"Ah, this... I didn't realize that Soul Beast was on the verge of transforming into a thousand-year-old one." Xuan Zi scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.
Bei Bei felt speechless. He'd known Xuan Zi couldn't be relied on, but even after taking every precaution, things had still gone wrong with the Soul Ring's age.
Fortunately, he'd been lucky. He had taken two pieces of thousand-year-old Whale Rubber beforehand, improving his physical constitution. On top of that, the Sub-Dragon Soul Ring had been suppressed by his Light Sacred Dragon Martial Soul, allowing him to absorb it without incident.
Bei Bei checked the Sub-Dragon's body and, finding no Soul Bone, stored the Soul Beast's corpse in his Soul Tool.
Soul Beasts with the Light Attribute were rare, and eating the meat after bringing it back would help improve his cultivation speed to some extent.
After obtaining the Soul Ring, Xuan Zi grabbed Bei Bei. His figure turned into a streak of earthy-yellow light as he flew toward the outskirts of Star Dou Great Forest, ready to return to Shrek City.
When they returned to Shrek Academy, Xuan Zi set Bei Bei down and vanished, presumably to report to Mu En.
Bei Bei hurried back to his room, eager to wash the blood off himself.
Zhang Lexuan, who had been cultivating, stared in surprise at Bei Bei, who was practically drenched in blood. She was astonished. He'd only gone to obtain his First Soul Ring—how had he ended up like this?
Xuan Zi was a Level 98 Super Douluo. Who could have injured Bei Bei right under his nose?
Fortunately, Bei Bei was still in the bath. If he'd known what Zhang Lexuan was thinking, he would only have felt speechless. When there was no danger around, Xuan Zi himself was the danger.
After finally washing the bloodstains off, Bei Bei strolled out at his leisure.
Zhang Lexuan, who had been waiting outside for a long time, immediately rushed up and felt all over Bei Bei, checking where he might have been hurt.
"Sister Lexuan, you're so wild! But I'm still young. Once I've grown up a little, I'll make sure to satisfy you." Feeling a pair of soft, delicate hands roaming over him, Bei Bei couldn't help blushing.
"Still joking around? Where are you hurt?" Zhang Lexuan was a little embarrassed and annoyed, but seeing that Bei Bei still had the energy to tease her, she finally relaxed.
Bei Bei briefly explained what had happened.
Zhang Lexuan immediately felt regretful and complained, "That Xuan Zi, honestly! How could he be so careless? Thank goodness you're all right, Bei Bei."
"Heh-heh, not only am I fine, I even got lucky and ended up with a thousand-year Soul Ring as my First Soul Ring." Bei Bei summoned his Soul Ring. Its shimmering purple light flickered, and he looked rather pleased with himself.
Not only that, his Soul Power Level had risen by three levels. His Soul Power Level had now reached thirteen.
Just then, someone outside called, "Is Bei Bei there? Elder Mu wants you to come over."
Bei Bei answered, then went with Zhang Lexuan toward Mu En's residence.
Elder Mu's residence was inside the Golden Ancient Tree, where Light and Life Attributes filled the air. They could better suppress his injuries and the hostility of the Dragon Core inside him.
The Dragon Core had been inside Mu En for years, nourished by his Light Sacred Dragon Soul Power. Its hostility had gradually been worn away, and the energy within had slowly changed, becoming easier to absorb.
In just a few more years, the hostility within the Dragon Core would be completely ground away.
By then, even an ordinary Soul Master would be able to absorb and refine it. Of course, someone with a Light Sacred Dragon Martial Soul could make perfect use of it, without wasting a trace.
Mu En's residence was on the third floor of the Sea God Pavilion.
Zhang Lexuan didn't go in. She stayed outside the Sea God Pavilion because Elder Mu had asked only Bei Bei to enter.
Bei Bei pushed open the doors of the Sea God Pavilion and walked inside.
This was his first time setting foot inside the Golden Ancient Tree.
Bei Bei knew that the Golden Ancient Tree could form a faint connection with Sea God Tang San, but he wasn't too worried. With his current strength and talent, he wasn't enough to attract Tang San's attention.
Even in the future, as Mu En's great-grandson, so long as he didn't publicly insult Tang San, oppose him, or sabotage his plans, Tang San wouldn't personally make a move against him.
So, for now, Bei Bei was safe. There was no need for him to hide anything, either.
The first floor of the Sea God Pavilion was a hall. An oval table stood inside, with eight seats arranged along its two sides. A recliner sat at the head of the table, but the room was empty.
Bei Bei continued upward. The library on the second floor of the Sea God Pavilion held some of Shrek Academy's classified information and stored many treasures.
Bei Bei didn't wander around. Instead, he followed the stairs to the third floor.
The third floor was small, barely more than thirty square meters. Its furnishings were plain: a bed, a table and chairs, and a bookcase.
A window in one wall offered a view of the beautiful scenery on Sea God Island.
Mu En was reclining on the bed, gazing out the window.
"Great-grandfather," Bei Bei said obediently.
"Xuan Zi's always been like that—careless. I've already reprimanded him." Mu En turned his head, looking somewhat helpless.
"Xuan Zi's nature has always been influenced by his Martial Soul. The Godly Taotie Bull Martial Soul has powerful Dragon Clan blood, but it has its flaws. Because it's a Mutated Martial Soul, he's often affected by it. Only by constantly eating can he ease its side effects, which is why he's struggled to break through to Level 99."
"I understand, Grandfather. I don't hold any resentment toward Elder Xuan." Only then did Bei Bei understand why Xuan Zi kept eating nonstop, as if he couldn't control himself.
Even when he eventually broke through to Level 99, he had only barely managed it with the help of the Universe Creation Pill refined by Huo Yuhao.
"Let me see how your First Soul Skill works." A faint glimmer passed through Mu En's eyes, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a slight smile.
"All right." Bei Bei nodded, then shouted, "Light Sacred Dragon Martial Soul, possess me!"
A dazzling golden light blazed from Bei Bei's forehead. As it spread outward and enveloped his body, golden arcs of lightning coursed over his skin. A platinum-colored dragon scale appeared on his forehead, its surface marked with faint lightning patterns.
A bright purple ring rose beneath his feet and circled his body.
"First Soul Skill, Radiant Dragon Claw!" Golden lightning gathered around Bei Bei's right arm, forming a dragon claw. He swung it out through the open window.
The golden dragon claw streaked more than thirty meters through the air before dissipating. Space twisted violently in its wake, and the terrifying golden lightning erupted in a heart-shaking roar.
Bei Bei explained in detail, "My First Soul Skill lets me condense lightning into a dragon claw and shoot it at an enemy. I can also wrap golden lightning around my arm to strengthen my close-range attacks, with a certain degree of paralyzing effect. It's a single-target attack that works at both long and close range."