Four days later.
In a small border town in the north, two figures, unfamiliar to the locals, appeared amidst the cold wind and falling snow.
One of them was an old man leading a white horse, treading on snow without leaving a trace.
On the white horse sat a young man, who, despite being tightly wrapped in a thick white fur coat, shivered uncontrollably from the cold, his face obscured. However, the demeanor radiating from his every movement suggested he was likely a noble young master or a disciple of a powerful sect.
The old man, while patting his lower back, walked slowly on the snow. Occasionally, passing town residents would turn back, sighing and muttering:
"That old man really isn't afraid of death. In this icy, snowy weather, he's still wearing such thin clothes."
"That person riding the horse is also quite heartless. Riding a fine steed and wearing a precious mink coat, yet unwilling to buy even a piece of warm clothing for his servant, tsk tsk."
Some kind-hearted people also warned them:
"This is already the northernmost town. If you go any further north, you'll be entering the territory of the extreme north. Powerful extreme northern creatures live there. If you encounter them, your life will be in danger. Stop here."
The old man exhaled a puff of white air, patted his waist, and said lightly, "Thank you for your kindness. However, we are indeed heading to the extreme north. We are an expedition team from the south."
"At your age, you should have retired long ago. Your back isn't even good anymore, and you dare to enter the extreme north to play explorer? Aren't you tired of living?"
The person glanced at Mu En, shook his head, and thought the old man was beyond saving, then walked away.
If others knew that the generation's Dragon God Douluo, the dignified Master of the Sea God Pavilion, was being ridiculed by a passerby like this, they would likely be stunned.
Was Mu En afraid of the cold? The answer was no. The one truly afraid of the cold was Su Qingfeng.
These townspeople were pitying Mu En for his thin clothing, unaware that Su Qingfeng, riding the white horse in his coat, was the truly pitiable one.
The temperature in this town had already dropped to minus ten degrees Celsius. For Su Qingfeng, whose Martial Soul had no attributes and had only just awakened his Soul Power, this was torture.
If they went further north, the temperature would continue to drop, possibly reaching minus fifty or sixty degrees Celsius. It would be so cold that water would freeze instantly, likely making Su Qingfeng wish he were dead.
"Qingfeng, don't be afraid. Shivering doesn't suit your transcendent immortal aura. Pull yourself together."
"What is this temperature to a Soul Master? Once you gain Ice Attribute power, you'll understand how beautiful this world is!"
Mu En comforted Su Qingfeng.
Su Qingfeng said speechlessly, "At least I'm not a Soul Master right now."
"Hahaha, good disciple, soon, soon. We've reached the border town of the extreme north. After walking another one or two hundred kilometers, some Hundred-Year Soul Beasts will appear. Soon you'll become a true Soul Master, and the Soul Master world will welcome a legend!"
Mu En sounded even more excited than Su Qingfeng. He had taught many disciples in his life, and all of them had achieved considerable success.
Bright Phoenix Douluo Yan Shaozhe, the dean of the Martial Soul Department at the most powerful Soul Master academy on the continent—Shrek Academy!
Martial God Douluo Xian Lin'er, the dean of the Soul Tool Department at the most powerful Soul Master academy on the continent – Shrek Academy!
They were all beings who commanded reverence, and all had received Mu En's guidance.
But for some reason, Mu En had a premonition that Su Qingfeng would surpass them all!
"Hoo~"
They pressed on through the wind and snow. Su Qingfeng exhaled, and the breath instantly condensed into mist in the air.
"How many years for my first Soul Ring do you plan to have me absorb? Four hundred years? Or five hundred years?" Su Qingfeng asked Mu En.
"Alas..." Mu En shook his head.
"Too low? Why are you sighing?" Su Qingfeng was a little confused.
"I originally thought you, Qingfeng, were a talent unmatched for eternity, but I didn't expect you to be so timid. Four or five hundred-year Soul Rings, do they match your status? Do they match your Martial Soul? Let your imagination run wild!"
Mu En encouraged him. Su Qingfeng stared at Mu En, "Didn't they say the limit for the first Soul Ring is four to five hundred years?"
"You actually understand this? This is beyond my expectations."
Mu En was a little surprised. "Four to five hundred years is indeed the limit for the first Soul Ring for ordinary Soul Masters. Exceeding this limit can easily lead to death during absorption."
"So you actually want me to die?" Su Qingfeng was speechless.
"Oh my, my good disciple, how could your teacher bear to see you die? I said that's for ordinary Soul Masters. You are not an ordinary Soul Master.
First, you have a Domain with you. Second, I have investigated, and your Martial Soul is very powerful. Even my Martial Soul feels insignificant in comparison, and your Martial Soul's tolerance is very high. Third, when others absorb their first Soul Ring, they are usually between 6-10 years old. You are almost twelve, so your bones and physical strength are better."
Mu En revealed the reasons. "Therefore, Qingfeng, you can be considered fortunate amidst misfortune. Although your start is much slower than others, your beginning will be much better than theirs."
"I plan to find a Thousand-Year Soul Beast for you."
"Oh, then what's the year-limit of your first Soul Ring?" Su Qingfeng asked indifferently.
Mu En: "Hmm, a Hundred-Year Yellow Ring. But don't underestimate your teacher. My Soul Ring configuration ranks among the best on the entire continent."
Su Qingfeng: "(ー_ー) Uh! Why do I feel like you still want me dead?"
"Qingfeng, you must believe your teacher! Besides, as the Holy Son of the Sea God Pavilion, how can you be a coward?"
Mu En said earnestly. As the strongest person in Shrek Academy, how could he deceive his disciple?
"Alright, teacher, have you ever seen a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?"
Su Qingfeng suddenly pulled on the white horse beneath him. It was an Icefield Horse, capable of galloping and surviving in cold environments. Mu En had specially bought it for Su Qingfeng to ride, and it was not cheap.
Meeting Su Qingfeng's eyes, which were as vast as the starry sky, Mu En actually felt a trace of hesitation and swallowed a mouthful of saliva: "Of course, I have."
"Then can you beat a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?"
"Naturally. My beloved disciple, do you want to see my Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings? Not just one, I guarantee it will shock you."
Mu En really wanted to earn Su Qingfeng's admiration.
However, Su Qingfeng remained indifferent and continued to ask, "Then what about over 300,000 years?"
"Over 300,000 years? Why do you ask? I should be able to. However, soul beasts of that age would be very dangerous for you."
Mu En became a little unsettled when he heard "over 300,000 years."
Most importantly, his disciple seemed to have seen much of the world, casually mentioning hundred-thousand and three-hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. He himself wouldn't dare to boast like that. Had he been scared silly by absorbing a Thousand-Year Soul Ring?
"Then what about Seven Hundred Thousand Years?" Su Qingfeng asked again.
Mu En looked at Su Qingfeng. "Qingfeng, are you crazy? Did the cold freeze your brain?"
"Just tell me if you can beat it or not."
How could he lose face in front of his disciple?
Mu En answered decisively, "Of course. Even the most powerful soul beasts, this old man does not fear them."
"That's good, Teacher. You must protect me!"
Su Qingfeng rode his horse, galloping across the Extreme North Icefield, heading off with a flourish.
Mu En was a bit bewildered. What was this child thinking?