Inside the poison formation, the four elders experimented with the Flying God Claw several times. The more they used it, the more they marveled at its ingenious design. Its craftsmanship, materials, and precision impressed them deeply—so much so that Flender and the others were reluctant to part with it. Li Chang'an, however, remained unmoved.
He knew better than anyone that in the future, soul tools would replace Tang Sect hidden weapons. No matter how exquisite the Flying God Claw was, it wasn't enough to stir his excitement. Still, having one around wasn't a bad idea.
At that moment, Flender's sharp eyes gleamed with mischief. In his slightly slurred voice, he said to Tang San:
"Tang San, how about we make a little deal?"
Tang San, always quick to catch on, immediately smiled.
"No problem—anything except the Flying God Claw."
"Eh…" Flender choked on his words, completely shut down by Tang San's direct refusal.
Beside him, Liu Erlong cast him a disdainful glance.
"Shameless. You're a teacher, yet you're trying to snatch a student's treasure? Tang San, how about this—if you help me make one, I'll hunt whichever spirit beast you choose later. Consider it an exchange."
Unlike Flender, Liu Erlong had noticed something subtle: each Flying God Claw was slightly different in size, tailored for its owner. That detail told her that Tang San crafted them individually, not mass-produced.
Flender refused to back down. "Why should you be the only one? Can't I catch a spirit beast too? Tang San, count me in as well! I'm your Teacher's senior brother—you owe me this much face!"
Tang San couldn't help but laugh at their bickering. No wonder they were so insistent—the Flying God Claw wasn't just a weapon, but also a life-saving tool. Lightweight, durable, and disguised as a bracer, it barely added any burden to its wearer. Its practicality spoke for itself.
With no choice, Tang San finally agreed.
"Alright, but making these takes time. Once the Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament is over, I'll make one for each teacher."
As he said this, he glanced at Li Chang'an as well, signaling that he hadn't been forgotten. Li Chang'an lifted his chin slightly in acknowledgment, offering a small smile of thanks. For him, the weapon was little more than a trinket, but it was the thought that counted.
It was then that the group turned their attention to Ning Rongrong's fourth soul ring. Li Chang'an smiled warmly at her.
"Rongrong, your first three abilities boost speed, strength, and soul power. For your fourth, I suggest you focus on defense. That five-thousand-year Unicorn Armoured Beast would be ideal."
Though she had been strengthened by an immortal herb, Ning Rongrong's foundation wasn't yet solid enough for a higher-level soul ring. Five thousand years was already her safe limit.
Everyone followed Li Chang'an's gaze. In the distance was a crocodile-like spirit beast, about five meters long, with four gleaming eyes and limbs as thick as barrels. Its entire body was encased in black armor-like plates, each the size of a palm, radiating durability.
Yu Xiaogang finally spoke up, seizing the chance to display his knowledge.
"The Unicorn Armoured Beast specializes in close combat. Its strength is immense, and with its astonishing defense, it can ignore most attacks from spirit beasts of the same level. Best fight it together."
But when his words fell, even Flender and Liu Erlong turned instinctively toward Li Chang'an. Clearly, in their eyes, his judgment carried far more weight now.
Li Chang'an only shook his head. "I'll handle him."
With that, he stepped forward. The Flying God Claw shot out with a sharp hiss, locking tightly onto the Unicorn Armoured Beast's body. Yet to his surprise, the claw failed to pierce through its armor.
As expected. No wonder it dared to approach the immortal herb. Its defense is truly formidable.
But Li Chang'an wasn't one to back down. The claw retracted, then spun twice in midair before lashing out again. This time, he added the power of his torso bone, doubling the strength in his right arm.
With a piercing crack, the claw ripped through the armored plates and sank into flesh. Before the beast could react, Li Chang'an yanked, flinging it into the air and slamming it into the heart of the poison formation.
"Rongrong, ready your dagger. Strike where my claw pierced it."
He placed one foot firmly on the Unicorn Armoured Beast's body, speaking gently yet firmly.
Ning Rongrong nodded, pulling out her dagger. She stepped forward and thrust the blade into the bloody wound. Li Chang'an followed up with a burst of spiritual pressure, stunning the beast long enough for her strike to land.
Moments later, a deep purple soul ring rose slowly from its body. Ning Rongrong's face lit up with delight.
"Go absorb it," Li Chang'an said softly. "Erlong will guard you. I need to help Zhuqing—hers is a ten-thousand-year spirit beast."
Though reluctant, Ning Rongrong nodded obediently and followed Liu Erlong aside.
Li Chang'an gave a few last instructions to Xiao Wu before turning to Zhu Zhuqing. "Come. With a ten-thousand-year Spirit beast, we must be cautious."
He casually lifted the nearly-dead Phantom Tiger in one hand, carrying it as though it weighed nothing.
Zhu Zhuqing gave Flender and the others a polite bow of apology before following him, somewhat awkwardly, into the woods.
"Ten-thousand-year Spirit beast… Zhuqing's fourth soul ring will be ten-thousand years. Her future will be limitless," Flender murmured with emotion. Then he turned to Tang San.
"Tang San, if you see something you like, Teacher Zhao and I will help you catch it."
Tang San fell silent, deep in thought. Though he longed for a ten-thousand-year soul ring like Zhu Zhuqing's, he knew his body could only withstand one around six thousand years.
'It seems I must adjust my cultivation path.'
Meanwhile, Li Chang'an led Zhu Zhuqing into a secluded area. Somewhere along the way, he had taken her hand. Now, the two of them walked hand in hand through the quiet forest.
"Zhuqing, before you absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring, there's something I must teach you," Li Chang'an said solemnly.
Though their relationship was already established, they had yet to share true intimacy. Thus, Zhu Zhuqing had remained shy along the way. But hearing the seriousness in his tone, she quickly straightened, her gaze focused.
Li Chang'an's expression turned grave as he spoke, each word steady and clear.
"When absorbing a ten-thousand-year soul ring, the greatest danger isn't physical strain—it's soul shock."