Dai Mubai's concern was also Flender's concern.
If someone was secretly hunting talented Spirit Masters and even dared to target Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, then those people were completely unrestrained.
And in Suotuo City, the place with the highest concentration of talented Spirit Masters was undoubtedly Shrek Academy.
If this were true, those people would eventually set their sights on them.
What should they do?
After a pause, Flender forced himself to relax. "No, no. We should remain optimistic."
In his letter, Ning Fengzhi had not clearly stated how Ning Rongrong would travel to Shrek Academy.
It was possible that she had changed her mind along the way and decided not to come.
As for Wu Qi and Chang Kong, since they were training independently, if nothing was wrong, they would naturally devote their time to cultivation.
At night and early morning, they would not necessarily appear in the city.
"Mubai, this afternoon you and Hongjun go into the city to look around. In the evening, have everyone gather at the Great Spirit Arena."
Dai Mubai was startled. "Headmaster, are we starting combat training for the new students so soon?"
Having long been disciplined by Zhao Wuji, he had developed an instinctive resistance to practical combat training.
Flender, however, did not realize this.
"Wu Qi isn't even a student, yet he's participating in matches at the Great Spirit Arena."
"Look at how lax you've become. You lost to him there, have you figured out why?"
Dai Mubai felt deeply embarrassed.
Wu Qi's Spirit Power Level was far below his, yet he had defeated him cleanly.
As the senior of Shrek Academy, that result was far from honorable.
With the route map in hand, Wu Qi and the others entered the Star Dou Great Forest.
To avoid being targeted, they deliberately lingered around the outermost region of the forest for quite some time.
Only after confirming no one was following them did they proceed deeper inside.
"In the forest, humans are the most dangerous. You cannot show mercy here, or it may cost you your life."
Wu Qi had entered Spirit Beast forests three times with Azure Luan Douluo. For some reason, each time they had encountered attacks from human Spirit Masters.
Whether it had been intentional training or coincidence, over time Wu Qi developed strong vigilance.
The Spirit Beast forest was beyond the law. Human morality meant little here.
"I'll remember that," Ning Rongrong nodded seriously.
Chang Kong laughed lightly. "We need vigilance, but there's no need to be overly tense or suspect danger everywhere."
Before he could finish, Wu Qi grabbed his arm.
"What is it?"
Wu Qi pointed at his feet. "The Star Dou Great Forest is also rich in medicinal herbs. This is a Hanling Flower, useful for treating injuries."
Thanks to the materials provided by Chrysanthemum Douluo, Wu Qi recognized most common herbs after studying them.
Ning Rongrong did not seem impressed. "The healing effect of Hanling Flower is good, but is there a need to gather it? In the medicine markets of Heaven Dou City, one hundred gold spirit coins can buy quite a lot."
Although there were farmers who cultivated medicinal herbs on the continent, gathering them personally had its advantages.
Moreover, they were currently in the Star Dou Great Forest. If someone were injured, money would not immediately produce medicine.
Collecting some now might prove useful later.
The three were unfamiliar with the terrain of the forest. Even with a map, without knowing the distribution of Spirit Beasts, they moved cautiously to avoid entering a Spirit Beast's territory by mistake.
When they reached a high area, the sky was already growing dark. Seeing that they could not reach the next elevated area before nightfall, they decided to set up camp there.
Ning Rongrong voiced her concern. "Brother Wu Qi, if we camp on high ground, won't we expose ourselves to flying Spirit Beasts?"
Most Spirit Beasts avoided high ground to prevent drawing the attention of predators, which could reduce certain dangers.
The place they chose was like a massive protruding rock. Aside from moss, no vegetation grew there. Flying Spirit Beasts could easily notice it.
Wu Qi smiled. "If we camp in the forest, we must watch the ground, our surroundings, and the sky. Here, we only need to watch the sky."
"Standing high lets us see farther. If human Spirit Masters try to ambush us, we'll notice quickly."
They were still in the outer region. Low-year flying Spirit Beasts generally feared fire.
After lighting a campfire, such Spirit Beasts would not easily approach.
If they truly encountered a high-year flying Spirit Beast unafraid of fire, it would be suitable as Chang Kong's Spirit Ring.
His Coiling Dragon Staff could absorb not only traditional strength-type Spirit Rings but also fire-attribute Spirit Rings.
After setting up the tent and finishing dinner, Chang Kong immediately went inside to rest, preparing to switch shifts with Wu Qi and guard the second half of the night.
By the campfire, Wu Qi took out several sweet potatoes from his storage Spirit tool, wrapped them in mud, and placed them into the fire to roast.
After a short while, he noticed Ning Rongrong approaching.
"Rongrong, aren't you going to sleep?"
Support-type Spirit Masters generally had less stamina than battle-type Spirit Masters. After walking all day, Ning Rongrong was already exhausted.
However, a question had been lingering in her heart.
"Brother Wu Qi, the little boy in Heaven Dou City years ago was that you?"
"Why do you think so?" Wu Qi asked in return.
Ning Rongrong fell silent for a moment before saying, "I don't know. It's just a feeling. Brother Wu Qi… was it you or not?"
Wu Qi shook his head and said nothing.
Back then, Azure Luan Douluo had taken him away right in front of Chen Xin. Afterward, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would certainly have investigated the matter.
If he admitted it now, wouldn't that confirm he came from Spirit Hall?
If someone exposed that a member of Spirit Hall was lurking beside Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, then either the two of them would suffer or Xue Qinghe would.
As long as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had not sided with the Spirit Hall's Worship faction, Ning Rongrong would never hear the answer from him.
"Alright." Ning Rongrong did not press further.
Now that Wu Qi was here, the identity of that little boy from years ago no longer seemed important.
Suotuo City.
Under Flender's orders, the Shrek Six Devils arrived at the Grand Spirit Arena.
Hearing there was a place where they could fight freely, Xiao Wu was full of excitement.
Tang San was also looking forward to it. Back in Nuoding City, he could hardly find any worthy opponents.
Yu Xiaogang had once said that for a Spirit Master to transform into a true powerhouse, real combat against opponents of the same Level was essential.
The older students, however, showed a stark contrast to the freshmen.
Ma Hongjun looked dispirited. "Teacher, we just started school and already have to participate in spirit battles?"
Flender shot him a glance. "If you don't want to join, that's fine. Go run thirty laps around the village. No rest until you finish."
Ma Hongjun shut his mouth resentfully.
Even ten laps around the village would take an entire afternoon, let alone thirty.
"Tang San, I have something to ask you. Come with me."
With that, Flender walked into the Grand Spirit Arena.
Tang San said a few words to Xiao Wu and quickly followed.
Flender recognized the spirit tool at Tang San's waist and used it as an opportunity to ask about Yu Xiaogang's situation.
Upon learning that Yu Xiaogang would soon arrive at Shrek Academy, Flender could not help but feel excited.
Unfortunately, he was destined not to find any trace of Wu Qi or Chang kong at the Grand Spirit Arena tonight.
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