"Moreover, this amplification can stack continuously. For example, after you hit three times, the amplification will rise to one hundred and eighty percent. With your Soul Emperor-level cultivation, it's sixty percent. Once you reach Titled Douluo, it'll be ninety percent!"
After hearing Song Mu's explanation, Wang Dong'er understood. Her face was just as astonished as Song Mu's as she exclaimed, "Th-this is way too overpowered!"
However, she spotted a problem. "But those Soul Rings you mentioned, the ones with wood or lightning attributes—I can't absorb them, can I? Their attributes are different from mine."
Song Mu replied, "Normally, you can't absorb Soul Rings that don't match your attributes. But the Soul Skills produced by Skill Stones obtained from my Martial Soul aren't light-type skills. As long as you can learn them, you can use them and attach them to your Soul Rings."
Wang Dong'er's expression cleared with understanding. Then she said excitedly, "I want to learn that!"
Seeing how excited Wang Dong'er was, Song Mu didn't waste any time. He operated the panel directly, using the Refraction Skill Stone on her, then assigned Refraction as her sixth Soul Skill through the Soul Skill configuration.
Feeling that she had gained a new Soul Skill, Wang Dong'er knew she could now use Refraction.
But she only had light-type skills at the moment, so she couldn't bring out Refraction's full power. She asked, "Song Mu, how do I get Skill Stones for other attributes?"
"By completing special missions. Basically, you have to capture Soul Beasts of that attribute at different age levels—one each from a hundred years up to ten thousand."
"Over these past eight months, I've gotten five missions like that, but I've only completed three: the fire-type Flame Slash, the water-type Water Bubble, and the lightning-type Superconductivity."
"You can learn all three of those skills right now, so I'll give them all to you."
Song Mu operated the panel again, using all three Skill Stones on Wang Dong'er. Just as before, he used the Soul Skill configuration to replace her first, second, and third Soul Rings.
After Song Mu finished, Wang Dong'er said excitedly, "Song Mu, let's go try them out!"
"No rush. We'll try them after we get back."
Hearing Song Mu say that reminded Wang Dong'er of what he had told her some time ago.
Wang Dong'er had been captured from Wang Dong. At the time, the special presence within Wang Dong hadn't reacted.
Song Mu guessed that the special presence was asleep. But once Wang Dong went home for the holidays, she would surely return to the Clear Sky Sect. The special presence might awaken then, and when it discovered Wang Dong'er was gone, it would probably send people to look for Song Mu, even if it didn't take action itself.
That was why Song Mu had written to Chen Yunlin earlier. He hadn't just been asking to borrow money; he'd also asked Chen Yunlin to stay in Shrek City and keep an eye on things, while Song Mu slipped off to another country to avoid being found by people from the Clear Sky Sect.
That morning had been the last class of the first semester at Shrek Academy. It was already over, and some students had begun their journeys home. The time had also come for Song Mu to lay low.
As for whether he would return to Shrek later, Song Mu had decided to wait for word from Chen Yunlin. The two of them had agreed that Song Mu would travel to a particular city at a particular time, and then send a letter from whichever city matched the agreed date.
"All right, then let's go," Wang Dong'er said.
Song Mu nodded, and the two of them left Shrek Academy together, heading toward the Star Luo Empire.
Once they were outside Shrek City, Song Mu stood upright. Wang Dong'er wrapped her arms around him from behind, then summoned her Martial Soul. Her wings beat slowly as they gradually rose into the sky.
Then her wings beat hard, and she shot toward Star Luo City like a streak of light.
Luckily, Wang Dong'er had reached Soul Emperor level before the holidays—that is, the mature stage for a Humanoid Spirit Beast. At this stage, even a Limit Douluo wouldn't be able to tell that Wang Dong'er was a transformed Soul Beast.
They flew for several days in a row. In the evenings, they rested at an inn in whatever town they came across. If there was no town nearby, they could always find a small village and spend the night there—after paying, of course.
A few days later, the two of them arrived outside the gates of Star Luo City.
Star Luo City was indeed imposing, far grander than Anyang City, which Chen Yunlin managed. And though its defenses couldn't compare to the gates of Shrek Academy, the city gates had something more: the weight of history.
They queued up and entered Star Luo City according to the rules, then set out to find a hotel.
After searching for a while, the two of them stopped in front of a hotel decorated with red plaques.
"Rose Hotel? This thing still exists ten thousand years later?" Song Mu remarked.
Looking at the hotel's decor, Wang Dong'er said, "Hey, Song Mu, how about this one? It looks like it should be nice inside."
Song Mu replied calmly, "It's a couples' hotel."
"Huh? Th-then, are we going, or not?" Wang Dong'er blushed a little and looked at Song Mu cautiously.
"Sure. Let's stay here. I'll be staying alone anyway," Song Mu said.
Wang Dong'er remembered that for the past few days, Song Mu had slept outside while she slept inside the King Ball. She immediately lost interest. "All right. Go book a room first. I'll head back for now. We can go to that Auction House tomorrow."
Then Wang Dong'er returned to the King Ball.
Seeing her like that, Song Mu shook his head.
She was just a twelve-year-old girl. What could he possibly do to her?
Song Mu went into the hotel and booked a room at the front desk.
Under the receptionist's gaze—which seemed to ask why he was staying at a couples' hotel alone—Song Mu went into his room.
He washed up, then went to sleep.
The next day.
During the daytime, Song Mu spent most of his time exploring Star Luo City with Wang Dong'er, wandering around and waiting for nightfall.
There was a reason Song Mu had chosen Star Luo City as his first stop.
He was after the ranked carving knife from the original story, the Soul-Devouring Fierce Blade, which Huo Yuhao obtained during the tournament.
Once purified, it would reveal its true form: a piece of Gold of Life.
Gold of Life was a precious treasure, containing an immense amount of life force.
Although Song Mu had no idea how to purify it, there was no harm in getting his hands on it first.
Time passed, and night soon fell.
Entering the Starlight Auction House required proof of funds, and the whole process took some time. But Song Mu had a certificate that Chen Yunlin had previously applied for, so he went straight into the auction.
He then asked the staff where the Soul-Devouring Fierce Blade was being auctioned.
Song Mu didn't know when the Soul-Devouring Fierce Blade had been brought to this auction house. But the Spirit Master Tournament—and the time when Huo Yuhao obtained it—wasn't far off. Moreover, the blade was so evil that it often went unsold, so there was a good chance he'd come across it.
Sure enough, the staff told Song Mu that it was being auctioned in Auction Hall No. 9.
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