Hundred-Thousand-Year Fifth Ring

Dugu Bo's mind went completely blank.

He stared at the figure stepping out of the center of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

The spring water boiled as ice and fire churned violently, yet they automatically parted within three feet of him, as though ministers were clearing the way for an emperor.

The youth's upper body was bare. His skin was no longer ordinary mortal flesh, but flowed with a gentle jade-colored radiance, impervious to water and fire.

His left eye was as profound as ten-thousand-year-old black ice, while his right burned like the core of a star. Merely being looked at made Dugu Bo feel as though his soul and martial spirit were trembling.

The Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor's Poison he had always been so proud of now lay deathly still within him, like a swarm of ants encountering a true dragon, without even the courage to twitch.

This was absolute suppression originating from the level of life itself.

His mouth hung open, his throat dry, yet he could not make a sound.

Only one absurd yet incomparably real thought remained in his heart.

Is this... a realm a mortal can reach?

"Old Monster, sorry to keep you waiting."

Shen Tianchen spoke with a faint smile. His voice was not loud, yet it rang clearly in the depths of Dugu Bo's soul like the decree of heaven itself.

To Dugu Bo, those casual words were no different from a divine oracle.

His entire body jolted, and he suddenly came back to his senses. All arrogance and aloofness vanished from his aged face in an instant. He hurriedly closed his nearly dislocated jaw and bowed with utmost respect, lowering himself into the dust.

"N-No, not long at all!" His voice trembled slightly, as though he was too excited to contain himself.

Then he took a deep breath and steadied himself before saying with a broad smile, "This old man congratulates you, young friend, on mastering your divine art and receiving such a heaven-sent opportunity!"

His words were filled with sincere joy and admiration, as though this were his own happy occasion.

His tone was full of reverence, along with a trace of barely restrained ecstasy.

He had found someone powerful to rely on.

No, this was not merely someone powerful.

This was a god!

With a thought from Shen Tianchen, a clean set of academy robes flew from the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch and dressed itself onto him. The entire process was smooth and effortless.

He glanced at Dugu Bo, who was nearly bent at a ninety-degree angle, stepped forward to help him up, and said with a smile, "No need for this. You protected me during my cultivation, so you deserve credit as well. Things can remain as they were before. You call me Little Monster, and I'll call you Old Monster."

"During this seclusion, my Soul Power broke through to Level 58, and I condensed my Fifth Spirit Ring. This trip was not in vain."

Level 58!

Fifth Ring!

Dugu Bo felt the world spin around him, his heart nearly exploding out of his chest.

Just over a month ago, Shen Tianchen had only been a Level 45 Soul Ancestor.

Now, he was already a Level 58 Soul King!

After decades of arduous cultivation, Dugu Bo had been overjoyed merely to break through from Level 93 to Level 94.

Yet this child before him was not even eight years old...

The word genius was no longer enough to describe him.

This was a miracle!

Shen Tianchen ignored Dugu Bo's loss of composure. He turned back toward the now-calm Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, a complicated emotion flashing through his eyes.

Facing the center of the spring, he solemnly bowed slightly.

"Thank you for your gifts, Seniors. Shen Tianchen will remember this kindness."

That gesture caused Dugu Bo's heart to shudder even more violently.

He could sense that Shen Tianchen was paying respects to some great existence beyond even his perception.

That disposition—not forgetting his roots despite his surging power—was far more awe-inspiring than strength itself.

Only after finishing did Shen Tianchen turn to Dugu Bo and say, "This matter is settled. We should return. Your granddaughter is still waiting for you to cure her poison."

The word "granddaughter" was like a clear spring, pulling Dugu Bo back from his immense shock.

A look of gratitude and fervor instantly appeared on his face.

"Yes, it's time to return. Yan Yan is still waiting."

On the return journey, within Sunset Forest.

Dugu Bo ultimately could not suppress the curiosity that seemed ready to burst from his chest. Walking half a step behind Shen Tianchen, he carefully asked:

"Little Monster, what age is your Fifth Spirit Ring? Why does its aura feel over a hundred times more terrifying than any Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring I've ever seen?"

Shen Tianchen walked ahead without looking back.

"Hundred Thousand Year."

He said it as casually as if it were nothing.

"It was condensed from the origin divine power of the Ice and Fire Dragon King."

Dugu Bo stumbled, his right foot catching his left, and nearly fell flat on his face.

H-Hundred Thousand Year?!

A Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring—the legendary treasure capable of driving every Titled Douluo mad!

And it was his Fifth Ring!

His gaze locked tightly onto Shen Tianchen's somewhat slender back, as though it were the most dazzling existence in the world. Though Shen Tianchen was not particularly tall, that figure radiated incomparable charm and majesty in his eyes.

The person he followed was not merely a future powerhouse.

He was a future god walking among mortals!

Shen Tianchen's calm voice came again, as though delivering another invisible blow.

"Oh, right. The two Dragon King Seniors also gave me two spirit bones."

"One Torso Bone and one skull bone."

Dugu Bo had gone completely numb.

Before this, if he had learned that someone possessed so many opportunities, he would have long since killed and robbed them. But now, all he felt was profound shock.

He merely followed mechanically, his mind buzzing. Other than the words "miracle," he could no longer think coherently.

The two moved extremely quickly and soon returned to Heaven Dou City.

At the grand gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Shen Tianchen stopped.

He said to Dugu Bo, "Once we enter the academy, you'll be one of us. You needn't concern yourself with His Highness the Crown Prince. I'll handle that myself."

His tone allowed no doubt.

Rather than feeling offended, Dugu Bo felt reassured. "This old man understands. From now on, this old man will follow you, Little Monster. You can't mistreat this old man."

He understood clearly that this was the greatest—and final—gamble of his life.

He was staking everything he had.

Shen Tianchen waved a hand. "Listen to yourself. How could I mistreat you when you're with me?"

The corner of his lips curled into a meaningful smile.

"Let certain people in the academy see your changes as well."

Before long, the two arrived at Heaven Dou City.

Noisy chatter occasionally rose from the pedestrians along the way. Dugu Bo paid it no mind, but Shen Tianchen heard every word clearly.

However, neither of them stopped as they continued toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

When they were not far from Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Shen Tianchen thought for a moment before voicing the question in his heart.

"Old Monster, did you hear what those commoners were discussing when we entered the city?"

"What was it?" Dugu Bo asked in confusion.

When they had entered the city, his thoughts had been fixed on Dugu Yan, and he had not paid attention to what was happening around him.

Shen Tianchen frowned.

Ordinarily, he should not have cared so much about the commoners' idle chatter, but this time he had heard several familiar terms.

"Suotuo City is nearly a thousand li away from Heaven Dou City, and it doesn't have that much influence among the common people."

"Suotuo City..." Dugu Bo recalled for a moment. "It's an important grain-producing area of the Balak Kingdom, known as the Balak Kingdom's 'granary.'"

Shen Tianchen agreed. "That is true, but if it were only known for its high grain production, it should not have made the commoners admire it so much."

From what people had said earlier, Suotuo City had a mild climate, beautiful scenery, and many Soul Master Academies of considerable strength.

Barak Academy had never achieved any good results in past Spirit Master Tournaments.

Could the academy they meant be Shrek?

Furthermore, for this news to spread so quickly through Heaven Dou City and wield such influence, it had to involve someone of high status and power.

As for the purpose of spreading it, it was most likely to guide people toward Suotuo City.

Counting on his fingers, this was the graduation season for most junior Soul Master Academies. Coincidentally, Shrek was also in Suotuo City. Put those two facts together, and the matter seemed increasingly clear.

Ning Rongrong was the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Without Ning Fengzhi deliberately guiding things, how could she have happened to travel all the way to Shrek, a thousand li away?

With that thought, Shen Tianchen immediately understood the reason behind it and headed toward the academy gates.

The two entered the gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy side by side.

When the gate guards saw Dugu Bo, their legs went weak with fright, and they nearly fell to their knees on the spot.

But when they saw the still-childish boy beside Dugu Bo, they froze again.

Then they witnessed the most unbelievable scene of their lives.

The legendary Poison Douluo, known for being arrogant, untamed, sinister, and ruthless, was actually walking half a step behind that child.

The guards' eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Their appearance was like a massive boulder crashing into a tranquil lake, stirring up an enormous uproar.

The news spread at a terrifying speed, and soon the entire academy was in an uproar.

Every student and instructor who saw this scene, no matter what they had been doing, stopped in their tracks.

They stared blankly at the child not yet ten years old walking in front.

And at the Titled Douluo behind him, like his most loyal guard.

The entire academy fell into dead silence.

Every face was filled with incomprehension, utter absurdity, and overwhelming shock.