Thousand Years of Death

"Two thousand-year soul rings? A Spirit Elder?" Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened in shock before lighting up with excitement. He turned to Tang San and asked, "Little San, is this true?"

Tang San nodded calmly. "Teacher, it's true. He does have two thousand-year soul rings, and his soul power has already reached level thirty-three."

'Did he mention how he managed it? And how did he break through level thirty?'

Yu Xiaogang held back the second question, too embarrassed to voice it aloud, though his face betrayed a mix of eagerness and exhilaration. If he could uncover this method and include it in his Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls, it would undoubtedly shake the entire Spirit Master world, elevating his name, Yu Xiaogang, the great master. Of course, before that, he'd first use it to strengthen his prized disciple, Tang San, and break the bottleneck that had plagued him for decades, pushing him into the Spirit Elder realm. Only after Tang San became a Titled Douluo would he reveal it to the world—no rush there.

Tang San opened his mouth to respond, but at that moment, Ning Tian strolled in leisurely with Ma Hongjun in tow. "Dean, Teacher Zhao," he greeted, his tone cool and measured.

Before Flender or Zhao Wuji could reply, Yu Xiaogang hurried forward, barely containing his enthusiasm. "Ning Tian, I heard you've broken through to Spirit Elder and gained two thousand-year soul rings. Hurry up and summon your martial soul, let me see it!"

"Dean, did you call me here for something?"

Ning Tian ignored Yu Xiaogang entirely, his gaze settling on Flender instead. Just moments ago, he and Ma Hongjun had overheard Yu Xiaogang muttering about him taking drugs with side effects. Ning Tian wasn't about to play nice with someone like that, he didn't even bother hiding his disdain, letting it show openly on his face.

Flender sighed heavily. "You'd better take a look at Mubai. He's… well, it's a mess." With that, he recounted Dai Mubai's less-than-glorious predicament.

At that moment, Dai Mubai was writhing in agony, barely conscious. He didn't even notice Ning Tian's arrival, his teeth clenched tight as he endured the pain.

Ning Tian glanced at the pitiful crater in Dai Mubai's lower regions and couldn't suppress a smirk—one that carried a hint of mockery. "Dean, this isn't poison. Dai Mubai didn't get 'toxified.' He's just overindulged himself into a shriveled mess."

The room was full of old bachelors. Some had visited brothels before, but none had ever seen a case like this. Ning Tian's words left them momentarily stunned.

Flender snapped out of it first. "Since you know what's wrong with Mubai, do you have any idea how to treat it?"

Ning Tian nodded, his expression turning faintly amused. "Of course. I've studied the body's meridians before. All you need is something sharp—jab it into the spot behind, and it'll come right out."

He wasn't about to let Dai Mubai die. Still, after a week of this, Dai Mubai's little friend was likely necrotic—perfectly aligning with Ning Tian's plans.

"Teacher Zhao, could you lift his backside for me?"

Then he turned to Tang San.

"Tang San, you've got steel needles on you, right? The big ones."

Tang San frowned, annoyed that Ning Tian had brushed off his teacher, but he handed over a plain steel needle, one without poison—nonetheless.

Once Zhao Wuji hoisted Dai Mubai's rear into the air, Ning Tian took the needle, aimed carefully at the spot, and then drove it in with a swift thrust.

"Argh!"

Dai Mubai's eyes flew open as he let out a piercing scream. The next moment, his entire body seemed to relax, a dazed, almost blissful look crossing his face before he passed out cold.

Immediately after, a wave of overwhelming stench flooded the room.

"Ugh....what's that? Did Boss Dai crap his pants too?" Ma Hongjun gagged, clutching his stomach.

"It's not that," Ning Tian said, shaking his head with mock regret. "The blood flow down there got blocked. It's turned black and swollen, completely dead. If it's not cut off soon, he's done for."

Flender's face paled as if the sky itself were collapsing. He knew Dai Mubai's true identity better than anyone. This wasn't just a personal loss, it meant Dai Mubai would lose his claim to the Star Luo Empire's throne. Death awaited him, or at best, a lifetime of imprisonment with his soul power stripped away.

"Isn't there any other way?" Flender asked, unwilling to let Dai Mubai's future crumble so easily.

Ning Tian tilted his head, feigning thoughtfulness. "It's not entirely hopeless. If you could find a healing-type Titled Douluo, they might regenerate the limb. Or… you could ask Rongrong. Her father's the sect master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the world's top support-type Spirit Master. His healing abilities might just do the trick."

It was a lie, of course. Ning Tian knew full well that Ning Fengzhi had no such power. This was just a ploy to lure them in, keeping Tang Hao in check and it would spread the word of Dai Mubai's new status as a eunuch far and wide. Plus, It would drop a subtle hint that Tang Hao was watching her from the shadows, and make her realize she'd been marked.

"Fine, I'll go talk to Rongrong," Flender said, determination hardening his voice.

Finding a healing Titled Douluo was out of the question, not because they couldn't be persuaded, but because no such Spirit Master existed on the continent. Their only shot was the so-called greatest support-type Spirit Master, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's leader. If Ning Rongrong asked, it might just work.

A short while later, Flender returned, shaking his head helplessly. "Rongrong won't help."

Zhao Wuji snorted. "What did you expect? After the way you treated that poor girl, it's a miracle she hasn't torched the place."

Flender's face flushed as he recalled the incident—Dai Mubai had even tried to pack Ning Rongrong's bags and kick her out. He coughed awkwardly and glanced at Oscar. "How about you Oscar? Maybe you could convince her?"

He vaguely remembered sending Oscar to comfort her once. Maybe that'd give him an edge.

Oscar's face twisted as if he'd just lost a parent. "Dean, compared to you and Boss Dai, Rongrong hates me even more. Even if I tried, she wouldn't listen."

Ma Hongjun's eyes glinted mischievously. "Dean, why not let Boss Ning handle it? Out of us guys, he's the only one who can talk to Rongrong. Plus, a few days ago in the Star Dou Forest, he saved me, Rongrong, and Zhuqing."

Flender's expression brightened as he turned to Ning Tian with hope. "Ning Tian, what do you think?"

Oscar's heart soured. 'Why did everything fall to Ning Tian?'

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