Sign-In in Douluo Dalu.

Chapter 425.

"Zhu Zhuqing might be the strongest among us now."

However, Dai Mubai shook his head and corrected, "Her soul power level surpassed mine over half a year ago."

The room fell into stunned silence.

As the leader of the Seven Shrek Monsters, Dai Mubai had always held the highest spirit power level. Currently, he was at level 63, close to reaching level 64. For someone to surpass him—how was that even possible?

Dai Mubai was not only older than the others but had also been cultivating diligently for years. The idea of anyone overtaking him in soul power seemed implausible.

"Zhuqing, you..." Tang San turned his gaze toward Zhu Zhuqing, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. A faint purple light shimmered as he activated his Purple Demon Eyes to observe her closely.

Something about her felt... different.

"I just broke through to level 65," Zhu Zhuqing said softly after a brief pause.

Her words seemed to freeze the air around them.

"Level 65 already?!"

Ma Hongjun couldn't help but gasp, his eyes wide in disbelief. "Two levels higher than Boss Dai? How did you manage that?"

Five years ago, Dai Mubai had been two levels above the rest of the group. Over time, the gap had narrowed, but he still maintained his lead. Now, not only had Zhu Zhuqing caught up, but she had surpassed him by more than two levels.

Breaking through soul power levels beyond 50 wasn't an easy feat—it required immense effort and extraordinary opportunities. Even Ma Hongjun, who had reached level 62 after these five years, had improved significantly. For a soul master, jumping twenty-two levels in five years was remarkable.

Yet Zhu Zhuqing had achieved the seemingly impossible.

Even Tang San, who had unparalleled talent and access to heavenly treasures, was puzzled. Didn't Zhuqing already use rare heavenly materials before? How could the effects be this exaggerated?

Zhu Zhuqing was younger than him, only nineteen years old—barely an adult. Ning Rongrong was the same age. For someone of her age to reach level 65 was astounding.

"I don't know..." Zhu Zhuqing shook her head lightly. "After that day, I felt my cultivation speed increase dramatically. The further I progressed, the faster my soul power grew—much faster than normal."

She stopped there, unwilling to elaborate further.

In truth, Zhu Zhuqing knew the reason for her rapid progress. It was the gift he had given her that day—his heart. That sacrifice had not only elevated her soul power but also transformed her in other ways.

Now, her soul power felt almost inexhaustible in battle, and her physical body had been significantly strengthened. Even if Dai Mubai fought her at full strength, he couldn't achieve a victory.

"That day..."

A heavy silence fell over the group as her words trailed off.

Two people were absent from the gathering.

One was Xiao Wu, whose situation everyone understood. Tang San knew she was safe in the Star Dou Great Forest, and his father had also confirmed as much during a visit to the forest. Xiao Wu's exact whereabouts remained unclear, but they trusted she was waiting to be found.

The other absence...

"Do you have any news about him?" Ning Rongrong's voice trembled slightly. "Is he... back?"

She had been waiting for this day far too long.

The room grew quieter still.

"Fatty and I have traveled across the entire continent, searching for any trace of him," Oscar finally said, breaking the silence. His tone was heavy with regret. "Sect Master Ning once said he would return in five years, which means Wang Feng is still alive. He must be somewhere out there... but in all these years, we've found nothing. No clues, no sightings—nothing."

Five years ago, Ning Fengzhi had told a lie to everyone—a desperate attempt to give them hope. He had said Wang Feng would return in five years.

But now, as that deadline approached, doubt and longing hung heavy in the air.

Today was the promised day.

Yet, he had not appeared.

"I've sent people to search everywhere," Dai Mubai said, shaking his head, his voice heavy with frustration. "There's truly no news."

Tang San remained silent, his expression unreadable. His father had searched extensively but had also found nothing.

Over the past five years, Wang Feng had vanished completely, leaving no trace behind. Tang San's father speculated that Wang Feng was either imprisoned by the Soul Hall or had barely escaped with his life and is recuperating in hiding. But if he had survived, the odds of him thriving, let alone returning, were slim.

It was a bitter truth, one they all struggled to accept.

"I have long suspected that Sect Master Ning might've told us that for our own good..." Ma Hongjun murmured, his voice trembling slightly. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "He didn't want us to worry too much. He wanted us to move forward, to leave safely and to grow quickly. And for Rongrong... maybe Wang Feng really is..."

He couldn't finish the sentence. The implication lingered in the air like a weight none of them could ignore.

Over the years of traveling and searching, they had come to understand the reality. With Wang Feng's strength, how could there be no news of him at all? Deep down, they knew that Ning Fengzhi's words had been a well-intentioned lie, a desperate attempt to shield them from despair.

"Nonsense! That's nonsense!"

Ning Rongrong's voice cut through the somber atmosphere like a whip. Anger blazed in her eyes as she glared at Ma Hongjun. "I won't let you say such things!"

Zhu Zhuqing, standing quietly to the side, suddenly radiated an icy aura. Tears glistened in her eyes, but her voice was steady and resolute.

"He's not dead."

Her cold tone sent a shiver through everyone.

Ma Hongjun opened his mouth, but no words came. He wanted to believe it, too—but reality felt far less kind.

"Zhuqing is right!" –Ning Rongrong's voice softened as she spoke, a sudden sweetness overtaking her expression. "He came to see me more than half a year ago. Zhuqing also mentioned seeing him in the Star Luo Empire."

As she spoke, Ning Rongrong pulled out two wooden sculptures, holding them up for everyone to see. "Look at these. He gave them to me."

The group leaned in to examine the carvings. One was a figure of Ning Rongrong, her martial soul fully fused, and the other depicted the Six-Ring Soul Emperor they had encountered before.

A wave of mixed emotions swept through the group.

"Then, Rongrong, did you see him in person?" Tang San asked after a long pause.

Years ago, Tang San had suspected that the mysterious Six Ring Soul Emperor—was actually Wang Feng. Over time, that suspicion had only grown stronger.

However, he had never shared his theory with the others. As far as he knew, no one else seemed to have considered the possibility.

Unbeknownst to Tang San, both Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong had secretly met Wang Feng on separate occasions.

"I didn't see him directly," Ning Rongrong admitted with a soft huff, "but I know it was him. He must still be alive. There must be a reason he hasn't shown himself yet."

The others exchanged uncertain glances. It was clear that Ning Rongrong's conviction was as much an excuse for herself as it was for them.

"I believe Rongrong," Zhu Zhuqing said quietly. Her thoughts drifted back to the imposing figure she had glimpsed half a year ago, a memory so vivid it still sent shivers through her.

If Wang Feng were here, he would have marveled at the sharpness of her intuition. Zhu Zhuqing was right—he had his reasons for staying away.

He was traveling.

At that moment, a voice interrupted their heavy thoughts.

"Excuse me, seniors. Are you the Seven Shrek Monsters?"

The group turned to see a student approaching hesitantly, his expression a mix of awe and excitement.

"Haha, yes, junior!" Ma Hongjun replied, forcing a smile. "I'm Ma Hongjun, the Evil Fire Phoenix. Do you want an autograph?"

The student's face lit –up with delight. "Wow! It's really you! Please, could you all sign for me? I've admired you for so long!"

The group couldn't help but chuckle at his enthusiasm. One by one, they signed their names on the back of the student's coat, each of them taking a brief moment to let the lighthearted interaction lift their spirits.

After the student received his coat, he looked at it with satisfaction. Then, as if noticing something for the first time, he exclaimed, "Wait a second... this statue here—it looks so familiar! I think I just saw one like it in the academy's forest!"

His words struck the group like a bolt of lightning.

....

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