This meant that the soul beast had willingly allowed her to absorb it.
Only when a soul beast willingly allows itself to be absorbed does the process go so smoothly. Otherwise, if the soul beast is unwilling or bears deep resentment, the difficulty of absorbing the soul ring increases significantly.
So, the question arose: why had this soul beast willingly allowed her to absorb it? Could it have been because the soul beast was nearing the end of its lifespan? Was that why it didn't resist her as much?
Zhang Lexuan pondered this in her heart.
"An 83rd-level Soul Douluo. It seems the absorption went well," Di Tian's voice suddenly rang out.
Zhang Lexuan turned around, her eyes filled with gratitude.
"Thank you, senior, for making this possible."
If not for Di Tian, she would never have acquired such a high-quality soul ring. Its compatibility with her was incredibly high—anyone could see it had been carefully chosen.
"As I said before, you don't need to thank me. If you're going to thank anyone, thank the Young Master," Di Tian said indifferently.
"Without the Young Master, none of this would have been possible."
His tone remained imposing, revealing how little regard he had for Zhang Lexuan. To Di Tian, Zhang Lexuan's talent was decent, but nothing extraordinary. Only the existence of Su Yu had made her worthy of his attention.
After all, Di Tian was the Beast God. In his eyes, human geniuses were hardly impressive, and only Ultimate Douluos could even begin to catch his notice.
"Between Xiao Yu and me, there's no need for thanks. If he asked for it, I would gladly give him my life," Zhang Lexuan said with a gentle smile, her tone calm.
It was precisely because Di Tian was an outsider that she thanked him. She would never say "thank you" to Su Yu, as she had long considered herself to belong to him.
"I hope that's truly the case."
Di Tian gave Zhang Lexuan a deep look and then said, "This is the left arm bone of the 100,000-year Moon Spirit Emperor. Take it."
With a wave of his hand, a soul bone flew from the Moon Spirit Emperor and landed in front of Zhang Lexuan.
"And here's the right arm bone of the 100,000-year Moon Shadow Dragon. Take it as well."
Casually, Di Tian tossed out another 100,000-year soul bone.
Zhang Lexuan's left and right arm bones were now complete.
"The right arm bone of the 100,000-year Moon Shadow Dragon?"
Zhang Lexuan was stunned. Di Tian had so easily produced another 100,000-year soul bone, one perfectly suited for her— a soul bone from the Moon Shadow Dragon.
Although the Moon Shadow Dragon was a sub-dragon, it was still a member of the dragon race. And this was a 100,000-year soul bone from the dragon race!
"Senior, this is too valuable," Zhang Lexuan said, unable to contain her surprise. She had already taken a 100,000-year soul ring, and now, accepting this additional soul bone felt excessive.
"It's just a soul bone. Take it if I'm giving it to you," Di Tian said coldly as if the matter was trivial.
And to him, it truly was.
As Su Yu had guessed, Di Tian's collection was far more extensive than Bear Lord's. While Bear Lord's collection primarily consisted of soul bones from his species, Di Tian's hoard included various types of soul bones—100,000-year soul bones were not uncommon. There were even some that exceeded 100,000 years.
Over the centuries, many soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest had failed to survive their tribulations, especially before the appearance of Di Mingli. More than one fierce beast had perished under the Heavenly Tribulation.
"The 100,000-year Moon Shadow Dragon arm bone is too precious. Shouldn't it be saved for Xiao Yu?"
Zhang Lexuan naturally thought of Su Yu when it came to valuable treasures.
"Does the Young Master need your concern?"
Di Tian shot her a strange look, as if to say, "Do you think a sub-dragon's soul bone is suitable for the Young Master?"
With Su Yu's status, acquiring a set of true dragon soul bones would be effortless. Di Tian had already prepared everything Su Yu would need, though he hadn't yet given them to him due to Su Yu's current age and strength. Di Tian wasn't about to let something as minor as a sub-dragon soul bone hinder Su Yu's growth.
"Well... alright then. I won't refuse," Zhang Lexuan finally said, reassured by the thought that Su Yu would have even better options.
This soul bone was a perfect match for her, and absorbing it would significantly increase her strength. Moreover, since her left and right arm bones shared similar attributes, she might even be able to develop a soul bone combination technique—like the one Ma Xiaotao had.
Ma Xiaotao, the academy's top student, had excellent resources and a powerful soul bone combination technique. Although Zhang Lexuan was Shrek's senior sister, she hadn't received nearly as much support, likely because she wasn't the same Zhang Lexuan who had been Bei Bei's fiancée in another timeline.
"Absorb it quickly. Once you're done, leave this place. Your academy's people left long ago," Di Tian said, with a faint trace of mockery in his eyes.
Zhang Lexuan remained silent, choosing not to respond. Instead, she sat down cross-legged and began absorbing the soul bones. It wasn't until dawn the next day that she finished. Her soul power rose once again, reaching level 84.
After completing the absorption, Zhang Lexuan bowed to Di Tian and then left the Star Dou Forest alone.
...
Meanwhile, back at Shrek Academy, a major upheaval was unfolding.
"What? Eight inner court students lost, and even Lexuan is missing, her life or death unknown?"
In the Sea God Pavilion, many elders were in shock. Yan Shaozhe's expression was grim.
These were top students from the inner court, not just any ordinary people. And now, eight of them were dead?
There were only a few dozen inner court students in total! To lose nearly one-fifth of them in a single incident? It was unimaginable.
And now Lexuan, the most gifted of them all, was missing?
Yan Shaozhe felt his vision darken and nearly lost his balance. The loss was too great—it felt as though his heart were bleeding.
"How could Elder Xuan have led the team and allowed such heavy casualties?"
Xian Lin'er, sitting across from him, also paled.
In all her years at the inner court, they had never suffered such devastating losses. These students had been the academy's brightest, and now even Lexuan's fate was uncertain.
"I heard it was an accident, an encounter with a 10,000-year Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear," an elderly woman seated at the head of the table said. Her hair was gray, and she looked as if she were nearing the end of her life, yet her status was high. Even Yan Shaozhe and the others treated her with great respect.
"Old Lin, are you sure about this?"
Xin Lin'er asked, incredulous.
A 10,000-year Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear was indeed a formidable creature, and Zhang Lexuan's group of students certainly couldn't handle it.
"It's true," Old Lin nodded slightly.
"But even if it was a 10,000-year Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, it shouldn't have caused such heavy casualties, right? Elder Xuan is a level-98 Super Douluo! Never mind a 10,000-year bear— even a 100,000-year one shouldn't be his match!"
Xian Lin'er still found it hard to accept.
Elder Xuan was a level-98 Super Douluo. Could a 10,000-year Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear cause him trouble? It just didn't add up.
"Elder Xuan was momentarily careless, and Zhang Lexuan's group was ambushed by the bear. By the time Elder Xuan reacted, Bear Lord, one of the fierce beasts in the Star Dou Forest, had intervened. This incident escalated beyond the casualties of the students. Even Elder Xuan was gravely injured," another elderly woman, Elder Song, one of the strongest members of the Sea God Pavilion, added solemnly.
"What? Even Elder Xuan was injured? Bear Lord... is it really that strong? And why would it attack Elder Xuan?"
Xian Lin'er, along with Qian Duoduo, Yan Shaozhe, Cai Mei'er, and others, were baffled.
Why would Bear Lord, a leader in the Star Dou Forest, attack Elder Xuan? It didn't make sense! And how could Bear Lord manage to injure someone as powerful as Elder Xuan?
"The specific details are still unclear. Old Mu is currently treating Elder Xuan. His injuries are severe, and he may even suffer a permanent loss of strength," Old Lin explained, shaking her head.
"What?"
Xian Lin'er and the others widened their eyes in disbelief. Could it be that serious?
"Elder Xuan lost an arm— an arm with a soul bone. You all know what that means," Elder Song sighed.
At this, Yan Shaozhe and the others paled. Losing an arm that contained a soul bone was nearly as disastrous as having it ripped out. When a soul bone is extracted from a Title Douluo, their soul power permanently drops by one rank.
"This is a disaster," Yan Shaozhe muttered darkly.
Elder Xuan was Shrek Academy's most powerful and public-facing combatant. If news of his injury spread, it would cause a massive uproar. Shrek Academy would face immense pressure.
"I can only hope the teacher can heal Elder Xuan," Yan Shaozhe thought, trying to remain hopeful.
...
In a quiet room within the Sea God Pavilion, two figures stood side by side.
One figure was slightly hunched and frail as if a gust of wind could knock him over. The other had ragged clothes, his right arm severed at the shoulder, and his chest covered in thick scabs from severe injuries. The latter was Elder Xuan, the Taotie Douluo, and the former was Dragon God Douluo Mu En, the true powerhouse of the Sea God Pavilion.
Mu En's martial soul was the Light Holy Dragon, and he was a level-99 Ultimate Douluo— one of only three in the world. Though weakened by past injuries, his strength far surpassed that of Elder Xuan. He was the true stabilizing force of Shrek Academy, with combat abilities unrivaled on the continent.
"Xuan Zi," Mu En spoke softly, looking at him with concern.
"Old Mu," Elder Xuan responded, showing a hint of reverence.
"Your injuries are severe this time. The fatal wound on your chest has even affected your internal organs. Bear Lord's Sky-Splitting Claw is indeed terrifying. Luckily, you only took it from the side. Had you taken it head-on, you might not have made it back," Mu En said gravely, realizing he might have underestimated the strength of the Star Dou Forest.
The forest wasn't just home to Di Tian, its terrifying ruler; there was also Bear Lord, a force to be reckoned with. While Bear Lord wasn't as strong as Di Tian, Elder Xuan's injuries proved it was still a significant threat. Its strength had reached the limit of what was possible.
Even in his current state, Mu En wasn't sure he could defeat Bear Lord one-on-one.
"The Star Dou Forest's strength is more formidable than I imagined," Mu En reflected.
"Bear Lord..."
Elder Xuan muttered, his face twitching with resentment and lingering fear. That one claw had brought him to the brink of death.
"But that isn't the worst of it. Your bodily injuries can be healed. With the power of the Golden Ancient Tree, you will recover. The real issue is your arm. It's been severed, and the soul bone is gone. Xuan Zi, your strength has now fallen to level 88."
Elder Xuan's entire body trembled, pain etched across his face. From a level-98 Super Douluo to a Soul Douluo... how could he not feel a deep sense of loss? After being accustomed to the immense power of level 98, how could he accept this?
Power was the foundation of everything. Without it, how could he face his old rivals? With the strength of a Soul Douluo, he wouldn't even be acknowledged by those people. Even within Shrek Academy, his status would plummet.
"Old Mu, is there any way to recover?"
Elder Xuan asked, a glimmer of hope in his voice.
"It's difficult— extremely difficult," Mu En sighed.
"If you had brought back the severed arm, things would be simpler. With the power of the Golden Ancient Tree, reattaching it would have been easy. But since the arm is gone, it's much more complicated. Your arm had a soul bone. When a soul bone is absorbed, it fuses with the body's essence. Typically, losing a soul bone means death for the soul master."
"For a Title Douluo, whose body is more refined, they can survive the loss of a limb with a soul bone. But the cost is losing the bone and permanently dropping one rank in power. Unless you recover the lost bone and restore your body's essence, it's almost impossible to return to your peak state."
Mu En's words extinguished the last flicker of hope in Elder Xuan's heart, leaving him in despair.
"Old Mu, is there truly no other way?"
Elder Xuan asked, refusing to accept his fate.
"Under normal circumstances, there's nothing we can do. Even with the Golden Ancient Tree's power, we can only stabilize you at the Title Douluo level. Restoring your level-98 strength is impossible. And as for your severed arm, it's unlikely it can ever be restored," Mu En sighed, delivering the harsh truth.