章 22: Return to Shrek and Future Plans

As Sheng Yu and Sheng Fu opened their eyes, they were greeted by the eager gazes of their sons, Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun.

"Mom, Dad, how did it go? Did your martial soul manage to evolve?" Sheng Jun inquired, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Sheng Fu couldn't contain his smile, a proud glint dancing in his eyes as he lifted his hand, beckoning his sons closer. With a poof, he unveiled his martial soul, revealing a remarkable transformation. It now resembled a vibrant green creature, akin to a chicken yet with a majestic presence, its body larger and elongated.

Sheng Yu's expression mirrored her husband's as she too revealed her evolved martial soul. Similar to Sheng Fu's, hers bore the likeness of a chicken, but with a distinctive hue of yellow adorned with delicate white markings. What's more, it sported an additional pair of wings.

Observing their evolved martial souls, Sheng Jun couldn't help but nod with excitement. While their martial soul is not that of top-tier or high-tier martial souls, they were undeniably superior to the chicken martial soul they once possessed. With a sense of satisfaction settling over them, they turned their steps toward home, not wanting to bother Old Jie to keep a watch on Sheng Ba for too long.

...

During the tranquil morning breakfast, the aroma of steaming porridge and freshly baked bread filled the air as the family gathered around the table. Sheng Jun hesitated for a moment before summoning the courage to bring up the topic that weighed heavily on his mind.

"Mom, Dad" he began, his voice tinged with a mixture of determination and reluctance, "Ma Hongjun and I are leaving today."

Sheng Yu's expression faltered, a shadow of sadness crossing her features, though she quickly masked it with a resigned sigh. She knew deep down that her children couldn't remain here forever, yet the realization still tugged at her heartstrings.

"I understand" she murmured softly, her gaze lingering on her sons with a mixture of pride and sadness.

As Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun prepared to depart, they shared a meaningful glance with their parents, silently conveying the unspoken emotions that filled the air.

Sheng Yu and Sheng Fu, their demeanor markedly calmer than it had been a year ago, bid their sons farewell with a sense of quiet acceptance. With Sheng Ba nestled in their arms, they offered words of encouragement and reassurance, reminding Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun that their home would always be open to them, no matter what.

"Remember to visit us often" Sheng Yu urged, her voice tinged with warmth and affection. "This place will always be your home, a place to return to whenever you need it."

With a final embrace and a lingering farewell, Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun boarded the waiting carriage.

Inside the confines of the carriage, Sheng Jun's eyes flickered open. "Finally, level 20!" he exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement.

Ma Hongjun, who woke up from his nap by the sudden outburst, blinked groggily before mustering a plaintive complaint. "Already? Brother Jun, Tang San, and I are lagging behind at levels 17 and 16. Can't you hold off a bit and give us a chance to catch up? How are we supposed to bridge the gap if you keep soaring ahead like this?"

Sheng Jun's expression remained composed as he responded. "Your concern should be directed more towards Tang San than me. After all, once you obtain your second spirit ring, your cultivation pace will inevitably slow down as you contend with the challenges of managing your martial soul side effects, by that time not to mention me, you won't even be able to catch up with Tang San" he explained calmly.

The weight of Sheng Jun's words settled heavily upon Ma Hongjun, his features falling several notches. "Brother Jun, is there really no other way?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of desperation.

"No, I already discussed this with Grandmaster" Sheng Jun reiterated, his voice infused with certainty. "You must prioritize gaining control over your flames before focusing on advancing your soul power once more. Not only will it alleviate the side effects of your martial soul, but it may also lead to a significant breakthrough in the quality of your already remarkable martial soul."

Ma Hongjun could only nod in understanding and resignation, though a flicker of hope flickered within him at the prospect of overcoming his limitations and unlocking his full potential.

Suddenly, Sheng Jun's demeanor shifted, his senses tingling with an inexplicable urgency. Abruptly, he turned his head, his gaze piercing into the distance with an intensity that sent a shiver down Ma Hongjun's spine.

"Brother Jun, what's wrong? Is there an enemy nearby?" Ma Hongjun asked cautiously, his instincts on high alert.

Sheng Jun shook his head slowly, his expression furrowed in confusion. "It's nothing" he replied, though uncertainty lingered in his tone. "I just had a strange feeling, that's all."

Despite his racing heart, Sheng Jun pushed it aside and refocused on his cultivation. After all, Grandmaster had said that, even if the cultivation is in the bottlenecks, the steady accumulation of soul power through diligent practice still remains.

...

As they returned to Shrek Academy, a familiar figure caught their attention, a messy-haired boy with a smudge of grease across his face, frantically tinkering with some contraption.

"Oscar?" Sheng Jun asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he approached cautiously.

The white-haired boy glanced up, his once-handsome features now marred by oil stains, but his eyes sparkled with unmistakable excitement. "Sheng Jun! Ma Hongjun! You guys are finally back!" Oscar exclaimed, his enthusiasm palpable as he made a move to embrace them.

Reacting on instinct, both Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun instinctively sidestepped, evading Oscar's outstretched arms. However, to their surprise, Oscar's movements suddenly quickened, a muttered incantation slipping from his lips.

"Owl's Way!" he exclaimed, his speed increasing several levels as he propelled himself towards them with surprising agility. In a moment of panic, Sheng Jun invoked the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, weaving effortlessly out of Oscar's path with a fluid grace.

Ma Hongjun, however, wasn't as fortunate. Caught off guard, he found himself ensnared in Oscar's enthusiastic embrace, the embrace leaving him marked with streaks of oil.

"Oscar, what was that move just now?" Ma Hongjun inquired reluctantly, once Oscar finally released him from the tight embrace.

"Hehe" Oscar chuckled, a glint of excitement dancing in his eyes. "During my sparring session with Dean Flender in my Attack Power System spirit master lesson, I noticed his flight technique and had a sudden moment of enlightenment. That's when I created this self-created soul skill called 'Owl's Way' It's a technique that grants you a burst of speed, akin to a predator chasing its prey."

Oscar's explanation was met with nods of admiration from Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun. Ever since Oscar manifested a special ability due to the Heavenly Dao Sutra, Flender, Zhao Wuji, and other teachers, trained him not only in the Auxiliary Food System but also as an Attack Power System spirit master.

As they continued to shower Oscar with praise and admiration, his chest swelled with pride, his nose practically sharpening into a blade under their compliments.

Ma Hongjun redirected his attention to his oil-stained attire, his expression indignant as he addressed Oscar. "What on earth are you doing to make such a mess?" he demanded.

Echoing Ma Hongjun's inquiry, Sheng Jun leaned in, his interest evident as he awaited Oscar's explanation.

Oscar could only scratch his head sheepishly, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks as he prepared to divulge the truth. "Well, to be honest" he began, his voice tinged with embarrassment, "as you may already know, the academy's budget is in dire straits. In fact, it's on the brink of bankruptcy."

With a resigned sigh, Oscar continued, "So, I thought it might help the academy a little if I started selling sausages around the village. That's why I've been busy assembling my sausage cart."

Hearing Oscar's explanation, Sheng Jun's expression contorted with a mix of frustration and determination, black lines appearing on his face like cracks in a porcelain mask. "Looks like I need to accelerate the plan sooner than I anticipated" he muttered under his breath, his mind already racing with thoughts of strategy and action. Turning to Oscar, he posed his next question with urgency lacing his tone. "Oscar, where can I find Teacher Flender and Zhao Wuji?"

Perplexed by Sheng Jun's sudden shift in demeanor, Oscar replied, his brows furrowing in confusion. "They should be in the main office right now" he offered tentatively, unsure of what Sheng Jun had in mind.

Without wasting another moment, Sheng Jun sprang into action, striding purposefully towards the office with a sense of urgency propelling his steps. Instructing Ma Hongjun to retrieve their belongings and return to the dormitory.

With a determined push, Sheng Jun flung open the door to the main office, his entrance punctuated by a resounding bang. Flender and Zhao Wuji, caught off guard by the abrupt interruption, looked up with surprise etched on their faces.

"Sheng Jun, you're back?" Flender greeted with a warm smile, oblivious to the gravity of Sheng Jun's expression.

Ignoring the pleasantries, Sheng Jun cut straight to the chase, his voice serious and unwavering. "I need your cooperation on something" he declared, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air, signaling the beginning of a discussion that would shape the future of Shrek Academy.