A thirty-thousand-year fifth spirit ring! This can no longer be described as genius; he's a monster! This shatters the common sense of the entire Spirit Master world!
Even the so-called Golden Generation from Spirit Hall, even he himself, could never have dreamed of absorbing a thirty-thousand-year ring as their fifth. This Ye Yin... just how terrifying is his physical strength and potential?
Xue Qinghe's mind was churning with strategic calculations, but on the surface, he merely showed an appropriate amount of astonishment. "A thirty-thousand-year fifth spirit ring… Junior Brother Ye, you have once again redefined what it means to be a genius! This only makes me wonder more why you and the others from Shrek Academy left Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Every time I discuss the matter with my Imperial Father, we are filled with regret. If anyone there bullied you, I will take you to him myself and have him preside over justice for you!"
Dugu Bo was also a bit curious about this.
Ye Yin just smiled slightly. "No, Your Highness, that wasn't it at all. In fact, we've always felt apologetic about the way we left. Leaving without saying goodbye wasn't very proper of us. The truth is, our dean happened to meet an old friend whose hospitality was simply too much to refuse. He even offered to give him his entire academy. How could we possibly resist such an offer? That's why we had to leave so suddenly. I hope that you and the academy do not blame us."
Xue Qinghe's expression cleared with understanding. "So that's how it was. Blame you? Of course not! You are all precious talents of the Empire. It's just… I would like to visit your new academy in a few days. I wonder if I would be welcome?"
"Of course," Ye Yin said. "You would be more than welcome. Who wouldn't welcome a visit from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"
Xue Qinghe feigned a hint of displeasure. "But I'm hoping to go as a friend. Am I not welcome then?"
Ye Yin raised his eyebrows. "Welcome, of course you're welcome! Your Highness can come anytime you wish. When you do, I will be sure to prepare a generous gift for you, one that you must not refuse."
Xue Qinghe's smile returned instantly. "Good, then it's a deal!"
Dugu Bo, watching from the side, stepped forward and clapped Ye Yin's shoulder. "Your Royal Highness, this kid just absorbed his spirit ring and still needs time to stabilize his realm, so I'll be taking him back first."
Xue Qinghe's smile remained impeccable as he gracefully stepped aside. "Of course. Cultivation is the most important thing."
Dugu Bo said no more and left directly with Ye Yin. Xue Qinghe stood in place, watching their departing figures, his gentle expression slowly hardening.
"A thirty-thousand-year fifth spirit ring… Ye Yin…" he murmured to himself, his fingers unconsciously curling tight within his sleeve. "Dugu Bo… he really struck gold. This is a prodigy that absolutely must be recruited. Especially with his ability to help females increase their spirit ring's age limit… his value is immeasurable."
Time passed quickly. Back at Shrek Academy, everyone was preparing for the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament with great fervor, their sights set on winning the championship. Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and the other teachers were all astonished by the speed of Ye Yin's improvement, especially after learning about his terrifying fifth spirit ring. He was never seen cultivating, yet his progress was the fastest among them all. In what felt like no time at all, he had gone from level twenty-nine to over level fifty.
On the training ground, the Shrek Eight Monsters and their four substitutes were sweating profusely, the lights of their various spirit abilities rising and falling in a dazzling display.
"White Tiger Vajra Transformation!" Dai Mubai's muscles bulged as a golden light enveloped him, and a single punch caused the air to explode.
"Phoenix Fire Wire!" Ma Hongjun spewed a line of intensely hot flames from his mouth.
"Seven Treasures Turn Out Glazed Tile! First: Strength! Second: Speed!" Ning Rongrong's figure was graceful as the light from her Nine-Point Five Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda flowed out, precisely buffing her companions.
"Blue Silver Entanglement!" Blue light flickered at Tang San's fingertips as tough Blue Silver Grass spread like agile snakes, attempting to bind his opponents.
Zhu Zhuqing's figure was a ghost moving through the shadows, waiting for an opportunity. Xiao Wu leaped nimbly, her Waist Bow ready to strike. Oscar was off to the side, rapidly making sausages to provide logistical support.
Meanwhile, Ye Yin was leaning against a large tree, enjoying the shade.
"Yin Ge is really getting more and more… unsettling," Ma Hongjun said, wiping the sweat from his forehead as he whispered to Oscar. "Just look at his eyes. They send a chill down my spine."
Oscar secretly glanced in Ye Yin's direction and nodded in agreement. "Isn't that the truth? But if he wasn't so creepy, would he still be Yin Ge?"
"Focus!" Dai Mubai growled, interrupting their whispers.
Ma Hongjun chuckled nervously and quickly changed the subject. "It's nothing, Boss Dai, just chatting. Say, have you found out anything about that girl in the blue dress with long blue hair?" Thinking of the unforgettable girl from that day, Ma Hongjun could feel his heart ache with lovesickness.
Dai Mubai shook his head. "I've asked countless people in the academy, but no one has seen anyone like that. And the place where you met her is where Little San often cultivates. Even he's never seen her. I really wonder if you were just dreaming. Or maybe… the blue-dressed girl you met was Tang San. Except for the gender, everything else matches."
At Dai Mubai's words, Tang San's body trembled violently. The painful memories began to attack him again.
Unbeknownst to the others, Ye Yin had suddenly appeared right beside Tang San. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Little San, you didn't actually get involved with Ma Hongjun, did you? You know, after you turned into a girl."
Tang San's expression changed instantly. "Yin Ge! What are you talking about?! That's impossible! Don't talk nonsense! And don't you dare tell anyone about this! I don't want anyone else to know that I… that I turned into a woman."
[Resentment from Tang San +99!]
Heh, Ye Yin chuckled to himself. It must be true, then.
Just as the atmosphere turned incredibly awkward, a charming voice full of surprise broke the clamor of the training ground.
"Ye Yin!"
Accompanied by a gust of fragrant wind, a jade-green figure shot across the training ground like a swallow returning to its nest. She moved as if no one else was there, her eyes locked on one person.
The person who had arrived was Dugu Yan.
Today, she wore a fitted, jade-scaled combat suit that outlined her graceful figure. Her green-blue hair was tied into a neat ponytail, and her face was adorned with a bright, captivating smile. Her jade-green eyes were filled with deep longing and undisguised affection. She rushed to Ye Yin in just a few steps, ignoring all the astonished and jealous gazes around her. She stretched out her fair arms and intimately wrapped them around Ye Yin's neck.
"Did you miss me?"
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