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The next day, major powers departed from Shrek Academy.
Yet their subsequent massive movements—and the continuous unusual activities of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and Shrek Academy—kept the Sun Moon Empire on edge.
However, strict confidentiality among the powers meant Sun Moon spies only obtained trivial information. Worse, many were captured during this period as empires exploited the situation to root out infiltrators.
In the following days, soul spirit affairs unfolded with intense momentum.
Chen Junting himself spent an entire month engraving Spirit Contract Arrays, personally conducting soul spirit rituals for many individuals.
Throughout this process, he kept the Snow Empress embryo close—not just as a safeguard, but to expose the Polar Region's supreme powerhouse to soul spirits. This would ease future negotiations when he sought to make her his seventh soul ring's spirit.
Beyond humanity, soul beasts were equally busy. Di Tian personally visited major beast settlements, spreading word of soul spirits. Even the Demon Devil Forest saw his presence.
It was during this visit that he sensed something amiss.
Certain areas of the Demon Devil Forest carried an aura disturbingly similar to the perpetrator who had massacred soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest months prior. Yet bound by his current cooperation agreement and the territory's ruler—the Demon Emperor—he couldn't linger to investigate.
Nevertheless, suspicion took root in his heart.
With human-soul beast cooperation underway, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's eight Titled Douluos became the first beneficiaries. Among the vast soul beast population, suitable elderly specimens abounded. After undergoing soul ring cleansing and spirit contracting, all eight now possessed three hundred-thousand-year soul rings.
Beyond Ye Xuanji, the other seven elders saw explosive growth: Zhi Yong stood at the threshold of Level 98; Wu Yan and Bai Sheng reached Level 97; Zhang Ming, Tai Yu, Yang Zihan, and Qing Lan all broke through to Level 96.
The sect's peak combat power now surpassed the Body Sect. In a direct confrontation, they wouldn't even need ninth-grade fixed-mount soul guide cannonballs as deterrents.
Soul guide technology also advanced dramatically. Utilizing techniques looted from Mingde Hall by the Body Sect, a Soul Douluo researcher in their Soul Guide Institute nearly achieved ninth-grade mastery in theoretical knowledge. Limited by mediocre cultivation talent and stuck at Level 89, he received a top-tier medicinal herb from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well through Yang Zihan's arrangement. This barely pushed him to Level 90—whereupon he crafted a personal ninth-grade soul guide device, officially becoming a ninth-grade soul master and taking over advanced soul guide research.
Despite these gains, all new strength remained hidden. The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had no intention of revealing their hand, waiting for the perfect moment to unveil their true power.
"Dean."
In Shrek's Inner Court, Chen Junting stood outside Yan Shaozhe's office. After receiving permission, he entered.
For over a month, he'd completed all assigned soul spirit tasks. Now, his three-year cultivation journey could finally begin.
He'd pored over countless texts to chart a route promising maximum growth.
"Junting? What brings you here?" Yan Shaozhe glanced up from mountains of documents, then immediately looked back down. "Is there something you need?"
Chen Junting placed an application on the desk.
"Dean, I'm applying for a leave of absence."
"Leave of absence?"
Yan Shaozhe's pen froze mid-stroke. He stared at Chen Junting in shock. "Shrek Academy allows leaves, but we've never granted a long withdrawal! What's this about?"
As he spoke, he began reading the application.
Chen Junting remained silent, waiting patiently.
After a long pause, Yan Shaozhe finally looked up. A sigh escaped him—his distant gaze hinting at memories long buried. He deliberated briefly...
"It's good to travel."
Sealing approval with Shrek's official stamp, he asked, "Are you going alone?"
"I won't be taking Xiao Tian or the others."
Chen Junting's planned destinations brimmed with peril. Even for him, the dangers were substantial—let alone for companions.
"You've thought this through."
Yan Shaozhe didn't press further but asked curiously:
"Have you and Xiao Tian confessed your feelings yet?"
Chen Junting's face darkened.
Since when did deans gossip like old women!?
"Just asking, just asking," Yan Shaozhe chuckled awkwardly before offering advice. "Girls adore romance. If you haven't properly confessed, the Sea God's Fate matchmaking event in two years is perfect. Take notes from me—I've won many hearts through romance. Back then..."
Nostalgia softened his features.
Yet lost in memory, he missed Chen Junting's peculiar expression. Having heard rumors of Yan Shaozhe's romantic exploits, Chen Junting knew better than to emulate them. Those "won hearts" either turned to hatred or literally wanted to consume him.
...
"Xiao Tian, everyone—farewell."
At Shrek Academy's gates, Chen Junting and Gu Tianchen stood ready for their journey.
Why did Gu Tianchen join?
As Ye Xuanji put it: The continent was perilous. Though Chen Junting rivaled Soul Saints in strength, greater threats lurked. Gu Tianchen's spatial abilities would buy them escape options when overwhelmed.
"Stay safe out there," Ning Tian whispered, smoothing Chen Junting's collar with tender hands. Her simple words carried profound love and worry.
"Don't worry." Chen Junting covered her hand with his, voice softening. "I'll be back after two and a half years."
Pulling her close, he savored their warmth and reluctance before turning away. With Gu Tianchen, he stepped onto the road.
But after a few steps, Gu Tianchen's voice drifted back: "Old Chen, didn't you say three years?"
"Old Gu," Chen Junting sighed, "you talk too much..."
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