On the other side, Lin Mu did not go to Shrek Academy to settle accounts with Yu Xiaogang.
There would be plenty of time for that later.
For now, obtaining his seventh spirit ring was more important.
Under his tutelage, Tang San's strength had grown considerably compared to the original timeline. His spirit power had already reached level 33.
His Blue Silver Grass spirit, having already absorbed the Ice Crystal Grass spirit ring as its foundation, had further absorbed two additional plant-type spirit rings with life attributes.
Its surface now shimmered with a faint golden hue, and its toughness had increased several times over.
Inside the carriage, Xiao Wu chattered away excitedly, seemingly thrilled about entering the Star Dou Great Forest.
Tang San was much more composed, silently polishing his various hidden weapons — the fruits of his labor as a blacksmith in Nuoding City.
As for hidden weapons, although Lin Mu couldn't comprehend how they could potentially slay gods, he did not stop Tang San from forging them.
Weapons themselves were neither good nor evil. If they could kill an enemy, what did it matter if it was through ambush?
Lin Mu sat with his eyes closed, his spirit power held within, appearing no different from an ordinary young man.
Only the occasional gleam in his eyes when he opened them held a fleeting, heart-jolting intensity.
His spirit power at the 70th rank was vast and profound like an ocean, awaiting only a suitable opportunity to break through.
Lin Mu glanced sideways at Xiao Wu out of the corner of his eye. Having this hundred-thousand-year spirit beast along might lead to unexpected gains on this trip.
After several days of travel, the trio arrived at the town on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Compared to five years ago, the town seemed somewhat more prosperous, with a constant stream of spirit masters coming and going.
The three found what appeared to be the cleanest and most spacious inn, planning to rest for the night before entering the forest tomorrow.
"Xiao San, I'm hungry. I want to eat," Xiao Wu said, clinging to Tang San's arm and acting coquettishly as soon as they entered the first floor of the inn.
Seeing this, a trace of helplessness appeared on Tang San's face. He turned to Lin Mu and asked, "Master, would you like to eat something?"
"You two take care of yourselves. I'm going to rest first," Lin Mu said, then headed upstairs to his room.
Xiao Wu pulled Tang San to a table and ordered several dishes in one go, not worrying about whether they could finish them.
Tang San glanced at the menu and frowned slightly. There was actually no rabbit meat listed.
Since tasting the rabbit meat roasted by Lin Mu, Tang San had developed a fondness for the delicious dish.
Just as the two were eating, a rather motley crew walked in.
"Boss Dai, look! There's a really cute little beauty over there," Ma Hongjun said, his beady eyes quickly locking onto Xiao Wu.
Though still young and tender, she had a certain charm.
Hearing this, Dai Mubai looked over. His gaze first lingered appreciatively on Xiao Wu's delicate and pretty face for a moment before settling on Tang San.
Sitting next to Xiao Wu, Tang San appeared utterly ordinary, the kind you could find anywhere on the street.
Noticing their stares, a chill flashed in Tang San's eyes. "If you can't control your eyes, I don't mind helping you."
"Is that so?" Dai Mubai sneered. This guy didn't look any older than Oscar, thirteen at most. How could he be a match for him? One of their Shrek Academy's mottos was: A spirit master who doesn't dare to stir up trouble isn't a good spirit master.
"You reek of powder and perfume, and your spirit power is unstable and floating. It seems you've spent your cultivation time on women," Tang San remarked coldly, having observed through his Purple Demon Eyes that while this person's spirit power was high, it was not solid.
Hearing this, although Zhu Zhuqing appeared indifferent, she subtly put some distance between herself and Dai Mubai.
Struck on his sore spot, especially in front of Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai flew into a rage. "You're looking for death!"
Before the words fully left his mouth, his spirit power erupted. The White Tiger spirit instantly possessed him, two yellow and one purple spirit rings spiraling up. A powerful aura pressed down towards Tang San.
He paid no heed to the other people in the inn, directly launching a White Tiger Fierce Light Blast at Tang San. He was clearly serious.
Seeing this, a flicker of ruthlessness passed through Tang San's eyes.
Facing the oncoming light wave, his feet moved with a bizarre, elusive grace — the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track — easily evading the core of the attack.
Simultaneously, he swung his right hand. Countless strands of Blue Silver Grass, shimmering with a faint blue light and coated with a layer of pale golden sheen, swarmed forth.
They didn't aim to entangle directly, but instead whipped like countless tentacles with precision towards the joints of Dai Mubai's limbs and the key nodes of his spirit power flow.
"First Spirit Ability, Blue Silver Crystal — Lash!"
This was a derived ability Tang San himself had developed from his first spirit skill, combining the hardness of crystallization with the flexibility of Blue Silver Grass, merging control and attack.
Dai Mubai hadn't expected Tang San's speed to be so great or his attack method so strange.
Caught off guard, his arms and the backs of his knees were struck multiple times by the crystalline Blue Silver Grass.
Not only was it excruciatingly painful, but it also carried a deep sense of humiliation.
"Bastard!" Dai Mubai roared in fury. His third purple spirit ring flashed brightly as he prepared to use White Tiger Vajra Transformation.
But Tang San wouldn't give him the chance.
The instant Dai Mubai's movements lagged, even more Blue Silver Grass instantly coiled around him, first binding his arms and waist, and then rapidly crystallizing!
Thud!
Dai Mubai's formidable strength shattered several strands of Blue Silver Grass, but more rushed forth to replace them. The hardness of the crystallization far exceeded his expectations, and for a moment, he couldn't break free immediately.
"Boss Dai!" Seeing Dai Mubai at a disadvantage, Ma Hongjun immediately cried out.
Evil flames surged around him as the Phoenix spirit possessed him, two yellow spirit rings lighting up.
"Second Spirit Ability, Blazing Phoenix!"
"First Spirit Ability, Phoenix Firewire!"
A thick, arm-sized purplish-red fiery ray shot directly towards Tang San's side, radiating intense heat.
"Thinking of ganging up on someone? Did you ask for Xiao Wu's permission?"
Xiao Wu, who had been itching for a fight, let out a sharp cry. With incredible speed, she dashed to Ma Hongjun's side.
Waist Bow activated!
Xiao Wu's slender legs, flexible as whips, precisely clamped around Ma Hongjun's thick neck. Her body twisted with the momentum.
Thump!
Ma Hongjun's plump body was directly flipped over by a standard soft technique throw. The Phoenix Firewire went astray, scorching a patch of black on the inn's wall.
Not letting up after gaining the upper hand, Xiao Wu tapped her toes on Ma Hongjun's back, using the force to flip and land gracefully.
She clapped her hands and said disdainfully, "Dead fatty, with skills like these, you should stop embarrassing yourself in public."
Oscar watched dumbfounded from the side, holding a sausage in his hand, not daring to step in to help.
A flicker of surprise passed through Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, but she showed no intention of assisting.
Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle without any concern for the trouble.
She had joined Shrek Academy purely for fun and felt no sense of belonging whatsoever.
"Brother, no fight, no acquaintance. How about we become friends? Let's just pretend today's incident never happened," Dai Mubai pleaded, trying to negotiate.
"Can't be bothered to reason with you. You're not worthy of hearing it," Tang San remained utterly unmoved, his voice cold.
"Enough!"
A deep, bear-like roar of anger sounded, and a powerful spiritual pressure instantly enveloped the entire hall.
Zhao Wuji strode down the stairs.
Seeing Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun being completely overpowered by two even younger spirit masters, he felt his face losing all composure. His expression instantly darkened.