As her companions chattered away, praising Xu Yang, Ning Rongrong felt a flush of pride and satisfaction. Brimming with emotional fulfillment, she couldn't help but puff out her tiny chest.
Still, she offered a modest reply, "It's not that impressive."
Thanks to Xu Yang's Morning Light, the Shrek Seven Monster felt renewed. Their bodies were full of energy, and they could run much faster than usual.
Elsewhere, Xu Yang walked with his arm around Dugu Yan's waist, strolling along the countryside path. But a part of his mind remained focused on the powerful aura hidden in the distance.
"So, Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Hammer, didn't entrust Tang San to Flender and Zhao Wuji as in the original story. Why?"
Having sensed that powerful aura, Xu Yang was certain it belonged to Tang Hao.
What puzzled him was why Tang Hao hadn't left to accompany his wife's spirit like in the original story and was instead lingering near Shrek.
What Xu Yang didn't know was that Tang Hao remained because Xiao Wu's identity had already been exposed to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Tang Hao couldn't leave until he'd made sure Ning Fengzhi gave up on targeting her.
He had no intention of letting his son relive the heart-wrenching pain he himself had endured.
Since Tang Hao wasn't leaving, Xu Yang had no choice but to first secretly observe and learn the Mysterious Heaven Skill. Only after Tang Hao was gone would he consider using hypnosis to acquire the complete Mysterious Heaven Record from Tang San.
Upon arriving at Shrek Academy, Xu Yang clearly stated his intentions and even offered a generous gift of over ten thousand gold soul coins. Flender's eyes nearly popped with joy.
After scouting the village, Xu Yang chose a room diagonally across from Tang San and Oscar's dormitory. Every morning, Tang San would practice the Mysterious Heaven Skill and Purple Demon Eye on the rooftop—perfectly visible from Xu Yang's position, but Xu Yang would remain hidden from view.
Soon, the Shrek Seven finished their morning training. Except for Ning Rongrong, none of them came to bother Xu Yang and Dugu Yan. In the afternoon, under the Grandmaster's arrangement, the group began their combat drills.
Xu Yang sat calmly atop a nearby rooftop, golden light flickering in his pupils as he locked eyes on Tang San.
At that moment, Tang San was fending off an assault from Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun. Other than his hidden weapons, he was utilizing all of the techniques recorded in the Mysterious Heaven Record. Refined soul power coursed through his meridians, giving Xu Yang a clear view into the true nature of the technique.
"As expected. Every meridian and acupoint has a purpose. Once the proper circulation route is found, their effects are remarkable. Compared to this, my own method is crude and riddled with flaws."
Xu Yang tried circulating his soul power along the routes used in the Mysterious Heaven Skill, and the difference was instantly apparent. His soul power circulated more efficiently, and the conversion from refined essence to soul power became significantly more effective.
As for why he didn't perceive any spiritual or divine transformation, it was simply because Tang San's cultivation was still low. His meridians hadn't been fully opened, and he hadn't yet reached the advanced stages of the Mysterious Heaven Skill, so its deeper aspects couldn't manifest.
To Xu Yang, this technique was the key to unlocking internal alchemy—the precise and harmonious transformation of inner energy via the meridians.
"I'll still need to find an opportunity to hypnotize Tang San. Only then can I obtain the complete Mysterious Heaven Record."
After a while, Xu Yang's eyes gleamed. He had already memorized Tang San's current soul power circulation path.
If not for the looming presence of Tang Hao hiding nearby, he would've already made his move.
Over the next five days, Xu Yang continued to secretly observe the Mysterious Heaven Skill. Meanwhile, Tang San and the others also got a glimpse of Xu Yang's own cultivation—particularly his sword practice under intense gravitational pressure.
They were stunned to see the red hue of the gravity field around Xu Yang's body; the air itself had grown dense and viscous.
Dugu Yan trained the same way not far from him, though the gravity she endured was clearly weaker.
Seeing their method, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but touch the bracelet on her wrist. Though it wasn't as powerful as Xu Yang's, she knew this was her shortcut to surpassing her older sister.
By now, Xu Yang had grasped nearly 70–80% of what Tang San had practiced from the Mysterious Heaven Record. With his state of unity between man and nature, he began innovating, crafting a cultivation method uniquely tailored to his Sun soul power.
After training, Xu Yang sat by the window in thought, gazing toward Tang San, who was still in the middle of drills.
"Tang Hao's still hiding nearby—I can't risk it. But the Heaven Dou team is arriving in Soto City soon. Once Tang San advances and his spiritual power increases, it'll be even harder to hypnotize him…"
"Hm? Teacher and Sword Grandpa are here?"
Suddenly, Xu Yang's gaze turned toward Soto City. He sensed two familiar auras approaching, which left him puzzled. But after a brief thought, he turned his gaze to Xiao Wu.
Considering the few Soul Douluos from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan hiding in the shadows, he quickly pieced together the truth: Xiao Wu's identity as a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast had been exposed, and that's what brought Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo here. After all, such a soul beast meant a potential hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone.
"No wonder Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Hammer didn't leave. He's here to protect Xiao Wu."
Xu Yang suddenly understood everything. He pushed open the door and, under the curious stares of Tang San and the others, leapt into the air, quickly dashing toward Soto City.
In Soto City
Though the intel confirmed that the hundred-thousand-year Soft-Boned Rabbit was still in Shrek Academy, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo weren't in a rush. They strolled leisurely through the streets, calming their hearts amidst the bustling city.
Xu Yang descended from the sky and landed steadily beside them. He respectfully bowed.
"Teacher! Sword Grandpa!"
Ning Fengzhi pulled Xu Yang close with a smile. "Judging by your expression, I assume you've already guessed why we're here. So—do you have any interest in that Soft-Boned Rabbit?"
In Ning Fengzhi's mind, Xu Yang was the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Even something as precious as a hundred-thousand-year soul ring or soul bone would be prioritized for Xu Yang's sake.
Xu Yang shook his head. "While that Soft-Boned Rabbit isn't incompatible with my attributes, it wouldn't offer me much benefit either. The seventh soul ring is crucial for a Soul Sage—it's the transition point to true power. I'd prefer to hold out for a soul beast with both fire and light attributes. And if it really came down to it, my backup option wouldn't be that rabbit—it'd be the Forest King, Titan Giant Ape."