Lick Your Lips and You Might Poison Yourself to Death (Two-in-One)

Xiang Bei stared blankly at the red Soul Ring floating in the sky, a powerful palpitation gripping his heart.

Xiao Yu, oh, Xiao Yu!

I did ask you to make an Artificial Soul Ring, but you went and made a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring. Aren't you afraid it'll make me burst? I'm only a Five-Ring Soul King!

"Master, wasn't I amazing? I used up about a thousand tons of materials and went through a lot of trouble to make this one Soul Ring."

Xiao Yu flew up in front of Xiang Bei, looking eager for praise.

Xiang Bei's face was expressionless. "Amazing. Absolutely amazing. As punishment, you're not allowed to eat rice for a month."

"Ah!" Xiao Yu looked as though struck by lightning. The chubby little face scrunched up, nearly squeezing out a few tears.

"What is this thing?" Xuan Zi looked at Xiao Yu. It was neither a soul nor some kind of energy form, which made him curious.

"This is an AI system I developed. It also controls the Virtual Soul Guidance World. Without it, this virtual world can't function."

Xiang Bei was telling the truth. There was a great deal to control in the virtual world, especially when it came to absorbing and converting energy. Without the computing power of an intelligent AI, there was simply no making it work.

"This little thing is that capable?"

Xuan Zi raised an eyebrow.

"Xuan Zi, Taotie Douluo, Martial Soul: Godly Taotie Bull, cultivation..." Xiao Yu looked at Xuan Zi with hostility and spelled out his particulars word by word. Xiao Yu even knew exactly what he had eaten for lunch.

"You... how do you know so much?"

"Hehe." Xiao Yu put both hands on the little waist and grinned. "From the moment I entered Shrek, I collected information on all the important people here. That's the power of technology."

Xuan Zi and Mu En exchanged a glance, both looking somewhat grave.

If an enemy spy used such undetectable means of infiltration, it would be a disaster for Shrek.

Xuan Zi gritted his teeth and said in a low voice:

"The best thing to do now is capture him and find a way to keep him at Shrek. This fellow's methods are unfathomable. He's only a Soul King, yet he has so many tricks up his sleeve. We can't let the tiger return to the mountain."

"No." Mu En shook his head:

"Shrek has always upheld neutrality. How could we make things difficult for a junior? If word got out, it would ruin Shrek's reputation of ten thousand years. Besides, with his methods, who knows whether he's programmed those Fixed Soul Cannon Shells to self-destruct?"

"Then what do we do?"

Xuan Zi scratched his head anxiously. It was the first time he had encountered someone so difficult to deal with.

"Gentlemen..." Xiang Bei spoke up unhurriedly. "I forgot to tell you. In this virtual world, with Xiao Yu, I control almost everything."

Mu En's expression did not change. Xuan Zi lowered his head slightly, unable to decide whether to put down the virtual chicken leg in his hand or eat it.

Before long, Mu En got straight to the point:

"Young friend, since you were willing to show the two of us this thing rather than take it back to Mingde Hall, I expect you already have a plan in mind?"

Xiang Bei was taken aback. Mu En really was a shrewd old man. Having lived so long, his eye was razor-sharp; he had seen what Xiang Bei wanted at a glance.

That was right!

He had no intention of continuing his research on the virtual world, Battle Armor, or Controlled Nuclear Fusion Technology at Mingde Hall. For one thing, Mingde Hall was ultimately subject to the imperial family.

Before he had enough power, Xu Tianran would only need to say the word, and he would have to hand over all his core technologies.

Not to mention that Xu Tianran was also working with the Holy Spirit Cult. The Holy Spirit Cult had two Limit Douluo and a level 98 Super Douluo. What was he supposed to fight them with, his head?

After thinking it over,

only Shrek, independent and possessing the best reputation, could serve as his partner. Once he had enough power in the future, the galaxy would be vast. Where could he not go?

"As expected of the owner of the Mutated Martial Soul Radiant Sacred Dragon, Mu En. I admire your ability to see into people's hearts."

Xiang Bei cupped his fists, his tone sincere.

"Ah, I left the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan long ago. Now I'm just a dying old man. Enough about that. Tell me what you want."

"I want to place the core of this virtual world in Shrek City. Xiao Yu will help control it, and while I'm here, I'll also help you expand it. Once enough satellites have been launched

to cover the Sun Moon Continent, I can connect through this virtual world at any time, even if I'm at Mingde Hall."

Xiang Bei revealed the idea he had long held. "Also, by absorbing the energy released by dying Soul Beasts in the outside world, or using life energy, we can generate Soul Beasts of different ages in this virtual world. Killing them can increase the age of Soul Rings."

Having said that,

he waited quietly for the two men's reactions. The virtual world was newly developed, and he was confident that no one on the continent could hear their conversation.

Xuan Zi gulped down a huge mouthful of wine, the light in his eyes almost spilling out:

"According to what you're saying, this thing can increase the age of Soul Rings?"

"That's right." Xiang Bei nodded:

"Besides that, it can be used for training, combat, and wartime communications. To prevent others from using connectors to break in, I'll set up a firewall and personal IDs later, ensuring that each connector can only be used by its owner."

Whew!

Xuan Zi let out a long breath and said nothing more, quietly waiting for Mu En to speak.

"Then... why are you doing all this?" Mu En looked Xiang Bei directly in the eyes.

"For myself," Xiang Bei replied without hesitation. "Xu Tianran is an ambitious man. I don't like working under someone else. If I'm going to do it, I'll be the highest mountain, the longest river!"

"Then... it's a deal!" Mu En took the initiative to extend his left hand. The two shook hands, formally establishing their partnership.

"Mu En, Xuan Zi, stand back. I'm going to absorb this Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring."

Xiang Bei gazed at the Soul Ring in the sky, his eyes burning. He had decided to test his limits. This was the virtual world, after all. If he got hurt, there was an inexhaustible supply of life energy outside, and Xiao Yu could also block his sense of pain.

If he didn't test himself now, when would he?

Are you serious? Xuan Zi's mouth twitched violently. Seeing how resolute he was, Xuan Zi said no more.

"Xiao Yu, set pain blocking to ninety percent and monitor my physical data in real time. Lock away any energy that exceeds my limits with a Soul Guidance Array."

"Yes, master."

Whew!

Xiang Bei let out a long breath and drew the Soul Ring down from the sky onto his Martial Soul, a distinctly mechanical-looking ruler marked with graduations.

The Surveying Caliper could enhance his mental faculties, computing ability, and affinity for Soul Tools.

That was also an important factor in his ability to quickly familiarize himself with and create so many epoch-making technologies.

Meanwhile,

on the Douluo Continent,

in Spirit City,

at the Worship Hall,

Qian Daoliu stared fixedly at the sky screen and growled, "He's gone mad! A Five-Ring Soul King trying to absorb a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring beyond his level will only end up bursting apart!"

"What a pity. A genius capable of making Artificial Soul Rings, wasted just like that."

Golden Crocodile Douluo sighed and wrung his hands. He had admired very few people in his life, and Xiang Bei was one of the rare few who had won his complete admiration.

An artificial Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring!

What a tremendous feat! As far as he knew, even the Angel God might not be able to accomplish it.

At the Pope's Palace,

Bibi Dong watched Xiang Bei with burning eyes. "Like a god! He's like a god!"

"This virtual world is practically on par with a god's inheritance!"

Having received the Rakshasa God's inheritance long ago, she knew many secrets. For instance, completing a god's trials could earn one a reward that increased the age of one's Soul Rings.

She was confident that once she completed all the trials, every one of her Soul Rings would be at least ten thousand years old!

But now,

Xiang Bei had used the virtual world to achieve the same effect as a god's trials. How could she not be shocked?

"And yet a talent like that chose to work with Shrek. How shortsighted! If my Spirit Hall had met him, we would surely have devoted the strength of the entire hall to helping him become a god and named him the successor to the next Pope!"

At Shrek Academy,

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Yu Xiaogang lost his composure and roared. Everything he had seen on the sky screen had utterly shattered his understanding.

"The age of a Soul Ring can't be increased. That's the conclusion I reached after years of research. It was on that basis that I proposed the optimal Soul Ring Configuration, which is still widely known across the continent."

"Hahaha!"

"Fake! It must be fake! A Soul Ring's age is fixed from the moment it's absorbed!"

As Yu Xiaogang laughed, tears slipped unwittingly from the corners of his eyes. He was full of hatred!

"Teacher, what's wrong?" Tang San supported Yu Xiaogang.

"It's nothing." Yu Xiaogang forced himself to rise. "I just remembered some unpleasant things from the past."

Tang San understood.

He had long heard that his teacher's Martial Soul had originally been a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, only to undergo a malignant mutation into a big, fat, farting pig. He could never break through level thirty in his lifetime, and his oldest Soul Ring was only a hundred years old.

Presumably, seeing that Limit Douluo's radiant, majestic Sacred Dragon Martial Soul on the sky screen had left him disheartened.

"Don't lose heart, teacher. Although your Sanpao Martial Soul doesn't look like much and isn't very strong in battle, I think it has three major strengths."

Tang San spoke with conviction.

"Really?" A light shot from Yu Xiaogang's eyes as he looked at his prized first disciple.

"Little San has grown. After following me for so long, he's finally learned the rudiments of some of my theories. He can even see Sanpao's strengths."

At that thought, he said, "Go on, then. If you get to the heart of it, I'll give you a gift."

"First, no matter what kind of Beast Martial Soul it is, it has to bow its head before your Sanpao. Second, when it attacks, everyone and every Soul Beast is forced to cover their noses. Third, a pig can even fly. Doesn't that show how powerful it is and how much potential it has?"

Tang San spoke with painstaking seriousness, completely failing to notice Yu Xiaogang's expression. He was practically turning into a honey badger.

"Heh heh..."

Yu Xiaogang gave a cold laugh. "Little San, your gift is..."

Tang San looked expectant. To tell the truth, he had been coveting his teacher's collection for a long time. Recently, many countries and even other powers had been sending people if they had people and money if they had money.

It could be said that

Shrek was now practically a small country, and as dean of the Soul Tool Department, Yu Xiaogang had enough resources at his disposal to make even Tang San envious.

"Today's training is doubled!!!" Yu Xiaogang practically roared.

"Ah! No!" Tang San wailed.

"Who taught you all this? When you lick your lips while eating, aren't you afraid you'll poison yourself to death?"

Tang San muttered under his breath, "How could that happen? Old Poison is so poisonous, and I haven't seen him poison himself to death."

In a corner,

Dugu Bo watched Tang San's retreating figure and cursed inwardly, "Little Poison, who are you calling poisonous?"

On the sky screen,

"Hiss..." Even with ninety percent of the pain blocked, Xiang Bei still grimaced in agony. This was only an artificial Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, too. It contained no Soul Beast's soul, making it somewhat easier to absorb.

Xiao Yu's fingers danced in the air, as though constantly tapping away at an invisible keyboard.

Life energy poured into Xiang Bei's body in an endless stream.

Time passed slowly. Every second felt like a day.

Two and a half minutes later,

Xiang Bei struggled to his feet, gasping for breath, and managed to force a smile. "That wasn't easy. I nearly had a mental breakdown."

Boom—!!

He revealed his Martial Soul: yellow, purple, purple, black, red. Clothes make the man, just as gold adorns the Buddha.

With such a terrifying Soul Ring Configuration, Xiang Bei's previously unremarkable Martial Soul suddenly shone with dazzling brilliance!

At the same time, he received information about his fifth Soul Skill. Because the energy had been sealed, this Soul Ring only had one skill for the time being. Its name was Precision Strike!

Whether used on a person, a Soul Beast, or a Soul Tool, it would forcibly reveal a weak point, like the seven-inch point on a snake. A hit there would cause tremendous damage.

It was worth mentioning that this Soul Skill ignored cultivation.

"This is powerful. It forcibly reveals a weak point, and combined with my Soul Tools, fighting above my level will be as easy as drinking water."

Xiang Bei looked at Xuan Zi and Mu En nearby and gave a devilish smile. "Gentlemen, now that you've seen it, would you like to experience firsthand the benefits of increasing your Soul Rings' ages in the virtual world?"

Xuan Zi lowered his head in thought. "Well..."

Before he could respond, a Ten-Thousand-Year Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear came charging over, its claws whistling through the air. Xuan Zi thrust out a foot, and with a single kick, he shattered the Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast into scattered points of light, most of which flowed into his body.

[One Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast killed. The age of each Soul Ring has increased by two hundred years!]

!!!

Xuan Zi was astonished. With his cultivation at its current level, advancing another step was as difficult as ascending to heaven. Yet just now, he had clearly felt his strength increase by one percent!

"Young friend, could you send another couple? That wasn't quite enough." Xuan Zi was visibly moved for once, his eyes burning and his whole manner eager to try again.

"Ahem..." Mu En coughed softly. "Xuan Zi, do you know how much life energy that Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast just consumed?"

"How much?"

"Go out and see for yourself." Mu En looked at Xiang Bei. "Young friend, try not to generate Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts in the future. It's a bit too much of a burden on the Golden Tree."

"I understand. We'll set the upper limit at thousand-year Soul Beasts for now. That Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast just now only had the appearance; it was a far cry from a real Ten-Thousand-Year Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear.

"I have a feeling that at the ten-thousand-year level and above, we'll need the energy and soul fragments released when Soul Beasts die to greatly increase the ages of Soul Rings."

Xiang Bei had gotten this answer from Xiao Yu.

The three returned to consciousness.

Knock, knock!

A knock sounded at just the right time. Mu En and Xuan Zi had long since slipped away. Xiang Bei opened the door and was instantly dazzled.

There stood Meng Hongchen, her face delicate and beautiful, concern in her eyes; Jiang Nannan, looking innocent, like a sweet young girl; and Ma Xiaotao, with her fiery figure, her toes hidden from view when she looked down, and a head of flame-like hair.

"What are you..."

As soon as he spoke, an unnatural flush appeared on Ma Xiaotao's face. Her presence rose and fell erratically, as though she had suffered Qi deviation.

"Hold me."

She whimpered the words, then her scorching-hot body fell straight into Xiang Bei's arms.