Tang San had initially wanted to defend Yu Xiaogang's theories, but at this moment, he found himself at a loss for words.
While the process of absorbing spirit rings was painful at first, the improvements were undeniably significant. The fact that Yang Xiong had actually exceeded the spirit ring absorption limits made Tang San question whether his teacher's theories might be flawed.
Countless thoughts raced through Tang San's mind. Meanwhile, Yang Xiong and Oscar each pursued their own cultivation plans. Oscar settled directly onto his bed to meditate, while Yang Xiong, after their conversation, went to find Zhao Wuji for another combat training session.
Construction had begun on a new dormitory adjacent to the original one, though it appeared several more days would be needed for completion. For now, Yang Xiong had no choice but to share a room with Oscar and Tang San.
Shrek Academy had few students and even fewer dormitories, leaving Yang Xiong feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the arrangement.
Early the next morning, everyone assembled to follow Zhao Wuji on their journey to the Star Dou Great Forest.
Zhao Wuji still appeared extremely embarrassed from his beating by Tang Hao. The mysterious method Tang Hao had employed left even a dignified Spirit Saint unable to heal the various bruises covering his face.
Yang Xiong had been seeking out Zhao Wuji for combat training these past few days, and the two had conversed extensively. Without a word, Yang Xiong produced some medicinal herbs to treat Zhao Wuji's bruises. Initially, Zhao Wuji wanted to refuse, but after catching his reflection in a mirror, he decided that using medicine would be preferable and reluctantly accepted the treatment.
After everyone discussed the necessary precautions for entering the Star Dou Great Forest, they prepared to depart from Shrek Academy.
The Star Dou Great Forest lay a full five hundred kilometers from Shrek Academy. The academy hadn't provided carriages, requiring everyone to run the entire distance. According to Zhao Wuji and Dai Mubai, this journey itself constituted valuable training.
Five hundred kilometers represented a considerable distance for Spirit Grandmasters, but everyone had Oscar's sausages to replenish their strength. Ning Rongrong seemed to have reduced her distance from the group, using her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to assist everyone. The three girls chattered continuously throughout the journey.
In just one day, the group arrived at Soul Hunting Town on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
The Star Dou Great Forest became extremely dangerous at night, so everyone planned to eat in Soul Hunting Town to replenish their energy before entering the forest early the following morning.
Just as in the original timeline, they encountered members of Blazing Academy while dining.
After heated verbal exchanges between Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai, conflict erupted between the two groups, leading directly to combat. Even the teacher from Blazing Academy received a lesson from their combined efforts, with Tang San particularly demonstrating the extraordinary power of his hidden weapons.
Yang Xiong found no enjoyment in such conflicts and remained silently on the sidelines throughout.
Oscar appeared puzzled by his friend's behavior. "Brother Xiong, why do I sense you dislike this kind of conflict? The Dean says we're all monsters, and our academy's rule states that incompetence lies in not daring to cause trouble."
Yang Xiong could only express his helplessness. "So-called 'causing trouble' is merely bullying the weak with superior strength. We weren't actually in the right this time. Oscar, you especially need to be careful in the future. As a food-type soul master with weak combat abilities, you're vulnerable. The soul master world is extremely cruel, and some people react very extremely to provocation."
Oscar pressed further. "Don't you find the Dean's words encouraging?"
Yang Xiong shook his head. "Our senior brothers and sisters have suffered such high mortality rates. Besides those who died while hunting spirit beasts, I suspect a large portion were killed because they caused too much trouble."
"We don't always have teachers accompanying us when we venture out. The highest level among students is only Spirit Grandmaster, which remains quite weak in the soul master world. Some people might hesitate to attack us out of fear of our academy or the Dean's strength as a Spirit Saint, but many in the soul master world prefer to eliminate problems at their roots. Sometimes maintaining a low profile is far better than being too conspicuous."
"Especially after graduation, we'll essentially sever our connection with Shrek. The academy will no longer serve as our backing. If we truly cause excessive trouble, it becomes very easy to lose our lives in the soul master world."
Oscar, coming from common origins, couldn't help but nod in agreement. "Brother Xiong, you truly understand the soul master world. You possess such rich experience."
Yang Xiong shook his head again. "This isn't soul master world experience, but rather my personal survival philosophy. I was born into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. To speak frankly, not many would dare provoke me easily. However, I personally believe there's no need to be so high-profile in our dealings with others. Rather than saying 'incompetence lies in not daring to cause trouble,' I prefer another principle: 'Don't cause trouble, but don't fear trouble either.'"
As a food-type soul master with minimal combat power, Oscar found himself strongly agreeing with Yang Xiong's philosophy of not causing trouble while not fearing it.
Although Yang Xiong and Oscar spoke quietly, everyone present possessed the enhanced hearing of soul masters and could hear clearly. However, they didn't pay much attention, as everyone present had significant backgrounds and maintained their own pride.
Zhao Wuji had initially held some opinions about Yang Xiong not participating in the fight, but after hearing his words, he said nothing more. Everyone had their own way of navigating the world, and they were currently just classmates, not yet at the point of sharing burdens together.
Yang Xiong possessed his own pride, but he was more acutely aware of the soul master world's cruelty.
In fact, Yang Xiong had always harbored certain doubts. Although the Shrek team members had strong backgrounds, it seemed somewhat implausible that none had been ambushed while training alone in the soul master world.
Ma Hongjun's personality especially troubled him - the boy particularly enjoyed causing problems, yet had somehow managed to survive and grow. It seemed almost unbelievable.
Dai Mubai, on the other hand, as a prince of the Star Luo Empire, definitely had secret protection. His own strength wasn't weak either. Otherwise, given his arrogant personality, he would likely have been killed long ago.
After resting for one night, everyone restored their bodies to peak condition in preparation for entering the Star Dou Great Forest.
Even Yang Xiong felt considerable anticipation. This would be his first time entering the Star Dou Great Forest. Not only would it be his first contact with top-tier spirit beasts, but he might even witness the strength of the Titan Giant Ape firsthand. Perhaps he would need to plan in that direction for the future.
Before entering the Star Dou Great Forest, Oscar provided everyone with sausages in advance. Clearly, everyone now fully recognized both Oscar and the value of his sausages.
Zhao Wuji appeared exceptionally serious as he addressed the group. "Once we enter the Star Dou Great Forest, no one is permitted to stray more than twenty meters from my position. Oscar and Ning Rongrong especially - you two must remain close to me at all times. Without my explicit orders, you must not attack any spirit beasts."
Following Zhao Wuji's arrangements, Tang San and Dai Mubai took point at the front, Zhao Wuji personally guarded the rear, and Yang Xiong positioned himself beside Ning Rongrong.
Upon entering the Star Dou Great Forest, Yang Xiong once again felt as though he had entered an entirely new world. Even though they remained on the periphery, the luxuriance of the trees and undergrowth exceeded that of the Sunset Forest, and the terrain proved far more complex.
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