Bonus Chapter. Enjoy!
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In the next half hour, Huo Yuhao thoroughly experienced what it meant to "ride someone's coattails.
"If his previous life was a survival game on hell difficulty, then now, ever since joining Tang Wulin's team, he felt as if he had suddenly activated an invincible cheat mode, transforming from a miserable wretch into someone who wins by doing nothing.
It really was a free win.
The only thing he needed to do was activate his First Spirit Skill, "Spiritual Detection Sharing," acting as a human radar with no blind spots.
As for the battle?
He didn't need to worry about that at all.
Those hundred-year Spirit Beasts, which were quite difficult for ordinary freshmen to deal with, were like experience packs delivered to their doorstep before this four-person team, unable to put up any decent resistance.
Is this... the feeling of being carried?
This is just too great!
"I can't take it anymore, I can't take it..."
"I... I can't absorb any more."
"I feel like my body is about to explode."
Beside him, Wei Xiaofeng was also leaning against a tree trunk, his face full of both pain and satisfaction:
"Me too, the Spirit Power in my body is about to overflow."
"The energy in this Spirit Ascension Platform is too pure; the absorption efficiency is terrifyingly high."
"If I keep absorbing, I'm afraid my meridians won't be able to take it."
Hearing the two of them, Huo Yuhao was stunned.
He blinked and subconsciously sensed his own body.
It was empty. Aside from his Mental Force being relatively full because of the golden pearl, there was no obvious change in his Spirit Rings, and his body didn't feel "stuffed" at all.
"Huh?"
Huo Yuhao panicked.
"What's going on?"
"Why don't I feel anything at all?"
"Didn't they say that after entering and killing Spirit Beasts, energy would be automatically infused? We just killed quite a few; logically, I should have been allocated a lot of energy too."
"Could it be..."
Huo Yuhao's face turned pale as a terrifying thought surfaced in his mind:
"Is it because my constitution is too poor? Or is my talent too low to even absorb the energy here?"
"Yuhao don't be an idiot!"
While Yuhao was overthinking, Skydream Ice Worm's frustrated voice rang out in his Sea of Consciousness:
"What are you thinking?"
"Do you think I'm just for show?"
"Ah?" Yuhao was startled. "Brother Tianmeng, this is..."
"Of course, I sealed all that energy for you!"
Skydream Ice Worm explained crossly:
"Look at your own small frame; it's as weak as anything."
"Your current physical strength reached saturation long ago."
"So, I stored most of the energy you were allocated in my seal."
"Once your physical strength increases in the future, I'll slowly release it for you to absorb."
"So that's how it is..."
Hearing this explanation, Huo Yuhao breathed a long sigh of relief, his heart finally settling.
Good.
Fortunately, it wasn't because there was something wrong with his body or because his talent was too poor.
Otherwise, watching his teammates making rapid progress while he stayed in place would really be devastating; he would fall behind by a huge margin.
"I have to say..."
Skydream Ice Worm smacked its lips, its tone carrying a hint of emotion:
"This place has something to it."
Just then, Teacher Shen Yi's amplified voice rang out from the sky.
"Alright, students."
"The trial time is up."
"Please stop fighting, find a safe place, and prepare to exit the Spirit Ascension Platform."
"Ten-second countdown."
Hearing this, a look of lingering desire flashed in Yuhao's eyes.
Although it was only a short half hour, the feeling of fighting side-by-side and making rapid progress was truly captivating.
"Looks like we'll have to wait until next time."
Tang Wulin smiled and reached out to pat Yuhao's shoulder:
"It's okay, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."
"Next time, let's team up again."
"Yeah!"
Yuhao nodded heavily, his eyes full of anticipation.
...
Spirit Ascension Platform Hall.
With the sound of hatches opening, thirty-two students sat up from their silver virtual cabins one after another.
Everyone's expressions varied; some were quite excited, while others looked bitter. Because not everyone who came to Shrek Academy was highly talented, even if they teamed up, they weren't necessarily a match for a hundred-year Spirit Beast.
Of course, some were lucky enough to encounter ten-year Spirit Beasts; though their gains were small, they were still gains.
"I think everyone should have learned something. Some students might not have absorbed any energy, but don't worry—there will be opportunities in the future. Once your strength grows, you can redeem yourselves."
Teacher Shen Yi clapped her hands and announced:
"Today's enrollment experience class ends here."
"Classes will officially begin tomorrow morning!"
"Dismissed!"
"Goodbye, teacher!"
The students bowed one after another and then dispersed in small groups.
"Yuhao, do you plan to go to the cafeteria together?"
As soon as Yuhao walked out of the hall, he ran into Tang Wulin and the other two.
At the mention of eating, Tang Wulin's eyes lit up.
Yuhao touched his somewhat empty stomach and also smiled:
"Sure, I happen to be hungry too."
On the way to the cafeteria, three people walked toward them.
At the head was an emaciated old man sitting in a wheelchair.
Pushing him was a handsome young man.
Beside them was an old man in a purple robe with a profound aura.
They were Mu En, Bei Bei, and Bei Xin, who was accompanying them, having just finished visiting the academy and preparing to leave.
As the wheelchair slowly passed by Yuhao.
Mu En subconsciously turned his head, his gaze fixed intently on Yuhao.
In that instant, Mu En had a strange feeling, as if... something extremely precious that originally belonged to him had just brushed past him.
That feeling was so strong that it gave Mu En an inexplicable sense of loss.
A hollow feeling.
As if he had lost something very important to Shrek Academy, perhaps even something concerning its future destiny.
Mu En was certain he had never met Yuhao before, but... what was this sense of regret all about?
Was he so old that he was having hallucinations?
He hoped Shrek Academy would produce more pillars of talent.
He hoped Xuan Zi and the others would be more steady.
While Mu En was still dazed by the earlier palpitation.
"Whoosh—"
A streak of light sped across the sky.
Elder Lin had returned.
She looked travel-worn, and her expression was grim.
Behind her, that silver-white fully automated resource auditing drone was flashing with blue light, following unhurriedly.
"Elder Mu."
Elder Lin landed beside Mu En, her voice somewhat dry, as if she had suddenly aged many years:
"I... I'm back."
Mu En glanced at Elder Lin's ashen face and then at the small orb floating in the air, understanding everything in his heart.
It seemed that Shrek Academy's storehouse really was going to be emptied out this time.
"Are you ready?"
Bei Xin asked with a smile, as if he didn't see Elder Lin's murderous gaze at all.
"I'm ready."
Elder Lin gritted her teeth, squeezing out the words through her teeth, and then handed over a heavy Storage Soul Tool.
The items inside were the result of ten thousand years of effort by Shrek Academy.
It was also the price for redeeming their dignity.
"Good, then let's go collect the person."
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A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.