A Dispute with Tang San Over Soul Ring Theory

At the academy gates, a luxurious carriage had already been waiting for quite some time.

The carriage compartment was spacious enough to comfortably seat seven or eight people. Thick carpets covered the floor, while the soft seats were furnished with cushions and thin blankets.

"Wow! What a luxurious carriage! It's so soft, and it even has cushions!" Xiao Wu was the first to leap aboard, cheering as she exclaimed, "Just think about how we walked all the way from Notting City to Suotuo City. It took a whole month, and our feet were covered in blisters. This feeling now... it's seriously amazing!"

Tang San sat down on one side with Xiao Wu, a trace of embarrassed awkwardness appearing on his face at her words.

Dai Mubai was the last to board, taking a seat beside Zhu Zhuqing. Zhu Zhuqing also shifted a little closer to him.

Dai Mubai said to the coachman, "Let's go. Our destination is the Star Dou Great Forest. Drive steadily; we're not in a hurry. As long as we get there today, that's enough."

"Got it! Hyah!"

With a shout from the coachman, the four fine horses surged forward at once. The wheels began to roll as they carried the Shrek group slowly toward the Star Dou Great Forest.

The carriage had clearly been specially modified and equipped with shock absorbers. Even on the bumpy dirt road, it only swayed slightly and was not jolting at all.

Inside the carriage, Zhao Wuji occupied the spacious seat of honor, already resting with his eyes closed.

The others huddled together and whispered among themselves for a while, but gradually grew bored as well. Each found a comfortable position and began meditating. The carriage soon fell quiet.

Suotuo City was roughly four hundred li from the Star Dou Great Forest. By taking the main road, the carriage could arrive in less than a day.

After traveling for most of the day, the sun gradually began to set.

Xiao Wu was the first to grow restless. She could not help calling out to the coachman, "Hey, Uncle, how much longer until we get there?"

The coachman's hearty voice came from outside. "Soon! Less than half an hour until we reach the town outside the forest!"

"Half an hour! I'll be getting my third Soul Ring soon!" Ma Hongjun immediately became unusually excited. "Boss Dai, what kind of Soul Ring do you think I should get for my third one? What age?"

Dai Mubai smiled. "From my judgment, your Evil Fire Phoenix is essentially a top-tier beast Martial Soul, the Fire Phoenix. However, its bloodline is impure, and those impurities produced the Evil Fire. So, for your third Soul Ring, you should still look for a fire-attributed Soul Beast with Phoenix Bloodline. The purer the bloodline, the better."

"As long as you continuously use Soul Rings with Phoenix Bloodline from the same origin to purify it, your Evil Fire Phoenix may be able to evolve into a true Fire Phoenix. It might even evolve the Evil Fire into the more powerful Phoenix Flame."

"Phoenix Flame?" Ma Hongjun's breathing quickened at once.

Dai Mubai nodded. "This is only a theory. It won't be easy to truly make your Martial Soul evolve. But as long as you develop in this direction, even if it does not evolve, it can greatly reduce the intensity and frequency of your Evil Fire outbreaks."

"I understand." Ma Hongjun's gaze turned resolute.

Dai Mubai continued, "As for the age, the standard limit for a normal Soul Master's third Soul Ring is within eighteen hundred years. But the headmaster and I have already assessed your physique. We think you can exceed it a little. Around two thousand years should be no problem."

Tang San, sitting nearby, frowned when he heard that and could not help speaking up. "Boss Dai, my teacher once said that the maximum age for a Soul Master's third Soul Ring is one thousand seven hundred and sixty years. We'll be fine if we search according to that standard. It's best not to exceed it, or there could be danger to his life."

Dai Mubai looked at Tang San and nodded. "There is indeed a so-called Soul Ring age standard in the Soul Master world. In a sense, it is correct. For most ordinary Soul Masters, absorbing Soul Rings according to that standard is basically safe."

Then his tone shifted. "But everyone's physique is different. If someone trains at their limit over a long period and their physique surpasses that of ordinary people, then the age of the Soul Rings they can absorb can naturally be raised somewhat. Exceeding the limit is not impossible."

Tang San's expression became more serious. "The standard my teacher established cannot be wrong. It is a summary based on the Soul Ring absorption records of countless Soul Masters. I think it is best not to take risks."

Dai Mubai frowned slightly. "I already said that it is correct in a certain sense. But everyone's physique differs. Soul Master cultivation is fundamentally about constantly breaking through one's limits. Aren't limits meant to be broken? Why must we rigidly cling to the rules?"

"I don't know who your teacher is, nor do I know his strength. But if he clings to these so-called conventions and always follows the rules, then I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to reach a higher realm."

Tang San's face darkened instantly upon hearing that.

He fiercely defended Yu Xiaogang, raising his voice slightly. "Although my teacher is not strong, he only formulated his theory after reviewing the Soul Ring records accumulated over countless years by Spirit Hall and the major clans! His wisdom far surpasses that of ordinary people. I believe he cannot be wrong!"

The atmosphere inside the carriage suddenly became tense.

Seeing Tang San defend him so fiercely, Dai Mubai sneered inwardly and shrugged indifferently. "It's fine. Just cultivate according to your teacher's teachings. I have no objections. After all, everyone has the right to choose the path they want to walk."

I'm not going to tell you that my third Soul Ring was three thousand five hundred years old, and my fourth was nine thousand. Besides, once you get a taste of it, you'll be even crazier than me.

Ma Hongjun heard this and heavily slapped his chest. "Boss Dai, I believe you! I'll listen to you!"

After saying that, he extended his fist and collided heavily with Dai Mubai's outstretched fist. The trust built over three years together needed no words at that moment.

Seeing this, Tang San felt even more displeased, and his face darkened further. He turned his head away and said nothing more, though his hands clenched unconsciously.

Sensing the tense, hostile atmosphere inside the carriage, Zhao Wuji finally spoke. "Enough, enough. Say less, all of you. Everyone has their own thoughts and their own path. Ma Hongjun is willing to trust Mubai, while Tang San is willing to trust his teacher. Neither is wrong. Just do things according to your own beliefs. What are you arguing for?"

"Yes, Teacher Zhao," everyone answered in unison.

The carriage fell silent again, but an unspoken rivalry had quietly begun between Tang San and Dai Mubai.

Half an hour later, the carriage finally arrived at the town on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

The town was not large, but it had all kinds of shops. Stores lined the streets, selling things mostly related to Soul Masters.

Seeing that it was already evening, Zhao Wuji pointed at an ordinary-looking hotel ahead and said, "We'll stay here. We'll rest for the night and enter the Star Dou Great Forest tomorrow morning. You'll pay for your own lodging and meals."

The group arrived at the hotel entrance and got out of the carriage. After arranging for the carriage and coachman, they entered the hotel.

The hotel was a two-story building. The first-floor hall was a simple dining area, while the second floor provided rooms. Zhao Wuji booked himself a single room and went straight upstairs.

After all, with his face bruised and swollen, who would want to stay outside any longer?