Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but stare at the figures before her. Ryan stood tall, an overwhelming pressure radiating from him as six silver spirit rings floated behind his back. His presence alone exuded dominance, making it clear he was unlike any spirit master she had ever encountered.
Rank 61 Hate Ground No Handle Set.
The abilities granted by this spirit were terrifying: Avatars, Gravity, Damage Reflection, Damage Reduction, Full Counter, and Juggernaut.
Damage Reduction decreased all incoming damage by 10% per spirit ring, totaling 60% damage reduction. However, this reduction did not apply to Damage Reflection, meaning enemies still suffered the full 60% damage they tried to inflict on him.
Full Counter allowed him to instantly counterattack with double the damage of any attack he received.
Juggernaut granted all his attacks unstoppable properties, ignoring armor, barriers, and defenses while also functioning as a devastating charge attack.
On top of all that, his physical strength multiplied by 64x when wearing the armor.
He was, simply put, a walking disaster on the battlefield.
The women surrounding him were no less intimidating, each possessing at least five black (10,000-year) spirit rings. Among them, Zhu Zhuqing realized she was the weakest—at least among the fighters. However, she knew that would soon change.
Ryan turned to her. "First, we'll improve your spirit rings. The laws of this space are different, allowing for enhancement. I'd also recommend a clone-type ability for your third spirit ring."
Clone abilities were invaluable—not just for combat but for reconnaissance, multitasking, and even everyday convenience. Everyone here had some variation of it: blood clones, shadow clones, mirror clones, avatars…
"You'll be able to enhance your existing rings and choose a new ability," he assured her.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded and sat cross-legged, summoning her Hell Civet spirit. The moment she did, she felt an odd shift.
Spirit energy surged around her as two yellow rings materialized behind her. However, almost immediately, they began to change.
Yellow shifted to purple.
A third ring formed and also turned purple.
Her current body and spirit weren't yet strong enough to handle a black (10,000-year) ring, but she was making rapid progress.
As for her new ability…
Shadow Doppelgangers.
She could create three clones, each possessing 10% of her combat strength. It was a start, but she knew she could further develop this ability in time.
While Zhu Zhuqing focused on her transformation, a separate conversation took place among the others.
"Are we still going to Shrek?" Yue asked, absentmindedly swinging her legs.
Serenity frowned. "Aside from the teachers, the only decent person there is Ning Rongrong. The rest are just perverts."
That much was true. Shrek Academy was home to some strong individuals, but the students were… questionable.
Ning Rongrong was a spoiled brat at the beginning, but she came from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, one of the wealthiest and most influential clans in the world. Their support-type spirit, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, was invaluable. Its primary function was buffing allies, increasing their attributes based on the number of spirit rings they had.
The clan also boasted two Titled Douluo: Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
That said, there was a massive power gap between low-level and high-level Titled Douluo. It wasn't enough to simply reach that stage—each additional rank drastically increased strength. Sword Douluo, despite being only Rank 97, once held his own against multiple other Titled Douluo simultaneously.
Ryan leaned back, considering their next course of action. "Opinions?"
Serenity didn't hesitate. "Kill Dai Mubai and absorb his spirit so you can gain a fusion ability with Zhu Zhuqing. Kill Ma Hongjun for his Evil Phoenix Spirit—though it's probably just an excuse for his lust. We can purify and evolve it into a proper Phoenix using our immortal herbs. Eliminating them would remove any future complications for Zhu Zhuqing at least concerning Dai Mubai."
Her words were calm—merciless, but logical.
The White Tiger and the Phoenix… Ryan already had the Golden Dragon, a mutated version of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, which itself had Azure Dragon ancestry. With these additions, the only major divine beast spirit he'd be missing was the Black Tortoise.
Killing Dai Mubai? That was fine. The prince of the Star Luo Empire was nothing more than an obstacle in Zhu Zhuqing's life. She was his now, and he wouldn't allow anything to threaten that.
As for Ma Hongjun…
Ryan exhaled. "Investigate first. If he's forcing himself on women, bring him to me. Dai Mubai as well." Ryan had no patience for rapists.
Zhu Zhuqing, who had been listening quietly, felt a surge of emotions—shock, disbelief, and… warmth.
Ryan was willing to kill a prince for her.
Not only that, but he would also become her spirit fusion partner. Spirit fusion was an incredibly intimate thing.
Spirit fusion was incredibly rare, but the Dai and Zhu clans possessed a uniquely compatible fusion: Netherworld White Tiger. It was the pinnacle of their lineages' combined strength.
Ryan then turned his attention to the remaining Shrek members. "What about Oscar and Ning Rongrong?"
"Oscar's fine," Serenity said dismissively. "He's a bit of a pervert, but he wouldn't force himself on a woman. And he's a food-type spirit master, so he's not a real threat."
"As for Ning Rongrong… she's just a spoiled princess," Ryan mused. "She'll grow out of it. The only issue is that she probably needs a spanking."
Yue smirked and wiggled in Ryan's lap. "Can I have it instead?" she whispered in a sultry voice.
Ryan chuckled, threading his fingers through her golden hair. "You're insatiable."
Yue merely grinned. "You wouldn't have me any other way."
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at the group, her resolve hardening. She had spent years surviving alone, betrayed by her family, abandoned to fight for her life. But here…
For the first time, she felt protected. Wanted.
She had made the right choice.
Serenity slipped out to go and find her targets and gather information. She would always complete her mission to the best of her abilities and this was right up her alley.