Zhu Zhuqing's Third Spirit Ring

This fox-like soul beast had jet-black fur standing on end all over its body, as if it were wreathed in black flames, making it look exceptionally strange.

Especially its two pairs of running fox legs—two bizarre red-and-black patterns extended from its paws all the way up its body.

Those red-and-black patterns seemed to contain an exceptionally powerful force, as though they could erupt into black flames at any moment and burn an enemy to ashes.

It darted straight past Zhao Wuji and the others, completely failing to notice the eight Shrek members hiding nearby.

The instant the soul beast swept past them, Zhu Zhuqing was immediately drawn to it.

With just one glance, she recognized what kind of soul beast it was. It was one of the several soul beasts Gu Ye had told her were most suitable for her.

The moment Zhu Zhuqing saw it, she recalled the condition Gu Ye had given her—the condition for taking her as his disciple. Instinctively, she chased after the black figure that had streaked past.

"Zhu Zhuqing, where are you going?"

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing act alone, Zhao Wuji immediately shouted at her angrily.

"Teacher Zhao, I need that soul beast for my third soul ring." Zhu Zhuqing had never forgotten why she had come here.

She needed to hunt a suitable third soul ring. Only then would it be possible for Gu Ye to accept her as his disciple after they returned.

Now that her target had appeared, she had to obtain it no matter what.

Then she rushed after it.

"Come on, follow her."

Since Zhu Zhuqing was chasing it out of the Star Dou Great Forest, Zhao Wuji and the others had no choice but to follow after seeing her run off.

The group moved in an orderly fashion and quickly caught up with Zhu Zhuqing.

At this point, Zhu Zhuqing discovered that the soul beast wreathed in black flames had stopped by a small lakeshore, so she stopped as well.

"Zhu Zhuqing!" Zhao Wuji reprimanded her as soon as he arrived behind her. But when he saw that she was staring at the black soul beast ahead without answering, he looked over as well.

"This is... a Black Flame Fox!"

After examining the soul beast for a few moments, Tang San recognized the creature whose fur seemed to burn with black flames.

"Teacher Zhao, I need to hunt my third soul ring." Zhu Zhuqing spoke as she stared at the black fox ahead.

"You want to hunt that Black Flame Fox for your third soul ring?"

"Yes." Zhu Zhuqing nodded.

Zhao Wuji stared at the Black Flame Fox drinking by the lakeshore and began to hesitate.

For a martial soul like Zhu Zhuqing's Netherworld Spirit Cat Martial Soul, soul rings were generally chosen with speed in mind. Yet he knew nothing about this Black Flame Fox. If Tang San had not named it, he might not even have known what it was called.

After observing the Black Flame Fox drinking by the lake, Tang San shook his head. "Zhuqing, this Black Flame Fox isn't suitable for you."

"No, it is suitable for me." Zhu Zhuqing refuted him without hesitation.

Tang San frowned and explained, "Zhu Zhuqing, while this Black Flame Fox excels at speed, as far as I know, its greatest strength is its black flames. I've heard those flames are extremely powerful. Once they strike a soul master, they can continuously burn them and greatly drain their Soul Power."

"You may want to hunt this soul beast because you value that ability. That is indeed a worthwhile consideration."

"But according to my teacher's theory, the age limit for a soul master's third soul ring must never exceed 1,760 years. This Black Flame Fox has already surpassed the limit for a third soul ring."

"Furthermore, judging from the two red-and-black patterns extending from its claws to its body, this Black Flame Fox is already more than two thousand years old."

Tang San's tone was instructive, clearly intending to tell Zhu Zhuqing that the Black Flame Fox was unsuitable for her.

But Zhu Zhuqing, who had been watching the Black Flame Fox, turned to Tang San and said evenly, "Your teacher's theory may not be entirely correct."

"Zhuqing, Third Brother's teacher is Grandmaster, known as the number one theorist in the soul master world. What he says is definitely correct." Xiao Wu clearly supported Tang San.

Moreover, she knew how impressive Grandmaster was and admired him greatly. Third Brother was saying the Black Flame Fox was unsuitable for Zhu Zhuqing out of concern for her.

"But someone told me that I can absorb a soul beast over two thousand years old, and I believe him." Zhu Zhuqing still insisted on hunting the Black Flame Fox for her third soul ring.

Tang San's brow furrowed in discomfort. He had complete faith in his teacher Yu Xiaogang's theories, yet Zhu Zhuqing did not believe them. That left him somewhat displeased as Yu Xiaogang's disciple, especially since he was only thinking of what was best for her.

"Zhuqing, this black fox has already exceeded the limit for a third soul ring. And Tang San's teacher said that the third soul ring's limit is 1,700 years. That is indeed true. It isn't suitable for you."

Zhao Wuji likewise did not believe Zhu Zhuqing could absorb a two-thousand-year-old black fox. For safety's sake, he could not allow her to take such a risk either.

After hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing calmly countered, "Tang San's teacher says the limit for a third soul ring is 1,760 years, but Gu Ye said my limit is not 1,760 years. Teacher Zhao, I believe Gu Ye."

Zhu Zhuqing's gaze was resolute. She was determined to absorb this black fox that was over two thousand years old.

When Tang San, Dai Mubai, Zhao Wuji, and the others heard that Gu Ye had told Zhu Zhuqing her third soul ring limit was not 1,700 years, they each reacted differently.

Dai Mubai was disdainful, Tang San hesitant, and Zhao Wuji disbelieving.

In their eyes, aside from being mysterious and knowledgeable, Gu Ye was merely a physician. Soul ring theory was Yu Xiaogang's greatest specialty.

Zhu Zhuqing, however, said no more after seeing this.

Her Netherworld Spirit Cat Martial Soul possessed her in an instant. Black flames swiftly appeared around her claw blades as she attacked the Black Flame Fox.

Zhao Wuji and the others did not believe her, but Zhu Zhuqing had no need for their belief. She knew Gu Ye would not deceive or harm her. She believed in Gu Ye.

Moreover, because of the changes in her body and the increase in her strength, she had absolute faith in Gu Ye.

The moment Zhu Zhuqing attacked, the Black Flame Fox that had been drinking by the lake let out a "Squeak!"

Seeing the black flames burning around Zhu Zhuqing, it had initially mistaken her for one of its kind. But when it saw her attack, it instantly reacted and turned into a black blur, dodging away at incredible speed.

Ever since Gu Ye had injected Zhu Zhuqing with the enhancement fluid to strengthen her body, she had become lighter and much faster. Seeing the black fox dodge, she reacted instantly, flashing forward and continuing her assault.

"Zhu Zhuqing..." Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing had ignored their warnings and begun attacking anyway, Zhao Wuji grew somewhat angry. "Mubai, Tang San, go help Zhu Zhuqing."

Now that Zhu Zhuqing had already started fighting, for the sake of safety, he could only order Tang San and the others to join her and kill the Black Flame Fox as quickly as possible before leaving.

Although Tang San firmly believed that his teacher Yu Xiaogang's theories were correct, he would not simply stand by and watch.

Then, the Shrek Seven Devils attacked together.

Although the Black Flame Fox was over two thousand years old, the seven Shrek members coordinated fairly well. Under their successive attacks, the Black Flame Fox was already on its last breath. In the end, Zhu Zhuqing delivered the final blow at incredible speed, killing it.

Immediately afterward, a purple soul ring rose from the Black Flame Fox's corpse.

Just as Zhu Zhuqing was about to sit down and absorb the soul ring, Tang San hurriedly called out, "Zhuqing, my teacher said that the limit for a Soul Master's third soul ring is 1,760 years. If you absorb this two-thousand-year Black Flame Fox, you'll definitely be in danger."

Zhao Wuji also stopped her. "That's right, Zhu Zhuqing. For your own safety, you can't take this risk."

Zhu Zhuqing stopped and looked at Tang San, her tone calm. "Tang San, I appreciate your concern, but are you really certain that what your teacher said is correct? Or do you think everything your teacher says is right, while everyone else is wrong?"

Zhu Zhuqing's calm tone made Tang San feel secretly annoyed. He had kindly tried to stop her, yet Zhu Zhuqing refused to listen and even brought up his teacher.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's determination to absorb the Black Flame Fox's soul ring no matter what, Zhao Wuji and the others could only feel helpless.

After speaking, Zhu Zhuqing ignored Tang San and sat down, guiding the soul ring into her body to begin absorbing it.

Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing had already begun absorbing it and could no longer be stopped, Zhao Wuji and Tang San felt secretly frustrated. They had no idea what sort of bewitching potion that healer Gu Ye had fed Zhu Zhuqing, making her believe that she could absorb a two-thousand-year soul ring.

After all, even Zhao Wuji, a Soul Sage, had never seen any Soul Master absorb a third soul ring that exceeded two thousand years.

Dai Mubai had already felt uncomfortable when he heard Zhu Zhuqing mention Gu Ye. Now that he saw Zhu Zhuqing following Gu Ye's words and absorbing a two-thousand-year soul ring, he felt even worse.

"Teacher Zhao, what do we do now?" Tang San seemed certain that something would happen to Zhu Zhuqing. Now that she had started, it was impossible for her to stop, so he could only let Zhao Wuji make the decision.

Zhao Wuji also felt troubled as he watched Zhu Zhuqing begin absorbing the ring. But when he noticed that her aura was steady and she showed no signs of discomfort, he merely watched her in silence.

Zhu Zhuqing's body had been strengthened by Gu Ye's Cell Reinforcement Potion. Her physique and meridians were countless times stronger than before.

In a low-tier fantasy world like Douluo, Zhu Zhuqing's current physique was more than enough to withstand a two-thousand-year soul ring.

From the beginning of the absorption to its completion, the process involved some pain, but not a single accident occurred.

Zhu Zhuqing successfully absorbed her third soul ring—the Black Flame Fox's soul ring, which was over two thousand years old.