After the farewell banquet, everyone returned to their own quarters.
Zhu Ziyang walked back to his room. Nothing had changed inside; though he had been gone for over a month, everything remained spotless. Even the giant cocoon formed by Xingcai's transformation had been carefully tended to.
When Mu En had fallen, Xingcai had also received his blessing. Bathed in holy light, she had immediately slipped into deep slumber, beginning her metamorphosis. It was a good thing—if Zhu Ziyang's guess was right, once she awakened, she would leap directly into the level of a ten-thousand-year soul beast.
Night gave way to dawn.
At Shrek Academy's north gate, a group had gathered early in the morning.
Zhu Ziyang, Tang Ya, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Xiao Xiao had all come to see Huo Yuhao and He Caitou off. The Dean of the Soul Tool Department, Xian Lin'er, was also present; she would personally escort Huo Yuhao and the others to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy and, in turn, receive their exchange students.
"Yuhao, I won't say much more," Zhu Ziyang said, patting Huo Yuhao's shoulder. "Just remember, you represent Shrek Academy. Don't let anyone walk all over you."
"Senior Brother, don't worry!" Huo Yuhao declared firmly. "I won't bring shame to our Academy!"
"I believe you," Zhu Ziyang replied with a smile. Then he handed him a book. "Here—when you have free time, flip through this. You might discover something unexpected."
"Mm, I'll read it!" Huo Yuhao accepted the book, puzzled. He glanced at the title: A Complete Guide to the Top Martial Souls of the Douluo Continent. It seemed to be a reference manual. He tucked it carefully into his storage-type soul tool.
"We're departing!" Xian Lin'er called out, and the exchange group set off.
Zhu Ziyang and the others watched them go, then turned back toward the Academy.
"What book did you give Yuhao?" Tang Ya asked curiously.
"Just a reference on martial souls," Zhu Ziyang replied with a faint smile. "It's rare, that's all."
"Strange… why would you give him something like that?" Tang Ya pressed, baffled.
"Hehe, Yuhao will thank me one day," Zhu Ziyang said with a quiet chuckle, offering no further explanation.
With the exchange group gone, Zhu Ziyang prepared to leave the Academy once more, to travel and temper himself.
But before he could depart, Qian Lingyi—who had now been part of the inner court for over a month—came looking for him.
"Where were you all this past month? Why didn't I see you at the Academy?" she demanded the moment she found him.
"I was out on missions, of course," Zhu Ziyang answered with a laugh, studying the angelic girl who had so quickly adapted to Shrek. "How about you? Getting used to Academy life yet?"
"It's alright, I guess." Qian Lingyi waved dismissively, then added smugly, "None of the disciples here can put up a decent fight."
"…What?" Zhu Ziyang blinked, startled. "Who exactly did you fight that gave you the idea our inner court has no one of worth?"
"Oh, just a couple of them," Qian Lingyi said breezily. "One had a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul, the other used a shield. We sparred a few times, and I beat them both. Hehe!"
"Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi? You've already met them?" Zhu Ziyang was shocked. Oddly, neither had mentioned anything about this to him. Even Tang Ya, the notorious chatterbox, hadn't breathed a word. Could she really have kept quiet?
"I didn't know their names," Qian Lingyi admitted shamelessly. "So that's who they were? Hah! Anyway, Ziyang, come with me to hunt my sixth spirit ring!"
"You've reached six rings already?" Zhu Ziyang was taken aback, giving her a closer look.
"Mm-hmm!" Qian Lingyi lifted her chin proudly. "The meditation chamber beneath the Golden Ancient Tree is incredible. I trained there for a month, completely stabilized my cultivation, and even broke through to level 60! Well? Am I amazing or what?"
"You are," Zhu Ziyang said honestly, nodding. "Perfect timing too—I just took a mission outside the Academy. We'll go together."
"Great! I'll pack up, and then we can head out!" Qian Lingyi beamed.
"Go on," Zhu Ziyang said, smiling helplessly.
Half an hour later, she finally returned, late as usual, flashing an apologetic grin. Zhu Ziyang could only sigh before setting off with her toward the Academy gates.
"Should we complete your mission first, or help me get my spirit ring?" Qian Lingyi asked, trotting beside him.
"That depends," Zhu Ziyang replied. "Where do you plan to look for your sixth ring? If it's in Star Dou Forest, we'll need the Elders' help. If not, we can discuss specifics."
"Oh, then let's go to the Tianhui Grand Canyon!" Qian Lingyi said brightly.
"The Tianhui Grand Canyon? You're sure there's a suitable beast for you there?" Zhu Ziyang asked in surprise.
"Of course!" She grinned mischievously. "Deep inside lives a clan of Radiant Tigers. Among them is a six-winged Radiant Tiger with a cultivation of ten thousand years—the perfect choice for me!"
"I've never heard of this before," Zhu Ziyang admitted, intrigued.
"That's because their habitat is extremely well hidden. I only know of it thanks to my family's records," Qian Lingyi explained.
"Alright then," Zhu Ziyang said. "We'll go to Tianhui Canyon. Conveniently, my mission target is nearby. We'll take care of that first, then hunt your spirit ring."
"Hehe, works for me!" Qian Lingyi laughed cheerfully.
Three days later, the pair arrived at Duoluo City in the Heavenly Soul Empire—the location of Zhu Ziyang's fifth target in the Death God's Four Trials.
"According to the Academy's intelligence, the City Lord of Duoluo was a powerful assault-type Soul Sage. He commanded three Soul Emperors as retainers," Zhu Ziyang explained as he and Qian Lingyi stood on a hill overlooking the city.
"You're not planning to attack him, are you?" Qian Lingyi exclaimed, horrified. "That's a City Lord—a titled noble of the Heavenly Soul Empire! Does Shrek Academy intend to declare war on the Empire?"
"What nonsense," Zhu Ziyang retorted, rolling his eyes. "I mean that the Soul Sage and the three Soul Emperors were all slain—by my target."
"Oh!" Relief flooded Qian Lingyi's face. But then she frowned. "Wait… someone capable of killing a Soul Sage and three Soul Emperors has to be at least a high-level Soul Sage—possibly even a Soul Douluo! Are you sure the two of us can handle that?"
"Don't worry. I never take on tasks I can't complete," Zhu Ziyang said with quiet confidence. "After killing the City Lord, this evil soul master has occupied the City Lord's Mansion. That's where we'll find him."
"Alright!" Qian Lingyi nodded, steeling herself.
But as they approached the city gates, both were taken aback. Inside and out, the streets bustled with activity. Merchants shouted, people bargained, children laughed. The guards at the gates stood relaxed and vigilant. There was no hint of fear, despair, or death—none of the signs of a city under an evil soul master's rule.
The entire city radiated peace and harmony.
"Are you sure this place is under his control?" Qian Lingyi asked in disbelief.
"I'm certain," Zhu Ziyang said grimly. "Something's very wrong here. Either he isn't a typical evil soul master… or he has the terrifying ability to manipulate minds. If it's the former, that's manageable. If it's the latter, we'll have to tread carefully."
"So… do we still go in?" Qian Lingyi asked, unease flickering in her eyes.
"Of course. We came all this way—we need to uncover the truth," Zhu Ziyang answered firmly.
"But what if—"
"There is no 'what if.'" Zhu Ziyang turned to her, took her hand, and said softly, "No matter what, I'll protect you."
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