The students from Balak Academy, though all Soul Masters above level twenty, were over fifteen years old—their talent couldn't compare to Xu Yunhan and the others.
One after another, they released their martial souls and summoned their spirit rings, looking arrogant and domineering. They assumed Xu Yunhan, like Zhu Zhuqing, was just a Soul Master, so they believed their numbers gave them an advantage.
But just as they were about to activate their spirit skills, Xu Yunhan shot them a single glance.
In an instant, an invisible force of gravity crashed down upon them.
"Ah—!"
The Balak Academy students were instantly flattened against the ground, unable to move. It felt as if a thousand pounds were crushing them, making it hard to breathe.
Some even coughed up blood!
The ground beneath them cracked, a terrifying sight.
This wasn't spiritual pressure—it was pure gravitational force.
Zhu Zhuqing stared at Xu Yunhan in shock. This man had given her too many surprises in just two days.
She assumed he had used a spirit skill—one with a gravity effect, and an incredibly powerful one at that.
Yet, she hadn't seen any spirit rings appear.
That meant Xu Yunhan had just used an instant-cast spirit skill.
"Monster." Those two words summed up her thoughts. As she looked at him, her heart fluttered slightly. This man was far too captivating.
"Spare us… We were wrong…"
The Balak Academy students coughed up blood as they begged for mercy.
Xu Yunhan's gaze remained cold and unmoved.
"Ah—!" They suddenly screamed.
The gravity intensified, crushing their limbs. The pain was so unbearable that they passed out on the spot.
They wouldn't recover for at least a year!
This was Suotuo City, the capital of the Balak Kingdom. Balak Academy was established by the royal family, so Xu Yunhan couldn't outright kill them—but he could leave them with a painful lesson.
"Let's go."
Casually, he took Zhu Zhuqing's hand and led her away.
Her eyes sparkled as she asked from behind him, "Yunhan, was that an instant-cast spirit skill? Your talent is downright enviable."
Xu Yunhan nodded. "Mm. My fourth spirit skill—Gravity Field."
When activated, it created a gravitational field within a certain range. Within it, he could control the intensity—making it heavier or lighter—and even target specific areas.
Like when he had focused the gravity on the students' limbs just now.
Of course, he had held back. Otherwise, he could've crushed those Soul Masters into paste in an instant.
A spirit master's greatest weakness was their physical body. Once their spirit power couldn't protect them, their flesh was vulnerable.
"Gravity-type spirit skills are rare," Zhu Zhuqing said. "And yours is a ten-thousand-year skill. Its power is far beyond what a Soul Master can withstand. To have a ten-thousand-year spirit ring as your fourth… I doubt anyone else can do that."
Xu Yunhan chuckled. "Who knows? The world is vast. There are always exceptions. Besides, getting a ten-thousand-year spirit ring for your fourth isn't that hard. You just need a high-quality martial soul, strong enough mental power, and an exceptionally tough physique."
This was the first time Zhu Zhuqing had heard such a theory. "Is that how it works? So you have all three—a powerful martial soul, physique, and mental strength—which is why you could absorb a ten-thousand-year ring?"
Xu Yunhan smiled faintly. "My situation is… a bit more special. But if you obtain certain rare treasures, you can elevate your martial soul, physique, and mental power to that level. For example—immortal herbs."
"Immortal herbs?" Zhu Zhuqing had never heard of them. "Do such treasures really exist? Have you found any?"
Xu Yunhan shook his head. "Not yet. But I know where to get them. When the time comes, I'll take you to find some. If you consume one, you might be able to absorb a ten-thousand-year spirit ring as your fourth too."
The claim sounded almost unbelievable. Yet, Zhu Zhuqing found herself trusting him—and feeling strangely moved.
If Xu Yunhan really gave her such an immortal herb… she wondered just how touched she'd be. Would she even… offer herself to him?
"Alright. I'll wait." She smiled faintly, her beauty radiant.
Then she added, "For now, we should head straight back to Shrek Academy. After crippling those Balak Academy students, they'll be furious. Staying in Suotuo City might be dangerous."
Balak Academy was backed by the royal family and had Spirit Sage-level experts. Even if Flender and the others intervened, victory wasn't guaranteed.
"True."
Xu Yunhan wasn't reckless. His current strength had limits—no need to linger in Suotuo City and invite trouble. They could return once the storm passed.
Besides, those students didn't know their identities, and Shrek Academy was remote. Tracking them down would be nearly impossible.
Hand in hand, they chatted as they made their way to Shrek Academy.
A few hours later, they arrived at the academy's entrance.
"This… is Shrek Academy?"
Zhu Zhuqing stared blankly at the shabby, unimpressive gates ahead.
She had expected the academy's conditions to be modest, but this? It looked like a run-down farmhouse in some remote village.
It was too humble.
Xu Yunhan grinned. "Surprised?"
Zhu Zhuqing was speechless. More like horrified. She couldn't help but doubt, "Does Shrek Academy even have the resources to nurture talent?"
Xu Yunhan winked. "That's why they only accept monsters among geniuses!"
Realization dawned on her. Shrek Academy was poor—so they relied on the most monstrous geniuses to cultivate themselves.
"Resources are scarce, but at least getting spirit rings won't be an issue," Xu Yunhan said cheerfully. "Three Spirit Sages, two Spirit Emperors—even Balak Academy doesn't have a lineup this strong."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded in agreement. Even the Star Luo Empire's Royal Academy only had a few Spirit Sages.
Shrek Academy lacked "hardware," but its "software"—its teachers—was undeniably impressive.
"Ah, Yunhan's back."
As they entered the academy grounds, Lu Qibin and Shao Xin were playing chess in a simple pavilion by the square.
They eyed Zhu Zhuqing curiously.
Under their gazes, Zhu Zhuqing shyly tried to pull her hand free from Xu Yunhan's grip.
Smiling, Xu Yunhan introduced her. "You two enjoying your game? This is Zhu Zhuqing—twelve years old, level 27 spirit power. The dean has already approved her enrollment. She's now a student of Shrek Academy."
"Zhuqing, these are Teacher Shao Xin and Teacher Lu Qibin…"
Another genius!
No matter how poor Shrek Academy was, they couldn't resist talent. The gleam in Shao Xin and Lu Qibin's eyes said it all—they were delighted.
On the way here, Xu Yunhan had already told Zhu Zhuqing about the five teachers. Now she had met three—only Zhao Wuji and Li Yusong remained.
"Teacher Shao, Teacher Lu."
Zhu Zhuqing greeted them politely, her voice as lovely as her appearance.
Shao Xin beamed. "Good, good! Shrek Academy is thriving! Yunhan, show Zhu Zhuqing around. Our place may be remote, but the environment is peaceful—perfect for focused cultivation."
Lu Qibin asked about her martial soul and how she and Xu Yunhan had met.
As for her background? That wasn't their concern.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 30 on my patreon, go check it out.
Give me all your power stones