"The ten-thousand-year soul ring is indeed formidable!"
Tang Yi examined his second soul skill.
The skill is named: [Five-Colored Labyrinth]!
It belongs to the category of illusion-type soul skills. Upon activation, a labyrinthine space with a coverage radius of 500 meters begins to expand outward, centered on the soul master.
Enemy soul masters within the labyrinth area will be affected by the illusion.
Inside the labyrinth, five different entrances and exits appear in rotation, each of them constituting a "dead end"!
Depending on their personality and past experiences, the affected enemy soul masters will be drawn into one of the following: the "Greed Labyrinth," "Fear Labyrinth," "Lust Labyrinth," "Rage Labyrinth," or "Envy Labyrinth."
Under normal circumstances, soul masters below level 29 will almost completely succumb within the labyrinth illusion, unable to extricate themselves. Unless Tang Yi voluntarily cancels the skill, such soul masters will gradually weaken and perish inside the illusion.
Soul Elders (levels 30–39) will typically remain submerged in the illusion for 10–20 minutes. During this period, Tang Yi has ample time to launch attacks from outside or allow his companions to strike them.
Soul Ancestors (levels 40–49) will generally be trapped for 1–2 minutes. Although the duration is significantly shortened, in battles between experts, even one or two minutes can prove decisive!
Soul Kings (levels 50–59) will usually suffer only 10–20 seconds of disruption to their actions. Because Soul Kings possess exceptionally strong mental power, the [Five-Colored Labyrinth] illusion has only a very minor effect on them.
Nevertheless, 10–20 seconds, when utilized effectively, can still produce unexpected and decisive results.
As for Soul Emperors and above (level 60+), their mental power has undergone a qualitative transformation.
With Tang Yi's current soul power merely in the twenties, his second soul skill [Five-Colored Labyrinth] can affect them for only 1–2 seconds.
Higher still are Soul Saints (level 70+). In his present state, [Five-Colored Labyrinth] has essentially no effect on them whatsoever!
Tang Yi, however, was not anxious.
"Once my soul power continues to rise and I reach level 30, even Soul Saints will be no exception."
Moreover, one of the most remarkable aspects of the second soul skill is its extremely low soul power consumption.
This advantage stems from the fact that the ten-thousand-year soul beast, the Five-Colored Illusory Lotus Beast, is a plant-type entity.
Plant-type soul beasts naturally align closely with life attributes.
The Blue Silver Grass martial soul is already brimming with vitality!
As a result, soul power expenditure is further reduced.
According to current precise estimates, Tang Yi can sustain [Five-Colored Labyrinth] for a full hour, covering several hundred soul masters in a group, while consuming only one-tenth of his total soul power reserves.
"Cultivating the "Yan Huang Soul Scripture" is another significant advantage. On the surface I am at level 26, but in reality it is level 26 (third cycle)! In terms of soul power depth and thickness, I am comparable to an ordinary Soul Ancestor who has just entered level 40!"
Tang Yi assessed inwardly.
Regarding the "head soul bone" from the ten-thousand-year soul beast, Tang Yi chose not to absorb it immediately.
The position of a "soul bone" is fixed and limited in number.
Soul bones from limbs or arms can still be detached later.
However, once a head soul bone is absorbed, it becomes extremely difficult—if not impossible—to remove in the future.
According to Tang Yi's plan, his head soul bone should, at the very least, come from a "hundred-thousand-year" soul beast.
A mere ten-thousand-year plant-type soul bone was still too weak for his ambitions.
"This soul bone can also wait until the next transfer to the motherland, Great Xia. Perhaps it will allow Great Xia's technology to advance once more!"
With the substantial increase in soul power and the acquisition of the second soul ring, Tang Yi knew his next step was to leave the Star Dou Forest.
He carefully carried his mother, the Blue Silver Empress, with him and set off toward Notting City.
According to Tang Yi's planning, the last remaining value of Notting City at present lay in the academy's library.
Currently, based on artificial intelligence and supercomputer simulations conducted by Great Xia, the "Yan Huang Soul Scripture" could only be cultivated up to level 29 at most!
To deduce the subsequent stages would require a large quantity of additional "soul master cultivation books"!
Naturally, recordings of lectures by various teachers would also be valuable.
"Every soul master academy constitutes a precious resource. The library of Notting Junior Soul Master Academy still contains a portion of core materials that are not available for casual borrowing. This time, I can appropriately display a measure of strength."
Tang Yi began meticulously planning to thoroughly copy or transcribe all materials from Notting Junior Soul Master Academy's library within one month.
Afterward, he would depart for other cities!
According to both the original plot and actual conditions, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well within the Sunset Forest was the most suitable location for transplanting and nurturing his mother, the Blue Silver Empress.
Tang Yi continued making thorough preparations.
Several days later, Tang Yi appeared in the office of the Notting Academy dean.
Dean Ferdinand and Yu Xiaogang's group had only recently returned.
However, the humiliating ordeal they suffered in the Star Dou Forest had left Dean Ferdinand's injuries incompletely healed; he still experienced occasional pain.
Sitting angrily in his chair, Dean Ferdinand recalled being chased and hunted by soul beasts in the forest.
"That damned Yu Xiaogang! I thought he was a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and possessed genuine talent! Who could have expected him to be such a pitfall!"
"That bastard not only ruined me thoroughly!"
"And that Tang San—he is truly a genius! A level-20 soul master at barely over seven years old, not yet eight! Yet his second soul ring came from a mere decade-old solitary bamboo soul beast!"
Dean Ferdinand felt profound regret.
Soul rings accompany a soul master for life, and their importance grows exponentially at higher realms!
When soul masters of the same level battle, victory often hinges on whose soul rings possess higher years and more powerful soul skills!
Although Tang San's first soul ring was over four hundred years old—quite decent—his second soul ring being only ten years old constituted a fatal flaw, an innate defect!
Among level-20 peers, Tang San's ability to challenge higher ranks would no longer hold an advantage; in fact, he would be at a disadvantage!
"Knock knock!"
Tang Yi rapped on the door.
Ferdinand called out, "Come in!"
Tang Yi pushed the door open and entered.
Dean Ferdinand looked up and, upon recognizing the visitor, froze momentarily.
He naturally knew this youth—Tang Yi, Tang San's younger brother, the one rumored to possess only innate level-1 soul power and a "useless" martial soul.
Yet the aura emanating from the boy before him was entirely different from his prior impression.
That calm, steady presence, those deep and tranquil eyes like still pools, and the faint yet unmistakable oppressive pressure that occasionally leaked out…
How could this possibly belong to a seven-year-old child?
"Tang Yi?"
Dean Ferdinand nodded slightly. "Tang Yi, do you have business with me?"
Tang Yi stepped forward to the desk and performed a neither humble nor arrogant salute. "Dean, I wish to apply for full borrowing privileges to the academy library, including access to the core materials section."
Ferdinand was momentarily stunned, then chuckled. "The core materials section? That area is reserved for academy teachers. Even most ordinary teachers do not have permission. After all, knowledge is wealth and a precious asset. When the academy library was established and rare ancient texts were collected, it cost enormous manpower, resources, and finances."
"Even Director Su only gained full access to the core materials last year after rendering a major service to the academy!"
Hearing Dean Ferdinand's refusal, Tang Yi smiled faintly and slowly raised his hand.
A subtle wave of soul power quietly spread outward. Though it lasted only an instant, it was sufficient for Ferdinand to sense it clearly.
Ferdinand's pupils contracted sharply.
Level twenty-six?!
No—wait!
The density of this soul power, the weight of its aura…
It far surpassed that of an ordinary level-26 soul master!
What shocked him even more were the soul rings faintly manifesting around Tang Yi:
One purple soul ring—representing a thousand-year ring!
One black soul ring—representing a ten-thousand-year ring!
They slowly revolved around him.
Ferdinand shot to his feet so violently that his chair toppled backward.
He stared wide-eyed at Tang Yi and exclaimed, "How is this possible? A first soul ring already at the thousand-year level, and a second soul ring at the ten-thousand-year level?"
Even as a Soul Ancestor, Ferdinand's physical constitution could never withstand absorbing a ten-thousand-year soul ring!
Moreover, coming from commoner origins, Ferdinand's own first soul ring had been only ninety-odd years old—still short of a century, a mere white ring!
To this day, his highest soul ring remained his fourth—a barely thousand-year purple ring!
"How… how did you manage this?"
Ferdinand's voice trembled.
Tang Yi withdrew his soul power, his expression calm as still water. "Merely good fortune."
"Good fortune?"
Ferdinand nearly leaped out of his skin. "You call this good fortune? A thousand-year first ring and a ten-thousand-year second ring! You could search the entire Heaven Dou Empire and not find a second person like this!"
Tang Yi gave a faint smile and offered no further explanation.
He merely remarked lightly, "Previously, when Senior Sword Douluo invited me to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, he provided some assistance."
Ferdinand froze.
Sword Douluo! Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!
In an instant, Ferdinand recalled the widely circulated incident in Notting City—Sword Douluo Chen Xin personally appearing at the blacksmith shop, publicly recruiting a youth and bestowing upon him a token of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!
That youth was precisely the Tang Yi standing before him!
So that was it! So that was it!
Ferdinand instantly filled in the blanks in his mind.
No wonder this youth possessed a thousand-year first ring and a ten-thousand-year second ring. No wonder he displayed such strength at such a young age. Behind him stood the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—and the support of a Title Douluo!
"Ahem."
Ferdinand cleared his throat. The expression on his face instantly became warm and amiable. "Student Tang Yi, you were saying you wanted borrowing privileges for the core materials section, correct?"
He promptly retrieved a token from his drawer and presented it to Tang Yi with both hands, beaming. "This is the highest-level borrowing token. The core materials section and the rare books collection room are fully open to you! Borrow for as long as you wish! Copy as much as you desire!"
Tang Yi accepted the token and nodded slightly. "Thank you, Dean."
"No need, no need at all!"
Ferdinand waved his hands repeatedly, his smile narrowing his eyes to slits. "In the future, if there is anything you require, feel free to ask! Though Notting Academy may be small, wherever we can assist, we will do so to the fullest!"
"Especially our academy library—it actually possesses considerable depth. Back then, that so-called 'Master' Yu Xiaogang, relying on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's reputation to lodge here, was clearly drawn by the vast collection in Notting Academy's library!"
Ferdinand revealed another piece of inside information.
Tang Yi suddenly understood.
Indeed, although Yu Xiaogang was arrogant and foolish, he had after all originated from one of the Upper Three Sects—the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Yu Xiaogang had seen grand scenes and possessed some discernment.
Across the vast Douluo Continent, he chose not to settle elsewhere but remained in Notting Academy for decades—there must have been an ulterior motive.
And since Yu Xiaogang was obsessed with martial soul theory, nothing would attract him more than a massive quantity of soul master–related books and materials.
Tang Yi then glanced at Dean Ferdinand. "Dean, regarding my strength and soul rings, please keep them confidential for the time being."
Dean Ferdinand nodded immediately. "That is easily arranged. A tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind—I understand this principle! No matter where your future takes you, you will forever remain a student of Notting Academy! I will keep your secret and do everything in my power to assist you!"
"Very well. Thank you again, Dean."
Without saying more, Tang Yi turned and departed, thinking to himself:
"Once I enter the core materials section, I expect there will be some pleasant surprises."
After Tang Yi's footsteps faded at the end of the corridor, Dean Ferdinand collapsed heavily into his chair and exhaled a long breath.
Then, unable to restrain himself, he began comparing the two brothers in his mind.
Tang San—twin martial souls, innate full soul power, treated like a treasure by Yu Xiaogang.
And the result? A second soul ring from a decade-old solitary bamboo! Utter trash among trash!
Tang Yi—innate level-1 soul power, regarded as possessing a useless martial soul.
And the result? First soul ring thousand-year, second soul ring ten-thousand-year! Backed by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!
What kind of disparity was this?
The more Ferdinand thought about it, the angrier he became. He slammed his hand on the desk. "Yu Xiaogang, oh Yu Xiaogang, look at the fine mess you've made! You turned a perfectly good genius into a cripple! Meanwhile, the younger brother no one paid attention to has become an unparalleled monster!"
Gazing at the ceiling, Ferdinand murmured, "Notting Academy… can no longer retain such a person. The stage he is destined for is Heaven Dou City, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—the entire continent…"
And all a small academy dean like himself could do was affix his seal to that borrowing token.
Upon leaving the dean's office, Tang Yi noticed that his inter-realm jade pendant had once again become scalding hot!
It must mean that new supplies had been transmitted from Great Xia.
Just as he prepared to leave the academy and find a secluded location to receive the materials,
he happened to encounter Yu Xiaogang leading Tang San walking directly toward him.
At this moment, Tang San's mental state appeared extremely dejected.
Completely different from his earlier "high-spirited and proud" demeanor.
He looked visibly disappointed and depressed.
Yu Xiaogang beside him showed little change—still walking with hands clasped behind his back, sporting a short flat-top haircut and a face covered in fine stubble, exuding the air of a so-called "great master."
"Hey! Tang Yi, you've returned? It's been many days—how is your soul power level now?"
Tang Yi had not yet spoken when Yu Xiaogang, tail between his legs no longer, jumped forward eagerly.
Yu Xiaogang's tone was exceedingly arrogant, brimming with smug satisfaction.
Before Tang Yi could reply,
Yu Xiaogang patted Tang San on the shoulder and commanded in an authoritative voice, "Little San, immediately declare your soul power level and release your soul rings so your younger brother can witness them! Show him the outstanding achievements you have attained!"
Upon hearing that he should release his soul rings, Tang San instinctively resisted. "Teacher, is that really necessary?"
Yu Xiaogang encouraged him instead. "It's fine! You are now a level-20 soul master! A level-20 soul master at barely over seven years old!"
"Search all of Fasno Province in the Heaven Dou Empire and you will not find a second one! You are already a great genius, Little San!"