Inwardly thinking *well done*, Tang San slowly raised his right hand, extending his index finger toward Oscar's brow. A single drop of blue-gold blood gradually seeped from his fingertip. The Sea God's trident brand on Tang San's forehead flashed once, and a beam of blue-gold light washed over Oscar's body, seeping directly into his skin to temporarily shield his body from being torn apart.
However, absorbing a soul ring had to rely on one's own strength—no external force could help with that, nor did Tang San intend to assist him in that regard. The light flickered, and the pinpoint of blue-gold radiance at his fingertip quietly pressed against Oscar's brow, pulsing just once before dissolving into his body.
That single drop of blood left Tang San looking noticeably fatigued. It was his divine blood. Though only a drop, for a god it was extraordinarily precious. When Qian Renxue's heart had been pierced by Tang San's Guan Yin's Tear and no blood had flowed, this was exactly why—even a god would suffer harm to their vitality from the loss of a single drop. Now, Tang San had not hesitated to spend his own vitality to help Oscar. He simply could not stand by and watch his brother's body explode, and he genuinely wanted to give this brother of his a hand.
The Sea God's Light withdrew, and the flush gradually faded from Oscar's face. His expression grew much calmer. Though his body still trembled and spasmed, the crisis had passed.
Soul rings materialized one after another around his body. The trial Oscar had undergone on Sea God Island was the Black Rank Six Trial—it had not increased his soul ring cultivation the way Ning Rongrong's had—so his first eight soul rings remained two yellow, two purple, and four black. Now, faintly, the ninth soul ring was beginning to take shape. That deep crimson, blood-red color heralded that Oscar was about to succeed.
A faint smile appeared on Tang San's face. With the aid of that single drop of divine blood, Oscar's body had absorbed divine energy, which nourished his meridians and flesh, bringing his physical resilience up to par with everyone else's. And it was precisely because of this that the absorption of his final ninth soul ring was nearly complete.
At last, the illusory soul ring gradually solidified, hovering above Oscar's body. Powerful waves of soul power erupted from within him in rhythmic surges, and the aura of a hundred-thousand-year soul ring made the very air tremble.
The mist that Tang San had driven above his head drifted downward, falling straight onto Oscar's body. Unlike how Tang San had once absorbed it through breath, these wisps of vapor seeped in through every open pore on Oscar's body. The colossal soul power generated by breaking through to the Titled Douluo rank burst uncontrollably outward, and the surging aura produced a layer of shimmering energy fluctuation across Oscar's entire form.
In the history of the Soul Master world, the very first Food-Type Titled Douluo had finally appeared.
Oscar's trembling gradually subsided, and the pain etched on his face slowly eased. His breathing grew deep and powerful, each inhale and exhale measured and unhurried. A faint pink glow radiated from within him as all nine soul rings lit up in alternation, blazing with dazzling brilliance.
*It's done.* A smile surfaced on Tang San's face as he drifted back ten meters.
Oscar slowly opened his eyes. Compared to before, his gaze now carried an additional layer of luminous sheen. The aura he had released gradually withdrew as the soul rings melted back into his body one by one, transforming into a calm, gentle presence. His entire bearing had taken on a jade-like refinement. Having achieved the Titled Douluo rank, not only had his strength ascended to an entirely new tier, but his spirit and vitality had undergone a transformation as well.
Just as Tang San assumed that Oscar's newly formed ninth soul ring had finished settling, a beam of pink light suddenly materialized in midair without the slightest warning. It descended gracefully onto Oscar, arriving so fast that even Tang San, as the Sea God, had no time to block it in the absence of any forewarning. The pink radiance drilled straight into the space between Oscar's brows, and his expression visibly froze. His entire body became as motionless as a statue.
"Not good." Tang San was greatly alarmed. If something went wrong with his companions' inheritances while he was standing guard, how could he face the others? In a flash he was at Oscar's side. Surging blue-gold light instantly formed a barrier around Oscar's body, and Tang San's right hand pressed directly against the other's forehead.
But to his surprise, when Tang San used his divine sense to lock onto every part of Oscar's body and examine it thoroughly, he found nothing amiss. Frowning, Tang San could not help but glance up toward the spot in the sky where the pink light had appeared.
By now, Oscar had returned to his senses, the vacant look in his eyes replaced by its usual spark—though his entire body was still held in place by Tang San's Sea God's divine power, rendering him completely immobile.
Tang San retracted part of his divine power while maintaining his divine sense lock on Oscar's body to guard against any further surprises, simultaneously releasing the physical restraint.
"Xiao Ao, are you alright?" Tang San asked with concern.
Oscar shot to his feet and burst into hearty laughter. "Alright? I've never been better! Xiao San, between us brothers, I won't stand on ceremony and thank you."
Tang San breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Oscar was fine, that was what mattered. "Just now, after you completed your ninth ring absorption, a beam of pink light suddenly descended from the sky and entered the space between your brows. Did you feel anything?"
Oscar grinned, a hint of mystery playing across his features. "Brother, this time I've hit the jackpot."
"Oh? What happened?" Tang San asked curiously. Ever since becoming the Sea God, he had felt a sense of dominion over everything—yet that sudden occurrence had been beyond his control, so naturally he was curious.
Oscar lowered his voice. "Just now, after I finished absorbing the ninth soul ring, that hundred-thousand-year ring made me feel like my strength had undergone a qualitative leap. It was absolutely incredible—for the first time, I felt genuinely powerful. My soul power should have reached level ninety-two. Your Sea God's divine power really made a difference! The others probably benefited even more, since they absorbed a greater amount. Then I suddenly felt a warm current surge into my brow. A very gentle voice echoed in my mind. It said, 'You have become a Food-Type Titled Douluo before the age of forty. You possess sufficient potential to inherit my godhood. Cultivate your soul power to level ninety-nine, and the next stage of the inheritance will begin naturally.'"
Tang San's eyes widened. "Godhood? You're saying that pink light was the aura of a god who passed it on to you? That's…" He truly could not quite make sense of it. Whether it was the Sea God whose inheritance he had received, the Angel God inherited by Qian Renxue, or the Asura God his great-grandfather had spent years trying to inherit, each had a fixed location where their divine consciousness resided, and trials only appeared after being triggered. But that pink light had come looking for Oscar on its own. It was nothing like anything Tang San had ever known. Then again, from another perspective, the fact that the pink light had pierced through his surveillance and drilled into Oscar's brow meant that calling it divine-level was not an overstatement.
Watching Tang San lost in thought, Oscar chuckled. "Xiao San, don't overthink it. Don't forget—I'm the first Food-Type Titled Douluo in history. That alone is unprecedented. Maybe this was the most critical step in that god's trial. It's because I became a Food-Type Titled Douluo while still young and handsome that he chose me! Haha—looks like I've got a shot at godhood too. Even if it takes a long time, at least I won't have to go hunting for a god to inherit from. Wahahaha!"
Oscar laughed triumphantly, his excitement entirely genuine. For the longest time, he had been the weakest member of the Shrek Seven Devils. His sausage-based support abilities were effective enough, but they still fell short compared to Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. In terms of raw combat power, even though he could replicate his companions' abilities through his Mirror Sausage, he could not beat anyone in a one-on-one fight. Now, suddenly receiving the attention of a god—how could he not be elated? He would never again have to worry about being unworthy of Ning Rongrong.
"Xiao Ao, what title did this god who sought you out use?" Tang San asked.
Oscar grinned. "Perfectly fitting—he said he is the Food God. Hehe, now your brother has a title too. From now on, call me the Food God Douluo. Dashing, isn't it? Handsome, right?"
The Food God? Understanding dawned on Tang San. It seemed Oscar's guess was probably correct. Becoming the first Food-Type Titled Douluo had very likely been the first—and most critical—step of the Food God's inheritance trial. If his companions had the possibility of inheriting a god's mantle, how could Tang San not be happy? Recalling the loneliness the Sea God had once spoken of, Tang San couldn't help but smile. It seemed that even after he himself ascended to godhood, he would not be lonely after all. If only every one of his companions could have the same good fortune as Xiao Ao.
While Oscar was still laughing with excitement, another mass of mist slowly contracted, revealing the silhouette within. This was the youngest of the Shrek Seven Devils—Zhu Zhuqing, the Nether Spirit Cat.
A resplendent red soul ring appeared around Zhu Zhuqing. She too had achieved her ninth soul ring. Relying on a physique far superior to Oscar's original one, backed by formidable soul power, the hundred-thousand-year ninth ring had become the best possible outcome for her as a Soul Master.
Having watched Zhu Zhuqing complete her absorption, Tang San and Oscar did not look at her. Instead, both of them gazed skyward in unison, hoping to see the next beam of light come seeking them out.
But as it turned out, luck was not something you could summon simply by wishing for it. The sky remained utterly silent, with no indication that any further radiance would appear.
Zhu Zhuqing slowly opened her eyes. Her dark irises gleamed like twin black pearls, and the ethereal haze surrounding her body was far more pronounced than Oscar's had been. When she rose to her feet, every gesture carried an otherworldly quality, as though afterimages trailed in her wake.
"Xiao Ao, Third Brother, what are you looking at?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, eyeing Tang San and Oscar, who were both staring intently at the sky.
"Uh… nothing." Tang San and Oscar snapped back to reality. They knew that fortune had not struck twice. It was Oscar who answered.
Zhu Zhuqing offered a faint smile. Though she was the youngest, her temperament was remarkably composed. The icy protective shell she wore around others did not apply to her companions. "I should thank Third Brother's Sea God divine power and the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's energy. I'm at level ninety-three. It truly feels like leaping straight to the heavens. I never imagined becoming a Titled Douluo before the age of thirty."
Tang San smiled. "As long as you absorbed your soul ring safely, that's what matters. After all, it's nothing new for us Shrek Seven Devils to be called monsters. I still remember—when we first arrived at Shrek Academy, the teachers told us that Shrek Academy only accepts monsters, never ordinary people. Though even Headmaster Flandre probably never imagined the monsters he cultivated would turn out quite this monstrous."
At Tang San's words, both Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but laugh.
Tang San asked, "Zhu Zhuqing, you've now also become a Titled Douluo. We don't need Spirit Hall to confer a title upon us—what do you plan to call yours?"
Zhu Zhuqing thought for a moment. "The title doesn't really matter. I'll just name it after my Martial Soul. The Nether Douluo will do."
Oscar curled his lip. "How morbid. Zhu Qing, you're a girl. You'd be better off calling yourself the Spirit Cat Douluo."
Zhu Zhuqing burst out laughing. "Please, Sausage Douluo, my own title is my own business. Besides, I'm covered in grime—I need to go clean up first." With that, she turned and headed down the mountain.
"Zhu Qing, wait for me! I need a wash too! And for the record, my title is the Food God, not the Sausage Douluo. You should call me the Food God Douluo!" Oscar shouted indignantly as he chased after her. But with Zhu Zhuqing's speed as an Agility-Type Titled Douluo, how could he possibly catch up? She would certainly never give him the chance to peek.
Watching their retreating figures, Tang San shook his head with a smile. He was being too greedy, wasn't he? What had happened with Oscar was probably unique in the entire Soul Master world. How could he expect the same thing to happen with his other companions? If it did, then gods would truly be worthless. Still, Xiao Ao would need considerable time to cultivate to level ninety-nine. He could no longer absorb soul rings to boost his soul power—everything would depend on his own efforts. In that regard, even Tang San as the Sea God could not help him. But fortunately, Xiao Ao was not yet thirty. He had plenty of time ahead. At the Titled Douluo level, living to two hundred was not unusual, so reaching level ninety-nine should be achievable. Once everything was settled, he and his companions should stay together as much as possible. That way, whether it was Oscar training before the true Food God inheritance, or the other companions searching for their own gods, Tang San could at least protect them from harm. He would absolutely not allow a repeat of what had happened to his great-grandfather, Tang Chen.
While Tang San was lost in thought, his divine sense stirred subtly. His gaze snapped toward a dense mass of mist. The mist surged upward and shifted form—what had been a round cluster suddenly gathered and stretched, gradually taking on a different shape.
It was the form of a pagoda. Looking at the life-like mist, Tang San did not even need his divine sense to know who was inside. "It seems Rongrong is about to finish absorbing her ninth soul ring as well."
A wondrous sight unfolded atop Sea God Mountain. The mist that had condensed into the shape of a pagoda began to glow. When the vapor dissipated soundlessly, what stood there was not Ning Rongrong but a towering seven-meter-tall pagoda. Nine colors flowed across its surface, blazing with splendor under the sunlight. Each tier was carved with jade balustrades and luminous tiles, the radiant glow adding a breathtaking spectacle to the mountaintop. Even the seven Sacred Pillar Guardian Douluo of the Sea God stared in awe.
Tang San nodded to himself. Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had finally reached completion. Under the influence of the immortal herbs he had once given her, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Now, with this ninth soul ring, it had truly been completed in the fullest sense.
Sure enough, nine soul rings appeared in succession, the last of which was likewise a red ring signifying a hundred-thousand-year soul. The enormous Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda grew translucent, and through it one could faintly make out Ning Rongrong sitting serenely within. But compared to Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing, she looked far from disheveled—there was not a single smear of sweat or blood on her surface. With a dignified bearing and a gentle smile, this woman who was already a peerless beauty had gained an additional aura of sacred grace.
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's glow gradually faded as it shrank back to its original size, floating before Ning Rongrong. Just as Tang San was about to step forward and congratulate her on completing the ninth ring absorption, a peal of thunder suddenly cracked across the open sky.
Tang San froze. This was a clear day—where had the thunder come from?
Immediately after, a beam of nine-colored radiance descended from the heavens, drifting down to settle upon the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. In an instant, the already resplendent pagoda seemed to regain its youth. The dazzling multicolored light erupted into a pillar that shot skyward, shifting and dancing in midair.