Yao Yang snapped back out of his thoughts, noticing the now cheerful and smiling expression of Zhu Yao. It was evident he had fallen into her clever ploy.
Yet, he didn't feel annoyed by it.
People are inherently biased. Toward those they care about, they often show greater tolerance.
Zhu Yao, being an intelligent woman, didn't press further about Xu Zihuang's true identity.
What she wanted was simple—to be with Yao Yang. Everything else was irrelevant to her.
However, Yao Yang's words, "Zihuang is like my own younger brother," lingered in her mind.
…
Under the starry night sky, a cascade of silver light poured down.
The castle, perched upon the mountainside, seemed to be shrouded in a silken layer of starlight, resembling a celestial palace on earth.
At the edge of the flower garden in front of the castle, a pavilion stood quietly on the cliff, overlooking the vast sea. Two long shadows were cast by the soul-powered lamps lining the path, and the occasional crisp sound of chess pieces being placed on the board could be heard.
Clack
Xu Zihuang placed a smooth, round black piece onto the intricate chessboard in front of him. The cool sea breeze rustled the few strands of purple hair on his forehead, revealing his handsome face. (T/N: It's Chinese chess, Xiangqi.)
"Zihuang, do you know what you lack the most right now?" Sitting across from Xu Zihuang was none other than Yao Yang, who hadn't visited the castle for almost half a month.
A person's chess style often reflects their character.
Observing where Xu Zihuang placed his piece, Yao Yang suddenly placed his own chess piece back into the box and sighed softly.
"How can you transcend the world without experiencing it first? Whether it's you or me, we are all just part of the vast populace in the world."
Xu Zihuang looked up at Yao Yang, stunned, his expression shifting into one of contemplation.
Yao Yang's words struck him like a revelation.
"I understand what you mean, Brother Yang," Xu Zihuang responded.
Ever since awakening his past-life memories, he had harbored a subtle sense of superiority—not merely due to his noble birth but because he knew the future. Subconsciously, he believed himself to be special, the chosen one favored by the heavens.
However, maintaining such a mindset could be fatal.
Of course, Yao Yang, who was unaware of Xu Zihuang's reincarnated memories, had merely intended to caution him against the arrogance stemming from his royal lineage in the Sun Moon Empire.
"It's not too late to change that now," Yao Yang said with a faint smile as he rose, gazing out at the vast, boundless ocean in the distance.
"Life is multifaceted. Starting tomorrow, immerse yourself in the ordinary lives you've never experienced. Let the mundane world shape and refine you. With your talent, you're destined for greatness, but you must learn to conceal the pride of your royal blood within yourself. Only then can I be at ease sending you to study at Shrek Academy."
Xu Zihuang rose as well, stepping toward the edge of the pavilion.
"But, Brother Yang, there are only six months left before Shrek Academy's term begins. Isn't this timeframe too tight? And to enroll at Shrek Academy, I still need a personal recommendation letter from a city lord of a major city in either the Heavenly Soul Empire, the Dou Ling Empire, or the Star Luo Empire...."
"Young Lord, regarding that recommendation letter, I may have a solution." As soon as Xu Zihuang finished speaking, a slightly deep voice rang out from behind them.
Both Xu Zihuang and Yao Yang immediately tensed, only to relax upon recognizing the newcomer.
It was none other than Wang Xiao, who had secluded himself for cultivation six months ago.
Noticing Wang Xiao's seamless integration with the surrounding environment, Yao Yang's face lit up with joy. "Uncle Wang, have you broken through?"
Given his cultivation, Yao Yang had failed to sense Wang Xiao's presence at all—a testament to the latter's progress.
Wang Xiao nodded with a complex expression; the bottleneck that had plagued him for nearly a decade finally shattered. Even with his steadfast temperament, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
With one more suitable soul ring, he could achieve the level of Titled Douluo—a realm every soul master aspired to reach.
"It's all thanks to the Young Lord. Because of him, the surrounding ambient energy became especially abundant, allowing me to successfully condense a soul core." Wang Xiao sincerely bowed to Xu Zihuang in gratitude.
"With my soul power breaking through the 90th rank, I can now use the power of my soul core to easily neutralize the poisons that had spread throughout my body."
"There's no need for such formalities, Uncle Wang," Xu Zihuang said, quickly helping to lift him up.
Yao Yang, smiling, stepped forward to congratulate Wang Xiao. "Congratulations, Uncle Wang, on achieving the Titled Douluo level."
Wang Xiao waved his hand, his previously weathered face now glowing with vitality. After breaking through, even his life energy had become significantly more vigorous.
"Young Lord's talent is extraordinary. If he enrolls at Shrek Academy, he will undoubtedly attract the attention of the academy's upper echelons. With the influence Shrek Academy wields on the continent, it's hard to ensure they won't uncover information about his true origins.
"To create a legitimate identity for the Young Lord, perhaps we can approach the Heavenly Dragon Sect, where the princess consort hails from. While the old sect master of the Heavenly Dragon Sect holds resentment over the princess consort's situation and harbors some prejudice against us, his eldest son—your maternal uncle—had always secretly used the sect's resources to search for you over the years. If I personally visit the Heavenly Dragon Sect, he should not refuse our request to forge this identity."
Xu Zihuang's expression faltered, his eyes closing as he waved a hand dismissively.
"Uncle Wang, I'll leave this matter to you."
Family… It felt like such a distant concept to him.
Yao Yang and Wang Xiao exchanged knowing glances before leaving the pavilion to grant Xu Zihuang some space to be alone.
…
The next morning, Wang Xiao departed Moon Hub Island alone.
His journey was long, crossing the seas between the Southern Moon Islands and the Star Luo Empire and then traversing the Douluo Continent from south to north.
He and Xu Zihuang had agreed to reunite in Shrek City. Not only would this save a trip, but it would also make it easier to help Xu Zihuang obtain his third soul ring.
After all, the Star Dou Forest, the douluo continent's greatest haven for soul beasts, was located beside Shrek Academy—an ideal place for Xu Zihuang to find a soul ring to his satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Xu Zihuang temporarily halted his grueling training regime and began exploring Moon Hub Island, honing his state of mind.
As Yao Yang had previously mentioned, Xu Zihuang, born into the royal family of the Sun Moon Empire, exuded a noble air unique to those of high status. Simply walking through Moon Hub City, he naturally drew attention.
Over the coming months, his task was to experience the myriad facets of the mundane world, learning to emulate the demeanor of the common folk and cultivating an unassuming, humble disposition.