Chapter 5: A Risky Gift and Hidden Eyes
"Go get the second martial spirit now? Although I really want to take you to get it now, you already have your third spirit ring, and there's no vacant position for another spirit ring at the moment. I can't let her become your spirit ring now."
"So, I need to wait until there's an available spirit ring position to get it? I understand."
Recalling the plot of Huo Yuhao in the original novel, Tian Meng had advised Huo Yuhao to find Bing Di when he lacked a second spirit ring. Given Tian Meng's deep affection for Bing Di, it made sense that a vacant spirit ring slot was needed.
However, Xiao Qiang had just broken through to level 30 six months ago, and his next spirit ring would only come at level 40. Considering that Xue Di said she'd only choose to transform after failing to find Bing Di in the Extreme North, Xiao Qiang estimated the worst-case scenario. In the original story, Huo Yuhao took Bing Di away, leaving Xue Di unable to find her, eventually prompting her transformation.
In the original timeline, it took Huo Yuhao about a year to reach level 20 and head to the Extreme North. After fusing with the Ice Empress, there was still enough time to persuade the Snow Empress. That meant Xiao Qiang needed to reach level 40 in less than a year and rush to the Extreme North.
Reaching level 40 within a year, without the help of the immortal herbs, was a heavy burden. But thankfully, this would likely be the final time Xiao Qiang would need to train so desperately.
Once he had the second martial soul—the Ice Empress—and the Snow Empress as a bodyguard, coupled with resources like the ten-thousand-year-old Black Ice Marrow beneath the Dragon Gate, the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, and the Mandarin Duck Pot…
Even if he lay flat and did nothing, he should reach the rank of eight-ring Soul Douluo before the age of 20. If he pushed himself, he could aim for Limit Douluo by 30—or even become one.
Although this pace was slightly behind Huo Yuhao, that guy had a mountain of cheats, including all sorts of protagonist benefits. Compared to the cheat-laden Huo Yuhao, Xiao Qiang had far fewer boosts. But even so, his prospects were outstanding. Reaching Titled Douluo by age 30 would already place him among the top talents.
After all, this era had only progressed into the second arc of the Douluo story. While the gold content of a Titled Douluo wasn't as high as in the earlier eras, it still carried considerable weight.
In Douluo II, reaching Titled Douluo—even as the weakest of them—was enough to demand respect. The emperor himself would address you as "brother."
The Titled Douluo known as "Granny Manyi," who had long been respected by the Xingluo Empire's princess, was just a Titled Douluo—not even a Super Douluo at level 95.
With Tian Meng by his side, Xiao Qiang didn't need to worry about talent or spirit rings. What he needed most was a safe environment to grow.
As the top genius of the Sun Moon Empire, the one person he absolutely had to avoid was Yue—Dragon God Douluo, a man with one foot in the grave but still dangerously powerful.
"Alright, I've also modified your other two spirit rings. Now, all three of your rings are at the two-thousand-year level," Tian Meng announced while Xiao Qiang was lost in thought.
"Oh, and your second soul skill is simulation, right? Use that to disguise your soul rings as a normal configuration—two yellow and one purple. That way, no one will come asking uncomfortable questions. I'm going to sleep now. Don't call me unless it's something serious."
With that, Tian Meng curled up in Xiao Qiang's spiritual sea and fell into a deep, enviable slumber.
As Tian Meng dozed off, Xiao Qiang slowly opened his eyes. His pupils transformed into twin magatama Sharingan. Three soul rings floated around him—two purple thousand-year rings and a platinum ring—formed from Tian Meng's ice silkworm ring and his own soul ring.
Under his control, two of the rings turned yellow while Tian Meng's became purple, displaying the classic "optimal" two-yellow-one-purple ratio.
Why "so-called optimal"?
As a former reader of Douluo Dalu, Xiao Qiang knew the master's theory was notoriously unreliable.
He picked up the flying dagger that had fallen to the ground. Although the bonus effect he gained wasn't extraordinary, he was still satisfied. After all, snatching Electrolux from Huo Yuhao wasn't an option. It was a decent harvest. With that, Xiao Qiang prepared to leave.
However, a figure suddenly appeared and blocked his path.
"Stop right there! Who allowed you to leave? Xiao Yuhao was almost killed by you!"
Xiao Qiang turned toward the voice. Standing nearby were Huo Yuhao, Tang Ya, and Bei Bei. It was Tang Ya who was glaring at him accusingly.
Xiao Qiang ignored her tone and looked at Huo Yuhao. "Looks like you're fine. That's good. I was a bit worried the flight device I gave you might overload and explode."
"Hey! Don't talk so casually! If it weren't for Bei Bei and me, Xiao Yuhao could've been blown to pieces by your soul guide!" Tang Ya shouted angrily.
Xiao Qiang blinked innocently. "You're saying it exploded?"
"Of course it exploded! Do you even know what you gave him?!"
"I know. That thing was my final escape mechanism. It dumps all stored soul power at once. There's always a chance it might blow up."
"And you still gave it to Xiao Yuhao?! Bei Bei, don't stop me—I'm going to teach this brat a lesson!"
Tang Ya activated her martial soul and stepped forward aggressively. Yet Xiao Qiang remained calm.
"What's the issue? Like I said, it's a last-resort survival tool. If he didn't use it, he'd have died. If he did, there was a chance he might survive."
He turned toward Huo Yuhao again. "He was facing a soul beast with at least 1,500 years of cultivation. With only two soul rings, he wouldn't have made it. My soul guide gave him a shot at survival."
Then, shifting his gaze to Beibei and Tang Ya, he added, "Looking at him now, I'd say the result was pretty good."
"You—!"
Tang Ya fumed but was gently restrained by Beibei.
"Enough, Teacher Xiaoya. Brother Li Feiyu is right. If the soul beast was over 1,500 years old, Xiao Yuhao's only chance was retreating."
"But I still can't help being angry!"
Beibei smiled wryly and patted Tang Ya on the shoulder to calm her.
Not far from them, a Soul Douluo quietly observed the scene. As expected, Beibei—great-great-grandson of the Sea God Pavilion Master—had a hidden escort. Though Beibei had only come to help Tang Ya hunt for her third ring, a powerful bodyguard had been silently protecting him.
Now, however, that bodyguard's eyes shifted from Beibei to Xiao Qiang.
"A three-ring Soul Master at this age… with a perfect soul ring configuration… but not a student of Shrek, and there's no trace of the soul beast's body…"
The Soul Douluo pondered, then activated a soul communication device.
"Father, you were looking for me?"
"Yang Peng, if I recall correctly, the mission of your Shrek Supervisory Group still hasn't been completed…"