Chapter 6: Xiao Wu's Soul Ring, I'm Taking It!
Rank ninety-six—it was an enormous threshold.
Though it was only a single rank higher than ninety-five, the difference was like heaven and earth.
It meant that Ghost Douluo's power had stepped into an entirely new realm. Every one of his soul skills had become stronger, their might greater than ever.
When Yue Guan saw the expression on Ghost Douluo's face, surprise and joy flickered in his eyes.
"Old Ghost, judging from your look… did you break through the bottleneck?"
Ghost Douluo smiled faintly and nodded.
"My soul power has reached rank ninety-six."
"That's incredible! Congratulations—your strength has risen once again."
"You should take that Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum too. Maybe you'll be able to break through as well."
"Mm."
Yue Guan gazed at the radiant golden chrysanthemum in his hand, eyes filled with both reluctance and hope.
He gritted his teeth, plucked off the petals one by one, and began chewing them slowly.
Then, he sat cross-legged on the ground, closed his eyes, and entered meditation to refine his soul power.
Ghost Douluo quietly stood guard beside him, waiting in anticipation for the miraculous change that the immortal herb would bring.
As time passed, the light of day gradually dimmed.
A faint golden radiance enveloped Yue Guan's body, and the surrounding air trembled under the invisible pressure of his rising energy.
No one knew how long it took, but eventually, Yue Guan slowly opened his eyes — and within them gleamed a brilliance never seen before.
The breakthrough in soul power had completely transformed his aura and presence.
"Old Ghost… I…" Yue Guan's voice trembled, disbelief coloring every syllable.
"I've reached rank ninety-six, too!"
Ghost Douluo's eyes shone with unrestrained joy.
"Haha! Wonderful! After fighting side by side for so many years, we've finally crossed this heavenly chasm together!"
"Old Ghost, all of this was thanks to that miraculous dream of yours."
The two shared a knowing smile.
Reaching rank ninety-six wasn't merely an increase in strength—it elevated the power of their Martial Soul Fusion Technique, the Polar Static Domain, to an entirely new level.
But then, a shadow of worry crossed Yue Guan's eyes.
"Old Ghost… There's still half a year before Bibi Dong emerges from her seclusion. Once she finds out we've left, she'll never let us go."
Ghost Douluo snorted coldly.
"Even if it's her, so what? Once Qian Daoliu learns about it, he might send people after us as well. That's why we must become even stronger. Fortunately… It's time to add a soul ring to my second martial soul."
"Then let's head to the soul beast forest and hunt one down."
"No rush," Ghost Douluo replied, his tone calm yet chilling. "I know of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast that has taken human form — it's right beside Tang San."
Yue Guan's eyes gleamed with sudden excitement.
"A human-formed hundred-thousand-year beast is easier to deal with than a wild one. Where is it? Let's claim its soul ring right now!"
"It's in the Balak Kingdom, south of Suotuo City — at Shrek Academy. But it won't be easy. Tang Hao is secretly watching over his son."
"...Tang Hao?!"
The mention of that name made Yue Guan's eyes turn sharp with hatred.
Back then, they had followed the former Pope Qian Xunji to capture the Blue Silver Emperor. Yet she sacrificed herself to Tang Hao, and with the Clear Sky Sect's Ring Explosion Technique, Tang Hao gravely wounded Qian Xunji and killed a Titled Douluo on the spot.
Neither Ghost Douluo nor Yue Guan had escaped unscathed from that battle—both were injured.
All these years, Yue Guan had always believed that Tang Hao was the one truly responsible for Qian Xunji's death.
But Ghost Douluo felt… It was finally time to tell him the truth.
"Old Yue, although Tang Hao gravely injured Qian Xunji, the true culprit behind his death was Bibi Dong," Ghost Douluo said slowly, his tone calm yet heavy. "While he was still severely wounded, Bibi Dong poisoned him and devoured both his body and soul. That's how she was able to skyrocket in power within such a short time and become a peerless powerhouse."
Yue Guan was utterly stunned.
"So Bibi Dong was the one who actually killed Qian Xunji? No wonder her strength grew so fast… But wait, didn't Qian Daoliu notice?"
"Of course he did," Ghost replied coldly. "He's known all along—he just chose not to expose her. Under Bibi Dong's leadership, Spirit Hall's influence has expanded to an unprecedented level. If he made a move against her now, it would plunge Spirit Hall into civil war."
Yue Guan nodded slowly. "You're right. Since we've already left Spirit Hall, none of that mess concerns us anymore."
Ghost Douluo's gaze hardened. "Enough talk. Let's go—it's time to visit Tang Hao. That day, when he used his Ring Explosion technique, he sustained severe internal injuries that still haven't fully healed. He won't be able to use that move again."
"Good. I'll hold Tang Hao off, and you take that hundred-thousand-year soul beast. Don't let it escape."
"Relax," Ghost Douluo said with an eerie smile. "It won't escape."
He knew that at this point, Tang San was only twelve years old and had just enrolled at Shrek Academy alongside Xiao Wu.
Aside from Tang Hao secretly watching from the shadows, Shrek Academy only had a few teachers—Flender and Zhao Wuji were merely Soul Saints at the seventy-plus rank, and the others were even weaker.
Against two rank ninety-six Titled Douluo, they wouldn't even have the chance to resist.
———
Balak Kingdom — Shrek Academy
Morning sunlight poured gently over the academy grounds.
The Shrek Seven Devils gathered in the plaza, listening attentively as Yu Xiaogang addressed them.
"Children, after this period of special training, you've all performed quite well. Each of you has made visible progress. I'm proud of you."
Just as his words fell, the sky suddenly darkened.
Everyone instinctively looked up—only to see the once-clear blue sky swallowed by a rolling black shadow, as if the heavens themselves had turned against them.
That shadow churned and twisted, carrying a terrifying pressure that made the very air tremble.
Moments later, two overwhelming waves of soul power surged forth like raging tides, instantly enveloping the entire academy.
"What terrifying soul power fluctuations… Who could it be?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression changed drastically. Realizing the danger, he shouted, "Everyone, defensive formation! Now!"
The Shrek Seven quickly formed a circle, backs against one another, alert and ready to face whatever approached.
Tang San released his Blue Silver Grass, his Purple Demon Eye quietly activating as he peered into the shadows to identify the intruders.
Then, two figures slowly emerged from the darkness above.
Ghost Douluo and Yue Guan.
The pair hovered in midair, cloaked in a chilling aura that pressed down like a mountain.
"That's… the Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, and the Ghost Douluo Gui Mei—both from Spirit Hall!"
Yu Xiaogang's brows are knitted tightly.
He had once spent time in Spirit Hall, and the two were impossible to mistake. Yue Guan's appearance was delicate and effeminate, neither fully male nor female, while Ghost Douluo was clad entirely in black, his eerie face flickering like a phantom.
The two were infamous for always appearing together—inseparable like shadow and light.
"What are they doing here at Shrek Academy? Could it be… because of Tang San?"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes flickered toward Tang San, anxiety rising in his chest.
He knew Spirit Hall had long sought Tang Hao to avenge Qian Xunji.
"Could they have discovered Tang San's identity? Impossible… right?"
At that moment, Flender, Zhao Wuji, and the other Shrek teachers rushed onto the plaza, their faces grim as they prepared for battle.
—
End of Chapter