"If no one had vouched for you, I'd never believe your spirit skill came from a ten‐year wind baboon," someone remarked.
After Chen Junting and Electrolux finished their exchange in the sea of spirit, they realized they were alone in the area—until Fan Yu's voice echoed from afar.
Leaving the original zone behind, the group followed the sound until they reached the largest open space in Test Area No. 12.
There, Fan Yu had changed into simple cloth, his powerful arms on full display like granite columns. Surrounding him, Ning Tian and the others watched as He Caitou handled a fixed-type soul guidance cannon.
"Are you testing the soul guidance cannon?" Chen Junting asked Ning Tian, his quiet steps nearly startling her.
"Ah! You nearly scared me to death," Ning Tian scolded, laughing as Chen Junting patted her shoulder. "I saw you lost in thought just now, so I didn't disturb you." He then pointed at Huo Yuhao standing beside He Caitou. "Earlier, I had Yuhao use his first soul skill for Teacher Fanyu. Now Teacher Fanyu wants him to help Senior He shoot a moving target."
"Really?"
No sooner had the words fallen than a powerful fluctuation of soul power erupted from He Caitou. In that moment, as three soul rings—two yellow and one purple—materialized, a strong black halo swirled around the surface of the soul guidance cannon. Huo Yuhao's white soul ring began to move slowly as well.
With a thunderous roar, a dazzling burst of black light exploded from the cannon's barrel. The blast brushed against a nearby disc and slammed into a metal plate behind it, unleashing a violent airflow that sent Chen Junting's white hair scattering wildly. Huo Yuhao almost lost his footing.
"It seems the soul skill is quite effective," Chen Junting observed. He noted that within forty meters, the fixed-type soul guidance cannon was precise, but beyond that, its accuracy waned.
Fan Yu nodded appreciatively. He had already learned from Huo Yuhao that his soul skills were evolving. Then, looking at He Caitou walking alongside Huo Yuhao, he said, "Caitou, from now on, Yuhao is like a junior brother to you. If you're free, come over—I'll teach you how to craft soul guidance devices." His words were directed to both Huo Yuhao and Ning Tian.
"Thank you, Mr. Fanyu," replied Ning Tian with a polite smile.
After that, the group wandered around the test area, absorbing the introduction to soul guidance. Only when Fan Yu and He Caitou began the formal test did Chen Junting and his companions step away.
"Yuhao, what do you think of soul guidance?" Chen Junting asked, his tone gentle as he observed Huo Yuhao deep in thought.
"Brother Junting, I'm very interested in soul guidance," Huo Yuhao replied earnestly.
Chen Junting smiled. "As long as you're interested, you have the greatest teacher of all—your own passion. If you think soul guidance can make you stronger, then use it; if not, don't. Remember, the difference between humans and animals is knowing how to use tools, and the difference between wise people and fools is knowing how to make the right choices."
"That makes sense," Wu Feng agreed thoughtfully. Then, her eyes narrowed as she glared at Chen Junting. "You evil swordsman—were those words meant to insult me?"
"I was pointing at you," Chen Junting replied coolly.
"Nonsense!" Wu Feng retorted. The brief clash of words quickly subsided, and soon Wu Feng moved toward Huo Yuhao, patting his shoulder as she declared, "Huo Yuhao, when you become a soul guidance expert, my exclusive soul guidance device will be yours! I want a big knife to finally beat that arrogant swordsman."
Huo Yuhao could only remain silent.
"By the way, how are you planning to handle dinner?" Chen Junting interjected as their conversation turned toward the next steps. Glancing upward, they realized they had spent hours in the Soul Guidance Department—dusk was nearly upon them.
Ning Tian suggested quietly, "Shall we head to Shrek City?"
Ning Tian, having visited the Shrek Academy cafeteria before, spoke in a subdued tone.
"But why not just enjoy Huo Yuhao's grilled fish? I doubt any restaurant in Shrek City can match its flavor," Wu Feng interjected suddenly. Ever since tasting Huo Yuhao's grilled fish in the Star Dou Forest, she hadn't been able to forget its exquisite taste. Greed shone in her eyes as she recalled the delicious memory.
Hearing this, Ning Tian and Chen Junting's expressions brightened. Chen Junting even mused that Huo Yuhao's grilled fish might have evolved into a kind of "conceptual skill."
"In that case, let's head to Poseidon Lake. Xiaofeng, you should have the grill and seasonings ready," Chen Junting said, glancing at Wu Feng, whose confident smile confirmed that she'd prepared everything in advance.
Sure enough, she patted her storage soul guidance device, and a satisfied smile spread across her face.
…
At Poseidon Lake, a loud exclamation cut through the air.
"Pah—"
A red mark appeared on Wu Feng's hand as she yelped in pain and quickly retracted her outstretched arm.
"It's not healed yet. Why are you so impatient?" Chen Junting asked, eyeing a blue-striped fish still flipping near the water's edge. Although the blue-striped fish was a soul beast, its counterpart—the black carp—was merely ordinary. Wu Feng had prepared only ten-year-old soul beasts for this meal.
Chen Junting then withdrew his gaze, and after a brief pause, broached a topic they had discussed earlier.
"I recall reading in some ancient texts that the immortal herb obtained by our ancestor Ning Rongrong was closely linked to the Dugu family legacy from ten thousand years ago," he remarked thoughtfully.
Ning Tian's expression turned serious. "When it comes to magical herbs, we cannot be careless—even if it's just speculation."
"If that's the case, win him over at all costs," Ning Tian said firmly, her hands trembling with excitement. "After this, if any clues about the magic herb emerge, I'll give it to him—even if it costs a hundred-thousand-year soul ring or soul bone! The magic herb is tied to our sect's ten-thousand-year heritage!"
Her voice was filled with ambition as she declared, "Nine Treasures Glazed Tower!" Her eyes shone with the passion of a true visionary.
Chen Junting nodded slightly, softening his gaze. He knew Ning Tian needed to calm down. Though he longed to share more details when the news was confirmed, he respected her role as the young leader and kept his counsel.
Suddenly, a tantalizing fragrance filled the air. Turning around, Ning Tian saw Wu Feng holding a grilled fish in each hand. Noticing Chen Junting and Ning Tian watching her, she immediately handed the fish in her right hand to Ning Tian.
"Ning Tian, this one's for you."
At that moment, a familiar voice rang out among the four, "Smells so good!"
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End of Chapter)
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Stones me~