Huo Yuhao, thoroughly familiar with the path, arrived once more at the Star Dou Great Forest.
Four ferocious beasts and the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger gathered by the shore of the Lake of Life, allowing him to choose freely—willing to become his spirit souls.
Huo Yuhao's gaze swept across these four overwhelming beings of monstrous might, and his heart filled with boundless gratitude toward that existence.
"It truly feels good to have someone powerful backing you."
This time—
the spirit soul he chose was the Emerald Swan, Bi Ji.
There were two reasons:
First, Bi Ji possessed the highest cultivation.
Since being sent to this world by that being, her cultivation had reached 600,000 years.
Second, Bi Ji commanded the power of healing.
His Titan Snow Demon King Martial Soul specialized in the ultimate body; with healing power as support, his body would be like a tiger with wings.
Huo Yuhao once again sat cross-legged at the center of the Lake of Life.
Behind him, Bi Ji spread her wings.
Those pure white feathers shimmered with lustrous emerald light, as if condensed from the purest vitality itself.
Vast Spirit Power surged outward—
dyeing the heavens into a sea of green.
With Huo Yuhao at the core—
a gentle healing aura expanded in rippling waves.
Grass seeds slumbering at the bottom of the lake awakened one after another, sprouting, leafing, and blooming at visible speed.
In mere moments—
the Lake of Life was blanketed in a fragrant sea of flowers.
Vegetation along the shore grew wildly as well, branches and leaves interweaving, emerald radiance stretching endlessly toward the sky.
Compared to the lingering, slicing agony he had endured when absorbing Bear Lord's power last time—
accepting Bi Ji's strength this time—
was incomparably soothing.
Huo Yuhao felt as though he were immersed in a warm spiritual spring.
Cool yet brimming with life, the Spirit Power seeped through every pore, gently cleansing and nourishing his limbs and bones, each inch of muscle and sinew humming in comfort.
"Huo Yuhao…"
Bi Ji's gentle voice drifted like a breeze.
"As Bear Lord did, I will condense a Spirit Bone for you."
"In this way, your increase in Spirit Power may be somewhat limited, but it will maximize your combat strength."
"My thanks, Senior Bi Ji."
Bi Ji nodded slightly, her graceful form gradually dissolving into the purest emerald energy.
The energy split into three streams:
One surged like a torrent into Huo Yuhao's body.
His Spirit Power, which had stagnated at level sixty, began climbing once more.
Level 60.
Level 62.
Level 63.
Only upon reaching level 65 did it slowly stabilize.
Of the other two streams, one gradually took shape—
forming a gentle woman dressed in a gown woven of grasses and leaves, her body radiating tranquil vitality. This was Bi Ji's spirit soul form.
And within her uplifted palm—
a heart carved as if from Emerald beat vigorously.
Light shimmered within it—
as though the vitality of an entire boundless forest had been compressed inside.
This was the Spirit Bone Bi Ji had transformed into—
a 600,000-year external Spirit Bone: the Emerald Heart.
Bi Ji lifted her slender hand.
The Emerald Heart turned into a streak of emerald light and entered Huo Yuhao's chest.
Thump!
Thump!
A drum-like heartbeat suddenly resounded.
In that mysterious instant—
countless Spirit Beasts across the Star Dou Great Forest heard it clearly.
Huo Yuhao's already overwhelmingly powerful ultimate physique—
now fused with the attribute of "unceasing vitality," becoming ever more unfathomable.
By the Lake of Life—
the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger snorted coldly.
"What kind of taste does this Huo Yuhao have? Why didn't he choose me as a spirit soul?!"
Bear Lord's spirit glanced at it.
"With us ferocious beast kings here, when would it ever be your turn?"
A trace of grievance surged within the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's blood-red eyes.
Its "Life and Death Arena" was a heaven-defying technique—
yet before these ferocious beast kings, it held little advantage.
"Huo Yuhao's Spirit Eyes Martial Soul still has one Spirit Ring slot left. With my hundred-thousand-year cultivation, wouldn't that be perfect?"
"Enough."
Skydream Ice Silkworm lounged, swaying atop one of the Ten Thousands Monster King's vines.
"We've already planned out Yuhao's cultivation path."
"The Snow Demon King Martial Soul's Spirit Ring slots are full. As for the Spirit Eyes Martial Soul, having one empty slot doesn't hinder his cultivation."
"When Yuhao breaks through to level 70, the Spirit Eyes will have two empty slots—perfect to take in another ferocious beast king."
"At that time, the open slot of the Snow Demon King Martial Soul will be your position."
Upon hearing this—
the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's dejection instantly vanished, replaced by excitement.
Among the five ferocious beast kings, it could not compare to any of them.
Being able to become Huo Yuhao's third spirit soul—
was already quite good.
At that moment—
Bi Ji's soul form rippled like water as she gracefully floated to the lakeshore.
Skydream Ice Silkworm laughed.
"Not bad, not bad. Yuhao's spiritual sea is getting livelier by the day."
"Brother Li Zhexian gave me something new and interesting—it's called 'mahjong.'"
"The Snow Demon King can't quite figure it out. With Elder Yi included, the four of us make just enough for a table."
When Bi Ji and Bear Lord heard it was bestowed by that being, their expressions turned solemn. Thinking it some supreme secret art, they immediately responded with utmost seriousness:
"We shall devote ourselves wholeheartedly to mastering it!"
Seeing how grave they were, Skydream didn't expose the truth.
Hadn't it once thought the same?
It wasn't until it heard those square emerald tiles clattering together that it realized the true profundity within—far more entertaining than dry meditation.
It took Huo Yuhao a full three days to completely absorb the Spirit Bone and integrate Bi Ji into his spiritual sea.
After that—
he continued meditating quietly for seven more days.
The spiritual energy by the lakeside far surpassed that of the outside world; cultivation here yielded twice the results with half the effort.
"The tenth day…" He slowly opened his eyes and looked in the direction of Shrek Academy.
"Teacher's birthday is approaching. I should return."
Without any visible movement, his figure drifted like a gentle breeze to the shore of the Lake of Life.
He walked slowly across the lush grass.
A warm, refreshing aura naturally flowed from him.
The former Huo Yuhao—
even when not revealing his strength—
still carried within his bones a sharp, intimidating edge.
Now, all that sharpness had been completely restrained, leaving only a tranquil presence that refreshed the spirit.
No one could imagine that beneath that tall, upright frame lay terrifying power comparable to that of a peerless ferocious beast.
Wherever he passed—
the grass and trees seemed to rejoice, swaying gently.
This was the subtle resonance brought about by the healing aura Bi Ji had bestowed upon him.
"Teacher's birthday may well be genuine…"
"But the true purpose is likely to keep me for the Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival."
Huo Yuhao shook his head with a faint, knowing smile.
Yet since Elder Mu had used his birthday as the reason—
even if he saw through it, he could not refuse.
"Seniors, are there any spiritual herbs in the Star Dou Forest that can extend life? I wish to prepare a birthday gift for an elder."
As the king of plant-type Spirit Beasts—
the Ten Thousands Monster King responded at once. A vine slithered forth, winding deep into the forest.
About the time it takes an incense stick to burn—
the vine returned.
At its tip was wrapped a ginseng the thickness of an arm, carved as if from white jade, a gentle luster faintly flowing across its surface.
"This is a Ten-Thousand-Year Jade Ginseng. Due to the nature of its species, it never developed spiritual intelligence."
"It is best suited for elders—able to extend lifespan by several years and gently nourish one's foundation."
"Thank you, Senior Monster King."
Huo Yuhao bowed deeply and respectfully, a faint smile in his eyes.
This Jade Ginseng could not be more suitable for Elder Mu.
Even though his teacher bore old injuries and had already reached a transcendent life level—
the gentle nourishment of this Ten-Thousand-Year Jade Ginseng would surely still provide some benefit.
He carefully stored the ginseng away.
Then he unfurled his pair of level 9 golden-winged soul tool wings, transforming into a streak of golden light that tore across the sky, flying toward Shrek.
...
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