"I believe Grandmaster's intention might be for us to join Heaven Dou Imperial Academy but retain our independence." he suggested, seeking clarification.
Wang Feng swiftly interjected to prevent any potential argument, saying, "All of us will remain as the Shrek Seven Devils. Even while we're at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, we'll continue to be instructed by Shrek Academy teachers. We retain our identity, yet post-graduation, we'll carry the prestige of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."
He added, "And, if we ever decide to leave Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, they won't have the authority to stop us."
Admittedly, this condition seemed somewhat stringent. In an ordinary institution, especially upon encountering such exceptional talents, agreement would likely be immediate. However, considering the prestige of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, backed by the formidable Heaven Dou Empire, Qin Ming speculated they might not readily accept these terms and will have to negotiate extensively with them to accept these terms.
"Xiao Feng is spot on, that's what I had also in mind." Grandmaster affirmed, patting Flender on the shoulder. "Flender, I understand Shrek Academy has been your pride an hard work of many years. However, are you willing to let these youngsters miss out on more resources and exceptional chances? Do you want their future accomplishments to be constrained by the conditions of our Shrek Academy? Don't you desire for them to reach greater heights? To have the name of the Shrek Seven Devils resonate across the mainland?"
Grandmaster's inquiry brought a measure of calm to Flender, although a trace of concern still lingered on his brow. Qin Ming grasped Grandmaster's implication. While he found the idea appealing, he acknowledged that convincing the dean and gaining acceptance from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy posed significant challenges. Nevertheless, giving it a shot seemed worthwhile.
"Teacher, it's like borrowing a chicken to lay eggs." Ma Hongjun remarked, approaching Flender. He cast a glance at Qin Ming, whispering, "Grandmaster wants us to benefit from a superior training environment at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, with the option to leave afterward... Essentially, we're using Heven Dou Imperial Academy as a stepping stone, a chicken to hatch us eggs. Your current 'chicken' seems a bit underfed. I'm afraid it might not even lay egg."
Silence ensued, punctuated by the bemused expressions of Wang Feng, Flender, and the rest. The reference, though unconventional, was correct.
After a prolonged moment, Flender nodded with a smile, though a shadow of melancholy lingered in his eyes. Some sentiments could only be eased with time, much like the aftermath of a breakup between long-term lovers.
In this manner, the group concluded their meal and made their way back to Shrek Academy. Over the subsequent days, everyone devoted themselves to two months of concentrated soul power training. The intense exercise and numerous battles over the initial four months had left them in need of a period for recuperation and relaxation. The most effective way to recover was through the natural progression of soul power training.
Simultaneously, Grandmaster adopted Wang Feng's approach of cultivating amidst practice, encouraging everyone to engage in training under diverse conditions. Essentially, they were to emulate Wang Feng's method.
However, achieving this proved to be more challenging than it sounded.
The primary factor lies in Wang Feng's possession of Meteoric Tears, which facilitates the accelerated absorption of soul power. Even during regular periods, the body experiences an automatic increase in soul power, albeit at a slow pace. This enhancement is typically visible over the span of years and months. Clearly, achieving this level of proficiency is beyond everyone else's reach.
Throughout the past two months, Wang Feng maintained a routine of venturing into the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest or engaging in battles within other soul hunting forests to locate the three small soul beast. He returned to the academy two or three times a week for various purposes, one of which was to persist in refining the Armored Black Thorns uses and techniques.
The Black Thorns Armor have at least tens of thousands of Armored Black Thorns, and the task of mastering control over each of them was something very time-consuming.
What adds an intriguing dimension is Wang Feng's discovery that he can fashion various weapons by controlling the Armored Black Thorns. However, this demands a more intricate level of training and manipulation of soul energy. For instance, he can accumulate hundreds of Armored Black Thorns to craft a spear, a longsword, a dagger, and the like. The resulting power after combining not only sees an improvement but maintains a corrosive and exceptionally heavy attack effect.
The most noteworthy aspect? It looks incredibly cool, a fact that Wang Feng never tires of. Nevertheless, achieving this feat necessitates an extensive mental power and a nuanced control over soul power. Even with Wang Feng's current capabilities, he can only just manage to combine more than a hundred Armored Black Thorns into a dagger, and even then, it disintegrates very quickly.
It's estimated that in a year or two, as the number of controllable armored Black Thorns increases, the strength will grow more robust, and the changes in control will become more pronounced. However, a swift transformation in Black Thorns Armor is unlikely to occur in the short term.
"Hey, Wang Feng didn't come back today," observed Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu, lounging on their dormitory beds in slightly casual attire, engaged in a conversation.
"Brother Feng is used to going out to exercise. It was the same when he was at Nuoding College." Xiao Wu remarked, nodding. She pulled the quilt a bit, teasing, "Rongrong, are you missing him again? Your skin is so flawless and good, let me touch..."
"Damn you!" Ning Rongrong swiftly grabbed Xiao Wu's hand, countering with a touch on her leg. "Who would miss him? I'm just concerned that our martial soul fusion technique is not going to be well-practiced..."
"Rong Rong, do you wish for it to grow larger there? Tell me, are you also envious of Zhu Qing?" Xiao Wu playfully patted Ning Rongrong's disheveled hand, chuckling.
The martial soul fusion technique between Ning Rongrong and Wang Feng had a remarkable effect, giving Ning Rongrong the appearance of someone in their twenties. Naturally, certain attributes were more prominent, much to Ning Rongrong's delight.
"No!" insisted Ning Rongrong. "I heard that Oscar and Wang Feng's martial soul fusion technique is the Burning Flame Sausage. Remember? The last time they tried it, the grilled sausage and fried chicken were incredibly delicious—almost a culinary masterpiece. It not only provides the double-amplification effect of grilled sausages but also imparts super fire special effects, stimulating the potential in the body. This leads to a short-term explosive boost in overall strength."
Listening to Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu suddenly felt hungry. The Burning Flame Sausage, the martial soul fusion skill of Wang Feng and Oscar, offered a taste explosion that left taste buds tingling and induced profuse sweating. Even Dean Flender couldn't resist its effects. The Burning Flame Sausage not only enhanced a soul master's strength but also endowed them with a robust self-recovery ability. Their eyes would blaze like fire, they would also not feel pain, and they would enter a state of extreme exhilaration.
"I don't care if the strength isn't impressive, but that Burning Flame Sausage was incredibly delicious," Xiao Wu couldn't help but swallow.
Over the past two months, Wang Feng gradually experimented with martial soul fusion technique with the others. Oscar, in particular, proved to be the most entertaining partner. For the remaining members, the trials were yet to come, and it was anticipated that they would require different combinations.
"However, I must say, Feng'ge and Zhu Qing's martial soul fusion technique are genuinely the coolest." Xiao Wu remarked.
"I mean, that day when Zhuqing fought with the Emperor team... and like a goddess descending to earth, that's a completely different experience," she added with a teasing smile.
Ning Rongrong responded weakly, "Xiao Wu, do you think men like that?"
Her fingers traced the skin that both Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing admired. Among the three women, her skin was considered the best, Zhu Zhuqing's whole physique, and Xiao Wu's legs were her distinctive feature.
"Of course, you didn't see fatty. The first thing he did when he went out was to look at those girls' chests?" Xiao Wu said with amusement. "But Xiao San is different!"
"Then you can rub it for me, I heard it gets bigger... or I can rub it for you too," Ning Rongrong whispered.
"Oh, I don't want... to deal with something so big. Didn't you hear Zhuqing complaining to us some time ago, saying it's too big, as her shoulder hurts and training is also troublesome?" Xiao Wu hastily covered her face with a quilt.
"If you want to rub... find your future husband to do it for you. I'm not going to rub it."
"Hey... so you will ask Tang San to rub it for you?" Ning Rongrong chuckled softly.
"Rongrong, you're being ridiculous, Tang San is like my brother!" Xiao Wu's face immediately reddened, the blush spreading from her neck to her forehead. However, she quickly retorted, "Then you can also let Brother Feng rub you..."
The banter between the two was both playful and teasing, the kind that arises from deep familiarity between two friends. Ning Rongrong's face also flushed, her fair and delicate skin seemed to redden with heat.
"You're impossible, Xiao Wu... I detest this nonsense. I, Ning Rongrong, won't let those smelly men touch me... By the way, I envy you a lot. Did you see Tang San in the Star Dou Great Forest the last time? You don't know how concerned he looked. I don't know when I'll meet such a boy."
Perhaps, in the hearts of girls, a boy willing to risk his life for them was the ultimate partner one can desire.
"Sooner or later, you'll meet someone," blushing, Xiao Wu replied, "I'm his sister, of course, he would do that for me. I believe brother Feng is the same. You're beautiful, and many people are chasing you... There must be many boys interested, but you haven't noticed it yet."
"It's different," Ning Rongrong said, "I am the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda clan. Many pursue me and beauty is just one part of it but my identity plays a significant role."
Ning Rongrong shook her head, well aware of their youth and the complexities of their emotions. "We may be close, but there's a lot we keep to ourselves."
"The same goes for Zhuqing. She doesn't talk much, but I can sense that she's also under a lot of pressure. This pressure makes her reluctant to involve others. Even with our strong bond, she only wants us to know what she's willing to share."
Xiao Wu nodded in understanding; the unspoken struggles within the group were palpable.
In the dormitory, the hushed conversation between the two girls continued.
"...Let's get some sleep,hehe, Tang San said brother Feng will be back tomorrow, and he just happens to have a few good things for us... after all, we might be leaving tomorrow..."
"Really? That's fantastic! Oh, I... I'm just curious about what Tang San will bring... no other meaning."
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