The First Ring in a Millennium Shocks Everyone

A thousand-year spirit ring radiated a crimson halo, slowly circulating around Cao Longyan as the violent fire-attribute spirit power was thoroughly refined, merging into his meridians and the depths of his soul.

His spirit power was climbing, surging all the way up!

Thirteen levels... no, fourteen levels, the peak of fourteen!

Just as Cao Longyan's spirit power was about to stabilize and the absorption of the spirit ring was nearing success, a faint yet arrogant remnant soul suddenly struck his spiritual sea—it was the final counterattack of the thousand-year Fire Wing Lion.

Unwilling to become Cao Longyan's spirit ring, it attempted to backlash against his spiritual sea and drag him down to the grave together.

Unfortunately, while the idea was beautiful, reality was harsh.

The moment it broke into Cao Longyan's spiritual sea, it was locked down tight by two distinct yet equally terrifying auras.

The Fire Wing Lion's remnant soul was already weak; shaken by the presence of these two "great Buddhas," it didn't even have time to let out a wail before it dissipated like a candle in the wind, completely reduced to nutrients for Cao Longyan's spirit power.

Cao Longyan slowly opened his eyes, dark red hellfire flashing in his pupils before vanishing. The Ten Halls of Yama trembled gently in his palm, and a purple spirit ring was already encircling it.

The Fire Dragon King bloodline within him subconsciously erupted with a trace of pressure, and a crimson-gold dragon aura shot straight into the clouds. Though it lasted only a flash, it was precisely transmitted to the deepest part of the Star Dou Great Forest.

In the heart of the Star Dou, by a tranquil lake, a silver-haired woman sat cross-legged with her eyes closed. Her purple eyes snapped open, a flicker of doubt crossing them.

Gu Yuena gazed in the direction where the aura had dissipated and frowned. She had actually sensed a familiar yet impossible dragon might, which immediately stirred up stormy waves in her heart.

That was the aura of the Fire Dragon King?!

But the aura was too fleeting, so fast that she thought it was a hallucination caused by her deep obsession. She shook her head and sighed, calming her restless heart. In the end, she did not investigate further, closing her eyes once more to focus on recovering from her injuries.

Within the fireball, the corner of a blurry, ambitious figure's mouth curled upward.

I didn't expect this little guy to be so well-regarded by so many...

"Longyan, how are you? You didn't damage your foundation, did you?"

Xuan Zi had been guarding him the whole time. Seeing him open his eyes, he hurried forward to ask, his gaze falling on the purple spirit ring with lingering amazement.

Cao Longyan shook his head, retracted his martial soul, and stood up to stretch his limbs. He felt as though his meridians had been cleared, his power was more abundant, and his entire body felt incredibly clear.

"Elder Xuan, I'm fine. My spirit power has broken through quite a bit; I've reached the peak of level fourteen."

Xuan Zi grinned and patted his shoulder, the force making him stumble forward two steps.

"Good lad, you're truly impressive! Your first spirit ring is a thousand-year one. When we go back, Elder Mu and that bunch of old fogies are going to have their jaws drop. It'll completely overturn their understanding, hahaha!"

Before the laughter had even faded, Xuan Zi, in high spirits, scooped up Cao Longyan and soared into the sky, turning into a streak of light and speeding toward Shrek Academy's Sea God Island at full velocity.

Shrek Academy, Sea God Island.

Mu En was sitting in his wheelchair, patiently guiding Bei Bei in his cultivation.

Accompanied by the sound of air being torn apart, the dust settled, and Xuan Zi landed slowly with Cao Longyan, appearing before them.

When Bei Bei saw who it was, undisguised joy filled his eyes.

"Profound Ancestor, it's Brother Longyan and Elder Xuan who have returned!"

Mu En revealed a kind smile and pushed his wheelchair toward Bei Bei.

"Bei Bei, take a rest for now. Let's go over and see little Yan."

"Understood, Profound Ancestor."

The two of them walked together to Cao Longyan and Xuan Zi.

Mu En's gaze fell gently on Cao Longyan, filled with concern.

"Little Yan, did the spirit ring absorption go smoothly? Did you encounter any trouble?"

"Thank you for your concern, Profound Ancestor. Everything went very smoothly... but I have a surprise for you!"

Cao Longyan jumped down from Xuan Zi's arms and bowed slightly. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he moved his mind, and the Ten Halls of Yama martial soul appeared in his palm once again.

A deep, solid purple spirit ring rose slowly from beneath his feet, and a rich wave of thousand-year spirit power rushed toward them, carrying the tyrannical pressure of the Ultimate Fire.

"This is..."

The smile on Mu En's face froze instantly. His withered fingers tightened slightly, his eyes locked onto that purple spirit ring, and his breathing subconsciously stalled for a moment.

Bei Bei's eyes also widened, his mouth hanging open wide enough to fit a fist. His face was full of disbelief, and he subconsciously took half a step back.

"A purple spirit ring... Brother Longyan, your first spirit ring is actually a thousand-year one?!"

Bei Bei's voice carried a trace of trembling, his tone filled with shock.

"An ordinary spirit master's first ring is only ten years, and even for an excellent spirit master, the first ring is only a hundred years!"

Mu En slowly regained his composure, the shock in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a hint of reproach. His tone deepened, yet one could feel the concern that ran bone-deep.

"Little Yan, you are too reckless! Who told you to absorb a thousand-year spirit ring on your own? Do you know how dangerous that is? If you were even slightly careless, the spirit power would have ruptured your meridians and caused you to explode and die!"

Cao Longyan quickly retracted his martial soul and lowered his head, his tone filled with a trace of guilt.

He hadn't expected Mu En to react this way, but his heart felt warm.

"Profound Ancestor, I'm sorry, I know I was wrong. At the time, I felt my body could handle it, so I thought I'd give it a try. I didn't expect to actually succeed."

Xuan Zi, standing to the side and intimidated by Mu En's aura, quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Elder Mu, don't be angry. This kid Longyan has extraordinary talent, and with the blessing of the Fire Dragon King bloodline, his physical strength far exceeds that of an ordinary person. Didn't he absorb it successfully and even break through to the peak of level fourteen? Besides, he did this with my consent, so I share the responsibility..."

"You're still speaking up for him! Xuan Zi, you're old enough to know better, yet you just let a child run wild!"

Mu En glared at Xuan Zi, who didn't even dare to breathe loudly, only able to nod and bow in response.

Mu En then turned his gaze toward Cao Longyan, his tone softening significantly, though it still carried a note of admonition.

"Longyan, having strong talent doesn't mean you can be reckless. In the future, if you want to attempt such cross-rank challenges again, you must speak to me first. I will help you prepare thoroughly, lay a solid foundation, and progress step by step so that you can go further. Do you understand?"

Bei Bei quickly chimed in from the side.

"That's right, Brother Longyan, you were too reckless. You can't do this again. If anything comes up, we should discuss it together; don't try to be a hero on your own."

Cao Longyan nodded heavily, looking up with an expression of contrition.

"I understand, Profound Ancestor, Brother Bei Bei. In the future, I will definitely listen to you and no longer act recklessly."

Seeing his sincere attitude in admitting his mistake, Mu En stopped reprimanding him, a look of gratification returning to his eyes.

"Very well. The fact that you absorbed it successfully and your soul power increased so much is a joyous occasion. Besides, being young and frivolous isn't necessarily a bad thing, provided there is a limit. Longyan, since you've absorbed a thousand-year soul ring, your first soul skill must be quite formidable. Why not demonstrate it and let us see?"

Bei Bei nodded, his eyes full of anticipation.

"Exactly, Brother Longyan, hurry and show us your soul skill! I want to see just how powerful a thousand-year first soul skill really is!"

Cao Longyan smiled slightly and summoned the Ten Halls of Yama once more. A purple soul ring lit up instantly, and violent fire-attribute soul power surged wildly along the staff, dark red hellfire intertwining and burning fiercely upon it.

"First soul skill: Great Flame Sky-Splitting Hammer!"

With a low shout, Cao Longyan gripped the Ten Halls of Yama with both hands and raised it high. The fire-attribute soul power around his body gathered frantically, transforming into a massive flaming hammer that descended with the force to burn the heavens and split the earth, smashing heavily into a large boulder not far away.

BOOM—

With a thunderous roar, the flaming hammer crashed down. The boulder was instantly pulverized, debris flew in all directions, and a shockwave of fire swept across the area, causing the surrounding trees to sizzle as they scorched. A deep crater was left in the ground, billowing with thick black smoke.

Just then, several elders of the Sea God Pavilion happened to pass by and were drawn by the loud noise.

But they were in for a shock.

They saw a purple soul ring circling around Cao Longyan.

What?! Longyan's first soul ring is a thousand-year one?! No, that can't be right; they must be seeing things.

Yet, the result disappointed their skepticism—that purple soul ring was real!

Everyone froze in place, their faces filled with disbelief.

Coming to their senses, the elders swarmed over, their gazes sweeping back and forth over Cao Longyan. Their eyes were filled with wonder and disbelief as they muttered incessantly.

"Elder Mu, Longyan is truly a monster! Six years old, peak level fourteen, and a thousand-year first soul ring! Looking back through Shrek's thousand-year history, such talent has never been seen before!"

Mu En sat in his wheelchair, a proud smile on his face.

Cao Longyan bowed slightly to the elders, his expression calm and devoid of any arrogance or complacency.

He knew this was only the beginning. If he wanted to overturn Tang San's chessboard and break free from Tang San's control over the Douluo Continent, he needed to become even stronger.