Chapter 33

E/N : Wassup people. Hope you all been good.

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Gimme some Power Stones if you can so that this can be in the rankings.

Your Allfather Author - PrimorDious. Peace Out✌.

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After Wang Feng left, the master couldn't help but feel a mix of emotion. 

He looked at Wang Feng's departing figure, unable to find words for a long while.

"What a stubborn kid," the master mumbled softly, his eyes filled with a complex blend of emotions.

"Maybe Feng'ge isn't what we think he is, teacher," Tang San whispered. 

"Brother Feng has always been incredibly smart. He wouldn't have absorbed the six-thousand-year-old Resplendent Golden Thunder Leopard soul ring if he wasn't absolutely certain..."

The master pondered this for a moment but it completely went against his researched theories. However, Tang San understood that Wang Feng had his secrets, just as he did.

For some reason, some things couldn't be revealed.

"Perhaps," the master replied, shaking his head. 

"We'll find out eventually. If he's truly okay, then Wang Feng is indeed an extraordinary child! In any case, you both still have a long way to go before graduation..."

Tang San nodded in agreement.

"However, if this kid is truly okay and he went to the Martial Soul Hall for the appraisal but wasn't taken away by them, it might mean he was testing the Martial Soul Hall in some way. I don't know why would he do it...and it can just be my speculaion but he's incredibly clever for someone so young," the master remarked.

Tang San fell silent and the two of them continued to watch Wang Feng until he vanished from their eyesight.

The next day, Wang Feng refrained from sharing his experience of visiting the Martial Soul Hall with anyone else. He attended a few classes in the morning, absorbing much of the vague knowledge and information about the Douluo Continent. However, at noon, Wang Feng left the academy and once again headed for the Soul Hunting Forest.

Of course, he wasn't going to absorb soul rings this time, instead, he was going for soul beasts.

As he journeyed, Wang Feng contemplated his situation. "I have the Meteoric Tears. Even without meditation, I can absorb the energy of heaven and earth to convert it into soul power but the process is a little too slow."

He had been thinking about this since the previous night. Compared to a few hours of meditation in the Soul Hunting Forest to reach the sixteenth level, he had not progressed in the slightest after cultivating for more than two hours, this was painfully slow progress.

Wang Feng realized that as he continued to progress through the levels, the speed of cultivation would become slower and slower. And simple meditation wouldn't cut it.

If he continued like this, he might not reach his goal even after six years. Moreover, if he went to Shrek Academy and hadn't reached level 30, he wouldn't even have a chance to obtain a ten-thousand-year old soul ring.

Recalling the kindness shown to him by the master and Tang San the previous night, Wang Feng felt that visiting Shrek Academy was still a necessary step. Besides, the system's check-in location was also there as well.

"However, if I use more soul power in my body in battles, will my cultivation speed be much faster?" Wang Feng pondered.

This idea seemed plausible to him. Fighting could temper a person and, by consuming soul power, it could naturally accelerate cultivation. Thus, he decided to head to the Soul Hunting Forest to acquire some fighting experience and also to temper himself through rigorous battles.

After buying a robe and mask, Wang Feng made his way to the forest. Even though it was already afternoon, the area surrounding the Soul Hunting Forest was still bustling with people coming and going.

This forest covered many cities in the Fasnuo Province, not just Nuoding City and attracted numerous individuals. Various shouts and offers for teaming up filled the air.

"Three missing one, seeking a agility system Soul Grandmaster! Our team has a 26th-level battle system soul master and a 25th-level auxiliary system soul master. We're well-equipped and can hunt around 500-year-old soul beasts! Reward is negotiable!"

"Hunting and killing 400-year-old soul beasts, looking for a 25th-level control system soul master. Reward: fifty silver soul coins!"

Wang Feng couldn't help but be reminded of his previous life, where gamers frequently teamed up in similar fashion.

These soul masters, lacking the support of noble families, had to hunt and fend for themselves. It was a dangerous endeavor, so seeking assistance from others was a common practice.

Surveying the area, Wang Feng's eyes landed on three individuals in the distance. Two men clad in black and a woman in a form-fitting combat outfit stood silently, holding a sign that read,

"Hunting and killing 800-year-old soul beast. We are in need of a 25th-level auxiliary healing system soul master. Reward: one gold soul coin."

This was a perfect match for Wang Feng, who possessed healing abilities. These three people had a demeanor that set them apart from ordinary soul masters.

"I'm a healing system soul master. Do you need my assistance?" Wang Feng called out to them.

Wang Feng approached the group, clearing his throat and speaking in a slightly hoarse voice. His black robe and mask also concealed his child identity well.

The trio turned their attention to Wang Feng upon hearing his voice, their expressions were filled with skepticism.

"How old are you, boy?" inquired one of the men, a burly figure with a beard, furrowing his brow.

Wang Feng replied, "I'm around twelve, but my martial soul has a healing and recovery ability."

The second man, younger and wielding a dagger, laughed dismissively. "Twelve years old with a twenty-fifth rank? Kid, stop pulling our leg. Even if you were at fifteenth level, that'd already be impressive. Even with your healing and soul power recovery ability, at your level it wouldn't make much of a difference for us."

The third, a woman in a combat outfit, added, "Hurry along, child. We're not here to babysit you in the Soul Hunting forest. If you're looking to make money, wait by the forest entrance and assist soul masters who exit the forest and are in need of quick healing."

Wang Feng tried to persuade them, "Give it a shot, at least. I might be just level fifteen but my healing and soul power recovery ability is exceptional. You can test it."

The bearded man waved his hand dismissively. "Kid, don't bother us. The three of us don't want to spend our time in the Soul Hunting forest babysitting a twelve-year-old. If you want to make money, try the method she suggested."

Wang Feng persisted. 

The three individuals repeatedly declined but at last the woman said calmly, "Let him try. Healing system soul masters don't need to be too powerful, if he can heal us at right time and help us recover even one quarter of soul power that should also be enough."

The woman had an attractive figure and a ponytail hairstyle but her beauty was marred by a four to five-centimeter knife scar on her face.

Her companions complied, with the younger man grinning and the burly man agreeing. The latter, a formidable 29th-level war system soul master, gave Wang Feng his terms.

"Go on and try to recover a quarter of my remaining soul power that has been consumed," he stated.

Wang Feng hesitated briefly but then activated his soul power recovery ability without revealing his soul ring. A small golden lotus suddenly lit up atop his palm, directing a flow of golden threads into the burly man.

In an instant, the man's body trembled as if struck by an electric shock. His two companions became nervous, watching closely.

However, Wang Feng calmly spoke, "I apologize, it seems I was a bit short. I can only recover a portion for you."

As Wang Feng's words reached their ears, both the young man and the woman were taken aback. The young man set aside his dagger and quickly approached the bearded man, while the woman cautiously moved towards Wang Feng, maintaining a watchful stance.

Wang Feng reassured them, "Don't worry, his soul power is recovering."

The burly man, named Old Black, checked on his companion's condition. He exchanged glances with the woman, who seemed puzzled and vigilant.

However, it didn't take long for Old Black to exclaim, "This is amazing, kid! My soul power has fully recovered! I've never seen such a powerful soul power recovery effect from a level 15 auxiliary system soul master!"

The woman and the young man were also surprised by this unexpected outcome. They had initially thought Wang Feng was playing a prank and had not genuinely restored the bearded man's soul power.

Old Black further elaborated, "You've met our requirements perfectly. Moreover, the recovery process also feels pleasant, almost like receiving a massage or an energy boost."

Wang Feng grinned, "I'm glad I could help."

The small group introduced themselves. Old Black's martial soul was the Black Rock Bear, known for its exceptional defensive abilities. He was a 29th-level war system soul master. The young man, Ling Ren, wielded a dagger as his martial soul and was an aggressive 28th-level agility system soul master. The woman, Silk Rong, possessed the Irontusk martial soul, granting her strong control abilities as a 30th-level control system soul master.

After the introductions, they quickly set off toward the hunting soul forest.

Wang Feng pondered, 'These three martial souls may not be exceptional individually but they seem to have a close-knit team dynamic. They're not just a group of random individuals.'

The Black Rock Bear martial soul provided formidable durability, albeit at the cost of speed. The Irontusk martial soul was skilled at control, making it a valuable asset for their team.

As they ventured into the Soul Hunting forest together, Wang Feng couldn't help but think about the experiences and knowledge he was gaining, both about his companions and the world around him.

"By the way, what is your name?" Silk Rong inquired, focusing her gaze on Wang Feng.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself..." Wang Feng offered a slight smile, "My name is Thanos."

"Thanos? That sounds pretty odd but cool," Ling Ren muttered, repeating the name a few times, "It's does not feel like a regular name but more like a code name."

"Yes, it's a code name. Many people call me Thanos," Wang Feng explained, "I almost forgot my real name. Sorry about that."

The three of them exchanged a speechless glance, understanding that Wang Feng was likely keeping his true identity hidden and they didn't press further.

The group continued on into the Soul Hunting forest.

"Thanos, you're an auxiliary system soul master and are relatively fragile. After a battle start, don't wander off. Stick close to me and Silk Rong. I'll protect you," Old Black advised earnestly.

"No problem. You guys be ready for combat and make sure to have enough soul power," Wang Feng replied with a smile.

As they walked along the tranquil path, occasional screeches and noises echoed from the surroundings, giving Wang Feng the sensation of being immersed in a primordial forest.

Before long, the group encountered a 500-year-old Chrysanthemum Flame Hedgehog.

"Be cautious. The Chrysanthemum Flame Hedgehog is quite aggressive. But judging by its size, it's probably only 500 years old," Silk Rong shared her insights, "Its weak point is its waist and abdomen. The rest of its body is virtually invulnerable. It's a pity. If it were around 800 years old, it would be a different story."

Listening to Silk Rong's explanations, Wang Feng observed the Chrysanthemum Flame Hedgehog in the distance. The information he'd accessed in the library was often rudimentary.

"I have to be careful around this Chrysanthemum Flame Hedgehog. Due to my plant-based spirit, whenever I control it, the flames on its body ignite. It becomes challenging to manage. So, Ling Ren, we need to wait for the right moment to strike. Hopefully, a single hit will suffice. For now, it's in a hidden state," Silk Rong advised.

"Got it!" 

Ling Ren responded, swiftly leaping onto a massive tree. He disappeared from view, hiding himself from plain sight.

"Old Black, you protect us. Watch out for the Chrysanthemum Flame Hedgehog releasing flame needles," Silk Rong instructed, her tone serious.

Old Black's expression shifted as he activated two yellow soul rings, his body expanded, particles of rock adhering to his skin, enhancing his toughness by a good measure.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

Several fiery spikes suddenly shot from the Chrysanthemum Flame Hedgehog in the distance. Old Black hurriedly blocked them all, though a clinking sound accompanied the impact.

"The defense ability is quite impressive," Wang Feng thought to himself.

The fiery spikes released by the Chrysanthemum Flame Hedgehog were intensely hot. Wang Feng marveled at Old Black's ability to withstand such an onslaught.

Seeing the spikes prove ineffective, the Chrysanthemum Flame Hedgehog charged towards them, its heavy steps reverberating in the surrounding.

"Ling Ren, Attack!" Silk Rong suddenly called out. Two yellow spirit rings also lit up on her body as she plunged her Irontusk grass martial soul into the ground.

In an instant, several vines sprang forth, wrapping around the Chrysanthemum Flame Hedgehog's front legs. However, the iron wire generated by the Irontusk grass was rapidly consumed by fire.

Though the wire fell short, the Chrysanthemum Flame Hedgehog's front legs were restrained. As it was charging forward like a speeding car, it flipped onto its back upon encountering the obstruction. Its vulnerable abdomen lay exposed.

At that moment, a black silhouette plummeted from the tree above, landing a hit on the hedgehog's abdomen. Blood spurted forth and the figure swiftly jumped away to evade the splatter.

In the blink of an eye, the combined efforts of the group neutralized the 500-year-old Chrysanthemum Flame Hedgehog.

Their experience and seamless teamwork made quick work of the situation.

"Heh... The blood of this Chrysanthemum Flame Hedgehog is quite hot. Fortunately, I dodged in time," Ling Ren commented as he descended from the tree. He had been the one to deliver the decisive blow to the hedgehog.

However, it appeared that this attack had drained quite a bit of his soul power, likely after utilizing his soul skill/abilities.

"Let's move on. This Chrysanthemum Flame Hedgehog probably isn't dead. We don't need its soul ring, so let's leave it alive," Silk Rong suggested calmly.

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