"Xiao Tian, this thing is incredible. It's perfect for you right now. You find me a secluded place to cultivate. I was originally worried that you wouldn't be able to handle the sealed power within the soul ring and that it would eventually dissipate. But now, the million-year soul ring I provided you will finally be useful," Skydream Ice Silkworm said excitedly through telepathy.
It had once told Tian Lin that because its sacrifice was so abrupt and the million-year soul ring's power was so overwhelming, the seals on much of the energy within the ring were not very stable. However, Tian Lin's body at the time simply couldn't bear the powerful attributes of a million-year soul ring. As a result, they could only watch as the energy slowly dissipated.
This was a great pity. But now, with this cultivation technique, Tian Lin could channel the dissipating energy into his soul bones, refining them to increase their age.
Soul bones are more precious than soul rings not only because of their rarity but also because they provide completely harmless enhancements to the human body.
If we were to digitize the body stats of an ordinary soul master, the upper limit of their physical capacity would be 10,000. If they absorbed too many soul rings and increased their stats to 11,000, their bodies would explode. However, soul bones don't have this problem. While they enhance a person's physical qualities, they also raise this upper limit. This is why even low-level soul masters dare to absorb ten-thousand-year high-level soul bones.
"I understand, Brother Skydream. I'll find a place to train properly before the Soul Master Tournament," Tian Lin acknowledged the importance of the matter. However, before that, he felt it necessary to inform his friends from the Emperor Team.
Leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Tian Lin escorted Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong, who had just acquired new soul rings, back to Heaven Dou City. His priority was to see them safely returned to Blue Tyrant Academy.
Following the address, the three arrived at the academy gates. However, the sign above the entrance no longer bore the words Blue Tyrant. Instead, it had been replaced with Shrek. It seemed that, just like in the original story, Liu Erlong had handed the academy over to Flender.
This was supposed to be the quietest time in the academy, as theory classes were in session. Other than the instructors' lectures, there should have been no noise. Yet today, the academy was unusually lively, with a large crowd gathered by the teaching building's entrance.
Since absorbing the million-year skull bone, Tian Lin's spiritual power has grown immensely. Even before approaching, he sensed a powerful spirit energy emanating from within. "There's a Soul Douluo in there, and they're releasing their soul power."
"What? A Soul Douluo?" Ning Rongrong and Ma Hongjun were puzzled. Soul Douluos were not common sights, so why would one show up at Shrek Academy uninvited?
Pushing through the crowd, the three finally saw the scene: a burly elder was using his formidable soul power to suppress Tang San.
It seemed Tian Lin had arrived just in time for a plot event. Since Tang San hadn't been captured by Dugu Bo in this timeline, he must have offended Tai Long earlier, which led to his grandfather, Tai Tan, showing up for revenge.
However, without the Ice and Fire Immortal Herbs or the Eight Spider Lances, Tang San's physical strength was only slightly above that of a typical Soul Elder. Faced with this overwhelming pressure, he was struggling to hold on.
Flender and Liu Erlong appeared to be absent. The only person overseeing the academy today was Zhao Wuji. Yet, Zhao Wuji didn't dare intervene in the matter. After all, he had already offended Tai Tan in the past and had been hunted by him for quite some time. Encountering him again would only reopen old wounds. Tai Tan's strength rivaled a Titled Douluo, and Zhao Wuji was no match for him.
"At this rate, Tang San might be forced to reveal the Clear Sky Hammer even earlier. Since I've run into this, I can't let him pledge allegiance to Tai Tan just yet," Tian Lin thought to himself. Watching as Tang San began to falter, he made his move. Leaping into the air, he shouted, "Fourth Spirit: Glimmering Immortal-Slaying Slash!"
A colossal sword descended toward Tai Tan. At first, Tai Tan dismissed it, but as the sword neared, he sensed an immense danger.
"Second Spirit: Explosive Strength!" Tai Tan, being from a clan that valued pure strength, even relied on his power for defense.
Tai Tan lived up to his title of Hercules. Using his bare hands, he caught Tian Lin's massive sword.
Tian Lin poured his soul power into the blade, pressing down further. The ground beneath Tai Tan's feet cracked under the strain, and blood began to seep from his palms.
With Tai Tan's focus now shifted to Tian Lin, the pressure on Tang San lifted. Feeling the relief, Tang San quickly sat cross-legged to recover his soul power.
"What kind of monstrous strength is this? I, the Hercules Tai Tan, cannot immediately overpower a mere youth? Who is this person?" Tai Tan gritted his teeth. Realizing his pride was at stake, he unleashed his fifth spirit ability: "Fifth Spirit: Hammer of Crushing Strength!"
With the activation of his fifth spirit ability, Tian Lin was forced into a disadvantage. Tai Tan's powerful strike landed on the blade of the magic sword, sending Tian Lin retreating several steps.
Tai Tan emerged victorious in this clash, but his expression remained grim. For a Soul Douluo like him to have to use his fifth spirit ability just to gain the upper hand against a youth—barely managing to push him back with no visible injuries—was a humiliation he couldn't easily swallow.
"Boy, who are you? Why are you interfering in my business with that kid?" Tai Tan demanded.
"I am Jun Tian Lin, a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and disciple of Sword Douluo. Greetings, Senior Tai Tan," Tian Lin introduced himself, hoping to avoid unnecessary trouble.
"So, you're the famed Sword Prince. What, is that kid your friend? Are you standing up for him?"
"You could say that. Senior Tai Tan, may I ask what he did to anger you so much that you came here in such fury?" In truth, Tang San wasn't Tian Lin's friend—just someone he could use. But appearances mattered, and Tian Lin chose his words carefully.
"He didn't offend me directly. But he beat up my grandson, and as his grandfather, I have to stand up for him, don't I?" Tai Tan's protectiveness was as shameless as Tang Hao's, making his bullying of the younger generation sound almost noble.
Tian Lin smiled and said, "So it was just a small matter. Senior Tai Tan, you've already taught him a lesson. Could I ask you to let it go for my master's sake?"
"Fine. Out of respect for Sword Douluo, I'll let it go today," Tai Tan replied. He was well aware of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's power and had no intention of offending such a formidable sect over a minor issue. Besides, he had already vented his anger by making Tang San cough up blood.
With that, Tai Tan prepared to leave. But just as he turned away, Tian Lin called out, "Wait, Senior Tai Tan. How does my strike just now compare to your master's strength in his youth?"
Tai Tan stopped in his tracks. As the disciple of Sword Douluo, it wasn't surprising that Tian Lin knew about Tang Hao. Still, he hadn't expected such a question.
Tai Tan was an honest man. Out of respect for the concept of strength, he wouldn't lie even though he deeply admired Tang Hao. After a moment of thought, he answered truthfully, "In terms of raw power, my master's younger self was far inferior to you."