Tang San originally wanted to defend Yu Xiaogang's theory, but at this moment, he didn't know what to say.
Although the process of absorbing a spirit ring was painful back then, the improvement was undeniable, especially now that Yang Xiong had even surpassed the typical age limit for spirit ring absorption. Could this mean that the teacher's theory was wrong?
Tang San had many thoughts swirling in his mind. As for Yang Xiong and Oscar, each had their own training plans. Oscar sat on the bed meditating, while Yang Xiong went off again to find Zhao Wuji for combat training after a brief conversation.
Next to their original dormitory, construction of the new dorm had already begun. But judging by the progress, it would still take a few days to complete. For now, Yang Xiong had to share a room with Oscar and Tang San.
Shrek Academy had few students and even fewer dorms, so Yang Xiong still felt a bit uncomfortable.
Early the next morning, everyone followed Zhao Wuji, preparing to set off for the Star Dou Forest.
After being beaten by Tang Hao, Zhao Wuji had looked quite miserable. Especially since, for some unknown reason, Tang Hao had used a method that even a powerful Soul Sage like Zhao Wuji couldn't immediately heal the bruises on his face.
Over the past few days, Yang Xiong had frequently sparred with Zhao Wuji, and the two had chatted quite a bit. Without saying much, Yang Xiong handed over some medicinal herbs to help heal Zhao Wuji's bruises. Zhao Wuji initially wanted to refuse, but after looking in the mirror, he reluctantly accepted.
After everyone discussed the precautions for entering the Star Dou Forest, they set out from Shrek Academy.
The Star Dou Forest was a full 500 kilometers from the academy, and no carriages were provided. Everyone had to travel on foot, which, according to Zhao Wuji and Dai Mubai, was part of their training.
For Spirit Masters, 500 kilometers was still a considerable distance. However, Oscar's recovery sausages helped maintain their stamina. Ning Rongrong also seemed to have grown closer to the group, using her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to assist everyone, especially the three girls, who chatted the whole way.
In just one day, the group reached the outskirts of the Soul Hunting Town near the Star Dou Forest.
At night, the forest became extremely dangerous, so they planned to eat and rest in the town before entering the forest the next morning.
As in the original story, they encountered Canghui Academy during their meal.
After some provoking words from Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai, a conflict broke out, and a fight ensued. Even the teachers from Canghui Academy were beaten by the group, with Tang San displaying the impressive power of his hidden weapons.
Yang Xiong, however, stayed out of the fight and silently stood to the side.
Oscar was a bit confused. "Brother Xiong, I feel like you don't like getting involved in fights. But the Dean said we're all monsters, and our academy rule is that if you're afraid to cause trouble, you're mediocre."
Yang Xiong replied with a trace of helplessness, "Causing trouble is often just bullying the weak. In this case, we were actually in the wrong. Oscar, you especially need to be more cautious in the future. You're a food-type Spirit Master with weak combat ability. The world of Spirit Masters is brutal, some people are extremely ruthless."
Oscar asked, "But don't you think what the Dean said is really inspiring?"
Yang Xiong shook his head. "The death rate of our senior brothers and sisters is so high. Aside from dying while hunting spirit beasts, I suspect many of them were killed because they caused too much trouble."
"When we go out, we won't always have teachers with us. The strongest students are only at the Soul Ancestor level, still weak in the Spirit Master world. Some might hesitate to touch us because of our academy's reputation or the power of the Dean and other Soul Sages. But there are plenty of people in the world who believe in wiping out threats completely. Sometimes, staying low-key is better than being too flashy."
"Especially after we graduate, we'll have no ties to Shrek Academy. It will no longer be our backing. If you stir up too much trouble, surviving in the Spirit Master world becomes very difficult."
Oscar, being a commoner, nodded in agreement. "Brother Xiong, you really know the Spirit Master world well. You have so much experience."
Yang Xiong shook his head again. "It's not so much experience in the Spirit Master world, but personal survival experience. I was born in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Frankly speaking, not many people would dare mess with me. But I still believe there's no need to act so high and mighty. Instead of saying 'those who don't cause trouble are mediocre,' I prefer another saying: 'Don't start trouble, but don't be afraid of it either.'"
Oscar, being a food-type Spirit Master with very weak combat ability, deeply agreed with Yang Xiong's words.
Although Yang Xiong and Oscar spoke quietly, the others, all Spirit Masters, could still hear them clearly. But no one took it to heart. Most of them had some sort of background and carried their own pride.
Zhao Wuji had initially been displeased that Yang Xiong didn't participate in the fight, but after hearing his words, he didn't say anything. Everyone has their own way of handling things. Right now, they were just classmates, not comrades who had each other's backs.
Yang Xiong had his pride too, but he understood better than most how cruel the Spirit Master world could be.
In fact, Yang Xiong had always been a bit suspicious, given how powerful the Shrek students' backgrounds were, it seemed unrealistic that none of them had ever been ambushed while training alone in the Spirit Master world.
Especially someone like Ma Hongjun, who loved to stir up trouble. The fact that he was still alive and thriving seemed almost unbelievable.
As for Dai Mubai, being a prince of the Star Luo Empire, he was definitely protected by powerful forces in the shadows. Otherwise, with his arrogant personality, he would have been killed long ago.
After resting for the night, everyone recovered and prepared to enter the Star Dou Forest in peak condition.
Even Yang Xiong was excited. This would be his first time entering the Star Dou Forest. Not only would he encounter top-level spirit beasts, but he might even get to witness the terrifying strength of the Titan Giant Ape, an experience that could help shape his future path.
Before entering, Oscar handed out sausages to everyone. Clearly, the group had come to trust Oscar and his sausages.
Zhao Wuji was unusually serious. "Once we're inside the Star Dou Forest, no one is to stray more than twenty meters from me, especially Oscar and Ning Rongrong. You two must stay right by my side. And unless I give the order, no one is allowed to attack any spirit beasts."
According to the formation Zhao Wuji had arranged, Tang San and Dai Mubai took the lead, Zhao Wuji brought up the rear, and Yang Xiong walked beside Ning Rongrong.
As soon as they entered the Star Dou Forest, Yang Xiong felt like he'd stepped into a completely new world. Even though this was only the forest's outer area, the density of trees and undergrowth far surpassed that of Sunset Forest. The terrain was also significantly more complex.
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