul Masters' cultivation and the rapid replenishment of stamina and soul power.

Lin Chen selected his shops precisely and wasted no time lingering. In one trip, he bought enough dry Spirit Food provisions and Energy-Storing Pastries to sustain him for an entire month, even spending a considerable sum on several bottles of Nourishing Pills.

Once his purchases were complete, he did not delay another moment. Turning and quickening his pace, he followed the broad main road straight back to Suotuo Spirit Hall Intermediate Academy.

He passed through corridors and courtyards, avoiding the students coming and going. Even when he encountered classmates he knew, he merely greeted them without stopping. With steady steps, he headed straight for his mentor Mo Yuan's cultivation courtyard.

Mo Yuan's courtyard had always been peaceful and elegant, far removed from the noise of the students' training grounds. Green bamboo grew in scattered clusters above bluestone paving, and spiritual energy hung in the tranquil air. It was an exclusive area the academy reserved for its most gifted students and senior mentors to cultivate.

The courtyard gate was ajar, and all was silent within. Clearly, Mo Yuan was cultivating quietly inside and had not gone out.

Lin Chen approached slowly, raised his hand, and knocked gently on the gate in a measured, steady rhythm.

"Enter."

A calm, detached voice came from within, bearing the weighty presence unique to a Soul Saint. It was peaceful, yet carried immense authority.

Lin Chen pushed open the gate and entered, immediately spotting Mo Yuan seated cross-legged on a meditation cushion atop the bluestone in the courtyard.

Plain cultivation robes accentuated his upright figure. His aura was restrained yet vast, with no outward fluctuations of soul power, but he naturally exuded the weighty presence of someone tempered by countless battles and the passage of years.

The reserves of a rank seventy Battle Soul Saint were unfathomable. As he sat quietly, he was as still as a deep pool and as steadfast as a towering mountain.

Sensing Lin Chen's arrival, Mo Yuan slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was peaceful and clear, without the sharp oppression common to powerful experts, holding only the warmth and depth distilled by the passing years.

His gaze swept over Lin Chen, taking in every subtle change in his expression. He could clearly sense the slight shift in his disciple's state of mind today: less of his usual relaxed composure, and more determination and urgency.

"Today's lessons and combat training have already ended. Have you come to see me about something?"

Mo Yuan spoke slowly, his voice even.

Lin Chen bowed slightly in greeting, his bearing humble and respectful, his tone sincere and steady:

"Teacher, I would like to spend some time in seclusion to consolidate my cultivation. I wish to request a few days' leave from you. During that time, I will not attend the academy's lessons or combat training."