The surname Yan…
This one word struck like a thunderclap.
One pair of eyes after another turned toward the only person present who bore that name.
Yan Shaozhe.
The dean of Shrek Academy, the renowned Bright Phoenix Douluo.
Even among the many powerful figures gathered here today—his strength and status ranked just below the Twin Dragons of Light and Darkness, Du Busi, and Jing Hongchen.
Whispers began to spread.
Some were filled with pity. Others carried undisguised schadenfreude. Many were simply stunned.
"Who would've thought? The dean of Shrek Academy is actually the child of Ye Xishui, leader of the evil Spirit Masters. This drama just keeps getting better—coming here today was definitely worth it."
"Wait, the timeline doesn't match. Didn't Ye Xishui say she hasn't seen that child for more than a hundred years?"
"Maybe it's a grandson? Either way, he's still direct bloodline—no escaping that."
"But how do you explain the Martial Soul? Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao both have dark or evil-aligned Martial Souls. Yan Shaozhe has a Bright Phoenix!"
Someone glared sharply at the speaker.
"Who cares? Just enjoy the drama. With so many factions here today, even something fake will end up becoming the truth!"
"Enough!"
The veins on Yan Shaozhe's forehead bulged as he shot a furious glare at the gossiping man.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady the storm inside his chest.
Yet within those eyes—normally gentle and calm—panic was impossible to hide.
He had lived his entire life standing for light.
The evil Spirit Masters and the Holy Spirit Cult had always been the enemies he swore to destroy.
And now he was being told—
that his own bloodline came from the two leaders of that very Cult.
His fingers clenched tightly.
Brilliant golden light burst from his body as radiant Spirit Power enveloped him like armor, giving him something to hold onto amid the chaos.
Yan Shaozhe straightened his back.
His hand shot forward like a spear, pointing directly at Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao.
"Ridiculous!"
But the moment the words left his mouth—
he met their eyes.
The emotions there were fragile… trembling… yet filled with cautious affection.
Yan Shaozhe suddenly felt the world spin around him.
"Ridiculous…!"
His eyes widened as he shouted sharply, sleeves flaring.
"I am the dean of Shrek Academy! My Martial Soul is the Bright Phoenix!"
"One of you possesses the Darkness Holy Dragon, and the other the vile Blood Demon Puppet!"
"I, Yan Shaozhe—"
"How could I possibly be your descendant?!"
His words rang out loudly and forcefully.
The crowd fell silent once more.
Many doubtful gazes turned toward Ye Xishui.
It was a fair point.
Even with the possibility of Martial Soul mutation—
two supreme dark-type Martial Souls could hardly produce something like a Bright Phoenix.
A thought surfaced in many people's minds.
Was Ye Xishui simply trying to smear Shrek Academy before her death?
Only Mu En quietly closed his eyes and sighed.
Meanwhile, Long Xiaoyao stared blankly at the radiant phoenix Martial Soul behind Yan Shaozhe.
The final trace of doubt in his aged eyes disappeared completely. His silver hair trembled slightly with emotion.
"A Bright Phoenix…"
Ye Xishui gazed at Yan Shaozhe, whose body shone with radiant light.
A sorrowful smile appeared on her lips.
"The world only knows me, Ye Xishui, as the leader of the Evil Spirit Masters and the Supreme Cult Master of the Holy Ghost Cult. But who knows... that I, too, once belonged to the light."
Her voice was like a thread, scattering into the forest.
The next moment—the thick crimson aura of evil Spirit Power surrounding her began to slowly recede.
Under countless disbelieving eyes—a gentle radiance of light began spreading from her body.
Screech—!
A clear phoenix cry tore through the sky.
Dazzling light energy gathered behind her, condensing into a magnificent Bright Phoenix, spreading its wings and soaring upward.
Radiance poured down from the heavens.
All gloom was swept away.
Only a warm and peaceful light remained.
"I, Ye Xishui, also possess the Bright Phoenix Martial Soul. Unfortunately, I was discovered by that old ghost Zhongli. He used the lives of my friends and family to threaten me; I had no choice but to submit to hi
"After Zhongli died, I wanted to leave it all behind. But by then, I realized I was already trapped too deeply. I had even forgotten… how to summon the Bright Phoenix."
Within the halo of light—
Ye Xishui now appeared strangely pure yet broken.
The dazzling red dress she wore, once so seductive and imposing, now made her seem almost fragile.
She forced herself to stand upright, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth.
Suddenly, the softness in her eyes vanished, replaced by sharp resolve.
"I didn't say all this to gain anyone's sympathy!"
"Once I chose this path, I never regretted it. If I had, then you would have truly underestimated me, Ye Xishui."
Her voice paused. She looked at Yan Shaozhe, who stood frozen with a staggering frame. The arrogance and madness in her eyes vanished instantly, replaced only by a humble, flickering light.
"I owe you too much... and I know I am not worthy of being your elder... But Long Xiaoyao is different... He never knew of your existence... You..."
"Stop!"
Yan Shaozhe's sharp shout cut her off.
His fingers clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned pale.
The aura coming from that Bright Phoenix felt far too familiar.
It was a resonance from deep within his bloodline.
Something far more undeniable than any crude blood test.
There was no longer any need for proof.
Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao… were truly his blood relatives.
At this moment, Yan Shaozhe felt his mind in complete chaos. His radiant Spirit Power fluctuated violently as confusion and helplessness flooded his heart.
"Sigh…"
Mu En slowly stepped forward.
He gently patted Yan Shaozhe on the shoulder.
"Shaozhe, I know this is difficult for you to accept right now."
"But learning the truth of your origins may not necessarily be a bad thing."
"If you can see through the attachment hidden within it, your heart may become clearer—and your cultivation might even advance further."
Yan Shaozhe: "..."
Why did this situation feel strangely familiar?
Li Zhexian nearly choked on his wine.
That old man Mu En looked righteous and dignified on the surface—but he was actually quite mischievous.
Just earlier, when Mu En had been troubled by his own emotions, Yan Shaozhe had chosen that exact moment to comfort him.
Now that Yan Shaozhe himself had fallen into despair—
it was hard not to suspect Mu En was simply returning the favor.
And after receiving such "comfort," Yan Shaozhe only felt more confused than ever.
He looked at the gravely wounded Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao.
He couldn't step forward.
But he couldn't step back either.
All he could do was stand there stiffly, his Spirit Power flickering uncertainly around him.
The people present also fell silent, holding their breath.
The truth had finally been revealed.
The supreme leader of the Holy Spirit Cult, Ye Xishui, possessed twin Martial Souls—one being the Blood Demon Puppet, the other the Bright Phoenix.
And Yan Shaozhe truly was the descendant of Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao.
With that—
the origin of his Bright Phoenix Martial Soul finally made sense.
"I… may share blood with the two of you."
Yan Shaozhe closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His voice sounded dry and strained.
"But the sins you've committed—especially you, Ye Xishui…"
"All the deaths… all the Spirit Masters who perished because of you…"
"I have no right to forgive you on behalf of the dead."
He didn't dare look at Ye Xishui or Long Xiaoyao.
Instead he spoke hoarsely:
"Confess your crimes."
"And submit yourselves to judgment by the righteous factions of the continent."
Ye Xishui glanced around at the crowd.
A cold smile appeared on her lips.
"The actions of the Holy Spirit Cult over the years… were all carried out under my orders."
"Long Xiaoyao was bound by me, but he never bullied the weak."
"In fact, he tried many times to persuade me to stop."
"The victor becomes king, the loser a criminal."
"I, Ye Xishui… accept that."
Her gaze suddenly sharpened.
"When you righteous factions judge Long Xiaoyao…"
"I hope you truly uphold the 'iron laws of justice' you so proudly proclaim."
Buzz—
Buzz—
The moment her words ended—
a surge of extremely violent energy suddenly erupted from within her body.
"Xishui!"
Mu En and Long Xiaoyao shouted in shock.
Both of them rushed toward her at the same time.