"By the way, Na'er, the Exchange Tournament between first and second years of the outer school is happening in a couple of days."
"Let's go watch it together then."
At this moment, Tang Luochuan suddenly thought of something and smiled as he extended the invitation to Na'er.
Such exchange tournaments weren't particularly common occurrences, so it would be nice to watch. Moreover, the participants included Wu Lin and the others.
This would be the group's first public appearance at Shrek, so of course they should show their support properly.
"Hmm? An Exchange Tournament... I suppose Brother Luo Chuan and Sister Gu Yue won't be participating, right?"
Hearing this, Na'er blinked, a smile playing on her lips as she spoke. Though phrased as a question, she clearly already knew the answer - in her view, neither of the two before her would participate.
"Hahaha, naturally not. But Xing Lan and Wu Lin will be competing. It'll be perfect for us to watch together then," Tang Luochuan replied with a laugh and a nod.
"Is that so!"
"Then I'll have to ask my teacher for leave in a couple of days."
Hearing this, Na'er responded earnestly, her eyes lighting up. Not only could she come out to play and watch the competition, but most importantly, she could get close to Brother Luo Chuan...
Hehe! This was truly wonderful news.
"I'll tell my teacher when I get back today, though right now wouldn't be good..."
"After all, my power has improved too much."
Na'er said seriously, a smile on her face. Her teacher wasn't a fool - such rapid improvement in cultivation would be hard to explain.
"True enough."
Tang Luochuan nodded seriously. There was no way Na'er could return today, not after breaking through to level 53 Soul King in such a short time - it was far too suspicious.
Thinking this, he changed the teleportation destination from the Dragon Valley World to another city - that's right, a different city entirely.
This was one of the Dragon Valley World's useful abilities - teleportation. Anywhere on the continent that the Dragon Valley could locate, Tang Luochuan could travel to freely.
The place he chose was Tianhai City.
Neither Donghai City nor Aolai City, this was a place with few acquaintances, making it the perfect temporary retreat.
"Here..."
"We can lay low for now."
Tang Luochuan directly brought the two to a large shopping mall, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"We never have time to go out together normally."
"Today, let's properly enjoy shopping at the mall."
Tang Luochuan's gaze rested on the two girls as he spoke softly with a slight smile.
"Sounds great!"
Hearing this, Na'er immediately nodded in agreement, while Gu Yue beside her also didn't refuse, smiling as she spoke.
"..."
That same night.
"Na'er's Soul Power..."
"It's improved this much in just two days?"
Inside the wooden hut on Sea God Island, Yun Ming wore a pensive expression as he thought of his disciple Na'er, murmuring to himself.
He knew Na'er had obtained the Immortal Herb Lovesick Heartbreak Red from the Icefire Yin-Yang Well, but as there were no historical records of anyone absorbing this particular herb, he couldn't say whether this was normal.
Especially since Na'er's aura had improved so dramatically. Aside from the Soul Spirit Gu Yue had helped her obtain, could this flower of devoted love really have such effects?
"And the vanished Icefire Yin-Yang Well..."
"Could it be related to Luo Chuan?"
Yun Ming pondered for a moment before quickly shaking his head—impossible, absolutely impossible.
How could the disappearance of the Icefire Yin-Yang Well have anything to do with Luo Chuan and Na'er?
Zang Xin had already stated that the incident erupted due to unresolved conflicts with the Immortal Herb beasts, let alone involving powerless youngsters like them.
"Their connection to the Icefire Yin-Yang Well is truly complicated..."
Yun Ming shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it further. Let Cao Dezhi deal with the headache—his duty was simply to protect Shrek Academy.
[PS: Minor revisions were made here in the previous chapter. Na'er's Lovesick Heartbreak Red was given by Zang Xin, and Yun Ming is aware she possesses it.]
[However, there are no records of a Lovesick Heartbreak Red bearer actively absorbing it, given its nature as the "flower of devotion."]
"..."
Three days later.
At this moment, the audience stands of the Soul Arena in Shrek Academy's outer court were already packed. On the referee's platform, beside Shen Yi, stood Cai Yue'er, the Dean of the outer court, smiling faintly.
This was the first official public appearance of the first-year students since their enrollment, and as the Dean, she naturally served as a judge.
Beside her, another elegant figure appeared—the other judge, the Holy Spirit Douluo, Ya Li.
And where the Holy Spirit Douluo appeared, another presence was sure to follow. Indeed, at this moment, Yun Ming sat quietly beside her, smiling without a word.
"It's about to begin."
"Tang Wulin's strength is no joke. This will be a good chance to see just how powerful he's become..."
Behind them, Feng Wuyu glanced toward Zhuo Shi, his expression filled with anticipation. Over this period, Tang Wulin had grown quite close to him.
This was Tang Wulin's opportunity to prove his strength—and truth be told, given his abilities, even third-year students might struggle against him.
"We'll see soon enough."
Zhuo Shi responded, his eyes equally hopeful. Tang Wulin's talent had not gone unnoticed by him either. Aside from Tang Luochuan, he was the strongest Dragon Soul wielder.
His name would surely shake Shrek Academy.
"Next up, second-year class one's Qiu Palei will face first-year class one's Tang Wulin..."
As Shen Yi's voice echoed across the arena, Tang Wulin, already prepared on the first-year side, paused before stepping forward, a bright smile on his face.
"Brother said the first battle must be fast, fierce, and ruthless!"
Tang Wulin smiled faintly, his gaze calmly settling on the tall young man in the distance. There was no trace of nervousness—only calm.
As the first participant in the first-year Soul Master competition, he had to make an impression. This wasn't just the first battle for the first-years—it was his first battle too.
This fight was crucial! And as Brother had said—the first battle decides all. One fight… to determine victory!
"Qiu Palei, Dragon Wolf Soul, 42nd-rank Power Attack System Battle Soul Grandmaster. I await your guidance."
The young man from second-year class one stepped forward, confidence in his voice as he announced his name.
As he spoke, four Soul Rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple—emerged in a flash, marking him as a Soul Ancestor. Moreover, his wolf Martial Soul, infused with dragon bloodline, made him an opponent not to be underestimated.
"Tang Wulin, Golden Dragon King Martial Soul, 41st-ranked Battle Soul Grandmaster. I seek your guidance."
Tang Wulin smiled faintly, his tone calm.
"A Soul Ancestor!"
Hearing this, Qiu Palei on the battlefield froze in shock, as did the other second-year students. A first-year student had already reached the Soul Ancestor rank!
"He's actually a Soul Ancestor!"
"And with a Martial Soul like the Golden Dragon King! Though I've never heard of this Martial Soul on the continent, it's surely no ordinary one!"
In the spectator stands, some senior students couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. It was said that this generation of youths was the strongest, and it seemed the reputation was well-deserved. This one was likely the foremost among them.
"Three, two, one!"
"Begin—"
With the voice of referee Shen Yi, the second-year contestant on the battlefield sprang into action.
"Third Soul Skill."
"Wrath of the Wolf King."
A cold glint flashed across Qiu Palei's face as a purple Soul Ring suddenly blazed with light, surging toward his opponent.
The third Soul Skill, Wrath of the Wolf King, greatly enhanced his combat power and defense. Ordinary Soul Ancestors would be unable to withstand it.
Yet, Tang Wulin remained utterly composed. He didn't even move, merely extending a single hand...
In the next moment, that seemingly ordinary palm transformed into a massive Golden Dragon Claw, effortlessly blocking the attack.
"Your strength is impressive."
"But it's not enough."
Tang Wulin's expression was indifferent, as if stating the simplest of facts. Then, as his Soul Rings manifested, the entire audience's expressions froze.
"That…"
"That is!"
The spectators turned their gazes toward Tang Wulin, their eyes widening in shock, rendered speechless.
Black, black, black, red!
His fourth Soul Ring was actually a hundred-thousand-year rank!
These were undoubtedly the Soul Rings of Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon King Martial Soul, especially the last one, which had been enhanced by the Golden Dragon King's Dragon Soul, far surpassing the hundred-thousand-year level.
"You…"
"How is this…"
Qiu Palei was now too stunned to speak, his face filled with disbelief. Four rings—three black and one red! What kind of genius was this?!
Wait, was this even someone he could contend against?
"I…"
Qiu Palei instinctively wanted to forfeit, but Tang Wulin's movements were faster than he anticipated. In an instant, the enormous dragon claw loomed before his eyes.
At the same time, an overwhelming pressure forced him to collapse to the ground—an absolute suppression of Martial Soul bloodlines.
"I for—forfeit!"
At this moment, Qiu Palei hastily declared. Students of Shrek Academy never forfeited lightly, but the person before him…
He truly couldn't handle this!
"First match, 1v1, Class One of the first year wins!"
Immediately, Shen Yi's voice resounded across the arena, yet the spectators remained utterly silent.
"..."
In response, Tang Wulin merely smiled faintly, withdrawing his Martial Soul. His gaze drifted into the distance, lost in thought.
To put it modestly, he was already quite strong now, but he was still far from his goal.
"I need to get even stronger."
"Then, I can bring Sister Zi Xin here!"
Tang Wulin murmured, his eyes filled with longing.
At the latest, after the final exams…
He had to bring Sister Zi Xin to his side!
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