"What?! A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring!"
"Tang San? He already had a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring when he was only at the sixth ring! Holy crap, what's going on here?!"
As soon as the answer appeared on the Light Screen, everyone present—and even every living thing in the entire Douluo World—was stunned.
On the Spirit Hall arena, the other students from the various academies had just finished fighting Tang San.
They all knew how powerful Tang San was. He had obtained a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring at his fourth ring.
But they hadn't expected things to get even more outrageous later on. At his sixth ring, he had actually obtained the legendary Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.
Dugu Yan and the others immediately began discussing it.
"Good grief, is Tang San about to set a record?"
"I knew Tang San was formidable, but who could've guessed he was this formidable?!"
"A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, and it's only his sixth! Is it because he has Twin Martial Souls? That talent is unbeatable!"
"Fine, fine! With an answer like that, tell me, who could possibly have gotten it right?!"
"No, wait—what's with that Song Ye? Why did he get it right? Does he know Tang San, or does he know a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?"
Shocked cries rang out across the arena, leaving Tang San and the others' heads buzzing.
The Shrek Seven Devils, Yu Xiaogang, several members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Dugu Bo, and the others all stared at Tang San.
Yu Xiaogang was utterly astonished. "Xiao San?"
"I knew you were exceptionally talented, but I never imagined you'd set a record like this!"
"Your sixth ring was a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring? Could it be that you really are Heaven's chosen one?"
Dai Mubai and the others were equally stunned. "That's right, Xiao San! A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring!"
"Even plenty of Titled Douluo don't have one! Who would've thought you'd get one at your sixth ring?"
"Ah, you can't blame Grandmaster for getting this one wrong. Who could've expected you to be this extraordinary? It's unbelievable."
"Third Brother! When you make it big, you have to take us along for the ride!"
Their words were all filled with praise and astonishment.
After all, the words "hundred thousand years" were enough to strike fear into anyone, anywhere.
But while the entire Shrek Seven Devils were thrilled, Tang San and Xiao Wu both looked troubled.
Tang San looked at the answer on the Light Screen and couldn't help laughing twice. "I didn't expect to get a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring at my sixth ring. That's really—"
But in the next instant, he came to his senses and quickly masked his expression with one of grief.
Tang San glanced nervously at Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu had noticed his expression too. Though his delight had lasted only a moment, she had seen it clearly.
Heartbroken, she asked, "Brother, are you really that happy about getting a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring?"
"N-no, of course not!"
Tang San immediately realized his mistake. He knew now that Xiao Wu was a Spirit Beast.
He'd also realized right away that he shouldn't be happy—he might have absorbed Xiao Wu's Soul Ring.
But he hadn't expected Xiao Wu to catch that brief flicker of delight.
Tang San hurriedly said, "Xiao Wu, there must be some kind of misunderstanding!"
"How could I kill a Soft Bone Rabbit for a Soul Ring? Xiao Wu, don't believe it. The Light Screen is just spouting nonsense!"
Afraid that Xiao Wu might leave, Tang San couldn't admit the truth, whether because of the Soul Ring he might obtain in the future or because she was the woman he loved.
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang spoke up.
Gangzi quickly chimed in. "Hey, Xiao San, what are you afraid of?"
"Xiao Wu, don't worry. Xiao San killed a Soft Bone Rabbit Spirit Beast, not you."
"Your Martial Soul just happens to be a Soft Bone Rabbit. Don't sympathize with those Spirit Beasts."
"It must have been incredibly difficult for Xiao San to obtain a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring at his sixth ring. You should be happy for your Third Brother!"
"Happy?"
Looking at Yu Xiaogang's smug expression, Xiao Wu knew he was delighted because of Tang San's talent.
But even if the others didn't understand, how could she not?
This so-called Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Rabbit was her!
Thinking back to that brief smile on Tang San's face and listening to Yu Xiaogang's words, Xiao Wu was overcome with despair.
"Right... Soul Masters are supposed to hunt Spirit Beasts."
"So what if it's a Soft Bone Rabbit? Soft Bone Rabbits die at the hands of Soul Masters all the same. Whether it was that one back then or this one now..."
"Xiao San..."
"Xiao Wu!"
"Don't listen to our teacher!" Tang San said anxiously, rushing to explain. "I would never kill a Soft Bone Rabbit!"
He couldn't say it outright. They were in public, after all. If he said he wouldn't hurt Xiao Wu, wouldn't everyone figure out that she was a Spirit Beast?
To protect Xiao Wu, he had put it that way instead.
But to everyone else, it sounded like he meant something else.
He wouldn't let anyone kill a Soft Bone Rabbit?
Wasn't Xiao Wu being a little too controlling? This was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast! Just because it had the same Martial Soul as her, that didn't mean it couldn't be killed.
Yu Xiaogang couldn't let his disciple lose out, so he continued:
"Xiao San, what are you saying?"
"If you really get the chance, are you going to pass up that Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring?"
"Xiao Wu, I have to advise you—you can't ruin Xiao San's future just because your Martial Soul is a Soft Bone Rabbit."
"Spirit Beasts and Soul Masters are natural enemies. It's either you die or I do!"
"Think about it. You're a Soul Master, not an actual rabbit! Besides, as Xiao San's younger sister, you should be happy that he can kill a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. You should even help him!"
"That's right, Xiao Wu..." Dai Mubai tried to persuade her too. "Xiao San's only going to kill a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in the future, isn't he?"
"It has nothing to do with you, so why are you unhappy?"
"Xiao Wu, are you taking this personally?" Ning Rongrong stepped forward and rubbed Xiao Wu's back, trying to comfort her.
"If Third Brother can kill a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, he'll definitely have our help in the future too."
"You might even help him yourself. So why are you against it now?"
"Don't you want Third Brother to get stronger?"
"I..."
Hearing those words and looking at the companions she had spent so much time with, Xiao Wu saw them discussing the slaughter of Spirit Beasts with such excitement and enthusiasm.
And listening to Yu Xiaogang and the others, she knew their words made sense. They were expressing what they truly believed.
At that moment, Xiao Wu finally understood...
Tears slipped from her eyes. In agony, she looked at them and murmured:
"Yes, you're right. Soul Masters and Spirit Beasts are natural enemies."
"I once thought that perhaps this hatred could be erased, and that at least I could understand the difficulties faced by the other side..."
"But I never expected that one question would make me see how naïve and simplistic my thinking was."
"You're right..."
"I-I'm just feeling a little upset. I want to go back to our place and rest."
Xiao Wu felt as if she were being cut to pieces from within.
As she said, it was only now that she understood what a terrible choice she had made.
In the future, she might even become the Soul Ring of the person she loved most.
So was the love humans talked about nothing but a lie?
Even Tang San wouldn't give up a precious Soul Ring and Spirit Bone like hers...
Before you continue