"But, Your Majesty..."
"No buts."
Behind him, the Mountain Dragon King's voice transmission echoed in Tang Luochuan's mind, yet he paid it no heed.
"What does a puny Mountain Dragon King know..."
"That was a great suggestion. Don't suggest it again."
Tang Luochuan snorted lightly, walking further away.
If not for the fact that the Mountain Dragon King was truly loyal to him, loyal to him as their sovereign, just that idea alone would have made him want to deal with the other party.
He wasn't into that whole "deceased wife's Soul Ring" thing.
"Luo Chuan, you're back."
Sensing Tang Luochuan's presence, Gu Yue smiled gently, her voice soft.
"What did the Mountain Dragon King say?"
The next moment, she couldn't help but ask curiously.
She really wanted to know what it was that even she, the Silver Dragon King, couldn't be present to hear.
"Him..."
A trace of helplessness flashed in Tang Luochuan's eyes. He really didn't want to bring up the Mountain Dragon King—how could he say the other had suggested he devour Gu Yue?
"Well, earlier he thought my Soul Spirit was too weak and wanted to become my Soul Spirit, but he's just a Dragon Soul..."
"Probably not feasible."
Tang Luochuan quickly came up with an explanation, shaking his head slightly as he spoke.
"A Soul Spirit..."
"It's actually possible."
Hearing Tang Luochuan's words, Gu Yue didn't doubt him. Instead, she pondered seriously before nodding.
"Oh?"
"It's possible?"
Hearing this, Tang Luochuan was stunned. If it really was possible, then with so many Dragon Souls in the Dragon Valley...
Especially the top-tier Soul Spirits led by the Seven Great Dragon Kings—wouldn't they bring immense potential?
"Mhm."
"Based on what I've learned at the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, the creation of Soul Spirits is closely tied to every aspect of a Soul Beast—whether physical or spiritual, with the soul being the most important."
Gu Yue wore a thoughtful expression as she explained, starting from the first generation of Soul Beasts, where initial Soul Spirits were formed through soul contracts.
"The Dragon Souls all retain parts of their souls. Though they lack physical bodies, their cores remain intact, and some might even still contain Soul Power..."
"So it's highly likely to work."
Gu Yue smiled faintly as she spoke.
"This..."
"We can try it later. If it works, I don't know about the other Dragon Souls, but having the Mountain Dragon King as my Soul Spirit would be a huge help."
Tang Luochuan's expression remained calm, deep in thought.
"Seems you're quite concerned about the Mountain Dragon King."
"But if you want a Soul Spirit, you can't just leave all the learning to me at the Spirit Transfer Pagoda. You haven't even accompanied me to headquarters once!"
Gu Yue blinked, speaking earnestly.
"We'll be heading to Shrek City soon, and we'll visit headquarters then. As for learning about Soul Spirits..."
"We can try later. Whether I know how isn't important—we have you, Gu Yue."
Tang Luochuan chuckled, shaking his head.
In truth, if he really learned it...
There might not be much left for Gu Yue to do.
"Such smooth talk..."
"By the way, since you've broken through to Soul King, did you hunt for a Soul Ring on the Star Luo Continent, or did you absorb an Unyielding Soul Spirit?"
Gu Yue huffed lightly before suddenly remembering something, her gaze settling on Tang Luochuan as she asked softly.
She had long sensed that his current cultivation had already surpassed the 50th rank threshold. He wasn't someone who would casually absorb a Soul Spirit, so this fifth Soul Ring…
Was it from a hunted Soul Beast? Or had he absorbed an Indomitable Soul Spirit?
"The Indomitable Soul Spirit was originally prepared for Wu Lin. Of course, I didn't absorb it, but it seems it won't be needed anymore…"
"As for my fifth Soul Ring—"
A smile played on Tang Luochuan's lips as he spoke, simultaneously releasing his Martial Soul. Behind him, five crimson Soul Rings shimmered brilliantly.
Beside him, a more corporeal, majestic chibi-style Mountain Dragon materialized.
"Huh?"
"You enhanced your Soul Spirit's cultivation in Dragon Valley!"
Gu Yue froze for a moment, staring at Tang Luochuan. How could she not realize what had happened? To think Luo Chuan had undergone Spirit Ascension within Dragon Valley!
"Ah…"
"What are you trying to do?"
"Eh~"
"Weren't you the one who got close to me earlier?"
Tang Luochuan blinked, glancing at the flustered girl before him, unable to resist teasing her with a grin.
"No such thing happened! Move away…"
"You must've seen wrong!"
Gu Yue's face flushed instantly as she turned her head aside, her tone evasive.
Her, the mighty Silver Dragon King…
How could she possibly do something like that!
"Oh~"
"Then I suppose I must've imagined it."
Tang Luochuan chuckled lightly in response.
"Eh? Eh?"
"Luo Chuan, what's with that look…"
"..."
The next day.
East Sea Park.
By Tang Luochuan's side stood not just Gu Yue, but also Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Xu Xiaoyan, and the rest of their Zero Class classmates, all gathered together.
"Tomorrow marks the start of the new term."
"How was everyone's training during the break?"
Tang Luochuan's gaze swept over each of them, his voice gentle and warm.
"52nd rank."
Gu Yue wore a faint smile, her eyes lingering solely on Tang Luochuan as she replied coolly.
She had thought this final breakthrough would finally close the gap between them, yet…
She'd fallen just short again!
"Brother and I don't have much to say…"
"Our trip to Star Luo Continent was amazing!"
Tang Wulin couldn't contain his excitement. The journey had been incredibly fruitful—his brother had earned the emperor's recognition and the Dragon Valley Small World, which, by extension, made him the younger brother of a world's ruler!
"Wu Lin, stop talking."
"Going on an adventure with the boss and reaping such rewards—I'm so jealous I could cry."
Xie Xie stared enviously at Tang Wulin, taking a deep breath. Jumping from the 32nd to the 39th rank in one break—was that even fair? Was it?!
"Hehe~"
Tang Wulin grinned. The experiences he'd gained this break were even more incredible than his power boost!
"As for me…"
"I made some progress too."
Beside them, Xu Xiaoyan offered a sweet smile. Though she couldn't compare to Luo Chuan or Gu Yue, she had overcome a minor bottleneck, breaking through to the 36th rank.
So far, aside from Tang Luochuan, Tang Wulin, and Gu Yue, she remained the strongest among them.
"I only leveled up once…"
"Still, they're about on par with us."
Xie Xie's gaze fell on Wang Jinxi and the other two. The four of them were like brothers in hardship, all still at level 35 as Soul Venerables. Such talent wasn't bad by any means...
But in front of their leader, it didn't count for much.
"However..."
"Xiaofeng, you've aged quite a bit over this break. What exactly have you been through?"
As Xie Xie spoke, everyone couldn't help but look toward Wei Xiaofeng. Though only one vacation had passed, he seemed like a completely different person.
"Hmm..."
Even Tang Luochuan was taken aback. The boy was only twelve, yet his face bore the marks of hardship. Surely he hadn't been... indulging in anything?
"Xiaofeng, what happened to you?"
Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi exchanged glances, their faces full of curiosity.
"Don't ask. I visited relatives, and my cousin insisted my skills were too weak and forced me to train..."
"I did gain a level, but..."
"The suffering I endured—I never want to go through that again."
Wei Xiaofeng wore a bitter expression as he spoke helplessly.
"Leader—when you get to Shrek Academy, you've got to avenge me!"
As he said this, he looked imploringly at Tang Luochuan.
"Your sister is going to Shrek Academy too?"
Xu Xiaoyan's eyes gleamed with thought as she caught the key detail, unable to hold back her question.
"Your sister..."
"So she's a girl, then?"
Gu Yue also seemed lost in thought, though no one could guess what was on her mind.
"Haha, enough of that..."
"Focus on breaking through to level 40 soon. I'll give you your first gift as future powerholders."
Tang Luochuan chuckled and shook his head, his expression turning serious. Once everyone was close to becoming Soul Ancestors, he'd see about preparing Dragon Souls for them as their Soul Spirits!
"Huh?"
"Brother Luo Chuan, what kind of gift?"
Xu Xiaoyan's face lit up with anticipation as she asked softly.
"Is it Battle Armor?"
"I'd love to have Battle Armor made by you, Leader!"
Xie Xie blinked eagerly.
"A secret."
Tang Luochuan smiled mysteriously, keeping his voice light.
"..."
Meanwhile, in Shrek Inner Court.
"Na'er, the academy's entrance exams are coming up soon. Luo Chuan and the others should be arriving, right?"
Ye Xinglan sat beneath a massive tree, murmuring softly.
After three years of cultivation, she had now become a Soul Ancestor. Though slightly weaker than Na'er, the gap wasn't large.
After all, aside from the rising star known as the Silver Spear Goddess, she was the only other notable female prodigy in the Inner Court—the Sword Maiden.
"Yes."
Na'er smiled gently beside her, revealing a row of adorable little fangs as she nodded. She too was eagerly awaiting Brother Luo Chuan's arrival.
Once he came, they could spend every day together!
"It's been so long since we last saw Luo Chuan and the others..."
"They're finally coming."
Ye Xinglan couldn't stop smiling, her voice brimming with anticipation.
"Xinglan..."
"Somehow..."
"You seem even more eager to see Brother than I am?"
Na'er blinked, turning her thoughtful gaze toward Ye Xinglan, her cute face tinged with curiosity.
"No, no..."
"I just want to spar with him again, that's all. Just a friendly match."
Ye Xinglan shook her head vigorously, speaking with exaggerated seriousness.
"Is that so?"
"Well, I'll believe you then."
Na'er giggled, quickly dismissing the matter as her eyes sparkled with daydreams.
Brother Luo Chuan...
Hurry up and appear before me!
PS: The long-awaited Shrek Academy arc is about to begin!
As we approach the Shrek Academy storyline, are there any particular characters you're especially fond of? Of course, most of them will be ones I've already introduced in the plot, so let's look forward to it together!
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