This novel has been finished on Patreon! I sincerely thank everyone for being part of this journey, as a fan and avid reader, it's a privilege to be able to see the wonderful worlds that others have created. See you in other novels!
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)
I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! It's called Douluo: Martial Soul White Tiger, I Am the White Emperor of Heaven! As always, Patrons will have unrestricted access to all of my stories including futures ones!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Ye Lingling accepted Oscar's sausages and continued her ascent.
The 256th step—how distant it seemed. The pressure beyond the 200th step was immense. Ye Lingling had only ever reached as high as the 180s, and her usual training spot was at the 150th step.
Her rapid spirit power advancement was due to the intense pressure at her position, which accelerated cultivation. However, she was still a support-type healing soul master with relatively weak physical strength.
Fortunately, she possessed two spirit bones; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to reach this far.
Though the Blue Silver King lacked significant combat strength, its life force enhancement was extraordinary. This life force nourished her body, making Ye Lingling's physical condition far superior to other support-type soul masters, despite her lack of direct combat abilities.
It was also thanks to her cultivation in the Ice Fire Yin Yang Eye and her ability to absorb higher-level soul rings—a step ahead now meant staying ahead forever.
With Ning Rongrong's support, Oscar's sausages, and Dugu Yan's domain, Ye Lingling pushed past her limits and reached the 200th step.
Her speed didn't slow down initially, but upon reaching the 201st step, Ye Lingling felt an overwhelming pressure that nearly caused her to lose her footing.
After the 201st step, her climbing pace slowed significantly. Beyond the 200th step, the pressure increased exponentially with each step.
Currently, Ye Lingling was in the true form of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul, benefiting from Dugu Yan's domain's enhancements. Yet, even so, the climb remained strenuous.
Three minutes passed, and Ye Lingling consumed her second Mirror Sausage. By this point, she had reached the 225th step, leaving her just 31 steps away from the finish line.
Dugu Yan could see that Ye Lingling was nearing her limit. Without hesitation, she decided to lend a hand—they were sisters after all.
Dugu Yan scooped Ye Lingling onto her back and contracted her Azure Dragon Domain to shield her. With steady strides, she began ascending toward the 256th step.
For Dugu Yan, anything below the 600th step was trivial, so her ascent was swift.
Ye Lingling felt the immense pressure of the final 31 steps—it was uncomfortable—but most of it was blocked by Dugu Yan and the Azure Dragon Domain, so she endured.
Her torso bone—the 85,000-year-old Blue Silver King Torso Bone—began to take effect. Like wild grass that regenerates endlessly, a surge of vitality flowed from the torso bone into every part of Ye Lingling's body. She felt much better.
Soon, Dugu Yan helped Ye Lingling complete the trial, reaching the 256th step. A voice echoed in Ye Lingling's mind:
[First Trial of the Top-Level Eight Trials—Crossing, Enhanced, the Light of the Sea God—Complete. Spirit power increased by two levels. Soul ring age increased by one thousand years.]
After passing the trial, a golden orb appeared beside her—it was Grand Priestess Bo Saixi, who bestowed Ye Lingling with a divine-bestowed soul ring.
Ye Lingling accepted the divine-bestowed soul ring and began absorbing it at the 256th step.
With a crack, the golden bead shattered, and a dense golden mist poured over Ye Lingling's entire body, enveloping her figure. Only the glowing red octagonal imprint on her forehead remained visible, as striking as ever.
At the moment the golden bead shattered, two halos—one blue and one cyan-green—emerged from Ye Lingling's body.
Both halos spread to a diameter of one meter beneath her before stopping. They radiated a powerful life force—the essence of Ye Lingling's vitality. Among the Shrek team, her life force was truly exceptional.
Having witnessed several others absorb divine-bestowed soul rings, the team had discussed their experiences. These rings didn't cause violent soul tremors like those from dying soul beasts. As long as the body could endure, the soul ring's age could increase significantly.
Ye Lingling possessed two spirit bones, and her physical condition was impeccable. Her Blue Silver King Torso Bone continuously repaired her body, and her seventh soul ring was already 85,000 years old. Why not aim for a 100,000-year soul ring for her eighth?
Seeing Ma Hongjun obtain a 100,000-year soul ring first, her close friend Zhu Zhuqing acquire one at her sixth soul ring, and both Dugu Yan and Qian Renxue possess such rings, Ye Lingling couldn't help but feel envious.
She knew that if she asked, Li Luochen would surely hunt a 100,000-year soul beast for her. But she had her pride. She wanted to earn a 100,000-year soul ring herself—to prove something to Li Luochen.
This divine-bestowed soul ring was the perfect opportunity! Ye Lingling activated her full life attribute, reaching the peak of her vitality, spirit, and energy. She intended to face the challenge of this divine-bestowed soul ring in her best possible state.
The golden glow surrounding Ye Lingling transformed into swirling black halos around her body. Even from a distance, it was clear how immense the spirit power surrounding her was.
But it didn't stop there. The black halos deepened further—darker colors indicated older soul rings. Soon, Ye Lingling's aura turned pitch-black.
Then, a faint crimson hue appeared within the darkness. Though small, it stood out vividly against the black!
Black tinged with red indicated a soul ring age of 90,000 years. As it approached 100,000 years, the crimson hue would grow stronger until it eventually became red tinged with black.
But this wasn't Ye Lingling's limit. She endured, allowing the unfamiliar and overwhelming spirit power to fill her body. Gradually, she absorbed it.
As the crimson glow grew stronger, surpassing the black, the black halos eventually vanished entirely, leaving only a scarlet hue.
The soul ring's age had reached 100,000 years! The scarlet glow began to condense into a single, blazing crimson 100,000-year soul ring. Its immense spirit power surged into Ye Lingling's body.
Each infusion of spirit power caused subtle changes in her body. The pain on her face disappeared, replaced by a calm expression that contrasted sharply with the sweat dripping down her cheeks.
The most dangerous moment had passed. Ye Lingling's efforts bore fruit—a blazing crimson 100,000-year soul ring now surrounded her!
Another student had obtained a 100,000-year soul ring, leaving the rest of the Shrek team feeling a sense of urgency. Even Huang Yuan and Jing Ling, who had just acquired soul rings perfectly suited to their seventh slots, no longer felt joy.
They too thought, "At the very least, our ninth soul rings should be 100,000-year ones. A configuration of two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red rings is something we must aim for."
As top students of Shrek Academy, they couldn't afford to fall behind. Stay sharp!
Meanwhile, Dugu Yan sat beside Ye Lingling at the 256th step. Zhu Zhuqing had already begun her climb to complete the first trial.
Dugu Yan waited patiently for Ye Lingling to finish absorbing her soul ring before continuing her own trial.
------------------------------------------------------
Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow