Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong were born with special constitutions—they could advance levels and acquire soul rings without ever hunting soul beasts. Over the years, Kong Deming realized that the duration of soul rings they could bear depended only on their cultivation limits and resilience.
That Jiang Qingtong had managed to secure a ten-thousand-year soul ring on her third ring spoke volumes about her strength!
"Master Hong told me you've etched Yuhao's original Lingmu soul into your spirit," Kong Deming said, thoughtful. "I checked into it—it truly is unusual. And imprinting it wasn't an issue."
He regarded Jiang Qingtong, then asked, "You're at three rings now. You can still imprint two more soul skills. Shrek Academy must have many excellent soul forms. Have you imprinted any others?"
Jiang Qingtong recounted the entire story about the Evil-Fire Phoenix to him.
After listening, Kong Deming pondered. "That's tricky. The Evil-Fire Phoenix is powerful, but its corrupting influence is harsh. If we can find the Perfect-Ice soul form to counterbalance it… Well, if Shrek Academy can locate one, let's let them do it."
It struck him as a fantastic bargain: leverage Shrek's resources to elevate her power.
Seizing the moment, Jiang Qingtong asked, "Master—aren't you afraid Shrek Academy might entice me to stay?"
"Hmph! You?" Kong Deming snorted. "You're the kind to exploit others. Who could exploit you?" His tone was full of confidence.
Jiang Qingtong chuckled, then changed the subject. "Master, how's Yuhao?"
"He's still in the R&D Institute at Mingde Hall, assisting Ziwén with soul tool research. Why, you want to see him?" Kong Deming asked.
"I have something to discuss with him," Jiang Qingtong answered.
"My little miss…" Kong Deming saw the hint of a secret in her smile and shook his head with a wry smile. "Both you and Yuhao—your talents surpass ordinary people. If you're together, I won't stop it—but now is too early."
Jiang Qingtong frowned. "Master, what are you thinking? No matter what, there's no way I'd—be with Yuhao!"
Humor flickered in Kong Deming's eyes as he asked, "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely!"
He sighed softly. "That's a pity," he said jokingly. Then he waved his hand. "Alright, go and talk to him."
Jiang Qingtong patted his shoulder and dashed off to Mingde Hall. When she arrived, Yuhao was wrapping up his day's work and asking Xuan Ziwén for leave.
Both master and disciple were surprised to see her. Ziwén asked, "Little junior sister—you've come back already?"
Jiang Qingtong narrowed her eyes playfully. "You've been playing favorites with a disciple and forgotten your junior sister? Brother, that's not okay! Shrek's vacation schedule is public knowledge—did you not care to check?"
Ziwén laughed awkwardly. "I got too absorbed in research. Sorry—won't happen again. By the way, did Shengyu know you returned?"
"We're in sync. Of course he knows," Jiang Qingtong replied.
Yuhao looked at her with concern. "Cousin, how's Shrek? Did they treat you unfairly because you're from the Sun Moon Empire?"
Jiang Qingtong patted her chest confidently. "Me? I'm the one who does the bullying—no one bullies me."
Yuhao relaxed. He'd had bad experiences with Shrek in mind, worried Jiang Qingtong might be discriminated against—so this relieved him.
She then noticed Ziwén's leave request. "Yuhao, what are you going to do next?"
He blinked. "I'm heading home to honor Mother."
"How about—uncle and I go with you?" Jiang Qingtong offered suddenly.
He hesitated. "That might be troublesome. I'm not only going home to honor Mother—you know I'm tracking the Northern Ice Silk from the Extreme-North point. It's bigger than I can explain…"
Xuan Ziwén, oblivious to Yuhao's dilemma, nodded. "All the better—having you and Qingtong with Yuhao makes sense. Just stay careful. The Spirit Hall's branches in Star Luo Empire have gone quiet. They can offer little help."
Jiang Qingtong smiled and asked Yuhao, "Your thoughts?"
Yuhao glanced at her. Wouldn't this be too much trouble? Shengyu is the Hall Master, researching soul tools—and you've just returned from Shrek, needing rest…
She shook her head. "It's fine. For Auntie's ceremonies, we should be there. It's what we owe as her juniors."
"Exactly, Yuhao." Ziwén patted him absently on the shoulder. "You worry too much about others."
With both of them urging him on, Yuhao finally agreed. As for how to secretly get to the far-north… that would be addressed later.
But right now, a few rest days were in order after her arrival.
Word of Jiang Qingtong's return spread quickly. Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, Tang Ya, and others came calling—but each was unceremoniously turned away by Jiang Shengyu at the door.
Standing guard, he waved off the enthusiastic Xiao Hongchen. "Sorry—my sister just got back and's resting. Shopping invites, please register. Gratitude visits? Another day. Challenges for fights? Buzz off."
"That's quite a limerick!" Xiao Hongchen sneered. "You trying to become a core disciple of the Imperial Spiritual–"
"Get lost," Jiang Shengyu interrupted. "Don't block our way to see Qingtong."
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