A year later, Tang San's final school year was drawing to a close.
His assessment had also reached the point of the fourth major exam.
For some reason, though, the Jinx still hadn't issued the relevant assessment.
By now, his cultivation had reached Level 38, and the rewards from his multiple assessments had also raised his Third Soul Ring, "Blue Silver Bamboo Dragonfly," to the hundred-year level.
It could fly at mosquito speed for ten minutes at an altitude of up to ten meters.
By comparison, Yu Xiaogang, who had reached the threshold of his third major exam, was still at Level 32.
The years had left virtually no mark on his cultivation.
According to his agreement with Flender, Tang San was going to enroll at Shrek Academy in Suotuo City.
"Xiao Wu, are you packed yet?"
Perhaps because he considered the Little Rabbit a genius with Innate Full Soul Power as well, Gangzi had invited her to join them as graduation approached.
At the thought of being able to part ways with the God of Misfortune and the Fart Immortal, Xiao Wu couldn't help grinning. Naturally, she had no intention of going to that Shrek Academy.
But for some reason, whenever she was about to refuse, she could feel a furtive gaze from somewhere behind her, boring straight into the depths of her soul.
It was as if something terrible would happen if she refused.
In the end, Xiao Wu could only agree, unwillingly and with a heavy heart, to go study at Shrek Academy with them.
The bewildered master and disciple immediately smiled in relief.
It was worth mentioning that, with Tang San's cultivation having improved by leaps and bounds, the Little Rabbit seemed to have been spurred on as well.
Her cultivation had now reached Level 34. She still lagged behind Tang San, but it was important to remember that she had no help from a God Trial.
That was also why Gangzi had been so insistent on inviting her to Shrek Academy.
"What are you rushing me for? I'm almost done!"
Since she wasn't going to Suotuo City of her own accord, the Little Rabbit naturally dragged her feet as much as possible.
At the same time, she was secretly thinking about how to get away.
The owner of that gaze from behind her had clearly discovered her identity. The fact that they hadn't struck yet meant they must have their eye on her Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.
She didn't know who the other party was, but she was sure they had something to do with Tang San and his master.
Nothing good ever happens when I get involved with those two unlucky bastards. Now I might not even make it out alive.
Dragging things out wouldn't change anything. In the end, Xiao Wu still set off for Suotuo City with Tang San.
Meanwhile, inside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong gazed at the scenery in the garden with a troubled expression, in no mood to appreciate it.
"What's going on? Half a year's passed, and why hasn't the twentieth trial been issued yet?"
"This lady's still waiting for the major exam rewards!"
Having completed nineteen assessments, Ning Rongrong was at a complete loss. All she could do was cultivate as usual and keep up with her physical training.
Fortunately, completing the assessments had considerably boosted her cultivation. She was now a Level 33 Soul Elder.
"Forget it. I can't just stay cooped up in the sect."
"This lady's going out for a stroll. Maybe I'll trigger an assessment."
Judging from the Red Leaf Parasol Tree and the Rock-Crushing Turtle, the Battle God issued assessments based on whatever happened to be at hand. Perhaps there was nothing in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect that met the conditions to start one.
Taking advantage of the night, Ning Rongrong slipped out of the sect.
Little did she know, Ning Fengzhi had been watching her every move.
"That girl..."
"Fengzhi, should I have someone follow her?"
"No need, Uncle Sword. Maybe the girl's right. After all, there's been no movement with the assessments for half a year."
"I'll have two stewards follow her discreetly."
"All right. At Rongrong's current strength, even Battle Soul Masters of the same level are no match for her. She shouldn't get into too much trouble."
The two groups heading toward Suotuo City had no impact on Lu Xian's plans.
Over the course of a year, thanks to the efforts of several Destined Workers, he had successfully advanced to Quasi-Soul Emperor.
All five of his existing Soul Rings had evolved into Thousand-Year Soul Rings.
Xiao Qing had now transformed into a giant python nearly four meters long, with greatly improved poison and constriction abilities.
Xiong Da had grown to nearly two meters tall and was now strong enough to rival a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.
His pair of golden claws could tear up the bluestone road as easily as if he were playing.
Taking out the oversized magnifying glass he'd had custom-made some time ago, Lu Xian installed it in an open area in the courtyard.
The sunlight was strong today, making it the perfect time to test whether he could make sunlight his Sixth Soul Ring.
The giant convex lens concentrated the sunlight, casting a circle of light five centimeters in diameter onto the ground.
Seeing this, Lu Xian slowly released his Martial Soul and moved his hand toward the concentrated sunlight.
Under his expectant gaze, his Martial Soul, the Silver Light Orb, gradually transformed into gold, and a Ten-Year Soul Ring quietly appeared after the five Soul Rings he already possessed.
The bottleneck at Level 60 loosened at that very moment.
Lu Xian had successfully advanced to Soul Emperor.
When he released his sixth Soul Skill, the golden orb of light gleamed especially brightly.
"Looks like crafting a sun with my own hands isn't impossible after all."
"Little Angel, don't disappoint me!"
Now that he had his Sixth Soul Ring, the next step was naturally to head to Heaven Dou City in search of his target for this trip, Qian Renxue.
This target was far more difficult to reach than the previous ones.
Two Titled Douluo, Snake Lance and Pufferfish, were at her side. Anyone of unknown origin who got close would be discovered immediately.
So if he wanted to approach her, he'd have to put in quite a bit of effort.
After locking the door to his home, he closed the Broom Shop.
Lu Xian once again set out for Heaven Dou City, with the sole aim of securing an Angel Investor.
Riding his broom, Lu Xian made it to the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire once again in just one day.
But once he arrived, he found himself at a loss.
Going straight to the Crown Prince Mansion was definitely out of the question. He'd probably be treated as a suspicious intruder and executed by the Heng and Ha Generals before he even got close.
But since he knew nothing about Qian Renxue's habits, he couldn't find an opportunity to approach her.
He couldn't just wander around Heaven Dou City day and night, could he?
Fortunately, fortune favored the diligent. After investigating several places, he spotted a lavishly decorated teahouse.
The teahouse collected and sold precious teas from across the continent for the nobility to enjoy.
According to the owner, the Crown Prince and other high-ranking officials were regular customers.
Unable to resist his curiosity, Lu Xian went inside and ordered a cup of Far North Snow Lotus Tea to sample.
The tea was scalding hot, yet it left a cool sensation in his mouth. Its bitterness carried a hint of sweetness, making Lu Xian sigh that the only downside to expensive things was that they were expensive.
A single cup cost ten Gold Soul Coins. Even a Shanghai tycoon from his previous life would have shed tears over that.
Fortunately, Lu Xian, who activated his Luck Domain from time to time, wasn't short of money.
Once he'd finished his tea, an idea came to him.
The teahouse stood toward the southern end of Heaven Dou City's central commercial street, with another neat row of shops across from it.
After a few rounds of haggling, Lu Xian finally persuaded the owner of the Antique Shop across from the teahouse to transfer the storefront to him.
Most of the owner's collection consisted of forgeries, but since he was located in Heaven Dou City, he never lacked buyers.
Thanks to the owner's silver tongue, business was doing quite well.
After all, Heaven Dou City had no shortage of rich landowners' foolish sons.
Lu Xian had once offered as much as a hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins, but the owner still refused to give up the storefront, which was less than ten square meters.
But the moment Lu Xian took a knight's longsword out of his Soul Tool, the owner could no longer take his eyes off it.
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