Inside the dormitory.
Zhu Ziyang sat cross-legged on his bed, sorting through the changes and improvements brought by the absorption of his fourth soul ring.
First was soul power. His soul power level had reached Rank 41. Although it was just a one-rank increase, it was a Rank 41 thoroughly refined and purified. While absorbing the fourth soul ring, Zhu Ziyang had followed Electrolux's advice and meticulously refined his soul power inside and out.
The purpose of this was simple. First, to solidify his foundation. Over the past year, Zhu Ziyang's soul power had increased rapidly, and if he didn't refine it in time, it could easily lead to instability. Second, refining improved the quality of his soul power and enhanced its compatibility, making it easier to integrate the various energies within his body.
Next were soul skills. The Star Radiance Unicorn granted Zhu Ziyang a fourth soul skill called Star Radiance Light-Shadow Transformation.
When activated, this skill doubled all of Zhu Ziyang's attributes and produced a Star Radiance Shadow clone possessing 80% of his combat strength. The clone lasted for three minutes.
This was a support-type soul skill with strong single-combat utility. Two versus one—how could he lose? Star Radiance Light-Shadow Transformation was derived from the Star Radiance Unicorn's proud ability, Star Radiance Mirror Image, but it was even more powerful.
Then came the soul rings. Zhu Ziyang had fully refined all four of his soul rings. The life force contained within them had been completely absorbed. Thanks to this immense life force, his body could now withstand the pressure of a seventy-thousand-year soul ring. In terms of brute strength alone, he believed he could go toe-to-toe with a power-type Soul King at full strength.
Due to the second refinement of his soul rings, the age of his first soul ring had increased to five hundred years. Although it had only risen by just over two hundred years, it was still an opportunity most soul masters wouldn't dare dream of. As a result, his first soul skill had mutated from a purely offensive skill into one that combined attack with supportive control.
That skill was Death Severing Sacred Blade Realm.
When activated, Zhu Ziyang would slash a death-force infused blade toward a designated location. Upon reaching its mark, the slash formed a circular domain that continuously eroded the life force of all enemies within for thirty seconds.
Lastly, the soul bone. Yes, the Star Radiance Unicorn had left behind a soul bone: the Star Radiance Aerial Right Leg Bone. After fusing with it, Zhu Ziyang's speed and right leg strength significantly increased, and he also gained a soul skill: Aerial Shock.
When activated, power gathered in his right lower leg, granting him temporary flight. He would leap into the air, stomp with his right leg, and unleash a massive shockwave, stunning nearby enemies briefly.
It was a control-type soul skill, but what Zhu Ziyang valued more was the short burst of flight. This ability was a huge leap forward for his current combat style. After all, hovering was the domain of Soul Kings, while flight marked the Soul Sage level. Though Zhu Ziyang possessed the Heavenly Frost Holy Dragon martial soul, the flight capabilities of true dragon martial souls relied on dragon wings—which required Soul Emperor-level cultivation to manifest.
Now, Zhu Ziyang had fused two soul bones: the Silver Dragon Wolf Right Arm Bone and the Star Radiance Aerial Right Leg Bone, both averaging over one hundred thousand years in age.
He recalled the soul bone given to him by Qian Duoduo and took it out to examine.
Opening the wooden box, he noticed it was carved from a branch of the Golden Ancient Tree, radiating rich light and life energy. Inside was a compact piece of bone accompanied by a white jade plaque. Lifting the plaque, he saw lines of small engraved characters:
"Heaven Soul White Elephant Trunk Bone, Age: 90,000 years, Soul Skill: Undetermined. Effect: Greatly enhances physical constitution, boosts endurance, accelerates soul power recovery. Former Owner: Zhang Taiyue."
Zhu Ziyang froze. This soul bone clearly didn't suit him—so why had the academy given it to him?
A mistake? He quickly ruled that out. Neither Xian Lin'er nor Qian Duoduo were careless; it couldn't be an error.
Then what was the meaning?
His gaze locked on the name Zhang Taiyue, and after a moment's thought, the answer became clear.
Zhang Taiyue—former Sea God's Pavilion Master, Title: Cloudsky Douluo!
This was Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo showing him their faction's stance.
Both were undoubtedly reformists—two of the most dissatisfied members of the current Shrek Academy system.
In truth, among Elder Mu's four disciples, only Yan Shaozhe was politically neutral. Xian Lin'er, Cai Meier, and Qian Duoduo were all staunch reformists, though with different focuses. Cai Meier hoped to change outer court admission policies, expand enrollment, and relax advancement criteria. Notably, she was the only commoner among Elder Mu's disciples. Meanwhile, Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo focused on developing the Soul Tool Department and securing more resources and talent for it.
"It seems... this incident isn't truly over yet," Zhu Ziyang chuckled softly, placing the Heaven Soul White Elephant Trunk Bone back in the box and storing it in his Starflame Ring.
Within the Sea God's Pavilion, both conservative and reformist factions were now fighting over him—an obvious heir designated by Elder Mu himself.
He had become the biggest winner of this entire event. Every elder had noticed Elder Mu's special attention toward him.
After all, Xuanzi was the strongest supporter of the Pavilion Master faction.
Meaning, Xuanzi followed Elder Mu's every order without question—right or wrong. Elder Mu said go west, he'd never dare go east. That's why Xuanzi had accepted his punishment so readily. If not, as a Rank 98 Super Douluo, he could've stirred up a storm or even left Shrek Academy. But to him, Elder Mu was like a father, not just a master. Though officially his junior uncle, Elder Mu had raised Xuanzi like a personal disciple.
This punishment of Xuanzi was Elder Mu's way of placating Zhu Ziyang—something all the old Pavilion members clearly understood.
Zhu Ziyang could almost guarantee his upcoming days at the academy would be rather comfortable.
"Knock knock knock—"
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. He got up, puzzled over who would visit at this hour.
He opened the door—and a figure instantly threw herself into his arms. Caught off guard, he was knocked to the floor. The familiar scent reached his nose as he smiled bitterly, wrapped his arms around the girl, and said, "Nannan, what are you doing? Missed me that much?"
"You're still teasing me!" the girl in his arms sobbed, her voice trembling. "I heard everything. You guys ran into a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in Star Dou Forest! You even got separated from Sister Lexuan! Do you have any idea how scared I was?!"
"Didn't I make it back safely?" Zhu Ziyang gently patted her back, comforting her. "Not even a scratch!"
"Really?" Jiang Nannan looked up with tear-swollen eyes, a hint of doubt in her tone. "But I heard Sister Lexuan and Sister Ruoruo were seriously injured!"
"Of course it's true!" Zhu Ziyang said with a grin. "Don't believe me? Feel for yourself."
As he spoke, he grabbed her hand and started guiding it across his body. Her face instantly turned red, and she leapt out of his arms. Zhu Ziyang stood up as well.
"Well? Told you I wasn't lying," he said with a mischievous smile.
"Mhm!" Jiang Nannan blushed but carefully examined him. Seeing no signs of injury, she finally relaxed. "Brother, next time, let me go with you to hunt soul rings, okay?"
"Sure, but you've got to work hard on your cultivation. Your brother here is already at Rank 41!" Zhu Ziyang understood her feelings and didn't try to dissuade her.
"Okay!" Overjoyed with his answer, she quickly turned her gaze to Xingcai, eyes lighting up. "Is this the Star Radiance Unicorn Sister Lexuan told me about? She's beautiful!"
Ah, so that's how she found out.
"Yes, her name is Xingcai," Zhu Ziyang said, smiling as he introduced Xingcai to Jiang Nannan. "Xingcai, this is Jiang Nannan—my girlfriend. When I'm not around, listen to her."
Jiang Nannan blushed with joy at his words and looked at the unicorn.
"Hello, Xingcai. I'm Jiang Nannan. Just call me Nannan."
Xingcai lowered her head and rubbed gently against her, adorably obedient.
(End of Chapter)
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