Chapter 180 – Temptation Beyond Shrek
"Xiao Xiao, since you don't have any soul tools you're interested in, forget it. But I still want to see if the invincible shield is available," Ling Luochen said calmly. "What about you two, Susu, Luoluo?"
She reiterated her intention—just to check if the rare shield could still be bought.
"Let's go together."
Unlike Xiao Xiao, who had painted a grand future for herself under Shrek's promises, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo had gained no real benefits from the Academy. Now, with Xiao Qiang—who had clear backing and power—personally inviting them, there was no reason to stay blindly loyal to Shrek. For them, waiting for a better offer was the smartest move.
In the end, all three of them justified their decision to go by claiming loyalty to Shrek and merely expressing interest in purchasing high-grade soul tools—just in case.
...
Inside a high-level meeting room at Mingde Hall, Xiao Qiang sat waiting.
Soon, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, and Ling Luochen entered the room.
"Xiao Xiao didn't come? Forget it. Please, all of you, take a seat."
Xiao Qiang wasn't surprised. In the original novel, Shrek Academy had no shortage of geniuses. Putting aside He Caitou, there were three students openly possessing twin martial souls: Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao.
Huo Yuhao had already lost his chance and fortune. With the current trajectory, he might never even reach the level of a six-ring Soul Emperor.
Wang Dong's twin martial spirits had only been revealed during the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament in the original story. However, due to a few butterfly effects, he hadn't made the team this time. Without that exposure, his secret was likely to remain hidden.
So, among the three twin martial soul holders, one was essentially wasted and the other invisible. Shrek, already starving for talent, would certainly treasure Xiao Xiao.
Xiao Qiang even suspected that Shrek might have made her a grand promise—perhaps even a 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone. If so, her decision made sense.
After all, Shrek Academy was still considered the best in the continent. Nobody would easily suspect them of bluffing their students. In the original novel, when Yan Shaozhe promised Huo Yuhao a 100,000-year soul ring and bone, even as a reader, Xiao Qiang believed it. Without the omniscient viewpoint provided by the full plot, who wouldn't have fallen for it?
Once the three sat down, Ling Luochen took the initiative. "So, what did you want to speak with us about?"
Though she was feigning ignorance, she was smart enough to know that Xiao Qiang wouldn't accept a defector without negotiating terms. She couldn't just jump ship without any exchange.
"Don't worry, Miss Ling. Here, try this first."
Xiao Qiang smiled and conjured a popsicle over half a meter long, infused with a mysterious chill. He handed it to her casually.
Ling Luochen raised her eyebrows but took it. As soon as she touched it, her expression changed drastically. She shot to her feet.
"You… you're… Ultimate Ice?!"
She was stunned. The moment she held the popsicle, a surge of pure Ultimate Ice energy had coursed through her body, subtly enhancing and refining her elemental affinity. If it weren't for the irrefutable sensation of attribute sublimation, she wouldn't have believed it herself.
Ultimate Ice. This was—
Wait. Why does my head feel fuzzy? Did I… forget something?
Her thoughts grew hazy, as if something vital had slipped her mind. Xiao Qiang noticed the effect and scratched his cheek in mild embarrassment.
"Ah… a little side effect. I awakened a special martial soul. Miss Ling, want to continue?"
He offered the popsicle again. Ling Luochen, now seated once more, accepted it without hesitation, already intoxicated by the passive enhancement to her ice attributes.
"Since you're here, I'll be direct. I'm establishing a new force, and I'm currently in desperate need of capable people. I hope you three will join. Of course, I'll ensure the benefits match the invitation."
Seeing Ling Luochen absorbed in the attribute sublimation, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo exchanged glances. It was clear Ling Luochen could no longer negotiate on behalf of all three.
Lan Susu, the older sister, stepped up. "If we were to join, what exactly would we gain? I mean tangible, personal benefits. And in exchange, what would we owe?"
"Fair question. I prefer direct deals too," Xiao Qiang replied, voice calm and confident. "First, I can offer you three soul bones—each over ten thousand years old. One is even over fifty thousand years. Second, I know you're both currently three-ring Soul Masters, yes?"
They nodded cautiously.
"I have a special method that allows soul ring absorption well beyond the standard age limit. Simply put, I can make it possible for you to obtain a ten thousand-year fourth soul ring—safely."
The twins abruptly stood up, eyes wide with disbelief.
"That's impossible! Even Shrek can't guarantee safe absorption of a ten thousand-year soul ring at the fourth level!"
"Just because Shrek can't doesn't mean I can't," Xiao Qiang said smoothly. "I'm extending this offer sincerely. I'll even give each of you a ten thousand-year soul bone upfront. Then, when you break through to your fourth ring, I'll help you absorb a ten thousand-year soul ring. Only after that will I require you to pledge your loyalty."
Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo exchanged another look, this time filled with genuine shock.
If they could truly obtain a ten thousand-year fourth ring, then their potential would explode. Ten-thousand-year soul skills would grant them power rivaling elite soul masters. Their weaker martial souls would no longer be a limitation. Their growth would accelerate dramatically.
And most importantly—he wasn't asking for loyalty upfront. They wouldn't have to gamble their futures without first tasting real benefits.
Suppressing their excitement, they asked one final question. "What about our future rings? Can they also exceed standard limits?"
"With enough spiritual strength, your sixth soul ring can be seventy thousand years. After that, your soul rings will maintain that level—not lower, but also not higher."
"The last question…" Lan Luoluo hesitated. "Do we need to… call you Master in the future?"
Xiao Qiang: "???"
He blinked, confused.
"Where did that come from?"
————-
Pump up the power stone