When Li Chang'an returned with Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong had already finished absorbing her soul ring. At this moment, the natural nobility she carried had become even more pronounced, so much so that Li Chang'an couldn't help but feel the urge to do something rather improper with her.
Meanwhile, Tang San was still in the process of absorbing his soul ring, his face twisted in pain. Beside him lay the corpse of a Pit Demon Spider Emperor of about seven thousand years in cultivation. After circling around for so long, Tang San had ultimately chosen to absorb this spirit beast. Unfortunately, his fourth soul ring turned out to be only a thousand-year one, not a ten-thousand-year one.
Compared to the Tang San of the original timeline, this Tang San was naturally less threatening. But Li Chang'an would not allow himself to grow careless—after all, Tang San was the chosen of the Divine Realm, and that realm had already been opening countless doors of convenience for him.
Seeing this, Li Chang'an didn't bother with Tang San any further. He found it far more worthwhile to cook food for his girls.
Roughly an hour later, Tang San finally completed his absorption. By then, Li Chang'an and the girls had long since eaten their fill and were lying lazily on the grass, burping contentedly.
Tang San's appearance had changed noticeably. His body had grown taller, his eyes shone with a sharper brilliance—but his aura showed clear signs of exhaustion.
"Alright, Tang San, you're finally done. Take a moment to rest—we'll head back soon." Flender exhaled a long breath of relief.
"Yes, Dean." Tang San obeyed, too drained to even check his fourth soul skill. After a quick meal, he sat cross-legged and began circulating his Mysterious Heaven Skill to restore his strength.
As dean, Flender naturally bore the heaviest responsibility. Beyond the fact that many of the Shrek Seven Devils carried influential backgrounds, he also carried the duty of a teacher—he would not allow any of his students to suffer harm in this dangerous place. Now that everyone had obtained their soul rings, he wanted nothing more than to leave quickly.
Thus, after half a day, once the spirit beasts had dispersed, the group finally set off on their way back.
This mission had been incredibly fruitful: the Shrek Seven Devils' strength had advanced, while Li Chang'an had gained what he wanted with both Liu Erlong and Zhu Zhuqing. Everyone, it seemed, had reaped their own rewards.
As they walked toward the forest's edge, Oscar nudged Tang San with his shoulder and asked with curiosity, "Tang San, what's your fourth soul skill? Let's see it."
Tang San smiled faintly. "It's nothing special. Do you want to see it?"
At this moment, Li Chang'an—walking casually alongside the group—smiled and interjected, "Should be something like a Web Bind, right?"
Tang San froze in surprise before nodding honestly. "Teacher Li, you're right. It is indeed a Web Bind."
Li Chang'an chuckled nonchalantly. "Then go on, show us."
Though Tang San felt an inexplicable sense of pressure around Li Chang'an, he could only nod.
"Alright."
He raised his right hand, and a dark blue light surged from his palm. A stalk of Blue Silver Grass emerged, but unlike before, its color was now pitch black, exuding an oppressive aura.
What drew even more attention, however, was the deep purple fourth soul ring circling around him—a seven-thousand-year-old ring. Ordinarily, that would be astonishing. But when they recalled Li Chang'an's absurd strength, the others couldn't help thinking: So what if it's seven thousand years? Zhu Zhuqing has a ten-thousand-year soul ring.
Without warning, sixteen strands of black Blue Silver Grass shot up from the ground beneath Oscar's feet, weaving together in an instant to form a cage above his head.
Because the technique was unleashed without the slightest fluctuation of soul power, Oscar hadn't even thought of dodging. And given the incredible speed, by the time he realized what was happening, he was already firmly imprisoned.
"This is my fourth soul skill, derived from the Pit Demon Spider Emperor's web prison. Since it's created from Blue Silver Grass, I call it the Blue Silver Prison."
Dai Mubai flicked a strand of the blackened Blue Silver Grass. A metallic clang rang out—under the effect of the soul skill, the normally supple grass had become as hard as steel.
Taking a deep breath, Dai Mubai released his martial soul. White light surged around his fist as he unleashed a heavy punch. With a loud crack, fine fractures appeared on one of the bars of the cage. Only after a second strike did it shatter, dispersing into black light.
Ma Hongjun frowned. "Honestly, it doesn't look that great… It doesn't even seem tougher than your old Web Bind. Tang San, is this really all a seven-thousand-year soul skill can do?"
"Oh, really?" A faint, sly smile appeared in Tang San's eyes. Purple light flashed, and in almost the blink of an eye, black light erupted beneath everyone's feet—everyone except Tang San himself and Yu Xiaogang.
In that instant, Flender, Liu Erlong, Li Chang'an, and Zhao Wuji—despite their formidable strength—were all caught off guard. Eight new Blue Silver Prisons rose around them, trapping each person within.
Even Flender's expression changed as he cried out, shocked: "A group-control skill? That's something only control-type spirit masters above level fifty should be capable of!"
Tang San's eyes gleamed with pride. He, too, had a competitive heart, and being able to ensnare even his teachers gave him a rare moment of satisfaction.
But that pride vanished in the very next instant.
Li Chang'an merely shook his head. His Martial Soul—Ruyi Jingu Bang—appeared in his hand. extending effortlessly through the bars of the cage. Before Tang San could react, its tip pressed firmly against his forehead.
"Tang San, your ambush is decent," Li Chang'an said calmly. "But have you considered that if your opponent has ranged means—or a weapon like mine—they can still strike you inside? Then this Blue Silver Prison becomes less a cage for them, and more a protective barrier for their safety."
With that, Li Chang'an tapped the cudgel lightly against Tang San's forehead before withdrawing it. He spread his hands, and eight small flames appeared in his palms.
Each flame landed precisely atop a cage. In less than three seconds, all eight cages collapsed into nothingness.
The others had just been impressed by Tang San's skill, but now their faces changed again. Tang San himself was left speechless. He hadn't considered that weakness. And Li Chang'an's flames—so terrifying—had destroyed his cages instantly.
Li Chang'an sighed and patted Tang San's shoulder. "Think more carefully next time." With that, he strode ahead.
Just then, the system's voice echoed in his mind:
[Hidden mission complete: Undermine the confidence of the Son of Destiny.
Reward: Soul Ring Rebirth]
Soul Ring Rebirth: the ability to strip a soul ring from a ten-thousand-year beast's holder without harm, restoring the ring's spirit and body.
Li Chang'an blinked. "…Not bad."
_____
T/N:
For readers who would like early access, my Patreon is available for just $4 per month. You'll unlock 90+ advance chapters and help support ongoing works.
🔗 patreon.com/user?u=79514336
You may also search Translator-Sama directly on Patreon.
Your support is sincerely appreciated