"Alright, Little Monster, today is a rare opportunity for all of you to work together, so be on your best!" Flender shouted to the group. "Our destination this time is Sunset Forest, and we won't stop until we obtain all of your Soul Ring!"
"Although four of us teachers will be accompanying you this time, I must make one thing clear beforehand: we will not participate in any of your Soul Beast hunting activities unless absolutely necessary. We will not intervene! This Soul Beast hunting trip will also be considered part of your graduation exam. Do you understand?"
Ma Hongjun said with dissatisfaction, "Teachers, if none of you help, when will we be able to get our Soul Ring? I'm afraid that by the time we've all collected Soul Ring, the Soul Master Tournament will already be over!"
Flender nodded and said, "Indeed, so this time, I'm giving you special permission to use Shrek's secret weapon— Qi Ling! Let him travel with you!"
Upon hearing that Qi Ling would also join the fight, Ma Hongjun was immediately overjoyed, and the others also showed expressions of delight.
For the past six months, they had been training without Qi Ling. Although this made them progress faster, they still couldn't help but feel relieved when they heard that Qi Ling would be returning to the team.
After all, no matter how long Qi Ling is gone, he is the soul of Shrek Shrek and an indispensable part of it.
"Well, don't get too excited yet. If I find any of you slacking off because of this, I won't let you graduate!" Flender said. "Alright, let's go!"
The group of twelve set off on the road to Sunset Forest, chatting and laughing along the way, like a picnic or a past Soul Hunting beasts.
" Brother Qi, aren't you still the leader of the Imperial Fighting Team?" Seizing an opportunity, Xiao Wu asked, "How strong are they? If they competed against us, who would win?"
Xiao Wu's question was also the question the others wanted to know, after all, just thinking about a team personally built by Qi Ling was enough to tell how terrifying it must be.
Qi Ling smiled and said, "I'm afraid there's no way to compare them. You're all about to obtain your Fourth Soul Ring, and your strength will definitely leap forward afterward. How can I judge your strength?"
"Hmph, Brother Qi, stop pretending. Don't you know how much stronger we'll become after obtaining Soul Ring? Just pretend we've already obtained all the Soul Ring and are fully prepared. Who's stronger when we compare ourselves to the Imperial Fighting Team?" Xiao Wu persisted.
"Who's stronger..." Qi Ling thought for a moment and said, "If we were to compete now, the Imperial Fighting Team wouldn't stand a chance."
Before everyone could rejoice, Qi Ling continued, "But if we wait another three months, we should be able to achieve a 40/60 split."
"Huh? Is there really such a big difference? Why is that?" Xiao Wu asked in surprise.
Everyone was prepared for the Imperial Fighting Team to be a formidable opponent, but the fact that such a huge difference could occur in just three months was something no one could have imagined.
Qi Ling smiled. It was only natural that everyone would react this way. The reason for such a big difference was simple: the difference in Soul Power.
The current Imperial Fighting Team has reached level 46 in Soul Power Level for Dugu Yan and Tuoliya, level 42 for Yu Feng, level 41 for Ye Lingling, level 39 for Hua Yimeng and Hua Yidie, and level 37 for Luna.
Such a level is already quite astonishing. After all, Hua Yimeng, Hua Yidie, and Luna were able to reach this level within half a year, largely thanks to Qi Ling's extra tutoring.
As the most important member of the team, Luna's level directly determines the team's ceiling. Without a Soul Ring, the Imperial Fighting Team is indeed at a disadvantage against Shrek Academy.
Once Luna reaches the Soul Ancestor realm, the team's overall level will see a significant increase. With the addition of Hua Yimeng and Hua Yidie, they will be able to officially compete with Shrek.
"Don't worry, just focus on getting stronger at your own pace. Don't worry about so much," Qi Ling said with a smile. "I assure you, if you compete against the Imperial Fighting Team, I absolutely will not interfere! As for who will win the championship, that depends on your own strength."
Hearing Qi Ling's words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Ma Hongjun laughed and said, "Hehe, Boss Qi, besides you, who else are we Shrek Seven Devils afraid of! We'll definitely make you look at us in a new light!"
"Alright, stop talking big and think about what kind of Soul Ring you need," Qi Ling said. "Before the battle starts, I can still give you some advice. Otherwise, you might regret it for the rest of your lives if you make the wrong decision."
Flender and his group of four walked at the front, listening to the conversation of the people behind them. They couldn't help but smile knowingly and said, "Hehe, Xiaogang, it seems that what you said before, agreeing to let Qi Ling take over as the leader of the Imperial Fighting Team, was really the right decision! With such a competitor, our Little Monster are obviously working much harder."
The Grandmaster nodded and said, "It is precisely because of Qi Ling that so many talented people have gathered around him to form this even stronger Imperial Fighting Team, thus giving the children a sense of urgency."
"What people fear most is not failure, but the arrogance and complacency that comes with having no rivals! So I must help them break free from their dependence on Qi Ling, and let them know that there are many strong people in this world. Even if they are all rare geniuses, they must work twice as hard to keep up with the pace of this world."
Flender said helplessly, "Yes, yes, you predicted it all! Sigh, I really don't know what kind of monster Qi Ling is, how come he's proficient in everything? I think he'd be much better than us as a teacher."
"Also, Old Zhao, I heard that Qi Ling defeated Soul Emperor when he was level 38. Once he reaches the Soul Ancestor, he'll probably challenge you. You'd better be prepared!"
Seeing Flender's malicious smile, Zhao Wuji snorted and said, "Hmph, let him come. I don't believe this kid is really that freakish; a Soul Ancestor can defeat a Soul Saint like me!"
"Hey, don't be too sure of yourself. None of his opponents ever imagined they'd lose to him before they faced him. Old Zhao, be careful you don't ruin your reputation in your later years by losing to your own student," Flender chuckled.
Zhao Wuji snorted coldly, but he also began to have doubts. If this kid really became stronger, no one could say for sure how strong he would become. Perhaps he should really consider this issue.