The next day, after greeting Meng Shenshou, Yang Yunhai, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, and Dugu Bo returned to the valley.
That night, they quietly left the academy. With Yiner's sensing abilities, slipping past the royal knight regiment was child's play. Of course, this was also thanks to Emperor Xue Ye having withdrawn part of his forces.
The Soul Master Tournament was about to begin, training had already ended, and the need to guard the training grounds had lessened. Besides, those who wanted to sneak a peek couldn't be stopped anyway. As for protecting Yang Yunhai, the one who truly mattered was Dugu Bo.
Moreover, with the tournament drawing near, the capital's population had swelled, and Xue Ye had to reassign soldiers to strengthen the city's defenses.
Evading the scouts, the group headed straight for Sunset Forest, meeting Yue Guan along the way in disguise.
After two days of travel, they reached the forest and began their search.
With two Titled Douluo watching over them, everything went smoothly. Three days later, they finally found the right soul beast: a 13,000 year top-tier agile-type, dark-attribute beast, the Shadow Phantom Cat, known as the Child of Darkness and Messenger of Hell. In terms of bloodline, it was ranked even above the Hell Spirit Cat.
Its speed wasn't much greater, but its offensive power far surpassed it. The reason was that, aside from darkness, it also carried a trace of sharp metallic attribute, fully manifested in its claws.
Because of this, its claw strikes were sharper and more penetrating than those of the Hell Spirit Cat.
Theories in the soul master world suggested the Shadow Phantom Cat was a mutation of the Hell Spirit Cat. Other than slight differences in claw color, they looked nearly identical. But this couldn't be proven — Shadow Phantom Cats were too rare, masters of stealth, nocturnal, with exceptional night vision. They detected enemies from far away, making them nearly impossible to track or hunt.
Very few records of successful hunts existed.
This time, they only succeeded thanks to Yiner's probing ability and Dugu Bo's eighth soul skill for long-range control.
After several hours, Zhu Zhuqing successfully absorbed its soul ring, raising her level to soul rank 43, nearly 44. The four months she'd spent consolidating at rank 40 finally paid off.
Her new skill was extraordinary: Netherworld Possession. It fully strengthened her body — speed, strength, endurance, perception, resistance to abnormal states — by 50%. While it didn't boost soul power directly, it made it denser, significantly enhancing all her soul skills. Especially claw attacks: their force and penetration doubled.
It didn't directly boost spiritual power, but it sharpened concentration and heightened the five senses, greatly increasing resistance to spiritual attacks. This was why it enhanced resistance to abnormal conditions.
A powerful self-amplification skill with surprisingly low soul power consumption. Meaning she could maintain it for a long time.
It completely outclassed the same-name soul skill she had gained in the original novel only at her sixth ring.
Her martial soul's offensive and armor-piercing strength also improved significantly.
This trip had been a huge success — only the lack of a soul bone was regrettable.
Still, Zhu Zhuqing was more than satisfied.
After tidying up, they began their return.
Meanwhile, in Spirit City, Ghost Douluo hurried to the Pope's Palace after receiving Yue Guan's letter.
"Your Holiness, I request leave to go to Heaven Dou City," he said respectfully.
Bibi Dong immediately thought of Yang Yunhai. "Why?"
"Yue Guan reports that Xiao Hai and Zhu Zhuqing have both broken through rank 40 and obtained 10,000 year soul rings," Ghost Douluo replied.
Bibi Dong's face shifted. "Both of them?"
Ghost Douluo nodded. "That soul bone was presented to Zhu Zhuqing in my name as a gift of apprenticeship from Yue Guan."
'No wonder her cultivation caught up, and her body could withstand a 10,000 year soul ring. But her spiritual power…' Bibi Dong's eyes flickered before she smiled. "Congratulations, Elder Ghost, on gaining such a fine disciple. But I am curious — how did Zhu Zhuqing's spiritual power rise enough to endure a 10,000 year soul beast's assault? Did Elder Chrysanthemum mention it?"
"According to him, it was from medicinal baths, high-intensity training to temper her will, and Xiao Hai often stimulating her body with lightning to further hone her endurance," Ghost Douluo answered.
'Two years of that… truly diligent.' Bibi Dong nodded. "Very well. I approve your request. From today, Xiao Hai and Zhu Zhuqing are key protégés of Spirit Hall. You and Elder Chrysanthemum must ensure their safety. Also, I expect Xiao Hai to compile the details of absorbing a soul ring beyond limits and present it to me."
"Yes, Your Holiness." Ghost Douluo bowed and departed, eyes flashing coldly once outside.
Bibi Dong, too, left the hall. Soon after, in another room, quick footsteps echoed.
Hu Liena entered, bowing respectfully. "Teacher."
"Sit," Bibi Dong said warmly.
Hu Liena obeyed.
"Nana, I called you here for important news," Bibi Dong said seriously. "Just now, Elder Chrysanthemum reported that Yang Yunhai and Zhu Zhuqing have both broken through rank 40 and absorbed 10,000 year rings."
Hu Liena was stunned. She knew their ages well.
She also owed Yang Yunhai. If not for his theory of absorbing beyond limits, she, her brother, and Yan wouldn't have received Spirit Hall's full support, breaking into rank 50 and absorbing beyond limits themselves.
"Teacher wants you to defeat him in the Soul Master Tournament — and recruit him." Bibi Dong's eyes gleamed. She didn't expect Yang Yunhai to submit easily, but breaking his edge in battle was the first step.
Hu Liena's face grew solemn. "I will give it my all."
She had read all his information: genius, perseverance, wisdom, courage. He had once defeated Yu Tianheng, an heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, across 8 ranks. Now a Soul Ancestor with a 10,000 year soul ring… even at her current rank 53, she dared not underestimate him.
She had to admit — she admired Yang Yunhai.
Born with 0.5 innate spirit power, proposer and pioneer of beyond-limit soul ring theory, risking his life under lightning to temper his body, evolving his martial soul with rare herbs, earning the Purple Gold badge in the Great Spirit Arena by challenging across realms, and now surpassing even 5,000 years in his soul ring absorption.
She knew the pain and hardship behind it — she herself had only crossed 3,000 years.
Without doubt, Yang Yunhai had endured much.
A man like that was worth respecting.
(End of Chapter)
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