Zhu Ziyang didn't attend class that day. After informing Jiang Nannan, he made his way to Sea God Island.
Sea God Pavilion
"Hm?"
Mu En sensed Zhu Ziyang approaching and raised a curious brow. But as soon as Zhu Ziyang stepped inside, he understood and asked with a pleased tone, "Ziyang, did you break through?"
"Yes!" Zhu Ziyang nodded enthusiastically.
"Good, good, very good!" Mu En exclaimed three times in a row, a rare gleam of pride shining on his aged face. "You haven't disappointed me. Excellent. Have you decided what soul beast you want for your fourth ring?"
"Not yet," Zhu Ziyang shook his head. His martial soul had already reached the level of a Super Martial Soul, so he no longer needed to be overly picky about attributes. As long as the soul beast matched his martial soul, it would suffice. Unless it was another ultimate attribute, any light-element beast would have roughly the same benefit.
"I see," Mu En nodded. "In that case, go find your Senior Brother. Let him take you to hunt for a soul ring."
"Understood." Zhu Ziyang respectfully bowed and withdrew.
After leaving the pavilion, Zhu Ziyang found Yan Shaozhe atop the Golden Ancient Tree. Upon explaining his situation, Yan Shaozhe looked mildly surprised.
"You really are something, little Junior Brother," Yan Shaozhe laughed. "As it happens, a group of inner court students is also heading out to hunt soul rings today. I'll take you to meet them—you can join their team and head to the Star Dou Forest together."
"Sounds great." Zhu Ziyang quickly agreed. Since he'd be entering the inner court soon, this was a perfect chance to get to know its students.
"Come, follow me."
Yan Shaozhe led him to Sea God Plaza, where a dozen inner court students were already gathered. Leading them was Zhang Lexuan, and in front of the group stood the Gluttonous Douluo, Elder Xuan, munching on a drumstick.
Noticing the newcomers, Elder Xuan raised a brow. "Shaozhe? Ziyang? What's this about?"
"Elder Xuan, Ziyang also needs a new soul ring," Yan Shaozhe explained. "Please take him along."
"Greetings, Elder Xuan," Zhu Ziyang said respectfully.
"I see..." Elder Xuan paused mid-bite, then waved his chicken leg. "Alright. Go stand with Lexuan's group and get to know the others."
"Yes, sir," Zhu Ziyang nodded and walked toward the inner court disciples.
"I've delivered him. I'll leave the rest to you, Elder Xuan," Yan Shaozhe said, then turned to leave.
"Always leaving the hard work to this old man," Elder Xuan grumbled, then looked toward the students.
As Zhu Ziyang approached, the inner court disciples took notice. There were twelve in total. Aside from Zhang Lexuan, Zhu Ziyang only recognized one other: Ma Xiaotao.
"Ziyang!" Ma Xiaotao's eyes lit up the moment she saw him. She waved cheerfully. Over the past six months, the two had grown much closer. Zhu Ziyang had only needed to help her suppress her evil fire twice—she'd managed the rest on her own through sheer willpower.
"Sister Xiaotao," Zhu Ziyang greeted her and walked over.
The other students eyed him with open curiosity. His young age, outer court uniform, and the fact that Yan Shaozhe himself had escorted him here all sparked questions. Everyone loves gossip, after all.
"You broke through too?" Ma Xiaotao asked, stunned and delighted.
"This morning," Zhu Ziyang smiled. "You too?"
"Hehe, I broke through a few days ago. I waited until today to go with the group," she answered sweetly.
Zhu Ziyang nodded and glanced at the other inner court disciples. "They all need soul rings too?"
"Yep," Ma Xiaotao replied. "It's a tradition in the inner court. Whenever students need soul rings, they apply through the academy, which then forms a hunting party. Everyone who qualifies within that window goes together, led by an elder, usually to the Star Dou Forest."
"What if only one person qualifies? Do they have to wait?" Zhu Ziyang asked.
"Of course not," Ma Xiaotao chuckled. "If fewer than five students need soul rings in a half-month period, the elder still takes them out."
"Got it," Zhu Ziyang nodded. "So this time, Elder Xuan is our escort?"
"Exactly."
Just then, a beautiful girl of about eighteen or nineteen walked over, her eyes fixed curiously on Zhu Ziyang. "Xiaotao, who's this cutie? Yan Elder's new disciple?"
"This is Zhu Ziyang—he's still technically in the outer court," Ma Xiaotao introduced. "Ziyang, this is Senior Sister Wu Ming."
"Hello, Senior Sister," Zhu Ziyang greeted politely.
"Aren't you polite? Do you have a girlfriend yet? What do you think of me?" Wu Ming winked playfully.
Zhu Ziyang was speechless. Ma Xiaotao's expression darkened instantly. She yanked Wu Ming aside and scolded her. "Seriously?! He's only twelve!"
"Oops! Sorry! I'm just... desperate, okay?" Wu Ming laughed awkwardly.
Before Ma Xiaotao could retort, Elder Xuan clapped his hands. All chatter ceased, and everyone turned toward him.
"Good, everyone's here. Lexuan, you're leading this mission. Go ahead and explain the rules," Elder Xuan instructed.
"Yes, Elder," Zhang Lexuan nodded. She turned to the group. "Listen up. We're headed to the Star Dou Forest. Some of you have been there, others haven't. So, before anything else, we'll each introduce ourselves: name, martial soul, current rank, and what soul ring you need."
She looked around and continued, "I'll start. I'm Zhang Lexuan, inner court assistant instructor and student. Martial soul: Moonlight. I'm a power-attack type, and I'll be leading and commanding this mission. Rank 80. I need a 70,000-year soul ring."
Zhu Ziyang's jaw dropped. That's the Moon martial soul?! And she's already a Contra at twenty-three? That's insane!
Will I be a Contra by twenty-three? he wondered.
Next came a graceful beauty with gentle eyes and an elegant air.
"Han Ruoruo, inner court assistant instructor and student. Martial soul: Glimmering Golden Rope. Control-type. Rank 76. No soul ring needed."
"Ma Xiaotao, inner court student. Martial soul: Fire Phoenix. Power-attack type. Rank 50. I need a ten-thousand-year fire-attribute ring."
"Wu Ming, inner court student. Martial soul: Golden Crow. Power-attack type. Rank 60. I need a thirty-thousand-year fire-attribute ring."
The remaining eight students introduced themselves in turn—three female, five male. Among them were two near-Soul Kings, three near-Soul Emperors, and three near-Soul Sages.
Finally, all eyes turned to Zhu Ziyang.
He stepped forward confidently, completely unshaken.
"Zhu Ziyang, first-year outer court student. Martial soul: Scythe of Silent Judgment. Power-attack type. Rank 40. I need a ten-thousand-year soul ring."
Stunned silence fell over the group.
He's only... twelve?!
The inner court students stared at him in disbelief. Compared to him, they suddenly felt like their lives had been a waste.
Han Ruoruo blinked and asked, "Junior Brother Ziyang... how old are you?"
"Just turned twelve," Zhu Ziyang replied calmly.