Level 90

Neither Ning Fengzhi nor Gu Rong believed it. What Chen Xin had said was simply too shocking.

Chen Xin shook his head and explained, "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it either. But it's true. Bibi Dong and Li Changqing are both stronger than I am."

"Fengzhi, what have you learned about Li Changqing?"

Ning Fengzhi replied, "According to our scouts, Li Changqing appeared nine years ago. He made a living taking commissions to help people hunt for Soul Rings. Three years ago, he suddenly stopped and began spending every day in the Brothel. He even earned the nickname Little Prince of the Brothel. There's no information on him from before those nine years, as though he appeared out of nowhere."

"And according to the intelligence, nine years ago Li Changqing was only a Soul Grandmaster. His Martial Soul was a sword wreathed in lightning."

Gu Rong fell into thought. "He can absorb Soul Rings above his level, and he cultivates so quickly. Li Changqing must be hiding a great secret. Since he likes women, could we offer him women in exchange for the method?"

Ning Fengzhi grew excited at once. If they obtained a way to absorb Soul Rings above their level, the disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect might break through their limits and evolve their Martial Souls into eight-tiered, or even nine-tiered, pagodas.

But he soon calmed down and sighed. "Bibi Dong must have seen something so obvious too. They probably fought because she failed to win him over and tried to pull him up by the roots. Instead, she met a hard nut to crack."

"From what we know, Li Changqing doesn't seem to belong to any faction. It's hard to believe he stayed hidden so well. If not for Bibi Dong, we might never have known someone like him existed on the continent."

"Still, after this, Li Changqing is unlikely to join Spirit Hall. He may even stand against them. That's good news."

Gu Rong asked, "Then how should we treat Li Changqing? Should we try to win him over, or leave him alone?"

Ning Fengzhi said slowly, "Naturally, we should try to win over someone so powerful. If that proves impossible, we should at least remain on good terms with him. Whatever we do, we must not anger him and make him bear a grudge against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"Besides, Spirit Hall is the one that should have a headache over this."

The other factions took much the same stance as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect: they would never provoke Li Changqing and would do their best to befriend him.

Three years passed in the blink of an eye.

Li Changqing knew that after his battle with Bibi Dong, factions across the continent would watch him closely. Endless attempts to win him over and curry favor would follow.

He hated that more than anything, so he spent those three years living under an assumed name.

One day, Li Changqing emerged from cultivation and let out a long breath. "Level 90 at last. Next, it's time to find the Sky Azure Bull Python. I hope you're ready to become my ninth Soul Ring."

With that, Li Changqing flew straight toward the Star Dou Great Forest.

At the same time, a group of youths, twelve or thirteen years old, were searching for Soul Rings on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. A Soul Saint led them.

It was Shrek's group, and the Soul Saint was Zhao Wuji.

The day before, Oscar had obtained the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's Soul Ring, just as in the original story. Now they were searching for a suitable Soul Ring for Tang San.

Suddenly, a terrifying pressure descended, making everyone from Shrek tremble.

Everyone except a girl wearing rabbit ears. She sensed a familiar presence. She was Xiao Wu, a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Rabbit in human form.

Then a massive Soul Beast appeared before the Shrek group. It was a huge, thick-bodied python with a pair of enormous, striking bull horns on its head.

It was the Sky Azure Bull Python. It had sensed Xiao Wu's presence and come to take her away. The Titan Giant Ape had already become someone else's Soul Ring; it could no longer bear to leave Xiao Wu in the human world.

Zhao Wuji had never seen a Soul Beast like it. Frightened, he did not even dare breathe. The crushing pressure robbed him of the courage to move.

The six students other than Xiao Wu fared no better. Their hearts pounded wildly.

Just then, a giant sword crackling with immense arcs of lightning plunged into the ground between the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Shrek group. Li Changqing landed atop its massive hilt.

Li Changqing looked down at the people below.

Their distinctive traits, the dense aura of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast emanating from Xiao Wu, and the timing told him at once who they were: the Shrek Seven Devils, here to hunt for a Third Soul Ring.

What a coincidence, he thought.

But Li Changqing gave it no further thought. No matter who showed up today, no one would stop him from hunting the Sky Azure Bull Python.

His voice was indifferent. "I went to the heart of the Star Dou Great Forest looking for you, but you weren't there. So this is where you ran off to."

"I'll send you to meet the Titan Giant Ape in a moment. Well? Are you ready to become my ninth Soul Ring?"

As he spoke, eight Soul Rings appeared beneath his feet: yellow, yellow, purple, black, black, black, black, and red.

Behind Li Changqing, Xiao Wu's heart seemed to stop. She stood frozen, sensing the Titan Giant Ape's aura from that red Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.

Combined with what Li Changqing had said, a dreadful realization surfaced in her mind: Er Ming... the Titan Giant Ape has become this human's Soul Ring.

Boundless killing intent surged through Xiao Wu. The familiar brightness vanished from her eyes, leaving them bloodred.

Li Changqing sensed the killing intent and turned in surprise. Finding that it came from Xiao Wu, he said coldly, "What's this, Little Rabbit? You dare show killing intent toward me? Do you want to die too?"

The Shrek group looked back. Sure enough, Xiao Wu was staring daggers at Li Changqing, her killing intent nearly spilling out. They were baffled.

Even Tang San, who stood beside her, was confused. He hurriedly stepped in front of Xiao Wu and bowed respectfully. "Senior, my sister may be too frightened. She meant no offense. Please forgive her."

The others from Shrek moved away from Xiao Wu, afraid she would drag them into trouble.

It made sense, considering the original story.

At this point, the Shrek Seven Devils had known one another for less than seven days. They were still far from willing to live and die together.

The Sky Azure Bull Python grew anxious. It was certain Li Changqing had recognized Xiao Wu as a Soul Beast.

To keep Li Changqing from attacking Xiao Wu, the Sky Azure Bull Python roared, "Human! You killed Er Ming, and now you want me as your Soul Ring too? Dream on! Today, you'll die with Er Ming!"

As it roared, it gave Xiao Wu one last resolute look, as though bidding her farewell.

Xiao Wu understood what the Sky Azure Bull Python meant to do, but she was too weak. There was nothing she could do.

Tears streamed down her face. She stepped forward without thinking, but Tang San held her back.

Li Changqing wasted no more words. He drove the enormous Thunderblade Sword into the Sky Azure Bull Python, sending it flying, then gave chase.

Even after it was struck, the Sky Azure Bull Python feared Li Changqing might still have designs on Xiao Wu.

It fled as fast as it could, drawing Li Changqing as far from the Shrek group as possible to give Xiao Wu a chance to survive.