Chapter 124: Chapter 123: Advancing Focus Control, Entering the Star Dou Forest
After finishing his diary entry for the day, Su Ming chose not to cultivate soul power further. Instead, he delved back into the learning space to continue studying the art of crafting talismans.
Meanwhile, the other Shrek students, seeing Su Ming achieve yet another breakthrough, felt a growing sense of urgency. Sleep eluded them as they trained through the night.
Midnight.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing today's diary entry. Reward received: 10 Learning Acceleration Cards.]
[Learning Acceleration Card: Increases learning efficiency tenfold for one hour.]
Seeing this reward, Su Ming was overjoyed. Perfect timing! It would greatly aid his talisman studies. With these cards, he was confident he could soon master crafting second-level talismans.
Indeed, Su Ming was already capable of crafting first-level talismans. Firstly, their creation was relatively simple. Secondly, Su Ming's extraordinary mental strength, coupled with the assistance of his Sharingan, enabled him to achieve rapid progress.
He planned to dedicate more time to talisman crafting after returning from the Star Dou Forest. His current soul power level was already impressive for his age, so he intended to shift focus toward crafting fourth-level talismans as quickly as possible.
On the other side, the female leads eagerly awaited the diary's update.
[Ding! Female leads mentioned today: Xiao Wu (1), Zhu Zhuqing (1), Ning Rongrong (2).]
[The most mentioned female lead is Ning Rongrong. Reward: One Seven Treasure Glazed Sect Focus Control Advancement Card.]
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong lit up with excitement. This advancement card could directly elevate her Focus Control skill to the next level!
Noticing the curious looks from Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong enthusiastically explained, "I got really lucky tonight! This reward is just perfect for me."
"I received a Focus Control Advancement Card. Focus Control is a secret technique of our Seven Treasure Glazed Sect with five levels: Three Apertures of Mastery, Four Apertures of Balance, Five Apertures of Dispersion, Six Apertures of Will, and Seven Apertures of Perfection.
"Our sect's technique allows us to reduce the soul power consumption when enhancing others based on their attributes and the number of supported soul masters. I've already mastered the Three Apertures of Mastery, which matches my current level."
Unlike in the original story, Ning Rongrong had reached the Soul Elder stage earlier, thanks to her maturity, diligence, and system-provided resources like the guaranteed soul power increment every seven days and the Glazed Jade Pendant's cultivation boost. This allowed her to spend significant time learning her sect's secret technique.
Hearing this, Xiao Wu marveled at the capabilities of great clans. "So sects like the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect have techniques like Focus Control, while the Clear Sky Clan boasts moves like the Great Sumeru Hammer, Exploding Rings, Clear Sky Nine Absolutes, and the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has dragon transformation, though they seem the least notable."
With curiosity, Xiao Wu asked, "Rongrong, when will you use the advancement card? Now or later?"
After some thought, Ning Rongrong replied, "I'll save it for later. I've recently learned that my Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda can evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda. However, our sect's Focus Control only supports up to the Seven Rings Soul Sage stage. Beyond that, I'll need to explore on my own. Using this advancement card then would save me so much time!"
The others nodded in agreement. Rongrong's current Three Apertures of Mastery aligned with her level as a Soul Elder, so there was no rush to advance just yet.
Early the next morning, the group set out for the Star Dou Forest. Oscar muttered incantations as he created sausages, though the three girls still found it distasteful. They had grown somewhat accustomed to it but chose to ignore the act as best they could.
The girls preferred Su Ming's assistance, while the others relied on Oscar's sausages. Before long, they reached the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest.
Zhao Wuji's expression turned stern as he addressed the eight students. "Listen carefully. The Star Dou Forest isn't like the domesticated soul beast reserves under national control. The soul beasts here are far more savage and dangerous, with higher levels. You could encounter beasts thousands or even tens of thousands of years old at any moment. Once we enter the forest, none of you are to stray more than 20 meters from me. Oscar and Ning Rongrong, you two must stay by my side at all times. Understood?"
Both Oscar and Ning Rongrong nodded seriously, fully aware of the dangers. As auxiliary-type soul masters, they lacked self-defense capabilities and could easily lose their lives without protection. Ning Rongrong was especially cautious, reluctant to reveal her concealed soul tool prematurely.
Oscar then chanted his spell and produced eight large sausages and eight small sausages, distributing them among the group. "These two types of sausages last up to twelve hours in the air. If we encounter a sudden emergency, I might not be able to provide immediate support, so keep these with you."
Although the three girls didn't want to eat the sausages, they accepted them, thinking they could avoid using them if possible. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing trusted their own strength, while Ning Rongrong believed Su Ming's protection was more than sufficient.
Ning Rongrong would rather reveal her Rank 5 soul tool than eat Oscar's sausages. To her, Oscar's image was deeply tarnished—less vulgar than Ma Hongjun or Dai Mubai, but still crass and improper.
Meanwhile, Oscar, having crafted sixteen sausages in one go, felt his soul power significantly drained, leaving him slightly pale.
Unlike others, the sausages had reduced effects when used on himself—only a third as effective. Thus, he had to consume three of his sausages just to craft one for others, negating any loophole in his abilities.
Su Ming's auxiliary soul skills, on the other hand, worked equally well on himself and others, without compromise.
Surveying the group, Zhao Wuji ensured everyone was ready before commanding, "Move out! Stay close!"
This time, Zhu Zhuqing moved behind Su Ming, allowing him and Zhao Wuji to lead the way.
Su Ming was stepping into the Star Dou Forest for the first time, admiring its lush scenery while remaining vigilant. He knew the forest was fraught with danger. Extending his spiritual senses outward, he carefully scanned the surroundings to avoid potential threats.
In the forest, most soul beasts harbored hostility toward soul masters. Some weaker beasts traveled in large groups, posing significant risks unless faced with overwhelming strength.
[T/N:
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