After finishing his diary entry for the day, Su Ming didn't focus on cultivating his spirit power. Instead, he re-entered the learning space to continue his studies on making talismans.
Meanwhile, the other Shrek students felt a sense of urgency upon seeing Su Ming's breakthrough, so they couldn't sleep and stayed up to train.
At midnight:
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing today's diary entry. You have received the following reward: 10 Learning Acceleration Cards.]
[Learning Acceleration Card: Increases learning efficiency by ten times for one hour.]
Su Ming was thrilled when he saw this. It was perfect for accelerating his talisman training. With these cards, he believed he would soon be able to create second-level talismans.
Indeed, Su Ming had already mastered the creation of first-level talismans. First, because they were the simplest to make, and second, due to his high level of spiritual power, aided by his Sharingan. This allowed him to progress quickly.
Once he returned from the Star Dou Forest, Su Ming planned to dedicate more time to making talismans. He wanted to create a fourth-level talisman soon. His spirit power was already quite high for his age, so he could afford to focus on other areas for now.
On the other side, the female protagonists eagerly awaited their own rewards from the diary:
[Ding! The following female protagonists were mentioned today: Xiao Wu (once), Zhu Zhuqing (once), Ning Rongrong (twice).]
[The female protagonist mentioned the most is Ning Rongrong, who receives a Distraction Control Advancement Card from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.]
Ning Rongrong's face lit up with excitement. This advancement card could directly elevate her Distraction Control skill by one level! Seeing Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing's curious expressions, she excitedly explained, "I got a reward that's really useful for me."
"I received a Distraction Control Advancement Card. Distraction Control is a secret technique from our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, with five levels: Three Apertures Control, Four Apertures Constant Heart, Five Apertures Scattering Heart, Six Apertures Free Heart, and Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart."
"Because our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda needs to adjust its boosts based on the spirit masters' characteristics and the number of people it supports, it consumes a lot of energy. This secret technique helps reduce that consumption. I've already mastered the Three Apertures Control, which matches my current spirit level."
In the original story, Ning Rongrong only mastered the Three Apertures Control during the Spirit Master Competition, but now, she had matured early, entered the Spirit Elder realm sooner, and was far more diligent. The system's regular power boosts and the Lapis Lazuli Jade Pendant's assistance had allowed her to devote significant time to learning this secret technique.
Xiao Wu, hearing about such a secret technique for the first time, marveled, "Wow, big clans really are different!"
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had the Distraction Control technique, the Clear Sky Clan had skills like the Great Sumeru Hammer, Ring Explosion, and the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique, while the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had Dragonification, though they weren't as notable in presence.
Curious, Xiao Wu asked, "Rongrong, when do you plan to use this advancement card? Now or later?"
Ning Rongrong thought for a moment and replied, "I'll save it for later. I know my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda can evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. The Distraction Control secret technique only goes up to the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart, supporting up to the Spirit Sage level. Beyond that, I'll have to figure things out on my own. This card will save me a lot of time later."
The others nodded in agreement, understanding her reasoning. Since Rongrong's current realm matched her level of the technique, there was no rush to advance just yet.
The next morning, the group set out toward the Star Dou Forest. Oscar busied himself by creating sausages with his incantation. Though the three girls were still somewhat disgusted, they had grown used to it and tried to ignore it.
As usual, the three girls opted to rely on Su Ming's support, while the others ate Oscar's sausages. Soon, they arrived at the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest.
Zhao Wuji gave the group a serious look and said, "Listen up, the Star Dou Forest isn't like the state-controlled soul beast habitats. The spirit beasts here are more vicious, and their levels are higher. You could run into thousand-year or even ten-thousand-year-old spirit beasts at any time. Once we enter the forest, none of you can stray more than twenty meters from me. Oscar and Ning Rongrong, especially, must stick close to me. Got it?"
Oscar and Ning Rongrong both nodded emphatically. As auxiliary spirit masters, they had no means of protecting themselves and were at high risk. Ning Rongrong also didn't want to reveal her spirit tool just yet.
Oscar then summoned eight big sausages and eight small sausages, handing them to everyone. "These sausages last for twelve hours. In case of emergency, I may not be able to assist immediately, so take them now."
Although the three girls didn't want to eat Oscar's sausages, they took them anyway, just in case. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing's strengths were considerable, while Ning Rongrong trusted Su Ming's protection and felt she wouldn't need to use them. She would rather reveal her fifth-level spirit tool than eat the sausages. Oscar's image, though not as bad as Ma Hongjun's or Dai Mubai's, still left much to be desired.
Oscar's spirit power was significantly depleted after producing sixteen sausages, leaving him a little pale. His sausages were useful for others, but only one-third as effective for himself. This meant he had to eat three of his own big sausages to make one, preventing any shortcuts.
Su Ming's auxiliary skills, on the other hand, worked equally well for both himself and others.
After ensuring everyone was ready, Zhao Wuji gave the order, "Let's move. Stay close!"
This time, Zhu Zhuqing stepped back, allowing Su Ming and Zhao Wuji to lead the group.
For Su Ming, this was his first time entering the Star Dou Forest. He admired the scenery but knew the dangers lurking within. Extending his spiritual sense, he scanned the surroundings, avoiding the more hazardous areas as much as possible.
In this forest, most spirit beasts harbored hostility toward spirit masters. Even weak spirit beasts that gathered in groups could pose a significant threat unless a spirit master was exceptionally strong.
After entering the Star Dou Forest, Tang San heightened his senses, carefully observing the surroundings. His heart was filled with excitement because he was finally about to obtain his third spirit ring.
He had been waiting for this day for so long!
Due to his teacher only being at level 29, they couldn't help him acquire his third spirit ring. Also, the spirit beast forests under state control rarely had or didn't have any Man-Faced Demon Spiders, so his teacher suggested he wait until he joined Shrek Academy, where other teachers could take him to the Star Dou Forest to hunt for a Man-Faced Demon Spider.
Thus, he had been watching Su Ming and Xiao Wu's progress day by day, while his own cultivation remained stagnant.
Although continuing to cultivate at the peak of a stage without obtaining a spirit ring could still yield some progress, it wasn't something he could feel. He needed the spirit ring to truly advance, and that made him anxious.
After walking for an hour, Zhao Wuji signaled for everyone to stop and rest, recover their energy. Finding a suitable spirit beast wasn't easy, so they had to be patient.
While resting, Su Ming decided to write today's diary, fearing he wouldn't have time later.
[Today, we finally entered the Star Dou Forest. It wasn't easy.]
The three girls exchanged glances, curious about what Su Ming would write about in the forest. If he revealed what was going to happen next, it would give them a better sense of security.
[After walking in the Star Dou Forest for just an hour, we're taking a break. If I recall correctly, in half an hour, a suitable spirit beast for Oscar will fly by: a thousand-year-old Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent.]
[This Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent will also attract Meng Yiran and Snake Woman, though Dragon Duke won't be present.]
[The Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent is injured by Snake Woman and will flee to where we are. In the original story, we intercept it, and it's already on the verge of death, making it perfect for Oscar to absorb its spirit ring.]
[At that moment, Meng Yiran and her group appear. Both Meng Yiran and Oscar need a third spirit ring, but since Dragon Duke isn't present, Snake Woman isn't a match for Zhao Wuji. Thus, she proposes letting the juniors compete fairly.]
[Oscar, being a food-type spirit master, is no match for Meng Yiran. This is when Tang San steps in to compete with Meng Yiran, using spirit power to determine who wins the right to the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent. In the end, of course, Tang San wins.]
The female protagonists wondered if Tang San and Meng Yiran would compete this time, considering that Tang San's strength had grown significantly since the original story. Strictly speaking, Tang San was still at level 30, but he had been at the peak for a long time.
[As I write this, I want to criticize something again. I've mentioned before that Tang San's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step can dodge attacks from spirit masters, but it can't seem to dodge kisses from female spirit masters.]
[During the bet, Oscar, feeling guilty for troubling Tang San, suggests that if they win, Meng Yiran should kiss Tang San. Of course, Tang San rejects the idea, as Xiao Wu is standing right there.]
[Later, during the spirit power competition, Tang San wins. Meng Yiran, although reluctant, keeps her word and hands over the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent. And yes, she also kisses Tang San, leaving him surprised, standing there dumbfounded. Ugh!]
[I believe Tang San was just pretending. With his strength at the time, could he not sense Meng Yiran's actions? There was at least a full second from when Meng Yiran approached to when she kissed him. With Tang San's reflexes, he could have easily dodged, yet he didn't.]
[At the time, Xiao Wu was right beside him. Although they weren't officially a couple, they were definitely more than siblings but not yet lovers—total scumbag behavior.]
[To be fair, I'm a scumbag too. I can't say I only like one girl, as I'm attracted to many. But unlike Tang San, I won't pretend. I take responsibility for my actions, and if a woman can't accept it, I won't force her.]
The girls reading the diary had long become immune to Su Ming's remarks. While Tang San in the original story only loved Xiao Wu, he had quite a few admirers and had been kissed by several women, yet never took responsibility.
While Su Ming was also open about liking multiple women, he admitted it and promised never to let his women get hurt.
Xiao Wu couldn't help but feel that Su Ming was much better than Tang San. Although he had many romantic interests, he genuinely cared for her and wouldn't use her as a sacrifice.
Ning Rongrong also had feelings for Su Ming. While part of her wished Su Ming would only love her, she knew this was unlikely. After all, Su Ming was destined for great things.
A successful man always had many women behind him. Her father was a prime example.
As for Zhu Zhuqing, she didn't have romantic feelings for Su Ming yet, but she thought he was far better than Tang San or Dai Mubai. Su Ming openly pursued someone without forcing anything and didn't act hypocritical. Most importantly, he wouldn't visit brothels!
These were the opinions of the three girls closest to Su Ming.
Other women, who hadn't interacted with Su Ming as much, simply watched like spectators, enjoying the diary entries and the spirit power boosts they received from it.
[But this time, with Tang San's strength being higher than in the original, wouldn't it be unfair for Meng Yiran?]
[Whatever, it's not my concern anyway. Besides, although Tang San has been stuck at level 30 for a while, without a spirit ring, his strength shouldn't have increased that much.]
[This time, I'll just be a spectator. Originally, I had thought of stepping in and preventing Oscar from absorbing this spirit ring, guiding him to hunt a better spirit beast, and letting Meng Yiran take the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent. After all, I still think the flying sausage ability is pretty weak.]
[But now, I've abandoned the idea of recruiting Oscar as my subordinate. Let things proceed as they did in the original story.]
The female protagonists understood that Su Ming had officially given up on Oscar. The three girls felt this was completely reasonable, given that Oscar's behavior didn't impress them. Su Ming's decision was a wise one!
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