Faced with the deadly attack of the thousand years old wind baboon, accompanied by a blood chilling wind and intense killing intent, Liu Yuan's expression remained completely calm, not even a blink.
His deep eyes reflected the rapidly growing, ferocious face of the baboon, yet stayed as steady as an ancient well, without the slightest ripple.
Escape? Hide?
No. That was not the choice he would make.
Just as the baboon's gleaming claws were about to strike his throat, Liu Yuan moved.
Instead of retreating, he stepped forward, his body sinking slightly.
"First Soul Skill—Divine Speed!"
With a low shout in his heart, the ten thousand year soul ring in his body, emerald green and wrapped in golden light, suddenly ignited!
A power of extreme speed, born from the ancient divine dragon, surged through his limbs and bones instantly.
"Whoosh!"
In the wind baboon's bewildered eyes, the boy's figure blurred instantly, turning into a streak invisible to the naked eye.
For Liu Yuan, time seemed to slow.
He could see every ripple from the baboon's claws cutting through the air, every taut black hair straining with force, and even the fierce determination in its eyes.
But it was all too slow.
A streak of golden-green light, defying all natural laws, ghosted around to the baboon's side.
Liu Yuan's figure solidified again. His right hand formed a sword shape, fingers together, covered in faint emerald-green dragon scale patterns, with his surging soul power concentrated at the fingertips.
"Pfft—!"
Without any flashy technique, just by infusing soul power and the terrifying inertia of Divine Speed, Liu Yuan's fingers became like the sharpest soul-guided blade, piercing the baboon's thick fur and muscles and striking straight through its heart.
"Hehehe… heheh…??"
The baboon froze, lowering its head stiffly, staring at the hole in its chest as blood gushed out.
The ferocity in its eyes vanished, replaced by shock, fear, and confusion at how quickly its life was slipping away.
It could not understand how this seemingly weak human could move faster than it could react.
"Bang."
Its massive body collapsed, twitched twice, and then went still.
The entire scene passed in the blink of an eye.
Liu Yuan slowly withdrew his hand and there was not even a trace of blood on his fingertips.
Looking at the dead baboon, he felt no joy in victory. Instead, he gently shook his head and whispered to himself,
"Sigh, I've only just tasted the sweetness of power. Using an opponent like this to practice… it's really not enough."
He chuckled softly.
"It's like using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken no pressure, no satisfaction. A thousand years old soul beast… is too weak for me now."
This was not arrogance.
This is simply the truth.
After awakening the Mega Rayquaza spirit and acquiring the Godspeed spirit skill, the ultimate law, his strength had changed dramatically.
He was no longer a three ring Soul Master who needed extreme caution around thousand year old soul beasts.
"Never mind. Getting stronger is what matters." Liu Yuan quickly composed himself, leaving the slight regret behind.
He checked his direction, strengthened his resolve to go to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, and began walking to leave the vast forest.
He sped toward the outer edge of the Star Dou Great Forest. With the blessing of Martial Soul Possession, his speed far exceeded before, and the forest scenery rushed past in a blur.
By the time he neared the forest's edge, it was noon. The scorching sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
"Gurgle..."
An untimely sound came from his stomach.
The intense journey had drained his energy, and hunger surged like a tide.
Liu Yuan considered looking for wild fruit when a faint fragrance reached his nose.
It smelled like… grilled fish!
The aroma was tantalizing he can practically envision the fish it was crispy on the outside, tender inside, with the scent of oil and charcoal mingling in the air.
"Oh? Someone's grilling fish here?" Liu Yuan perked up and followed the scent.
Passing through a thicket, the view opened into a clearing.
A campfire blazed, and several golden-brown, oily fish sizzled over it.
Three figures sat nearby.
Liu Yuan's gaze swept over them, and he trembled slightly. Two were familiar!
A girl in blue with short blue hair stared longingly at the fish, her mouth watering as she reached toward it.
Beside her, a tall, handsome young man smiled gently and pressed down on her restless wrist.
The person grilling the fish was a strange young boy, maybe eleven or twelve, thin, wearing patched clothes, but with eyes bright and lively, as if containing stars. His movements were skillful and precise.
The girl was Tang Ya, current sect leader of the Tang Sect, and the young man with her was her senior brother, "Thunderbolt Bei Bei" a notable figure at Shrek Academy.
The unfamiliar boy given the time, place, and his unique eyes could only be the future Spirit Ice Douluo, Huo Yuhao.
"Tang Ya, Bei Bei, what a coincidence! Didn't expect to meet you here," Liu Yuan said, stepping out and greeting them.
"Liu Yuan?!" Tang Ya and Bei Bei looked up, surprised.
Tang Ya jumped happily, running toward him. Beibei also stood, smiling warmly.
"It's been a long time. I thought you'd been studying diligently at the academy all this time," Beibei said.
"It's a long story," Liu Yuan replied, glancing at Huo Yuhao with a friendly nod.
"Let me introduce you," Bei Bei said, pulling Liu Yuan closer to the fire.
"Yuhao, this is Liu Yuan, one of Xiaoya and I's best friends at Shrek Academy," she said. "He's a legend in our foreign language department. His strength and reputation are as good as mine or Xu Sanshi's."
Huo Yuhao stood and bowed awkwardly: "Brother Liu Yuan, hello."
"Hello, Yuhao," Liu Yuan replied with a smile.
Tang Ya added, "Yuhao is our newly accepted disciple. His grilled fish skills are amazing!"
After introductions, Liu Yuan sat with them.
Beibei noticed his backpack and asked, "Liu Yuan, why are you alone in the Star Dou Great Forest?"
Liu Yuan's smile faded slightly. He shrugged: "I was expelled."
"What?!" Tang Ya and Beibei exclaimed, shock replacing surprise.
Tang Ya rushed forward. "With your talent and strength, how could you be expelled?!"
Beibei glared sharply, waiting for an explanation.
Liu Yuan poked the fire casually. "Nothing serious. A few days ago, Xuanzi asked me to join the Shrek Supervisory Group."
"An inspection team? Isn't that good?" Tang Ya asked, puzzled.
"A good thing?" Liu Yuan scoffed. "I refused. Half a day later, a disciplinary notice came: 'impatient for quick success in cultivation, taking pills multiple times, disrupting the academy's atmosphere, and improper conduct.'"
He looked at Beibei and Tang Ya, smiling mockingly: "If you want to find fault, you can always find a reason."
"THAT SCOUNDREL!" Tang Ya's face flushed, eyes blazing. "This is personal grudge! How could Elder Xuan do this!"
"Outrageous!" Beibei's aura flared. "No! This cannot go unnoticed!"
Liu Yuan shook his head calmly: "Never mind. I appreciate your concern, but I won't go back."
"Why?" Beibei asked, puzzled. "This isn't your fault!"
"Because I'm disappointed," Liu Yuan said, eyes deep, staring at the flames. "I thought Shrek Academy valued strength and talent. Now, it's no different from ordinary forces outside. It cannot tolerate dissent. Better not to stay."
Beibei and Tang Ya wanted to argue, but seeing his resolute gaze, they knew he had made up his mind.
Huo Yuhao, who had been listening quietly, spoke: "But… Brother Liu Yuan, this time, it was clearly the academy and Xuanzi who were wrong!"
Liu Yuan glanced at him, surprised, then smiled: "Who told you the academy belongs to them? They are the number one academy, with a level 98 Super Douluo. They make the rules."
He looked at Huo Yuhao with interest. "Little brother, here's advice: if powerful people try to force you, stay true to yourself. If Shrek Academy gives you trouble for no reason, leave. The world is vast; you don't need to cling to one place."
Tang Ya and Beibei scowled. "Don't corrupt the children!"
Liu Yuan waved dismissively. "It's just advice. Whether he listens is up to him."
Huo Yuhao nodded seriously: "Brother Liu Yuan, I'll remember."
Seeing this, Beibei and Tang Ya sighed helplessly.
The heavy topic ended, and the atmosphere softened. Huo Yuhao handed over the fish: "Brother Liu Yuan, try my cooking."
They sat around the fire, enjoying the grilled fish, the atmosphere easing.
After finishing, Liu Yuan stood, dusted off, and thanked them: "Thank you. I enjoyed the meal. But I must go now."
"Leaving so soon?" Tang Ya asked, reluctant.
"I plan to travel and broaden my horizons," Liu Yuan said, not elaborating.
Beibei nodded solemnly: "Take care. If you change your mind, come back anytime."
Liu Yuan smiled, ready to leave.
Then, suddenly—
"ROAR—!!!"
A furious roar erupted from the forest!
Trees snapped as a massive black shadow, radiating killing intent, lunged at them with lightning speed!
Another wind baboon but this time it was larger, more muscular, blood red eyes, soul power of six thousand years old beast, and its gaze fixed on Liu Yuan and the others with madness and hatred.