Jing Ziyan picked up the Exploding Nine-Section Whip from the ground and walked over to Ji Juechen with a bitter expression.
Even the accumulated frustration from losing to Xu Zihuang time and time again in the past paled in comparison to the blow she felt today.
They had regarded Yu Tianhuang as the goal they needed to chase, yet in Yu Tianhuang's eyes, they probably didn't even qualify to be stepping stones on his path of growth.
"Juechen, treating him as someone we need to catch up to might have been the wrong decision from the start," Jing Ziyan said with a wry laugh.
Ji Juechen remained silent for a long time, lowering his head to look at the Heavenly Meteorite Iron Sword in his hands, his gaze resolute.
"Some gaps cannot be closed just because you want to close them. Let nature take its course, do your best, and have a clear conscience that is enough."
However, he hadn't managed to maintain that cool expression for long before four approaching academy guards interrupted him.
From the moment Xu Zihuang's trio began their clash until the victor was decided, only a few seconds had passed. By the time these guards reacted, the originally flat training field had already been turned into a complete mess.
The leading guard looked at Ji Juechen and said helplessly, "The academy has a clear rule: the use of soul tools for fighting is prohibited outside the designated soul tool testing zones. Student Ji, it's not that we don't want to give you face, but the damage you left behind today is simply too obvious."
These guards naturally recognized this famous sword fanatic of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.
"I'll pay for the road repairs." Ji Juechen's face stiffened. He surveyed the surroundings. The ground within a fifty-meter radius had sunk half a meter deep, and the reinforced steel bars mixed inside were clearly visible. A rough estimate told him the repair costs would exceed ten thousand gold soul coins.
He spent his days accompanied only by his sword and was not a soul mentor, so he had no additional income. His daily expenses all came from the subsidies provided by Mingdu Hall. There was no way he could produce that amount of money.
He didn't say anything more and simply looked silently at Jing Ziyan beside him.
Jing Ziyan, who was already deeply frustrated, exploded the moment she saw Ji Juechen's expression.
"Every time you cause a huge mess, it's always this lady who has to clean up after you, isn't it?!"
She cursed and grumbled, but in the end, she still paid the repair fee for Ji Juechen.
"Thanks, Ziyan." After finishing the paperwork, Ji Juechen walked out of the guard office. Having gained some new insight, he greeted Jing Ziyan and hurriedly turned to leave, carrying his Heavenly Meteorite Iron Sword on his back, impatient to test his new understanding.
He left Jing Ziyan standing alone in the wind, eyes wide, furiously clutching her hair in exasperation.
"I can't take it anymore! You blockhead, when are you finally going to open your eyes?!"
On the other side, Xu Zihuang had returned to his dormitory.
Following his usual routine, he stopped by the neighboring dormitory to see He Caitou.
He Caitou was currently at his soul tool workbench, crafting small components. Upon seeing Xu Zihuang, he seemed to recall something and, with his characteristic honest grin, pulled out a thick stack of letters from a soul tool and handed them over.
"Right, Tianhuang. These arrived from the academy for you."
"Then I'll head back first, Senior Brother Caitou." Xu Zihuang smiled faintly, took the letters, and left He Caitou's room, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.
He placed the stack on the desk by his bed and went through each letter one by one.
The first ones were from Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Tang Ya.
Xu Zihuang had a close relationship with all three and kept in frequent contact. Jiang Nannan, on the other hand, was more reserved; their connection was limited to having fought side by side as teammates and the ordinary senior-junior relationship, so she would never take the initiative to write.
The letters from Bei Bei's trio mainly asked about his recent situation and recounted events inside the inner courtyard, especially the cultivation progress of the laughing red dust siblings, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen. Tang Ya, however, mentioned Ning Tian multiple times and, in a half-joking, half-serious tone, warned him not to do anything in the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy that would wrong Ning Tian.
Xu Zihuang smiled knowingly; even through the words, he could picture Tang Ya with her hands on her hips, pouting adorably.
Next was Ning Tian's letter. She had maintained the habit of writing to him once every month. The letters expressed how much she missed him while always keeping an appropriate distance.
In today's letter, she wrote that she had originally planned to visit Mingdu during this break, but unfortunately, she had reached a critical point in her cultivation and had no choice but to cancel. She also mentioned the soul tools Xu Zihuang had sent her. The rest of the letter contained more private topics between the two of them.
Xu Zihuang wrote a reply, then turned to the final letter. Surprisingly, it was from the inner courtyard's eldest senior sister, Zhang Lexuan.
The letter inquired about his recent cultivation progress and any difficulties he had encountered.
Xu Zihuang frowned slightly. Although Zhang Lexuan's tone was gentle and calm, he could still keenly sense a faint urgency and a trace of hidden dejection.
He sat at the desk in silence for a long time before gathering his thoughts and writing a reply to Zhang Lexuan as well.
After finishing, he sat cross-legged on the bed and entered meditation.
…
The next morning, in a valley fifty kilometers south of Mingdu.
The Sun Moon Empire's soul tool technology had indeed developed rapidly, but land development remained limited. This was largely the same across the entire Douluo Continent.
The Douluo Continent was simply too vast. For at least several thousand more years, the basic situation of vast land and sparse population would not change.
Apart from a few rare metal veins around Mingdu that were being continuously mined, the vast majority of the surrounding area remained in its original ecological state.
Between two not-very-tall mountain ranges lies a dammed lake formed by a river valley collapse. The deep blue surface of the lake shimmered with golden ripples under the morning sun.
Two figures overlapped under the rising sun, embracing by the lakeside. It was Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi.
Today, Ye Guyi wore close-fitting white clothes that accentuated her graceful curves. Her full chest rose and fell slightly, and her long golden hair danced in the breeze. The faint fragrance from her hair mingled with the sweet warmth of her breath.
Ye Guyi, clearly moved, looked at Xu Zihuang with a teasing smile as he withdrew his right hand from inside her clothes.
"What's wrong? Not continuing? If you ask me to, I can delay my departure by a few days."
Although the barrier in Xu Zihuang's heart had gradually worn away, he still felt psychologically at a disadvantage whenever he faced Ye Guyi. In contrast, Ye Guyi always held the dominant position when they were together.
This dynamic had been shaped by their interactions during childhood.
Xu Zihuang shook his head with an awkward smile. Little did he know that Ye Guyi was only pretending to be calm; her body was tingling all over, and she could barely muster any strength.
Ye Guyi stopped teasing him. She simply held onto one of his arms and gazed at the clear lake surface, watching the golden sun rise in the east.
Both of their emotions gradually calmed.
"When I return, one year from now, I'll go to Shrek Academy to find you." Ye Guyi stood on tiptoe, lightly brushed her lips against his, and spoke solemnly.
"While I'm gone, your safety comes first, understand?"
"I understand, Sister Lingyi," Xu Zihuang answered seriously.
"When you break through to level seventy, Sister Lingyi, we'll go to that place together. That soul beast should be perfect as your seventh soul ring."
Having seen Xu Zihuang's memories, Ye Guyi naturally knew which place he meant. She merely nodded silently.
The hundred-thousand-year Blazing Apricot Sparrow. On the entire continent, only this soul beast matched her Holy Angel martial soul.
If her Solar Holy Sword could receive the augmentation of this extreme fire attribute, its destructive power would reach a terrifying degree.
She didn't ask why Xu Zihuang was certain she could absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul ring as her seventh ring. Her trust in him was absolute.
Then Ye Guyi waved toward Nana, who was in the distant forest.
Mingdu lay in the north-central region of the Sun Moon Empire, with a temperate climate. The forest here consisted of temperate coniferous trees, offering relatively open sightlines.
Out of curiosity, Nana had caught several glimpses of their intimate moments earlier.
Having witnessed everything up close, her own body had reacted with strange sensations.
Nana's pretty face flushed crimson. She walked over, head lowered in embarrassment.
"Master, Mistress."
"Let's go, Nana." Ye Guyi returned to her usual dignified and aloof demeanor. She took out a pair of thin metallic wings from her storage soul tool—brilliant gold in color. This was a level-six flight soul tool personally crafted by Xu Zihuang using the latest technology from Mingdu Hall.
"Yes, Mistress," Nana answered respectfully and also took out a level-five flight soul tool from her own storage soul tool.
The two rose into the sky one after the other. Ye Guyi turned back reluctantly for one last look at Xu Zihuang before activating her flight soul tool and heading south.
Xu Zihuang remained by the lake, watching until their figures completely vanished on the distant horizon.
…
Returning to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, Xu Zihuang resumed his quiet routine. The one-month break passed in cultivation and study.
However, one morning just before the new semester began, someone knocked urgently on his dormitory door.
The rhythm of the knock was unfamiliar, so Xu Zihuang knew it was neither He Caitou nor Fan Yu.
He had just finished his morning cultivation. He got out of bed unhurriedly and opened the door.
"Senior Sister Keke?"
Standing outside was indeed Keke. Although the dormitory buildings at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy allowed free entry and exit, very few female students would disregard rumors and come looking for someone in the boys' dormitory building.
Keke said irritably, "Tianhuang, do you know these days are our academy's enrollment period?"
"Mm." Xu Zihuang nodded slightly. He knew a bit about it. The enrollment process at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy was similar to Shrek's, taking place in the period before the new semester started. However, compared to Shrek, the Sun Moon Academy's enrollment was far busier. After all, the entry requirements were extremely low—only soul power reaching level ten and possessing one soul ring before age twelve.
These past few days, the square in front of the main gate had been packed with hopeful applicants and their accompanying parents and elders.
"Most of the enrollment work is handled by fourth- and fifth-year students, but by tradition, Mingdu Hall must send representatives. One duty is to supervise and audit, the other is to give the new students some 'inspirational chicken soup.'" Keke couldn't help rolling her eyes as she ruthlessly complained.
"I really don't know what the academy is thinking. Whether those kids can even advance to sixth grade is questionable, let alone enter Mingdu Hall."
As Keke said, the overall quality of Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy students was indeed poor. Though many enrolled each year, only about one in a thousand made it to sixth grade.
Hearing this, Xu Zihuang basically guessed why Keke had come.
"Senior Sister Keke, don't tell me the Mingdu Hall representatives this time are us?"
"In the past two years, only a handful of us have entered Mingdu Hall. Zimu went home and hasn't returned yet, so that leaves just the two of us. Although you're an exchange student from Shrek, you're still part of the academy now. Teacher Xuan nodded too, so there's no choice we'll have to go together." Keke pouted helplessly.
"The good thing is we don't actually have to do anything. We can just sit there and rest."
Xu Zihuang had been cultivating very intensively lately and felt that some relaxation would actually benefit his progress. Moreover, he couldn't refuse to give Xuan Ziwen and Keke face.
After quickly washing up, Xu Zihuang followed Keke to the main gate of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. The gate opened onto an enormous square. The scene before them was staggering seas of people and deafening noise.
A row of fourth- and fifth-year students wearing the academy's silver-white uniforms sat behind desks, conducting the examinations. The assessment was simple: record the applicant's soul power level and martial soul. Those who passed could enter the academy through a dedicated passage.
When the students in charge noticed Xu Zihuang and Keke arriving, especially the Mingdu Hall badges on their chests, they all stood up and bowed respectfully.
Many of these students appeared several years older than Xu Zihuang and Keke, yet none found it improper. On the Douluo Continent, strength reigned supreme.
If you had strength, you deserved respect. That was reality.
Among them, a burly youth wearing a fifth-year uniform personally led the two to a spacious, empty sofa. In front of the sofa was a table laden with various fruits and pastries, and a huge parasol blocked the direct sunlight.
"Senior Brother, Senior Sister, hello. My name is Yun Luo. If you need anything else, just let me know at any time." Yun Luo smiled fawningly.
Mingdu Hall students usually stayed in their labs and rarely showed themselves, so even though Xu Zihuang's face was unfamiliar, Yun Luo didn't think much of it. The only thing that bothered him was how extraordinarily young Xu Zihuang looked. But the Mingdu Hall badge was plainly there, so he naturally didn't dare be negligent.
He had gone to all this effort precisely because he wanted to curry favor with Mingdu Hall students. This was a golden opportunity.
"You've been thoughtful." Keke waved her hand like a sign of seniority and plopped down onto the soft sofa.
"It's what I should do."
Yun Luo's face lit up with excitement, but he very tactfully returned to his post without disturbing them further, continuing the assessment work. This earned him a round of eye-rolls from the other examiners, who inwardly cursed his shameless bootlicking while grudgingly admitting he was skilled at it.
As soon as Xu Zihuang sat down, he saw Keke take out a small metal sphere. She injected soul power into it, and a light barrier instantly enveloped their area, cutting off the outside noise.
"Finally quiet." Keke stretched lazily and giggled.
Xu Zihuang leaned back on the sofa, cradling the back of his neck, and smiled. "Senior Sister Keke, it doesn't seem so bad after all. We can observe the typical martial souls of your Sun Moon Empire people."
But Keke suddenly dropped her smile and turned to look at Xu Zihuang beside her.
"You know what? Sister Ju Zi sent a letter."
Xu Zihuang remained silent.
Seeing his calm expression, Keke couldn't help feeling annoyed.
"You stinking fellow, I can accept that you rejected me, but even Sister Ju Zi you—"
Before she could finish, a girl who looked only about eleven years old instantly drew the attention of both her and Xu Zihuang.
The girl's eyes were a deep blue, as captivating as the depths of the ocean—profound and icy cold. Her slightly curly silver-white hair, together with her young age, somehow gave her an air of nobility. Her exquisite features were like those of a porcelain doll, as if she had gathered all the spiritual essence of heaven and earth.
Ignoring the academy students trying to maintain order, she stepped straight through the sound-isolation barrier.
"You are—" Keke opened her mouth instinctively. She considered herself quite good-looking, but compared to this silver-haired girl, she was like a firefly next to the bright moon. Even Ju Zi would be slightly inferior to this white-haired girl.
The girl's cold gaze swept over Keke, finally landing on Xu Zihuang. Only then did the disgust in her deep blue eyes lessen noticeably.
She had finally found a human whose body was not tainted with filth.
A bone-chilling cold spread outward. Snowflakes swirled and danced around her body, and two bright yellow soul rings rose from beneath her feet.
A clear, ethereal voice rang out in the enclosed space like flowing spring water.
"I'm a new applicant. May I pass?"
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