After Tai Tan's report, the temple fell silent once more.
Tang San remained standing before the divine throne, the chill in his eyes growing ever deeper.
" Three-Eyed Golden Lion, humph."
He spoke slowly, his voice icy, devoid of its previous gentleness.
"Although I don't know why you lost control, you can't escape my grasp."
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"I refuse to believe that even if Shrek Academy were to personally intervene, they couldn't bring you back."
A cold smile appeared on Tang San's lips.
at the same time.
Shrek Academy, Sea God Island.
The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the clear lake surface, reflecting a golden shimmer.
However, today, this light appears exceptionally different.
The Soul Power of the entire island trembled.
After noticing the commotion, Mu En rushed over from in front of the freshmen dormitory.
His aged eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at the towering Golden Ancient Tree in the center of the island.
" Xuan Zi, can you feel it?"
His voice was soft, yet it sent a shiver down the spine of Xuan Zi standing behind him.
"Hmm... the fluctuations from the Golden Tree are more than ten times stronger than before." Xuan Zi unusually put away his wine gourd, his cloudy eyes flashing with a solemn light.
Buzz!
Suddenly, the branches and leaves of the Golden Tree moved without wind, and brilliant golden light burst forth from inside the trunk, like a blazing sun rising from the heart of the tree.
The ground of the entire Sea God Island began to tremble slightly, and the lake water surged, as if welcoming some supreme being.
Mu En's pupils suddenly contracted.
"This is... the aura of a deity?"
Without hesitation, he leaped into the air, his aged body bursting with astonishing speed as he headed straight for the Golden Tree.
Xuan Zi followed closely behind, and the two transformed into two streaks of light, piercing the sky.
This commotion undoubtedly alarmed all the Titled Douluo powerhouses on Sea God Island.
When they landed in front of the Golden Tree, the sight before them shocked both of the Peak Douluo.
Golden veins appeared on the trunk of the Golden Tree, flowing with a sacred radiance like blood vessels.
Above the tree canopy, endless golden light converged, faintly condensing into a gigantic phantom of the Sea God Trident, its tip pointing straight to the sky, radiating an oppressive aura that would suffocate even Titled Douluo.
" Mu En..."
Xuan Zi's voice trembled slightly.
"For so many years... since Tang San's ancestor became a god, the Golden Tree has never moved like this!"
Mu En paused for a moment, then slowly raised his hand and touched the trunk of the Golden Tree.
"It is calling to us, and it is also conveying a message to us..."
Mingdu, the residence of the Hongchen Family.
Jing Hongchen stood in the hall with his hands behind his back, his brows slightly furrowed.
"I wonder how things are going for them in the Far North."
"But with him taking care of her, there shouldn't be too much danger."
Soon, the heavy door slowly opened, catching Jing Hongchen's attention. He quickly looked in the direction of the door.
Toji had safely brought Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen back.
Jing Hongchen was both surprised and delighted as she stepped forward to greet them.
"Grandpa!" As soon as Meng Hongchen saw Jing Hongchen, she immediately ran forward, her face beaming with undisguised excitement.
"Are you all alright?" Jing Hongchen's gaze swept over his granddaughter, then fell on Toji and Xiao Hongchen behind her, finally settling on Meng Hongchen. "How did this Soul Hunting go?"
Meng Hongchen did not answer immediately, but smiled mysteriously, and the Soul Ring beneath his feet slowly rose.
Yellow, purple!
"This...!" Jing Hongchen's pupils suddenly contracted, and his breath stopped for a moment.
Second Soul Ring, Thousand Years!
As the Illustrious Virtue Hall, Jing Hongchen understood better than anyone else what this meant.
The fact that she absorbed her Second Soul Ring beyond her level not only means that Meng Hongchen's physique is far superior to that of ordinary people, but also that the upper limit of her future Soul Ring Configuration will completely break the norm.
Furthermore, the limitations on the use of Soul Tool will also be broken.
"This... this is true?" Jing Hongchen's voice trembled slightly, a rare occurrence. He looked up abruptly, his gaze fixed intently on Toji. "You helped her do it?"
Toji leaned lazily against the door frame and shrugged.
"Just doing it on a whim."
Jing Hongchen took a deep breath, then suddenly strode forward and patted Toji's shoulder heavily:
"Excellent! Very good, young friend, you have truly given me a wonderful surprise."
On behalf of myself, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you.
Toji said, "As long as the hall master is satisfied."
Jing Hongchen gave him a deep look, then suddenly lowered her voice. " Meng Hongchen's Second Soul Ring can be absorbed beyond her level, does that mean... she can try a higher age for her Third Soul Ring?"
Toji casually replied, "Theoretically, as long as the training is up to par, absorbing the Third Soul Ring for ten thousand years is not impossible."
"Ten thousand years?!" Upon hearing this, Xiao Hongchen finally couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
A sharp light flashed in Jing Hongchen's eyes, as if he could see the future rise of the Hongchen Family. He then continued:
"To express my gratitude, I have decided to present you with a Level 9 Soul Tool produced by the Illustrious Virtue Hall!"
"Choose any type you like, except for Fixed Soul Tool. Those aren't available to the public, you understand."
"I know the rules, Master. It seems this surprise has indeed pleased you. In that case, I won't stand on ceremony." Toji thought for a moment and then said, "I don't ask for anything else, but could you give me a melee-type Soul Tool?"
"Preferably a long-spear type."
Although he gave Di Qiu'er a level eight item, level eight was not the best.
If Di Qiu'er could possess a Level 9 Soul Tool as a weapon, her combat power would naturally increase dramatically.
"A melee Soul Tool, a spear? No problem, I'll go look in the Illustrious Virtue Hall warehouse. Even if I can't find one, I'll make one for you myself." Jing Hongchen laughed heartily, agreeing to Toji's request.
For him, this request was not excessive.
Moreover, attracting such talent is exactly what Jing Hongchen needs most.
Although he is the Crown Prince's man, it doesn't affect him.
"Thank you for your kindness, Master." Toji smiled broadly. "The heavier the better, the greater the power the more perfect, something with wide, sweeping movements is sufficient."
"I just love driving this type of weapon."
"Hehe, leave it to me." Jing Hongchen laughed heartily, continuing to pat Toji's shoulder. "Then, my granddaughter and grandson are now in your care."
Toji nodded. "Master, let me make this clear first: if His Highness the Crown Prince wants to call me back, I'll have to leave. I can't stay here forever."
"Of course, of course. If His Highness the Crown Prince needs you, you can rest assured to go. You are always welcome here."
Jing Hongchen's words had a hidden meaning, subtly hinting at his intention to recruit Toji.
The days that followed were peaceful and uneventful.
During the day, I attend classes at the academy, and in the evenings, I come back to have classes with Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen, in addition to squeezing out some time for my own cultivation.
After six months of regular daily activities, he successfully digested all the energy of heaven and earth absorbed into his body, and was now qualified to break through to level sixty.
The next step is simply to find an opportunity to further break through the limits of life and death, and then one can officially enter the Soul Emperor realm.
As luck would have it, Toji also heard the news of Xu Tianran's assassination while inside the academy.