Under the mysterious power of the immortal - grade herbal medicines bestowed by Chen Feng, the training ground of Shrek Academy seemed to transform into a fairyland.
The aroma of the herbal medicines filled the air. Every wisp of the scent seemed to carry the essence of the world, quietly seeping into everyone's body.
The cultivators closed their eyes and concentrated. The soul power in their bodies, like an activated river, flowed ceaselessly. Each circulation was extremely smooth, as if guided by an invisible hand, doubling the efficiency of their cultivation.
These immortal - grade herbal medicines were like treasures bestowed by heaven. They seemed to possess spirituality, able to perceive the essence of each person's martial spirit and strengthen it accordingly.
The cultivators felt an unprecedented surge of power. The potential they hadn't even been aware of was completely ignited at this moment.
As time passed, the power of heaven and earth within the herbal medicines merged with the cultivators' bodies. Every breath was like a baptism from heaven and earth, bringing about a fundamental change in the quality of their soul power.
Five months later, Zhu Zhuqing was the first to break through. Her soul power, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, successfully broke through the level - 40 barrier.
Shortly after, Tang San also achieved his breakthrough. His soul power was like the dawn's first light, illuminating the path ahead.
Before long, Ma Hongjun and Zhu Zhuqing also broke through one after another. Their soul power, like a phoenix reborn from the fire, reached the remarkable level of 40.
So far, except for Xiao Wu who didn't have the benefit of the immortal - grade herbal medicines, the other eight members of the Shrek Seven Devils had all reached the threshold of level 40.
The Grandmaster decided that after everyone reached level 40, they would set off together to find more powerful soul beasts, in order to further upgrade their soul rings. Of course, Xiao Wu couldn't wait. If she wanted to reach level 40, it would take at least half a year to a year.
As the dawn broke, the golden light spread like a fine silk over every inch of Shrek Academy, draping a layer of sacred battle robes over these young talents.
The four elders, the Grandmaster, Flanders, Liu Erlong, and Zhao Wuji, had their eyes fixed like torches. Through the mist, they gazed at the nine youthful backs. In their eyes, there was infinite anticipation for the future and deep - seated pride.
Level 40, for ordinary soul masters, was a peak that could only be reached around the age of 30. But the children in front of them, the oldest was only 17 years old, and the youngest was not even 14, yet they had already reached this threshold.
As their guides, Flanders and the others were filled with pride.
"We'll set off immediately. Our destination - the Sunset Forest."
Flanders' tone carried an unwavering determination. His eyes swept over the young faces in front of him, each one a hope he had painstakingly cultivated.
"During this soul - beast hunting, you must do it yourself. Unless it's a life - and - death situation, we instructors will not intervene easily. In most cases, you may even need to protect us. This is not only a soul - hunting journey but also the first level of your graduation assessment."
Ma Hongjun, the young man who always had a somewhat mischievous smile, couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, how can we pass the assessment?"
Flanders looked straight at Ma Hongjun and said solemnly, "You need to obtain at least a three - thousand - year - old soul ring."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone gasped in surprise.
A three - thousand - year - old soul ring meant a certain level of strength and pain.
They clearly remembered Tang San's painful struggle when absorbing the human faced demon spider's soul ring. It was a life - and - death battle.
Zhu Zhuqing slightly furrowed her delicate brows and asked softly, "What about Chen Feng? He surely can't just absorb a three - thousand - year - old soul ring, right?"
A hint of approval flashed in Flanders' eyes. He said slowly, "Chen Feng is different from you. The goal I set for him is - a thirty - thousand - year - old soul ring."
Everyone gasped in amazement. How could the gap between people be so huge?
The others were still striving for a three - to - five - thousand - year - old soul ring, while Chen Feng's goal was directly more than ten times that.
"Chen Feng, you're really going against the heavens!" Ma Hongjun's voice trembled slightly. His eyes were filled with both envy and helplessness.
Chen Feng, however, smiled easily. A hint of confidence showed in his eyes.
"Hongjun, you can also try to absorb a thirty - thousand - year - old soul ring. I'm not monopolizing it."
Ma Hongjun's Adam's apple bobbed. He thought of the tragic scene when Tang San absorbed the ten - thousand - year - old soul beast. It was a challenge to one's own limits and a gamble with life.
He knew that although a ten - thousand - year - old soul ring was great, it depended on one's endurance.
Talents like Tang San were already extremely rare, and Chen Feng was even more unprecedented.
Time passed quietly in the forest. Half a day of exploration hadn't brought them the ideal soul beasts.
Those thousand - year - old soul beasts that occasionally appeared were just inexperienced youngsters, far from meeting their expectations.
And these soul beasts seemed to sense the strength of this group of people and didn't take the initiative to attack.
As night fell, the stars dotted the sky. Deep in the Sunset Forest, there was a peaceful silence.
Flanders stood in an open area and said,
"Take a break. We'll look again tomorrow."
His words were like an order, making the Shrek Seven Devils who were searching around stop in their tracks.
The aroma of dinner filled the air, and the sumptuous food was mouth - watering.
After dinner, Flanders briefly gave a few instructions to the seven, then turned and entered the tent.
Although the tent was small, it was neatly arranged. Liu Erlong, the Grandmaster, Flanders, and Zhao Wuji each occupied a corner, forming a delicate balance.
As the night grew deeper, the life in the forest seemed to fall into a slumber. The Grandmaster stood outside the tent, looking at the starry sky, his heart in turmoil.
He knew that Liu Erlong's love was like the stars in the night sky, out of reach yet dazzling.
He hesitated for a moment, then finally stepped into the tent, his heart filled with mixed feelings.
Inside the tent, the breaths of the four people intertwined, creating a strange harmony.
The Grandmaster lay on his bedding, closed his eyes, and tried to calm his heart.
However, Liu Erlong's figure lingered in his mind, like a candle flame in the night wind, flickering.
In the late - night Sunset Forest, only the occasional calls of night birds and the low growls of distant soul beasts broke the silence.
The starlight filtered through the clouds and sprinkled on the earth, this forest is covered with a layer of mysterious silver yarn.
Zhu Zhuqing gently pulled Chen Feng, like a cat moving stealthily at night, quietly moving away from the noisy crowd.
The moonlight fell, and her eyes seemed to contain the starry sea, twinkling with curiosity and excitement.
"Brother Chen Feng,"
She lowered her voice and said mysteriously,
"Do you think the four of them, in that small tent, with it being so quiet at night, are likely to... Hehe..."
Before she finished speaking, a mischievous smile had already curved the corners of her mouth.