Not long after the voice-transmission soul tool cut off, Yan Shaozhe, dressed in white, appeared outside Du Weilun's office as if out of thin air.
Moments earlier, he had actually still been on Sea God Island, but with his level 95 soul power cultivation, coming here was a matter of an instant.
Yan Shaozhe stopped Du Weilun, who was about to salute, then turned his blazing gaze on Xu Zihuang. After a brief moment, his face softened into a warm smile.
"Student Yu, you are quite remarkable. What I want to tell you is this—you've broken a record that has stood at Shrek Academy for ten thousand years. To break through to rank 40 at the age of twelve—you are the very first."
"You're in luck this time. Today, a group of inner court disciples who've reached bottlenecks are about to head into the Star Dou Forest to hunt soul beasts for their rings. Come with me."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Zihuang's body was wrapped by a vast soul power. The aura felt somewhat similar to when he had once undergone the baptism of the Golden Tree—warm, yet comforting.
It was the nature of light-attribute soul power.
In the next instant, the two of them appeared above the broad waters of Sea God Lake, not far from the teachers' office building. The lake shimmered a deep blue, mist curling in the air, while Sea God Island loomed faintly in the center.
The fresh air, thick with vitality, was truly refreshing.
Yan Shaozhe shielded both himself and Xu Zihuang with his soul power, warding off the mist and cold wind. Their robes did not even stir.
"Student Yu, Elder Xuan once told me that you had already visited Sea God Island?" Yan Shaozhe turned, smiling faintly as they drew closer to the island.
Xu Zihuang nodded, then respectfully said: "If Dean Yan doesn't mind, you can just call me Tianhuang."
Yan Shaozhe inclined his head slightly, his smile growing warmer.
"Tianhuang, I believe that before long, you too will be one of this place's people."
"Dean Yan, I will make that my goal."
At this, Yan Shaozhe shook his head meaningfully.
"No, your goal should not be limited to just this."
As they conversed, Sea God Island drew near.
Yan Shaozhe descended with Xu Zihuang toward a hundred-meter-high mound on the island's eastern side.
Its summit had been leveled flat, making it, aside from Sea God Pavilion, the highest point on the island. The mountaintop formed an irregular plateau about a hundred meters across, paved with thick granite slabs fused with the mountain itself, solid and firm.
This was where inner court disciples practiced combat.
At that moment, two inner court disciples—a man and a woman, both around twenty-five—were sparring in the center.
The young woman was not a stunning beauty, but she was strikingly attractive, easily worthy of the title.
Behind her spread golden-red wings of flame. Wherever they passed, the very air seemed to ignite, rippling with distorted waves.
Her aura was fierce, wild beauty radiating from her in the blaze.
Around her body revolved six soul rings: two yellow, two purple, two black—the perfect configuration.
And it might not end there.
The heat of her aura and her soul power fluctuations hinted that her six rings might soon become seven.
Her first ring flared, and golden-red fire erupted from her hands in a one-meter-wide column, forcing her male opponent to retreat step after step.
"Chu Qingtian, you coward! Can't you face me head-on, look me in the eye?"
The man called Chu Qingtian had five soul rings, but his speed was astonishing. In the glow of his rings, faint brown-yellow fur appeared across his body.
His martial soul was clearly one of extreme speed.
His figure blurred as he answered:
"Sister Wu Ming, be reasonable! You're an assault-type battle soul master, and your Golden Crow True Fire is nearly at the level of Ultimate Fire. I'm an agility-type, and my soul power is ten levels lower than yours. How am I supposed to fight you head-on? If I actually tried, it wouldn't be sparring, it would be suicide!"
At the edge of the arena stood another young man about their age. He was well-proportioned, neither overly burly nor thin, watching their exchange with amusement.
But his smile quickly faltered.
Wu Ming, losing interest, withdrew the golden-red flames from her hands and shot an angry glare at Chu Qingtian.
Though Chu Qingtian's strength was not among the top in the inner court, his speed was unmatched. If he wanted to run, she really couldn't stop him.
"Forget it. This is boring." Her chest heaved as she turned her head toward the youth at the edge.
"Ye Liu, you're also a flying-type soul master. Come keep me company."
"Senior Sister Wu Ming, no, no. My martial soul isn't suited for combat—better let Qingtian do it." Ye Liu froze, then shook his head like a rattle drum.
Though Wu Ming looked young, she was already twenty-seven, among the most senior inner court disciples.
In strength, she ranked just under Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan and another disciple, Han Ruoruo.
Chu Qingtian glared bitterly at the unhelpful Ye Liu, silently mouthing something at him.
But before Ye Liu could reply, he spotted Yan Shaozhe and Xu Zihuang descending.
Even Wu Ming held back her temper before Yan Shaozhe, the Martial Soul Department's Dean. All three disciples hurried forward and saluted.
"Dean Yan."
Yan Shaozhe placed a hand on Xu Zihuang's shoulder and introduced him:
"This is Yu Tianhuang. He'll be joining you on your trip to the Star Dou Forest for soul rings."
He gave Xu Zihuang's shoulder a pat, then turned and departed.
The three disciples had already noticed Xu Zihuang—and his white outer court uniform.
What kind of outer court student could make Dean Yan personally introduce him?
The thought crossed their minds as they sized him up.
Chu Qingtian and Ye Liu, rather than feeling jealous of Xu Zihuang's striking looks, both smiled warmly.
Anyone whom Yan Shaozhe valued so highly was bound to be extraordinary.
Wu Ming, too, stared at Xu Zihuang in surprise.
There were many handsome male disciples in the inner court, but none on his level.
As they watched, two more figures approached.
One was an old man with messy hair, munching happily on a chicken leg, a wine gourd at his waist—he looked every bit the disheveled drunkard.
But Xu Zihuang and the three disciples all bowed respectfully.
"Elder Xuan."
It was none other than Elder Xuan, the Taotie Douluo, a level 98 super powerhouse.
Beside him walked a young woman about Wu Ming's age, her long black hair flowing down to her waist. Her delicate, flawless features radiated a serene, gentle beauty.
She was none other than Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan.
When Elder Xuan's gaze fell on Xu Zihuang, his eyes briefly flashed with sharp light before it vanished again. He sucked the last of the meat from the chicken bone and waved it lazily.
"Let's go, little ones. I've got nothing better to do, so I'll accompany you to the Star Dou Forest. But I'll just be along for the ride—Lexuan will lead."
"Yes, Elder Xuan."
The six of them set off, Elder Xuan at the front, drinking and eating as he went.
"Senior Sister, why are you leading this time?" Wu Ming asked cheerfully, looping her arm around Zhang Lexuan's.
Zhang Lexuan only smiled, then turned to address the group.
"You've all been into the Star Dou before, right? Since we have a new member this time, let's introduce ourselves—name, martial soul, cultivation, and soul ring needs—so we can coordinate."
"I'll go first. I'm Zhang Lexuan, inner court assistant instructor and disciple. Martial soul: Moon. Assault-type battle soul master. I'm in charge of leading and command. No soul ring needed. Rank 82."
At the words "rank 82," everyone, Xu Zihuang included, was shaken.
But Wu Ming focused on something else—why was Senior Sister treating this outer court student with such respect?
She gave Xu Zihuang a strange look.
Strong-willed by nature, Wu Ming's tastes leaned toward powerful men rather than handsome ones. But unfortunately, the inner court was filled with women, and her fiery temper kept most men away. Her title of "Golden Crow Saintess" carried more than a hint of mockery.
Still, she was straightforward.
"I'm Wu Ming, inner court disciple. Martial soul: Golden Crow. Assault-type Soul Emperor, rank 70. Seeking my seventh soul ring."
Chu Qingtian and Ye Liu, deeply respectful toward Zhang Lexuan, followed.
"I'm Chu Qingtian, inner court disciple. Martial soul: Lightning Leopard. Agility-type Soul King, rank 60. Seeking my sixth soul ring."
"I'm Ye Liu, inner court disciple. Martial soul: Swan. Support-type Soul King, rank 60. Seeking my sixth soul ring."
All eyes then turned to Xu Zihuang.
Meeting their gazes calmly, he smiled.
"Greetings, seniors. I'm Yu Tianhuang, outer court second-year. Control-type Soul Ancestor, rank 40. Seeking my fourth soul ring. Martial soul: Golden Eye. Please take care of me."
At his words, Wu Ming, Chu Qingtian, and Ye Liu all reacted with astonishment.
"Second-year outer court student? Then you're only twelve?"
"Twelve years old and already rank 40? You're not pulling our leg, are you?" Wu Ming blurted out in disbelief.
Ye Liu, meanwhile, latched onto another point.
"Golden Eye? Your martial soul is your eyes? A spiritual-attribute body martial soul?"
Zhang Lexuan stepped in smoothly:
"Junior Yu's soul power has indeed reached rank 40, breaking a record that has stood at Shrek Academy for ten thousand years. If you have questions, save them for the road."
With her authority, the others held their tongues.
"Alright, let's move," Elder Xuan called lazily from ahead, wiping his greasy mouth on his sleeve.
The group hurried after him.
Their unusual lineup drew many curious stares from the new students at the East Gate.
But Xu Zihuang didn't see Tuoba Yu, Zhou Sichen, or Cao Jinxuan this time.
Shrek Academy was close to the Star Dou Forest—no wonder, when the beast tide had erupted, the academy had been the first target.
Back then, Xu Zihuang and the others had entered the forest from the southwest, making a long detour.
But now, with Elder Xuan and a Soul Douluo like Zhang Lexuan, there was no need for detours. They would head straight into the nearest, most dangerous region of the forest.
At first, the group tried to hold back for Xu Zihuang. But soon they realized he wasn't struggling at all—if anything, he was comfortable keeping pace. So they picked up speed.
By noon, they had arrived.
"Rest and eat something. Adjust your states to the best—half an hour, and we'll enter the Star Dou," Zhang Lexuan instructed simply.
They were already near the outer edge of the forest, past the warning markers. Ahead lay the true Star Dou Forest.
Elder Xuan lay drunkenly on a tree branch behind them, clutching his wine gourd.
From Xu Zihuang's performance on the way, Wu Ming, Chu Qingtian, and Ye Liu had accepted that this twelve-year-old really had reached rank 40.
Chu Qingtian and Ye Liu grew visibly friendlier toward him—not only because of his top-tier talent, but also because he was easy and natural to be around.
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