(AN: I know for some readers, this part is boring. Here is the good news I am going to wrap up this arc by the end of next week)
What Flender failed to mention to Dai Mubai was a dark truth—two students had died this very year during their first soul ring absorption.
And they were not the first.
In total, six young geniuses had lost their lives since Shrek Academy adopted Yu Xiaogang's so-called "upper limit theory."
Flender sighed whenever he thought about it. His heart wasn't made of stone—he remembered each name.
While Flender knew that Liu Erlong had started her own academy Blue Tyrant Academy in Heaven Dou City, he did not contact her. He told himself that it was better this way.
Flender convinced himself that if he avoided Liu Erlong, the guilt eating at him would fade.
However, It didn't.
But Flender's guilt towards Yu Xiaogang…was not that big, because the main reason fir that incident was ultimately Yu Xiaogang. If Yu Xiaogang had not ran away like a coward the situation would have been different.
Though the three of them were bound by regret, broken love, and old friendships, Flender still respected one thing about Yu Xiaogang—his unwavering pursuit of theory.
Even if that theory was… incomplete.
Yu Xiaogang, currently residing at Nuoding Academy, had sent Flender numerous letters over the past years.His request was bold:
"Verify the upper limit of soul ring absorption. With enough data, I can complete my new theory."
But in reality?
Flender felt that he could help Yu Xiaogang to relieve some of his guilt.'Liu Erlong was supposed to be his wife… and yet…'
To repay that emotional debt, he agreed to allow Shrek students to hear the incomplete theory.Flender would never, ever force a child to risk their life.He was stingy, he was shameless… but he was not heartless.
But Shrek Academy's students were all hailed as "monsters" before they even arrived.Geniuses with pride as high as the heavens.Children who believed talent alone made them invincible.
When they heard Yu Xiaogang's theory that suggested absorbing rings beyond the standard limit…
And with youthful arrogance burning in their blood, they declared:
"I don't need theory. I can handle what others can't."
So they hunted soul beasts of over 8,000 years.
And paid with their lives.
Blood flowed from seven orifices, as their bodies spasmed violently. Their martial souls collapsed, before they died violently
Their talent, their futures, their dreams—gone in an instant.
Flender still had nightmares, because he had himself gone to help these students to hunt soul beasts
So this year, Flender made a silent oath:
Not to test Yu Xiaogang's incomplete theory again.----
Because of the soul beast tide that Qian Renxue secretly orchestrated, the continent was overflowing with powerful beasts. Many soul masters seized the opportunity and broke through their limits through life-and-death battles.
Unknown to most, the with silent ripples Qian Renxue also spread a subtle piece of knowledge—
How to safely absorb higher-aged soul rings.
Soul rings under 10,000 years were mostly limited by physical strength.
Soul rings above 10,000 years required both strong mental and physical strength.
But because these hints came without rigorous documented experiments, soul masters hesitated.No one wanted to risk their life.
Except the Angel Corps.
With the Angel Goddess watching over them at all times, they received direct mental cues and limit-warnings. For them, finding the correct age of soul rings wasn't theory—it was like a divine instruction.
-----
Yu Xiaogang, despite lacking any real cultivation, was still a titled elder of Spirit Hall.A gift from Bibi Dong.
His prestige allowed him access to the knew theory recorded in the books of Spirit Hall.
Once he knew about "safely absorbing high-age rings," his eyes lit up.
Another book and a chance to polish his reputation.
But there was one problem—
There were no fixed numerical values Or precise threshold.So naturally,—He wrote to Flender, as he knew Flender has started his own academy
He needed the academy to gather data.
Flender had refused once.But Yu Xiaogang insisted—"Just record. You won't be forcing them. Talented students will want to test their limits themselves."
Flender now regretted ever agreeing.
Two more children had died this year because of that arrogance.
The total number of death due to confirm the feasibility of absorbing higher age soul rings was 6, and now Flender would never allow a seventh.
Jiang Mo and Lin Yuan having 4th soul ring black was a shock among the audience during their fight, because the true physical and spiritual requirement for absorbing it was not confirmed.
Jiang Mo had eaten the two ultimate fire and ice herbs from the Yin Yang Fire well making his constitution very strong.
Lin Yuan had a Dragon blood brew as a cultivation resource which strengthened his constitution.
Slowly, after the suitable physical data with corresponding soul ring age would be complied the 4th soul ring as a black colour (10,000 year age ) would not seem impossible.
----
Soon, Flender brought Dai Mubai to meet with the current students in the academy.
Flender placed a hand on Dai Mubai's shoulder and pointed to the two waiting children.
"Here, this guy is Ma Hongjun," Flender said with a rare note of pride."He is my disciple. His martial soul is the Evil Fire Phoenix. He's currently level 22 at just ten years old."
Dai Mubai raised an eyebrow.
Ma Hongjun wasn't tall—short and chubby, almost like a round meat bun.But there was a sturdiness to him, a compact strength hidden beneath the baby fat.
His short reddish-brown hair with emerald eyes seemed to spark under the light. Despite his plumpness, he radiated an adorable yet fiery presence.
Ma Hongjun puffed his chest out when he noticed Dai Mubai's evaluating gaze.
Flender then motioned toward the second child.