"Sister Mu Lan, don't worry. I came to this conclusion after reading a book."
"The absorption of soul rings from soul beasts is actually heavily related to physical strength and spiritual power."
"Ten thousand years ago, as long as one's body could handle it, soul masters could absorb soul rings well above their level—even up to 9,999-year-old soul beasts."
"According to the book History of Douluo Continent: Soul Master Development Records, soul masters back then had far weaker bodies than we do today, and most of their first soul rings were white—just ten years."
"So this '423-year limit' isn't actually accurate. As long as the body is strong enough, that so-called limit can be ignored."
"It's like how a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul holder would have a completely different physical foundation compared to someone with an ordinary beast martial soul."
"And I've been physically strong since I was little. I also train daily. Absorbing a five-hundred-year ring won't be a problem."
Wu Tong explained seriously, hoping to ease Mu Lan's concern.
So that was the case.
Everyone looked enlightened. The fact that ten thousand years ago, first rings were often just ten-year white rings truly broadened their understanding.
"Then why can't people absorb ten-thousand-year soul beasts?" Liu Feiyan noticed Wu Tong hadn't finished his explanation and followed up with a question.
"That's something Uncle Wu Tu can probably confirm—he's absorbed a ten-thousand-year ring himself."
"According to the book, soul beasts at the ten-thousand-year level gain sentience. When they die, their resentment lingers and assaults the soul master's spiritual sea as a shockwave."
"So I infer that to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring, one needs not only strong physical strength, but also extremely powerful spiritual strength."
Wu Tong continued calmly.
"That's true. I was almost shaken by that beast's grudge when I absorbed my first ten-thousand-year ring," Wu Tu chimed in, confirming Wu Tong's theory.
"Alright, since you've decided, I won't press it any further."
Mu Lan nodded and backed off.
Seeing her stop, Wu Tong let out a sigh of relief. He knew she was only looking out for him and didn't want to refute her too strongly or hurt her pride.
"Then, Uncle Wu Tu, I'll leave my first soul ring in your hands."
"Don't worry, we'll take care of it cleanly."
Wu Tu grinned, flashing a row of gleaming white teeth.
Martial soul possession activated.
As the team members began releasing soul power, their martial souls manifested.
"First soul skill, Ground Net."
Liu Feiyan struck first. A soul ring behind her lit up, and a web suddenly sprang from beneath the Mind-Eye Golden Fox, binding it mid-leap.
In an instant, the fox was pinned to the ground, unable to move, trapped firmly by the web.
"First soul skill, Shadow Step."
Lu Feng's first soul ring flashed, and he turned into a streak of shadow, dashing straight to the fox with incredible speed.
With a soul power-wrapped fist, he struck the fox, knocking it unconscious.
Even then, Lu Feng didn't drop his guard. He cautiously observed it before giving a small nod to the others.
"It's ready. Go ahead, Brother Wu Tong."
Wu Tu pulled out a dagger and handed it to Wu Tong.
Wu Tong accepted it without hesitation and stepped toward the fox.
He didn't feel like anything was out of place. After all, with a Soul King leading a group of Soul Ancestors, subduing a hundred-year soul beast should be quick.
This swift and efficient battle was exactly what he had expected.
As for whether it was worth spending that much money—Wu Tong believed it absolutely was.
Along the way, they had already encountered several thousand-year soul beasts, including a terrifying Nine-Thousand-Year Fanged Wolf King. If not for Wu Tu's intervention, the entire team might've been wiped out.
Not to mention that during soul ring absorption, the scent of the corpse could easily attract other soul beasts.
Wu Tong firmly believed that his decision this time was absolutely the right one.
He stepped up to the Mind-Eye Golden Fox without hesitation and stabbed the dagger straight into the center of its brow where the mysterious marking lay.
Puchi—
There was no resistance. The blade pierced smoothly into the fox's brain, killing it instantly.
Clearly, this dagger was no ordinary weapon—it was a rare and deadly tool.
As soon as the Mind-Eye Golden Fox died, golden particles began to rise from its corpse, gathering in the air above it and condensing into a single glowing yellow ring.
It was the soul ring of the Mind-Eye Golden Fox.
Looking at the radiant yellow ring before him, Wu Tong's eyes burned with desire.
Without delay, he activated his soul power and summoned his martial soul. Though no visible manifestation appeared, an aura of clarity and intellect spread from his body.
Wu Tong extended his soul power outward, connecting with the soul ring and drawing it toward himself.
As he began the absorption process, the soul hunting team formed a protective circle around him.
They raised their guard, staying alert for any soul beasts that might be attracted by the scent of blood.
The moment the soul ring settled onto Wu Tong's body, a surge of wild energy rushed into him, rampaging through his meridians. But Wu Tong had expected this—he had read about it in the soul ring absorption guidelines.
He remained calm, patiently absorbing the energy bit by bit, converting it into his own power.
The soul ring's energy, seemingly startled by Wu Tong's control, darted frantically within him—but it could not escape.
Gradually, it was forced into submission and refined.
Just as he neared completion, an even more violent wave of energy erupted—like molten lava flowing through his blood, scorching and hammering at every corner of his body.
This sudden surge broke Wu Tong's rhythm.
Not only did it halt his refinement, but it also violently assaulted his body, bursting through blocked meridians while simultaneously damaging and repairing them.
In this painful cycle of destruction and regeneration, blood began seeping out through Wu Tong's pores, leaving his appearance frightening and grotesque.
"Aaaahhh…"
Wu Tong couldn't help but cry out in agony.
The others, who moments ago had thought the absorption would succeed without issue, now watched in horror as the situation took a terrifying turn.
Panic set in.
But none of them could help him. Soul ring absorption could only be completed by the soul master themselves.
"Boss, we should stop him now! If this goes on, Wu Tong might lose his life!" Mu Lan urged, her tone anxious.
Yet Wu Tu, who had instinctively reached out to intervene, suddenly paused.
Seeing Wu Tong enduring the torment without backing down, a flicker of realization passed through his mind, and he slowly withdrew his hand.
"Let's give it a little more time. If it gets worse, we'll forcefully interrupt him. After all, surviving is more important than becoming a soul master."
At that moment, a powerful surge of mental strength erupted from within Wu Tong's mind.
The raging energy within him was suppressed instantly.
Seizing the moment, Wu Tong resumed refining the soul ring's power.
Soon, the glowing ring stabilized around his body.
And Wu Tong's tortured expression gradually relaxed, his breathing smoothing out as calm returned to his face.
(End of Chapter)
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