The morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, and the dawn light gilded the ancient buildings of the Shrek Academy with a soft golden edge.
At this time normally, Kong Xuan should be on her way to the teaching building, preparing to start her morning classes.
But today is clearly different.
At the east gate of the college, a few figures had gathered, a stark contrast to the usual quiet mornings.
Kong Xuan stood at the front, dressed in a neat black outfit that made his figure appear even more upright, his jet-black hair gleaming slightly in the morning light.
Beside him were Xu Tianyi and Gu Yuena.
Two days have passed since Xu Tianyi broke through to level 50 in Soul Power. Shrek Academy and Sun Moon Academy have coordinated and made preparations, and today is the day they will set off for the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for Soul Ring.
Gu Yuena joined not because she also needed Soul Ring, but because of Kong Xuan's invitation.
This was something Kong Xuan had told Gu Yuena about before coming to Shrek, something he needed her help with.
For Kong Xuan, this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest was far more than just "acquiring" Soul Ring.
"They're here!"
On the other side, Ma Sheng, who had been looking into the academy from the entrance, shouted.
Everyone turned their heads and saw three figures walking briskly along the main road of the city gate.
Walking at the very front and center was a middle-aged beauty with a gentle smile on her face; she was none other than Cai Mei'er, the vice dean of the Martial Soul Department.
Behind her was a boy who looked to be about seventeen or eighteen years old; he was probably the student from the Inner Court who needed to acquire Soul Ring.
But to her right was a figure familiar to Kong Xuan.
Although they only met briefly twice back then, Zhang Lexuan, who had close ties with the Kong Clan, still left a deep impression on Kong Xuan.
Zhang Lexuan's gaze paused slightly upon seeing Kong Xuan.
Shrek Academy has been going through a lot of trouble in recent years, especially after Xuan Zi's accident. Mu En felt that the people he had previously arranged were not up to the task.
The academy was facing a shortage of qualified successors, so he had to look to the next generation.
As the Grandmaster of the Inner Court, Zhang Lexuan naturally took the lead. Whether it was her personality or her talent, Mu En was very satisfied with Zhang Lexuan.
Therefore, in the past year or so, Zhang Lexuan has become more than just a student in the Inner Court; she has become a member of the Sea God Pavilion.
Therefore, she naturally knew that Kong Xuan and Kong Ling, two members of the "Kong" family, had come to the Shrek Academy as exchange students from the Sun Moon Academy.
But she didn't want to think about their relationship, so you could say she was deliberately avoiding them.
I never expected that we would meet again today, under such circumstances.
Upon meeting, before the two Titled Douluo could speak, Kong Xuan looked at Zhang Lexuan and called out, " Sister Lexuan, long time no see."
Everyone turned to look, their gazes shifting back and forth between Kong Xuan and Zhang Lexuan.
A hint of surprise flashed in Cai Mei'er's eyes, then she smiled and said, " Lexuan, I didn't expect you to know this great genius from Sun Moon so long ago?"
Zhang Lexuan said calmly, "We've only met twice before."
She gave Kong Xuan a deep look, only to see him smiling, as if his earlier greeting was merely a simple hello and he had no intention of revealing her background.
Cai Mei'er kept this matter in mind, but did not delve into it at the moment.
She looked at Ma Sheng and said, " Elder Ma, let's go."
Although both Cai Mei'er and Ma Sheng are Titled Douluo, Cai Mei'er is not yet a hundred years old, while Ma Sheng is several decades older, so it is appropriate for her to be called Old Elder Ma.
Ma Sheng nodded in agreement.
Led by the two, the group of seven walked out of the east gate of Shrek City and embarked on the road to the Star Dou Great Forest.
Shrek Academy is located right next to the Star Dou Great Forest. The group of seven moved swiftly, and in less than half a day, the surrounding scenery began to change subtly.
The once orderly roads were gradually eroded by naturally growing weeds and shrubs, and human traces rapidly diminished.
The air itself smelled different, filled with the rich fragrance of grass and trees and the moist scent of earth.
There was also a faint, almost imperceptible, fishy smell of wild animals and the odor of decaying leaves mixed in with it.
The towering ancient trees grew increasingly dense, their branches and leaves intertwining, cutting the sky into fragments and casting dappled light and shadow.
"We have entered the outer area of Star Dou Great Forest!"
Cai Mei'er, who was walking at the front, stopped and spoke with a hint of wariness in her voice.
The group also noticed some warning signs nearby, which read, "Danger ahead, Soul Beast appear."
These signs bear the marks of time, some blurred and indistinct, but their warning remains undiminished, silently telling of the danger and mystery of this forest.
Cai Mei'er looked at Ma Sheng and said, " Elder Ma, at our Shrek Academy, every trip to the Star Dou Great Forest to Soul Hunting is also a training opportunity for our students."
"I propose that this time, the students handle the Soul Hunting themselves. Unless they encounter a danger they can't handle, we shouldn't interfere."
After a moment's thought, Ma Sheng agreed to her suggestion, "Okay, let's do as Dean Cai says."
Cai Mei'er smiled gently and turned to Zhang Lexuan: " Lexuan, they're in your command now."
Zhang Lexuan nodded, glanced at the others, and said, " The Star Dou Great Forest is fraught with danger. I hope you will follow my instructions from now on."
As she spoke, her gaze was mainly fixed on the three people from the Sun Moon.
As Inner Court student, Chu Qingtian naturally obeyed her Grandmaster's every word.
Therefore, she needs to pay more attention to the attitudes of the Sun Moon, and the other two.
Fortunately, Kong Xuan and the other two did not show any resistance, which relieved her and made her feel that the process of Soul Hunting in the Star Dou Great Forest would be easier.
She then added, "To facilitate better cooperation going forward, let's all introduce ourselves."
As soon as Zhang Lexuan finished speaking, Chu Qingtian said directly, "My name is Chu Qingtian, my Martial Soul Lightning Frenzy Leopard, I am Agility Attack System Soul King, and I need to add Sixth Soul Ring, preferably around 20,000 years old."
After speaking, he looked at Kong Xuan and the other two, also curious about the strength of these exchange students from Sun Moon Academy.
Gu Yuena spoke first, " Gu Yuena, a Soul King with Elemental Control of her Martial Soul, Power Attack System, has no need for Soul Ring."
Xu Tianyi continued, " Xu Tianyi, with the Martial Soul Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon, will need to add Fifth Soul Ring to Power Attack System Soul Ancestor, with a lifespan of approximately 20,000 years."
As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Qingtian's expression changed.
His heart pounded, his eyes wide with astonishment. Gu Yuena and Xu Tianyi should both be three or four years younger than him, yet Gu Yuena was already Soul King?!
He had never heard of the Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon Martial Soul, but as a dragon-type Soul Beast, it was basically a top-tier Martial Soul.
As for the age limit of Soul Ring, he only dared to attach a 20,000-year Soul Ring to his Sixth Soul Ring, but Xu Tianyi's Fifth Soul Ring had the same requirement as his?!
Chu Qingtian blurted out incredulously, "You absorbed Fifth Soul Ring that took twenty thousand years to form? Are you out of your mind?"