Without returning to class, Chen Junting immediately took Wu Feng to Teacher Mujin's office—not only to file their soul hunt applications, but also to request leave for Dugu Xin.
Inside the office, Mujin wasted no time.
She produced a soul power testing orb. When the numbers "40" and "30" glowed on its surface, she handed them two application forms without hesitation, approving their requests on the spot.
After thanking her, Chen Junting and Wu Feng headed straight for Dean Du Weilun's office.
Chen Junting knocked on the door.
"Come in."
A stern voice issued from within.
He opened the door, and the two stepped inside.
Du Weilun sat at his desk, glasses perched on his nose, brows furrowed as he pored over a stack of documents. Beside him stood their instructor, Wang Yan.
Seeing them, Wang Yan greeted them with a warm smile and gestured for them to sit on the sofa and wait.
"Ah—you've both broken through to Level 40 and 30," Du Weilun said, finally looking up. His eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed the documents on his desk—maps and notes on spirit-type soul beasts and their territories in the Great Star Dou Forest. Chen Junting had caught a glimpse of them too.
"Have you decided on your soul ring choices?" Du Weilun asked.
"Yes, Dean Du," Chen Junting replied. "That's why we'd like to use the academy's reward—to hunt the most suitable soul rings for us."
Du Weilun rubbed his temples. "Very well. Tomorrow afternoon, I'll notify you of departure. You'll be joined by your classmate Huo Yuhao, plus two senior Martial Soul students…"
He paused, then added gravely, "And due to special circumstances, a Soul Engineering senior will also accompany you."
Chen Junting handed over the two application forms. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the markings on Du Weilun's documents—Wang Yan's handwriting.
"Have you considered alternatives?" Du Weilun asked, his tone cautious.
Chen Junting didn't hesitate. "My first choice is a 10,000-year Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear."
Wang Yan's eyes widened in disbelief.
Du Weilun froze mid-motion, slowly removing his glasses. "What? You want a 10,000-year Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear for your fourth soul ring? Do you understand what that means? A 10,000-year soul ring carries soul shock—not something you can absorb just because your body is strong enough. Honestly, even a 9,000-year one would be safer."
"I'm aware," Chen Junting said calmly. "But my spiritual power meets the requirement—thanks to an item granted by the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect." He didn't shy from invoking his sect's name—it was the quickest way to reassure Du Weilun.
Du Weilun didn't press further. In his mind, it made sense: the sect must have given Chen Junting a high-grade spirit-type head soul bone, explaining both his rapid breakthrough to Level 40 and his resistance to soul shock.
"But," Chen Junting continued, "my true ideal choice for my fourth soul ring is actually a 10,000-year Emerald Demon Bird."
At that, even Du Weilun's composure cracked.
"Cough—what? An Emerald Demon Bird? Maybe we should just go back to the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear."
He knew this soul beast all too well—and that was precisely why he wanted Chen Junting to abandon the idea.
The Emerald Demon Bird was among the most vicious avian soul beasts. It grew by consuming the brain marrow of living creatures—humans included, and preferred. Swift as lightning, its speed ranked among the highest in the entire soul beast realm.
In ancient times, swarms of Emerald Demon Birds had caused catastrophic plagues—leaving landscapes littered with hollowed skulls and corpses.
Though later decimated by other soul beasts' natural predation, they were now nearly extinct. Some scholars even believed they'd vanished entirely.
Du Weilun fell silent, clearly troubled. "Do you have any idea how rare and powerful this creature is? Even I wouldn't easily capture one if I encountered it."
Chen Junting didn't back down. "If we can't find the true Emerald Demon Bird, then its subspecies—the Golden Demon Bird—would be acceptable."
After all, the 10,000-year Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear had already slipped to his third-choice option for his fourth soul ring. And if its whereabouts surfaced, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect could hunt it just as well.
Seeing Chen Junting's resolve, Du Weilun sighed. He knew this decision was beyond him. Without another word, he left the office and headed straight to the Inner Sect to consult Headmaster Yan Shaozhe.
There, after listening to Du Weilun's report, Yan Shaozhe closed his eyes in deep thought. After a long silence, he rose and pulled a book from his shelf.
As he flipped through its pages, a golden bird illustration appeared—alongside a map marked with Wang Yan's notes.
"This is the Golden Demon Bird—the Emerald Demon Bird's subspecies," Yan Shaozhe said, his voice turning unusually stern. "It's a difficult choice, but we made a promise. If we renege, Shrek Academy loses its credibility."
He removed the map and handed it to Du Weilun. "This information was left by the previous headmaster. Go here and try your luck."
Then he fixed Chen Junting with a piercing, serious gaze. "And remember—this time, you'll be accompanied by Zhao Gang. If you encounter a 10,000-year Golden Demon Bird, I fear Zhao Gang won't be able to handle it. Under no circumstances can anyone be lost!"
Du Weilun nodded solemnly. "Understood, Headmaster."
Returning to his office, Du Weilun found Chen Junting and Wu Feng still waiting. He looked at them, his initial shock now tempered. "Good timing. Tomorrow, the Outer Sect is organizing a soul hunt team. You'll join the expedition."
"You can count on us—we're not beginners," Chen Junting assured him.
Du Weilun turned to Wu Feng. "And your choice?"
"A 2,000- to 3,000-year fire-attribute sub-dragon species," she replied.
Du Weilun agreed immediately—it was a reasonable, safe request.
Finally, he gave them a grave warning: "Prepare thoroughly. The Great Star Dou Forest is no place for recklessness."
As the two left, Du Weilun watched them go, marveling silently.
How long has it even been… and they've already broken through?
But his mind was already set.
The hunt would proceed—and with it, a test of both skill and fate.
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