Zhang Fan's soul power shot up from level 54 to level 57.
And then it stopped.
He had already jumped seven levels. It felt absolutely amazing.
He couldn't go any higher for now.
After all, it was already a massive leap.
He needed to stabilize his realm, so with a flash, he exited the Star Dou Great Forest.
And returned to Shrek Academy.
…
Meanwhile, Bibi Dong flew back to the Spirit Hall with Hu Liena.
Along the way, Bibi Dong kept thinking about Zhang Fan's handsome face.
As soon as she returned, she ordered Elder Chrysanthemum to investigate Zhang Fan's background.
…
A few days earlier, when Dugu Bo returned to his herb garden, he discovered that Zhang Fan was already gone.
Only a note was left behind.
"Old monster, I've left. Your poison can't be removed, but it can be transferred to a soul bone, and that'll get rid of the pain. If you have an external soul bone, even better — just transfer all the poison to that. Then neither you nor your granddaughter will suffer anymore."
Dugu Bo was speechless. This little brat actually dared to mess with him.
He wanted to take revenge, but didn't dare.
After all, he had only avoided going berserk last time because he wasn't holding any hatred.
He realized that if he approached with any malice, he'd instantly go berserk.
So he just imagined it but didn't act.
He really didn't want to go through that again. It was unbearable.
Last time, even his little brother down there got bent, and thankfully he had children and grandchildren already, or he'd be completely ruined.
Still, this brat did leave him a solution, which was actually quite useful.
…
"Zhang Fan?" Elder Chrysanthemum blinked in surprise and flashed to Hu Liena's palace.
"Na'er, why did your teacher ask me to investigate this person?" His voice was neither male nor female, and neither was his appearance. Draped in elder's robes, he spoke to Hu Liena with a peculiar tone.
A flower was held in his hand.
Hu Liena looked around to make sure no one else was nearby, then leaned close and whispered, "Teacher… might be into this Zhang Fan guy. He's super handsome, and insanely talented! He's just twelve or thirteen and already over level 50!"
"No way… He's even more monstrous than you!"
Elder Chrysanthemum was utterly stunned. First, by the fact that the Pope might actually be into a young boy — totally unbelievable, and second, that a kid could be that monstrously powerful. He'd never heard of it.
No wonder the Pope immediately ordered an investigation upon returning.
"Obviously!" Hu Liena huffed, feeling like she'd been replaced.
"Alright then! I'll go check it out now!" Elder Chrysanthemum took to the skies.
…
Zhang Fan had returned to Shrek Academy in Heaven Dou City.
Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing rushed over the moment they heard he was back.
"Brother Fan, you're back! Didn't you say you wanted to visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan with me? When are we going?"
Ning Rongrong grabbed Zhang Fan's hand and shook it eagerly.
"Alright then, get ready. Let's head out now!" Zhang Fan smiled at the three girls.
"Hehe… I'm not going!" Xiao Wu shook her head.
"Fair enough! What about you, Zhuqing?" Zhang Fan looked at Zhu Zhuqing.
"I won't go either," she replied, feeling awkward since that was Ning Rongrong's home.
"Okay! Then you two behave while I'm away!" Zhang Fan hugged Xiao Wu, then Zhu Zhuqing, and finally Ning Rongrong.
"Xiao Fan, what level are you at now?"
Flender came over, surprised to see Zhang Fan back so soon.
He asked curiously:
"How old is your new spirit ring?"
"Not that old. You'll find out soon enough!"
Zhang Fan didn't want to give it away. Mystery makes it more fun.
"Alright, you brat, always so secretive!"
Flender nodded, then looked at Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing:
"You girls really aren't going? Me, Liu Erlong, Zhao Wuji, Tang San, Dai Mubai — we're all going to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan too."
"Uh…"
Xiao Wu hadn't expected that the whole crew was going.
"Then let's go too!" Xiao Wu looked at Zhu Zhuqing.
"Sure!" Zhu Zhuqing nodded.
So, they all boarded the carriage and set off for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
"Brother Fan, what level are you at now?"
Xiao Wu sat beside Zhang Fan, curious.
"Well… not that high! I'll only tell you three — no one else!"
Zhang Fan whispered to them.
"Okay!"
Xiao Wu nodded excitedly.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing also nodded, watching Zhang Fan's handsome face, waiting for the answer.
"Level 57." He said quietly to the three beauties.
"Wow… Brother Fan, you're unbelievably awesome!"
Ning Rongrong couldn't believe that he'd leveled up seven times in just a few days. She was thrilled for him, and definitely a little jealous.
"Yeah, that's insane. Totally beyond imagination!"
Xiao Wu was genuinely happy for Zhang Fan.
"Impressive."
Zhu Zhuqing praised him too.
And then—
"Whoosh—" Zhang Fan waved his hand and took out three immortal herbs.
Ning Rongrong received the Delicate Fragrant Immortal Tulip, perfect for support-type soul masters, helping them absorb the essence of sun and moon.
Zhu Zhuqing received the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, which nourished her body, enhanced her appearance and charm, and significantly boosted her soul power.
Xiao Wu got the Yearning Heartbroken Red, a god-tier herb with the power to revive the dead and regrow flesh, a life-saving treasure.
"These are immortal herbs. Eat them now and circulate your soul power. By the time we reach the clan, the medicinal effects should be fully absorbed, and your soul power should increase by 3 to 5 levels."
Zhang Fan explained.
"Wow… thank you, Brother Fan!"
Ning Rongrong was so excited she almost jumped — but couldn't inside the carriage.
"Smooch!" She gave Zhang Fan a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks, Brother Fan!" Xiao Wu also gave him a kiss.
"Thank you!" Zhu Zhuqing expressed her gratitude and gave him a kiss too — after all, something called 'immortal grass' definitely wasn't ordinary.
"Alright, get started. I'll shield the carriage from soul fluctuations."
Zhang Fan waved his hand, and a field of energy surrounded the carriage.
"It's almost too pretty to eat…" Xiao Wu hesitated, looking at the herb.
"Don't worry. It's good for you, and nothing will happen. You now have an enhanced Disguise Talisman — even a Title Douluo can't detect your identity." Zhang Fan said gently.
"Okay!"
Xiao Wu nodded and ate it. It was too beautiful not to feel a little reluctant.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong also ate their immortal herbs.
Of course, Zhang Fan only gave immortal herbs to his girls — not Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Tang San, or the others.