"Not more, not less. Exactly one hundred!" Zhu Ziyang replied with pride and satisfaction.
"Good heavens!" Xia Yu was stunned. "You've really opened my eyes. I already thought highly of you, but clearly I still underestimated you!"
"What do you say, Brother Yu? There's still time to back out," Zhu Ziyang teased smugly.
"Back out? Impossible! No matter how down-and-out I am, a mere five million gold soul coins is still something I can afford!" Xia Yu declared. "Come on, I'm the young master of the Floating Cloud Trading Guild. Would I be short of money?"
As he spoke, Xia Yu took out a metallic card and handed it to Zhu Ziyang. "Take this card to the Floating Cloud Trading Guild branch in Shrek City. Give it to any steward and tell them my name—they'll give you the money."
"Alright!" Zhu Ziyang took the card without hesitation. "I'll be off then."
He turned and left the office.
"Brother, how did it go?" Jiang Nannan rushed up to him and asked.
"Hahaha!" Zhu Ziyang couldn't hold back his joy any longer and burst out laughing. The strange laughter confused Jiang Nannan. She was about to ask when Zhu Ziyang suddenly swept her into his arms and spun her around before setting her down.
"Nannan, we're rich!"
"Really?!" Although she didn't fully understand, the sparkle in her eyes said it all—if Zhu Ziyang said they were rich, then they definitely were.
"Yeah!" Zhu Ziyang then told her about Xia Yu buying the Essence Gathering Pills.
"Tsk~ Teacher Xia Yu is so generous!" Jiang Nannan's eyes nearly turned into gold coins.
"Hehe, let's go get our money!" Zhu Ziyang said, holding her hand.
And so, the two set off for Shrek City.
——
Everything went smoothly. Zhu Ziyang retrieved the five million gold soul coins without a hitch. Xia Yu's name and card were more than enough—no dramatic mishaps occurred.
After receiving the money, they treated themselves to a lavish meal in the city.
Once they'd eaten, Zhu Ziyang visited the Shrek Academy post station, a service run by the academy for its students. There, he sent the prepared Essence Gathering Pills, a letter, and two million gold soul coins to Zhu Changhe and Liang Ying.
With that done, the two returned to Shrek Academy—only to run into Tang Ya and Yu Beibei, who had been away for the past week to help Tang Ya acquire her second soul ring.
"Ah! Zhu Ziyang, thank you!" As soon as she saw him, Tang Ya rushed forward and hugged him tightly, stunning both Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan.
Jiang Nannan quickly stepped in, frowning slightly. "Xiao Ya, what are you doing? Let go of Brother Ziyang!"
"Hehe, sorry! I got a bit too excited." Tang Ya realized what she was doing and quickly released him. She grabbed Jiang Nannan's hand and explained, "I'm just really grateful and full of admiration for Zhu Ziyang. His suggestion was amazing!"
"Hmph! Of course it was!" Jiang Nannan said proudly before smiling. "So, Xiao Ya, you've already obtained your second soul ring?"
"Yup! And not just that!" Tang Ya said excitedly, her face flushed from the excitement.
"Ziyang, I really have to thank you!" Yu Beibei also approached and looked at Zhu Ziyang sincerely. "You helped more than you know."
"Sounds like Tang Ya made some major gains," Zhu Ziyang smiled. "Mind sharing the details?"
"Of course not!" Tang Ya now trusted Zhu Ziyang deeply and didn't hesitate to explain everything that had happened over the past week.
After Zhu Ziyang's suggestion, Tang Ya spent a long time thinking alone. Lost in her thoughts, she remembered her parents, the past leaders of Tang Sect, and finally made the decision to try a new path.
When Yu Beibei found her, she shared her decision. Yu Beibei supported her and took her to meet a family elder. Together, they headed to the Cloud River Grand Canyon, as Mu En had mentioned, to seek a suitable Star Vine soul beast.
When Tang Ya asked why they chose the Star Vine instead of the Black Jade Bamboo, Yu Beibei explained that the advice came from their elders. He said that the Star Vine, being a vine-type beast like the Ghostvine, was even stronger. It aligned with Zhu Ziyang's advice and retained the properties of a vine-type soul beast, making it perfect for Tang Ya's second soul ring.
Tang Ya agreed wholeheartedly and chose to pursue the Star Vine.
From her story, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan learned that Tang Ya's second soul ring came from a Star Vine.
The Star Vine is an exceptionally resilient, life-force-rich, top-tier plant-type soul beast. It's said to be a cosmic lifeform that fell from the stars to Douluo Continent, capable of cultivating by absorbing starlight and attacking with it. As one of the rarest and most powerful plant beasts, even a century-old Star Vine is on par with a typical thousand-year plant soul beast.
For Blue Silver Grass users, the Star Vine is one of the most ideal soul beasts they can obtain. Not only does it drastically enhance the life force and resilience of the Blue Silver Grass, but it also elevates the martial soul's fundamental quality. It even strengthens the soul master's physical constitution.
Tang Ya's gains were a clear testament to this.
After absorbing a 600-year-old Star Vine soul ring, the source of her martial soul was repaired and enhanced, instantly pushing her soul power to level 22. Her first soul skill evolved into a stronger form: Blue Silver Web. After gaining the Star Vine's power, her Blue Silver Grass martial soul underwent a complete transformation—more resilient, more vibrant, and even her body grew stronger.
Most importantly, her second soul skill came from the Star Vine's innate ability: Blue Silver Star Chain. This technique releases a vine infused with starlight that wraps around a target. It can reduce the enemy's defense while boosting an ally's defense and soul power recovery rate—a powerful and practical control-type support skill, perfectly suited for Tang Ya's goal of becoming a control-type soul master.
In short, after obtaining her second soul ring, Tang Ya had undergone a complete transformation. From her talent to her strength, everything had improved.
That's why she was so emotional when she saw Zhu Ziyang again. She understood clearly—if not for his suggestion, she might have stayed on her original path and repeated the fate of her parents.
For that, Tang Ya held a deep sense of gratitude and admiration for Zhu Ziyang.
(End of Chapter)
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