Heavenly Fiend Douluo stood in the air, somewhat at a loss.
Logically speaking, as a referee, he should have intervened to stop the Wu Hun Fusion Skill on the field and protect the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy team. However, forcibly stopping it in such a situation would likely cause considerable backlash to the users.
His Majesty had given instructions: An Zhen was now a prince of their Empire. Moreover, he was a disciple of the Sea God Pavilion Master, theoretically able to call Gourmet Douluo his senior brother (Mu En was Xuan Zi's martial uncle).
At the same time, the crimson-gold vortex suddenly dispersed significantly, and the crimson-gold spirit power dissipated into the heavens and earth. The power of Hongchen Crave rapidly faded, revealing the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy team, whose spirit power was already depleted. Their eyes held lingering fear and the joy of surviving a catastrophe.
"The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy concedes! The Shrek Academy team wins!" Heavenly Fiend Douluo announced the result.
"Damn it!"
A Phoenix Fire burned down the last absolute defense spirit tool.
Ma Xiaotao was very frustrated.
She had intended to rush over and defeat the opponents all at once, but she didn't expect to be trapped by their absolute defense barrier, which cost them millions of gold coins. Seeing An Zhen use a Wu Hun Fusion Skill, she knew her "kill count" was gone.
Second individual match.
Ma Xiaotao, seething with anger, immediately took the stage. The opponent was at least a Spirit King, not suitable for Wang Dong and the others to practice against.
Without the invincible shield, Ma Rulong, the strongest of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, was directly severely injured by Extreme Fire within one or two rounds. If he had used the Chapter of Commemoration, he might have struggled a bit, but with the team match lost, they had already lost this competition. Even if he used it, it would be difficult to unleash the full power of the Sword of Judgment. Even if he somehow won, in his extremely poor state, even a casual Spirit King could defeat him, and the opponents still had An Zhen and the Pole Ice.
On the high platform.
Xu Jiwei looked at Mirror Hongchen beside him. "Although the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy team failed, each of them is indeed a young genius. Given time, they will surely become pillars of the Sun Moon Empire!"
Although his words were comforting, the hint of mockery in Xu Jiwei's eyes was completely undisguised.
The Sun Moon Empire's army was constantly causing trouble on his border, so it would be strange if Xu Jiwei was in a good mood.
"It's just a competition between children," Mirror Hongchen said with a faint smile, appearing completely unconcerned by the Royal Soul Engineer Academy's defeat. "It shows they still have a lot of room for improvement."
Mirror Hongchen automatically ignored the mocking expressions of the people from the Original Douluo Continent's three nations beside him.
A bunch of fools. Since the competition began, this old man has not lost. No matter how it plays out, my grandson will win.
I'm really looking forward to the expressions on your faces when you find out An Zhen is my child.
The competition ended, and the Soul Fighting Competition officially concluded. The audience left satisfied. This year's event truly gave them a great shock: a complete and utter Rolling, a perfect fusion of violence and aesthetics, especially the final Wu Hun Fusion Skill versus Wu Hun Fusion Skill, which even powerful Spirit Masters would rarely witness in their lifetime.
Shrek Academy returned to the Star Emperor Hotel to rest for a day, or more accurately, to relax.
Gu Yuena's room.
Bi Ji was working hard.
"This is probably my last day staying in Star Luo City."
"Bi Ji can go with Master to Shrek Academy." The docile Emerald Swan knelt before An Zhen, diligently applying the knowledge she had learned these past few days to practice. The inherently gentle and kind Emerald Swan now enveloped An Zhen like a soft ball of cotton.
"First, do what you need to do. There's no rush for this." Reaching out, An Zhen gently pinched Bi Ji's soft cheek.
A moment later, the intellectual and gentle green-haired beauty Bi Ji turned around. Her smooth green hair was divided into twin pigtails, held in An Zhen's hands. Her voluptuous body knelt on the ground, leaning forward, causing her cyan dress to form a round and full curve.
…
The final award ceremony of the Soul Fighting Competition was not open to the public. According to annual custom, the champion received three Spirit Bone rewards, and the runner-up received one. On the day after the competition, Wang Yan, who had expertise in Spirit Bones, entered the Star Luo Empire's treasury to make his selection, directly costing Xu Jiwei a significant amount. The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy had already received their rewards, but because Ma Rulong and other members who participated in the individual matches were severely injured, they needed to recuperate in Star Luo City for a period.
An Zhen bid a reluctant farewell to Meng Hongchen in the Virtual World.
"Take care of yourself. It's only a little over a year at most; I'll definitely find an excuse to come back then."
"Little Zhen Gege must come. Little Meng will be all cleaned up and waiting."
At noon, An Zhen and his group packed their belongings, changed into casual clothes, and after a slight disguise, arrived at the outskirts of Star Luo City. After all, they were quite well-known in the city now.
"Everyone." A tall figure appeared before them. Removing her disguised hat and overcoat, a purple-haired beautiful young woman in casual clothes appeared before them. It was Xu Jiujiu. "Our destination is the same. Do you mind if I join you?"
"We do mind." Wang Dong'er stood in front of An Zhen, looking warily at Xu Jiujiu. "Why are you also going to Shrek Academy?"
"Because I'm applying to Shrek Academy's Inner Courtyard." Xu Jiujiu smiled slightly, unconcerned by Wang Dong's hostility. This girl was indeed beautiful, but she was too immature for now and not a threat.
Aside from her appearance during the finals, she had been busy with her academic graduation and her own career these past few days, ensuring that even if she went to Shrek City, it wouldn't have much impact.
Xu Jiujiu looked at the Shrek Academy group, her gaze lingering for a moment on a serene and gentle black-haired beauty. She knew this person, the senior sister of Shrek's Inner Courtyard, but what made Xu Jiujiu's gaze linger wasn't Zhang Lexuan's identity, but rather that Xu Jiujiu vaguely felt that there was an aura on this person that was very familiar to her.
'Is it the Star Luo Spiritual Pearl?' Zhang Lexuan smiled and nodded gently to Xu Jiujiu, greeting her. Xu Jiujiu had a special treasure concealing her aura, but it couldn't deceive Zhang Lexuan, who was only one step away from becoming a Titled Douluo. Especially since it was the aura of the Immortal Herb Star Luo Spiritual Pearl, Zhang Lexuan recalled An Zhen's previously demonstrated ability to replicate Spirit Bones.
"Welcome." A surprised look flashed in An Zhen's eyes. He hadn't expected Xu Jiujiu, who had originally refused to go to Shrek Academy, to agree to this. With Xu Jiujiu's ability, it wouldn't be difficult for her to enter the Inner Courtyard.
A slovenly old man's figure slowly appeared. "Since everyone is here, let's set off for home."
They traveled by flying spirit tool, replenishing their spirit power with milk bottles. The distance from Star Luo City to Shrek Academy was not far; Huo Yutong had walked to Shrek Academy with Tang Ya and Bei Bei back then.
Shrek Academy, main gate.
There were no vendors, only three figures standing quietly: Yan Shaozhe, Xian Lin'er, and Fan Yu. Suddenly, as if sensing something, Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er looked up. In the distant sky, a bright golden-red flame appeared, transforming into a noble fire phoenix, rushing towards them like a meteor.
"Teacher!" Ma Xiaotao's phoenix eyes showed an eager expression, ready to act on impulse.
Second Spirit Ability: Phoenix Bathed in Fire, Fifth Spirit Ability: Phoenix Piercing Cloud Strike, Right Arm Bone Spirit Ability: Phoenix Blasting Strike.
Shrek Secret Technique: Compressed Spirit Ability.
The Fire Phoenix Maiden raised her right arm, and the scorching golden-red flames on her body transformed into a fire phoenix, directly shooting towards the three people at the main gate of Shrek Academy.
"This girl." Yan Shaozhe showed a helpless smile on his face. Feeling the scorching sensation from his perception, a mix of relief and solemnity rose in his eyes. A rich aura of light emanated from Yan Shaozhe's body. With the Bright Light Phoenix Spirit attached, the fifth sequence ten-thousand-year spirit ring lit up, and a larger Bright Light Phoenix flew out, enveloping the fire phoenix. Although it blocked the fire phoenix's attack, the golden-red Extreme Fire could not be extinguished for a while.
"What a pity, I thought I could burn Teacher." Ma Xiaotao landed, somewhat disappointed.
"You girl." Yan Shaozhe rubbed his temples helplessly. He had originally thought this girl had grown a lot, given her noble aura like a phoenix, but he didn't expect her true nature to be revealed as soon as she spoke. "You're almost married, how are you still so impetuous?"
"It's because I trust Teacher's strength," Ma Xiaotao said.
"Senior Brother, Senior Sister Xian, Teacher Fan Yu." With a flash of Universe, An Zhen's figure appeared before them, explaining, "Xiaotao has been holding back her discomfort."
"Yes, yes." Striding on her long, beautiful legs, Ma Xiaotao walked directly behind An Zhen. Her fair arms wrapped around An Zhen, and her delicate chin rested on the young man's shoulder. "Throughout the entire competition, there wasn't a single opponent who could make me go all out."
Yan Shaozhe looked at the intimate pair with a relieved smile, feeling much like an old father who had finally married off his older, unmarried daughter.
No illness, no disaster, starting a family and a career.
Both things were accomplished at once.
Especially Xiaotao's attack just now, which was no weaker than an ordinary Titled Douluo's strike. Although it was enhanced by a compression secret technique, she was now already comparable to a Spirit Douluo.
The other members of the Shrek Academy team and Xu Jiujiu landed, while Elder Xuan left a step ahead.
"Children, welcome home."
The deans of the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Guidance System shook hands with the students one after another, then led everyone to Sea God Island. Under the guidance of Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er, they walked directly towards the tallest building, Sea God Pavilion. Xu Jiujiu, meanwhile, was led by Zhang Lexuan to the assessment area. Although it wasn't the time to recruit students, rules were dead, and people were alive. An Zhen activated Universe and directly asked Teacher Mu En for an approval order.
On the other side, the members of the Shrek team entered the three-story building of Sea God Pavilion. In an instant, golden spiritual light illuminated, and the wooden pavilion instantly resembled a palace made of pure gold. A rich aura of light and Life enveloped them, instantly sweeping away their travel fatigue. The rich light enveloped Wang Dong'er, making her appear like a goddess of light. The spirit power within everyone's bodies instantly became active, and warm energy continuously flowed into their bodies, nourishing them.
A few minutes later, a layer of spirit power fluctuations suddenly emanated from Ling Luochen. After absorbing the octagonal mysterious ice crystal, her spirit power, which was just one step away from a bottleneck, was guided by the light of Life, breaking through. At the same time, the other few also opened their eyes with satisfaction. Even Ma Xiaotao, who had the highest cultivation, felt she had gained a lot, feeling as if she had undergone a baptism of light.
This was the Shrek Academy team's first reward.
Since the students represented the academy and won the championship, the academy naturally had to commend and reward them. However, the circumstances of this competition were too special. First, four members of the main team were severely injured by a Spirit King Evil Soul Master, and two of the remaining three also suffered considerable injuries. Logically speaking, this would have been the most difficult Soul Fighting Competition Shrek Academy had ever participated in, but fortunately, this time's reserve team members were the strongest ever.
However, according to the news brought back by Elder Mu, not long after the competition began, not only did Ma Xiaotao's injuries heal, but both she and Ling Luochen also advanced to Pole Ice and Extreme Fire. The original elite dungeon suddenly turned into a hell dungeon, and then back into an easy dungeon. If this news hadn't come from Elder Mu, the elders would never have believed it. Two more ultimate attributes, which were rarely seen for hundreds of years, had appeared, and they were even acquired later.
When everyone opened their eyes, what greeted them was an ancient and spacious hall. All the furniture was made of the same wood as the Sea God Pavilion walls. In the center of the living room was a long table. Elder Xuan and the two deans were already seated. At the head of the long table was Dragon God Douluo Mu En, whom they had seen before. What surprised Huo Yutong and the others was that the four deans they knew could only sit at the far end of the long table, while Fan Yu stood behind Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo.
Everyone was nervous but excited.
"Children, welcome back," Xian Lin'er said with a smile. "As you can see, this is the Sea God Pavilion. Besides us four deans, every person present has made significant contributions to the academy. This time, in view of your excellent performance in the competition, we are here to announce the academy's appreciation and rewards for you."
The members of the Shrek Academy team were excited.
First, Wang Yan's reward. However, due to the Shrek Academy team's abilities, this Soul Fighting Competition could basically be described as a complete sweep, so Wang Yan's abilities were utilized less. But his intelligence gathering and analysis of opponents also demonstrated his capability, which was converted into five years of experience, allowing him to enter the Inner Courtyard to teach early.
However, the next second, Xian Lin'er's tone changed, criticizing Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luochen, and Dai Huabin for their previous actions in battling the Evil Soul Master, admonishing them with the principle that even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit. Although Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen performed very well in the competition, it was not due to their own efforts, but rather the merit of the treasures that allowed them to achieve their ultimate attributes.
"Got scolded?" With a hint of teasing in his voice, the black-haired young man's figure appeared in the Sea God Pavilion.
"An Zhen." Mu En's benevolent gaze fell on An Zhen. The old man's withered hand lifted, gesturing to an empty seat at the far end of the long table. "Don't you dislike standing? Sit."
An Zhen: "Eh?"
Ma Xiaotao and the others looked astonished.
They knew what this meant.
A four-ring Spirit Ancestor entering the Sea God Pavilion?
"Okay." An Zhen sat down directly.
Mu En nodded gently, and his benevolent voice rang out, "Entering the Sea God Pavilion does not require immense strength, but rather sufficient contribution to the academy."