With Dugu Yan's soul ring resolved, the group finally had definitive proof that soul rings could indeed be absorbed beyond the traditional level limits. While the specific mechanics remained somewhat mysterious to the observers, Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan—the ones who had personally undergone the experience—now possessed a crystal-clear understanding of the process.
In the future, if they could refine and systematize this method, they might even be able to promote the technique across the entire continent. If that day came, they would instantly be revered as the pioneering grandmasters of the Soul Master world.
However, those were thoughts for another time. The group had already set out to find the ninth soul ring for Zuo Yi. This time, the hunting party was smaller; Gu Xuan, Dugu Bo, and Dugu Yan were no longer part of the search.
Since Mi He and Long Wu had successfully secured their ninth rings and become true Titled Douluos, their combined strength—bolstered by the support of Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi—was formidable enough to hunt even a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. To avoid wasting Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan's precious cultivation time, Dugu Bo escorted the two youngsters back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. From there, the couple planned to return to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well for a period of secluded cultivation.
Dugu Bo had also recently neutralized his internal toxins and felt the faint stirrings of a breakthrough. He needed a period of bitter cultivation himself, so the three separated from the main group and headed home first.
The target for Zuo Yi's ninth ring was specific: a high-tier avian soul beast, preferably one emphasizing speed and offensive power. There were many potential candidates, but finding a truly "perfect" match proved difficult.
Time slipped by. Over the next three months, the most suitable beast Zuo Yi encountered was only at eighty-five thousand years. Any ordinary Soul Master would have killed it on the spot to secure their final ring, but Zuo Yi was different. With three Titled Douluos and Ning Fengzhi's Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda backing him, he refused to settle. If his ninth ring didn't reach at least the ninety-thousand-year mark, it would be a shameful waste of the legendary resources currently at his disposal.
As a result, three months later, the main group was still trekking through the forest for Zuo Yi. The entire excursion had now lasted nearly five months. Ning Fengzhi was beginning to worry about the state of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Although Gu Rong remained behind to oversee affairs, five months without news was a long time for a Sect Master. He was anxious to find a top-tier ninth ring for Zuo Yi as quickly as possible so they could return home.
Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Gu Xuan sat cross-legged within the depths of the spring, his body suspended exactly at the intersection of the extreme heat and extreme cold. Soul power circulated through his veins, and the two dragon-pattern marks on the backs of his hands pulsed with a steady, rhythmic light.
This was a unique cultivation method Gu Xuan had discovered after many trials. By utilizing the dragon marks, he could refine the terrifying primordial energy within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to temper his physique and boost his soul power. This didn't just maintain his speed; it accelerated it significantly. As long as he cultivated here, both his soul power and his physical strength improved at a staggering rate.
While he couldn't communicate directly with the spirits of the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings, Gu Xuan suspected the two ancient beings had long since begun laying a path for him. Ever since he had met them and received their marks, they seemed to be clearing the way for his growth. The efficiency of his current training was the best proof. He wasn't worried about "draining" the spring either, as its energy was anchored by the core essence of the Dragon Kings' skeletons.
Three months of this intense refinement had pushed Gu Xuan's soul power to the peak of Rank 38. He was now just a single step away from Rank 39. His cultivation speed was, by all accounts, monstrous.
However, Gu Xuan also realized he couldn't stay submerged in the spring indefinitely. The rapid improvement of his physical attributes required a period of adaptation. He needed time to fully master his enhanced strength; otherwise, he would end up in a state where his body was powerful, but his coordination and control couldn't keep up.
Refusing to let such a flaw develop, Gu Xuan decided to pause his seclusion once he hit the peak of Rank 38. He and Dugu Yan prepared to return to the academy, as the new semester at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was about to begin.
Gu Xuan had not prepared any Immortal Herbs for his other teammates. Those students belonged to different families and factions, and as of now, they had no path to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Immortal Herbs were strategic resources of the highest order; Gu Xuan wasn't about to hand them over to outsiders, no matter how good their relationship as classmates might be. He wasn't interested in one-sided charity.
However, he did use several ten-thousand-year medicinal plants and spiritual herbs—capable of purifying soul power and strengthening the body—to refine a batch of Mixed Yuan Pills for them. This was his way of nurturing them. Even if they didn't join the clan, they were allies. Maintaining those bonds and ensuring they remained a powerful auxiliary force for the future was a worthwhile investment.
Of course, no matter how much they improved, they could never rival the core group that had consumed true Immortal Herbs. Gu Xuan still held several high-level herbs in reserve; once he found the right candidates, he could instantly create geniuses capable of following in his footsteps.
Currently, Gu Xuan had already selected two such candidates within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. He intended for these two to be part of his permanent inner circle, much like the original "Shrek Seven Devils." Gu Xuan didn't want to reach the final peak with only Dugu Yan by his side; even in the Divine Realm, there was political maneuvering and conflict. Having a loyal, powerful team was the only way to ensure their position.
The two he had chosen were currently thirteen and ten years old, respectively.
Their Martial Souls were the Wind God's Wings and the Man-Faced Demon Spider. The thirteen-year-old was Zuo Yi's grandson, Zuo Yan. Three months ago, Zuo Yan was a Rank 28 Soul Grandmaster. Gu Xuan had given him an Immortal Herb called the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. After consuming it, Zuo Yan's soul power skyrocketed.
The medicinal energy had been so vast that even after absorbing his third soul ring, his level jumped straight to Rank 36. More importantly, his Martial Soul evolved. It went from the pure wind-attribute Wind God's Wings to the wind-and-fire dual-attribute Phoenix Divine Wings. While they were still a pair of wings, their grade now far exceeded that of his grandfather's. This evolution laid the foundation for Zuo Yan to eventually challenge for a godhood; as long as he could keep pace with Gu Xuan, his future was limitless.
The girl with the Man-Faced Demon Spider Martial Soul was named Li Li. She was ten years old and had been at Rank 22. Gu Xuan gave her a very special Immortal Herb called the Withered Bone Corrosive Poison Vine. After consuming it, her soul power jumped seven ranks to Rank 29, and her soul skills underwent a mutation that significantly boosted her lethality.
These two were now the official foundation of Gu Xuan's personal team. Including Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan, the small group was taking shape. With Dugu Yan and Li Li for control, Gu Xuan for power, Ning Rongrong for support, and Zuo Yan for agility, a versatile and balanced team was ready.
Based on this, Gu Xuan wanted to establish a specialized Soul Master Academy exclusive to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. However, since Ning Fengzhi hadn't returned yet, he couldn't finalize the details.
The goal of the academy wasn't just to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, but to create a pipeline for attracting and absorbing fresh talent into the clan. In the original story, Shrek Academy's fame exploded after they defeated the Spirit Hall team; Gu Xuan understood the power of prestige.
For now, it was just a plan, waiting for the Sect Master's return to put it into motion.
(End of Chapter)
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