Chapter 144: The Star Dou Forest Soul Hunt

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Li Luochen was unaware of the events unfolding between Ning Rongrong and Ning Fengzhi at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. He had urgent matters to attend to.

That's right! He and Dugu Yan were about to hunt for their eighth soul rings. You Tianshang had returned after successfully absorbing a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone, bringing his cultivation to level ninety-three.

According to You Tianshang, he already possessed five soul bones—two from his seventh and eighth soul rings, and three inherited from his family. The last one was a torso bone.

The Sky Lord, a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, had dropped a torso bone. To ensure his great-nephew's future achievements, Qing Luan Douluo gave this spirit bone to You Tianshang. After absorbing the soul ring, You Tianshang reached level ninety-two, and absorbing the spirit bone pushed him up another level.

The team assembled to help Li Luochen hunt for soul rings was extraordinarily powerful: a ninety-seven-level Dugu Bo, a ninety-seven-level Qing Luan Douluo, a ninety-six-level Guang Ling Douluo, a ninety-six-level Qian Jun and Jiang Mo Douluo, a ninety-five-level Ba Tian Douluo Long Zhentian, and a ninety-three-level You Tianshang.

This lineup was overwhelmingly strong. The Titan Giant Ape was at level ninety-five, and the Azure Bull Python was slightly stronger, nearing level ninety-seven. However, with two ninety-seven-level Super Douluos in the group, even their strength would be futile.

The only concern was the possibility of the two great soul beasts self-destructing. Hence, Dugu Bo's presence was crucial—his seven-layered mixed poison could corrode the two soul beasts.

However, since the Azure Bull Python was more formidable, they decided to split into two teams. Dugu Bo, along with Qian Jun, Jiang Mo and Li Luochen, would face the Titan Giant Ape, while Qing Luan Douluo, Guang Ling Douluo, Ba Tian Douluo, and You Tianshang would hold off the Azure Bull Python.

Li Luochen believed that with this arrangement, their chances of defeating the two soul beasts were very high. He was confident in his ability to harm hundred-thousand-year soul beasts—while killing them might still be difficult, injuring them was entirely feasible.

Dugu Yan's strength was also sufficient. Although she was only an eighty-level, seven-ring Attack Soul Sage, her power rivaled that of a Title Douluo.

Dugu Yan possessed three hundred-thousand-year spirit bones, and the years of her Azure Dragon Terror Claw were exceptionally high, nearing the hundred-thousand-year tier.

Moreover, her seventh soul ring was also hundred-thousand-year level. Her martial soul true body would be incredibly powerful, and her Golden Radiant Azure Dragon martial soul was a dragon-king-tier martial soul surpassing true dragon bloodlines.

It held a certain bloodline suppression over the Azure Bull Python. With Dugu Yan's presence, they should be able to crush the Azure Bull Python.

"Hahaha, Xiao Li, leave your eighth soul ring to me, Brother! I'm now a Title Douluo, and not just any Title Douluo—I have a hundred-thousand-year soul ring!

My strength is unmatched. And even if I can't handle it, there's still my Granduncle, Fifth Grandfather, Sixth Grandfather, Seventh Grandfather, and Uncle Long. Two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts? No problem!"

You Tianshang patted Li Luochen on the back, his mood elated. At forty years old, he had become a Title Douluo with a hundred-thousand-year soul ring—four years earlier than Tang Hao.

Though the Pope had achieved Title Douluo status in his thirties, Young Miss Qian Renxue would undoubtedly reach it before thirty. Both Li Luochen and Dugu Yan could achieve Title Douluo status by thirty as well.

Thinking about this, You Tianshang couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Back then, his talent surpassed even that of the former Pope, Qian Xunji, setting a new record for the Spirit Hall. But simply being better than Tang Hao, that brute, made him happy enough.

After all, he was of the same generation as Tang Hao. Comparing himself to others like him would only bring frustration.

"Then I thank you, Brother You, and all the Offering Masters," Li Luochen said with a deep bow and clasped fists.

Qing Luan: "Hmm."

Guang Ling: "Oh, no need to thank us. Nurturing the younger generation of the Spirit Hall is my duty. And besides… heheh."

Guang Ling Douluo wiped his nose, looking rather smug.

Li Luochen wanted to retort. Guang Ling Douluo looked younger than him, yet he carried himself like an elder—it didn't quite fit.

Qian Jun: "You're my disciple, so of course I'll come to help."

Jiang Mo Douluo casually draped an arm over Li Luochen's shoulder, speaking with a carefree demeanor.

"Hahaha, Brother's absolutely right, Xiao Chen. You're our hidden Holy Son of the Spirit Hall. Hunting for soul rings is naturally something we old folks will assist with.

And I heard you've already won over Xue'er, hehe. The Great Offering really wants to meet you. Becoming his granddaughter's husband isn't easy—you'll need to pass a test. When the Great Offering found out, his face turned black immediately. Hey, hey! Why are you covering my mouth, Brother?"

Qian Jun Douluo quickly clamped his hand over Jiang Mo Douluo's mouth. This foolish younger brother dared to say anything—he clearly wasn't afraid of getting beaten.

Ba Tian Douluo: "Oh, so there's such a thing? The Young Miss has already been taken by this guy? I didn't know that. Interesting, very interesting. I remember the Young Miss is the Pope's daughter. Hmm, fascinating. There'll be plenty of entertainment in the future. Haha, anyway, I still have some time before reaching level ninety-six—I can't miss out on the fun."

"Oh~ Xiao Li, impressive! You've already taken down Little Xue? Hahaha, cough, cough—I shouldn't laugh. Tell Brother how you and Little Xue got together. Weren't you two superior and subordinate? Ouch! Why did you hit me, Granduncle!"

Before You Tianshang could continue prying, he was abruptly struck on the head by Qing Luan Douluo, leaving with a large bump. However, he gave Li Luochen a knowing glance—they'd talk later.

Dugu Yan overheard the Offerings' chatter. They clearly didn't treat her as an outsider, though she and Qian Renxue referred to each other as sisters. Still, she felt a bit irritated. Thinking about how Li Luochen had overwhelmed her two days ago, she grew even angrier. She had been utterly defeated again—it was embarrassing!

The relationship between Li Luochen and Qian Renxue was known to all the Offerings. Though it was somewhat uncomfortable to see their little princess, whom they had watched grow up, claimed by an outsider, they were relieved that Li Luochen belonged to the Spirit Hall and possessed exceptional talent.

Not only had he helped the Young Miss further her plan to seize control of the nation, but he had also elevated her soul master cultivation to new heights. Her seventh soul ring was hundred-thousand-year level—an achievement none of them could even dream of.

Even the invincible Tang Chen only had one hundred-thousand-year soul ring. The Great Offering and the Leader of Sea God Island each had one as well.

If Qian Renxue's seventh soul ring was hundred-thousand-year level, then her subsequent soul rings should ideally also be hundred-thousand-year level.

After a brief exchange, the group set off toward the Great Star Forest. This expedition included seven Title Douluos, all with overall strength exceeding level ninety-five.

Although You Tianshang was only at level ninety-three, he possessed a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. The boost from his hundred-thousand-year soul ring and spirit bones greatly enhanced his combat power, rivaling a level ninety-six Super Douluo. Moreover, his mastery of extreme wind made him not only astonishingly fast but also imbued with the ferocity of the wind.

Two hours after Li Luochen and the others left…

Ning Fengzhi arrived at Shrek Academy with Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Ning Rongrong.

Not long after…

"Is that so? Principal Flender, your academy's Director Li Luochen has gone to the Great Star Forest to hunt for soul rings? Truly remarkable for someone so young—becoming a Soul Sage before twenty?

Please inform Director Li that Ning agrees to further our business dealings. By the way, my daughter will return to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to cultivate. She still has a month of vacation left. Once Director Li returns, she'll resume her training.

With that, I take my leave."

Ning Fengzhi spoke lightly, exuding a refreshing and pleasant demeanor.

"Very well, Lord Ning. I won't see you off. We welcome you to visit Shrek Academy again," Flender stood up and bowed respectfully to Ning Fengzhi.

"Hehe, certainly. Then I bid you farewell." Ning Fengzhi nodded and returned the gesture.

Flender's cultivation had reached level eighty-six, making him an extremely formidable figure among the directors of advanced spirit master academies. Even among his peers, his strength ranked in the top three. Though Flender was already in his fifties, he had the potential to break through to Title Douluo within a decade.

Such a powerful individual commanded Ning Fengzhi's respect. This was the foundation of the Ning family's conduct—polite yet comfortable interactions.

"Sigh, it seems Xiao Chen will continue to surprise me. Before heading out to hunt for soul rings, he reminded me to push forward with breaking through to Title Douluo alongside Erlong.

This young man worked so hard to establish Shrek Academy for me. As the principal, I should support him fully. Though I may no longer be a match for him, the intimidation factor of a Title Douluo far exceeds that of a Soul Douluo.

Ten years? No! Five years! Within five years, I will definitely break through to Title Douluo!"

Flender set a goal for himself—to break through to Title Douluo within five years!

In truth, among Shrek Academy's middle-aged generation, only Flender, Liu Erlong, and Zhao Wuji had the potential to reach Title Douluo.

Flender's cultivation was the highest at level eighty-six, followed by Zhao Wuji at eighty-four, and Liu Erlong at seventy-nine. It wasn't that Liu Erlong lacked talent—she had gotten pregnant midway, given birth to Liu Lan'er, and spent years raising her child, which delayed her cultivation.

Among the three, Liu Erlong had the best talent despite being the youngest. She was several years younger than Flender and Zhao Wuji, currently only thirty-seven. Her potential suggested she could achieve Title Douluo status before fifty-five.

(A/N: Qian Renxue is twenty-two, twenty years younger than Bibi Dong, who is forty-two. Liu Erlong is five years younger than Bi Bi Dong, making her thirty-seven. As for whether Flender and Master pursued younger women, yes, they did. However, in the world of Douluo Continent, girls could bear children at twelve. Encountering a twelve- or thirteen-year-old Liu Erlong was normal.

Tang Hao met the Blue Silver Emperor in his thirties when she appeared eighteen in human form. Tang Xiao was nearly fifty and still pursued women. In this world, a significant age gap between men and women was considered normal.)

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