Chapter 69: Continued Cultivation

Chapter 69: Continued Cultivation

(The previous two chapters have been slightly modified, so feel free to go back and reread them if you wish.)

Wang Si felt a bit guilty as he looked at the tiny amount of Asura divine power he had absorbed unintentionally.

He had just taken a casual sip, truly a casual sip, yet he had still managed to absorb the Asura divine power.

Wang Si dared not use this bit of Asura divine power casually, so to avoid losing control and using this power, he had no choice but to store it in a place he didn't usually access.

"Master, I never expected your combat power to be so strong. You actually fought for a full eight days!

I guess that Pope has completely turned into your shape by now. Master, don't you want to reward me? Want to push your limits again?"

Zhu Ming appeared out of thin air and affectionately hooked her arms around Wang Si's neck from behind.

"If that woman finds out I'm not dead, she'll definitely come back for another try. I need to rest and recuperate these days," Wang Si said, not wanting to directly refuse but instead finding a gentle excuse.

Zhu Ming was a little curious.

"Master, if I used eight hundred thousand-year soul rings, I could definitely make that Pope obedient and well-behaved.

But why won't you let me use them? Why won't you even let me stay by your side?"

Zhu Ming looked at the wound on Wang Si's neck, confused.

Fortunately, Bibi Dong had used poison when she fled. If she had lifted her arm and directly pierced Wang Si, he would have been a goner.

Zhu Ming didn't understand why he still wouldn't let her take action even after all this.

Wang Si glanced at Zhu Ming, a cold smile tugging at his lips.

"Do you think the most powerful being in this world is the Unrivaled Battle Spirit, or that the limit of a soul ring's age is a hundred thousand years?

Have you ever thought about further increasing the age of the soul ring and seeing what the limit of a soul ring is?"

Hearing Wang Si's words, Zhu Ming was not surprised, but she was also not calm.

She sat up straight, expecting Wang Si to give her an answer.

"I've told you about stronger beings, but you wouldn't understand. But I can give you a more intuitive piece of information: the limit of a soul ring's age is a million years."

When Zhu Ming heard "million years," she unconsciously rolled her tongue.

She had tried to further increase the age of the hundred thousand-year soul ring, but the progress was very slow.

Although she knew that a hundred thousand years was definitely not the limit, she still couldn't help but be stunned when she heard "million years."

Then she became excited.

"Does that mean that if I have a million-year soul ring, I can become one of those strong beings who surpass the Unrivaled Battle Spirit?"

Zhu Ming's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

She couldn't wait to explore the higher realms of power.

"Having a million-year soul ring is just the beginning.

To them, facing you with a single million-year soul ring would be like facing a Battle Spirit Master who has just obtained their first soul ring—they could easily crush you without lifting a finger."

Zhu Ming fell silent.

Her fear of insufficient firepower had resurfaced.

"Master, I want those two immortal herbs."

Zhu Ming pressed Wang Si down, her tone extremely gentle, but her attitude was very firm. It seemed like she would rebel against Wang Si if he didn't give them to her.

Without a doubt, Zhu Ming was referring to the two immortal herbs—the eight-cornered Xuanbing herb and the fiery Xingjiaoshu—both of which were a million years old.

Only a strong enough body could withstand higher-year soul rings.

The reason she was able to withstand a hundred-thousand-year soul ring at the Battle Spirit Master stage was largely due to having consumed those two immortal herbs once and regularly practicing ice and fire tempering.

"Go ahead, but I suggest you first raise yourself to the level of a Titled Battle Spirit Master. After reaching that level, you might find it easier to increase your soul rings."

Zhu Ming merely smiled gently at this suggestion and then winked at Wang Si.

"I can eat as many immortal herbs as I want, but leave me one million-year herb of each kind!"

Wang Si replied with a hint of annoyance.

Of course, the fastest way to improve one's cultivation was to consume immortal herbs—these herbs had no side effects, and one's cultivation would soar after consuming them.

Zhu Ming didn't ask about her master's situation, nor did she question why she wasn't allowed to provoke the Pope herself.

Knowing too much was tiring, wasn't it? Didn't she see how her master had kept things hidden until now before finally agreeing to tell her?

All she needed to know was that she was still weak and needed to work hard to become stronger.

After sending Zhu Ming back to their "home," Wang Si rubbed his face in resignation.

That day, he had actually wanted to keep stalling Bibi Dong.

But he couldn't do much when Zhu Ming launched a sneak attack without his consent and used a hundred-thousand-year soul skill.

As the principal of Tianwu Academy, even though he didn't often manage things directly, there were definitely forces keeping an eye on him.

Soon, the news of his survival would likely spread to the Temple of Battle Spirits.

He suddenly missed having Xue'er... no, Grandaddy Xue around.

But... Bibi Dong was also considered his semi-daughter-in-law. If that old man Dong found out that he had not only seduced his granddaughter but also cheated on his daughter-in-law...

"................"

Maybe he should go into hiding for a couple of days?

No, you can run from the monk, but you can't run from the temple. Tianwu City and the academy were still here.

............

"Dean, during my time away, I obtained a total of five soul rings, and the soul skill I'm most satisfied with is the 'Shadow Clone of the Netherworld.'

In addition, there are two other soul skills that I'm quite pleased with: 'Shadow Strike' and 'Shadow Eye.'

One allows me to temporarily merge with the shadows and move rapidly, while the other enhances my dynamic vision, making me more sensitive to the enemy's movements.

Which one should I use as my third soul skill?"

When Zhu Zhuqing joined Tianwu Academy, Wang Si had given her an immortal herb, allowing her soul power to reach the 30th level.

During this time, Zhu Zhuqing received special attention and was allowed to absorb several more Soul Rings.

However, as her teacher, Zhu Ming, had to enter seclusion for cultivation, the responsibility of instructing students fell onto Wang Si.

"Let me see your first two Soul Skills first, and then I'll make a judgment."

Wang Si did not give an immediate answer.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly at his words and then channeled her Martial Soul.

"Shadow Claw Strike!"

Zhu Zhuqing's first yellow Soul Ring lit up, and her running strides suddenly quickened.

When her speed reached a certain level, her figure twisted in an incredible manner, and she launched a strike in a direction different from her initial run.

Undoubtedly, Zhu Zhuqing's strike was directed at Wang Si.

As she struck near Wang Si, her second Soul Ring lit up.

"Shadow Hundred Claws."

Her claws elongated, and she waved them rapidly.

Facing Zhu Zhuqing's multiple claw strikes, Wang Si lifted an arm and effortlessly blocked them.

The demonstration ended.

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head to look at her fingers and then at Wang Si's arm, but there wasn't even a white mark.

As she pressed her lips together, she couldn't help but inwardly exclaim: This guy's defense is so strong!

"Your first two Soul Skills don't involve the utilization of energy and instead test your body's coordination."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded.

Coordination was extremely important for agile attack-type Martial Souls like the Shadowcat. Thus, the first two Soul Skills of all Shadowcats were these.

"Have you formed muscle memory from using your first and second Soul Skills for so long?

The kind where your body can react on its own without activating your Soul Skills?"

Hearing Wang Si's question, Zhu Zhuqing furrowed her brows.

She seemed to have never considered this issue before.

"Try it. Take off your first two Soul Rings and find the feeling you had when you activated your Soul Skills. See if you can reproduce those attacks without them."

Hearing Wang Si's suggestion, Zhu Zhuqing took off her first two Soul Rings.

Taking a deep breath, Zhu Zhuqing began to run.

Indeed, she could clearly remember the steps of the Shadow Claw Strike without activating her Soul Rings.

Plop!

Zhu Zhuqing stumbled and fell to the ground, rolling a couple of times before struggling to her feet.

"Sorry, I lost focus for a moment and didn't notice the pebble on the grass."

Glancing at the spot where she had slipped, Zhu Zhuqing pressed her lips together, but her eyes couldn't hide her excitement.

She discovered that even without her Soul Skills, she could still find the feeling of the Shadow Claw Strike.

After experimenting twice more, Zhu Zhuqing finally managed to strike in front of Wang Si.

Just as she was about to find the feeling of "Shadow Hundred Claws," she raised her hand, but lost her balance again.

Just as she was about to fall, a large hand she had expected caught her.

"Dean, I'm sorry, I lost my balance!"

For agile attack-type Soul Masters like Zhu Zhuqing, the most important thing was their body's coordination and balance.

Soul Skills allowed Soul Masters to have perfect coordination and balance, but without them, they had to rely on their own abilities.

"It's alright. Try using the Shadow Hundred Claws now and let me see if you can use it properly."

Zhu Zhuqing released Wang Si's arm and nodded lightly before closing her eyes.

She channeled her Martial Soul and randomly waved her hands in front of her.

Zhu Zhuqing: ........

"Cough, Dean, this feeling is a bit hard to grasp."

Zhu Zhuqing felt a bit embarrassed.

Wang Si didn't say anything and just reached out to ruffle Zhu Zhuqing's hair.

"For now, your third Soul Skill is Shadow Clone to others, but when you're training by yourself, treat Shadow Vision as your third Soul Skill.

First, master the first two Soul Skills thoroughly; they are techniques that you should be able to learn without the Soul Rings.

When you can perfectly execute the Shadow Claw Strike without your Soul Skills, you can then place Shadow Fade as your first Soul Skill.

Combining Shadow Claw Strike with Shadow Fade will greatly enhance your mobility."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded firmly, and she didn't even need Wang Si to remind her to guess her own improvement.

"By the way, didn't you obtain five Soul Rings? What are the effects of the other two Soul Rings?"

After confirming his guess, Wang Si looked at Zhu Zhuqing.

"One of the Soul Ring's abilities is Marking.

Enemies attacked by me will have a mark on them, and within a certain range, I can locate them through this mark.

The other Soul Skill is Illusionary Tail.

I can extra-manifest a tail and control it to launch attacks."

Hearing this, Wang Si nodded lightly.

"Not all Soul Beasts can provide suitable Soul Rings, but you don't necessarily have to give up on these Soul Skills.

When the Soul Rings reach a certain age limit, the Soul Skills will undergo a qualitative change. For example, your Marking Soul Skill.

When it reaches a million years, there's a high chance that it will allow you to directly teleport to the target's side."

Of course, Wang Si didn't know for sure if it would enable teleportation; he only knew that the effects of Soul Rings would change when they surpassed a certain age limit.

Just as Wang Si was instructing Zhu Zhuqing in her cultivation, a minor problem arose in the outer court of the Tianwu Academy...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end