Yu Xiaogang's sudden question was utterly abrupt. He could not even wait to introduce himself to everyone or exchange a few pleasantries before questioning Shangguan Hong, his manner even bordering on interrogation. There was no other reason: the "Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul Theory" he had authored was the foundation of his standing, the source of his confidence in being revered by countless people as Grandmaster. And soul ring age was the most crucial part of that theory!
Now that Shangguan Hong had personally shattered Yu Xiaogang's theory through his own circumstances, how could he not be anxious?
Thus, it was hardly surprising that he would bluntly question Shangguan Hong about his soul rings.
Shangguan Hong had long anticipated Yu Xiaogang's eagerness. After all, this so-called Grandmaster was exceedingly selfish. Beside them, the Shrek group's expressions varied upon hearing his words. Some looked thoroughly displeased, finding this Grandmaster utterly rude, while others felt a stirring of interest. After all, they were also very curious about how Shangguan Hong had absorbed soul rings beyond his level.
Yet from beginning to end, Tang San was the only one caught in the middle!
He respected his teacher immensely, treating Yu Xiaogang almost like a second father, while Shangguan Hong had rescued him from danger several times. Beyond the debt of saving his life, there was the deep friendship they had built through their everyday interactions. He was one of the few close friends Tang San could truly confide in.
Tang San was terribly afraid that Shangguan Hong and Yu Xiaogang would fall out.
Shangguan Hong looked at Yu Xiaogang, then at Tang San, then at everyone else. He pondered for a moment before breaking into a grin.
"Since you're Tang San's teacher, and you'll also be guiding our cultivation in the future..."
Shangguan Hong stepped forward, then summoned his enormous Golden Spatula. Three soul rings, one yellow and two purple, pulsed beneath his feet as he exuded the presence of a level 38 Soul Elder.
Indeed, he had already absorbed that external soul bone and successfully reached level 38. He was now a genuine high-ranking Soul Elder, and likewise had the highest Soul Power cultivation among the seven members of Shrek!
"Grandmaster Yu is right. My soul rings really are different from other people's!"
Shangguan Hong showed no intention of concealing anything; in this respect, he could even be called open and aboveboard. The other Shrek members, who had spent all this time with him, noticed nothing unusual, but Yu Xiaogang's expression changed instantly. He hurried forward and even crouched down, carefully examining the three soul rings beneath Shangguan Hong's feet.
Others might not understand, but he had spent years immersed in martial soul theory and consulted vast quantities of literature. The quality of soul rings under ten thousand years could not escape his eyes.
"The first soul ring should be at the limit, over 400 years. The second soul ring should be just over a thousand years, but this third soul ring... over 4,000 years?!"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up, and everyone else was startled to hear this! After all, the limit of what a three-ring Soul Elder could withstand was only around 1,700 years. Shangguan Hong's third soul ring far surpassed that supposed limit, and absorbing it was far more difficult than absorbing a thousand-year soul ring for his second soul ring!
Not only had the rest of the Shrek group never seen such a third soul ring, even Ning Rongrong, who came from a distinguished family, had never seen one.
"How exactly did you do this? Is there a secret method?"
Yu Xiaogang stood and grabbed Shangguan Hong's shoulders, his face brimming with excitement. He knew that if he could obtain the secret to absorbing soul rings beyond one's level, the entire continent's balance would change! And whoever made that secret public would naturally become a sage revered by countless Soul Masters.
As for who should make it public, naturally, they would have to choose an outstanding scholar of lofty virtue and prestige, someone with tremendous renown in the Soul Master World.
How could Shangguan Hong not know what Yu Xiaogang was thinking? He sneered inwardly, not just because of Yu Xiaogang, but also because of everyone behind him.
Their friendship did indeed exist, but faced with an enormous benefit that could change their own destinies and even benefit the powers behind them, the other Shrek members had also chosen to remain silent.
Truly, all beneath heaven bustled to and fro for profit!
But Shangguan Hong had already prepared an explanation.
"A secret method? How could something like that possibly exist!"
Without betraying anything, Shangguan Hong pushed Yu Xiaogang's hands away and began brushing off his clothes, seemingly without thinking. To Yu Xiaogang, this small gesture was arrogance; to Tang San, it was displeasure with Yu Xiaogang. But Tang San felt that was only human nature.
After all, who liked being treated that way?
"Grandmaster Yu should know that the limit of the soul rings a Soul Master can withstand is related to the strength of their own body. Likewise, it also depends on the Soul Beast they choose!"
"After all, a hundred-year rabbit and a hundred-year true dragon can't be mentioned in the same breath, even though they both produce hundred-year soul rings."
"And part of the reason I can absorb soul rings beyond my level is that I was born with extraordinary strength, and my body was naturally stronger than an ordinary person's! As for the other reason, that's my martial soul!"
Shangguan Hong spoke confidently and at ease, seemingly casually waving his spatula twice in front of Yu Xiaogang. Its sharp edge nearly touched Yu Xiaogang, and the resulting whistle as it sliced through the air made his expression stiffen.
"My martial soul has no attribute, so it can absorb soul rings produced by any Soul Beast! Moreover, the soul skills it produces are only related to the soul ring's attribute and have little to do with the quality of the Soul Beast!"
"So, for my second soul ring, I chose a thousand-year Desert Flower, and for my third soul ring, I chose a thousand-year Brittle Iron Rat!"
Shangguan Hong's words plunged Yu Xiaogang into thought. Both the Desert Flower and the Brittle Iron Rat were among the lowest of all Soul Beasts. In terms of strength alone, they could not even compare to a Soft Bone Rabbit! They could only serve as food for ordinary Soul Beasts, and only Soul Masters from impoverished families would choose soul rings from these two kinds of Soul Beasts. He had not expected that weak Soul Beasts had their own advantages in being weak.
"So that's it! No wonder Brother Shangguan can absorb soul rings beyond his level!"
Beside them, Oscar scratched his chin and spoke with sudden realization. Most of the others reacted similarly. Even Tang San and Yu Xiaogang could find no fault with it. After all, Shangguan Hong's answer was highly plausible in theory, but the problem was that there was simply no way to verify it. No normal person would choose such weak Soul Beasts for their second and third soul rings.
Yu Xiaogang was somewhat unwilling to accept this. He knew that what Shangguan Hong said might be true, but that would leave him unable to publish a theory capable of changing the continent.
"Brother Shangguan, you really kept us in the dark! So that's how it was!"
Tang San did not let Yu Xiaogang question him further. Laughing heartily, he affectionately slung an arm around Shangguan Hong's shoulders, using what little face he had to get Yu Xiaogang to stop pressing him for the time being.
Looking at his precious disciple, Yu Xiaogang finally sighed. For now, he could find no excuse to continue his interrogation, but if he wanted to verify it, there was still a way!
Wasn't Shangguan Hong close to breaking through to level 40? He would see what Shangguan Hong chose for his fourth soul ring!
If he still chose a weak Soul Beast, that would verify what he had said today. But if...
Yu Xiaogang's eyes shone with wisdom. He would absolutely not give up easily!