Very soon, Xiao Lin sold off all of his "immortal herbs."
Unlike the others, although Yue Feng and Oslo's families had minor influences, they were not wealthy and had nothing of value to trade.
In the end, just like Ye Lingling, Yue Feng and Oslo sold themselves.
This "selling themselves" meant that for the next ten years, they would follow Xiao Lin's orders. If Xiao Lin was in danger, they would risk their lives to protect him.
But Xiao Lin wasn't allowed to actively seek danger, otherwise they'd look like fools.
Still, what did Xiao Lin need two grown men for?
So in the end, he passed them to Tang San. Since Tang San was planning to establish the Tang Sect in the future, it would be impossible without manpower.
Thus, Yue Feng and Oslo became part of Tang San's team.
Now that the "immortal herbs" had been distributed, the ones who gained the most benefits were, surprisingly, Yue Feng and Oslo.
Since they were following Tang San, perhaps due to his fondness for those close to him, they might even become gods one day.
Xiao Lin could also give advice from time to time on how to best absorb spirit rings. Wasn't that better than the Shi family brothers?
As the members of the Royal Battle Team swore on their martial spirits not to expose anything about the herbs and began to consume them...
Only Xiao Wu hadn't yet absorbed her Yearning Heartbroken Red. After hearing Tang San's love story, this silly rabbit successfully picked the herb, but refused to consume it.
For a while, Tang San even considered giving Xiao Wu another herb instead and just letting her keep the Yearning Heartbroken Red.
But a glance from Xiao Lin made Tang San put the idea on hold.
Then, Xiao Lin called Tang San and Xiao Wu aside to the back mountain behind the Royal Battle Team's quarters.
After confirming no one else was around, Xiao Lin directly revealed the truth—that Xiao Wu was a 100,000-year-old Soft Bone Rabbit spirit beast in human form.
Hearing this, both Xiao Wu and Tang San were stunned.
Neither of them knew how Xiao Lin had discovered Xiao Wu's true identity.
Tang San subconsciously activated his Purple Demon Eye, observing Xiao Wu.
Under his gaze, Xiao Wu felt an intense pressure, as though any slip-up would expose her secret.
And in fact, it did. Though she looked like a human girl on the outside, in Tang San's eyes, there was a rabbit-shaped "soul" layered within her.
That "soul" was what shocked Tang San and confirmed Xiao Wu's real identity.
For a moment, all three fell into silence.
Xiao Wu wanted to explain, but didn't know what to say.
Tang San wanted to say that he didn't care and could accept Xiao Wu's identity—but emotionally, he was still shaken.
At this moment, Xiao Lin intervened directly:
"I knew Xiao Wu was a transformed spirit beast from the beginning. What kind of human child is so clueless about everything?"
"It's extremely rare for a Soft Bone Rabbit martial spirit to be born with full innate spirit power. Even innate level 8 or 9 is already considered genius."
"And then there's the matter of soul cores, self-condensed spirit rings…"
By the time Xiao Lin got to this point, Xiao Wu had lowered her head and dared not speak.
Xiao Lin hadn't originally wanted to interfere, but he wasn't the type to ignore danger when he saw it. He continued:
"Still, the feelings between Xiao Wu and us are real. Without her help while hunting ideal spirit beasts for our spirit rings, there's no way we would've avoided so many threats."
"Besides, once a spirit beast takes human form, they possess a human body. After Xiao Wu reaches level 70, there'll be virtually no difference."
"Xiao Wu, I believe in your love for Tang San. But shouldn't you believe in us, too?"
"If you don't consume the Yearning Heartbroken Red to fully change your spirit beast aura, and someone discovers the truth, your life will be in danger. What would happen to Tang San then?"
"Once you're up against Spirit Douluo-level experts who have developed spiritual power, do you think they won't sense your beast aura?"
Persuaded by Xiao Lin's earnest words, Xiao Wu finally chose to consume the herb.
Tang San also swore, right in front of Xiao Lin, that he would never let anyone hurt Xiao Wu.
A second later, the two had returned to their usual sweet selves.
"Xiao Wu, I brought you a gift. While I was with Senior Dugu and missing you, I made a comb. Can I braid your hair?"
Tang San said softly.
"Yes, Brother San, I want you to!"
Watching the two feed each other metaphorical dog food, Xiao Lin quickly fled the back mountain and turned his attention to the other Royal Battle Team members absorbing their herbs.
For a moment, Xiao Lin didn't know what to do—just blankly staring at Tang Ni.
Tang Ni was also a spirit beast in human form, a divine beast even. Would she be discovered too?
Xiao Lin suddenly became sentimental. It wasn't that he had special feelings for Tang Ni—it was simply that he found the idea of spirit beasts being hunted in human form to be tragic.
It was that same kind of anger and helplessness you feel when a once-powerful master loses all their strength and gets bullied by street thugs.
That was mostly it. Xiao Lin had always hated that kind of thing since he was young.
Maybe it was part of his hero complex. In his previous life, when watching The Lotus Lantern, he couldn't stand the scene where the Great Sage had his tendons cut and became weak.
He'd skip that scene altogether.
To Xiao Lin, he'd rather see the Great Sage go down in a blaze of glory—or die resisting after torture—than see him die weak and powerless.
It was the same with divine beasts. If one of them, with power equal to a 100,000-year-old spirit beast, were to die…
Well, let's not even think about that.
If Tang Ni died, the fierce beasts would go berserk—what then?
It would be an uncontrollable disaster, and countless lives would be lost.
A ticking time bomb.
Although in the second part, the divine beast wasn't discovered by Title Douluos, Bibi Dong would appear at the high-level academy tournament.
That crazy woman had a god's inheritance.
Just as Xiao Lin was agonizing over all this, the Royal Battle Team's teacher, Qin Ming, returned.
At first, he was happy to see them back—but upon noticing none of the students were training, he got furious.
Thankfully, Xiao Lin had prepared a fitting spirit herb for Qin Ming and explained everything.
This was originally something Tang San had prepared for Xiao Lin, but once Xiao Lin acquired the Extreme Ice and Fire, the Flame Spirit Grass was no longer useful to him.
When Qin Ming quietly took the herb and looked at its vibrant red leaves filled with extreme fire energy...
Even if he were an idiot, he'd realize how precious it was.
"This Flame Spirit Grass is said to be a gift from the God of Fire to the mortal world. It brings light and warmth. It should help Qin Ming's martial spirit approach the level of extreme fire."
Xiao Lin said cheerfully, just about to ask Qin Ming to swear by his martial spirit, when Qin Ming suddenly spoke up:
"Enough, Xiao Lin. I accept your gift. No fire-attribute spirit master could ever refuse such a treasure."
The next moment, Qin Ming raised his hand and swore:
"I, Qin Ming, swear on my Blazing Flame Wolf. From this day on, I will forever stand in front of Xiao Lin and the others, protecting them for life."
Qin Ming showed no trace of the bad habits seen in some Shrek Academy staff. Instead, he was sincere and promised lifelong protection—stunning Xiao Lin.
"Heh, Teacher Qin Ming, that's really not necessary. We'll soon be stronger than you anyway."
Xiao Lin chuckled, then forced Qin Ming to begin absorbing the Flame Spirit Grass.
Just as Qin Ming began his absorption, the Royal Battle Team members experienced a breakthrough.
"I did it! I reached level 40!"
"Idiot Leopard, so did I!"
"Ugh, you're all so noisy! We reached level 40 too!
(End of Chapter)