Ning Tian shared many stories about her childhood, while Xu Zihuang listened quietly.
The distance between their hearts was subtly closing.
Though their life experiences differed greatly, both had endured immense pressure for various reasons. That night, the two of them were able to fully relax for once, falling asleep in each other's arms.
The moon set, and the sun rose.
It wasn't until the morning of the next day that Xu Zihuang woke up. Since entering Shrek Academy, aside from special circumstances, this was the first time he hadn't chosen to meditate and cultivate through the night.
This was actually at Ning Tian's request from the previous evening.
Sleeping like this restored his spirit, energy, and vitality to their peak. His entire body felt indescribably refreshed.
Ning Tian, nestled against his arm, was sleeping soundly.
Over the past period, Ning Tian's dedication to cultivation had surpassed even Xu Zihuang's. She had immersed nearly all her free time in meditative cultivation. Xu Zihuang was simply too exceptional to the point that she had to invest even more time and effort to keep up with his pace.
Xu Zihuang gently rose, gazing silently at Ning Tian for a moment. As he turned to leave, all the emotions and ripples in his heart settled back into calm. His deep purple eyes held only resolve and profundity.
Had it not been for that palace coup back then, his life's trajectory might have been entirely different. He wouldn't have had to suppress his emotions as he did now.
But he never resented his origins or past experiences. It was precisely those experiences that had shaped the person he was today.
He was Xu Zihuang, the future emperor of the Sun Moon Empire, the sole ruler of the continent.
"Xu Tianran, what doesn't belong to you will never be yours," Xu Zihuang sneered inwardly, his figure vanishing into the crystal elevator.
He had absolute confidence in his talent. The only thing he lacked now was time to grow. During the two-and-a-half years of study at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Mentor Academy, his personal strength was bound to leap forward once again.
According to his plans, he could begin preparing to absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul ring for his sixth soul ring. After all, his physical strength was sufficient, and with Tianmeng Iceworm's help to seal the soul ring's power, he was confident in his ability to successfully hunt and absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul beast's soul ring.
…
Shrek Academy, Sea God Island, Training Ground.
The training ground for inner courtyard disciples was located on a hill about a hundred meters high on the eastern side of Sea God Island, known as the Martial Training Field or simply the Training Ground.
The terrain here was only slightly lower than that of the Sea God Pavilion. The hill's peak appeared as if it had been sliced flat, forming an irregular, roughly hundred-meter-wide platform. The ground was paved with thick but uneven granite, seamlessly connected to the hill, making it extremely sturdy.
When Xu Zihuang descended from the air onto the Training Ground, many people had already gathered.
At the centre of the Training Ground stood the dean of the Martial Soul Department, Yan Shaozhe, and Fan Yu, who had recently been named a candidate for the vice-dean of the Soul Guidance Department.
For this exchange, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Mentor Academy would be led by Jing Hongchen himself. Yan Shaozhe, whose status matched Jing Hongchen's, was present to show sufficient respect and importance.
Fan Yu stood half a step behind Yan Shaozhe, followed by He Caitou and eight other outstanding inner courtyard students from the Soul Guidance Department.
Although the inner courtyard disciples of the Soul Guidance Department couldn't compare to those of the Martial Soul Department, those cultivated by the Soul Guidance Department had their own remarkable qualities. Moreover, they had all studied in the Martial Soul Department for a time. To be admitted to Shrek Academy and not be eliminated meant their martial souls and cultivation talents were far from ordinary.
The eight inner courtyard disciples from the Soul Guidance Department selected for this exchange were carefully chosen. All were Soul Kings with five soul rings and at least Level 5 Soul Mentors. Even in the Sun Moon Empire, they would be considered rare talents.
Of course, their abilities as Soul Mentors were undoubtedly inferior to those of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Mentor Academy.
While Shrek Academy's Soul Guidance Department ranked among the top in the original Douluo Continent's three empires, there remained an insurmountable gap compared to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Mentor Academy.
The primary goal of Xu Zihuang and the others on this trip was to learn as much core knowledge as possible from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Mentor Academy to narrow this gap.
At the edge of the Training Ground, Beibei, Tang Ya, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan were all present. When they saw Xu Zihuang arriving from outside the academy, their expressions turned meaningful.
He hadn't returned all night.
Xu Sanshi, in particular, immediately flashed a particularly sleazy grin. If it weren't for Yan Shaozhe's presence and the serious atmosphere, given his personality, he might have teased Xu Zihuang with some cheeky remarks.
Xu Zihuang calmly nodded to Beibei and the others, then bowed to Yan Shaozhe and Fan Yu.
"Dean Yan, Teacher Fan Yu."
"Join the group," Yan Shaozhe said with a gentle smile. Any academy would show favouritism toward genius students, especially someone like Yu Tianhuang, who had long been designated by Elder Mu as the successor to the Sea God Pavilion Master across generations.
Yu Tianhuang's status within Shrek Academy was hardly lower than that of Yan Shaozhe, the dean of the Martial Soul Department. In terms of importance to the academy, he might even surpass Yan Shaozhe.
Being a little late, what did it matter? No one would nitpick.
"Yes, Dean Yan." Xu Zihuang responded, moving to stand beside He Caitou at Fan Yu's gesture.
He Caitou gave Xu Zihuang a simple, honest smile, and the two turned their gazes to the sky, awaiting the arrival of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Mentor Academy's delegation.
At that moment, another person ascended to the Training Ground. Seeing this person, everyone present showed a trace of surprise.
It was none other than the inner courtyard's senior sister, Zhang Lexuan.
Today, Zhang Lexuan wore a blue dress that accentuated her slender figure. A faint smile graced her beautiful face, making her seem approachable.
Xu Zihuang instinctively glanced at Zhang Lexuan, and the gentle, warm senior sister returned his look with a smile.
"Senior Sister."
"Senior Sister."
"Lexuan Sister."
Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, and Tang Ya all greeted Zhang Lexuan. Even Xu Sanshi, who was usually so brazen, restrained himself in her presence. They all genuinely respected this senior sister of the inner courtyard.
Only Beibei's expression seemed a bit unnatural. He was happy for Zhang Lexuan's transformation, but facing her directly always made him feel a twinge of guilt.
"Lexuan Sis, why are you here…?"
"I just finished secluded cultivation and learned about this exchange from Elder Mu. I came to see Tianhuang and the others off," Zhang Lexuan said, glancing lightly at Beibei with an undiminished smile. Compared to Beibei's guilt, she appeared far more at ease.
Since resolving her inner turmoil, Zhang Lexuan had devoted herself entirely to cultivation, striving to break through to the Titled Douluo realm and assume the position of vice-dean of the Martial Soul Department, contributing to Shrek Academy.
Even if her agreement with Elder Mu was no longer in effect, she would repay his kindness in another way. Moreover, she had long considered Shrek Academy her home, acting according to her heart. This shift in mindset had noticeably accelerated her cultivation progress compared to before. This recent seclusion had allowed her to smoothly increase her soul power by one level.
In her eyes, Beibei was still like family, but she also held Yu Tianhuang in high regard.
Yu Tianhuang's talent was unmatched in the current era, and his conduct earned her deep admiration. She now treated both Beibei and Yu Tianhuang equally, with the care of a senior for her juniors. In fact, she had even greater expectations for Yu Tianhuang.
With Yu Tianhuang, Shrek Academy's position as the continent's top academy would remain unshaken for centuries to come.
"Uh…" Beibei was momentarily at a loss for words, feeling an inexplicable emptiness in his heart.
Those who are favoured often take it for granted. When that favour and special treatment vanish, a sense of loss is inevitable.
Suddenly, a glint of golden light flickered in the distance, drawing everyone's attention. In an instant, the golden light transformed into a pair of massive golden wings, ten meters wide, gently flapping.
The one using this peculiar flying soul tool was a short, stout, middle-aged man. His identity was unmistakable: Jing Hongchen, the Master of Mingde Hall.
The golden light membrane enveloped more than a dozen figures.
The membrane was thin and soft, without the slightest metallic texture. The faint golden glow flowing across it made it resemble the wings of a flying soul beast.
"I never imagined Mingde Hall had applied soul tool bionics to such an extent," Fan Yu murmured, deeply shocked.
Over the past two years, Shrek Academy has vigorously developed its Soul Guidance Department. While the department's progress was impressive, this flying soul tool made Fan Yu acutely aware of the fundamental gap between them and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Mentor Academy.
It was a chasm-like disparity.
The nearly thousand-year gap in soul tool technology meant the two sides weren't even on the same level.
Yan Shaozhe's eyes narrowed slightly. His knowledge of soul tools was limited, but that didn't prevent him from sensing Jing Hongchen's intent to make a show of strength.
In the span of another breath, the rotund Jing Hongchen, leading the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Mentor Academy's delegation, landed opposite Xu Zihuang and the others. The accompanying teacher was the same Elder Ma from before, Ma Rulong's grandfather.
Jing Hongchen and Elder Ma corresponded to Yan Shaozhe and Fan Yu.
Among the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Mentor Academy's delegation, the siblings Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen were prominently present. Xiao Hongchen, his aura restrained, locked eyes with Xu Zihuang from the start, his gaze steady, devoid of the arrogance he'd shown two years ago.
Meng Hongchen, on the other hand, was visibly excited, her face flushed. After two years apart, she was finally reuniting with Yu Tianhuang. With age, Yu Tianhuang's appearance had subtly changed; his facial features had grown more mature and sharp, exuding an innate nobility that perfectly matched her aesthetic.
Of the other eight members, five were reserve members of the Sun Moon team from the previous Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Duelling Tournament.
The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Mentor Academy had come with full sincerity.
Jing Hongchen's gaze also fixed on Yu Tianhuang. He was deeply curious about this prodigy who had overwhelmingly defeated his grandchildren.
After observing Xu Zihuang for a moment, he turned to Yan Shaozhe with a beaming smile. "Dean Yan, greetings. I didn't expect you to personally oversee today's events. I can feel your academy's importance for this exchange. I hope both sides will gain from this experience."
Yan Shaozhe's face was filled with a warm smile.
"Hall Master Hongchen, didn't you come in person as well? Our level of importance for this exchange is the same."
Though Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Mentor Academy were rivals, clashing countless times over thousands of years in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Duelling Tournament, there was no deep-seated enmity. Moreover, this exchange was mutually beneficial, so there was no need for petty verbal sparring.
Words were empty. Both sides' confidence stemmed from their strength and foundation. Once Jing Hongchen met Elder Mu, the desired effect of intimidation would naturally follow.
"Hall Master Hongchen, please follow me to the Sea God Pavilion. My teacher wishes to meet you."
Jing Hongchen's brow twitched. According to Mingde Hall's intelligence, Yan Shaozhe was already a Super Douluo. What kind of cultivation could Yan Shaozhe's teacher possess? He had never heard of such a figure existing within Shrek Academy.
But to avoid appearing weak in front of Yan Shaozhe, he couldn't ask outright. He merely followed Yan Shaozhe silently, drifting toward the Sea God Pavilion.
At the centre of the spacious Training Ground, only the ten students from Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Mentor Academy, along with their respective teachers, remained.
Fan Yu and Elder Ma exchanged polite nods.
Each Shrek Academy student faced a counterpart from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Mentor Academy.
Opposite Xu Zihuang stood Xiao Hongchen, with Meng Hongchen beside him.
Less than a quarter of an hour passed before Yan Shaozhe and Jing Hongchen returned. Jing Hongchen no longer wore his earlier smug demeanour; his small eyes were filled with solemnity.
Shrek Academy's foundation was even deeper than he had imagined.
Indeed, if the empire sought to unify the continent, Shrek Academy was the greatest obstacle.
Yan Shaozhe, however, gave a faint smile.
"Hall Master Hongchen, it's getting late. Since we've already made arrangements, let's begin the student exchange. On behalf of Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department, I welcome your academy's students to study here."
"Very well. Please take good care of our students, Dean Yan," Jing Hongchen said, his expression returning to normal.
"That goes without saying. I can at least guarantee that during their time at Shrek Academy, they will learn genuine knowledge, and the doors of our inner courtyard will be open to them. I hope Hall Master Hongchen will also show sufficient sincerity in this exchange."
"Naturally. The elites from your Shrek Academy will surely receive the best instruction at Mingde Hall," Jing Hongchen said with a hearty laugh.
During their conversation, the two had already switched positions.
Jing Hongchen now stood before Xu Zihuang and the others, while Yan Shaozhe stood with the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Mentor Academy's delegation.
Jing Hongchen smiled slightly.
"Dean Yan, until we meet again."
"Hall Master Hongchen, safe travels," Yan Shaozhe replied with a smile.
On the surface, everything appeared harmonious, but only the two of them knew what had transpired in the Sea God Pavilion.
Jing Hongchen turned, his gaze sweeping over Fan Yu and the Shrek Academy students, lingering longest on Xu Zihuang.
"The journey is long. Everyone, prepare to depart. I am Jing Hongchen, Master of Mingde Hall, and on behalf of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Mentor Academy, I welcome your arrival."
With that, he once again activated the peculiar flying soul tool he had used earlier. Two thin, wing-like golden lights unfurled, lifting his body slowly. Then, the golden wings expanded a thousandfold.
A golden light curtain descended from the sky, enveloping everyone and carrying them into the air.
Before departing, Xu Zihuang's gaze swept over Zhang Lexuan, Beibei, and the others, finally landing on Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.
Looking toward the western direction of Mingdu, he gave a self-mocking smile in his heart.
This trip could be considered a homecoming, couldn't it?
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