Chapter 206: Shattered Arrogance, Crumbling Glory
"What! Elder Cao, Xiao Xiao is the only twin martial soul owner in Shrek! And she doesn't have a powerful family behind her. She can definitely become the future pillar of Shrek! Now that Xiao Tao has been captured by an evil soul master, we can't lose another twin martial soul. Otherwise, who will become the dean of Shrek's Outer Academy, or the deputy head of the Sea God Pavilion in the future?"
Hearing the proposal from one of the elders, Yan Shaozhe was so shocked that he stood up at once.
As the dean of the Martial Soul Department's outer academy, he had always cared deeply for the talents in the department. In the original timeline, after realizing Huo Yuhao's value, he had bowed his head and apologized to him, even if he had also painted big dreams and manipulated him emotionally. Still, the fact that he was willing to apologize said enough.
For someone who had held high-ranking positions for decades, such an apology was rare and carried weight.
Now that Elder Cao was suggesting sending Xiao Xiao undercover—when she was the only twin martial soul genius left in Shrek—Yan Shaozhe could not accept it.
In his view, if someone had to go, let it be the Soul Guidance Department's so-called "trash" like Huo Yuhao and He Caitou. Even if they got caught, it would be considered an individual mistake, disconnected from Shrek as a whole.
But Xiao Xiao was different. She represented the future leadership of the outer academy and the Sea God Pavilion. If she was caught, Shrek would be forced to pay a heavy political and strategic price. Even if it meant losing people like Fan Yu or Du Weilun, they could not afford to lose Xiao Xiao and her twin martial spirit.
"Shaozhe, calm down and let me finish."
Moon's calm yet heavy gaze silenced him. Under the pressure of his teacher, Yan Shaozhe could only grit his teeth and sit down.
"I don't want to do this either. But we must."
Elder Cao's tone was resolute as he continued, "According to the intelligence from Xiao Du, soul masters who merge with souls can double their absorption limit for soul rings."
"But based on the actual fusion cases involving Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, and Qian Fengqin, this isn't just a simple doubling of capacity."
"For Shrek's soul masters, even the elites, the fourth soul ring usually caps around 6,000 to 6,500 years. If it were just doubling, the limit would be about 13,000. But the soul formed by the Lan sisters reached 15,000."
"There's also the case of the Thousand Winds Harp from the Knight of Light. That family doesn't have the background or technology to prepare such a strong foundation. The fifth soul ring alone reached 15,000 years—3,000 more than the calculated double. Where did the excess come from?"
Elder Song, thinking back to Xiao Hongchen's purchases at the Treasure Appraisal Pavilion, blurted out, "Soul bone?"
"Exactly," Elder Cao nodded gravely. "But I suspect it's not just that. A single ten-thousand-year soul bone shouldn't be enough to push the limit that far."
He paused, his expression darkening.
"Say what's on your mind," came Elder Mu's voice. "Now is the time to speculate. No one will fault you."
Elder Cao took a deep breath. "Has anyone realized something crucial? Du Weilun never mentioned anything about the hundred-thousand-year soul—not even its price."
"A ten-thousand-year soul is already enough to manifest and fight as a separate being. Then what about a hundred-thousand-year soul?"
The room fell into dead silence. The Sea God Pavilion, filled with the highest minds of the continent, suddenly had nothing to say.
If a soul master with a good foundation could push the sixth soul ring to 35,000–40,000 years even with minimal soul bone support, then with two or more ten-thousand-year soul bones, 50,000 years wasn't impossible.
And if a soul could produce multiple rings, then what would a combination of five black and four red rings mean?
Even though the Sun-Moon Empire's martial souls were weaker in general, what if their soul ring configuration was vastly superior?
Five black rings. Four red. A terrifyingly optimal ratio.
That would more than compensate for weak innate spirits. Super Douluo? They could be mass-produced. Even Extreme Douluo could be achieved.
And if the ninth-level soul engineer could already pressure super Douluo… what about tenth-level? Eleventh-level?
No one dared imagine it. The future was dawning—and it didn't include Shrek.
Once soul technology became widespread, soul masters who possessed souls would dominate those who didn't. And if Shrek didn't gain access, it would fall off its pedestal within a generation. Within two hundred years, it would be forgotten, like the ruins of the Tang Sect.
Moon's voice broke the silence.
"Let Xiao Xiao go. If she can bring back the soul technology, Shrek will grant her three hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. Even if we must risk war with the Star Dou Great Forest, she will have hundred-thousand-year soul rings starting from her sixth ring."
"Whatever resources she needs, Shrek will find them. Even those beyond this realm."
With the decision finalized, orders quickly passed to Du Weilun. Aware of the gravity of the situation, Du Weilun called Xiao Xiao in person.
And while relaying the Sea God Pavilion's decision, this proud old administrator—normally haughty and cold—actually knelt before her.
"For Shrek," he said, his voice trembling. "For Shrek's future."
He praised her, pleaded with her, flattered her with promises of honor and glory. He poured out Shrek's expectations, begging her to rise for their sake.
Moved by the weight of those words, and tempted by the dream of glory, Xiao Xiao hesitated.
But then came her answer.
"I'm sorry."
"The Soul Palace is no longer short of saints."