"Barely Becoming a Titled Douluo, and the Counterattack System Arrives

Naturally, Lin Fan also wanted to kill Xiao Wu right away and absorb her soul ring and soul bone.

However, he knew Tang Hao was hiding nearby, secretly observing him.

Even if he killed Xiao Wu right now, he wouldn't have the chance to absorb her soul ring—Tang Hao would intervene.

After all, when a soul beast dies, if no one absorbs its soul ring within a certain period, it will naturally dissipate into the heavens and earth.

Lin Fan didn't believe that Tang Hao would just stand by and watch him absorb it. Tang Hao would undoubtedly destroy the process.

Absorbing a soul ring was extremely dangerous if interrupted—at best, it could lead to serious injury and loss of cultivation; at worst, it could cause death and soul destruction.

In Lin Fan's eyes, killing Xiao Wu at this point simply wasn't worth the risk.

As for reporting to Spirit Hall that Tang Hao was hiding at Shrek Academy… that wouldn't work either.

Once Spirit Hall sent a group of Titled Douluo, a massive battle would break out early.

And even then, there was no guarantee Lin Fan would get Xiao Wu's soul ring or bone.

Forget about Qian Daoliu—just Bibi Dong alone would certainly lead the charge.

Lin Fan knew Bibi Dong still lacked a few soul rings for her second martial soul—there was no way she would let him take Xiao Wu's remains.

If he triggered that, the only outcome would be mutual destruction between him and Tang Hao, while others reaped the benefits.

There would be no advantage for him at all.

The next day, as expected, the moment Lin Fan had been waiting for finally arrived.

Oscar came running over, grinning from ear to ear.

"Oscar! Oversleeping again? Didn't I tell you that yesterday's laps weren't enough?" Flender scolded, annoyed at seeing Oscar's usual cheeky expression.

"Dean, I have a valid reason this time! Last night before bed, I had some insights during meditation and ended up breaking through to rank 30!" Oscar proudly reported.

"Good, good! Excellent! After Mubai, you're now the second to break through to Soul Elder!" Flender was genuinely pleased, feeling proud and gratified.

Though Oscar wasn't his direct disciple, he was practically like one. After all, he and Ma Hongjun were among the first kids Flender brought to the academy—they had a deep bond.

"Congrats, little Ao!" Dai Mubai congratulated, clapping Oscar's shoulder.

"Damn, you broke through way faster than me! No wonder—you're three years older than me." Ma Hongjun grinned.

"Fatty! If you can't say anything nice, then don't speak!" Oscar rolled his eyes.

"Alright, now that we have a breakthrough, tomorrow morning, Zao Wou-ki will lead all of you to the Star Dou Forest to help Oscar obtain his third soul ring. This will also serve as a combat training mission for all of you," Flender announced with a sly smile.

"As for today's lesson, heh… everyone has to eat one of Oscar's sausages. This is called adaptive training," Flender added, smirking wickedly.

The three girls collectively groaned in frustration, "What kind of training is that?!"

The following day, Tang San and the others gathered early at the academy gates.

When Lin Fan came out as well, Zhao Wuji asked in surprise,

"Lord Swordshadow, you're coming too?"

"Since I'm a student of Shrek Academy now, how could I skip a group outing?" Lin Fan replied calmly.

"Haha! Brother Fan's got my back! With Brother Fan here, we can charge through the Star Dou Forest with no worries!" Ma Hongjun cheered with a grin.

"You wish. I'm just here for appearances. Don't expect me to intervene," Lin Fan replied lazily.

Then, he summoned his Blue Shadow Sword, stepping onto it and flying away like a streak of blue light across the sky.

Zhao Wuji and the others couldn't help but look on in envy.

"Lord Swordshadow has a point. Although I'm leading this trip, I won't intervene unless necessary. This is your trial, after all. If you work together, even thousand-year soul beasts won't be a problem."

"Alright, brats! My only requirement is that you reach the outer perimeter of the forest before sunset!"

"Run, you little monsters of Shrek!"

Their groans of misery echoed loudly.

Though Shrek Academy wasn't far from the Star Dou Forest, reaching the outskirts by sunset still meant running the whole way.

"Quit whining! You think we're out for a sightseeing trip? Move it!" Zhao Wuji roared, looking like he'd start chasing them with a whip any second.

Meanwhile, soaring through the skies, Lin Fan pondered how to drive Tang Hao away.

The Star Dou Forest was far more dangerous than regular hunting grounds. There was no way Tang Hao wouldn't follow along on his son's first visit to such a perilous place.

And Lin Fan was well aware that trying to snatch the Eight Spider Lances from Tang San wouldn't escape Tang Hao's eyes.

"In that case, I'll force Tang Hao to make a choice," Lin Fan decided firmly.

He planned to use Xiao Wu as leverage to lure Tang Hao away.

Arriving early at a small inn near the forest's outskirts, Lin Fan booked their rooms.

By evening, Tang San and the others arrived at the inn, panting and exhausted.

"Brother Fan, why didn't you wait for us? I'm dying here!" Ma Hongjun whined as he staggered up to Lin Fan.

"I came early to reserve rooms and order food for you all. After running all day, just sit down, eat, and rest up for tomorrow's trek into the forest," Lin Fan replied.

"Shopkeeper! You can bring the food now!" Lin Fan called out toward the counter.

"Coming, sir!" the innkeeper responded cheerfully.

"Brother Fan, you're the best! Thanks so much!" Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up at the sight of food.

"Thank you, Lord Swordshadow!"

"Thank you, Lord Swordshadow!" the others echoed in gratitude.

Even Zhao Wuji didn't hold back, happily sitting down to eat.

However, just as they started digging in, trouble came knocking—they encountered students from Canghui Academy.

Dai Mubai smugly quoted Flender's famous line: "A Spirit Master who doesn't know how to cause trouble isn't a good Spirit Master."

"Where's your teacher?! What's going on with these students?!" The Canghui teacher, who had just been beaten by the Shrek Seven, yelled furiously.

Zhao Wuji, watching from the sidelines until now, finally stepped in.

"I've always told you brats to train hard. Now look—can't even handle a bunch of turtles! Stop fighting and get back inside."

"Yes, Teacher Zhao!" Dai Mubai quickly led the others back inside the inn.

"You're their teacher? This is how you discipline your students? No respect for their elders!" the Canghui teacher accused furiously.

"Hmph!" Zhao Wuji snorted coldly, "Since when do I need you to teach me?"

Then, without even using his martial soul or any soul skills, Zhao Wuji beat the man black and blue with nothing but his fists.

"Man, it feels great to beat someone up without even using spirit power!" Zhao Wuji grinned, clearly venting the frustration from his earlier loss to Lin Fan.

After that brief skirmish, the night passed without further incident. Everyone ate, drank, and returned to their rooms to rest.

At dawn the next morning, before sunrise, Zhao Wuji led the group deep into the Star Dou Forest.

"Tang Hao, I didn't expect you to tag along," Lin Fan calmly said as he found Tang Hao lurking nearby.

"You're here too. How could I not come?" Tang Hao replied evenly.

"Hmph. You'd better keep a close eye on me then… Otherwise, that little rabbit might… Haha," Lin Fan chuckled before walking off.

With just that brief encounter, Lin Fan had deliberately planted the seed of doubt in Tang Hao's mind.

He'd openly hinted that he might strike at Xiao Wu anytime, successfully stirring up Tang Hao's nerves.

When the critical moment came, Lin Fan would use Xiao Wu to draw Tang Hao away, leaving Tang San vulnerable.

While the others busied themselves helping Oscar search for his third soul ring, Lin Fan simply waited.

After all, the real "divine helper" of this arc—the Titan Giant Ape—was about to make its grand entrance.