First Soul Ring

Throughout the Star Luo Empire, there were only a handful of powerhouses capable of earning such respect from the Bright Phoenix Douluo. Perhaps only the highly esteemed Great Imperial Enshrined possessed that honor.

Jing Liu gave a slight nod and replied calmly, "It's fine."

Shrek Academy's reputation was widespread, and it was the continent's foremost academy. Although she did not fear coming into conflict with them.

Still, fewer troubles meant fewer problems. It was naturally best to avoid conflict where possible. If matters escalated, it would inevitably have an adverse effect on Haiyuan City's stable development.

Besides, judging from what had just happened, their side had not suffered any loss.

"If you don't absorb it soon, the soul ring will dissipate." Jing Liu turned and softly reminded Lu Jingming.

After a soul beast died, its soul ring would gradually dissipate within a limited amount of time, eventually turning into pure Soul Power and returning to heaven and earth.

The moment Jing Liu said that, Yan Shaozhe, Ma Xiaotao, Xu Jiujiu, the Star Cloud Douluo, and the others all jolted, shock instantly appearing on their faces.

They all turned their gazes toward Lu Jingming, scrutinizing him carefully several times and repeatedly confirming that they had not misjudged his age.

That childish face clearly belonged to a child of only six or seven. Then, their eyes shifted to Jing Liu, filled with confusion and incomprehension.

"Your Excellency, if I am not mistaken, this little brother should have only awakened his martial soul not long ago, correct? Choosing a thousand-year soul ring as his first soul ring... wouldn't that be somewhat inappropriate?" Yan Shaozhe weighed his words before offering a tentative reminder.

If it had been anyone else, he would not have meddled. If others overestimated themselves and insisted on taking risks, what did that have to do with him? But he sincerely wanted to befriend Jing Liu, which was why he took the initiative to warn her.

"Yes, Senior Jing Liu. The choice of one's first soul ring is extremely important. It is better to be cautious."

Although Xu Jiujiu understood that, given Jing Liu's strength and experience, she was unlikely to make such a basic mistake, she naturally would not miss such an easy opportunity to earn the other party's goodwill. She could not help offering a reminder as well.

"It's fine. He can endure it." Jing Liu's tone remained as calm and unruffled as ever, without any intention of deliberately concealing anything.

After all, unless one possessed an exceptionally special soul skill, soul rings were difficult to hide.

The fact that Lu Jingming had chosen to absorb a thousand-year soul ring as his first soul ring could not be concealed in the first place, nor was there any need to conceal it.

Lu Jingming was even more decisive. Without another word, he directly released his first martial soul, Black Abyss.

The pitch-black spear emitted particles of black light, its aura incomparably deep and sinister. He sat cross-legged beside the Blazing Phoenix Bird's corpse, slowly closed his eyes, and began circulating his Soul Power, focusing completely on drawing in the purple soul ring floating in midair.

"Since that is the case, I shall take my leave first. I still need to find a new third soul ring for my disciple." Yan Shaozhe was tactful enough to understand that there was no point in staying any longer.

After all, a minor unpleasantness had just occurred, and Lu Jingming was currently absorbing a soul ring. This was truly not a suitable time for conversation.

He had already made plans. After returning to Shrek Academy, he would first thoroughly investigate Jing Liu's origins and circumstances, then carefully prepare gifts before paying her a visit.

He felt that doing so would greatly increase the chances of persuading Jing Liu to help Ma Xiaotao.

Moreover, Ma Xiaotao had only just advanced to Soul Elder. Her evil fire was powerful, but it had not yet reached an uncontrollable stage. He still had ample time to make arrangements.

Yan Shaozhe nodded to Xu Jiujiu and the others, then took Ma Xiaotao by the hand and turned to leave.

Ma Xiaotao obediently followed behind Yan Shaozhe, yet she could not help looking back at Lu Jingming, who was focused on absorbing the soul ring. A trace of undisguised astonishment still remained in her eyes.

After all, she had never personally seen, or even heard of, a soul master absorbing a thousand-year soul ring as their first soul ring.

Even within the inner court of Shrek Academy, which was known as the continent's foremost academy and gathered countless geniuses, such a monstrous existence had never appeared.

And given the overwhelming strength Jing Liu had displayed, the fact that she dared let Lu Jingming absorb a thousand-year soul ring so confidently clearly meant she was fully prepared. She was extremely certain that Lu Jingming could successfully absorb the soul ring, with almost no chance of failure.

Ma Xiaotao's heart itched with curiosity. If she had not felt it would be inappropriate, she truly would have wanted to stay and see with her own eyes whether Lu Jingming could succeed.

"Senior Jing Liu, would you mind if we stayed? Absorbing a thousand-year soul ring as one's first soul ring would be unprecedented across the entire Douluo Continent. I truly cannot suppress my curiosity."

Xu Jiujiu dipped slightly in a respectful bow toward Jing Liu and spoke with earnest sincerity.

Though she was a princess, she still did not dare show the slightest neglect toward a Titled Douluo powerhouse like Jing Liu. She gave her the utmost respect.

"You may." Jing Liu's answer was concise.

Xu Jiujiu was a royal princess of the Star Luo Empire, while Lu Jingming was a noble officially granted a title by the Star Luo Empire. Befriending this princess would bring Lu Jingming only benefits and no drawbacks in his future development within the Star Luo Empire.

Besides, with her here watching over things, Xu Jiujiu and the others would not dare harbor any ill intentions.

Xu Jiujiu tilted her head slightly and discreetly gave the guards behind her a look.

The well-trained guards immediately understood. In neat unison, they stepped back and put some distance between themselves and Lu Jingming, who was concentrating on absorbing and refining the soul ring, ensuring that they would not disturb him in any way.

Then, Xu Jiujiu looked around, her gaze falling upon a relatively clean stone.

With graceful steps, she walked to it and elegantly raised a hand. With a gentle wave, a stream of soft Soul Power swept out, instantly clearing away the dust on its surface.

Only after doing all that did she slowly sit on the stone, propping her chin elegantly in both hands. Her sapphire-like eyes stared unblinkingly at Lu Jingming as he refined the soul ring, filled with intense curiosity she could barely contain.

Elsewhere, Lu Jingming was enduring the impact of powerful, violent Soul Power. It surged through the meridians throughout his body like raging tides, wave after wave, making him feel as though his body were about to be torn apart alive.

At the same time, scorching Soul Power carrying an aura of destruction continuously flowed into his body, awaiting his absorption and refinement.

Then, at a certain moment, Lu Jingming suddenly felt an invisible bottleneck being forcibly shattered by that violent Soul Power imbued with destruction.

The instant the bottleneck at the tenth level of Soul Power broke, Lu Jingming felt as though he had been placed within a vast, boundless ocean of power, as though he could do anything.