That strange gust of wind was ultimately just a minor incident; apart from Lin Kong and Xiao Wu, the other members of Shrek knew nothing about its cause.
After the wind stopped, everyone hurried on their way with their heads down, tacitly choosing to ignore some questions that should have been investigated in depth—such as how Xiao Wu was able to return unharmed after being captured by a terrifying Soul Beast like the Titan Giant Ape.
Only after they had completely left the Star Dou Great Forest did everyone finally breathe a sigh of relief.
This Soul Hunting Operation was far more bizarre and convoluted than anyone had anticipated.
Xiao Wu encountered Meng Yiran twice, became entangled with the Dragon Duke and Snake Granny, and their grandson; ran into the Titan Giant Ape Xiao Wu, the overlord of the Star Dou Great Forest, and was forcibly kidnapped; hunted down the Thousand-Year- Man Faced Demon Spider, and even lost Soul Bone; even more surprisingly, Xiao Wu, who was captured by the Titan Giant Ape, returned safely and even successfully obtained her Third Soul Ring.
Xiao Wu was already shrouded in mystery, and now with this added incident, no one bothered to investigate further. As long as she was safe and sound, that was enough.
"Wow! It's finally over!" Ma Hongjun stretched out a big yawn, raising his hands high above his head, his tone full of the exhilaration of surviving a disaster.
"Yeah, at least we don't have to be on edge all the time anymore." Oscar glanced back at the deep forest behind him and patted his chest with lingering fear.
"Let's go! Let's find a small town, rest for a few days, and have a good meal!" Dai Mubai waved his hand and said with great enthusiasm, "My treat!"
"Get out of my way!" Zhao Wuji slapped Dai Mubai away and said irritably, "This meal is on me! The best thing that can be done for the academy is for all of you to be safe and sound."
This wasn't just a polite remark.
Ning Rongrong, Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing... each of them has an extraordinary background. If someone were to have an accident here, especially Ning Rongrong, the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, even if Shrek Academy had ten Flender, they wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility.
Several times, Zhao Wuji couldn't help but imagine himself hiding and fleeing like a stray dog, and the thought of it made him shudder.
The group quickly found a small town and chose a reasonably clean inn to stay in.
After such a long journey, everyone was exhausted. After a quick wash, they went back to their rooms to rest, and the town quickly returned to its tranquility.
That night, all was quiet.
Lin Kong sat up in bed, his eyes shining brightly in the darkness. He glanced at Oscar, who was fast asleep and snoring loudly beside him, carefully lifted the covers, and quietly slipped out of the guest room.
Having absorbed the Eight Spider Lances and devoured the essence of the Man Faced Demon Spider's flesh and blood, Lin Kong's Soul Power increased by two levels, now reaching level twenty-four.
The thought of the Ah Yin Grass Seeds being stolen by the Titan Giant Ape filled him with mixed feelings. He couldn't tell whether it was good news or bad news; he could only wait for another opportunity to search for them in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Now, he has a more pressing problem to solve— the Eight Spider Lances have not yet fully integrated with his body.
Those present only knew that it was an ordinary Soul Bone, and had no idea that the Eight Spider Lances were an extremely rare External Soul Bone, so naturally they wouldn't have any evil intentions towards it.
But once he returned to the Shrek Academy and ran into Yu Xiaogang, the situation would be different. With his understanding of Soul Beast and Soul Bone, he would definitely be able to recognize the Eight Spider Lances as External Soul Bone at a glance.
At that time, given Yu Xiaogang's personality, he would definitely instigate Flender to kill him at all costs and seize the Eight Spider Lances to give to Tang San.
He must completely integrate the Eight Spider Lances with his body and make them truly his own power before returning to the academy!
" Teacher Zhao, there's something I want to talk to you about." Lin Kong's voice came through the door, tinged with a low tone.
" Lin Kong? Okay, I'm coming out." Zhao Wuji quickly responded, put on his coat, and strode out of his room.
The two arrived at the backyard of the inn one after the other. The night sky was as dark as ink, with only a crescent moon hanging in the sky. The cool moonlight shone down, casting long shadows of the two of them that almost merged with each other on the ground.
Lin Kong's tone sounded somewhat downcast and frustrated, " Teacher Zhao, it seems there's something wrong with my Soul Bone."
"What's wrong?!" Zhao Wuji immediately became anxious and stepped forward, his tone full of concern.
In his heart, Lin Kong had long been the most trustworthy core among these children. If it weren't for Lin Kong's repeated efforts to turn the tide, this Soul Hunting Operation would never have been so successful. He had completely stood on Lin Kong's side and firmly supported this calm and reliable young man.
Lin Kong didn't explain much, but simply unbuttoned his shirt, Eight Spider Lances, as black as ink, suddenly extended. He casually swung the Eight Spider Lances a few times, and although his movements were smooth, they showed some awkwardness.
"My control over the Eight Spider Lances isn't skilled enough," Lin Kong said with a hint of helplessness.
"This... this problem?" Zhao Wuji's lips twitched involuntarily. His heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled. He said, half-laughing and half-crying, "You little brat, that expression you just gave me a real fright! I thought there was some fatal problem with your Soul Bone!"
This is not a big problem at all! Isn't it normal to not be able to use it skillfully after just fusing with Soul Bone?
" Teacher Zhao, can you help me?" Lin Kong looked up at him, her eyes full of pleading.
"How can I help?" Zhao Wuji asked.
"Put pressure on me," Lin Kong quickly stated his plan, "For example, use your Gravity Increase the burden on my body, making me practice controlling the Eight Spider Lances under this high-pressure environment. I want to master it as quickly as possible, ideally seeing significant progress within a day or two."
Zhao Wuji raised his hand and scratched his head, looking puzzled. "Why the rush? Lin Kong, I know you work hard, but is it really necessary to push yourself like this without even getting any sleep after just coming out of the Star Dou Great Forest?"
Everyone's exhausted, wouldn't it be better to get a few days of rest?
"Sigh!" Lin Kong sighed deeply, hesitating to speak, his expression full of conflict, "Because..."
"Why? Just say it! I'm here to stand up for you!" Zhao Wuji patted his chest, his tone resolute.
Lin Kong seemed to have made up his mind, and said in a low voice, "After we return to the academy, we'll probably have a one-on-one sparring match the next day to assess the progress of the three of them after obtaining their Third Soul Ring. Tang San... if he chooses me for the sparring match, I definitely won't be his match."
Zhao Wuji remained silent for a second or two, looking at Lin Kong's serious expression. The image of Tang San's reaction when he learned that Lin Kong had absorbed the Man Faced Demon Spider's Soul Bone flashed through his mind, along with his undisguised questioning and resentment.
He understood.
After Tang San obtains his Third Soul Ring, his strength will undoubtedly increase significantly. He will certainly harbor resentment towards Lin Kong for absorbing the Soul Bone that should have belonged to him. After returning to the academy, he will most likely take the initiative to challenge Lin Kong, wanting to prove himself with his strength, or even get revenge.
Given Tang San's character, this scene is not just possible, it is inevitable.
Thinking of Tang San's previous cold-hearted and ungrateful behavior— Lin Kong had helped him two or three times, even risking his life for him, but just because of a Soul Bone, he instantly forgot all the kindness and revealed his calculating nature— Zhao Wuji couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
"Okay, I'll help you!" Zhao Wuji agreed without hesitation, his tone even more determined than before.
"Thank you, Teacher Zhao." A smile finally appeared on Lin Kong's face.
"No need to thank me!" Zhao Wuji waved his hand. "Don't worry, with me as your sparring partner, I guarantee you'll master the Eight Spider Lances as soon as possible!"
As he spoke, he began to stretch his muscles and bones, and his Soul Power began to slowly surge around him. An invisible pressure gradually enveloped the entire backyard.