Chapter 14: Giving Ning Rongrong's Group a Beating - Douluo's spirit bead sword
**Chapter 14: Giving Ning Rongrong's Group a Beating** With the demonic sword in Tian Lin's hand, his aura surged, almost matching Gu Ran's two soul rings in strength. "You, you said you're what level?" Gu Ran asked dumbfoundedly. "Level fifteen, one-ring Battle Soul Master!" Tian Lin held up a finger, emphasizing once again. Everyone was taken aback. They all knew that Tian Lin had only recently acquired his first soul ring. Yet, in just over half a month, he had unexpectedly risen to level fifteen. Absorbing a soul ring can indeed aid in soul power advancement, but typically only to around level eleven. His first soul ring, from a 350-year-old soul beast, initially raised his level to twelve and a half—he was hailed as a genius by Gu Yong. Compared to the anomaly before them now, however, it was far inferior. "A true genius, but mere soul power is useless. Let me teach you how to fight." Gu Ran concluded that Tian Lin, despite his high soul power, had no battle experience and therefore wasn't of concern. "Beast Soul Possession, First Soul Skill: Bone Spikes!" Gu Ran's first soul skill unleashed countless sharp bone spikes from his spectral warhorse, with a notably considerable range—quite impressive as a first soul skill. Tian Lin smiled slightly and swung his sword. "Shushan Sword Technique, Third Form: Water Curtain of the Misty River." This defensive move from the Shushan introductory sword techniques formed what seemed like a water curtain in front of him, deflecting all the bone spikes with his sword. "Sixth Form: Moonlight on the Cold River!" Tian Lin then thrusted his sword directly, the movement resembling moonlight reflecting on a lake, creating a stunningly beautiful scene. "What a beautiful sword technique," Ning Rongrong was briefly transfixed. Being a young girl, she naturally appreciated beauty. But she quickly shook her head, "Idiot, what am I thinking? This guy is a big bad! His sword technique may be beautiful, but I shouldn't be swayed." "Annoying, Second Soul Skill: Bone Strengthening!" Seeing his first soul skill fail, Gu Ran resorted to his trump card. This was a soul skill enhancing his own body. Gu Ran's soul was a horse, albeit made of bones. Like ordinary horses, the skill primarily enhanced his legs. His second soul skill could increase the strength in his legs by thirty percent and other areas by twenty percent, making it his most potent technique. Sword and leg clashed mid-air, sending Tian Lin back seven steps while Gu Ran only backtracked three. Though Tian Lin's swordsmanship was exquisite, his single-ring power was naturally weaker than Gu Ran's two rings. Unbeknownst to him, Gu Ran was even more astonished. His secret technique failed to harm Tian Lin, merely repelling him a few steps. This one-ring Soul Master might be excessively strong. "Hey, what are you waiting for? All of you, get him!" Seeing Gu Ran struggling alone, Ning Rongrong urged the others to join in. The remaining trio exchanged helpless glances. Truthfully, they weren't keen on bullying someone younger and lesser in numbers, but they couldn't defy the little princess's orders. Reluctantly, they stepped forward, introducing themselves. "Xu Ting, Martial Soul: Swift Swallow, Level eighteen agility attack system Battle Soul Master." "Jiang Hao, Martial Soul: Blade, Level eighteen assault system Battle Soul Master." "Chen Tao, Martial Soul: Chains, Level nineteen control system Battle Soul Master." The two boys and one girl, around ten or eleven years old, all nearly possessed level twenty soul power. One of Shrek Academy's enrollment standards was reaching level twenty-one before twelve. These kids were close to achieving that. Though not as exceptional as the original Shrek Seven Monsters, who were all over level twenty-five, they could still reach levels twenty-two or twenty-three. This was quite remarkable elsewhere, definitely deserving of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's diligent cultivation. "All right, come at me. First Soul Skill: Frozen Snow!" Tian Lin ran his finger along the blade of his demonic sword, immediately causing an intense chill to envelop the blade and drop the surrounding temperature by several degrees. "Falling Petals Swirling Dance!" The Shushan introductory movement technique combined footwork and swordplay in an elusive dance, enabling stealthy maneuvers through multi-person battlefields. "First Soul Skill: One Slash Bull Cleaver!" Jiang Hao swung his massive blade down, but against Tian Lin's phantom-like movements, his attacks hit nothing but air. Xu Ting, airborne, experienced first-hand the uncanny nature of Tian Lin's movements, "Chen Tao, use your chains to bind him. We can't catch him otherwise." Chen Tao nodded, "Fine, First Soul Skill: Binding Chains." "Water Curtain of the Misty River!" Tian Lin once again deployed his defensive skill, dismantling every angle of the chain's attack. Moreover, due to the Frozen Snow's presence, the front of Chen Tao's chains became thoroughly frozen. "Damn it, he's too powerful. Attack together," the four decided to strike simultaneously. For this frontal assault, Tian Lin called out, "Bring it on, Frozen Snow, Bind!" This second form of Frozen Snow unleashed an engulfing chill, instantly freezing all four in place. "How's it possible? Four against one, and each with higher soul power, yet they lost?" Ning Rongrong exclaimed in disbelief. Then she noticed Tian Lin approaching her with ill intentions, and fearfully cried, "Wh-What do you want? I warn you, if you dare touch me, you'll regret it. I suggest you release them now, and I'll let today's matter slide." Her tone was stern, but her voice trembled, lacking any intimidation. "Relax, they're fine. I wasn't using full force. The ice will melt with the rising sun by tomorrow—consider it a minor punishment. Soul Masters shouldn't catch a cold from something like this." Tian Lin chuckled before looking at Ning Rongrong, "As for you, a different punishment is in order." "Hmph, you sly fox, I'm done playing with you." Sensing danger, Ning Rongrong attempted to run. But Tian Lin swiftly caught up, and before she realized it, he had her tucked under his arm. Quite a spectacle indeed. "You're too naughty. A little correction is needed!" He raised his hand. Seeing this, Ning Rongrong panicked, "Hey, hey, hey! What are you planning to do? You're not going to spank me, are you? I'm warning you, there's a rule of propriety between men and women, you're being inappropriate, acting indecent." Hearing this, Tian Lin lowered his hand, "As expected of the young miss, knowing propriety between men and women at such a young age. You're right, I shouldn't be improper." Finally, Ning Rongrong breathed a sigh of relief and was about to ask him to let her down, only to see his hand flash blue as the demonic sword appeared again. "Hey, you're not thinking of using that sword, are you? Stop it, that could really hurt someone." "Relax, just the flat of the blade!" Tian Lin grinned. "That's... sorta reas—Aaah!" Ning Rongrong struggled fiercely, but with her small and ringless physique, her strength was negligible against Tian Lin. She could only watch helplessly as the sword fell on her rear. "The first strike, for your naughtiness." "The second, for your willfulness." "The third, is for the fruit you knocked down." "The fourth, because I've gotten quite into it!" Tian Lin's enthusiasm grew with each strike, not an opportunity that came often—to playfully discipline a little princess. "Ahh! Stop, it hurts! I was wrong, let's just use your hand, I'm still a kid without much care for propriety between men and women, the sword is really painful!" Ning Rongrong pleaded, yet Tian Lin was in too spirited a state to hear her. In the silent night of the small forest, six-year-old Ning Rongrong experienced the greatest humiliation of her young life.