[「God of Speed」: Stop that scumbag! We still have to put him in his place later!]
"Dai Mubai, don't be in such a rush to leave," Diyi Hong called out. "Per the agreement, you need to witness what's about to happen."
What agreement? The one where he had to watch Zhu Zhuqing get closer and closer to Diyi Hong?
What, now he had to be force-fed dog food too?
But for the sake of growing stronger, he could only grit his teeth and sit back down.
Diyi Hong nodded with satisfaction.
At least this guy honors his bets—not like Tang San, who resorts to coercion and deceit.
Surrounded by fragrant scents and the gentle presence of the ice-cold beauty leaning on him, Diyi Hong felt immensely accomplished.
See? Even the aloof kitten could initiate affection.
"Tang San," Ning Rongrong said politely, "I'd like to sit where you are. Would you mind moving?"
Tang San glanced at Diyi Hong seated beside him and quietly got up to yield the seat.
Once Ning Rongrong sat down—
"Zhuqing, Rongrong," Oscar asked eagerly, "What are your third spirit abilities?"
Zhu Zhuqing didn't respond—she wasn't one to flaunt things.
But Ning Rongrong was a different story.
She cheerfully summoned the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. Three spirit rings rose into the air.
Yellow, yellow—BLACK!!!
The Shrek faculty, students, and even bystanders in the tavern were stunned!
Were their eyes deceiving them?
How could the third spirit ring after two hundred-year rings be black?
They rubbed their eyes and stared hard.
Nope. That was definitely a black ring!!!
"A damn ghost!" Shao Xin exclaimed. "A hundred-year ring followed by a ten-thousand-year one? How did she survive the soul shock?"
Even Tang San, still dazed, asked instinctively—
"Soul shock? What's that?"
Everyone turned to him in surprise.
Even Oscar looked confused. "Isn't your teacher known as a theoretical master? Didn't he tell you that when a ten-thousand-year soul beast dies, its remaining consciousness causes a soul shock during spirit ring absorption?"
Tang San's face turned red with embarrassment.
Huh? That was a thing?
He forced a stiff response: "Maybe my teacher didn't mention it because he thought I was still far from needing ten-thousand-year rings."
"That's basic knowledge," Meng Yiran said with a sharp tongue. "But then again, your half-baked teacher's only level 29. Makes sense he wouldn't know."
Tang San felt like he'd been slapped, yet had no way to strike back.
His confidence in Yu Xiaogang dropped yet again.
"Alright now," Li Yusong tried to mediate. "Rongrong, can you explain this ten-thousand-year spirit ring?"
Ning Rongrong giggled and looked to Diyi Hong.
"Diyi, you explain it."
"What's there to explain?" Diyi Hong said lazily without looking up. "If your body's strong enough, you can absorb it. Simple as that."
That was like saying "you eat when you're hungry"—pure nonsense.
But since Diyi Hong didn't want to say more, no one dared press the issue.
They turned to Zhu Zhuqing…
Who was focused on her food and wouldn't spare anyone a glance.
Although she didn't need to eat while in the divine realm, her physical body was still starving.
Everyone turned their hopeful gazes back to Ning Rongrong.
She smiled playfully and said nothing.
—Diyi Hong didn't want to reveal the god-bestowed spirit ring, so of course she wouldn't spill.
In fact, this shared little secret made her feel special.
Well… maybe only three people knew, but still—it was something.
"Fine, but you can at least tell us the ability, right?" Li Yusong said helplessly. "Rongrong's spirit abilities are always fixed, but Zhuqing—"
"Not anymore!" Ning Rongrong interrupted proudly. "After evolving into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, I can now choose what attribute to boost. This time, I chose to increase attack power by 40%."
"Forty percent attack power?!" Meng Yiran exclaimed. "If I'd had that boost yesterday, I could've shattered his hammer!"
"Hmph! So what?" Xiao Wu snapped. "My brother could've flattened you with a single strike!"
The two girls glared at each other, sparks flying.
Li Yusong subtly shifted to stand between them.
"What about Zhuqing's ability?"
"Mark enemies, damage boost, high-speed movement," Zhu Zhuqing said concisely.
Didn't sound that impressive…
Not nearly as exciting as 40% attack boost.
Dai Mubai looked doubtful.
"Zhuqing, that's way too vague," Ning Rongrong said. "The last part—'high-speed movement'—can actually teleport her directly next to her target!"
Teleportation?! Everyone was stunned!
That kind of space ability was broken—a dream skill for agility-type attackers and a nightmare for enemies!
Even support-type Oscar was shaking in his boots.
Dai Mubai was silent.
Even as a power-type attacker, he wanted that!
He couldn't help asking, "What are the exact years of your spirit rings?"
Everyone leaned in, eyes full of curiosity.
"Nothing crazy. Mine's only 11,112 years," Ning Rongrong said cheerfully. "Zhuqing's is higher—14,100 years!"
Gasps filled the room!
Even a fraction of her ring's age exceeded 90% of spirit masters' third rings!
Dai Mubai's heart clenched!
—It was 5,000 years more than even his fourth ring!
Li Yusong grimaced. "My sixth ring is only 16,000 years…"
"Mine's just 14,000," Chao Tianxiang, added quietly.
What the hell! Lower than Zhu Zhuqing's third ring?!
Meng Shu suddenly asked, "Diyi, you must've absorbed your fourth ring too, right? How many years is it?"
Everyone's heartbeat quickened! This guy munched on immortal herbs like candy.
His fourth ring had to be unreal!
Even Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong looked at him with eager curiosity.
Only Xiao Wu stayed calm—after all, he'd already absorbed a 100,000-year ring. What else was impossible?
Diyi Hong gave Meng Shu an approving glance—perfectly timed setup!
Now for the main event!
He turned and extended his left hand in front of Tang San's face.
He summoned the Destruction Scepter—his martial spirit—and let the four spirit rings shine one by one.
Purple, purple, purple—BLACK!
That ridiculous lineup made Tang San's heart clench—not because he was petty, but because he simply couldn't stand being overshadowed.
And this wasn't just a little overshadowed!!!
Diyi Hong gave a helpless shrug—
"My fourth ring's year count is way too high. The skill's consumption is massive."
"If I could've helped it, I'd have preferred something lower."
"But alas, it was the best fit."
Such dramatic teasing.
"So how many years is it exactly?" Tang San asked, suspicious.
He'd already mentally prepared himself—20,000 tops, right?
"Not much. Just 76,000 years," Diyi Hong said with a smile. "One use drains all my soul power. It's rough."
Tang San's eyes went wide!
You said how much?! 76,000 years?!!
You sure you didn't accidentally add a zero?
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong already had ten-thousand-year rings. How could Diyi Hong's be only 7,600?
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