The bloody scent in the forest had yet to fade.
The fallen corpse of the tyrannical thousand-year Wind Baboon was etched into the eyes of Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei, and Tang Ya like a brand.
For a long time, none of them spoke.
Their minds uncontrollably replayed that soul-shaking scene—
A blur of motion.
A flash of golden-green light.
And then… the powerful Spirit Beast collapsed.
That extreme speed… that precise, overbearing strike…
It completely overturned their understanding of what a Soul Elder was capable of.
---
Liu Yuan quietly withdrew his Martial Soul Possession.
The emerald light and faint golden arcs around him faded, and the suffocating aura disappeared as if it had never existed.
He first helped Tang Ya to her feet, then walked over and pulled up Bei Bei.
"Are you alright?" Liu Yuan asked calmly.
His voice broke the silence like a stone dropped into still water.
Only then did the three snap out of their shock.
"I'm… fine," Bei Bei replied subconsciously.
But soon after, he lifted his head, his eyes filled with undisguised curiosity and doubt.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally asked:
"Liu Yuan… is it convenient for you to explain what just happened?"
"Yeah!" Tang Ya immediately chimed in, unable to hold back. She pointed at him, her face full of disbelief.
"Your Martial Soul—what happened to it?!"
"I clearly remember it was a Wind Spirit Snake before, but now… it feels like a dragon!"
"And your spirit rings—how did they go from three to one? And that first ring… it's black! A ten-thousand-year spirit ring?! What is going on?!"
---
Faced with their barrage of questions, Liu Yuan only smiled faintly.
He didn't answer right away.
He knew very well—what had happened to him was far too shocking to explain in a few sentences.
Seeing this, Bei Bei quickly stepped in.
He gently tugged Tang Ya's sleeve and said with his usual calm and considerate tone:
"If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. Everyone has their own secrets."
"We were just… too surprised."
---
Liu Yuan glanced at him, a trace of appreciation flashing in his eyes.
After thinking for a moment, he gave a vague explanation:
"You can think of it as… gaining a special opportunity. My Martial Soul mutated because of it."
"In short, a lot has happened since I left the academy."
---
It was a half-truth, carefully phrased to avoid deeper questions.
Bei Bei, being perceptive, immediately understood.
He didn't press further and instead sighed sincerely:
"No matter what happened… you've become much stronger."
"That speed just now… I couldn't even see your movements clearly."
"If Xuan Zi saw this, he'd probably regret it to death."
---
Liu Yuan smiled lightly, confidence flickering in his eyes.
"It's only temporary."
This wasn't humility—it was simply the truth.
With Mega Rayquaza and the "Extreme Speed" ability, his future potential far surpassed his past self.
---
Bei Bei felt even more conflicted seeing Liu Yuan's calm confidence.
He tried once more:
"Liu Yuan… are you really not coming back?"
"I can speak on your behalf. With the strength you've shown, the academy will definitely reconsider."
"You'll get the recognition you deserve."
---
But Liu Yuan shook his head firmly.
"No."
He looked at them seriously.
"Bei Bei, Xiao Ya… I appreciate it. But I've already said what I needed to say."
"I'm disappointed."
"I used to believe Shrek valued strength and talent above all."
"But now… it's no different from other forces. It cannot tolerate even a single dissenting voice."
"A place like that… isn't worth staying in."
---
The forest fell silent again.
Bei Bei and Tang Ya wanted to persuade him further, but when they met his unwavering gaze, their words died in their throats.
---
Liu Yuan suddenly smiled again, light and carefree.
"Besides… the world is vast. I'm actually looking forward to what comes next."
---
Bei Bei sighed.
He understood.
This wasn't something words could change.
---
"Well then…" Liu Yuan said, patting Bei Bei's shoulder.
"Time to part ways."
He turned to Tang Ya and Huo Yuhao, smiling.
"This time, I'm really leaving."
---
"So soon?" Tang Ya asked, reluctant.
"Yeah. I plan to travel for a while," Liu Yuan replied casually.
---
Bei Bei nodded solemnly.
"Take care. If you ever change your mind, come back anytime."
---
Liu Yuan waved without turning back.
"See you."
His figure gradually disappeared into the dense forest.
---
The three of them stood there for a long time, staring in the direction he had left.
Their emotions were complicated.
---
"Sigh… Shrek has truly lost a top-tier genius."
Bei Bei finally broke the silence.
"The Soul Master Tournament is coming next semester."
"With his strength… we could've secured victory."
"Now… if he joins another academy…"
"We might be facing an unimaginable opponent."
---
"Then blame Xuan Zi!" Tang Ya snapped angrily.
"He drove him away himself!"
---
Huo Yuhao remained silent.
But in his mind, Liu Yuan's figure was deeply engraved—
His overwhelming strength…
His calm defiance…
And his words:
Stay true to your heart.
---
After a brief rest, the trio resumed their journey back to Shrek Academy.
---
Two Days Later — Sea God's Pavilion
After settling Huo Yuhao into the freshman dormitory, Bei Bei headed straight to the Sea God's Pavilion.
He had something important to report.
---
Inside the quiet chamber—
Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi were already present.
The atmosphere was heavy.
"…That aura has completely disappeared," Yan Shaozhe said, fatigue evident in his voice.
"We've searched for days. Nothing."
---
Xuan Zi's expression was unusually grim.
"It appeared out of nowhere… and vanished just the same."
"Other than that terrifying residual energy, there's no clue at all."
---
Bei Bei frowned slightly.
He didn't understand what they were referring to.
But that wasn't why he came.
---
He took a breath.
He had intended to report Liu Yuan's situation.
But now that Xuan Zi was here…
The timing felt… awkward.
---
At that moment—
A gentle, aged voice came from within.
"Bei Bei, you're here."
---
"Elder Mu. Elder Xuan. Dean Yan."
Bei Bei bowed respectfully.
---
Mu En spoke calmly:
"How did your trip to the Star Dou Forest go? Did Tang Ya obtain a suitable spirit ring?"
---
"Yes, Elder Mu," Bei Bei replied.
"She successfully absorbed one."
---
"Good."
---
Bei Bei hesitated briefly, then continued:
"But Elder Mu… something else happened."
"Something more important."
---
"Oh?" Mu En showed interest.
"Go on."
---
"I encountered Liu Yuan… the student who was expelled a few days ago."
---
"Liu Yuan?" Yan Shaozhe frowned.
---
At that name—
Xuan Zi's eyes narrowed sharply.
A faint pressure spread through the room as his gaze locked onto Bei Bei.
---
Mu En, however, sounded puzzled.
"Liu Yuan… the boy with the Wind Spirit Snake Martial Soul?"
"I remember him. A promising seed."
---
A pause.
Then—
"When was he expelled?"
---
Though Mu En's tone remained calm—
The doubt within it made both Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe's hearts skip a beat.