CHAPTER 67: A Gift Worth More Than Power

Chapter 67: A Gift Worth More Than Power

Because the Wisdom Soul Ring was created by Tian Meng from the beginning, and the soul spirit was simply a modified extension of it, the entire plan to develop soul spirits didn't take too long.

In just two and a half months, Tian Meng had already confirmed the prototypes for ten-year, hundred-year, and thousand-year soul spirit models.

"It's done? You figured out soul spirits in such a short time? Brother, you're a straight-up genius!" Tian Meng laughed heartily, proud of his accomplishment. This time, even Bing Di didn't say anything sarcastic—after all, she had to admit that creating a soul spirit was beyond her capabilities.

"You truly deserve to be called Brother Tian Meng! I always knew you could pull it off!" Xiao Qiang praised sincerely, putting in effort not only to support Tian Meng in the beginning but also to express admiration now. It was all part of Xiao Qiang's plan—act the part, respect the work, and walk the path of sustainable collaboration.

Hearing this, Tian Meng couldn't hide the smile tugging at his lips. Especially since throughout the process, neither Xiao Qiang nor Bing Di had once called him useless. All the sleepless nights over the past two and a half months now felt worth it.

With his job done, Tian Meng finally went to rest.

And after two and a half months, Xiao Qiang regained full control of his body. But as soon as he did, his legs nearly gave out.

"After half a month of being passive, my body feels weird…"

He took a moment to compose himself, then started thinking about his next move.

"The report to the teacher can wait two days. No rush. Right now, the priority is…"

Xiao Qiang returned home and pulled out a soul guide instrument to scan Xiao Lan's physical condition.

Ding! Soul Power Level: 10, Soul Ring Endurance: 2,127 years.

"…Is this thing broken?"

Xiao Qiang frowned and pulled out a different testing device to double-check. And then—

Ding! Soul Power Level: 10, Soul Ring Endurance: 2,127 years.

"Both instruments broken? No way… but if they're right, then this soul ring endurance—"

Xiao Qiang pondered. Thanks to the generosity of Hall Master Jing Hongchen of the Red Dust Hall—who had been conveniently looted—Xiao Qiang now had access to an entire vault of valuable materials, including plenty of whale glue for body enhancement. He had even grown tired of the stuff, just like Wang Dong once joked.

Thanks to this unexpected windfall, Xiao Sheng and Xiao Lan had also benefited. Whale glue of the thousand-year level was a staple in their diet, and they'd even consumed a fair amount of the ten-thousand-year variant.

But still, there should be a limit. Whale glue alone shouldn't be able to elevate a child's first soul ring endurance to over 2,000 years. Even Wang Dong and Long Aotian, young masters of powerful families, didn't have soul rings over 100 years for their first rings. Their second rings only just touched the thousand-year mark.

So how could Xiao Lan's first soul ring withstand more than 2,100 years?

Just then, the voice of the Snow Empress echoed in Xiao Qiang's spiritual sea.

"The device is correct. I'm quite pleased with her service, so I gave her a little opportunity. And as for your offering—I'm satisfied. In return, I can make another move."

"Thank you, Snow Empress. Brother Tian Meng, based on Xiao Lan's current state, how many years of a soul can her spirit withstand?"

"Six thousand years."

"Six thousand? That means the soul endurance is nearly three times the spirit ring endurance… In theory, she can now fuse a soul of about 4,466 years. That's already impressive, but…"  

"Brother Tian Meng, is there any way to push Xiao Lan's soul endurance even further?"

"No, not through me. I'm not bound to him, so I can't place a seal on his soul ring."

"I see. Then…"

"There is another way." Just as Xiao Qiang was preparing to get Xiao Lan a soul around 4,000 years, Snow Empress spoke again.

"What method?"

"The Snow Pill inside your body is my power. Besides its body-tempering effects, it can also suppress external forces. If you give her the Snow Pill, the extra two thousand years of soul ring endurance will be naturally suppressed. And her body is more compatible with the Snow Pill than yours. But if you give it to her, even if you later retrieve it, it will no longer have its current effect."

"You're saying that if I give the Snow Pill to Xiao Lan, she'll be able to permanently hold a six-thousand-year soul ring as her first ring. But in exchange, I lose the Snow Pill forever?"

"Correct. So, what will you choose?"

Xiao Qiang didn't reply immediately. Instead, he went silently to the kitchen, made sure no one was around, and spat out the Snow Pill. Then he rinsed it, wiped it, rinsed it again, and wiped it once more. After repeating the process several times with the seriousness of a surgeon, he gently slipped the Snow Pill into Xiao Lan's mouth.

Snow Empress was stunned.

"You gave it away without hesitation? Don't you realize the benefits that Snow Pill provides you?"

"I do. But you also said she's a better match for it."

Xiao Qiang had no illusions about the value of the Snow Pill. It was a treasure born from a soul beast surpassing 100,000 years and surviving a heavenly tribulation. It was undoubtedly a miraculous item—but not one he truly needed.

With the Snow Pill in his body, he didn't dare get close to the Ten-Thousand-Year Xuan Ice Marrow. The conflicting forces might cause an explosion, and unlike Huo Yuhao, he didn't have Electrolux watching his back. One wrong move and he'd be gone.

So, rather than risk death, why not let the pill be used where it's most effective? Giving it to Xiao Lan was the best possible outcome. Hesitating now would be a disservice to the power of the Xuan Ice Marrow.

"You…" Snow Empress opened her mouth but left without saying more, retreating quietly from Xiao Qiang's spiritual sea.

Shrek Academy, Inner Courtyard

"Elder Xuan," Yan Shaozhe greeted respectfully, bowing slightly as the second-in-command of the Sea God Pavilion appeared.

"Hmm. It looks like Xiao Tao is in stable condition."

"Thanks to your advice, Elder Xuan. I reached out to a senior in Ling Luochen's family—an ice-element Soul Douluo with eight rings. Although his ice level isn't as high as Xiao Tao's, his soul power can suppress her condition for now. With that, she's been able to regain a degree of stability."

"However, that soul master isn't from Shrek Academy, so he can't help us forever. Still, with this temporary suppression, we shouldn't have any problems during the Soul Master Competition."

"Very well," Elder Xuan nodded. "In that case, let Xiao Tao and the other students travel with me."