Vegetarian?

Both Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin recognized the two herbs laid out before them from the hand-drawn diagrams they'd received from subordinates. They were clearly top-grade immortal herbs.

Granted, they weren't meat, but calling these divine-tier treasures vegetarian food? That was outrageous!

And what was this? They hadn't done anything—he'd just handed over the herbs on sight?

Instinctively, they turned to glance at Ning Rongrong, who was now quietly meditating off to the side.

Aside from her, they couldn't think of any other reason for this gesture.

—No matter how much they wracked their brains, they would never guess that it was the future second-class god, the Nine-Colored Goddess, who had bought these herbs as a gift for them.

While the herbs were rare, if they were considered a kind of dowry, the interpretation—and their attitudes—would change entirely.

Ning Fengzhi was clearly tempted.

He had always prioritized his clan's interests. In the original timeline, he had even considered marrying Ning Rongrong to Tang San to bind the clans.

If he could evolve his own martial soul into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda using the Beautiful Silk Tulip, then—

Surpassing the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was guaranteed. The only question was how much heritage the Clear Sky Clan had left.

But Chen Xin remained unmoved.

—Trading Rongrong's future for power? That would shatter his sword heart, and his path as a sword cultivator would never progress again.

After years of working side-by-side, the two could easily guess each other's thoughts.

Both hesitated, cautious and conflicted.

Diyi Hong was thoroughly entertained.

These guys… thinking too much again.

["Nine-Colored Goddess": Come up with a better excuse, streamer! Calling them vegetarian is too much. No wonder Dad and Grandpa Sword are getting suspicious.]

["God of Speed": Well technically, herbs are vegetarian.]

["Phoenix God": Come on! Who eats immortal herbs like salad? I cry just using them to brew wine!]

["God King of Destruction 002": When I'm feeling under the weather, I might nibble on a few leaves of immortal herb salad.]

["Phoenix God": You're a God King! You're built different!]

["Rakshasa God": The divine realm's meals sound amazing.]

["God King of Destruction 002": Once you ascend, just report my name—you'll eat like this too.]

["Rakshasa God": …]

Diyi Hong scrolled through the chat, grinning ear to ear, and paid no more attention to Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin.

Once he'd scarfed down his breakfast and stretched a bit, he decided it was time to kick things up a notch.

He infused his voice with soul power and spiritual energy, shouting:

"Immortal herbs for grabs~!"

"Come and get 'em while they're hot~!"

"If you're late, you'll be left with nothing but air~!"

His voice thundered through the skies above Shrek Academy.

Boom!

Bang!

Crash!

Dorm doors burst open as Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and Meng Yiran charged out from their rooms mid-cultivation.

Tang San, Oscar, and Dai Mubai, who had been sparring, immediately stopped what they were doing.

Six pairs of eyes locked onto Diyi Hong, burning with anticipation.

He held up a hand to calm them down.

Then—

Shwoosh!

Shwoosh!

Figures soared in from all directions, some using flight-type soul tools, others using flying techniques. Within half a minute, all of Shrek's teachers and students had assembled.

Even Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang had joined the crowd.

Good.

A full house. Time for some real fun.

"What's this about immortal herbs?" Xiao Wu asked, eyes shining.

Everyone was buzzing with excitement.

Diyi Hong raised a hand.

Phoenix-Tail Crest Herb, Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Beautiful Silk Tulip, Acacia Heartbroken Red, Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, even sap from the Tree of Life…

All floated above his palm, radiating potent medicinal aromas. Just a whiff could enhance one's soul power.

A feast for any soul master.

Even Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin twitched at the sight.

That many?

Is this guy wholesale importing immortal herbs?

And those two herbs still sitting on the stone table?

Could it be… when he said vegetarian, he really just meant vegetarian?

For the first time in his life, thewealthy Ning Fengzhi truly understood what extravagant beyond reason meant.

"Do we just pick one?" Ma Hongjun asked, saliva trailing. "That red one looks like it really matches my martial soul."

No one responded.

Even with half a brain, you'd know there was no way these were just free for the taking.

But—

Diyi Hong gestured, palm up.

"If your soul power is below level 60, you can come up and take one herb of your choice."

At that, every student's eyes went bloodshot.

Shwoosh!

Dai Mubai bolted forward, activating his martial soul mid-air as he lunged toward the nearest Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid.

But—

Of course it wouldn't be that easy.

Boom!

A stone wall erupted from the ground, blocking his path.

Bang!

His fists slammed into it… and didn't even leave a crack?

Everyone gasped in shock.

The wall looked thin—but it was ridiculously tough?

They quickly noticed—

Yellow dragon scales shimmered on Diyi Hong's left arm, while black bone armor encased his hand.

Titan Giant Ape's Left Palm Soul Bone.

Mountain Dragon King Left Arm.

And his martial soul, Nether White Tiger, now shone with a blood-red soul ring.

A triple-layer amplification for earth control.

The compressed rock wall was as strong as any ten-thousand-year defensive skill.

And it was massive!

"Want the herbs?" Diyi Hong teased. "Then get through me."

Everyone immediately understood.

This was a challenge: "you try to take, I try to stop you." The prize? Immortal herbs.

"Spread out," Tang San ordered. "He can't block everyone at once."

But as soon as the words left his mouth—

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Dozens of stone walls shot up, rising ten meters high and forming a maze. Only a single entrance remained in view.

A classic trap within a trap.

"This looks fishy. I'm going aerial," said Ma Hongjun, activating his third soul skill and flying over the walls.

Only to find himself face-to-face with a single, pitch-black eye radiating terrifying energy.

His brain short-circuited instantly. Everything went dark. He dropped like a rock.

Fourth Soul Skill: Eye of Destruction!

Flender barely managed to catch him mid-fall, preventing a concussion.

But no matter how he shook him, Fatty wouldn't wake up.

Flender wasn't too worried, though.

Sure, Diyi Hong was tricky, but he'd never gone too far. Even if someone got knocked out…

—They could always be revived.

Still. To get eliminated this early?

No immortal herb for you.

At the center of the maze.

Diyi Hong stood relaxed, spiritual power blanketing a 10-kilometer radius as he continuously molded the terrain into a massive labyrinth.

The entire scene was broadcast to the livestream.

["Phoenix God": Streamer, go easy on them! Don't scramble their brains for real!]

["God of Speed": Too late. Did he ever have brains to scramble?]

["Nine-Colored Goddess": Is this whole maze just to mess with them?]

["Rakshasa God": The streamer's soul power is draining fast… I bet he's hollowed out the underground too.]

["God King of Destruction 002": The Mountain Dragon King's left arm grants limitless power as long as the user stands on solid ground. Just building a maze like this won't impress me.]

["Nine-Colored Goddess": Yeah… at this level it's just casual trolling.]

["God of Speed": Nah, I bet he's got more in store. The streamer always has a second act."]

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