Douluo: Martial Soul of Lightning

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye. In that time, the strength of the Shrek team had undergone a tremendous transformation.

Lin Jie advanced by two full levels, reaching Spirit Power Rank 46. Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Xiao Wu each rose by two ranks as well, and Dai Mubai also made similar progress.

What surprised everyone the most was Ma Hongjun, who managed to jump three levels, breaking through to Rank 40. Flender personally took him to hunt for his fourth Spirit Ring, which unexpectedly granted him the powerful Phoenix Roar Air Strike.

And the one who improved the fastest—unsurprisingly—was Tang San, who shot up by four levels in just half a year. Even without the help of celestial herbs, he remained the protagonist in terms of cultivation talent.

As for Oscar, he was easily the hardest worker of the group. Determined not to fall behind, he threw himself into relentless training, even forgoing meals at times. As a result, he improved by three levels.

Now, the current strength of Shrek's core team was as follows:

Lin Jie, Rank 46 Spirit Ancestor

Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple, One Black

Martial Soul: [Not stated in this chapter]

Zhu Zhuqing, Rank 44 Agility-Type Battle Spirit Ancestor

Martial Soul: Hell Spirit Cat

Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, Two Purple

Spirit Abilities: Hell Rush Stab, Hell Hundred Claws, Hell Demon Slash, Shadow Nether Doppelganger

Spirit Bone: [Not detailed]

Xiao Wu, Rank 44 Power Attack-Type Battle Spirit Ancestor

Martial Soul: Soft-Boned Rabbit

Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, Two Purple

Spirit Abilities: Waist Bow, Charm, Teleportation, Invincible Golden Body

Ning Rongrong, Rank 44 Support-Type Tool Spirit Ancestor

Martial Soul: Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda

Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, Two Purple

Spirit Abilities: Strength Boost, Agility Boost, Spirit Power Boost, Defense Boost

Spirit Bone: [Not detailed]

Dai Mubai, Rank 43 Power Attack-Type Battle Spirit Ancestor

Martial Soul: Evil Eye White Tiger

Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, Two Purple

Spirit Abilities: White Tiger Barrier, White Tiger Light Wave, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, White Tiger Meteor Shower

Ma Hongjun, Rank 41 Power Attack-Type Battle Spirit Ancestor

Martial Soul: Evil Fire Phoenix

Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, Two Purple

Spirit Abilities: Phoenix Fire Line, Bathing Phoenix, Phoenix Wings Ascend, Phoenix Howling Sky Strike

Tang San, Rank 38 Control-Type Battle Spirit Elder

Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass

Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple

Spirit Abilities: Binding, Parasite, Spider Web Restraint

Oscar, Rank 37 Food-Type Tool Spirit Elder

Martial Soul: Sausage Clone

Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple

Spirit Abilities: Big Recovery Sausage, Detoxification Sausage, Swift Flight Mushroom Sausage

This was the current lineup of Shrek's main team.

With only a few days left before the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament, Flender gathered the group to go over the competition format and rules. The team was now assembled in the wooded area behind the academy building.

Given the tournament would last for around three months, from preliminary rounds to elimination matches and eventually the finals, there was always the risk of injury. To that end, the academy selected a number of alternate team members.

Tai Long, a power-type Spirit Elder at Rank 38 with the Giant Ape Martial Soul, was brought on as a substitute.

Jiang Zhu, Rank 37, a female Support-Type Tool Spirit Elder

Martial Soul: Healing Sceptre

Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple

She had a close relationship with Xiao Wu and Lin Jie, and often trained alongside them. Her strength had improved significantly.

The other two alternates were:

Huang Yuan, male, Rank 35 Power Attack-Type Battle Spirit Elder

Martial Soul: Lone Wolf

Jing Ling, male, Rank 35 Agility-Type Battle Spirit Elder

Martial Soul: Skeleton

These four were the elite students personally trained by Liu Erlong. If not for the tournament, they would've graduated by now. They were well aware of Lin Jie and the main team's strength and had no complaints about serving as backups.

When the main team arrived at the forested area behind the academy building, Flender, Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong, and Zhao Wuji were already waiting.

"Everyone, take a seat," said Yu Xiaogang calmly when they arrived.

He looked well, though there was still a trace of melancholy in his eyes.

Half a year ago, two of his most cherished theories were disproven—first by Lin Jie, then by Zhu Zhuqing. Though it hit him hard at first, Yu Xiaogang eventually accepted it. Even so-called masters make mistakes sometimes.

What truly darkened his mood wasn't the theories—it was Liu Erlong.

A few days ago, Liu Erlong laid her feelings bare with him—and Flender had been there to witness it.

Thanks to Lin Jie's careful "emotional support" over the years (some might say manipulation), Liu Erlong had fully let go of her feelings for Yu Xiaogang.

She'd told him clearly: from now on, she would only regard him as a cousin, nothing more.

At first, Yu Xiaogang refused to believe it. But eventually, he could no longer deny the truth. When he looked into Liu Erlong's eyes, all he saw was familial warmth—no hint of affection.

He should have been relieved. But instead, he felt like something was slipping away from him.

Flender, having been present for the whole conversation, was conflicted—happy for his own chance, but sad for his old friend.

Though he tried to pursue Liu Erlong after that, she told him she wasn't interested in romance right now.

And so, all three—Flender, Liu Erlong, and Yu Xiaogang—settled into a comfortable dynamic, treating one another like true siblings at last.

As the group sat down in a circle, Ma Hongjun couldn't help but feel envious.

Why?

Because seated on either side of Lin Jie were two beauties: Ning Rongrong, and the mature and alluring Jiang Zhu.

Zhu Zhuqing had originally intended to sit beside Lin Jie, but Ning Rongrong beat her to it. Over the past half-year, Zhu Zhuqing had clearly sensed the growing closeness between Lin Jie and Ning Rongrong.

She had asked Lin Jie about it, but each time she tried, Lin Jie would simply kiss her to shut her up, and one thing would lead to another...

To this day, he had never given her a proper answer.

Yu Xiaogang's gaze swept across the seated group.

"The tournament is coming up in just a few days. Today, I'll be explaining the rules in detail."

He noticed Ma Hongjun drifting off, eyes fixated on Jiang Zhu, and gave him a sharp kick.

"Don't assume the rules are unimportant. Plenty of academies have fallen flat because they didn't understand the rules."

Snapped back to attention, Ma Hongjun quickly straightened up.

Jiang Zhu was nineteen, older than most of the group. Her looks were stunning: snow-white skin, elegant brows, deep, mysterious eyes, and perfect facial features with a touch of mature grace. Her figure was equally remarkable—slender in the waist, full in the chest and hips, second only to Zhu Zhuqing.

Even though Ma Hongjun had already rid himself of his evil fire, he was still more experienced than most when it came to women—and mature beauties like Jiang Zhu were his greatest weakness.

Jiang Zhu, being close to Xiao Wu and Lin Jie, knew his reputation well.

She was more than aware of the look in his eyes.

But she wasn't interested—not in him.

The one she was interested in was the man she was sitting beside.

Lin Jie.

And Lin Jie, noticing her lingering gaze, turned slightly and gave her a small smile.