Tang San flatly refused to believe it.
"Soul Sages can only absorb spirit rings over 50,000 years old—and even then, most can't go beyond 70,000 years!"
"You're just a four-ring Soul Ancestor. Even if you max out at level 50, it's still impossible to absorb a 76,000-year-old fourth ring!"
"You're joking, right?"
"So what's the real age of that spirit ring?"
Diyi Hong chuckled, looking at Tang San like he was watching a clown.
Tang San's face slowly flushed red… then purple… then black!
A true face-changing master!
[["God of Emotion": That felt good again! Hahaha!]]
["God of Phoenix": Tang San is a textbook case of someone who can't stand anyone being better than him.]
[["Nine-Colored Goddess": Let me correct you—it's not that he can't stand it. He's just a hypocrite.]
[["God King of Destruction 002": A 76,000-year fourth ring is a bit insane. The Phoenix God's divine armor definitely played a key role.]
[["God of Speed": Looking back, giving the predecessor that speed cloak wasn't the best choice. Should've gifted a soul bone instead.]
[["God of Phoenix": Don't start, Zhuqing! It's not like you can just send it now, right?]
[["God of Speed": Huh? Fatty's right. Why can't I? I'll send a gift later—streamer, just make sure you receive it for me, okay?]
That recurring mention of "gifting" probably had the Phoenix God on the verge of blowing a fuse.
If it weren't for the matter of "self-awarded prizes," Diyi Hong might've caught on.
He just played dumb and nodded, not taking the bait.
"Hey, Shao Xin," Li Yusong said, "what's the year count of your seventh ring?"
Shao Xin's chubby cheeks sagged.
Seriously? You had to bring that up?
But since everyone was watching, hiding it would seem stingy.
He reluctantly answered:
"Since I'm a food-type soul master, I had to hunt my spirit rings solo—huge pain."
"So my seventh ring is only…"
That's still 22,000 years less than Diyi Hong's fourth ring!
—Most Soul Masters don't even get 20,000 years on their fifth ring!
"Diyi, does your sect or family accept new recruits?" Oscar couldn't help but ask.
Many people looked over expectantly.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were the exceptions.
The former already had Diyi Hong's "mark."
The latter, as the heir to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, obviously couldn't join another sect.
Diyi Hong considered it.
He figured it was a good time to tease the audience a bit with the existence of Wenqing Valley.
He nodded and said, "Yes, we do recruit, but…"
"Diyi!" Oscar howled, "Take me in! I'll work like a dog for you!"
"I'm in too!" Dai Mubai declared seriously. "If I get a chance to reclaim the Star Luo Empire, I promise I'll repay you handsomely!"
That drew a jealous glance from Oscar. Really? Pulling the royal card now?
Still, with his own talent, he had a shot too.
"I guess I already count as yours, right?" Meng Yiran said directly.
If it weren't for Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong flanking Diyi Hong, she might've jumped him already.
Couldn't blame her for not holding back.
76,000-year fourth ring!
His fifth ring might hit 100,000 years!
While true 100,000-year rings were rare, 80k to 90k weren't unheard of.
With divine techniques, spiritual herbs, and mysterious methods—
Title Douluo was basically guaranteed!
Even Xiao Wu was tempted.
But glancing at the motionless Tang San beside her, she hesitated… then sat back down.
She would share the same fate as her brother.
As for Li Yusong and Shao Xin, they didn't react much.
They knew their own limits—this was as far as they could go.
Only Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang wavered.
As a Soul Douluo, if given the right opportunities, he could still reach Title Douluo.
It was very tempting!
But Diyi Hong paid him no mind.
Just a tool, after all.
Instead, he swept his gaze across Dai Mubai and the others, lingering on Tang San.
Don't be fooled by his stillness—his aura was unsteady.
If there were an opportunity, he'd be the Diyi to jump.
The bait was set—time to reel it in.
"Listen up before you get too excited," Diyi Hong announced loudly.
"Yes, we recruit—but there's a test!"
"Even I can't make exceptions."
"Since we're schoolmates, everyone will get a chance to take the test. Even if you don't pass, you might still get an immortal herb or two if you're lucky."
Everyone's eyes lit up!
Especially that last part—even failures could get spirit herbs?
Even Li Yusong and Shao Xin were tempted.
Definitely worth a shot!
Tang San was just as excited.
He noted that Diyi Hong had said "since we're schoolmates, everyone gets a shot"—that had to include him, right?
Seeing the expectant faces of the Shrek students and teachers, Diyi Hong smiled mysteriously.
Then he spoke to the stream:
'God of Emotion, Wenqing Valley's groundwork is laid. The rest is up to you.'
[["God of Emotion": Don't worry, streamer. Almost done!]
[User "God of Emotion" has gifted: [Custom Soul Skill: Mental Scan] ×1]
[["God of Emotion": Been working on this one lately. Once it hits divine rank, I'll sync the upgraded version to you!]
Nice. Well-behaved gods were always appreciated.
Not a waste of his efforts.
He checked the skill.
[Custom Soul Skill – Mental Scan]: Converts soul power into mental energy to scan the surrounding space. Focusing on a point increases range and precision. Detection area expands as power grows!]
Highly versatile, and potentially very effective in special scenarios.
To his surprise, the reward was given as a "cut"—meaning it transferred directly, no learning period required.
A small burst of soul power activated the ability. His massive mental strength surged outward, blanketing half of Star Dou Town in an instant.
And it could still go further.
A flood of information poured into his mind, which he processed with practiced ease.
Humans, inanimate objects, sounds, movements…
All neatly categorized.
No wonder the God King Tang San had picked the God of Emotion—it was indeed a reliable one.
Even forming a little group chat behind the scenes, all just to mess with Tang San.
Not like the Nine-Colored Goddess and her crew—just a bunch of trolls.
Now that the spirit rings were secured, it was time to return.
Everyone had flight capabilities, so they soared back directly.
Oscar and Dai Mubai had to grit their teeth to keep up.
And they even managed to complete the Nine-Colored Goddess's side quest along the way.
By evening, they landed back at Shrek Academy's field, utterly exhausted.
"Why'd we rush back so fast?" Ning Rongrong grumbled. "Good thing I hit level 35, or I really couldn't have kept up."
Everyone was panting and out of breath—no reactions.
With Oscar's level 36 setting the precedent, 35 didn't seem that absurd.
Everyone was used to being surprised now.
"Pfft!" Ning Rongrong sulked. "Zhuqing, what level are you now?"
Ning Rongrong stiffly turned her head.
She was just making small talk!
She and Zhu Zhuqing had both entered the academy at level 27.
That's ten levels in less than a year!
The others were stunned too.
She'd already caught up to Dai Mubai's level.
—Except Dai Mubai was 15. Zhu Zhuqing was only 11!
Diyi Hong wasn't surprised.
Back in the Divine Realm fragment, Ning Rongrong got bored of the monotony and slacked off toward the end.
Zhu Zhuqing, however, trained day in and day out—non-stop.
This was her well-earned reward.
"Alright," Flender said wearily, "Too much happened on this trip. Tomorrow is a day off. Classes resume the day after!"
"Long live the dean!"
"Oscar! Boss Dai! Let's go have some fun tomorrow!"
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