"Next item?"
Zhu Ziyang couldn't help showing a puzzled expression as he looked at Mu En. But Mu En said nothing and expressed his intention through action. He sat up slightly straighter, and instantly, nine radiant soul rings appeared behind him.
Yellow, yellow, purple, black, black, black, red, red, red!
Nine soul rings of various sizes and colors immediately filled the Sea God Pavilion hall. Fortunately, soul rings were intangible; otherwise, the hall wouldn't be able to contain them.
"This..." Zhu Ziyang was baffled. Why did Mu En suddenly release his soul rings in the middle of the conversation? Though confused, his attention was drawn to the radiant soul rings. With keen observation, he quickly noticed that four of the nine soul rings appeared distinctly different from the rest. His eyes revealed curiosity.
"Hehe, looks like you noticed." Mu En had been watching his expression. Seeing Zhu Ziyang's puzzled and inquisitive look, he chuckled and said, "That's right. Now this old man is going to talk to you about soul rings."
Zhu Ziyang's heart stirred. He was curious whether Mu En, one of the top human experts on Douluo Continent, had a perspective on soul rings that aligned with Electrolux's.
However, Mu En didn't speak right away. He reached out and directed a black soul ring to float before Zhu Ziyang, then directed another black soul ring to hover on the other side. Both appeared black, but one was illusory and dispersed, while the other was solid and restrained. Zhu Ziyang couldn't understand what Mu En was trying to show him.
"Hehe, try touching them," Mu En said with a smile.
Zhu Ziyang, still confused, reached out to touch them. As his fingers approached the ring on the right, he thought, 'Aren't soul rings intangible? How can I touch one?' Sure enough, his hand passed right through it.
But when he reached for the one on the left, he froze.
Solid, warm, and slightly smooth—it felt like the Lingshin Warm Jade Cai Meier had given him.
His pupils widened, and he looked at Mu En in shock, stammering, "Te-teacher, what… what is this?"
"Hehe, no need to panic. This is what I'm about to teach you—Soul Ring Second Refinement!" Mu En said, his aged face reflecting a hint of nostalgia.
"Soul Ring Second Refinement!" Zhu Ziyang was astonished. It was his first time hearing that soul rings could undergo a second refinement. He couldn't help recalling what Electrolux had told him recently about the essence of soul ring age. He had a hunch—perhaps what Mu En called second refinement was the same as refining the life force inside the soul ring.
"That's right," Mu En said. "When we soul masters break through a realm and absorb a soul ring, that process is the first refinement—necessary for advancement. All soul masters go through this."
"What I'm going to talk about is the deeper development—soul ring second refinement. It relates to the essence of the soul ring. According to an old friend of mine, the soul ring is a fusion of soul power and life force. When we absorb a soul ring, we only refine the soul power and not the life force. The second refinement is about absorbing that life force."
Mu En spoke in detail, while Zhu Ziyang could hardly contain his excitement. It matched what Electrolux had said. Clearly, his native teacher wasn't as inferior as Electrolux had claimed.
"Once a soul ring is second refined," Mu En continued, "its soul skill is etched into your martial soul origin, becoming an instinct—no longer bound by limitations. Its age increases slightly, and your physical body is greatly enhanced. Most importantly, your life force will be significantly boosted. I'm a living example—my back was broken, yet here I am, still kicking!"
Mu En even joked as he spoke.
"The sign of second refinement is materialization—you experienced it just now. It becomes a jade-like substance you can touch. But don't worry, it's still an illusion and doesn't occupy real space."
"Teacher, if second refinement strengthens a soul master so much, why haven't I heard of it before?" Zhu Ziyang asked.
"Good question, child." Mu En smiled and explained, "First, this was only discovered a few centuries ago by a few people who thought it was coincidence. Only a century ago did a remarkable genius summarize its secrets and propose the theory of second refinement.
"Second, it requires a secret art related to cultivating life force. Very few forces on the continent possess such methods. I can only confirm two—Body Sect and my old friend."
"So our Shrek doesn't have such a method?" Zhu Ziyang asked, puzzled.
"Sadly, no." Seeing his student's disappointment, Mu En smiled. "But don't worry. Though Shrek doesn't have it, I do!"
"!?" Zhu Ziyang perked up. Of course! If Mu En's soul rings had undergone second refinement, he must possess the method.
"Hehe! My method was taught by that friend. She warned me never to pass it on, but you are my final disciple and your martial soul fits perfectly. I'll break my promise." Mu En smiled again, a nostalgic gleam in his eyes. "Compared to Shrek's future, breaking a promise is worth it."
"Thank you, Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang was moved.
"No need to thank me. You're my student." Mu En waved it off. "The cultivation method requires six rings, so you'll need to work hard first!"
"I will, Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang replied confidently.
—
Zhu Ziyang left Sea God Island.
On his way back to the outer courtyard—
"Teacher, what do you think about what Mu En said today—soul ring second refinement and life force cultivation?" A strand of Zhu Ziyang's spirit entered his spiritual sea, where Electrolux was basking under the blazing sun (ultimate light element).
"Hehe, I admit I underestimated your teacher Mu En," Electrolux said openly. "But to reach the limit of a world's cultivation path, you must understand the source of your power. So it's no surprise."
Zhu Ziyang nodded. He agreed completely. He then asked, "What's your view on life force cultivation?"
"If it exists, it's not meant for you," Electrolux said. "You have the death attribute—why would you need life force cultivation? Besides, he said you need six rings to use it. I, on the other hand, can help you refine all your soul rings once you reach four."
"Understood, Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang couldn't help feeling smug. Having two teachers was truly awesome!
"Ridiculous! Refining life force needs a method? Just use your hands," Electrolux scoffed with disdain.
If Mu En had heard that, he'd have leapt to his feet, roaring in rebuttal, 'Easy for someone with the death attribute to talk big!'
(End of Chapter)
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