Douluo: The Ultimate Self

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At this moment, Yang Xiong was utterly stunned because the scene before him was truly baffling.

The entire Shrek group was present, as were Dragon Duke, Serpent Grandmother, and Meng Yiran. It seemed both sides were once again competing for a spirit beast.

This spirit beast was only about a meter long, entirely emerald green, with a body covered in green shell-like armor and a pair of wings on its back.

Yang Xiong observed it carefully—it was a massive mantis. This mantis was exceptionally unique, especially its forelegs, which resembled two enormous scythes, each taking up more than a third of its total length.

This was the Hurricane Mantis, one of the forest's predators. Though classified as an insect-type soul beast with limited flight distance, its forelegs were incredibly sharp, serrated, and capable of delivering devastating speed in short bursts, often killing its prey instantly.

However, this Hurricane Mantis was now severely injured—its shell shattered, wings torn, one eye blinded, and green blood oozing everywhere.

Upon seeing Yang Xiong, Tang San immediately asked, "Yang Xiong, how is Xiao Wu?"

Yang Xiong shook his head. "I'm not sure. I encountered Teacher Lin along the way and asked him to pursue for a while, but Xiao Wu should still be safe."

Tang San was shocked. "How is that possible? Why didn't you continue pursuing her? The one who took her was the ferocious Titan Giant Ape!"

Yang Xiong sighed. "Teacher Lin almost caught up, but at the last moment, we encountered someone else. This person must be a senior of one of our classmates. We didn't see him, but he seems capable of ensuring Xiao Wu's safety. He also warned us not to pursue further."

Everyone stared at Yang Xiong. Tang San quickly asked, "Who is it? How is Xiao Wu right now?"

Yang Xiong turned to Zhao Wuji. "We didn't meet this person, but Teacher Zhao likely did—the one who fought with him on the night we entered the academy."

Tang San immediately turned to Zhao Wuji. "Teacher Zhao, who is this person? Can they ensure Xiao Wu's safety?"

Zhao Wuji, initially puzzled, suddenly realized who it was. "Xiao San, don't worry. This is a very powerful elder. His strength far surpasses mine, and with his abilities, Xiao Wu's safety is guaranteed."

Tang San felt slightly reassured. "Teacher Zhao, who exactly is this person? What level of strength do they possess?"

Zhao Wuji glanced around at everyone before shaking his head. "I'm not entirely sure, but it seems they might be your elder."

Tang San was perplexed. "My elder? That's impossible. My father is just an ordinary blacksmith, and I've never met any other relatives."

Tang San fell silent, deep in thought. Regardless of whether this person was truly his elder, their immense strength could ensure Xiao Wu's safety.

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Dragon Duke suddenly roared, "Lin Gong, why are you here again? Are you deliberately provoking us?"

Yang Xiong and Lin Gong exchanged confused looks, clearly unaware of what had transpired.

Zhao Wuji spoke apologetically, "Dragon Duke, we sincerely apologize. We didn't know this Hurricane Mantis was being pursued by you. Little San killed it without realizing."

Dragon Duke exploded in anger. "You've repeatedly snatched our spirit beasts! Do you think we're easy targets?"

Everyone exchanged awkward glances, unsure of what to say. After all, Dragon Duke was the strongest present, already a Soul Douluo.

Lin Gong sneered. "Old Dragon Head, you're the one being unreasonable. You claim this spirit beast belongs to you, but there's no name written on it. Moreover, as a Soul Douluo, failing to catch even a 1000-year-old-level spirit beast is quite embarrassing."

Dragon Duke roared in fury. "Bamboo Breaker, it's been decades since we last fought. Let's see if you've improved after hiding in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect all these years!"

Lin Gong ignored him completely. "This is the Great Star Dou Forest. Are you sure you want to fight here? Take another look at this Hurricane Mantis's age. If you still insist you're not ignorant, then you're simply misguiding your students."

After hearing this, Dragon Duke scrutinized the Hurricane Mantis closely. His face darkened, and he reluctantly muttered, "Bamboo Breaker, next time we'll settle this outside the Great Star Dou Forest."

Lin Gong chuckled. "Anytime. I just hope you won't remain so blind by then."

Dragon Duke coldly snorted before leaving with his group.

After they departed, Zhao Wuji asked in confusion, "Yang Xiong, why did Dragon Duke and his group abandon this Hurricane Mantis so easily?"

Yang Xiong pointed at the giant mantis. "Mantis-type soul beasts are typically judged by the patterns and shells on their backs. This Hurricane Mantis is over 1,900 years old, very close to 2,000 years. If Meng Yiran absorbed its soul ring, she would undoubtedly die from a body explosion."

"We've already completed our hunt for soul rings, so what's going on now? Why did we clash with Dragon Duke's group?"

Zhao Wuji explained, "During the battle with the Titan Giant Ape, Tang San's soul power broke through to the next level. He now needs a soul ring. While following you to chase the Titan Giant Ape, he encountered this Hurricane Mantis. Tang San decided to absorb its soul ring first to gain more strength to rescue Xiao Wu."

Yang Xiong nodded. "Tang San has always been decisive. It seems he believes this Hurricane Mantis suits him perfectly."

Zhao Wuji expressed concern to Tang San. "Little San, you don't need to worry too much about Xiao Wu's safety right now, nor rush to absorb a soul ring. We can search further in the Great Star Dou Forest and find a spirit beast better suited for your Blue Silver Grass."

"Although Hurricane Mantises are rare and powerful, they may not necessarily suit your Blue Silver Grass."

Tang San remained resolute. "Teacher Zhao, I believe this Hurricane Mantis is perfect for me. According to my teacher's analysis, absorbing its soul ring will make my Blue Silver Grass faster, stronger, and more explosive."

Zhao Wuji countered, "But this Hurricane Mantis is over 1,900 years old, far exceeding the typical lifespan for a third soul ring. Your body might not withstand it."

Tang San's expression grew serious. "Teacher Zhao, I'm confident in my body. Absorbing this soul ring won't be a problem."

Despite repeated warnings about the risks, Tang San insisted on absorbing the Hurricane Mantis's soul ring.

Among the group, Yang Xiong's theoretical knowledge rivaled Tang San's, so Zhao Wuji hoped Yang Xiong could persuade him.

But Yang Xiong shook his head. "Teacher Zhao, Tang San, absorbing a soul ring is a personal decision. I can't offer advice or take responsibility for it. All I can say is that such actions carry risks."

Tang San nodded, then used his Zhuge Divine Crossbow to kill the Hurricane Mantis. He sat down beside it to absorb the soul ring while Zhao Wuji guarded him. The others formed a protective circle around them.

Ning Rongrong approached Yang Xiong and Lin Gong. "Hello, Teacher Lin. Little Bear (Xiao Xiong), how did you encounter Teacher Lin in the Great Star Dou Forest?"

Lin Gong looked slightly awkward and coughed. "Rongrong, I came to the Great Star Dou Forest to handle some matters. I saw Xiao Xiong—ah, Yang Xiong—in danger and helped him out."

Ning Rongrong was puzzled. "Teacher Lin, aren't you only a Soul King? How dare you pursue the Titan Giant Ape?"

Lin Gong appeared somewhat helpless but couldn't reveal his true identity as a Soul Douluo since he was secretly protecting the children. "I'm skilled at tracking and surviving in forests. Don't forget, my martial soul is plant-based."

In the environment of the Great Star Dou Forest, plant-based martial souls thrived in their natural camouflage. Their cultivation speed increased, and their perception sharpened significantly.

All eyes were on Tang San. His face contorted in pain, sweat mingling with blood droplets seeping from his skin. As the blood left his body, it formed eerie clouds of mist.

Tang San's brows were tightly furrowed, his teeth clenched, and his bones creaked as if enduring excruciating agony.

By now, he had already absorbed half of the soul ring. There was nothing anyone could do to stop him—if interrupted, Tang San would either suffer severe injuries or explode. Before the theory of soul ring absorption limits was introduced, many civilian soul masters died from attempting to absorb higher-level soul rings due to their lack of knowledge.

In a sense, Yu Xiaogang had contributed to the education of civilian soul masters, but his knowledge originated from the private teachings of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family and the Spirit Hall—knowledge reserved for powerful clans and sects. Naturally, it was rejected by the broader soul master community.

Civilian soul masters lacked influence in the world of soul masters. Only a few could approach the absorption limits, while most were content with whatever soul rings they could obtain. For example, even Dragon Duke and Lin Gong were limited to thousand-year fifth soul rings, showing that the concept of absorption limits had little practical value for civilian soul masters.

As seen with this Hurricane Mantis, even Dragon Duke and Zhao Wuji nearly misjudged its age.

Everyone watched Tang San with concern. Lin Gong whispered to Yang Xiong, "Yang Xiong, do you think this boy can successfully absorb a higher-level soul ring?"

Yang Xiong remained calm. "I'm not sure about others, but Tang San shouldn't have any major issues. His physical condition is the best among the seven from Shrek Academy, and possibly the best among soul masters at his level."

Lin Gong sneered. "You're probably excluding yourself from that comparison, right? You're already at level 26. Your second soul ring must have been quite high-level."

Yang Xiong chuckled. "Actually, I've already reached level 27, breaking through just recently. My third soul ring is still far away, so I haven't thought much about it yet."

Though their voices were low, everyone heard clearly and was astonished. Yang Xiong, who had the lowest innate soul power among them, had now caught up to Ma Hongjun and Zhu Zhuqing. Breaking through the threshold of level 7 innate soul power was no small feat.

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