Tang Yin stepped outside the poison array, his gaze fixed on his adoptive father, Tang Hao, who was being relentlessly corroded by poison. A wicked smile played at the corners of his mouth.
He bowed politely toward Tang Hao and said, "Don't worry, Adoptive Father. Soon, your biological son, Tang San, will come to send you off. But before that, allow me, your adopted son, to take care of you first."
With a wave of his hand, the spirit of the Ice Fire Immortal Grass, which resided in his eyes, transformed into two rays of light—one red and one blue—and shot toward Tang Hao, who was trapped within the poison array.
The two rays hovered above Tang Hao, spinning in circles as if they were playing. Moments later, the extreme poisons of ice and fire turned into starlight and began to fall, eroding Tang Hao's soul shield bit by bit.
Tang Yin had not stopped cultivating the Ice Fire Immortal Grass during this time. Now, its power was far greater than when he had left the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
The combined poisons continued to chip away at Tang Hao's defenses, slowly but surely pushing him closer to death. If things continued at this rate, Tang Hao would die within three days.
However, as Tang Hao's adopted son, Tang Yin felt obligated to satisfy his "father's" dying wish—to see Tang San before his final breath, so that Tang San could witness his father's demise and send him off.
Two days passed quietly.
Within the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Tang San was still busy concocting poisons and antidotes, oblivious to the events occurring outside.
Meanwhile, Tang Yin had pushed his adoptive father, Tang Hao, to a state of half-death—neither human nor ghost. Whenever he had time, he would indulge in the blessings of Ah Yin, his adoptive mother, attempting to conceive a child with her.
On the other side.
The Shrek and Heaven Dou Royal Academy teams had finally found a suitable soul beast for Zhu Zhuqing's third soul ring.
"The Shadow Cat is a speed-type soul beast that thrives in darkness. It's extremely fast and is best known for its ability to hide in the shadows to launch assassinations," Liu Erlong explained as she observed the soul beast in front of them.
"Zhuqing, this soul beast is a perfect match for you as a speed-type soul master."
Over the past few days, Liu Erlong had grown fond of Zhu Zhuqing. Their shared strong personalities—and perhaps the fact that both had been "entangled" with Tang Yin—brought them closer, forging an unexpected bond.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "Dean Erlong, I agree. This one is suitable."
With her decision made, everyone sprang into action to hunt the Shadow Cat.
"Netherworld Hundred Claws!" Zhu Zhuqing was the first to attack.
"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda: Second ability—Speed!" Ning Rongrong activated her support ability.
"Blue Scales and Purple Poison!" Dugu Yan controlled the battlefield with her poison.
The teams' coordination had improved significantly over the past two days. Zhu Zhuqing led the charge, supported by Ning Rongrong's speed boost and Dugu Yan's poison control. Ma Hongjun and the others waited for opportunities to strike.
Before long, the Shadow Cat was subdued.
Just as Zhu Zhuqing was about to deliver the final blow to absorb its soul ring, Yu Xiaogang suddenly stepped forward and shouted, "Wait! Zhu Zhuqing, you can't absorb this soul beast!"
Zhu Zhuqing froze in place, confusion on her face. The others turned to look at Yu Xiaogang in surprise.
Yu Xiaogang approached the Shadow Cat, observing it carefully. "This Shadow Cat is approximately 1,900 years old, which exceeds the optimal age for a third soul ring. You cannot absorb it."
"1,900 years?" The group turned to look at the Shadow Cat.
They hadn't examined it too closely earlier and had assumed it was around 1,000 years old. Now, Yu Xiaogang's assessment revealed it was closer to 2,000 years—well above what was considered the optimal age for a third soul ring.
"Master is right. His ten theories clearly state that the ideal third soul ring age is 1,760 years. This Shadow Cat is nearly 2,000 years old. It's clearly inappropriate," Qin Ming added, being a firm believer in Yu Xiaogang's theories.
Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Dugu Yan, and the others glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, feeling that Yu Xiaogang's reasoning seemed sound.
However, Zhu Zhuqing shook her head firmly and looked at Yu Xiaogang. "Master, I still want to absorb this Shadow Cat."
Yu Xiaogang frowned, his tone displeased. "Didn't I just explain? This soul beast has exceeded the optimal age for your third soul ring. This is basic knowledge. Have you forgotten?"
Zhu Zhuqing, undeterred, retorted, "But Master, didn't your disciple Tang San's third soul ring also exceed the so-called optimal age you speak of?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Yu Xiaogang was immediately left speechless.
His theory on the age of a soul master's third soul ring clearly stated that the optimal age for the third soul ring is 1,760 years.
Yet, his disciple, Tang San, was the first to contradict him.
Seeing this, Zhu Zhuqing continued, "I remember Tang Yin once told me, routines only apply to ordinary people."
"It's the same as the conventional 'best years' you mentioned, Master."
"If you want to become powerful, you can't follow the rules. The soul ring age is a rule, so I will break it. Since there is a possibility of success, I will try for that success."
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flashed with determination. She walked straight to the Instant Shadow Cat's body, sat down cross-legged, and began absorbing the soul ring.
The conventional soul ring configuration is generally: yellow, purple, purple, black, black-black, black-black-black, and so on. However, convention is not absolute. The truly powerful individuals often break these norms.
After hearing Zhu Zhuqing's firm words, no one attempted to persuade her otherwise.
Yu Xiaogang's face, however, remained grim, his expression darkening.
As time passed, Zhu Zhuqing, while absorbing the third soul ring, had to endure the overwhelming resentment from the Instant Shadow Cat's death. The terrifying energy was crashing into her body, and her smooth, delicate skin was drenched in sweat mixed with blood.
Soon, her leather jacket was soaked as though it had been submerged in water.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhu Zhuqing reached the limit of her pain, and everyone's expressions grew solemn.
But Zhu Zhuqing was no ordinary person.
Her unwavering determination to grow stronger, along with her firm belief, allowed her to endure the constant assault of resentment. Additionally, having listened to Tang Yin's advice, she had continued to use her soul power to temper her body, strengthening her physique. Now, all that training was paying off.
Soon after, the fluctuations in Zhu Zhuqing's soul power gradually subsided.
Her third soul ring was successfully absorbed.
The moment the absorption was complete, Yu Xiaogang, who had been watching from the side, looked as though he had been slapped in the face once again. His face was extremely grim.
Zhu Zhuqing's success proved that his so-called theory was only suitable for ordinary people. To become strong, breaking the rules was essential.
"Zhuqing, how do you feel?" Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong rushed over to check on her.
"I'm fine."
A smile appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's face.
Tang Yin hadn't lied to her. A truly powerful person must use unwavering belief to break the rules. If she had followed Yu Xiaogang's methods, she would have only become mediocre.
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