Shrek Academy, Sea God's Island, Sea God Pavilion.
Elder Mu lay peacefully on the reclining chair.
In just under two years, his life force had nearly reached its end. The rapid loss of vitality had caused all his hair to fall out, and his entire body exuded the aura of impending death.
It was hard to imagine that this frail, dying old man was the current strongest expert of Shrek Academy, the Ultimate Douluo, Dragon God Douluo Mu En.
Waiting silently by Elder Mu's side were the four deans of Shrek Academy: Yan Shaozhe, Cai Mei'er, Xian Lin'er, and Qian Duoduo.
Thanks to the flourishing development of the Soul Tool Department and their own improvements in state of mind, both Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo had broken through to level 95 Super Douluo. Cai Mei'er's cultivation was slightly lower, at level 94.
Three Super Douluos and one Titled Douluo on the continent, these four undoubtedly held pivotal status. Yet in front of Elder Mu, their eyes were filled with deep affection, reverence, and sorrow.
Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo could barely keep their emotions in check, while Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er were sobbing uncontrollably.
"I have lingered in this world for over two hundred years, far longer than most humans. Shaozhe, Lin'er, Mei'er, Duoduo, there is no need to grieve for me. A person's lifespan will eventually come to an end. Nearly my entire life has been spent in the academy. To have guarded the academy for over two hundred years and watched generations of children like you grow up has already been a splendid life," Elder Mu said with a gentle smile as he looked at the four of them.
"Watching all of you, Le Xuan, the gradually maturing Tianhuang, and every student of Shrek Academy, even if I depart now, I can rest in peace. Very well, you may leave first. There are some matters I still need to discuss privately with Xuanzi and Tianhuang."
"Teacher!"
The more Elder Mu spoke this way, the harder Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er cried. These renowned Titled Douluo-level powerhouses were at this moment crying like little girls, unable to stop their tears.
Qian Duoduo took a deep breath and placed his right hand comfortingly on Xian Lin'er's shoulder.
Yan Shaozhe's body trembled. Elder Mu's life force would be completely exhausted within the next few days. Although he wanted nothing more than to stay by Elder Mu's side and accompany him through his final moments, since Elder Mu had spoken, he could only comply.
"Yes, Teacher."
Yan Shaozhe respectfully bowed to Elder Mu, then turned to face Cai Mei'er, Qian Duoduo, and Xian Lin'er. Their eyes met; no words were needed. Cai Mei'er and the others followed Yan Shaozhe's example and bowed deeply to Elder Mu before turning and leaving with sorrowful expressions.
Not long after the four had left the first-floor hall of the Sea God Pavilion, a bright earth-yellow light streaking across the sky landed on the open space in front of the pavilion.
It was Elder Xuan returning with Xu Zihuang.
With Elder Xuan's heaven-defying cultivation, the round trip had taken only four hours.
"Come in," Elder Mu's gentle voice rang in their ears. Xu Zihuang silently followed Elder Xuan into the Sea God Pavilion.
Upon seeing the extremely aged Elder Mu, Xu Zihuang's expression changed slightly.
"Elder Mu, you—"
Before he could finish, Elder Mu stretched out his thin right hand and stopped him.
"Child, come here."
Xu Zihuang did not dare delay and quickly stepped forward, supporting Elder Mu's right wrist with both hands.
Elder Mu looked at Xu Zihuang with only kindness and warmth in his eyes.
"Good child, I have seen all the contributions you have made for the academy. To have been able to teach you in my later years is the greatest pride of my life. Now that I am about to depart, allow me to give you a few final gifts."
An extreme surge of heat flowed from Elder Mu's palm into Xu Zihuang's body. Xu Zihuang's vision turned golden as an intimately familiar bloodline aura bloomed within him, even stirring his second martial soul, the Purple Brilliance Thunder Prison Dragon. This came from the connection between his and Elder Mu's martial souls and bloodlines.
As descendants of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan, their bloodlines shared the same origin.
The heat coursed through Xu Zihuang's entire body, his limbs and bones. When the golden light in his eyes faded, his soul power instantly broke through to rank 60. Moreover, the soul power was extremely solid, showing no signs of instability despite being boosted by external force.
This was the power of an Ultimate Douluo. Even at the end of his life, he could still mobilize the purest, most primal soul power from his soul core in an instant to allow Xu Zihuang to achieve a natural breakthrough.
Not only that under the cleansing and refinement of Elder Mu's primal soul power, Xu Zihuang's own soul power also became even more condensed.
Mobilizing this power caused Elder Mu's complexion to grow much paler, but his eyes were filled with gratification.
"Child, your talent is even greater than I imagined. With your current physical strength, I can rest assured letting you fuse with them."
With a flash of golden light, a silver rhombus-shaped crystal and a small silver skull bone appeared before Elder Mu.
Dense, profound, and gorgeous silver patterns covered the skull bone patterns that Xu Zihuang found extremely familiar. The 50,000-year Evil Eyed Tyrant that had become his fifth soul ring had possessed exactly these kinds of markings.
Furthermore, the soul power fluctuations and spiritual aura of this skull were completely restrained, a trait found only in the highest grade of soul bones, just like his Thunderclap Hell Vine right leg bone.
As for the silver rhombus crystal radiating intense soul fluctuations, he was even more familiar with it.
Elder Mu brought the silver skull bone before Xu Zihuang and smiled faintly.
"Child, you should have already recognized them. Both come from a pure spiritual-attribute Evil Eyed Tyrant, and that Evil Eyed Tyrant possessed 100,000 years of cultivation. Complete the fusion with them here bone first, then the ring. I believe it will grant you four very fine soul skills."
The so-called "bone first, then ring" meant absorbing the soul bone before the soul ring. Normally, after killing a soul beast, the soul ring would dissipate within one hour, so the ring was always absorbed first. However, for this pure spiritual-attribute Evil Eyed Tyrant, as long as the silver crystal containing its soul was not destroyed, the soul ring would not appear.
Absorbing the soul bone first would also improve Xu Zihuang's physical condition, making it easier to subsequently absorb a 100,000-year soul ring.
Xu Zihuang stared at the pulsing skull bone before him, momentarily lost in thought. He had not expected that, on the verge of death, Elder Mu would personally go to the Evil Demon Forest to find a 100,000-year pure spiritual-attribute Evil Eyed Tyrant for him.
"Tianhuang, hurry and complete the fusion. Elder Mu still has instructions for you afterward," Elder Xuan urged from the side. He too held extremely high expectations for Xu Zihuang.
Absorbing a 100,000-year soul ring at rank 60 was unprecedented on the current continent. With Xu Zihuang guarding Shrek Academy, the academy's transcendent status on the continent would remain unshaken for at least the next several hundred years.
Once Xu Zihuang matured, even if the Sun Moon Empire launched a war, they would not be as passive as they were now.
A twin martial soul master possessing ultimate attributes and a golden-level second awakening of his innate martial soul once he broke through to Titled Douluo, or even Super Douluo or Ultimate Douluo, how terrifyingly powerful would he become?
Xu Zihuang supported the incalculably valuable 100,000-year skull bone with both hands and nodded solemnly.
"Yes, Elder Xuan."
Elder Mu also gave Xu Zihuang a kind, approving nod.
Without further hesitation, Xu Zihuang sat cross-legged, held the shimmering silver skull bone in both hands, and slowly closed his eyes.
A skull bone from a 100,000-year-old pure spiritual-attribute Evil Eyed Tyrant perfectly matched his needs.
Touching it up close, he could clearly feel the vast soul power and spiritual power contained within.
Unlike fusing soul bones of other parts, skull bones were special; one had to use spiritual power to guide their energy for a perfect fusion.
As threads of Xu Zihuang's tangible-intangible realm spiritual power flowed into the skull bone, the silver light on the bone suddenly intensified. The silver patterns became especially prominent, coming to life as leaping silver tentacles.
Intense silver radiance enveloped the entire first-floor hall of the Sea God Pavilion, slightly distorting the surrounding space. In an instant, it completely enveloped Xu Zihuang, causing his body to emit a mysterious silver glow.
Within the silver radiance, Xu Zihuang felt an icy aura merge into the two spiritual seas at his brow. It was an extremely comfortable energy fluctuation, not pure soul power or spiritual power, but a special energy formed from the perfect fusion of both.
Both of his spiritual seas were thus covered in a layer of silver light.
His spiritual seas rapidly expanded and sublimated, while the soul power in his body was also drawn into circulation.
The awakened Million-Year Dream Iceworm was overjoyed in his mind.
"A 100,000-year pure spiritual-attribute Evil Eyed Tyrant skull bone?! These two old men are truly generous."
With the enhancement from this 100,000-year skull bone, it would soon be able to continue unsealing itself and complete the fusion of its origin spiritual power with Xu Zihuang.
However, to avoid exposure, it did not act out of line. It merely mobilized and organized every strand of energy from the skull bone within the spiritual sea to ensure Xu Zihuang could absorb it all.
What Xu Zihuang did not know was that while he was immersed in fusing with the skull bone, the silver rhombus crystal before Elder Mu began flashing violently. Dense soul fluctuations emanated from it, and an extremely resentful, frantic voice filled with boundless hatred rang out.
"You humans dare to fuse with my soul bone?! He's dead! Dead! My father will avenge me! He will avenge me!"
Indeed, the 100,000-year pure spiritual-attribute Evil Eyed Tyrant that Elder Mu had hunted in the Evil Demon Forest was none other than the youngest son of the Evil Emperor. Elder Xuan had accompanied Elder Mu on that trip.
Although a 100,000-year pure spiritual-attribute Evil Eyed Tyrant could rival ordinary Super Douluos with its strange and powerful spiritual soul skills, it was still insufficient against Elder Mu and Elder Xuan.
Originally, this 100,000-year Evil Eyed Tyrant had harbored a sliver of hope, but the moment Xu Zihuang began guiding the power of its soul bone and started the fusion, it knew its final hope was shattered.
"Shut your mouth," Elder Xuan barked coldly. His vast soul power instantly suppressed the soul power of the 100,000-year Evil Eyed Tyrant completely.
Influenced by the continuous icy aura, Xu Zihuang's tangible-intangible spiritual power grew at an astonishing speed, steadily advancing toward the tangible-substantial realm.
The original spiritual power of this 100,000-year Evil Eyed Tyrant had already reached the tangible-substantial level. This skull bone contained the essence of its lifetime power. The moment Xu Zihuang completed the fusion, he would likely formally step into the tangible-substantial realm.
Elder Mu and Elder Xuan quietly observed Xu Zihuang's condition.
Time passed minute by minute. The moon set and the sun rose. At dusk the following day, Xu Zihuang suddenly opened his eyes uncontrollably.
The silver skull bone that had been hovering above his head had turned into an illusion and silently merged into his skull.
Two clusters of silver flames seemed to ignite in his deep purple eyes, and then his Golden Eyes martial soul instinctively released. His gold-and-silver eyes appeared extraordinarily divine.
Only after a few moments did they slowly retract. With his unprecedentedly deep foundation and the assistance of the Million-Year Dream Iceworm, he had fused the 100,000-year pure spiritual-attribute Evil Eyed Tyrant skull bone in just one day.
However, Xu Zihuang had no time to experience the changes brought by the elevation of his spiritual power realm or the two 100,000-year soul skills he obtained, because Elder Mu had already handed him the silver rhombus crystal.
"With the enhancement from that 100,000-year soul bone, absorbing its soul ring should no longer be a problem for your body. But Tianhuang, you must remember: during the fusion process, you must firmly guard your mind and maintain clear consciousness. Carefully feel the insights gained while absorbing a 100,000-year soul ring. For any soul master who reaches rank 90, successfully absorbing one 100,000-year soul ring means there will be no bottlenecks on the path to rank 95. This special property lies within the 100,000-year soul ring itself. This Evil Eyed Tyrant is of pure spiritual attribute and perfectly matches you. The insights it contains will make your future cultivation path much smoother."
Noticing Elder Mu's increasingly poor condition, Xu Zihuang could not help asking, "Elder Mu, your body?"
"Rest assured, good child. I know my own condition," Elder Mu said, revealing a heartfelt smile at the genuine concern in Xu Zihuang's eyes.
Elder Xuan sighed. "Tianhuang, do not let down Elder Mu's heartfelt intentions."
Xu Zihuang no longer hesitated. He gripped the silver rhombus crystal in his palm. Black-purple thunder light surged in his hand, instantly extinguishing all remaining soul aura of the 100,000-year Evil Eyed Tyrant.
"Ah, human, my father will never forgive you!"
At the same time resounded the 100,000-year Evil Eyed Tyrant's shrill, venomous wail.
The silver airflow dissolved within the thunder light. After the silver crystal melted, a circle of blood-red soul ring bloomed, demonic and oppressive. The thick, violent soul power made the air itself feel viscous.
Xu Zihuang, seated cross-legged once more, began using his soul power to guide and complete the fusion of his sixth soul ring in life.
A 100,000-year sixth soul ring!
As the blood-red soul ring entered his body, Xu Zihuang's entire body shook violently. An extremely powerful, domineering spiritual will filled with unwillingness and terrifying, destructive intent rushed into his spiritual seas, as if trying to tear them apart completely.
However, after fusing with the skull bone, his spiritual power had reached the tangible-substantial realm, the same level as the 100,000-year Evil Eyed Tyrant. How could his will possibly be destroyed by it?
After a period of deadlock, Xu Zihuang ultimately gained the upper hand.
After all, what remained of the 100,000-year Evil Eyed Tyrant was only some residual soul resentment. Meanwhile, he had the support of two spiritual seas and the Million-Year Dream Iceworm as a safeguard.
Blood-red light flickered across his body. Like a whale swallowing the sea, his body absorbed the energy within the soul ring. With his current physical condition, he did not even need the Million-Year Dream Iceworm to seal the ring's power; he could complete the fusion on his own.
Nevertheless, digesting it clearly took far longer than fusing the soul bone. The energy contained within a 100,000-year soul ring was simply too enormous.
It took a full three days and three nights before the radiance of the blood-red 100,000-year soul ring completely subsided.
Purple! Purple! Purple! Black! Black! Red!
Six bizarre and awe-inspiring soul rings rhythmically pulsed around Xu Zihuang, especially the outermost blood-red ring, which was almost suffocating.
The pressure he now exuded was enough to rival that of a Soul Douluo.
Xu Zihuang did not awaken but instead fell into a mysterious state of enlightenment.
In this state, his right hand slowly rose, and brilliant golden soul power flowed from it.
The instant Elder Mu and Elder Xuan noticed the abnormality, the soul power in Xu Zihuang's palm grew greater and greater, floating in mid-air and spinning rapidly. The entire Sea God Pavilion formed from the Golden Tree emitted a faint golden light. Above the pavilion, heaven-and-earth origin energy actually condensed into near-substantial vitality clouds that gathered toward the Golden Tree.
The soul power spun faster and faster, then began compressing, becoming increasingly viscous, turning solid.
In the next moment, it transformed into a funnel-shaped mass of brilliant golden solid soul power. Black space cracks flickered within it. This solid soul power was clearly devouring the power of space from those cracks.
The sudden and unbelievable change left both elders stunned. Xu Zihuang was condensing a soul core, and in such a short time, he had already formed the prototype of an attributed solid soul core.
This was insane! Even Super Douluo-level experts wouldn't dare do this.
That was the first thought that flashed through Elder Xuan's mind.
Even a heaven-defying genius like Elder Mu had been extremely cautious when breaking through to Titled Douluo and condensing his soul core.
"This brat really knows how to give people heart attacks," Elder Xuan grumbled angrily under his breath.
He wasn't angry that Xu Zihuang was attempting to condense a soul core.
He was angry because Xu Zihuang was too reckless, solidifying soul power at such speed was practically gambling with his life.
But in the next moment, Elder Xuan's expression changed drastically, shock filling his heart.
Although the soul core prototype Xu Zihuang was forming was devouring more and more space power, causing the space cracks to grow larger and larger, it remained perfectly stable, showing no signs of collapse.
He was about to pass the most dangerous phase.
"This is—"
"This is mastery over the power of space," Elder Mu, whose face was deathly pale, stated the fact that Elder Xuan could scarcely believe. His deep blue eyes shone extremely bright, filled with hope for Shrek Academy's future.
"Space attribute indeed. This child's Golden Eyes martial soul innately possesses both time and space attributes. He is truly favored by the heavens."
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