Xuan Zi paced back and forth where Di Tian and the others had taken Cao Longyan, never stopping. He muttered to himself incessantly, glancing now and then toward the core of the Star Dou Great Forest, hoping to see that figure return.
No, when I get back this time, I'm definitely going into seclusion. I won't come out unless it's absolutely necessary. I'll put everything I have into breaking through to level ninety-nine and becoming a Peak Douluo!
Just as Xuan Zi lowered his head to look at the ground, a familiar yet childish voice rang out.
"Elder Xuan, let's head back. Since you've waited so long for me, I'll make an exception and cook you some of your favorite barbecue when we get back. Just don't make too much of a fuss and attract the other elders."
Xuan Zi jerked his head up and saw Cao Longyan smiling at him.
Hearing Cao Longyan's words, Xuan Zi curled his lip and puffed out his cheeks. He gave a huff, turned his head away, and stopped looking at Cao Longyan.
"Who wants your barbecue? I'm worried about your safety, not craving the barbecue you make."
Seeing Xuan Zi slip back into his childish old-man routine, Cao Longyan followed suit.
"Of course, Elder Xuan. You're so noble and considerate of your juniors. Then I'll do as you wish and skip the barbecue."
Before Cao Longyan could react, Xuan Zi's hand was already on top of his head, vigorously ruffling his red hair.
"Longyan, now you're teasing me again. Don't play dumb when you know exactly what's going on. You're making that barbecue whether you want to or not!"
Xuan Zi ruffled Cao Longyan until his head bobbed back and forth, leaving him dizzy. His Spiritual Sea of Consciousness shook along with it.
Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, the Scarlet King, and the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, who were inside Cao Longyan's Spiritual Sea of Consciousness, stared blankly at what was happening. Their footing grew unsteady too, and they tried to keep their balance.
Wait, our lord has this side to him too?
Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan couldn't help reminiscing.
It was just like A-Man as a child with the old lord...
Xu Chu and Dian Wei, however, were already used to it. They'd prepared themselves before Xuan Zi could get his hands on Cao Longyan, and stood firm as a mountain.
Watching the four struggle to keep their balance, the two teased them.
"See? We told you to listen. You said we were making a fuss over nothing, and now look at you, suffering for it. People don't learn from being told, but one hard lesson is all it takes. Well, Soul Beasts are the exception."
The four shot Xu Chu and Dian Wei a look and continued trying to steady themselves.
Seeing that the time was right, Cao Longyan hurriedly shielded his head with his hands and begged for mercy.
"Elder Xuan, stop ruffling my hair! I know I was wrong. I'll do it, I'll do it. I was only teasing you."
Xuan Zi smacked Cao Longyan on the back, exasperated.
"Now you know how formidable your Grandpa Xuan is, don't you? Next time you..."
Xuan Zi's hand stopped in midair as he drew it back. His eyes narrowed, and his body stiffened. His lips trembled uncontrollably, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down.
"Longyan, you... you're level forty-five?"
Cao Longyan first looked perfectly calm, then a mischievous grin spread across his face.
"Mm. And my Soul Rings have changed a little too. I'll show you when we get back. Then Profound Ancestor and the others can see them as well."
Just as Cao Longyan had expected, Xuan Zi smacked him again.
"Still keeping me in suspense, are you? Come on, let's head back. Don't forget, you still owe me barbecue. Tell me what you need on the way, and I'll get it for you once we're back at Shrek."
As always, Xuan Zi scooped Cao Longyan up and flew toward Shrek.
Longyan really was a monster. Reaching level forty-five and becoming a Soul Ancestor at ten—throughout the entire continent's history, spanning tens of thousands of years, there couldn't have been another like him.
And what did he mean by his Soul Rings being different? Had Di Tian and the others given him a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring—the limit he could absorb?
Shrek Academy, Sea God Island.
The outer court was on summer break. Beneath the Golden Ancient Tree outside the Sea God Pavilion, Mu En was teaching Bei Bei how to cultivate, sighing again and again.
Why couldn't Bei Bei be more like Xiao Yan...
If Bei Bei knew what his Profound Ancestor was thinking, he would have been on the verge of tears.
With a whoosh, Xuan Zi landed in front of them, carrying Cao Longyan.
Xuan Zi set Cao Longyan down, stepped forward, bowed to Mu En, then hurriedly flew off.
As for why he was in such a rush... Well, that was a tough one to figure out...
"Xiao Yan, come over and let your Profound Ancestor see what you've gained."
Mu En saw a long-missed smile spread across Cao Longyan's face. And with Xuan Zi having left in such a hurry, he could tell Cao Longyan had broken through his bottleneck.
Cao Longyan walked over to Mu En and let him place a hand on his arm to feel the changes in him.
As for whether Mu En could detect what was inside his Spiritual Sea of Consciousness... Well, the answer was no. Even a God King wouldn't be able to do it.
Mu En took his hand off Cao Longyan's arm, but left it hovering in midair.
"Xiao Yan, you're level forty-five?"
Cao Longyan nodded.
"Yes, Profound Ancestor."
Bei Bei, standing beside them, was dumbstruck. He wept silently.
What did he mean, level forty-five...? His junior, Yan, was level forty-five at ten... He wanted to hide in a corner and draw circles by himself...
He felt utterly hopeless. Just a few days ago, he'd teased Cao Longyan, and now the slap in the face had come so quickly.
He wasn't even level thirty-five yet!
No, he had to work harder, or he really wouldn't even get to breathe his fumes—though he couldn't do that now, either...
In the space of just a few sentences, Xuan Zi had already returned with a big bag of food and an enormous grill. The other Sea God Pavilion Elders, drawn by the commotion, followed behind him.
Xuan Zi had made such a racket that he'd attracted them all.
The moment Xuan Zi got moving, they knew Cao Longyan was about to make something delicious. Even though Super Douluos no longer needed to eat, they still craved a taste.
Mu En had been about to ask Cao Longyan about his Soul Rings, but judging by their enthusiasm, that was clearly not going to happen.
"Longyan, I've brought everything. I can't wait any longer!"
Xuan Zi spread out a mat and laid the food in front of Cao Longyan. The grill stretched across his front, fully five or six Cao Longyans in length.
"Elder Xuan, and all you grandpas and grandmas, are you trying to squeeze me dry?"
Seeing how they seemed determined not to stop until they'd eaten him to exhaustion, Cao Longyan could only laugh helplessly.
"Longyan, it's been half a year since we last ate your cooking. We've been craving it!"
"From the look of you, you must have broken through. Why not show us first and give us a big surprise? It'll make the food taste even better!"
Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, the Scarlet King, and the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm watched the scene inside the Spiritual Sea of Consciousness, and their whole understanding of the world was turned upside down.
Wait, our lord... he...
They were so shocked they couldn't even form a coherent sentence.
Xu Chu and Dian Wei, both wearing expressions of serene indifference, somehow produced a bag of snacks each and watched in silence.
"Then I'm going to summon my Martial Soul. Don't let your jaws hit the floor!"
Seeing that they had no idea what they were about to face, Cao Longyan could hardly hold back a laugh. The corners of his mouth kept turning up.
"Hey, Longyan, what haven't we seen? Go ahead and show us. Our hearts can take it!"
Cao Longyan reached out with his right hand and grasped at empty space. The Ten Halls of Yama appeared.
Red, red, orange-red, orange-red—four Soul Rings slowly emerged from beneath his feet!
Wait, what...?
Were their eyes playing tricks on them? Why were the Soul Rings so red?!
Everyone rubbed their eyes hard. When they realized it was real, they hurriedly released their Soul Power to sense the rings, but the result they'd imagined never came.
All four of Cao Longyan's Soul Rings were real!
"Wait, Longyan, this..."
"Xiao Yan..."
"Junior Yan..."
Everyone was so shocked they couldn't speak. It was as if something had lodged in their throats. They could only call out to Cao Longyan before their voices failed them completely.
Damn it, Cao Longyan had stolen the show again.
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