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

External spirit bones—or to be more precise, aside from Tang Hao, probably no one else here truly knew what they were. Everyone simply called them "spirit bones."

After all, external spirit bones were exceedingly rare. If the odds of obtaining a regular spirit bone were one in a thousand, then the odds of finding an external spirit bone were one in ten thousand.

The greatest value of external spirit bones lay in their ability to grow, and more importantly, they didn't interfere with the six standard spirit bone slots.

Lin Fan was certain that at this point, Tang San had no idea what an external spirit bone even was. Yu Xiaogang hadn't taught him about such advanced knowledge yet.

"All right, now isn't the time for chit-chat. Don't forget where we are—we should head back immediately." Lin Fan reminded them calmly.

"Lord Swordshadow is right. The Titan Giant Ape could reappear at any moment. We need to leave the forest now." Zhao Wuji immediately agreed.

Without hesitation, the group quickly took Oscar's sausages and moved swiftly toward the forest's edge, with Lin Fan bringing up the rear.

Of course, Lin Fan wasn't truly staying behind to guard them—he had something else in mind.

He silently moved toward Tang Hao's hidden location.

"Lord Swordshadow, thank you for protecting Little San this time," Tang Hao said as he approached. He had already sensed the presence of Dragon Duke and Snake Lady earlier, and after hearing Tang San's account, he believed Lin Fan had indeed driven them away.

"If you're truly grateful, Tang Hao, then how about you hand Xiao Wu over to me? Or at least tell me the Titan Giant Ape's lair. Once I'm strong enough, I'll go hunt it down myself," Lin Fan said with a faint smile.

"Sorry. I don't know either," Tang Hao replied coldly before walking away.

Lin Fan grinned behind him. That little test just now confirmed that Tang Hao still hadn't realized he had stolen the external spirit bone originally meant for Tang San.

In the end, this trip to the Star Dou Forest may have seemed like a great gain for Tang San and the others, but in truth, Lin Fan was the true winner.

His strength had increased across the board. While the system had helped, much of it also came from Lin Fan's foresight and knowledge of the Douluo Continent.

On his way back, Lin Fan was leisurely flying with his sword when he nearly fell out of the sky from shock.

It was because the system suddenly issued a new task:

[New Task Issued: You performed well during the Star Dou Forest expedition, winning Zhu Zhuqing's favor. However, Dai Mubai is quite displeased with you. Your mission: steal Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai's fiancée, and completely outshine him.]

[This task can be abandoned.]

[Task Reward: +3 spirit ranks (Soul Elder level), +300 years to your third spirit ring's age.]

Hearing the task content, Lin Fan couldn't help but curse the system in his heart.

"System, I can't believe you! You're disgusting! Zhu Zhuqing is only 12 years old, you beast!"

"What the hell is this? Are you trying to turn this into some creepy raising sim?"

[Please use the system's age as the standard.]

Lin Fan scoffed, "If you asked me to take her as a disciple, maybe I'd reluctantly agree. But asking me to snatch someone else's fiancée—an underage girl, no less—are you insane?!"

"System, get out here! I need to fix your circuits!"

[Please use the system's age as the standard.]

"Tch… can't reason with you." Left with no choice, Lin Fan directly abandoned the task.

No way—if his old acquaintances ever saw that, he'd die of shame! His reputation would be ruined!

[Host has confirmed task abandonment.]

"Yes, I'm certain."

[Task abandoned successfully.]

Honestly, part of the reason Lin Fan gave up the task was because the reward didn't appeal to him.

For a Soul Elder, gaining three spirit ranks and an enhanced third spirit ring was an absurdly good reward.

But Lin Fan was already a Titled Douluo. For someone at his level, this reward was utterly trivial—the only marginal benefit was the slight increase in spirit ring age.

"System, before you issue another task, think it through properly next time! Stop treating me like a Soul Elder. If you'd offered a 100,000-year spirit ring, I wouldn't hesitate to accept, even if you asked me to run westward naked."

Lin Fan muttered in frustration.

After complaining, Lin Fan finally returned to Shrek Academy—but surprisingly, no new task was issued afterward.

"Hmph, the system's crashed again," Lin Fan grumbled.

"We're back! I almost thought I'd never see this rundown old gate again." Oscar ran up and hugged the academy's door pillar in relief.

"Exactly! I, Fatty, almost became some soul beast's midnight snack out there," Ma Hongjun said dramatically as he hugged another pillar.

Standing at the entrance, Zhao Wuji addressed everyone with a smile, "All right, the Star Dou Forest expedition has ended successfully. Though it was perilous, we've gained a lot, especially your friendships. After this adventure, I believe you've all grown closer and learned more about each other."

"It's been over a day and night without sleep. Now, go back to your dorms and get some rest. I'll report the mission details to the Headmaster and then get some rest myself."

"Understood, Teacher Zhao." Dai Mubai and the others bade Zhao Wuji farewell and headed back inside.

Tang San deliberately stayed behind and gave Lin Fan a respectful bow. "Lord Swordshadow, thank you again for your help."

Lin Fan simply nodded calmly. "Mm, go rest."

As Lin Fan returned to his wooden house, even without deliberately scanning with his spiritual sense, he still noticed a familiar presence near the residence where Flender and the others stayed.

"Looks like Yu Xiaogang has arrived," Lin Fan muttered to himself as he walked into his room.

He had met Yu Xiaogang before—in Spirit City.

Since Spirit City was considered the Holy Land for all soul masters, Lin Fan had naturally studied there as well.

After all, for a soul master who had never set foot in Spirit City, they could hardly call themselves a true soul master.

Meanwhile, inside the Headmaster's office—

"Headmaster, that's the whole report about the Star Dou Forest expedition. I believe the Titan Giant Ape's appearance near the outskirts was merely a coincidence," Zhao Wuji finished explaining the trip to Flender.

"But how did Xiao Wu manage to escape from the Titan Giant Ape's grasp?" Flender asked with a puzzled look.

"According to Xiao Wu, it was because of a sudden bull-like roar that scared the Titan Giant Ape away," Zhao Wuji replied slowly.

"A bull's roar? What kind of roar could frighten the so-called Forest King Titan Giant Ape? I've never heard of such a thing," Flender muttered, even more confused.

Just then, a calm voice spoke up from the side, "That bull's roar… it was likely from the Sky Blue Bull Python."

Flender chuckled. "Ah, looks like we've got an expert here."

Yu Xiaogang, dressed in plain black clothes with a stern expression, walked onto the balcony beside them.

"Zhao Wuji, let me introduce you. This is Tang San's teacher, commonly known as the Grandmaster," Flender said with a smile.

"So, you're the famous Grandmaster. I've heard Flender mention you quite a few times," Zhao Wuji greeted politely.

"No need for formalities, Immovable King," Yu Xiaogang replied calmly. He then proceeded to explain the origins of the Sky Blue Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape.

However, a sudden thought crossed Yu Xiaogang's mind, and he asked, "By the way, I overheard you mention 'Lord Swordshadow' earlier. Is there a Titled Douluo teaching at Shrek Academy now?"

"Ah! Right, I almost forgot to tell you, Xiao Gang. On the day Tang San enrolled, a Titled Douluo did indeed join us. His title is 'Swordshadow.' Have you heard of him before?" Flender smacked his forehead and explained.

"Swordshadow?" Yu Xiaogang frowned, clearly unfamiliar with the name. "I've never heard of that title before."

Zhao Wuji immediately chimed in, "Grandmaster, Swordshadow truly helped Tang San a lot this time." He then recounted the incident involving the Man-Faced Demon Spider.

"To be able to secure the Man-Faced Demon Spider from the hands of the Dragon Duke and Snake Lady… he certainly rendered great assistance," Yu Xiaogang said with a nod of appreciation.

"By the way, do you happen to know his real name? Maybe I've heard of him before," Yu Xiaogang suddenly asked.

"His name is Lin Fan," Flender replied casually.

"Lin Fan?" Yu Xiaogang's expression froze. He furrowed his brows deeply before his eyes suddenly widened in shock.

"Lin Fan… It's him?!"