More than a month passed quietly.
Ning Tianchen's aura underwent a transformation, and when he opened his eyes, he had successfully broken through to become a Soul King.
Looking back at the spring beneath his feet, he sighed inwardly, "In the future, if I want to rely on the power of this spring to break through again, I'll probably have to dive deep into the water and endure even more violent forces."
The spring was incredibly deep, and at its bottom lay the remains of two divine beasts.
However, it was almost impossible for a human soul master to reach the bottom of the spring.
"Little one, in just over a month, you've relied on your own cultivation to consecutively break through two levels—you're truly a freak," Dugu Bo said with a hint of jealousy.
Back in the day, he had spent a considerable amount of time breaking through to Soul King.
But Ning Tianchen, from the moment he broke through to Soul Ancestor until now becoming a Soul King, had taken just over a year in total.
"I'm simply riding the wave of opportunity. If others had the same chance, they could achieve the same. Without this stroke of luck, it would likely take years to break through to Soul King," Ning Tianchen said humbly, not allowing himself to feel pride.
Without immortal herbs or the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well, he would at most be a low-level Soul Ancestor right now.
Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes slightly. "Still, Soul King is a watershed in a soul master's cultivation. Reaching this level means you've already surpassed more than seventy percent of soul masters. In smaller cities, people would address you as 'Lord Soul King.'"
"From the Soul King stage onward, the speed of your cultivation will slow down significantly. Don't be discouraged—this is normal. When you reach my level, there might come a time when even after cultivating for several years, you won't be able to increase your soul power by a single level."
Ning Tianchen chuckled. "What you're saying, I already know. Old man, how many days are left until the start of the Soul Masters Tournament?"
Dugu Bo had returned to Tiandou City yesterday. He replied, "Ten days remain. Currently, many tourists who've come to watch the tournament have gathered in Tiandou City. The hotels in the city are completely booked."
To ensure the students got adequate rest, many teams chose to rent rooms near the competition venue.
Ning Tianchen wasn't worried about the Seven Treasures team lacking a place to rest. After all, near the Tiandou Grand Spirit Arena, there was a hotel operated by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Tianchen muttered, "Ten days is enough time to hunt for a spirit ring."
"Little one, what type of spirit ring do you need for your fifth spirit ring, and what's the required age?"
"A twenty-thousand-year Tyrant Dragon soul beast would be ideal."
Dugu Bo mentally unfolded a map of the Sunset Forest.
After some searching, he said, "There's no Tyrant Dragon, but there's a twenty-one-thousand-year Giant Claw Dragon. Do you want it?"
Ning Tianchen's fourth spirit ring's age equivalency was akin to other soul masters' fifth spirit rings. Choosing a twenty-thousand-year spirit ring for his fifth spirit ring seemed reasonable.
The Giant Claw Dragon, like the Tyrant Dragon, was a dragon-type soul beast with extremely strong attack power. Dust Heart had chosen this fifth spirit ring to pursue the pinnacle of offensive strength.
Ning Tianchen nodded. "That'll do."
---
Shrek Academy
Today, the training for the Shrek Seven Monsters had ended, and Tang San was called to Yu Xiaogang's office.
"Xiao San, there are ten days left before the competition. How's your current cultivation level?"
"In these past few months, I've broken through two levels. I'm now at level forty-three, and I'm not far from level forty-four. I estimate that I'll break through a few days after the tournament begins," Tang San said earnestly.
Originally, his soul power level was more than five levels lower than Yu Tianheng and Dai Mubai. Now, he was gradually catching up to them.
Of course, the only immortal herb they had found earlier was consumed by him, so his soul power growth naturally exceeded that of others.
"Before the tournament, everyone needs to rest properly. I plan to end the intensive training tomorrow. For the next few days, we'll focus on relaxed training," Yu Xiaogang arranged.
His special training was essentially squeezing out the potential of the soul masters. Prolonging it for too long could inevitably cause physical damage.
Adding medicinal meals to their daily diet had barely sustained them for this long.
But medicinal meals cost money, and Shrek Academy was already struggling financially. A few more days of medicinal meals, and the academy's funds wouldn't be able to hold up.
Moreover, Shrek Academy had placed a "heavy bet" on the team. If they couldn't achieve good results in the Soul Masters Tournament and generate momentum for next year's enrollment, they might really go bankrupt.
"Teacher, while we're improving, our opponents are also progressing. Ning Tianchen has the backing of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the guidance of Dugu Bo, a Title Douluo. His strength might very well be that of a high-level Soul Ancestor. We must train until the last moment—we can't afford any slack," Tang San felt an overwhelming sense of urgency.
Yu Xiaogang placed his hands on Tang San's shoulders and gently advised, "Xiao San, cultivation requires a balance of work and rest. You've all been in a state of constant tension these past days. I'm worried that your bodies won't be able to handle it. So, for your sake and for others, you need to rest when necessary."
Tang San fell silent for a moment, no longer arguing.
Then, he voiced the question that had been weighing on his mind for a long time. "Teacher, based on our past duel experiences, neither Tianheng nor Mubai are a match for Ning Tianchen, let alone the fact that the Seven Treasures team also has Feng Xiaotian. Relying solely on Mubai and the others, they simply can't withstand the attacks of the Seven Treasures team."
"My second martial soul is the Hao Tian Hammer, the number one weapon-type martial soul on the continent. The Seven Kill Sword martial soul ranks below the Hao Tian Hammer. If I cultivate the Hao Tian Hammer martial soul, I'll surely be able to defeat Ning Tianchen."
"Xiao San, are you crazy?!" Yu Xiaogang exclaimed in shock.
Not to mention that they hadn't yet found a method to cultivate dual martial souls. Even the Hao Tian Hammer itself was a forbidden existence.
The Spirit Hall was also one of the organizers of the Soul Masters Tournament. Using the Hao Tian Hammer martial soul in front of them would inevitably lead to Tang San being targeted for assassination.
Moreover, after the Blue Silver Grass martial soul breaks through to level ninety, the soul ring added to the Hao Tian Hammer would start at fifty thousand years or higher. Wouldn't such a Hao Tian Hammer be ridiculously powerful?
"Teacher, this is the result of my careful consideration," Tang San straightened his back and said solemnly.
"Xiao San, don't be reckless." The voice didn't belong to Yu Xiaogang.
"Who's there?!" Yu Xiaogang's gaze sharpened, and he immediately became alert, scanning the surroundings.
This voice sounded familiar to Tang San. He turned abruptly. A black-robed figure had somehow entered Yu Xiaogang's office without notice.
Tang San gazed at the familiar figure, his heart pounding with excitement.
He stared deeply at Tang Hao, his eyes shimmering with complex emotions.
Ever since he went to study at Nuoding Academy, Tang Hao had left him. Eight years had passed since then.
His body trembled slightly, and he took a deep breath. With a loud and resolute voice, he asked, "Father, is that really you?"
"Xiao San, you've suffered a lot these past years," Tang Hao removed his hood and quickly stepped forward, placing his hand on Tang San's forehead.
When he left, Tang San was still a child, but now he was almost as tall as him.
"You've grown much stronger. Good job."
Seeing tears glistening in Tang San's eyes, Tang Hao's tone turned stern. "Xiao San, a man doesn't shed tears easily. Since I've decided to appear, I won't leave again."
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