"Zhu Ziyang!" Long Xiaoyao looked in surprise at the youth who had suddenly appeared, his expression filled with astonishment. He sighed, "I didn't expect that in just five short years, you would have grown to this level. Truly remarkable!"
"Ziyang (Senior Brother)!" Yan Shaozhe and Huo Yuhao exclaimed simultaneously. Their expressions were different—Huo Yuhao's was one of joy and excitement at a long-awaited reunion, while Yan Shaozhe's was one of relief, his heavy mood lifted.
Though Yan Shaozhe had already reached Rank 98 and become a Super Douluo, taking on Long Xiaoyao was still a daunting challenge. But with Zhu Ziyang's arrival, he felt completely at ease. As Zhu Ziyang's senior brother, Yan Shaozhe knew his strength better than anyone. Don't be fooled by his current Rank 92—his dual Ultimate Martial Souls and all-100,000-year soul rings meant his power far exceeded that of any ordinary Title Douluo.
At Shrek Academy, Xuanzi held the highest cultivation base, but in terms of actual combat strength, no one dared challenge Zhu Ziyang's dominance. In the past six months since his return to the academy, he had sparred with every Elder of the Tianyuan Pavilion. Aside from Xuanzi and Yan Shaozhe, no one could last more than five moves against him.
It was precisely this overwhelming strength that allowed Zhu Ziyang to quickly establish unshakable authority within the Tianyuan Pavilion.
"Senior Brother, take Yuhao back to the academy. I'll stay behind and catch up with Uncle Long," Zhu Ziyang turned and smiled.
"Alright. Be careful," Yan Shaozhe didn't argue. He immediately grabbed Huo Yuhao and flew off in the direction of the academy. Long Xiaoyao did not attempt to stop them.
At this moment, Long Xiaoyao's entire focus was on Zhu Ziyang. His wariness and attention were at their peak. Though he still addressed Ziyang as a junior, in his heart, he already regarded him as an equal.
"You're only twenty this year, right?" Long Xiaoyao sighed. "To be Rank 92 at twenty years old—what an extraordinary prodigy. Mu En really picked a fine disciple!"
"My birthday's still a few months away," Zhu Ziyang chuckled. "Uncle Long, would you do me the honor of attending the banquet?"
"Haha, I appreciate the thought. But we're on opposing sides right now—I wouldn't want to make things awkward," Long Xiaoyao laughed. "Enough chit-chat. Let me see for myself the strength of the Tianyuan Pavilion's new master!"
As he spoke, a shadowy black light surged around Long Xiaoyao. Nine soul rings appeared behind him, and a massive pitch-black dragon coiled around his form before fusing into his body. His figure began to swell, and black-gold armor appeared over his skin. He transformed into a ten-meter-tall giant clad in his Dark Holy Dragon's second-stage True Body Armor.
This was a transformation only Super Douluo of Rank 95 and above could achieve—True Body Armor. It preserved the human form while doubling the amplification effect of the martial soul's True Body, making it highly effective for combat.
The fact that Long Xiaoyao used it right away showed how seriously he took this battle.
"Then I won't hold back, Uncle Long!" Zhu Ziyang faced the titanic figure and immediately unleashed his full strength. This was his first time facing a Rank 99 opponent—caution was warranted.
The Stillness Fate Ending Scythe hung behind him, angled toward the ground. Nine red soul rings shone brightly, their divine glow illuminating the sky. Even the ongoing battle between Zhang Peng and Xian Liner was momentarily affected—Zhang Peng paused in shock, allowing Xian Liner to seize an opening and gain the upper hand.
"Incredible!" Long Xiaoyao narrowed his eyes at the sight, clearly amazed. But he didn't hesitate—soul rings flickered as his hands morphed into massive dragon claws. With a swipe, they tore through the air, slamming down toward Zhu Ziyang's head.
Zhu Ziyang raised his scythe, meeting the strike. The dragon claws were halted mid-air. Taking the opportunity, he advanced with a flicker, appearing before Long Xiaoyao in a flash. The Stillness Fate Ending Scythe gleamed with radiant light and swept toward Long Xiaoyao's chest.
Long Xiaoyao quickly withdrew his arm, crossing it in front of his chest. His draconic armor blocked the strike, and light clashed with darkness in an explosive collision—but to both, it was mere warm-up.
Long Xiaoyao counterattacked, his head now transformed into a black dragon's. With a roar, he unleashed a dense breath of darkness at Zhu Ziyang.
Zhu Ziyang flipped through the air, dodging the first wave, and channeled all his strength into his scythe. The blade cleaved through the breath and struck Long Xiaoyao's chest again.
This time, his arm armor was split open, and light scorched his flesh.
Grimacing, Long Xiaoyao's soul rings flashed again, and his massive frame spun into a black vortex. Dark energy radiated everywhere, bringing erosion, gravity, and disorientation.
Zhu Ziyang retreated instantly, soaring a kilometer away. The scythe transformed into a golden staff, and a beam of golden light pierced the clouds. Eighty-one radiant meteors crashed down, purifying the land with divine fury.
Dark tornado and holy meteors clashed in the sky—shredding, piercing, and annihilating each other until the chaos slowly settled.
Once again, Zhu Ziyang and Long Xiaoyao faced off from a distance. Zhu Ziyang seemed fine, only mildly drained. Long Xiaoyao, however, was no longer pristine—dust clung to his armor, proof of the toll taken by ranged divine attacks.
"Heh, you rascal," Long Xiaoyao chuckled. To Zhu Ziyang's surprise, his form shrank back to human size and the True Body Armor vanished. "I'm done. Can't deny my age anymore."
"Thank you for holding back, Uncle Long," Zhu Ziyang replied politely, though he was puzzled. They'd barely fought—why did he suddenly call it off?
He couldn't figure out what the old man was thinking.
"Haha, that wasn't holding back," Long Xiaoyao shook his head. "If we truly went all out, I might not even be able to beat you. Mu En was lucky to have you."
"You flatter me, Uncle Long," Zhu Ziyang replied. "Since you don't wish to continue, I'll take my leave. Until next time."
"Sure thing. I need to report back anyway," Long Xiaoyao grinned. "One last thing—be careful of Xu Tianran, the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire. He's a very ambitious man."
"Thanks for the warning," Zhu Ziyang's expression turned thoughtful, but he bowed his thanks.
"That's all. Farewell!" Long Xiaoyao vanished with those parting words.
Seeing this, Scorpion Tiger Douluo Zhang Peng also fled. Xian Liner wanted to give chase, but Zhu Ziyang stopped her.
"Ziyang, why stop me?" she asked angrily.
"Senior Sister, there's no need," Zhu Ziyang soothed her. "That Zhang Peng is likely from the Holy Spirit Cult. We're bound to clash with them again—we don't need to startle them prematurely."
"…Fine." Xian Liner calmed down and retracted her martial soul. "But how did you show up just in time?"
"I was bored at the academy and thought I'd come check on things," Zhu Ziyang chuckled. "Then I ran into all this—what luck, right?"
"Indeed! If you hadn't come, Yan Shaozhe and I might not have made it through," she said with lingering fear. "Who'd have thought Long Xiaoyao would work for the Sun Moon Empire? Isn't he from the Dou Spirit Empire?"
"I don't think he's working for them," Zhu Ziyang mused. "Isn't the Sun Moon royal family in cahoots with the Holy Spirit Cult?"
"You mean… Long Xiaoyao is with the Holy Spirit Cult? But why?" Xian Liner was bewildered.
"Well, that's a long story," Zhu Ziyang rubbed his chin, thinking where to begin.
As they flew back toward the academy, they continued discussing Long Xiaoyao. About four or five li ahead, they met Xuanzi and the other Elders of the Tianyuan Pavilion, who had come to meet them.
"Ziyang, are you alright?" Xuanzi asked immediately.
"I'm fine," Zhu Ziyang replied with a faint smile. "Elder Xuan, you've come at the right time. Please head to Maple Leaf City and bring back Fanyu and the others."
"Understood." Xuanzi nodded and instructed Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo to retrieve the remaining members of the Shrek exchange group.
Zhu Ziyang and the rest of the Elders returned to the academy.
(End of Chapter)
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