Run Prince Run

"Remember, this is the only time."

Ran Yuming's voice was deep and serious as he warned, "If anything goes wrong… I won't let you act recklessly again."

"Understood, Teacher."

After finishing the remaining half-bottle of royal jelly, Su Luoheng rested briefly, fully recovering his strength and spirit power. He felt energized and in peak condition—perfect for absorbing the spirit ring.

"Huff..."

Sitting cross-legged in front of the faint purple spirit ring, Su Luoheng first adjusted his breathing and mental state.

Once he was in the best possible condition, he focused, and the barren plains of his Ultimate Sword Domain manifested behind him.

"His spiritual pressure… it's even stronger now..."

Ran Yuming murmured softly, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes.

The intensity of the pressure released by Su Luoheng's martial spirit was directly tied to his spirit power. As his power grew, so did the pressure. It wouldn't be long before Su Luoheng surpassed his teacher in this regard.

Thinking of this, Ran Yuming couldn't help but smile bitterly, though that smile soon turned into one of pride.

He had come to see Su Luoheng as an extension of himself.

Perhaps this was what being a teacher and passing on a legacy truly meant.

Meanwhile, Su Luoheng extended his right hand, slowly placing it on the surface of the spirit ring.

Focusing his energy, he began to channel his spirit power into the ring. As he poured more power into it, the faint purple ring began to shimmer more brightly, its light flowing and faint waves of spiritual energy emanating from it.

"Buzz—"

A soft hum echoed in his ears as the purple spirit ring responded to his pull, slowly drawing closer.

As the thousand-year Golden-red Bear's spirit ring approached, Su Luoheng felt an overwhelming pressure descending on him. It was as if the weight of the world was pressing down, threatening to crush him. His bones trembled under the strain.

Holding his breath, beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.

"Boom!"

In no time, the spirit ring hovered above his head before quickly merging into his martial spirit.

The absorption of his second spirit ring had officially begun.

The pressure from a thousand-year spirit ring was worlds apart from that of a hundred-year one!

As soon as the faint purple ring entered his body, Su Luoheng felt an intense heat, as if his entire body was being scorched by flames. The unbearable burning pain spread across every inch of his skin, making him gasp for air, drenched in sweat.

"Ah!!"

Despite the searing agony, he gritted his teeth and endured.

Even as sweat poured from him like rain and his body trembled uncontrollably, he persisted in absorbing the spirit ring.

The violent energy coursed through him, making his skin turn red-hot, as if he was about to explode.

At the same time, beyond the physical pain, the lingering resentment in the spirit ring manifested in his mind as a ferocious Golden-red Bear, baring its fangs and claws as it charged at him!

However, Su Luoheng had anticipated this. He quickly gathered his mental strength, battling the bear's remaining spirit within the ring, gradually erasing its influence. This process, too, was far from easy.

The dual challenges of mental and physical endurance tormented him to no end.

And this was only the beginning of the battle.

To absorb a thousand-year spirit ring beyond one's rank was destined to be a long and grueling struggle. If he couldn't withstand this stage, what hope would there be for what lay beyond?

Time passed quietly.

Su Luoheng clenched his teeth, continuing to circulate his spirit power, resisting the onslaught on both his mind and body.

Fortunately, the royal honey he had consumed earlier worked its magic, nourishing him and tempering the wild energy from the thousand-year ring. At the same time, he was locked in a mental battle with the lingering will of the Golden-red Bear, gradually pushing it out of his mind. Only when the last remnant was expelled did the spirit ring truly become his.

As Su Luoheng's condition gradually stabilizes, indicating that he has begun to adapt to the impact of the thousand-year spirit ring.

Meanwhile, Ran Yuming, standing to the side, remains highly vigilant.

As he watches Su Luoheng struggle to endure, his own emotions become tense.

During the process of Su Luoheng absorbing the spirit ring, Ran Yuming is, in fact, the one under the most pressure.

Not only does he have to ensure there are no external disturbances, but he also needs to closely monitor Su Luoheng's state, prepared to intervene at the first sign of trouble.

The spirit ring disruptor is already clutched tightly in his hand.

...

At the same time, on the other side of the Jingyang Mountain Range.

"Caw—caw—"

In the dense forest, a few spirit beasts resembling crows leapt from the treetops, emitting sharp cries.

"Boom—"

Suddenly, a loud noise echoed, causing birds in the vicinity to take flight in panic.

Following the sound, a figure emerged from the thick foliage.

He was tall and well-proportioned, his features refined, but his dark eyebrows were furrowed deeply. His face was pale with a tinge of bluish-black, and his slender fingers clutched his right abdomen, where crimson blood trickled through his fingers. His condition appeared dire.

This person was none other than the noble youth who had once briefly encountered Su Luoheng on the streets of Mingdu City.

"Damn it... don't let me find out who sent you!"

Cough, cough...

"I need to get out of here first!"

With a fit of coughing, the young man in black dared not linger.

His figure twisted and turned as he swiftly disappeared into the depths of the forest.

"After him! Don't let him escape!"

Not long after, a cold, low voice suddenly rang out, carrying a murderous intent and fury that echoed through the forest.

"Whoosh—whoosh—"

Two masked men in black, looking disheveled, began their pursuit.

The footprints and bloodstains on the ground made it easy to follow the trail.

"Big brother, there he is!"

Upon hearing the shout, the young man in black hesitated for a moment, then quickened his pace to flee.

The masked men behind him were relentless in their chase.

"Damn, he's fast! Old Third, stop him!"

"He killed our three brothers. If we let him escape, this mission will be a complete loss!"

"Understood."

One of them nodded in response. A simple, unadorned bow and arrow spirit tool materialized in his hand, the bowstring drawn taut as he aimed at the fleeing youth.

"Swish, swish, swish—"

Arrows infused with spirit power shot out in a fan formation, sealing off the young man's escape route.

The arrowheads gleamed coldly, exuding deadly intent.

Realizing he couldn't dodge, the young man in black stopped, wielding a long blade that sent out a sharp arc, engulfing all the arrows within.

"Boom, boom, boom—"

A series of explosions echoed through the forest.

Dust rose, and smoke filled the air.

Although the arrow attack had been neutralized, the youth had lost precious time.

Meanwhile, the masked men had taken advantage of the brief moment to close in, surrounding him and blocking all escape routes.

"Run now, Prince. There's no way out! Time to join my three brothers in death!"

The masked leader gripped a pitch-black dagger tightly, his eyes narrowing with vicious malice.