**Returning to the Present**
Di Tian gazed at Wang Feng, who now stood before him. His sharp eyes gradually softened.
Wang Feng still hadn't noticed the change in Di Tian's demeanor.
"Human, His Majesty will not be meeting you today."
Wang Feng turned his head slightly, a hint of confusion in his eyes. He narrowed them, trying to read Di Tian's expression—now far calmer than before.
"He won't meet me?" Wang Feng repeated softly, his tone laced with a trace of doubt. "But didn't he say yesterday that today would be our final meeting?"
Di Tian stared at him deeply, then let out a slow sigh. "That is precisely what he meant. His Majesty has already conveyed all that needed to be said. He also entrusted me with a message: if there is anything you desire, you may request it directly from me. I will do my best to fulfill your wish."
Wang Feng fell silent for a moment. There was something in Di Tian's tone that made him feel as though a great door had closed behind him—opening a new path he could not refuse.
His gaze shifted to the tranquil lake. The image of that silver-haired woman remained vividly etched in his mind.
He turned back to Di Tian. "In that case, there is one thing I would like to ask."
Di Tian watched him without a word, waiting.
"I've hit a bottleneck and need a spirit beast. Can you..." Wang Feng hesitated.
Di Tian raised an eyebrow slightly but did not interrupt. His gaze urged Wang Feng to continue.
Seeing no refusal, Wang Feng exhaled slowly. "...Can you help me obtain my third spirit ring?"
Di Tian remained silent, but a slight nod indicated his willingness to hear more.
"I already know which spirit beast I want," Wang Feng continued. "I wish to obtain a spirit ring from a 30,000-year-old adult Voidroot Serpent."
Di Tian studied Wang Feng for a long moment before finally speaking again.
"Very well. I will order my subordinates to retrieve it for you. However, you may have to wait a few days. A spatial-attribute spirit beast like a mature Voidroot Serpent is not easy to find."
Though inwardly elated, Wang Feng's expression remained unchanged. He nodded slowly, suppressing the excitement in his heart. "I understand. I'll wait."
With that, Di Tian turned and left, leaving Wang Feng standing by the lake's edge, staring at his own rippling reflection on the water's surface.
After Di Tian's departure, Wang Feng continued his daily life as usual.
**Three Days Later...**
The rhythmic thud of footsteps echoed around the Lake of Life. Wang Feng, drenched in sweat, was running laps around the lake while carrying a massive boulder weighing 1,800 kilograms on his back. Every movement radiated strength and perseverance, yet his face remained calm, his eyes focused ahead.
Beneath a nearby tree, a spirit beast with radiant golden fur lay lazily. It was the Three-Eyed Golden Lion.
The lion yawned lazily, then spoke in a soft yet curious voice.
"Why does that human train endlessly without rest?" it muttered to itself. "Wouldn't it be better to use that time to relax?"
The lion tilted its head slightly, blinking its third eye, which glowed faintly. Its gaze followed Wang Feng as he continued running with the massive boulder, as if observing something it couldn't quite comprehend.
"Hmph... what a strange human," it grumbled again.
Wang Feng completed a full lap before slowly lowering the boulder from his back. He took a deep breath, his body drenched in sweat, yet his eyes still burned with determination. He sat atop the large rock and began meditating.
Just as Wang Feng was deep in meditation, the sound of approaching footsteps came from beyond the trees. He opened his eyes and saw a familiar towering figure.
Di Tian.
Di Tian was not alone. He had brought with him the Voidroot Serpent Wang Feng had requested—and two elderly figures. Wang Feng studied the two elders, finding them strangely familiar.
As sunlight illuminated their figures, their true faces became clear. They were none other than Mu En and Xuan Zi.
Wang Feng's eyes widened in shock as he recognized the faces he hadn't seen in so long.
"Master Mu En... Elder Xuan Zi?" he murmured, his voice filled with disbelief.
Mu En smiled warmly, his gaze falling on Wang Feng's sweat-drenched form. He felt relieved seeing that Wang Feng didn't seem to have been mistreated here.
"It's been a while, Wang Feng," Mu En said.
"I... never expected to see you two here," Wang Feng said, slowly rising to his feet and wiping the sweat from his brow. "Did you come for me?"
"Yes, how have you been, Wang Feng? Did they bully you in my absence?" Xuan Zi replied.
"No, Elder. They've treated me very well. They even gave me a place to stay in the heart of the forest like this." Wang Feng shook his head.
Mu En chuckled. "That's good. It seems you're doing just fine. You're even able to train in a place like this."
Wang Feng scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry for making you worry, Master. By the way, how did you and Elder Xuan Zi end up meeting Di Tian?" He lowered his voice at the end.
"That's a long story," Mu En replied. "But the gist of it is, we ran into Di Tian while he was hunting the Voidroot Serpent. When we asked why he was after it, he said it was for your third spirit ring. So we decided to help."
"Oh." Wang Feng found the explanation reasonable. He had no idea that his decision to stay here for a few days had caused quite a stir at Shrek Academy.
Di Tian stood beside Mu En and Xuan Zi, his expression calm but his eyes carefully observing Wang Feng's reaction. The Voidroot Serpent he had brought was wounded but still alive, its silver scales shimmering under the sunlight, emitting a faint spatial aura.
"You've truly chosen a difficult spirit beast," Di Tian finally said, his tone flat. "But this is what you requested."
Wang Feng nodded, his eyes fixed on the Voidroot Serpent. A mix of joy and determination flashed in his gaze.
"Thank you," Wang Feng said, this time with genuine sincerity.
Xuan Zi sighed and stepped closer. "Wang Feng, are you sure you want to absorb this spirit ring?"
She studied the wounded Voidroot Serpent with a scrutinizing gaze. "A 30,000-year spirit beast exceeds the normal limits for a third spirit ring. Even a Soul Emperor would struggle to absorb it."
Wang Feng met her gaze unflinchingly, unwavering resolve burning in his eyes. "I've considered everything, Elder. With my current physique, I'm confident I can handle it."
Di Tian, who had remained silent until now, spoke firmly. "Your time is limited. The Voidroot Serpent grows weaker by the minute. If you wish to absorb it, do so now."
Wang Feng took a deep breath, then knelt before the massive silver serpent. His sweaty hands gripped the special dagger Di Tian had given him.
(To be continued...)
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