Lin Kong and his group rested in the town for two days to recover before setting off back to the Shrek Academy.
As soon as he returned to the academy, Zhao Wuji went straight to Flender and recounted his entire experience of the trip to the Star Dou Great Forest in detail. In short, it was a report.
" Boss Fu, you have no idea, we almost got wiped out in the Star Dou Great Forest this time!" Zhao Wuji rambled on like a wronged woman, recounting everything from encountering the Dragon Duke and Snake Granny to facing the Titan Giant Ape, then being nearly poisoned in the Lin Kong, and finally letting out an exaggerated sigh, looking like he was still shaken.
Throughout the journey, as the teacher leading the group, he had been under immense pressure that nearly crushed him. In front of the students, he had to maintain his composure and appear calm. Now, back in front of Flender, he could finally let it all out.
" Dragon Duke and Snake Granny! Titan Giant Ape!" Flender's expression gradually turned serious. He understood Zhao Wuji's feelings well, and he immediately echoed Zhao Wuji's words, carefully trying to soothe his emotions. "I didn't expect you to encounter such a dangerous situation. Next time you go hunting Soul Beast, the academy will send one more person to accompany you."
Zhao Wuji nodded and continued, "I later asked Xiao Wu privately how she survived. She said that after she was captured by the Titan Giant Ape, she suddenly heard a strange sound, which sounded like both a bull's roar and a python's cry. Upon hearing the sound, the Titan Giant Ape immediately roared in response, then abandoned her and hurriedly left. The surrounding Soul Beast were all stunned by the Titan Giant Ape's roar."
Flender narrowed his eyes slightly, remained silent for a moment, and finally shook his head, deciding not to pursue the matter any further. The depths of the Star Dou Great Forest were too mysterious; some things were better left unknown.
"What kind of Soul Beast is that roaring? How could it make even the Titan Giant Ape so wary?" Zhao Wuji asked curiously.
"If I'm not mistaken, the Soul Beast that made that sound should be the Sky Azure Bull Python." A steady voice came from outside the door, Yu Xiaogang slowly walked in. "That is the true overlord of the Star Dou Great Forest, whose strength far surpasses that of the Titan Giant Ape."
Flender smiled when he saw his good friend and quickly introduced him to Zhao Wuji: " Old Zhao, this is Yu Xiaogang, whom I often mention to you, my brother."
The two exchanged a few simple pleasantries and that was how they got to know each other.
Zhao Wuji changed the subject, a smug smile spreading across his face, "Boss, I have some good news for you! Guess what else we got besides the Soul Ring?"
Flender saw right through his thoughts and said with a smile, " Soul Bone?"
"That's right!" Zhao Wuji was overjoyed and clapped his hands. "We killed the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, and Lin Kong dissected the corpse to look for a Soul Bone. Later, when we killed other Soul Beast, he persisted in doing the same. The other kids thought it was a waste of time, but he never gave up. In the end, he actually found a Soul Bone in the corpse of the Man Faced Demon Spider! That kid is the best!"
Flender chuckled and asked, "So, what happened to this Soul Bone in the end?"
Yu Xiaogang chuckled and said matter-of-factly, "Was it given to Xiao San? After all, he absorbed the Man Faced Demon Spider's Soul Ring. Only when Soul Bone is paired with Soul Ring can its power be maximized."
Zhao Wuji's smile froze instantly. He opened his mouth, but after a long pause, he could only manage to utter a single word. "Hmm..."
Yu Xiaogang's smile gradually disappeared, replaced by a serious expression, even adopting a lecturing stance. "You didn't give this Soul Bone to Xiao San? Don't you know that only by using the same Soul Beast's Soul Ring and Soul Bone together can you maximize combat power?"
Seeing this, Flender quickly smoothed things over. "It's nothing, it's just a Thousand-Year Soul Bone. With Xiao San's father's strength, he definitely wouldn't even look at it."
Upon hearing this, the two thought of Tang San's father— Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao was renowned throughout the continent. Indeed, for someone like Tang Hao, a Thousand-Year Soul Bone was not a rare thing.
Yu Xiaogang's expression softened considerably, and his tone became more magnanimous. "Well, then forget it. After all, Lin Kong found it himself, so giving it to him is reasonable."
Zhao Wuji looked at his matter-of-fact attitude, a flash of disdain quickly crossing his eyes.
What does "let it be" mean? What does "it's acceptable to give it to him" mean?
This Soul Bone was found by Lin Kong at great personal risk; it was something he used to save his life. When did it become Yu Xiaogang's place to interfere? Does he really think he's the master of the Shrek Academy? A Soul Grandmaster, does he really think he can control everything?
He glanced at Flender discreetly and realized that the other hadn't noticed the inappropriateness in Yu Xiaogang's words. Zhao Wuji understood then that the brotherhood between Flender and Yu Xiaogang was far more important than the rules of the Shrek Academy. Thinking of Tang Hao standing behind Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, he swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
Just as Zhao Wuji remained silent, Yu Xiaogang suddenly asked curiously, "By the way, what exactly does that Man Faced Demon Spider's Soul Bone look like? What are its effects when used?"
"Oh! It means that after using it, eight spider legs will grow on your back, exactly like the legs of the Man Faced Demon Spider. It looks quite imposing," Zhao Wuji explained casually.
Yu Xiaogang's curiosity gradually faded, his brows furrowed deeper, and his expression grew increasingly solemn and gloomy. When he heard "eight spider legs," his pupils suddenly contracted, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes, and his voice carried an icy chill. " Flender, you want to..."
"Bang!"
Before he could finish speaking, Flender slammed his hand on the table, the loud noise carrying Soul Power shockwave that left Yu Xiaogang momentarily stunned. His face was cold as he pointed to the door. " Old Zhao, you get out first!"
Zhao Wuji swallowed hard, watched the atmosphere between the two become tense, and silently turned and left the room.
Once Zhao Wuji's footsteps had completely faded into the distance, Yu Xiaogang could no longer suppress the killing intent in his heart. His eyes were icy as he looked at Flender and said, word by word, " Flender, kill Lin Kong!"
Flender's eyelids twitched wildly, his mouth moved slightly, but he forced it back down, gritting his teeth and inhaling. After a few seconds, he slowly uttered a few words, "I know you're not crazy, so, the reason is... what?"
That's not Soul Bone!
"Not Soul Bone?"
"That's... an external, attached, soul, and bone!"
" External Soul Bone!"
Flender gasped.
At that moment, he understood why Yu Xiaogang wanted to kill Lin Kong.
External Soul Bone are the most precious treasures in the Soul Master World. Anyone who sees them will be tempted to possess them. At this moment, the External Soul Bone has not yet merged with Lin Kong, so it can be taken off. However, taking it off in any way will offend Lin Kong, so killing him directly is the best course of action.
Flender closed his eyes, his body trembling slightly. He... he...
He's Three-Eyed Cat Owl!
He's a member of the Golden Iron Triangle!
He is Yu Xiaogang's good brother!
But he is even more...
He is also the Dean of the Shrek Academy!
As a dean, killing his own students?
Flender's feelings for Shrek are extremely deep!