Lan Changsheng crouched before the Iron-Armed Azure Ape and sighed softly.
"They don't hate you."
"Roar." I know... even now, they still want to help me.
"I'll find Soul Masters like Dugu Yan, Soul Masters who can share their hearts and minds with them. That way, they'll have a good home too. Not just your companions-all Soul Spirits will."
"Roar." How is Tang San and the others' training going?
"Not bad. They just went through an actual battle and have already put the techniques you taught them to use. They were hurt a little, but together, they defeated a Soul Grandmaster protected by a crowd of people."
"Roar." Then bring them over again another day. I'll see what they need to improve.
"All right."
"Roar." Is the place they're staying called Shrek Academy?
"Yes. It's a pretty good place."
The Iron-Armed Azure Ape thought for a moment and nodded, then glanced toward the Symbiosis Tower again. It saw that its kin had already turned into motes of light, drifting aimlessly inside the Symbiosis Tower.
It turned around, assumed a stance it had not used in a long time, and punched toward the sky.
Lan Changsheng also stood to one side, looking up at the horizon as dawn approached.
"Big brother, go take care of your business. I'll watch over this place."
Lan Changsheng heard the resolve in Ah Yin's voice, as well as her deeply hidden reluctance to part.
But he truly could not stop any longer.
Lan Changsheng nodded, turned, and vanished from the spot.
At the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest stood Black Wind Stronghold-or rather, the place where Black Wind Stronghold had once stood.
It was still a desolate wasteland, the stench of decay hanging in the air and drawing many vultures.
Perched on the