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On his way back to Shrek Academy, Lan Minghua had already begun crafting two advanced defensive soul tools: the Black Armor and the Three Treasure Beads.
For someone like him, who had perfected the Hundred Refinements of the Divine Machine, forging such artifacts was not a difficult task.
Although time was tight, a little over a day was more than enough for him to finish.
He gently rubbed the Azure Bull Python's scale in his hand and muttered with admiration, "Truly worthy of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast's material. With these, the Three Treasure Beads and Black Armor will have enough defense to withstand the attacks of a Titled Douluo."
Originally, he had only intended to create soul tools capable of resisting Contra-level assaults. After all, overprotecting Oscar and the others might hinder their growth.
But considering the unforeseen dangers that could arise during the Soul Master Exchange Tournament, he decided to raise the defense level of the soul tools even higher.
"Forget it—since I'm making them, I'll make them the best." Lan Minghua no longer hesitated, his hands moving faster.
Besides defensive soul tools, he also forged a few offensive ones, just in case.
By the time night fell, Lan Minghua had already returned to Shrek Academy.
Traveling to and from Holy Soul Village and the Star Dou Great Forest within a single day wasn't much of a burden to him.
More importantly, all the defensive soul tools were now complete.
"Let's go see what those kids are up to."
With a faint smile, Lan Minghua's figure flickered, silently appearing where Oscar and the others were training.
At that moment, Oscar, Zhu Zhuqing, and Dugu Yan were diligently cultivating.
Lan Minghua observed from a distance for a while, then nodded in satisfaction.
"Not bad—their soul power has stabilized at the forty-second rank."
Though only Soul Sects, with their ten-thousand-year spirit rings and unique martial techniques, their strength had already far surpassed that of others at the same level.
Even against Soul Kings, they still had the power to fight.
Lan Minghua coughed lightly, drawing their attention.
"Master!" Oscar reacted first, running over with a grin. "Where did you go today? We didn't see you all day."
Lan Minghua gave him a brief glance and said calmly, "Stop training for now and come here. I have something to tell you."
Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan walked over as well. The three stood in a neat row, their eyes fixed on him.
"The day after tomorrow, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will host an engagement banquet for Tang San and Ning Rongrong, as well as hold a Soul Master Exchange Tournament."
Lan Minghua went straight to the point. "I intend to take you to participate. It will be a good opportunity for you to gain experience."
"Tang San and Ning Rongrong?" Oscar froze slightly, a flicker of loss in his eyes, though he quickly returned to normal.
He scratched his head and asked with a smile, "Master, how big is this exchange tournament? What kind of participants will be there?"
Lan Minghua's gaze turned stern. "Don't take it lightly. The contestants will all be under thirty. That means you might face opponents a decade older than you. Their soul power may not be higher, but their combat experience and mastery of soul skills could far exceed yours."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, analyzing calmly. "Age is indeed our disadvantage. Moreover, direct descendants of the Upper Three Sects will likely participate, and they aren't ordinary opponents. Their soul power may have already reached the Soul King level."
Dugu Yan added, "Not only that, but you have past grievances with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, so they may resort to tricks during the tournament. They can't threaten you, Master, but they could target us."
Lan Minghua nodded approvingly. "I'm glad you've thought of these things."
With that, he retrieved the Three Treasure Beads and Black Armor from his Devouring Pouch and handed them respectively to Oscar, Zhu Zhuqing, Meng Yiran, and Dugu Yan.
[T/N: The source text includes Meng Yiran here, despite only mentioning three students being present in the scene.]
"These are the Three Treasure Beads and the Black Armor, both defensive soul tools. The Three Treasure Beads can block three full-force strikes from a Soul Emperor, while the Black Armor can temporarily boost both your attack and defense."
He deliberately concealed their true strength. If they knew these artifacts could withstand blows from a Titled Douluo, they might grow complacent during the tournament.
Such overreliance could ruin them.
Flowers raised in a greenhouse could never compare to the true children of destiny.
As their teacher, Lan Minghua wanted them to dominate their peers using the skills he had taught them, not by leaning on external tools.
Oscar accepted the soul tool, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Thank you, Master! With these, we'll definitely achieve great results in the exchange tournament!"
Lan Minghua smiled faintly. "Don't celebrate too soon. Soul tools are only support—your real strength comes from yourselves. Prepare well. The tournament is in two days."
"Yes, Master!" the three responded in unison.
After leaving them, Lan Minghua frowned and raised his gaze toward a certain point in the sky.
"Just now… was that divine power?" he thought.
With his comprehensive strength nearing Rank 99, his perception was incredibly sharp.
Earlier, when Oscar heard the news of Tang San and Ning Rongrong, his brief moment of dejection had triggered something.
At that precise instant, Lan Minghua sensed a force unlike soul power emanating from an unknown realm.
On the Douluo Continent, the only power beyond soul power was divine power.
Though faint, it could not be ignored.
Based on what he experienced using the Peak Experience Card, the owner of that divine power was not a first-level god or a God King.
"The gods of the God Realm are truly always watching this continent," Lan Minghua sneered inwardly.
He knew well that although the God Realm forbade gods from meddling in the mortal world, such rules meant little to the powerful.
The Sea God, Asura God, and Rakshasa God had already interfered countless times.
As for a god linked to Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and Oscar—and was below a first-level god—there could only be two possibilities.
"The Nine-Colored Goddess or the God of Food?" Lan Minghua's eyes grew cold, his lips curling into a mocking smile. "Hmph, I don't care who you are. If you dare interfere with my disciple's choice, then even if you are a god—I'll kill you to prove a point."
With the Peak Experience Card in his possession, slaying a second-level god would be effortless.
At that very moment, in the God Realm, a somewhat sleazy-looking man suddenly jolted as if struck by a terrifying premonition. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
"What's going on? Could my meddling in the mortal world have been noticed by the Asura God King?"
This man—no, this god—was none other than the God of Food, a second-level deity of the God Realm.
Alarmed, he hurriedly withdrew his divine power.
"Forget it. That boy is a food-type soul master. Even if his fate deviates, in the end, he can only inherit my God of Food position."
The God of Food wasn't foolish enough to offend the Asura God, so he completely retracted his power, no longer daring to interfere in the human world.
When Lan Minghua felt the divine power vanish, he gave a cold snort and retracted his gaze.
"Hmph, at least you know your place. Had you persisted, I wouldn't have minded storming the God Realm itself."
With that thought, he dismissed the matter.
Still, it served as a warning: on this continent, Limit Douluos were not the most powerful beings in existence.
Above one's head, the God Realm was always watching.
Therefore, growing stronger remained his primary mission.
Meanwhile, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the Clear Sky Clan, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Heaven Dou Empire had all made their preparations.
They were laying a trap, waiting for Lan Minghua to walk right into it.
Inside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Tang San stood by a window, his eyes deep and his lips curled in a sinister smile, his expression one of absolute confidence.
"Everything is in place. All that's left is for you to walk into my net. In this play, the role of the protagonist is mine, Tang San's, for the taking!"
(End of Chapter)