Holiday, Heading to Star Luo City

"Furthermore, this amplification can stack continuously. For instance, after landing three hits, the boost rises to 180%. At your current Soul Emperor cultivation level, it's 60%, and once you reach Titled Douluo, it will be 90%!"

After hearing Song Mu's explanation, Wang Dong'er finally understood. Her face mirrored Song Mu's own astonishment as she exclaimed, "This—this is too heaven-defying!"

However, she soon spotted a problem. "But, those things you mentioned—the wood-type or lightning-type soul rings—I can't absorb those, right? They don't match my attributes at all."

Song Mu replied, "Under normal circumstances, you wouldn't be able to absorb soul rings that don't align with your attributes. However, the skill stones produced by my martial soul grant soul skills that, while not necessarily light-type, can be learned and used by anyone, effectively attaching them to your existing soul rings."

Upon hearing this, a look of sudden realization dawned on Wang Dong'er, followed by excitement. "I want to learn this!"

Seeing Wang Dong'er so eager, Song Mu didn't hesitate. He operated the interface, applied the Refraction skill stone to her, and configured it as her sixth soul skill.

Feeling the addition of a new skill, Wang Dong'er knew she could now use Refraction.

Yet, since she currently only possessed light-type skills, she couldn't unleash the full power of Refraction. She asked, "Song Mu, how do I obtain skill stones of other attributes?"

Song Mu explained, "By clearing special missions. It generally involves capturing spirit beasts of those specific attributes at different age ranges—one for each tier from hundred-year to ten-thousand-year. In these past eight months, I've triggered five such missions, though I've only completed three: the fire-type Flame Slash, the water-type Water Bubble, and the lightning-type Superconductivity. Since you can learn all of these, I'll just use them all on you now."

Song Mu then operated the panel again, applying all three skill stones to Wang Dong'er. Just as before, he replaced her first, second, and third soul rings through the skill configuration menu.

Seeing Song Mu finish the process, Wang Dong'er said excitedly, "Song Mu, let's go test them out!"

Song Mu replied, "No rush. We'll test them after we return."

Hearing this, Wang Dong'er recalled what Song Mu had told her some time ago.

Wang Dong'er had been taken from Wang Dong. At the time of the capture, the special presence within Wang Dong had shown no reaction. Song Mu suspected that this presence was dormant, but once Wang Dong went on break, he would surely return to the Clear Sky Sect. If the presence awakened and discovered Wang Dong'er was missing, even if it didn't act personally, it would likely send people to hunt Song Mu down.

Therefore, Song Mu had written to Chen Yunlin not only to borrow money but also to have him stay in Shrek City to monitor the situation, while Song Mu slipped away to another country to avoid being tracked by the Clear Sky Sect.

This morning was the final class of the first semester at Shrek Academy. With classes over and students already heading home, it was time for Song Mu to lie low. As for whether he would return to Shrek, Song Mu decided to wait for word from Chen Yunlin; they had agreed on a schedule for Song Mu to visit specific cities, where he would receive letters based on the timing.

Wang Dong'er said, "Alright, let's go then."

Song Mu nodded, and together they left Shrek Academy, heading toward the Star Luo Empire.

Outside Shrek City, Song Mu stood tall. Wang Dong'er hugged him from behind, summoned her martial soul, and her wings flapped slowly, lifting them into the sky. With a powerful beat of her wings, they transformed into a streak of light, flying toward Star Luo City.

Fortunately, before the break, Wang Dong'er had reached the Soul Emperor level—the maturity stage for a Humanoid Spirit Beast. At this stage, even a Limit Douluo would be unable to discern her true identity.

After several days of flight, they would rest in town inns at dusk if they encountered any, or stay in small villages if not—naturally, paying for their keep.

A few days later, the pair arrived outside the gates of Star Luo City.

The interior of Star Luo City was indeed magnificent, far surpassing Anyang City, which was managed by Chen Yunlin. While its defensive capabilities didn't quite match the gates of Shrek Academy, Star Luo City possessed a much stronger sense of historical weight.

Following the rules, they queued to enter the city and prepared to find a hotel. After searching for a while, they stopped in front of a hotel with a red plaque.

"Rose Hotel? This thing still exists ten thousand years later?" Song Mu sighed.

Seeing the decor, Wang Dong'er said, "Hey, Song Mu, how about this one? The environment looks pretty good."

Song Mu said flatly, "This is a couples' hotel."

"Ah? Then... are we going to... stay here?" Wang Dong'er blushed slightly, looking at Song Mu with caution.

"Fine, let's stay here. I'm staying alone anyway," Song Mu said.

Wang Dong'er recalled that for the past few days, Song Mu had slept outside while she slept inside the King Ball, and she instantly lost interest. "Fine, you go book the room. I'm heading back in. Let's go to that auction house tomorrow."

With that, Wang Dong'er returned to the King Ball.

Watching her, Song Mu shook his head. What could he possibly do to a twelve-year-old girl?

He walked into the hotel and booked a room at the front desk. Under the gaze of the receptionist—who clearly judged him for booking a couples' room alone—Song Mu entered his quarters, washed up, and went to sleep.

The next day.

During the day, Song Mu spent his time wandering around Star Luo City with Wang Dong'er, waiting for nightfall.

Song Mu had a specific reason for making Star Luo City his first stop. He was after the ranked carving knife from the original story that Huo Yuhao obtained during the tournament: the Soul-Devouring Fierce Blade. Once purified, it would reveal its true form: a piece of Gold of Life.

Gold of Life was a precious treasure, containing a massive amount of life force. Although Song Mu didn't know how to purify it, getting his hands on it first was definitely the right move.

Time slipped away, and soon it was evening.

Entering the Starlight Auction House required a verification of assets and a lengthy registration process, but Song Mu bypassed this by using the credentials Chen Yunlin had previously obtained, gaining entry to the auction.

He then inquired with the staff as to which auction hall the Soul-Devouring Fierce Blade was being held in.

Although Song Mu did not know exactly when the Soul-Devouring Fierce Blade had been brought to this auction house, the Spirit Master Tournament—the time when Huo Yuhao would eventually acquire it—was not far off. Furthermore, because the blade was so malevolent, it frequently failed to sell, making it highly likely he would encounter it.

Sure enough, the staff informed Song Mu that it was being auctioned in Auction Hall No. 9.