Shrek Academy, Chen Xiaoming's Residence.
Quietly sneaking into the village, no need to fire a shot—nearly got hammered trying to show off. After returning, Chen Xiaoming lay on his bed, lost in deep thought.
He had been far too careless, allowing Tang Hao to unleash the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer technique.
Otherwise, with his own strength and eight 100,000-year Soul Rings, he could have easily trounced Tang Hao.
Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer—the exclusive technique of the Clear Sky Sect. It was said that when mastered to perfection, the technique could deliver eighty-one consecutive strikes, with each hammer strike stronger than the previous one.
By leveraging his Titled Douluo strength, Tang Hao had executed all eighty-one strikes. When he finally unleashed his Martial Soul True Body with a final hammer blow, even without soul ring amplification, the sheer force had nearly bested Chen Xiaoming.
Reflecting on his arrogance, Chen Xiaoming realized he should never have allowed Tang Hao to unleash the technique in the first place.
He had only wanted to gauge the hammer technique's power but had neglected other factors.
"Sigh, I really shouldn't have been so careless. Ever since I got the system, my vigilance has been waning."
With a soft sigh, Chen Xiaoming summoned his System Attribute Panel.
...
Host: Chen Xiaoming
Age: 26
Martial Soul: Azurewood Tree
Soul Power: Level 96 (+) 7,356,865,000/10,000,000,000
First Soul Ring: 100,000 years (+) 7,356,865,000/10,000
Second Soul Ring: 100,000 years (+) 7,356,865,000/10,000
Third Soul Ring: 100,000 years (+) 7,356,865,000/10,000
Fourth Soul Ring: 100,000 years (+) 7,356,865,000/10,000
Fifth Soul Ring: 100,000 years (+) 7,356,865,000/10,000
Sixth Soul Ring: 100,000 years (+) 7,356,865,000/10,000
Seventh Soul Ring: 100,000 years (+) 7,356,865,000/10,000
Eighth Soul Ring: 70,000 years (+) 7,356,865,000/10,000
Ninth Soul Ring: 100,000 years (+) 7,356,865,000/10,000
Bloodline: Hollowheart Willow (Initial Stage) (+) 7,356,865,000/10,000,000,000
Items: None
Experience Points: 7,356,865,000
...
With a casual glance, Chen Xiaoming tapped on his Eighth Soul Ring, steadily raising its age. In mere moments, the ring had ascended to the 100,000-year level.
"Sigh... truly careless."
While still muttering, he tapped again, enhancing his Soul Power. His strength instantly surged from Level 96 to Level 97, an overwhelming torrent of soul power flooding his body.
Without hesitation, he tapped once more.
His strength advanced to Level 98, the soul power far greater than before. Gritting his teeth, Chen Xiaoming tapped once more.
Soul Power: Level 99 (+) 7,056,865,000/10,000,000,000
Limit Douluo—the pinnacle of human soul masters. His soul power now dwarfed everything he had previously experienced. Chen Xiaoming glanced at his own hands.
With power like this, why bother hiding? Might as well fight head-on.
Flipping off the bed, he gazed out the window. In a flash, his figure disappeared.
Chen Xiaoming always settled his debts on the same day. If someone hammered him, he hammered back—never overnight.
With an imposing swagger, Chen Xiaoming traversed the dense forest. Even if Tang Hao unleashed another eighty-one strikes, he could endure them all and return the favor.
However, when he arrived at the battlefield, all that remained was devastation—Tang Hao was gone.
"Gone?"
His clenched fist struck empty air, and his aura deflated.
What now? He had sworn never to wait overnight, yet the target had vanished. Should he vent his anger on Tang San instead?
After mulling it over, Chen Xiaoming dismissed the idea. He wasn't that heartless.
"Hmph, I'll find you sooner or later."
Knowing Tang Hao lingered near Tang San, Chen Xiaoming wasn't worried. He would bide his time.
If Tang Hao had been nearby to hear Chen Xiaoming's thoughts, he'd likely have cursed, "I couldn't even break your Ninth Soul Ring Defense with eighty-one strikes—and you're still planning to hammer me? MMP!"
One week later.
Shrek Academy's enrollment period had ended, and Flender, Zhao Wuji, and others had begun special training for Tang San and company, including their Soul Dueling Battles in Suotuo City—just like the original storyline.
Chen Xiaoming paid little mind to the rookies, preferring to wander the academy's outskirts in search of Tang Hao.
After days of searching, he still found nothing. He couldn't help but admire Tang Hao's stealth, no doubt why the Spirit Hall had failed to capture him all these years.
"Forget it. He'll show up again sooner or later."
Clapping the dust from his hands, Chen Xiaoming prepared to return to Shrek Academy.
But just as he stepped on a dried twig—
Crack.
Chen Xiaoming's expression darkened. Soul power surged.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
The dense forest remained still.
"Hmph, must I invite you out myself?"
With a stomp, soul power rippled through the ground. A faint distortion flickered in the shadows before a withered old figure emerged.
Sunken eyes, sallow skin, sparse white hair—a walking corpse.
"Hehe, just as the young lady described..."
Young lady? A Titled Douluo—it could only be Ning Rongrong.
"Hmph, hiding in the shadows—what business does Bone Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have with me?"
Though he could guess the reason, Chen Xiaoming's eyes remained cold.
A Soul Saint with seven 100,000-year Soul Rings was bound to draw attention.
But he was no longer a Soul Saint.
"Hehe, no ill will, little friend. The Sect Master wishes to invite you to our sect."
Bone Douluo's smile was polite, but Chen Xiaoming had no time for social calls.
"No time. I'm busy."
With a flicker, he turned to leave.
"Little friend, please—"
"Scram!"
A thunderous roar blasted Bone Douluo backward. His composed face turned to shock as Chen Xiaoming vanished into the distance.
Only a faint voice lingered in the air:
"If Ning Fengzhi wants to see me—he can come himself!"
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