Chapter 25: Return, the arrival of Yu Xiaogang

After leaving the forest, although the air was no longer as fresh and the soul power was not as abundant, everyone seemed to have relieved an invisible burden and felt considerably more relaxed.

"We'll push a little further and rest when we reach the town," Zhao Wujin said with a smile.

"It seems like everyone has recovered. Let's hurry up and reach the town. I'll treat everyone to drinks and we can rest for two days. Teacher Zhao, don't refuse. Join us!" Dai Mubai, in a good mood, suggested.

"Hahaha, Mubai, I know you're rich, but I can hold my liquor too."

Dai Mubai smiled slyly, "Teacher Zhao, you must have heard this saying: 'If money can solve the problem, it's not a problem at all!'"

Hearing this, Zhou Hao felt a pang of pain in his heart. After six years of wandering, he had only managed to save a little over thirty thousand gold soul coins. He was never willing to spend money and the last time he paid a few gold soul coins at that restaurant, he ended up getting into a fight with Canghui's people. It hurt him deeply.

The group spent a full two days in the small town. It didn't take that long for their soul power and physical strength to recover, but their spirits, which had been under constant tension, clearly needed relaxation.

Dai Mubai was extremely generous, covering everyone's expenses during those two days. They didn't train at all; instead, they spent their days drinking and playing together. It was an indescribable sense of joy.

During these two days, Zhu Zhuqing regained her cold demeanor. Although her eyes were softer, she continued to ignore Zhou Hao.

Zhou Hao felt like he had a huge weight on his head. With his emotional intelligence, how could he possibly understand a girl's modesty and self-esteem?

After two days, the group set off again. After a day of traveling, they successfully returned to the outskirts of Shrek Village, outside Shrek Academy.

"We're finally back. The feeling of coming home is so wonderful!" Oscar exclaimed in an exaggerated manner.

Zhao Wuji glared at him, "Lower your voice, can't you see it's already dark? Alright, go back to your dorms and rest. I'll go meet the dean and report on this trip."

Everyone hurried back to their dormitories, and as Zhou Hao remembered, Ning Rongrong requested to have a private conversation with Tang San. It should be about the bulk purchase of hidden weapons.

Xiao Wu was reluctant and made a face, wanting to pull Zhu Zhuqing back to their dormitory. Zhou Hao wanted to say something, but Zhu Zhuqing had already walked away without looking back.

At night, in the office of the Dean.

Flender furrowed his brows as he listened to Zhao Wuji recount the thrilling events of the past few days.

After a while, he sighed, "I didn't expect so many unexpected incidents to happen this time! It's my responsibility, but fortunately, you and the children have returned safely. You've worked hard these past few days."

Zhao Wuji laughed heartily, "I fought with the Titan Giant Ape. Look, I'm still alive and kicking."

"Hmm? You're panting just from being called fat. He was too lazy to fight you. Oh well, tell me, what exactly is the soul beast with a bull's head that Xiao Wu encountered? I've never heard of a soul beast with such strength before, capable of resoning with the Titan Giant Ape." Flender teased, then fell into deep thought.

"That should be the Sky Azure Bull Python." A stiff and cold voice came from outside the door.

Zhao Wuji was surprised and stood up, wanting to question, but Flender had already opened the door.

"Hahaha, I knew you'd come. Xiaogang, come in quickly."

It was a middle-aged man with a rigid face, standing tall and seemingly a bit dull at first glance. This person was the Master Yu Xiaogang.

"Come, Wuji you haven't met him before. This is my old teammate from the past, Yu Xiaogang. People in the world of soul masters call him Master. You can just call him that too."

Only now did Zhao Wuji express his surprise, "So you are Master, hello." He extended his broad palm.

Yu Xiaogang's tone was always so plain, and he forced a smile on his stiff face, "No need to be polite, Wuji. Are Xiao San and the others back safely?"

Zhao Wujin chuckled, "Fortunately, we were lucky and they all returned safely. We owe a lot to Zhou Hao this time, otherwise Xiao San would have been in danger."

"Zhou Hao?" Master asked in confusion.

Flender and Zhao Wujin then recounted Zhou Hao's various achievements. Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened, his expression becoming more and more rigid. He even began to doubt his own research results over the years.

At twelve years old, he had the best combination of soul rings for a Soul Ancestor, and his Millennium Rings already had a lifespan of more than nine thousand years. A top-notch Assault System Beast Martial Soul and a powerful physical constitution, this was the true monster!

After a while, Master regained his senses, and Zhao Wuji hurriedly asked, "What did you just say? That soul beast that can actually affect the Titan Giant Ape?"

A solemn expression appeared on Master's face. "If what Xiao Wu heard was the roar of a bull, then it would be a reasonable explanation for the Titan Giant Ape suddenly abandoning her and letting her leave."

"In the Star Dou Forest, there is not just one Forest King like the Titan Giant Ape; there is a more powerful existence. That existence is the true ruler of the Star Dou Great Forest, the emperor if you will, and the soul beast in question is the Sky Azure Bull Python

."

Flender and Zhao Wuji listened attentively, silently admiring.

Late into the night, Zhao Wujin left the office alone. Yu Xiaogang's eyes flickered with a gleam, unable to sit still. "No, I have to go and check on Xiao San's condition. What Zhou Hao said is likely true. It should be a pair of externally attached spirit bones, but I need to see it with my own eyes to confirm what those spider legs are."

Flender waved his hand at him. "The children have just returned. Let them rest well. You can find him tomorrow. Here are their profiles. Take a good look at them, and we can discuss it later."

In the dim candlelight, Flender felt emotional as he chatted with Master, making it another hurried night.

Meanwhile, Zhou Hao was in the dormitory, focusing on his cultivation. He took off his shirt, revealing his strong muscles and perfect contours. He had a hint of facial hair, adding a touch of maturity to his already resolute and sunny appearance.

Soul power freely circulated within his body, as Zhou Hao's meridians had long been opened up, and his cultivation was unobstructed. Just yesterday, he had successfully broken through to the 36th rank of soul power.

In this world, only strength wouldn't deceive you. Zhou Hao firmly believed in this point. Improving his strength as soon as possible would give him true influence in any situation.

When his soul power completed another cycle within his body, Zhou Hao exhaled a breath, opened his eyes, and a dark golden light flowed throughout his body. It was necessary to consolidate the improvement in soul power promptly; otherwise, it would lead to a superficial realm and sow the seeds of future obstacles in advancement.

Over the past few years, the system's daily sign-in tasks had been released many times, but most of the rewards were not very useful and could only be saved, like the necklace he gave to Zhu Zhuqing. Only a small portion of the rewards could enhance his strength or improve his physical constitution.

Zhou Hao looked out the window. The sky was turning pale, so he decided to take a look at the items he had accumulated over the years. He skipped over the kitchenware, as there weren't many, just a few ordinary protective soul tools. Zhou Hao realized that the tasks rewarded by the sign-in system when it detected special locations from the original work were extremely generous.

He had been to places like Shrek City and Jialing Pass. In his ring, there were still several treasures. Four level-nine fixed-mounted soul cannonballs, an eighth-level piercing cannon, and a hundred-thousand-year torso bone that he couldn't handle at the moment—a peerless shield capable of withstanding any Titled Douluo's attacks. These were all things from the Douluo Continent.

Zhou Hao couldn't help but recall that if Dragon Emperor Long Yeyue had tried to kill him that day, he wouldn't mind giving the old man a taste of a massive Ivan. Level-nine fixed-mounted soul cannonballs were powerful weapons in the Douluo Continent, and even just having them there exuded a chilling killing intent that was enough to captivate anyone's heart.

...