The Glory of the Sun and Moon in the Peerless Tang Sect

Only after experiencing it firsthand did they truly appreciate the power of He Caitou's cigar-themed martial spirit.

"Nannan, Wang Dong, Ning Tian, ​​you should all give it a try," Wang Yan suggested.

"Teacher Wang, I'll pass. I'm a support-type Soul Master, and my senior brother's Soul Skills aren't very useful to me," Ning Tian, ​​who knew the inside story, politely declined.

Jiang Nannan, her pretty face also pale, quickly refused. However, Wang Dong reacted the most strongly, shaking his head like a rattle-drum, refusing to try the effects of the cigar no matter what.

Wang Yan didn't press the matter further, and then urged He Caitou, "Caitou, show everyone the effects of your last three soul skills."

He Caitou scratched his head, his dark face turning bright red.

"Teacher Wang, are we really going to demonstrate?"

Wang Yan nodded solemnly and said, "We must demonstrate. Besides going to Xingluo City to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament, we have another mission on this trip. With your soul skill, we may have another layer of protection."

He Caitou looked around at everyone, and somewhat guiltily stammered, "Alright then."

"Hurry up. Why are you dawdling like this, you grown men?" Ma Xiaotao pouted.

Everyone looked at He Caitou with anticipation. While support-type Soul Masters provide stronger boosts, these boosts are not sustainable. For a team in prolonged, sustained combat, food-type Soul Masters are far superior to support-type Soul Masters. It's no exaggeration to say that a powerful food-type Soul Master can significantly enhance a team's overall strength.

He Caitou had no choice but to do as he was told.

"I have a big cigar. I have a long cigar. I have a thin cigar."

Upon hearing He Caitou's lewd soul incantation, everyone's expressions froze. Even Elder Xuan, who had somehow reappeared sitting to the side drinking and eating, almost choked on the wine he was swallowing.

Before anyone could react, four spirit rings—two yellow and two purple—had already lit up on He Caitou's body. The yellow second spirit ring, the purple third spirit ring, and the purple fourth spirit ring shone brightly in succession.

Three cigars of different shapes appeared on his right hand.

Xu Zihuang remained calm, but the expressions of the seven inner court disciples became strange. The most exaggerated were the two brothers, Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei, who suddenly pulled the thick cigars out of their mouths while they were enjoying their cigars.

Xu Sanshi, his face grim, asked He Caitou, "Caitou, when you use your first soul skill, you don't shout, 'I have a thick cigar,' do you?"

"How did you know?" He Caitou asked blankly.

"Damn it!" Xu Sanshi cursed under his breath, preparing to throw the half-smoked cigar on the ground, but then he thought that everyone had already smoked it, so he nonchalantly put it back in his mouth and started taking a deep drag.

I have to say, it was actually pretty fun. Anyway, nobody can laugh at anyone else.

As he sucked, the guy winked smugly at Beibei. It was as if to say, "You think you're so cunning, but you still fell for it?"

Jiang Nannan and Wang Dong, however, looked relieved.

Wang Yan and the other inner court disciples all wore expressions that suggested they wanted to laugh but couldn't. After all, they had all been showered with the favor, none of them spared.

Wang Yan suppressed the urge to laugh and said seriously, "Cai Tou, tell us about your three soul skills."

"Oh." Seeing that no one laughed, He Caitou finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"My second soul skill is called Power Amplification Cigar. I haven't used it much myself, so I'm not too sure about its specific amplification effect. But it's definitely better than my first soul skill, Spirit Invigoration Cigar. My third soul skill is Defense Amplification Long Cigar. Since it's a thousand-year soul skill, I estimate it's even better than the first two. My last soul skill is Soul Power Amplification Thin Cigar. This soul skill doesn't work for me, so I don't know its specific effect."

"So, your four soul skills amplify mental strength, physical strength, defense, and soul power respectively?!" Wang Yan couldn't help but gasp, staring wide-eyed at He Caitou.

His current thoughts are similar to those of Elder Xuan at the beginning.

Fan Yu is indeed a bastard. Such a talented food-type soul master should have entered the martial soul system inner court to receive special training.

After this incident, the relationship between the reserve team and the regular players became noticeably more familiar.

Gongyang Mo winked at He Caitou in a gentle voice.

"Caitou, your cigar is quite pleasant to smoke."

This time, even the reserve team members, except for Xu Zihuang, realized that Gongyang Mo's orientation might be abnormal, and felt a chill in their hearts.

Elder Xuan, who was sitting to one side preparing to get up, almost stumbled and fell back to the ground. Everyone quickly straightened their expressions. However, Chen Zifeng, who was originally closer to Gongyang Mo, subconsciously took a few steps to the side.

Old Master Xuan spat, wiped his mouth with his dirty sleeve, and shouted irritably.

"Alright, everyone come here."

Elder Xuan's expression was solemn as he said in a deep voice, "We're not far from the academy, so I have some things to say beforehand. Especially the seven little ones in the reserve team, listen carefully. This concerns your future."

"From the moment you entered the reserve team, it meant you had already stepped into the inner academy. But to enter Shrek Academy's inner academy, you must shoulder the responsibility unique to the inner academy and become a member of the Shrek Inspection Team. Since the existence of Soul Masters, cases of Soul Masters committing evil deeds have been commonplace. This is because Soul Masters possess power far exceeding that of ordinary people, and they lack supervision and restraint. The duty of our Shrek Inspection Team is to supervise these evil Soul Masters. I must tell you that taking on this responsibility may very well put your lives in danger in the future. If any of you want to withdraw now, you can return to the academy now, as long as you swear to keep this secret, and no one will blame you."

At this point, Elder Xuan looked around at everyone and was pleased to find that no one's eyes flickered.

"Alright, now you can give me a definite answer. Will you join or leave?"

"Join!" the crowd responded in unison. Some voices were loud, others calm. None of them had personally experienced the so-called glory belonging to the Shrek Academy Inspection Team; their choice was largely based on their own subjective feelings.

Some people do it out of a sense of justice, some are willing to take on this responsibility, and others are mainly doing it for their own future development.

Although Elder Xuan did not say it explicitly, everyone understood that if someone withdrew, the gates of Shrek Academy's inner courtyard would be completely closed to him.

Unless it's someone with extraordinary talent like Xu Zihuang, perhaps an exception could be made.

However, Xu Zihuang obviously had no need to refuse, because of his own experience, he was filled with disgust for evil soul masters and the like.

If he had the ability, he would not hesitate to annihilate these evil spirit masters. But if his own life was in danger, he would not stubbornly risk his life for some so-called glory.

Elder Xuan smiled, a genuine smile from the bottom of his heart. Making such a choice was already remarkable. He believed that these members of the reserve team would one day truly feel the pride and glory of the Shrek Supervisory Group.

“Very good, I didn’t misjudge you. There’s another reason I’m telling you this, because you’re about to face your first surveillance mission. Wang Yan, distribute the Shrek Surveillance Corps’ equipment to them. Xiao Tao, you tell us about this mission.”

Wang Yan respectfully responded and then distributed rings to everyone.

The ring is beautiful. The setting is made of silver metal and features a vibrant emerald the size of a fingernail. The gem's color is vivid and lively, a vibrant green full of life. The face of the ring is engraved with Shrek's head. It's truly impressive.

Ma Xiaotao said, "This is the symbol of our Shrek Surveillance Team. Just by dripping a drop of your own blood into it, you will be connected to our bloodline. You can identify yourselves through the Surveillance Ring. The Surveillance Ring itself is also a storage soul tool. All our equipment is inside."

"Alright, let's talk about the mission. Our objective this time is to find and kill a band of bandits known as the Death Messengers in the Mingdou Mountains, which border the Star Luo Empire and the Sun Moon Empire. These bandits are extremely cunning and ruthless; once we encounter them, we must show no mercy and ensure their complete annihilation. It's said that their leader is a very powerful evil soul master, so we absolutely cannot be careless. Although our main team will be primarily responsible for this mission, we may need your assistance. Most of you haven't killed anyone before, so this will be a completely new experience. Before we set off, we informed the Star Luo Empire's Western Army Group stationed near the Mingdou Mountains, and they will provide us with limited assistance. Okay, put away your Overseer's Rings for now; you only need to wear them when carrying out the mission."

"If there are no problems, we should now start heading at full speed."

After Ma Xiaotao finished speaking, Wang Yan gave He Caitou another piece of advice.

"Caitou, during any spare time while traveling, you must prepare a set of cigars for everyone. This will provide an extra layer of protection."

"Oh," He Caitou nodded obediently in response.

Although Ning Tian, ​​Jiang Nannan, Wang Dong, and the others wanted to refuse, they did not object to Wang Yan at this moment because they thought about the dangerous mission they would face next.

We can simply accept it, and not use it unless it's absolutely necessary.

After everyone had finished preparing, Ma Xiaotao continued.

“Ning Tian, ​​Wang Dong, your cultivation levels are low and will slow us down. So, I'll take Ning Tian, ​​and Dai Yueheng, you take Wang Dong. Let's go.”

Since Elder Xuan had Ma Xiaotao explain the monitoring mission, he hasn't spoken again. This is the final test before the competition begins. Elder Xuan has undoubtedly affirmed Ma Xiaotao's position as team leader.

Even if Dai Yueheng harbors resentment towards Ma Xiaotao, he won't show it.

Wang Dong, however, seemed hesitant and awkward when he heard that Ma Xiaotao wanted Dai Yueheng to take him along.

Ma Xiaotao raised an eyebrow.

"Wang Dong, what's the problem?"

"Senior Ma, why don't you take me under your wing? I admire you the most." Wang Dong said with a smile of admiration.

Without much thought, Ma Xiaotao smiled and said, "Okay, I'll take you. Ling Luochen, you take Ning Tian. Let's go."

As she spoke, she lifted Wang Dong up from under his armpit with her right hand.

Ling Luochen did the same thing, and all the regular players and reserve team members began to accelerate.

Chapter 156 Traveling and Refining the Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue

This comprehensive acceleration has made the difference in cultivation levels between inner and outer court disciples apparent.

A Soul Master's strength experiences a significant leap across the four realms of Soul Venerable, Soul King, Soul Saint, and Title Douluo. Only Soul Venerables can fuse a thousand-year Soul Ring, Soul Kings can fuse a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring, Soul Saints possess a Martial Soul True Body, and Title Douluos have the potential to attempt to fuse a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring.

Don't be fooled by the fact that Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi are only a dozen or so levels lower in soul power and one less soul ring than inner court disciples like Chen Zifeng and Ling Luochen, who are Soul Kings. The gap between them is not so easily bridged.

In the previous sparring match with the inner court disciples, the reason why the two of them were able to rival the Soul King in a short period of time was entirely due to the power of Xu Zihuang's first Soul Skill and Ning Tian's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul.

After all, not everyone can possess such amazing talent as Xu Zihuang.

The difference in soul power cultivation is only one reason; the lack of a ten-thousand-year soul ring to enhance one's physical attributes is also a factor that cannot be ignored.

For example, suppose a Soul Master successfully absorbs a ten-year Soul Ring. The Soul Ring will improve his physical attributes by ten. However, a hundred-year Soul Ring will improve it by one hundred, a thousand-year Soul Ring by one thousand, and so on. This illustrates the enormous difference between them.

This is the main reason why Soul Masters try to get as close as possible to the maximum age of Soul Rings they can handle when hunting Soul Beasts to obtain Soul Rings.

Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi, being heavier, struggled to keep up. Jiang Nannan, with her lithe body and speed-oriented martial soul, seemed to fare somewhat better, but was still putting up a strain. He Caitou, the heaviest of the three, relied on his soul tool and didn't find it as difficult as the other two. Wang Dong and Ning Tian, ​​being carried by Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen respectively, didn't face this problem.

Although Ma Xiaotao needed to spare some energy to help Wang Dong, she still charged ahead. The power of her Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul and her own cultivation was undeniable. Naturally, Dai Yueheng, whose cultivation was second only to Ma Xiaotao, was charging in second place.

However, the one following closely behind was not another five inner court disciples, but Xu Zihuang.

Even Chen Zifeng, a Soul Master with a Soul Power level of 57, was half a step behind Xu Zihuang. Although Xixi's burst speed in a short period of time was terrifying, long-distance travel like this was mainly a test of endurance, and she was no match for Chen Zifeng, who had the advantage in Soul Power cultivation.

As Chen Zifeng walked forward, he moved closer to Xu Zihuang, his eyes wide with astonishment.

"Junior Brother Yu, your physical abilities are just too abnormal. You're really putting me off. Although we're weapon spirit masters, our physical abilities can't compare to beast spirit masters like Xiao Tao and Dai Yueheng. But the difference in spirit power cultivation is undeniable. Besides, Junior Brother Yu, your spirit isn't a beast spirit, is it?"

Chen Zifeng took the initiative to strike up a conversation with Xu Zihuang, which surprised Fang Yifang somewhat. But more than anything, Fang Yifang wanted to build a good relationship with Xu Zihuang.

Those who can enter Shrek Academy's inner court are not fools. How could he not see how much Elder Xuan values ​​Yu Tianhuang? It's likely that the main purpose of the previous sparring match between the reserve team and the inner court disciples was to gain Yu Tianhuang's recognition from them.

At only twelve years old, he has already reached the Soul Master realm. His Soul Ring configuration is a terrifying three purple and one black. Such a genius student is destined to become a leading figure in the Inner Academy.

Building a good relationship with them will be entirely beneficial to you.

But most importantly, it was Yu Tianhuang's formidable strength that earned his recognition. Strength above all else is an unchanging truth in the world of Soul Masters. If you are strong enough, you will earn the respect of others.

Xu Zihuang could obviously see what Chen Zifeng was thinking, and smiled as he joked.

"There's nothing we can do about it, that's just how it is when you're naturally gifted."

He didn't object to Chen Zifeng's somewhat purposeful approach. Putting himself in Chen Zifeng's shoes, if he didn't have anything that others valued, why would anyone lower themselves to actively approach him, given that Chen Zifeng's talent was outstanding among the younger generation of Soul Masters across the entire continent?

Because of his background, he was already used to this.

"Okay, you're pretty arrogant, kid." Chen Zifeng couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"That's true. We're all Soul Masters, how can we not have some pride? With your talent, Junior Brother Yu, you certainly have the right to say that."

Despite running at such a rapid pace, their voices remained perfectly audible, without the slightest tremor.

Xu Sanshi, who was lagging behind and whose steps had become noticeably heavier, looked at Xu Zihuang, who was relaxed and carefree in front of him, and said sourly while panting.

"We're all Soul Masters, so why is there such a big difference? I just happen to be a defensive Soul Master. I get beaten up all the time when we're fighting, and I'm at a disadvantage when we're traveling."