Chapter 201: Shrek's Doubt and the Empire's Grand Display
"Dean, I also think that the Sun-Moon Empire cannot possibly research such a thing. The idea of absorbing spirit rings above one's level— even Shrek hasn't normalized that. At best, we can use spirit bones to slightly raise the limit. Whether it's the first ring at 800 years or the third at 4,000 years, we simply cannot achieve that as a standard."
"As for a fifth ring above 20,000 years…" Du Weilun paused before continuing, "At most, we might grant a student a spirit bone at level 10 or 20, allowing them to absorb slightly stronger rings. Maybe, with accumulated advantages, they could reach 20,000 years by the fifth ring. But if we're talking about 25,000 years, that would require two spirit bones, and that's a huge risk. Even then, unless one of the spirit bones is at the hundred-thousand-year level, a 25,000-year fifth ring is a fantasy."
Listening to Du Weilun's calm and thorough analysis, Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but nod in agreement. "Yes, absorbing spirit rings beyond one's level—especially the first one—has always been impossible at Shrek. This isn't ten thousand years ago. It's been long proven that spirit bones are not always safely absorbable at low levels. There's real danger in forcing spirit bone absorption without at least ten or twenty levels of spirit power."
"And even if absorbed safely, the benefits are limited. You might push the limit of the third and fourth rings slightly, but pushing to combinations like two yellow, one purple, and three black… that's something only my teacher managed in the past three centuries at Shrek. What the Sun-Moon Empire claims—doubling spirit ring ages—is nonsense!"
Du Weilun sighed heavily. "I truly hope it is nonsense."
Yan Shaozhe's tone shifted with concern. "Old Du, what's wrong with your voice? Why would you hope it's nonsense?"
"Dean, the Sun-Moon Empire has issued a national decree. They've officially written the existence of soul spirits into government documents. Even remote villages in their empire know about them now."
"And the most shocking part? They're preparing a nationwide live broadcast to showcase soul spirits—demonstrating people absorbing soul rings beyond their level in front of everyone."
"If it was only rumors or internal memos, I wouldn't be concerned. But with this scale of national propaganda, troop deployment on the border, and now a broadcast supported by ninth-level soul engineers building massive signal towers… I'm afraid it might be real."
There was a long silence on the other end of the soul communicator.
Finally, Yan Shaozhe replied, his voice much quieter. "Old Du… calm down. This cannot be. Shrek cannot be surpassed in this. There's definitely a trick to this."
Du Weilun said nothing.
Yan Shaozhe continued, "Even if they're filming a live broadcast, they can use tricks. Have you forgotten the ten-thousand-year Ice Silkworms from the Extreme North? With their illusion skills, they can manipulate perception. A simulation like that could fool an entire country."
"A ten-thousand-year-old Ice Silkworm could easily cast a large-scale illusion, making people see what they want them to see."
"…Are you suggesting the Sun-Moon Empire would stage a national fraud with an illusion spirit beast?" Du Weilun asked skeptically.
"That's right," Yan Shaozhe said firmly. "It wouldn't be the first time someone used powerful spirit beasts to fabricate reality. Go, Old Du—take Xiao Xiao and the other Shrek students. Be there in person. Expose their deception when it airs. Tell them the truth: Shrek is the best destination for soul masters."
———
In the Sun-Moon Empire, things were moving fast.
The Emperor himself had taken a personal interest. When the ruler stares at something, officials move like the wind—out of fear for their lives and their careers. All soul-related work was underway with terrifying speed. It didn't take long before everything was ready.
In the grand square of the Soul Palace, eighth- and ninth-level soul engineers had deployed powerful transmission soul devices. The Emperor, Crown Prince Xu Tianran, and the princes arrived in person. High-ranking officials filled the area. Even Kong Deming, a national pillar who rarely showed himself, came to witness the event.
"The scale of this…" Du Weilun muttered as he watched from the distance. He looked up at the grandiose flying soul device that carried the Emperor himself. "Not afraid of falling to his death, huh?" he whispered sarcastically.
To flaunt the Empire's strength, the Emperor had chosen the most extravagant method of arrival—flying through the air in a dragon-shaped spirit-guided sedan.
Beside Du Weilun, Xiao Xiao looked on, her confidence wavering. "Dean, with the Emperor, Crown Prince, and so many ministers present… could they really be absorbing soul rings beyond their level?"
As a girl raised believing Shrek was the number one academy in the world, Xiao Xiao had always trusted in its supremacy. She had added a spirit ring early on—right after reaching level 20—to score better in the freshman assessment. That choice had cost her. A hundred-year ring took up a precious slot, affecting her long-term growth.
Fortunately, Shrek's leadership later noticed her potential and promised her top-tier spirit rings and bones. Her second martial soul would be properly nurtured. She was destined to become a future leader of Shrek.
It should have been the perfect outcome. She had made one mistake early, but she had corrected course. She had chosen the right side.
Or so she believed.
Until now.
When Qian Fengqin, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, and the two ten-thousand-year soul beasts walked into view of the entire crowd…
A pit formed in Xiao Xiao's stomach.
Had she made the wrong choice again?
She didn't dare speak her doubts aloud—but the unease in her heart only grew.
And as the broadcast began, transmitting across the nation, millions of eyes turned toward the Soul Palace.
What they would witness next might rewrite the future of spirit cultivation forever.