180 Chapter 178.

Upon hearing the news, FlEnder and Liu Erlong were stunned.

"What about Xiao Feng? Aren't you concerned?" Flender voice rose, tinged with seriousness. "If that's the case, then I'll alone go to the Star Dou Great Forest myself. Erlong, you lead a team to ensure the safety of the seven children in obtaining their respective soul rings."

Liu Erlong shook her head. "Boss, I'm stronger than you. The Star Dou Great Forest is much more perilous than the Sunset Forest, so let me go."

Flender paused, unsure how to respond.

"Don't worry, he has returned." Grandmaster interjected with a mysterious smile. "Not only has he returned, but he's also obtained the fourth soul ring and his level has also risen to 45."

The room fell silent at this revelation. Flender and Liu Erlong were equally astonished.

"What do you mean, level 45?" Flender exclaimed.

"Was that letter just now from Xiao Feng?" Liu Erlong asked, her tone casual.

Grandmaster nodded. "Yes, in the letter, he informed us of his return... Oh, let me show you."

He displayed the letter to the trio, who studied it in silence.

"Is he really going to do this?" Flender pondered, adjusting his glasses. "Tang San and the others have also made remarkable progress in the past six months..."

Liu Erlong smiled, a hint of amusement in her expression. "I find it quite intriguing, forty-fifth rank... unbelievable. Xiaogang, how old is he this year?"

"Fourteen." Grandmaster replied.

"Fourteen years old and already  a 45th-level Soul Ancestor." Flender mused with a light sigh. "There can't be many people on the mainland who achieve such a level at this age, right? That boy Mubai has also just reached level forty-five as well. This is all thanks to Xiao Feng's unique cultivation method, otherwise, Mubai would likely still be around level forty-four by now."

The cultivation method involved integrating practice into everyday activities, with physical exercise complemented by meditation for the soul power cultivation. While the seven individuals hadn't fully grasped it yet, they were showing some promising results.

"Speaking of which, the letter didn't mention the soul ring he obtained," Liu Erlong noted, examining the letter.

"Based on my calculations..." Grandmaster pondered for a moment. "Xiao Feng's soul power and physique are unique. Advancing from level one to level five within half a year indicates a very high-quality and aged soul ring. I estimate it to be around forty thousand years."

The revelation widened the eyes of Flender and Liu Erlong.

"Forty thousand years? Can he handle it?" Flender voiced his concern. 

"A typical soul beast of forty thousand years is akin to a Soul Saint of over seventy levels. If it's slightly stronger, even Old Zhao would be in for a challenge."

Zhao Wuji's honest reaction to that: "..."

"Xiao Feng should be capable of taking down a 30,000-year-old beast." Grandmaster remarked, casting a glance at the duo. "As for forty thousand years, it requires a certain stroke of luck, but it's not entirely impossible."

"Killing a thirty thousand-year-old beast? That's equivalent to a Soul Saint of over seventy levels..." Liu Erlong marveled. "But considering his resilience against Dugu Bo's attack initially, and what you said about Zhao Wuji enduring the Titans' power without perishing... his physique is not inferior, perhaps even stronger. It's plausible for him to slay a 30,000-year-old soul beast, but the disparity in soul power levels is still substantial... it won't be that easy."

Despite acknowledging Xiao Feng's remarkable physical prowess, Liu Erlong couldn't overlook the significant gap in soul power levels. Could he truly overcome soul beasts of such high levels? Killing a soul beast was a different challenge altogether from withstanding an attack.

Forty thousand years... it sounded overly exaggerated. Even facing a 30,000-year-old soul beast presented considerable difficulty. Forty thousand years would pose a challenge even for them.

Unless they resorted to the martial soul fusion technique, which would make the task easy for them.

"The soul master also has to rely on chance. Let's not speculate wildly, we'll wait until we meet and ask in person," Grandmaster remarked casually.

The two nodded, feeling relieved to hear that Wang Feng had returned safely.

Not long after, in the square, Flender gathered Tang San and the others.

Over the past six months, the seven had undergone some changes. Firstly, they all achieved breakthroughs to level forty.

The first breakthrough came from Ning Rongrong. After her martial soul mutated, her cultivation speed greatly accelerated. According to her, the power of stars within her martial soul, combined with residual medicinal effects, gradually enhanced her overall physical abilities. She surpassed ordinary auxiliary soul masters, including Oscar in physical strength.

The second breakthrough belonged to Zhu Zhuqing. Similarly, after her martial soul mutated, her cultivation speed increased significantly. Coupled with her diligence, she reached level forty as well just a day after Ning Rongrong.

The third to reach level forty was Oscar. His third soul ring, and the immortal herb he consumed granted him accelerated cultivation speed. The trio of Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing reached level forty almost one day after another.

Following them were Tang San and Ma Hongjun. Xiao Wu had also reached level thirty-nine, with level forty still a bit distant.

This progress was attributed to Wang Feng's placement practice method, which shortened their cultivation time to a mere one and a half years.

Although a few had reached level forty a month earlier, they refrained from rushing to obtain the fourth soul ring. Grandmaster had advised them to continue practicing and accumulating soul power even after reaching level forty, as subsequent breakthroughs would yield greater benefits.

Today marked the day they would finally obtain their fourth soul ring. However, a somber atmosphere hung over the group as they were missing one member. They couldn't shake off their concerns for Wang Feng, who had been absent for half a year without any news, despite the Grandmaster's assurance of his seclusion for cultivation.

"Today, all except Xiao Wu have firmly reached level forty. It's time to head to the Sunset Forest," Flender announced.

Flender gazed at the group and spoke slowly, "The reason all seven of you are allowed to go together is for real combat training. After all, the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament is approaching! Consider it a team training exercise, akin to the first stage of your graduation exam."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu asked curiously, "President, how do we pass? Are we supposed to hunt down soul beasts together?"

Flender nodded slightly and replied, "Yes, this time, you'll need to rely on your team's strength to hunt down soul beasts for yourself! As the upcoming big competition will require your teamwork, this exercise is meant to toughen you up. You must hunt down the soul beasts without the intervention of the three of us. That's one of the conditions for passing."

This revelation elicited a slight frown from everyone.

"In addition," Flander continued, glancing at the group with a smile, "there's a second requirement... For this journey, we've enlisted the help of a mysterious strong individual. Once you enter the Sunset Forest, this person will conduct special training by ambushing you at any moment! It's a test of your resilience and awareness."

Upon hearing this, everyone was surprised but quickly grasped the reasoning behind it.

"Dean, roughly how strong is this individual?" Ma Hongjun inquired with curiosity.

"Hmm... about as strong as a six ring Soul Emperor," Grandmaster interjected suddenly.

At this revelation, a collective sigh of relief swept through the group. A six-ringed Soul Emperor was a challenge, but with all seven of them combined, it seemed manageable.

"Piece of cake!" Ma Hongjun exclaimed with a grin. "It'll be the six-ringed Soul Emperor who won't find it easy to take on the Seven Shrek Monsters, hmph!" Upon hearing Ma Hongjun's words, Dean Liu Erlong and the Grandmaster exchanged playful glances, each revealing a smile in their eyes.

"No other requirements?" Dai Mubai asked curiously.

"Actually, there is," Liu Erlong replied with a smile. "He wears a mask. If you manage to remove it during the special training, even if you finish early, it will be accepted."

This requirement seemed standard. Similar to bonus questions, completing it would earn you extra points, but failing wouldn't penalize you.

Flender turned to the group of seven and continued, "Alright, this information suffices. Any other information, you need to uncover yourselves once inside the Sunset Forest!"

Everyone nodded. 

"Master, when will brother Feng return?" Tang San suddenly inquired, "He's been in seclusion for half a year, shouldn't he return now?"

Upon hearing this, the group fell silent.

Ning Rongrong impatiently glanced at the three of them, wanting to ask the same question earlier. Hadn't Wang Feng just returned to the academy not long ago before diving into seclusion once more?

The others also turned to the Grandmaster, curiosity evident in their expressions.

"Well... he mentioned he'd be back in a few days," Grandmaster replied, casting a glance at them. "Probably around the time you all return to the academy after acquiring your fourth soul rings, he should be back."

Flender, standing on the side, also smiled and added, "Perhaps you'll have the chance to meet him when you return."

Grandmaster's and Dean Flender's words brought a sense of reassurance to everyone.

"Really, Dean?" Ning Rongrong's interest piqued. Previously uninterested, now she was suddenly filled with motivation and radiance to hunt soul beast as fast as possible.

Zhu Zhuqing also nodded slightly, a glimmer of expectation in her eyes.

"I'll get to see Brother Feng when we return. Hehe, I wonder where he's been these past six months?" Xiao Wu playfully tugged at Tang San's newly braided scorpion tail.

"Without the captain... I kind of miss his asking for my hot juicy sausages." Oscar chuckled, seeming nostalgic.

"Captain Monster is coming back this time, he should also be getting his fourth soul ring, right?" Ma Hongjun mused, stroking his chin in thought. "Once we return, he would get his fourth soul rings, stepping into the realm of Soul Ancestors."

"It's been a while since I sparred with Wang Feng... I miss it a bit," Dai Mubai said, clenching his fist.

Observing everyone's heightened interest, Flender nodded slightly and spoke up, "Very well, Tang San, you will be the team leader this time, lead the group."

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