Meanwhile, Lin Mu didn't go to Shrek Academy immediately to settle scores with Yu Xiaogang. There was plenty of time for that later; right now, obtaining his seventh Soul Ring was more important.
Under his tutelage over the past five years, Tang San's strength was significantly higher than in the original timeline. His Soul Power had already reached Level 33.
His Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul had absorbed two more plant-type Soul Rings with strong life attributes, in addition to the initial Ice Crystal Grass ring. Its surface now shimmered with a faint golden hue, and its durability and strength had increased several times over.
Inside the carriage, Xiao Wu chattered excitedly, seemingly thrilled to be entering the Star Dou Great Forest.
Tang San, however, was much calmer. He sat silently polishing various hidden weapons, his acquisitions from working as a blacksmith in Nuoding City over the years.
Although Lin Mu couldn't understand the logic of why simple mechanical hidden weapons could potentially kill gods in this universe, he didn't stop Tang San from forging them. Weapons had no inherent good or bad nature.
As long as they could kill the enemy efficiently, what did it matter if it was a sneak attack?
Lin Mu closed his eyes to rest, his Soul Power contained within his body. He appeared no different from an ordinary young man. Only occasionally would a chilling glint flash in his eyes. His Level 70 Soul Power was vast and boundless, awaiting only the right opportunity and ring to break through to the Soul Saint realm.
Lin Mu glanced at Xiao Wu out of the corner of his eye. With this 100,000-year-old Soul Beast traveling with him, this journey into the forest might bring unexpected gains.
After several days of travel, the three arrived at a small town on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Compared to five years ago, the town seemed more prosperous, with a constant stream of Soul Masters coming and going to hunt or trade.
The three found the cleanest and most spacious-looking inn, preparing to rest for the night before entering the forest proper the next day.
"Little San, I'm hungry! I want to eat something good."
As soon as they entered the first floor of the inn, Xiao Wu clung to Tang San's arm, pouting coquettishly.
Seeing this, Tang San's face showed a hint of helplessness. He turned to Lin Mu and asked, "Master, would you like something to eat?"
"Just take care of yourselves. I'm going to rest first."
After saying this, Lin Mu went directly to his room on the second floor.
Xiao Wu pulled Tang San to a table and ordered several dishes at once, not worried about wasting food.
Tang San glanced at the menu and frowned slightly; there was no rabbit meat on it.
Ever since he tasted Lin Mu's roasted rabbit five years ago, Tang San had strangely fallen in love with this particular delicacy, much to Xiao Wu's oblivious dismay.
Just as the two were eating, a group of people dressed in various styles walked into the inn.
"Boss Dai, look! There's a really hot young chick over there!"
Ma Hongjun's shifty eyes quickly locked onto Xiao Wu. Although she was still quite young, she had a unique, lively charm.
Hearing this, Dai Mubai looked over. First, he lingered for a moment in appreciation of Xiao Wu's delicate face, then his gaze fell dismissively on Tang San.
Sitting next to the beautiful Xiao Wu, Tang San looked quite ordinary, the kind of face you could find anywhere on the street.
Noticing their lewd gazes, Tang San's eyes suddenly turned cold. He said calmly, "If you can't control your eyes, I don't mind helping you dig them out."
"You?"
Dai Mubai sneered. This guy looked younger than Oscar, at most thirteen years old. How could he possibly be a match for the Evil Eye White Tiger?
Shrek Academy's unspoken rule: 'A Soul Master who doesn't dare to cause trouble is not a good Soul Master.'
"Judging from your powdered appearance and unstable Soul Power foundation, it seems you've spent all your cultivation time chasing women."
Under the observation of the Purple Demon Eye, Tang San discovered that although this person's Soul Power was high, it was not stable or pure.
Hearing this insult, Zhu Zhuqing, who was standing at the back of the group, seemed unconcerned, but she subtly distanced herself further from Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai felt hit where it hurt, especially in front of Zhu Zhuqing. He immediately flew into a rage: "You're courting death!"
Before he finished speaking, his Soul Power erupted. The Evil Eye White Tiger Martial Soul instantly possessed him. Three Soul Rings, two yellow and one purple, swirled up, and a powerful aura pressed down on Tang San.
He didn't care about the other patrons in the inn and directly unleashed a skill: "White Tiger Intense Light Wave", clearly intending to seriously injure Tang San.
Upon seeing this, a ruthless glint flashed in Tang San's eyes.
Facing the oncoming light wave, he shifted his feet strangely, using the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track technique to easily evade the core of the attack.
Simultaneously, with a wave of his right hand, countless vines of Blue Silver Grass, shimmering with a faint blue light and covered with a layer of pale golden hue, surged forth from the ground.
Instead of directly binding, they lashed out like countless tentacles, precisely targeting Dai Mubai's joints and key acupoints for Soul Power circulation.
"First Soul Skill Variation: Blue Silver Crystal Whip!"
This was Tang San's self-developed derivative ability for his First Soul Skill. It combined the hardness of crystallization with the flexibility of Blue Silver Grass, possessing both control and attack capabilities.
Dai Mubai hadn't expected Tang San to be so fast and his attack method so bizarre. Caught off guard, his arms and legs were struck multiple times by the crystalline Blue Silver Grass. The strikes caused not only excruciating pain but also a deep sense of humiliation.
"Bastard!"
Dai Mubai roared, his third Soul Ring flashing purple light, preparing to use the White Tiger Vajra Transformation to boost his stats.
But Tang San wouldn't give him a chance. In the instant Dai Mubai hesitated to activate the skill, more Blue Silver Grass instantly coiled around him, binding his arms and waist, and rapidly crystallizing!
Bang!
Dai Mubai's powerful strength shattered a few vines, but more Blue Silver Grass followed one after another, layering over him. The hardness of the crystallized grass far exceeded his expectations, and he couldn't break free immediately.
"Boss Dai!"
Seeing Dai Mubai suffer a loss, Ma Hongjun immediately shouted. His body blazed with Evil Fire, his Phoenix Martial Soul activated, and two yellow Soul Rings lit up.
"Second Soul Skill: Bathing Fire Phoenix!"
"First Soul Skill: Phoenix Fire Wire!"
A purplish-red flame ray as thick as an arm shot straight towards Tang San's side. Its temperature was extremely high.
"Trying to gang up on him? Did you ask Sister Xiao Wu first?!"
Xiao Wu, who had been unable to contain herself any longer, shouted and rushed to Ma Hongjun's side at lightning speed.
"Waist Bow" activated!
Xiao Wu's slender legs, like supple whips, precisely clamped around Ma Hongjun's thick neck. Her body twisted in the air, using leverage against him.
Thump!
Ma Hongjun's burly body was thrown to the ground by a standard judo throw. The Phoenix Fire Wire went astray, scorching a patch of the hotel wall black.
Xiao Wu pressed her advantage, tapping Ma Hongjun's back with her toe and using the momentum to flip herself back onto her feet. She clapped her hands and said disdainfully, "Fatty, don't come out here and embarrass yourself with this little bit of strength."
Oscar watched in stunned silence, holding a sausage in his hand, too afraid to intervene.
Zhu Zhuqing's cold eyes flashed with surprise, but she showed no intention of helping her teammates.
Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, was even more eager for a good show. She had joined Shrek Academy purely for fun and freedom, and she had no sense of belonging to the team yet.
"Brother, we've become friends through this fight. How about we pretend today never happened?" Dai Mubai pleaded through gritted teeth, still struggling against the crystallized vines.
"I'm too lazy to reason with you. You're not worthy to listen."
Tang San remained unmoved, speaking coldly.
"Enough!"
A deep, roaring voice, like a bear's growl, rang out. A powerful Soul Force instantly enveloped the entire hall, suppressing the younger Soul Masters.
Zhao Wuji strode down the stairs. Seeing Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun being overwhelmed by two younger strangers, he felt humiliated on behalf of the academy. His face darkened instantly.