Mu Changqing took a Milk Bottle from his storage Soul Tool and immediately used it to replenish the scant Soul Power left in his body.
Mu Changqing sat cross-legged, concentrating on drawing the heaven and earth vital Qi from the Milk Bottle into his body. Heaven and earth vital power surged continuously into his limbs and bones, and his Soul Power gradually increased.
Na'er crouched in front of Mu Changqing, propping her fair chin on both hands as she watched him with a worried expression.
Bei Bei lay in Zhang Lexuan's arms, his head spinning from Mu Changqing's punch. Zhang Lexuan channeled her Soul Power into Bei Bei's dantian.
Under the effects of Zhang Lexuan's Soul Power as a high-ranking Soul King, Bei Bei's head gradually cleared. He immediately stood up, escaping her warm embrace.
Bei Bei finally understood that the gap between him and Mu Changqing lay not only in their Martial Souls, but also in the strength of their bodies.
Without Zhang Lexuan's help, Bei Bei really would have been beaten badly by Mu Changqing, just like an older brother beating a younger brother.
He had now completely come to terms with it. Even if I can't beat my older brother, can't I beat others my age? We're the same age to begin with. I don't want to launch a dimensional strike.
As the heaven and earth vital Qi in the Milk Bottle gradually ran dry, Mu Changqing stopped cultivating. The Soul Power spilling out around him slowly withdrew into his body, leaving none leaking out.
Seeing Mu Changqing open his eyes, Na'er quickly threw herself against his chest, pressing her little face against his clothes.
Mu Changqing gently stroked her long silver hair and caressed her back with boundless affection.
"Changqing, you should have found your shortcomings in this fight, right?"
Zhang Lexuan's stern voice suddenly rang out from nearby as she questioned him like a teacher.
"You could say my offense and defense have no weaknesses."
"But my biggest weakness is that I burn through Soul Power too quickly!!!"
"If I run into a Soul Master who can drain people's Soul Power, I'll be the one eating dirt."
Mu Changqing patted Na'er's back, picked up a twig beside him, and drew circles in the mud.
Zhang Lexuan's fourth Soul Skill could convert an enemy's Soul Power for her own use, and Mu Changqing's first Soul Skill was also an amplification-type Soul Skill.
With his Soul Power being consumed on two fronts, even if Mu Changqing wanted to counterattack, he would be unable to do so because of insufficient Soul Power.
His original plan had been to add strength amplification with all nine Soul Rings. Now it seemed he would have to make some changes.
Otherwise, if an enemy killed him in a future battle because he ran out of Soul Power, he really would lose face all the way to his grandmother's house.
"Changqing! I think you should hunt a Soul Beast that can restore its own health for your third Soul Ring!!"
"That would give you a very good chance of obtaining a Soul Skill that amplifies Soul Power!!"
"Your Golden Dragon Martial Soul is already the master of strength, with both defense and offense. There's no need to stubbornly pursue strength amplification!!"
The four sat upright in a circle on the grass to rest. Zhang Lexuan explained at length while the other three listened quietly.
As an inner court student, Zhang Lexuan certainly knew more theory than Mu Changqing. He would certainly have to consider the advice she offered.
"Ah, it's getting late. Let's all head back!"
Zhang Lexuan stood up and straightened her appearance, preparing to take Bei Bei's hand and return to the Soul Tool Department.
"Bei Bei, take these three bottles of medicinal liquid!!"
With quick eyes and hands, Mu Changqing took three bottles of fiery-red medicinal liquid from his storage Soul Tool and pressed them into Bei Bei's hands.
"What are these?"
"Medicinal liquid made from that Dragon Saliva Grass from three months ago. Taking it can strengthen your blood and Qi and stabilize your foundation."
Bei Bei accepted without standing on ceremony and put the medicinal liquid into his storage space. Medicine that could strengthen his blood and Qi and improve his physique was exactly what he needed.
After saying goodbye to the two behind them, Bei Bei and Zhang Lexuan disappeared into the woods.
Mu Changqing held Na'er tightly in his arms, and the two flew all the way back to Sea God Island using a flying Soul Tool.
Na'er behaved herself throughout the journey and did not fidget, while Mu Changqing worried about why Mu En had still not emerged after spending so long in seclusion, and whether something might have happened.
Ever since Mu En had gone into seclusion with the Life Crystal in hand to treat his injuries, he had not taken a single step outside the Golden Ancient Tree.
At present, only Mu Changqing knew what Mu En intended to do in seclusion. The remaining elders of the Sea God Pavilion were merely curious and did not ask further.
Spring departed and winter arrived. Nine months passed like a white steed flashing past a crack.
At the shore of Sea God Lake, a sturdily built boy held a horse stance and practiced his punches. Each punch seemed weak and powerless as it struck through the air, but a closer look revealed hardness within softness and softness within hardness.
Every punch was delivered just right, hardness and softness complementing one another.
Through this past year of special training, Mu Changqing had developed exquisite control over his strength, no longer full of vigor yet lacking power as he had been a year ago.
Over these nine months, Mu Changqing had thoroughly learned the theoretical knowledge of the outer court's first through fourth years. He had also undergone physical training tailored by Xuan Zi, bringing his physique to another level.
Mu Changqing had not pursued increases in Soul Power with desperate determination. Instead, whenever he was about to advance, he compressed his Soul Power to its limit before breaking through.
Mu Changqing's Soul Power had reached rank 20 a month ago, but he had not rushed to obtain a Soul Ring.
"Big brother! Dean Yan is waiting for you over there!!"
Na'er's sweet voice came from nearby. Mu Changqing stopped practicing his punches, walked over to her, and stroked her silver hair.
Na'er had lived very well during her year at Shrek Academy and was much taller than she had been a year ago.
"Na'er, be good and stay with Elder Zhuang!"
"Mm-hmm!"
After saying goodbye to Mu Changqing, Na'er ran toward Elder Zhuang's apartment.
In a little while, Na'er would be able to awaken her Martial Soul. Mu Changqing was truly looking forward to a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with her.
Mu Changqing glanced at the distant Golden Ancient Tree and let out a long sigh. Mu En had been in seclusion for nearly a year without emerging, and Mu Changqing was a little worried.
Mu Changqing arrived where Yan Shaozhe was waiting. There were two men and two women there.
The two women were Ma Xiaotao and Zhang Lexuan. One had broken through to Soul Emperor, and the other to Soul Elder. Zhang Lexuan had hopes of breaking through to Soul Sage by the All-Continent Soul Master Tournament three years later.
One of the two men was Yan Shaozhe. The other, a sturdily built man whose entire body exuded an overbearing presence, was none other than Elder Gong, the person in charge of Shrek Academy's beast arena.
The two of them were responsible for this Soul Beast hunt. With Mu En in seclusion, Xuan Zi had to remain at Shrek Academy, while Elder Song had a mission and was unavailable.
Yan Shaozhe was now a rank-95 Super Douluo, while Elder Gong was a rank-91 Titled Douluo. There would essentially be little danger on this trip.
The five walked side by side toward Star Dou Great Forest.