Chapter 107: True Genius

When Tie Li's aura gradually steadied, everyone finally let out a sigh of relief.

But Bai Ningwu and Lei Ying, who knew the truth, were no longer calm.

He actually managed to absorb this eight‑thousand‑year Soul Ring? That's a full three thousand years beyond the Fourth Soul Ring limit.

The two exchanged a glance, a flash of shock passing through their eyes.

The toughest moment has passed; what follows is the soul power conversion process.

Tie Li could feel the attribute boost granted by the Soul Ring; the Fourth Soul Ring had reached eight thousand years, exceeding the standard of most Soul Ancestors.

Of course, it cannot be compared with individual Soul Masters.

"Huh"

Tie Li opened his eyes—two yellow, two purple—as four Soul Rings materialized beneath him, especially the Fourth Soul Ring, whose deep violet added an intangible pressure.

"How does it feel?" Zhao Tianhe said, seeing Tie Li was fine, and let out a sigh of relief.

"Very good."

The people from Thunder Academy were still on the side, and Tie Li was not in a hurry to display his Fourth Soul skill.

Among all members of the First Team and Second Team, Tie Li was the first to break through to the Four‑Ring Soul Ancestor.

After successfully absorbing the Soul Ring, he didn't rush to leave; Tie Li intended to hammer out the horn and plate crystal of the Thunder Crystal Armor Beast, both good forging materials, and even the meat and bones of the Thunder Crystal Armor Beast could fetch a decent price.

Wherever he went, thrift was a virtue; for example, the shell of a Mountain Rock Turtle was stored in Tie Li's storage ring.

Tuo Yu and the other teammates were accustomed to Tie Li's habit; back when they trained deep in the Tiandou Plains, any valuable part on a Soul Beast would be excavated by Tie Li.

If he encountered a Soul Beast he didn't recognize, he would specifically ask his teammates.

Tie Li took the plate crystal and horn, and also sliced off a large piece of meat.

"Alright, we should go," Zhao Tianhe urged.

Having said that, he led the group away directly, seemingly forgetting the matter just discussed with Bai Ningwu about helping his student obtain the Third Soul Ring.

Bai Ningwu's eyebrows twitched involuntarily, but he still let out a sigh of relief; if Zhao Tianhe's party followed them, they'd have to guard against Soul Beasts and stay on constant alert.

……

This time luck was good; after only a few dozen li, they encountered a thousand‑year‑old Scale Armor Beast.

It perfectly matched Mu Wei's Third Soul Ring requirements, possessing both power and defense.

Zhao Tianhe moved to capture the thousand‑year‑old Scale Armor Beast, and Mu Wei delivered the final kill.

When Mu Wei successfully absorbed the Third Soul Ring, the members of this Second Team all attained Soul Elder cultivation.

Leaving Sunset Forest, Zhao Tianhe led the team back to the Tian Dou Royal Academy.

After a long trek back to the Tian Dou Royal Academy, Zhao Tianhe let the students depart on their own, and he did not elaborate on the next training schedule.

After all the students had left, Zhao Tianhe planned to go to the Education Committee to inquire about the situation.

Whether this Second Team should be disbanded or reformed depends on the three Committee Members' attitudes.

Arriving at the familiar Education Committee, Zhao Tianhe got straight to the point and asked.

"Three Committee Members, if Shilake integrates into the academy, does this Second Team have to be disbanded?"

Meng Shenji glanced at Zhao Tianhe, gave no extensive explanation, and simply said.

"An eleven‑year‑old Three Ring Soul Honorable, a naturally full‑soul‑power Food Soul Master, with a top‑tier beast martial soul, what do you think the Second Team's advantage is compared to them?"

That simple sentence landed in Zhao Tianhe's ears, yet it rang like a thunderclap.

An eleven‑year‑old Soul Elder? A naturally full‑soul‑power Food Soul Master? He had not only never seen one, he had never even heard of them.

Such a terrifying talent—whether in the Second Team or even the First Team, it's an absolute gift, a true genius!

"Teacher Zhao, do you think we can refuse the addition of such a genius Soul Master?" Zhi Lin patted Zhao Tianhe's shoulder; he understood Zhao Tianhe's feelings at that moment, but they found it hard to turn them down.

Even in Qin Ming's brief, that prodigy's Control-type Soul Master wouldn't be truly eleven years old for another two or three months.

Originally with a thousand words, Zhao Tianhe now couldn't utter a single sentence.

"Then this Second Team..." Zhao Tianhe said weakly.

"Let's keep it on hold for now; later they can serve as reserve members. We'll discuss it when Shilake Academy arrives at the academy. For now, just let them continue normal training," Bai Baoshan said.

That was the consensus among the three, implicitly meaning they would no longer provide precious special food.

"Alright."

Zhao Tianhe understood the three Committee Members' meaning; if he were in their shoes, he would make the same decision.

An eleven‑year‑old Three Ring Soul Honorable, a naturally full‑soul‑power Food Soul Master...

Those two sentences kept looping in Zhao Tianhe's mind at that moment.

A despondent Zhao Tianhe made his way back to his residence, and while lying on the bed he continued muttering to himself.

"A truly genius Soul Master?"

……

Compared to Zhao Tianhe, Tie Li, back in the dormitory, had far fewer worries; he took a good hot shower and then began tallying the gains of the past half‑year abroad.

"Tomorrow I'll go to Tiandou City and sell all these; I can get a decent price."

Lying on the bed, Tie Li soon fell asleep.

Compared with life in the wild, being able to rest peacefully in the dormitory eased the mental fatigue accumulated over the past half‑year of training.

Nightly Soul Beast attacks were frequent, and Tie Li often suspected that a few teachers were deliberately driving the Soul Beasts away.

By the next morning, Tie Li set out for Tiandou City.

Wearing the Tian Dou Royal Academy uniform, entering Tiandou City would reduce many unnecessary hassles and grant certain privileges.

After entering Tiandou City, Tie Li first inquired about prices at the major merchants, and after a rough assessment chose the highest bidder, selling everything except the Thunder Crystal Armor Beast's horn and plate crystal.

He received a total of 16,000 Gold Soul Coins, a substantial income.

Tie Li had never been to Tiandou City before, so he naturally wanted to enjoy a good tour of the imperial capital of the Tiandou Empire.

Just a solitary stroll, slightly lonely.

Holding an assortment of specialty snacks, walking down the street always draws attention.

A girl glanced at the snack in her hand, then at the assorted treats in Tie Li's hand, a flash of mischief appearing in her eyes.

With ear‑length short hair, exceptionally fair skin, and a gentle face, she gives the illusion of being extremely easy to get along with.

Behind her follow several powerful Soul Masters, which also underscores her status.

"You all stay behind me for now, watch my signaling gesture, and then you may step out."

A few Soul Masters exchanged glances, a hint of helplessness in their eyes, yet they dared not defy the wishes of this little ancestor.

"Yes," the group replied!

Then the girl's expression shifted, a pitifully delicate look, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears about to spill.

(End of chapter)