Inside the Heaven-Rank Training Room in the core courtyard of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
A haze of green light had lingered for three full days. Dense life spiritual energy surged through the room as the Soul Gathering Formation operated at full power, drawing an endless stream of soul power from heaven and earth and pouring it all into Lin Chen.
During his three days of secluded cultivation, Lin Chen had devoted himself entirely to mastering the soul skill "Myriad Spirit Vine Sea." With the academy's top-grade life immortal herb, he had also completely healed the hidden injuries left by his fierce battle against the Soul Emperor, further solidifying his foundation.
Now, he sat cross-legged at the center of the Soul Gathering Formation, his eyes closed. Three deep-green soul rings slowly revolved around him—a heaven-defying combination of three thousand eight hundred years, five thousand years, and five thousand years. They radiated a heart-stopping pressure, yet also carried a gentle aura of life, contradictory but harmonious.
As the final passage of the soul skill's cultivation method imprinted itself upon his heart, the soul power around Lin Chen suddenly surged!
His previously stable cultivation as a level thirty-one Soul Elder instantly broke through its shackles, firmly advancing to level thirty-two!
Alongside his advancement, his "Myriad Spirit Vine Sea" soul skill reached complete mastery!
"Rise!"
Lin Chen's eyes snapped open. With a low shout, green light shot skyward around him. This was no longer a simple eruption of blue silver grass; it drew upon the life spiritual energy of the entire courtyard, and even the whole academy. Countless emerald phantoms of blue silver grass emerged from the void, densely interweaving into a boundless green sea of vines, coiling, unfurling, and surging, nimble yet overbearing.
Wherever the vine sea swept, it absorbed all the soul power in the air, converting it into pure life soul power to nourish him. Even without activating his Life Domain, it possessed tremendous restraining and suppressive power. Its range and strength surpassed his former Life Prison Cage several times over!
"So this is the power of a top-tier area-of-effect soul skill..."
With a thought from Lin Chen, the vast vine sea instantly withdrew, turning into specks of green light that merged into his body without leaving a trace.
He could clearly feel that his combat strength had risen considerably since his battle against the Soul Emperor. Even if he faced the level sixty-two Soul Emperor Ghost Hand again, without outside assistance, he could use Myriad Spirit Vine Sea and Life Domain to hold out much longer, and perhaps even find an opening to counterattack.
His life blue silver grass martial soul gently swayed within his dantian, more lively than ever. After the battle of life and death and the nourishment of the immortal herb, his martial soul origin had been elevated once again. Even absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring in the future would pose no difficulty.
He pushed open the training room's doors, and warm sunlight spilled over him. In the courtyard, Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi had long been waiting outside.
Over those three days, aided by the life immortal herbs Lin Chen had left them, both women had not only fully recovered but also made modest breakthroughs in cultivation, drawing ever closer to the Soul Elder realm. Soul power flowed around them, and their bearing had grown even more striking.
Seeing Lin Chen emerge and sensing his increasingly steady, profound aura, their eyes filled with delight.
"Lin Chen, you're finally out! Your cultivation has advanced again!" Su Qingyuan hurried forward, her voice full of pleasant surprise.
Yue Huaxi smiled and nodded as well. "The dean and His Highness the Crown Prince sent someone to ask about you yesterday. They said they had something important to tell you. Since you were in seclusion, they asked us to report back once you came out."
Lin Chen nodded slightly and stretched. He drew in his Soul Elder aura, appearing no different from an ordinary person, yet retaining the unmistakable bearing of a powerhouse. "Let's go see them."
The two women nestled beside Lin Chen, one on either side, and the three walked shoulder to shoulder toward the academy's Guest Hall.
Along the way, every student and instructor of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy stopped of their own accord and bowed, their eyes filled with reverence.
News that Lin Chen had withstood a Soul Emperor without dying and broken through during his seclusion had already spread throughout the academy. He was now recognized as Heaven Dou Royal Academy's foremost genius. Even the senior students dared not show him the slightest disrespect.
When they reached the Guest Hall, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, the academy's dean, and several senior academy officials were already waiting. Besides them, a group of young men and women stood inside, dressed rather simply but possessing exceptionally striking bearings and substantial fluctuations of soul power.
At the sight of them, a nearly imperceptible flicker of recognition passed through Lin Chen's eyes.
The Shrek Seven Devils!
At their head stood Tang San, dressed in plain blue clothes. His gaze was reserved, though a sharp glint occasionally flashed through it. The instant his eyes landed on Lin Chen, they froze. The soul power around him tightened slightly as jealousy and a sense of danger rose in his heart once more.
During his stay at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Tang San had already heard of Lin Chen's many heaven-defying exploits: crushing a Soul Ancestor while still a Soul Grandmaster, advancing to Soul Elder and sweeping aside Spirit Hall's ambushers, then withstanding a Soul Emperor and emerging unscathed. Lin Chen's brilliance was simply too dazzling, completely eclipsing him, a genius with twin martial souls.
Dai Mubai, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and the others also studied Lin Chen, their eyes filled with curiosity and wariness.
They had long since learned of Lin Chen from Grandmaster. This young man, who possessed the power of a domain and heaven-defying combat strength despite his youth, was a far more terrifying opponent than others their age.
"Lin Chen, you've finally come out of seclusion. Your injuries are healed, and your cultivation has made great strides. Congratulations." Crown Prince Xue Qinghe rose first, greeting him with a gentle smile.
The academy's dean smiled as he stroked his beard. "Another level in just three days of seclusion, and you've mastered a top-tier soul skill from the Scripture Repository as well. This academy has never seen such a cultivation speed."
Lin Chen cupped his hands politely, observing every courtesy. "You flatter me, Your Highness. You praise me too highly, Dean."
His gaze swept over the Shrek Seven Devils. His expression remained calm, and he made no attempt to start a conversation, his demeanor composed and distant.
Unable to restrain himself any longer, Tang San stepped forward and cupped his hands toward Lin Chen. "I'm Tang San. Greetings, Brother Lin Chen. I've long heard of your great reputation. Meeting you today, I see it is truly well deserved."
Though outwardly polite, his tone carried a trace of defiance. His soul power quietly circulated, betraying a faint desire to test Lin Chen's strength.
Lin Chen gave him a faintly indifferent glance. That single look made Tang San feel as though a peerless Ferocious Beast had locked onto him. The soul power within his body instantly grew sluggish, and even his twin martial souls trembled slightly, shocking him.
His presence alone had suppressed him!
"Tang San. Twin martial souls. You do have a little talent," Lin Chen remarked casually, his tone calm and unruffled, as though merely stating something trivial.
That simple sentence made Tang San's face pale slightly, and the defiance in his heart was instantly replaced by a sense of defeat.
Seeing this, Dai Mubai stepped forward to smooth things over, laughing heartily. "Brother Lin Chen, we've long admired your heaven-defying combat strength. We Shrek Seven Devils have come to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy both to exchange knowledge and learn, and to prepare for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. We've heard your strength is exceptional. If an opportunity arises in the future, we hope you'll offer us your guidance."
Lin Chen nodded slightly without saying anything more.
He bore the Shrek Seven Devils no ill will, but neither did he have much desire to befriend them. He and Spirit Hall were now as incompatible as fire and water, and they were destined to follow different paths in the future. Keeping his distance was the best choice.
Noticing the slightly awkward atmosphere, Xue Qinghe quickly changed the subject. "We've gathered everyone here today for two reasons. First, to congratulate Young Master Lin Chen on his advancement. Second, to announce something—in half a month, the academy will organize a training expedition for its core students to a Secret Realm on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. You will seek opportunities, improve your strength, and prepare for the Continental Soul Master Tournament. Young Master Lin Chen and everyone from Shrek are all on the expedition roster."
A Secret Realm in the Star Dou Great Forest!
Everyone's eyes lit up at the news.
As one of the Douluo Continent's foremost soul beast forests, the Star Dou Great Forest had Secret Realms on its outskirts that held countless rare spiritual herbs and thousand-year soul beasts. It was an ideal destination for soul masters to train and seek opportunities to obtain soul rings, where danger and opportunity existed side by side.
Lin Chen's heart stirred slightly as well.
He was now a level thirty-two Soul Elder, not far from level thirty-three. Once he returned from the expedition, he could begin searching for his fourth soul ring, a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, to further strengthen himself. The Star Dou Great Forest was the best place for that.
More importantly, he could sense that his life blue silver grass martial soul seemed to share an inexplicable resonance with the aura of life deep within the Star Dou Great Forest. This expedition might uncover deeper secrets of his martial soul.
Tang San also gathered his thoughts, his gaze growing resolute.
He believed this was his best chance to catch up to and surpass Lin Chen. In the Star Dou Great Forest, he could find soul rings suited to his Clear Sky Hammer, strengthen both his martial souls, and finally escape the predicament of being suppressed by Lin Chen.
"Training in the Secret Realm will be fraught with danger. Academy instructors will lead the expedition. Go back and prepare thoroughly. Make sure you improve your strength so you can face the dangers ahead," the dean instructed gravely, his expression exceptionally solemn.
Once the brief discussion ended, Lin Chen turned and left the Guest Hall with Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi.
Watching Lin Chen's retreating figure, Tang San clenched his fists, a glimmer of obsession flashing in his eyes. "In the Star Dou Great Forest, I will surpass you!"
Meanwhile, as Lin Chen walked along the courtyard path, he had already formed a plan.
In the next half month, he would gain complete control over Myriad Spirit Vine Sea, stabilize his cultivation at level thirty-two, and make thorough preparations before heading to the Star Dou Great Forest.
The threat of Spirit Hall, the Soul Emperor's grudge, the opportunities of the Continental Soul Master Tournament, Shrek's covert rivalry... all of it would give rise to new clashes during this expedition into the Secret Realm!
Lin Chen raised his head toward the Star Dou Great Forest. Green light flickered in his eyes, and battle intent quietly rose around him.
Star Dou Great Forest, here I come!
Greater strength and deeper secrets of my martial soul await on this expedition!
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