Douro Continent

Chapter 288 Xiao Wu: Brother, comb my hair (Part 2)

Oscar, who was standing nearby, noticed something amiss and lowered his voice in surprise, saying, "No way, mistress, could it be that you...?"

Tang San immediately interrupted him, "Stop talking nonsense, it's not what you think." This morning, he had finally managed to persuade Tailong not to come along.

Tailong's cultivation speed is clearly inferior to theirs; he has only just broken through to level 38 and has not yet reached level 39.

Furthermore, Tailong wasn't actually part of the Shrek Seven Devils. Although he always followed his grandfather's instructions and treated Tang San as his bodyguard, Tang San couldn't truly consider him a bodyguard.

Although he had been cultivating for the past six months and hadn't spent much time with Tailong, he would occasionally pass on some cultivation techniques that the master had taught him to Tailong.

Their relationship changed from rivals to ordinary friends.

Of course, Tailong could no longer afford to make a move on Xiaowu. Putting aside Tang San's identity, even without that identity, he understood that he would probably never be Tang San's match.

Xiao Wu would never choose herself.

Not just him, almost every student at Shrek Academy knows that Tang San seems to only have eyes for Xiao Wu, and Xiao Wu would never show any interest in another man. Many girls who tried to get close to Tang San were directly blocked by Xiao Wu.

Although Tang San knew about this, he never said anything about it.

They never officially became a couple in front of anyone, but they were already regarded as such by everyone in the academy. Only the Shrek Seven Devils knew that Tang San and Xiao Wu's relationship was actually very innocent.

Oscar immediately gave him an "I understand" look. "Yeah, it's not what I thought. You don't need to explain. Everyone knows."

At this moment, it wasn't just Oscar; Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and even Zhu Zhuqing were all looking at them with somewhat strange eyes.

Tang San couldn't help but swear, "You guys don't know anything!"

Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but laugh, and Xiao Wu's face turned into an adorable red apple.

"Ahem, what are you doing?" Flander said irritably. The Shrek Seven Devils quickly stopped smiling and straightened their backs.

Flander said, "We'll set off immediately, our destination being Sunset Forest. Although the four of us will be accompanying you this time, there's something I need to clarify beforehand. While the fourth spirit ring doesn't have the same bridging role as the third, it's still just as important. To allow you to better practice your combat skills before the Spirit Master Competition begins, Grandmaster and I have decided that you will be responsible for hunting spirit beasts yourselves this time. We will only intervene as a last resort. Under normal circumstances, we won't protect you; on the contrary, you'll be the ones protecting us. This spirit beast hunting trip is the first stage of your graduation exam. The second stage is the upcoming Advanced Spirit Master Competition. Do you understand?"

Ma Hongjun, who was least afraid of Flanders, couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, how do we know if we've passed?"

Flander said, "Good question. Passing isn't actually that difficult. In the first stage, you can use your collective strength to hunt spirit beasts that suit you. As long as the four of us don't make a move, you'll pass. As for the second stage, as long as you win a championship, you can graduate without much trouble."

"Huh? This is not difficult?" Oscar couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Although they are all exceptional geniuses, their age limits their potential to reach extraordinary levels. Furthermore, they will be facing elite Soul Masters under the age of twenty-five from across the entire continent. Making it all the way to the final stages of the competition and ultimately winning the championship will be no easy feat.

Flander rolled his eyes. "What? Oscar, you have a problem with that?"

"No, no. Dean, you are wise." Oscar knew Flander's temper; if he raised any objections, the graduation exam would probably become even more difficult.

"That's good. Let's go." Flander gave the order to set off, and the group of eleven embarked on the road to Sunset Forest.

Flander and his three companions walked in front, while the Shrek Seven Devils followed behind.

Flander wasn't in a hurry. He chatted and laughed with the master, Liu Erlong, and Zhao Wuji as they slowly made their way forward, looking like they were on a picnic.

Dai Mubai, leading the Shrek Seven Devils, whispered, "I've obtained my fourth spirit ring. Have you all decided what spirit rings you need this time? Since Dean Flander and the others aren't planning to help us hunt spirit beasts, we need to have a plan. According to Grandmaster's calculations, spirit rings between three and five thousand years old will be most effective. Of course, the closer to five thousand years, the greater the boost to strength. My fourth spirit ring is from a spirit beast over four thousand years old. However, the closer to five thousand years, the more difficult it will be to absorb the spirit ring. I think you all remember how Xiao San looked when he absorbed the Human-Faced Demon Spider's spirit ring last time. Although he withstood it, he suffered immense pain and could have easily died. So, you need to quickly decide on your goals. While maximizing your benefits, you also need to consider the extent to which you can absorb the spirit ring."

Everyone nodded in agreement. The master's theory was certainly valid, but each Soul Master's individual circumstances were different, and their limits varied. Oscar and Ning Rongrong, for example, could withstand significantly fewer Soul Rings than others, as they were support-type Soul Masters, and their physical condition was worse than that of battle Soul Masters. On the other hand, Tang San, having received the domineering amplification of the Human-Faced Demon Spider Soul Ring and the modifications of the 'Eight-Cornered Ice Grass' and 'Blazing Apricot Blossom,' possessed a physical resilience far exceeding that of Soul Masters of the same level, allowing him to absorb Soul Rings of higher age.

Tang San said, "How about this? We don't know what kind of spirit beasts we'll encounter right now. When we meet a spirit beast of similar age, we'll defeat it, rendering it unable to resist. Then we'll carefully determine its age and decide which one is most suitable to absorb its essence. If no one is suitable, we'll release it. What do you think?"

Tang San is Grandmaster's disciple and the soul of the Shrek Seven Devils. This statement immediately gained everyone's approval.

Dai Mubai said, "Alright, let's do it that way. Xiao San will still give instructions on how to proceed."

Tang San said, "Xiao Ao, before entering Sunset Forest, make a batch of flying mushroom sausages for everyone. This will make it easier to avoid danger. Also, don't forget the Flying Claws on your wrists. They can not only help you move in unfavorable terrain, but also be used to escape and capture soul beasts. But be careful when using them. If the soul beast is too strong, don't use them lightly, or you might end up helping it. When we encounter a suitable soul beast, I will first use control skills to restrict its movement, and then you can attack it as a group. Just don't kill it."

"Oscar, you're not only responsible for supplying everyone, but also for supplying the soul beasts. If everyone is too heavy-handed and the soul beasts are on the verge of death, don't be stingy with your healing sausages."

"Rongrong, your task is the simplest. If anything happens, just activate the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to assist everyone. Zhuqing will be in charge of reconnaissance, and Mubai, Xiaowu, and I will mainly be responsible for attacking. Understand?"

"clear."

Although Flander and his companions walked ahead, he kept his ears open to the sounds behind them. Hearing Tang San's instructions, the dean of Shrek Academy couldn't help but smile. He nudged Grandmaster beside him and said, "Little San is really unlike a child. He's meticulous and calm under pressure. Even knowing his true identity hasn't affected his cultivation much. I heard he even made a fortune from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Xiao Gang, how about you let me have him? Or how about I also get a teacher's title?"

The master glared at Flander and said, "Isn't it enough that you're his dean? No matter what, the third son will graduate from Shrek Academy in the future."

Flanders nodded. "That's true. To be honest, I really wish time would pass faster. Thirty years, oh no, maybe twenty, will probably be the world of these kids."

A rare smile appeared on the master's face. "If we skipped twenty years, wouldn't you and I be old by now?"

Flanders snorted, "So you do know that! Then let's not waste any more time." As he spoke, he gestured towards Liu Erlong with his chin.

The master's expression froze for a moment, then returned to its original state, which infuriated Flander. However, this was a matter between two people, and although he was close to both of them, he couldn't make decisions for them and was powerless to do anything about the master.

He also knew that if he pushed too hard, the master might disappear again, which would be even more unbearable for Liu Erlong.

The distance between Heaven Dou City and Sunset Forest is very short. Sunset Forest can be said to be the place where Soul Masters hunt Soul Beasts in most cities around Heaven Dou City.

Of course, not many people know about the core area, the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eye.

(End of this chapter)