"Moreover, I used the Immortal Herbs here to temper my body."
Su Yu's tone was firm, his gaze fixed in the direction of the distant Sunset Forest.
"Uncle Guan, for my Third Soul Ring, let's find a ten-thousand-year Soul Beast."
"T-ten-thousand-year Soul Beast?!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo's voice rose sharply in shock, nearly dropping the medicinal herb in his hand.
"Your Highness, do you know how tyrannical a ten-thousand-year Soul Beast's Soul Ring is?"
"That level of soul shock is enough to tear apart an ordinary Soul Master's soul!"
"Even some Soul Kings who have just broken through wouldn't dare attempt it lightly! This is no joking matter!"
Su Yu met his anxious gaze and slowly shook his head. "Uncle Guan, just trust me."
"After being tempered by the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and the Autumn Water Penetrating Dew, my physical fitness and mental strength are no longer what they used to be. I can withstand the impact of a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring."
"This isn't about trust!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo anxiously paced two steps, his expression growing more solemn.
"Your Highness, this isn't something I can decide! If anything were to happen to you, Her Majesty the Pope... she would skin me alive!"
Having served Bi Bidong for many years, he knew all too well how much she valued Su Yu.
If Su Yu were to have an accident while obtaining a Soul Ring, he could never bear the responsibility.
"Uncle Guan, I wouldn't joke with my own life."
Su Yu's tone remained calm, yet carried an undeniable determination.
"I know my own body. I can handle a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring."
"It's settled then. For my Third Soul Ring, I want a ten-thousand-year one."
Seeing his resolute expression, Chrysanthemum Douluo opened his mouth but ultimately couldn't persuade him further, letting out a heavy sigh instead.
"You... fine. After Old Poison finishes his breakthrough, I'll discuss it with him first."
"At the very least, we need to find a ten-thousand-year Soul Beast with relatively gentle Soul Ring energy. We absolutely cannot be reckless."
Knowing this was the biggest concession Chrysanthemum Douluo could make, Su Yu immediately nodded.
"Alright, I'll follow Uncle Guan's arrangements."
As they were speaking, Dugu Bo suddenly let out a long roar, his Soul Power fluctuations instantly peaking, clearly having successfully broken through.
Chrysanthemum Douluo temporarily set aside his worries. "Let's check on Old Poison's condition first. We can carefully plan the Soul Ring matter later."
The two walked toward Dugu Bo.
"Old Poison, did you break through?"
"Haha, Old Guan, of course I broke through! After consuming this Ninth Grade Dragon Ganoderma, I've reached level ninety-three!"
As he spoke, he released his Soul Power, shattering a nearby half-person-tall rock into pieces that clattered to the ground.
Chrysanthemum Douluo glanced at the pile of rubble but didn't hold back with his words.
"Just level ninety-three, what's there to be so proud of? You're still a step behind me."
"You!"
Dugu Bo glared, then laughed.
"Hmph, one day I'll surpass you!"
In his good mood, he couldn't be bothered to bicker with Chrysanthemum Douluo and instead turned to Su Yu and Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"What were you two whispering about over there?"
Just as Chrysanthemum Douluo was about to speak to stop him, Su Yu stepped forward and said clearly to Dugu Bo:
"Old Poison, I just broke through to level thirty and was discussing my Third Soul Ring with Uncle Guan."
"Level thirty?"
Dugu Bo was momentarily stunned, then narrowed his eyes to examine Su Yu up and down, his green eyes filled with surprise.
"What a lad, your cultivation speed is truly astonishing! If I recall correctly, you're only nine this year, right? Reaching level thirty at nine years old—this talent... tsk tsk."
He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "With your innate physique, your Third Soul Ring should be at least fifteen hundred years old to do justice to such potential."
Su Yu shook his head lightly. "No."
"Oh? Not fifteen hundred years?" Dugu Bo clicked his tongue.
"Then twelve or thirteen hundred years would do. Though it's a bit of a waste, it's still acceptable. Anything lower would be inexcusable."
Su Yu took a deep breath and declared firmly, "Old Poison, my Third Soul Ring will be a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring."
Dugu Bo responded habitually, "Ah, I thought it was something serious. Just a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring..."
As the words left his mouth, he suddenly realized what was said. His eyes widened like copper bells, and his voice cracked.
"Wait! What did you just say? Third Soul Ring? Ten-thousand-year Soul Ring?!"
He stepped forward as if hearing some absurd tale, grabbing Su Yu's arm urgently.
"Are you feverish, kid? Absorbing a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring for your Third Soul Ring? That'll kill you!"
"Ordinary Soul Masters have strict age limits for each Soul Ring absorption. The absolute maximum for the third ring is eighteen hundred years!"
"The energy impact of a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring could shatter your meridians instantly!"
"Not to mention the unique spiritual shock of a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring. If you can't withstand it, you'll become a fool!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded repeatedly nearby, as if finding an ally.
"See? Even Old Poison says so! Your Highness, this idea is far too risky!"
Dugu Bo glared at Su Yu disapprovingly. "Kid, I know you're highly talented and just broke through, gaining confidence, but you can't gamble with your life like this!"
"A ten-thousand-year Soul Ring! Even Soul Kings have to think twice before absorbing one!Seeing their anxious expressions, Su Yu instead smiled.
"I'm aware of the risks, but I'm confident."
"After being tempered in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, my physique is no longer what it used to be. Withstanding the impact of a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring shouldn't be a problem."
"After consuming the Autumn Water Penetrating Dew, my spiritual power has also broken through. I can endure the soul shock!"
"Shouldn't be a problem?" Dugu Bo bristled, his beard seeming to stand on end. "This isn't a matter of 'shouldn't be a problem'! You're betting your life!"
He turned to Chrysanthemum Douluo standing nearby. "Old Guan, why aren't you talking him out of this? Aren't you afraid Bi Bidong will skin you alive?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled bitterly. "Old Poison, of course I tried to stop him, but His Highness..."
Su Yu patted Dugu Bo's hand. "Old Poison, don't worry. I know what I'm doing. I must have this ten-thousand-year Soul Ring."
Seeing the unshakable determination in Su Yu's eyes, Dugu Bo opened his mouth but found himself momentarily speechless.
Having lived most of his life, this was the first time he'd seen anyone dare to aim for a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring for their third ring—this kid's courage was simply too immense!
Watching Dugu Bo's expression of shock and anger, Su Yu offered no further explanation. Instead, with a thought, he quietly released his Soul Rings.
"Old Poison, take a look at my Soul Rings first."
Before the words faded, two purple Soul Rings slowly rose around him.
Dugu Bo's gaze was instantly captured by the two purple rings. His pupils contracted sharply, and he exclaimed in disbelief.
"Good heavens... you... you really are a little monster!"
He pointed at the two Soul Rings, his voice trembling slightly.
"Your first and second Soul Rings... they're both thousand-year ones?!"