Inside the Sea God's Pavilion, the elders were all in varying degrees of shock.
"Heh! If I still had space for another spirit ring, I'd definitely want a soul spirit. Feels pretty amazing!" Qian Duoduo said with a grin, his face full of envy.
"That's right," Xian Lin'er chimed in, "for defensive-type soul masters like Duoduo, or support-types like Elder Zhuang, soul spirits are a huge blessing!"
"Hahaha! The girl is right!" Elder Zhuang laughed loudly. "If spirit rings could be replaced, I'd switch my ninth ring for a soul spirit without hesitation. With one, even us pure support-types with no combat ability could greatly improve our survival chances."
"It seems everyone has quite the interest in soul spirits. That's a good sign!" Mu En chuckled. "In that case, let's settle it. From this moment, Shrek Academy will prepare for the creation and promotion of the soul spirit system. When Ziyang takes my place, he will lead the effort!"
"Yes!" all the elders agreed in unison.
"Lin'er, Mei'er," Mu En continued with a smile, "choose one or two students who both need a spirit ring and are completely trustworthy, and let them follow Ziyang to try contracting a soul spirit."
"No need to search, Teacher. Xiao Tao will do," Cai Mei'er said at once, rising to her feet. "She just reached level seventy a few days ago. I was planning to take her to get her seventh ring."
"Xiao Tao reached level seventy?!" Cai Mei'er's words drew gasps of surprise and delight from the elders. "Truly, the heavens bless Shrek Academy!"
At barely twenty years old, Ma Xiaotao had already become a level seventy Soul Sage—and she wielded an Ultimate Fire martial soul. It was no wonder the elders were excited. The previous Ultimate Fire wielder hadn't reached Soul Sage until nearly thirty.
"Good, then we'll go with Xiao Tao," Mu En said, pleased and surprised.
In Mu En's mental ranking of student trustworthiness, Ma Xiaotao was among the highest—Yan Shaozhe's disciple, his own "grand-disciple," and a trueborn Shrek Academy student through and through.
"Teacher, if it's Senior Sister Xiao Tao, I have an idea," Zhu Ziyang said suddenly.
"Let's hear it," Mu En replied.
"The Icefire Yin Yang Well," Ziyang said. Mu En immediately understood.
"You mean to make the hundred-thousand-year Phoenix Chrysanthemum her soul spirit?"
"Exactly, Teacher. Its compatibility with Senior Sister Xiao Tao is extremely high. If it became her seventh spirit ring, the boost would be tremendous."
"That would be a bit troublesome… but worth it." Mu En's brows furrowed briefly before smoothing out. "Shrek Academy fears no trouble. We'll do as you say!"
The others glanced at each other in surprise. They knew of the Icefire Yin Yang Well, but not that it housed hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts—or that those beasts were transformed immortal herbs. To them, Mu En and Ziyang's idea seemed bold indeed.
"Teacher, Ziyang—don't you think it's too soon for Xiao Tao to absorb a hundred-thousand-year ring for her seventh?" Cai Mei'er asked, concern in her voice.
"No need to worry, Senior Sister," Ziyang said with a smile. "Senior Sister Xiao Tao's Ultimate Fire Phoenix martial soul is over ninety percent compatible with the Phoenix Chrysanthemum. With the soul spirit contract, it might be difficult for her to absorb, but the benefits will be great."
His explanation eased only part of Cai Mei'er's worry. She still wasn't fully convinced.
"Mei'er, call Xiao Tao here and let her decide for herself," Mu En said. "The rest of you, you may go. Lin'er, stay."
Cai Mei'er left to find Ma Xiaotao, while the other elders reluctantly departed—still full of curiosity about soul spirits.
Xian Lin'er looked puzzled until Ziyang explained the Icefire Yin Yang Well's situation to her. Then she understood—Mu En was keeping her to serve as muscle. She sighed in resignation.
Soon, Cai Mei'er returned with Ma Xiaotao, who burst into the hall calling, "Elder Mu, I agree to Ziyang's idea!"
Cai Mei'er rubbed her forehead, regretting telling her the plan on the way.
"Good child," Mu En said, beaming. "Go prepare yourself. In a few days—maybe as soon as one or two—you'll have your seventh ring!"
"Yes, Elder Mu!" Ma Xiaotao replied with bright enthusiasm before dashing off.
"Lin'er, Mei'er," Mu En continued, "you will go to the Icefire Yin Yang Well, bring back the Phoenix Chrysanthemum, and give it to Ziyang so he can form the soul spirit contract with Xiao Tao."
"Yes!" both women replied without hesitation.
Ziyang, however, was stunned. "Teacher, why not let me and Senior Sister Xiao Tao go? Senior Sister Lin'er and Junior Sister Mei'er might not gain the immortal herbs' approval—and if they fight, the plan fails."
Mu En chuckled. "Wouldn't that be even better? The Academy would gain a batch of immortal herbs and hundred-thousand-year soul bones."
"Uh…" Ziyang was momentarily speechless. "That's… one way to see it. But it feels like draining the pond to catch the fish. Please, Teacher—let me go. I also want to seek some opportunities there."
"Hahaha! So that's your real motive," Mu En said with a knowing smile. "Half a year in the Academy and you can't sit still? Want to get out and stretch your legs?"
"Heh… you saw right through me, Teacher." Ziyang grinned sheepishly, then composed himself. "I do wish to travel, and I hope you'll approve."
"Before the tournament, I might have allowed it," Mu En said with a sigh. "But not now. You're too conspicuous. If the evil forces discover you, the consequences would be dire."
"Teacher, it's been six months—the storm has long passed," Ziyang said helplessly. "I'm not asking to wander the continent yet—just to go to the Icefire Yin Yang Well. Maybe I'll even return stronger."
Mu En closed his eyes in thought. "For the strong, traveling the continent is a must. I won't stop you forever. But at least wait until you reach the Soul Douluo level—until you can stand against a Title Douluo or even a Super Douluo—before you go."
"Teacher, the truth is… I already have a way to deal with a Super Douluo," Ziyang said solemnly. He knew that unless he convinced Mu En, he wouldn't be able to leave before Mu En passed away—let alone complete his God Test.
So he decided to reveal part of the truth—about the God Test itself.
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