At present, Li Chang'an's only remarkable trait was his astonishing cultivation speed, but his martial spirit hadn't yet displayed any exaggerated power. To people like the Heaven Dou Emperor, his future seemed boundless.
But to someone like Qian Renxue—born of the Spirit Hall, possessing innate level-twenty soul power, and the inheritor of the Angel God—he was, at best, just acceptable.
Even if he were to become an Ultimate Douluo someday, he would still have no resistance against true gods, and thus posed no threat at all.
However, if he not only cultivated quickly but also demonstrated the ability to absorb soul rings beyond his rank, then Qian Renxue would undoubtedly suspect that he, too, possessed a divine martial spirit—or worse, that he was a chosen candidate for godhood. That would make him a potential threat to Spirit Hall's supremacy.
And if that happened, she would definitely act against him without hesitation.
Therefore, in his current weak state, Li Chang'an preferred to appear ordinary rather than risk provoking Qian Renxue into killing him. After all, the limit of a soul ring could still be surpassed later during a God Test. There was no need to take such a dangerous gamble for a small temporary benefit.
For this third soul ring, one of the three Education Committee members personally accompanied him. Li Chang'an was now considered the prized treasure of the Heaven Dou Empire—the empire's future guardian—and thus, no mistakes could be allowed.
Having a Soul Douluo escort him to hunt a thousand-year soul beast in a controlled Soul Beast Forest, where the strongest creatures were no older than several tens of thousands of years, meant that nothing unexpected could possibly happen.
"Bang!"
A massive ape, six meters tall and covered in golden spiky fur, collapsed to the ground. The creature's appearance was ferocious and terrifying. The Education Committee member slowly retracted his hand, then turned to signal Li Chang'an to finish it off.
This was a Diamond Ape, a soul beast of the metallic attribute. Its innate ability, "Diamond Body," was simple but extremely practical—an all-around enhancement of its physical attributes, including strength, defense, and agility.
Li Chang'an had chosen this soul beast precisely because of its strengthening ability. Though not as fearsome as top-tier beasts like the Dark-Gold Dreadclaw Bear, the Diamond Ape was still a high-level species among upper-ranked soul beasts.
As a third soul ring, it was more than sufficient.
The Jade-Scaled Sword pierced cleanly through the Diamond Ape's skull. Moments later, a purple thousand-year soul ring rose from its corpse.
Li Chang'an sat cross-legged, drawing the purple ring toward himself with his soul power.
The absorption went smoothly.
He finished perfectly within half an hour. Still, not wanting to raise suspicion from the supervising Soul Douluo, he deliberately meditated for another three hours before opening his eyes, pretending he had just completed the process.
"How was it? What ability did you gain?" the Committee member asked eagerly.
Li Chang'an gripped his Jade-Scaled Sword, sensing carefully. After a moment, he said in a low voice, "Third Soul Skill: Sword Bone!"
As soon as he spoke, the Education Committee member felt the surge of aura around him intensify dramatically. Judging from that, it was clear this was a strengthening-type soul skill. He was just unsure whether it boosted soul power, physical strength, or the sword's attack.
"This soul skill increases my soul power by thirty percent," Li Chang'an explained.
"Excellent."
The Committee member's eyes lit up, stroking his beard approvingly.
Don't underestimate thirty percent.
For this kind of strengthening-type soul skill, a thirty percent increase was already tremendous.
In battle, a thirty percent advantage could often decide victory or defeat. The overall boost to combat effectiveness was far greater than it appeared numerically.
But in truth—
Li Chang'an had concealed part of the skill's effect. His "Sword Bone" didn't just enhance soul power. It also strengthened his physique, agility, resilience, and even the sharpness of his blade. It was a comprehensive enhancement in every aspect.
Compared to a soul skill that merely increased soul power, this kind of all-around enhancement was on a completely different level.
In battle, activating such a full-scale boost would grant an overwhelming advantage.
The skill had perfectly inherited the Diamond Ape's natural ability.
Though the improvement wasn't too obvious at his current level, once he reached the ranks of Soul Douluo or even Titled Douluo, that thirty percent across-the-board boost would be unimaginably powerful.
At the same time, Li Chang'an couldn't help but wonder—did a soul master's soul skills still exist after reaching level one hundred and becoming a god?
And if they did, would their effects remain the same—like this thirty percent increase?
If so, that would be ridiculously broken.
But he doubted it.
He remembered from the original story that soul ring abilities had limits. For instance, Xiao Wu's Invincible Golden Body could block all damage for a few seconds, but that immunity applied only within the soul master's realm. Against divine power—or even ten-thousand-year soul skills of similar strength—it could be broken.
So, skills governed by such "rules" likely only applied at the mortal level. Upon ascending to godhood, their effects probably changed or disappeared altogether.
"It's time to return," he murmured.
Having achieved his goal, he had no reason to linger in the Soul Beast Forest.
On the way back, I should buy Yan'er a gift… and maybe it's finally time to make our relationship official.
After spending so much time together, he and Dugu Yan were just one confession away from becoming lovers.
And he felt the moment was right to capture this beautiful "snake" for himself.
Otherwise, what if that four-legged lizard Yu Tianheng managed to steal her away?
He knew that guy had been hanging around Dugu Yan lately, constantly trying to impress her. Anyone could see his intentions.
Meanwhile, back at Heaven Dou Royal Academy—
"Yu Tianheng! I've told you already—I'm not interested in you! Stop pestering me!" Dugu Yan's beautiful eyes flashed with icy coldness as she spoke sharply.
"Yan'er…" Yu Tianheng looked at her with a face full of affection. He opened his mouth to speak—
"Stop!"
"Who gave you permission to call me Yan'er?"
Dugu Yan's patience snapped. Her voice turned frosty as she said, "Please call me Miss Dugu."
"…Fine."
Yu Tianheng's face turned from red to white in anger. No woman had ever dared speak to him like that. If it weren't for her grandfather being a Titled Douluo…
Suppressing his fury, he forced a calm expression and said, "Miss Dugu, I came to tell you something today."
"Then spit it out already!"
Dugu Yan no longer hid her disgust. Over the past days, the young master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had been harassing her so much that she was nearly at her wit's end.
(End of Chapter)
────────────────────────────────────
"If you want early access to nearly 60+ chapters, join my patreon:- patreon.com/BaDwYGaMeR"