First Soul Ring

As expected of a thousand-year soul ring! Tang Xuan could not help marveling as the Sword-Tenon Eagle's soul ring merged into his body. His body felt as though it were being torn apart. Gritting his teeth, he sped up the circulation of the Nine-Turn God-Slaying Art to refine the raging soul power.

He could clearly feel the raging soul power coursing through him, scouring every meridian in his body. Along with the tremendous pain, it also strengthened his body. This was an arduous contest, and both sides were Tang Xuan himself. Several times, his soul power nearly ran wild, but he gritted his teeth and held on.

Two hours had already passed. Tang Xuan let out low growls of pain from time to time, and beads of blood began seeping from his pores. The Grandmaster and the other two watched anxiously from the side. Flender tried several times to forcibly interrupt the process, but the Grandmaster stopped him each time. There was little they could do to help Tang Xuan. They could only trust that he would succeed.

Finally, after another two hours, the purple soul ring floating above Tang Xuan's head settled firmly around his body.

"He did it! Little Xuan did it!" the Grandmaster exclaimed in amazement. A thousand-year first soul ring! He no longer knew what to say about Tang Xuan and his brother. They had overturned his theories, yet also opened the door to a whole new world for him. Their practical experience proved that, with sufficiently strong spiritual power-soul strength-and physique, even ordinary soul masters could absorb soul rings of greater ages. Once this method spread, it would undoubtedly send tremendous shock waves through the soul master world. Its impact would be immeasurable!

"Xiaogang, I'm telling you, you have to send these brothers to my Shrek Academy. I'll take care of all their future soul rings!" Flender said excitedly. Innate full soul power and an unprecedented soul ring combination-with monstrous geniuses like these, it was best to secure them early.

"Once they graduate from Nuoding Academy, I'll send them there. But we must also consider their wishes. I may be their teacher, but I can't force them to do something against their will," the Grandmaster told Flender calmly. Shrek was undoubtedly the best choice for Tang Xuan and Tang San. Only there could they meet peers who would walk shoulder to shoulder with them in the future. This was the Grandmaster's consideration for the path ahead of them.

Tang Xuan finally woke as dawn approached. Seeing him awaken, the Grandmaster asked anxiously, "Little Xuan, how do you feel? Any discomfort?" Tang Xuan had not woken after successfully absorbing the soul ring, making the Grandmaster wonder whether something had gone wrong. That was why he asked.

The Grandmaster and the other two all fixed their gazes on Tang Xuan, their eyes filled with concern.

A warm current flowed through Tang Xuan's heart as he looked at the three anxious faces. "Teacher, don't worry. I'm fine. In fact, I've never felt better." He had been compressing his soul power. Though it had initially surged to rank sixteen, he had now compressed it down to rank fourteen.

"Brother, you're amazing! Your very first soul ring is a thousand-year soul ring," Tang San said enviously.

"Little San, don't worry. You'll be able to absorb a thousand-year soul ring for your second soul ring," Tang Xuan said. Tang San's first soul ring was already nine hundred years old. Naturally, his second would have to come from a soul beast over a thousand years old.

"Little Xuan, what is your first soul skill?" the Grandmaster asked. A skill granted by a thousand-year soul ring should be quite good.

"Teacher, my first soul skill is called Sword Slash. It's a single-target attack skill. This soul ring also greatly increased my attack speed," Tang Xuan replied.

"Mm. Try it on that large rock," the Grandmaster said, pointing to a huge boulder in the distance.

At his words, Tang Xuan tightened his grip on the Godslayer Sword. "First soul skill: Sword Slash!" His purple soul ring rose, and he leaped before the boulder in an instant, slashing his sword. The boulder was immediately cleaved into two smooth halves, and the lingering force severed several large trees behind it. From beginning to end, it all happened in a single instant.

"Your speed increased by fifty percent, and your attack power by thirty percent. Your martial soul's sharpness also exceeded my expectations. Fortunately, the skill granted by this soul ring didn't obscure that advantage," the Grandmaster analyzed. "Exactly how much soul power does it consume?" he continued. In battle, the rate of soul power consumption was crucial to victory or defeat.

"With my current rank-fourteen soul power, using it more than ten times in succession wouldn't be a problem. It doesn't consume much soul power," Tang Xuan answered.

"Mm. It seems you were right to compress your soul power and improve its quality. Its exceptionally high quality accommodates the high output of a powerful soul skill, allowing you to use it repeatedly. This skill of yours is extremely powerful, no matter which aspect we consider," the Grandmaster said, giving it high praise.

"This soul skill of yours is already at least on par with some ordinary soul masters' third soul skills. With a starting point like this, you're already far ahead of your peers. Your teacher has agreed that you can attend my Shrek Advanced Soul Master Academy in the future. What do you think?" After discussing the soul skill, Flender looked at the two with hope written all over his face.

Tang Xuan and Tang San exchanged a glance. Tang Xuan stepped forward and said, "Headmaster Flender, we're willing to attend Shrek Academy. But we'll have to trouble you for our second soul rings."

Flender was delighted to hear this and hurriedly said, "No problem! When you need to obtain your soul rings, just have your teacher contact me. I'll be there right away." He agreed readily, though inwardly he was almost mad with joy. More gifted students joining the academy meant hope for Shrek Academy to keep its doors open.

The four left the New Dou Forest. After they returned to Nuoding City, Flender said his farewells and departed.

Back at the academy, Tang Xuan began secluded cultivation. Tang San, meanwhile, began a life of studying and working at the forge.