A Thousand-Year Soul Ring radiated a crimson glow as it slowly revolved around Cao Longyan. He had completely refined the violent fire-attribute Soul Power, absorbing it into his meridians and the depths of his soul.
His Soul Power was climbing, surging higher and higher!
Level thirteen... No, level fourteen—at the peak of level fourteen!
Just as Cao Longyan's Soul Power was about to stabilize completely and he was on the verge of successfully absorbing the Soul Ring, a faint yet defiant remnant soul suddenly attacked his Spiritual Sea of Consciousness. It was the last desperate retaliation of the Thousand-Year Fire Wing Lion's remnant soul.
It refused to become Cao Longyan's Soul Ring and tried to devour his Spiritual Sea of Consciousness, intent on taking him down with it.
A fine idea, but reality was cruel...
The instant it entered Cao Longyan's Spiritual Sea of Consciousness, two utterly different yet equally terrifying auras locked onto it.
The Fire Wing Lion's remnant soul was already weak. Shaken by the auras of these two "great Buddhas," it vanished in an instant like a guttering candle in the wind, before it could even let out a wail. It became nothing more than nourishment for Cao Longyan's Soul Power.
Cao Longyan slowly opened his eyes. A flash of dark-red Hellfire flickered in his gaze and vanished. The Ten Halls of Yama trembled faintly in his palm, with a purple Soul Ring already circling it.
The Fire Dragon King bloodline within him instinctively released a trace of its might. Crimson-gold dragon energy shot into the sky. Though it lasted only an instant, it reached the deepest part of the Star Dou Great Forest.
At the heart of Star Dou, beside a tranquil lake, a silver-haired woman sat cross-legged with her eyes closed. Her purple eyes snapped open, a trace of confusion flashing through them.
Gu Yuena looked toward the direction where the aura had vanished and furrowed her brow. She had sensed a familiar yet impossible dragon aura, and a storm of emotions surged through her heart.
Was that the Fire Dragon King's aura?!
But the aura had been too brief. It vanished so quickly that she wondered whether her deep-seated obsession had conjured an illusion. She shook her head and sighed, calming her restless heart. In the end, she didn't investigate further. She closed her eyes again and focused on recovering from her injuries.
Within the fireball, the indistinct silhouette of a Warlord raised the corners of his mouth.
He hadn't expected so many people to dote on this little fellow...
"Longyan, how are you? Is your foundation intact?"
Xuan Zi had been standing guard nearby. The moment he saw Cao Longyan open his eyes, he hurried over to ask. His gaze fell on the purple Soul Ring, and his eyes were still full of amazement.
Cao Longyan shook his head, put away his Martial Soul, and stood up to stretch. He felt as if many of his meridians had been unblocked. His strength was fuller, and his whole body felt clear and refreshed.
"Elder Xuan, I'm fine. My Soul Power has surged—I'm already at the peak of level fourteen."
Xuan Zi grinned and patted him on the shoulder, hard enough to make him stumble forward twice.
"Good lad, you're incredible! A Thousand-Year Soul Ring for your first one! When we get back, Mu En and those old fellows will be flabbergasted. You'll turn their whole understanding upside down! Hahaha!"
Still laughing, Xuan Zi scooped Cao Longyan up as his spirits soared. He shot into the air and streaked toward Shrek's Sea God Island at full speed.
Shrek Academy, Sea God Island
Mu En sat in his wheelchair, patiently guiding Bei Bei through his cultivation technique.
A rush of air swept by. As the dust settled, Xuan Zi and Cao Longyan descended before them.
When Bei Bei saw who had arrived, he couldn't hide his delight.
"Profound Ancestor, it's Brother Yan and Elder Xuan! They're back!"
Mu En smiled kindly and wheeled himself over to Bei Bei.
"Bei Bei, take a break. Let's go see how Xiao Yan is doing."
"All right, Profound Ancestor."
The two of them went over to Cao Longyan and Xuan Zi.
Mu En's gaze settled warmly on Cao Longyan, filled with concern.
"Xiao Yan, did the Soul Ring go smoothly? Did you run into any trouble?"
"Thank you for your concern, Profound Ancestor. Everything went smoothly... But I have another surprise for you!"
Cao Longyan jumped down from Xuan Zi's arms and bowed slightly. Then, with a smile, he stirred his thoughts, and the Ten Halls of Yama Martial Soul appeared in his palm once more.
A deep, solid purple Soul Ring slowly rose from beneath his feet. The dense power of a Thousand-Year Soul Ring rushed toward them, carrying the domineering pressure of Ultimate Fire.
"This is..."
The smile froze on Mu En's face. His withered fingers tightened slightly, and he stared at the purple Soul Ring, his breath unconsciously catching for an instant.
Bei Bei's eyes widened too. His mouth hung open wide enough to fit a fist, his face filled with disbelief, and he took an instinctive half-step back.
"A purple Soul Ring... Brother Yan, your first Soul Ring is actually a Thousand-Year one?!"
Bei Bei's voice trembled with shock.
"An ordinary Soul Master's first Soul Ring is only ten years old. Even an exceptional Soul Master's first ring is a hundred years old!"
Mu En slowly came to his senses. The shock in his eyes gave way to a hint of reproach. His voice grew stern, though every word still carried concern from the depths of his heart.
"Xiao Yan, you were far too reckless! Who told you to absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring on your own? Do you know how dangerous that is? The Soul Ring's power could have burst your meridians and killed you in an instant!"
Cao Longyan quickly put away his Martial Soul and lowered his head, speaking with a trace of guilt.
He hadn't expected Mu En to react like this, but his heart still felt warm.
"Profound Ancestor, I'm sorry. I know I was wrong. I thought my body could handle it, so I decided to give it a try. I never expected it to actually work."
Xuan Zi was intimidated by Mu En's imposing manner and hurried to smooth things over.
"Mu En, don't be angry. Longyan has extraordinary talent, and his Fire Dragon King bloodline makes him far stronger than ordinary people. He absorbed the ring safely and even reached the peak of level fourteen, didn't he? Besides, I agreed to let him do it. I'm responsible too..."
"And you're still defending him! Xuan Zi, you're a grown man. How could you let a child fool around like this?"
Mu En glared at Xuan Zi. Xuan Zi didn't dare breathe too loudly and could only nod and bow in response.
Mu En then turned back to Cao Longyan. His tone softened, though he was still full of reminders.
"Xiao Yan, having great talent doesn't mean you can act recklessly. If you ever want to attempt something like this again, you must talk to me first. I'll make sure you're properly prepared and build you a solid foundation. Take it one step at a time, and you'll be able to go further. Understand?"
Bei Bei quickly chimed in.
"That's right, Brother Yan. You took a huge risk. Don't do that again. Whatever happens, we'll discuss it together. Don't try to shoulder everything by yourself."
Cao Longyan nodded firmly and raised his head, looking genuinely contrite.
"I understand, Profound Ancestor, Brother Bei Bei. I'll listen to you from now on and won't act recklessly again."
Seeing how sincerely he admitted his mistake, Mu En stopped scolding him. A look of approval returned to his eyes.
"Very well. You absorbed the Soul Ring safely, and your Soul Power increased by so much. That's cause for celebration. Besides, a little youthful boldness isn't a bad thing, as long as it's kept in check. Xiao Yan, since you absorbed a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, your first Soul Skill must be powerful. Why don't you show it to us?"
Bei Bei nodded, his eyes full of anticipation.
"Yeah, Brother Yan. Hurry up and show us your Soul Skill. I want to see just how powerful a Thousand-Year first Soul Skill is!"
Cao Longyan smiled and summoned the Ten Halls of Yama once more. The purple Soul Ring lit up, and violent fire-attribute Soul Power surged along the length of the staff. Dark-red Hellfire intertwined and blazed fiercely across it.
"First Soul Skill, Great Flame Sky-Splitting Hammer!"
With a low shout, Cao Longyan gripped the Ten Halls of Yama in both hands and raised it high. The fire-attribute Soul Power around him gathered wildly, forming a massive flaming hammer. Carrying the might to scorch the heavens and split the earth, it slammed down on a boulder nearby.
Boom—
A thunderous crash rang out as the flaming hammer smashed into the boulder, pulverizing it instantly. Stones flew in every direction, and a shock wave of flames swept across the area. Even the surrounding trees sizzled as they burned. A deep crater remained in the ground, belching black smoke.
Just then, several elders from Sea God Pavilion happened to pass by. The crash drew their attention.
They hadn't thought much of it—until they looked over and were stunned.
A purple Soul Ring circled around Cao Longyan.
What?! Longyan's first Soul Ring was a Thousand-Year one?! No, that couldn't be right. They had to be seeing things.
But the truth disappointed them: the purple Soul Ring was real!
Everyone froze, their faces filled with disbelief.
When they came to their senses, the elders crowded around. Their gazes swept over Cao Longyan again and again, filled with amazement and disbelief, as they murmured nonstop.
"Mu En, Longyan really is a monster! He's only six, already at the peak of level fourteen, and his first Soul Ring is a Thousand-Year one. In Shrek's thousand-year history, there's never been talent like this!"
Mu En sat in his wheelchair, his face beaming with pride.
Cao Longyan bowed slightly to the elders, calm and composed, without a trace of arrogance.
He knew this was only the beginning. If he wanted to overturn Tang San's game of chess and break free from Tang San's control over the Douluo Continent, he still needed to grow stronger.
Before you continue