In that relatively leisurely state, Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian spent a full month's holiday at Shrek Academy.
Of course, due to their backgrounds and experiences, neither of them was the type to lack self-discipline. During their free time, they did not neglect cultivation.
After the holiday, early spring arrived when all things revived, and Shrek Academy once again reached the time to recruit new students. One could clearly feel that Shrek City had become even more bustling than before.
Especially in the southern part of the city, the prosperous commercial district was packed with crowds as far as the eye could see.
At the center of Shrek South City, the Nine Treasure Pavilion was undoubtedly the most magnificent existence in this area. The nine-story pagoda building stood over fifty meters tall. Its decoration was luxurious, completely modeled after the appearance of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul. Nine levels in nine colors, adorned with all kinds of dazzling and brilliant gemstones.
Above the top floor of the Nine Treasure Pavilion was a spacious terrace. The soul guide elevator inside the pavilion could not reach it directly; one could only ascend via the stairs in the top-floor hall.
This place had also become a private area for Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian, untouched by outsiders.
The overall layout of the terrace was similar to the top-floor hall, just on a smaller scale.
In the center of the terrace, Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian sat facing each other. On the table was a simmering hot pot soup base, surrounded by stacks of clearly textured meat slices and extremely fresh seafood transported promptly from the coastal regions.
The two enjoyed this leisurely lunchtime.
The Thunder Beast shuttled back and forth beside a tray filled with nuts, letting out cheerful cries.
"Squeak squeak!"
After nearly a month of interaction, Xu Zihuang could tell that although the Thunder Beast's intelligence was not low, its nature was still relatively simple. After all, the Thunder Beast stood at the top of the soul beast pyramid; at the same cultivation level, only a few types of soul beasts could match it.
And those soul beasts capable of matching it would generally rarely provoke a Thunder Beast.
Although the Thunder Beast in front of them appeared extremely obedient in front of Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian, in reality, they were by no means good-tempered soul beasts. Once truly enraged, they would not hesitate to self-destruct and perish together with their enemies.
For various reasons, the Thunder Beast's path of growth had been almost smooth sailing. They did not need to use schemes or tricks; relying solely on their powerful strength was enough to live comfortably in various soul beast habitats.
Xu Zihuang picked up a piece of cooked meat and placed it in Ning Tian's bowl. Then, as if thinking of something, he suddenly asked.
"I think the news of your martial soul evolving into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda should have already spread back to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. How is it that up to now, no one from your Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has come to confirm this news? You are, after all, only the second possessor of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul in tens of thousands of years."
"Actually, I recorded it with a recording soul guide device earlier. Not long ago, Feng Mei took it back to the sect." Ning Tian smiled sweetly, and as she spoke, a charming blush could not help but appear on her pretty face.
"Moreover, I asked Feng Mei to pass on the message to the family: after this Full Continent Young Soul Master Competition ends, I will bring you home. You promised before."
Only then did Xu Zihuang feel relieved. He smiled helplessly and shook his head.
"I remember. But there are still more than two months until the Full Continent Young Soul Master Competition begins. Going back to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with you would take at least three months or more. I understand your family's situation; I can go back anytime."
Ning Tian gazed at Xu Zihuang. A layer of mist appeared in her glistening eyes, and her slightly shy red lips parted faintly.
"Tianhuang, I'm a bit sleepy."
"Then take a nap." Xu Zihuang understood and chuckled lightly. He then picked up Ning Tian and, following the wooden stairs, returned to the top-floor hall of the Nine Treasure Pavilion, where they had been living during this period.
Ye Guyi usually appeared cold on the surface, but in private with Xu Zihuang, her behavior was often exceptionally bold. Perhaps to maintain her dignity as the "older sister," she frequently took the initiative.
Meanwhile, Ning Tian, who had been cultivated since childhood as the sole heir of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's sect master, carried an innate grace and reserve. When engaging in intimate acts with Xu Zihuang in private, she was far less open than Ye Guyi.
However, she was also gradually changing imperceptibly.
"Creak—" The heavy wooden door engraved with exquisite patterns closed. The Thunder Beast blankly raised its head. A trace of anthropomorphic grievance appeared in its large blue-purple eyes.
It had already lost count of how many times it had been locked outside like today. But knowing it could not change anything, it could only turn grief and indignation into appetite and continue gnawing on the nuts in its hand.
Eating, drinking, and idling every day was truly wonderful.
That afternoon, Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian had not been asleep for long when Beibei woke them.
Beibei did not come to the Nine Treasure Pavilion but used a voice transmission soul guide to deliver a message.
Elder Xuan asked them to return to the Sea God Pavilion together, saying it concerned the new Full Continent Young Soul Master Competition.
Xu Zihuang placed the small metal-box-like voice transmission soul guide on the table in front of the sofa and said softly to Ning Tian beside him, "Senior Brother Beibei and Senior Sister Xiaoya are waiting for us outside the Nine Treasure Pavilion. Let's get ready and head over."
Ning Tian nestled in Xu Zihuang's arms, her complexion rosy, but her eyes carried a hint of unmistakable fatigue, looking drowsy and lazy. The warm winter sunlight spilled over her, and her fair, delicate skin faintly glowed with an alluring halo.
Ning Tian sat up without any reservation, lightly patted her cheeks with both hands to refresh herself.
"Mm, it wouldn't be good to keep Senior Sister Xiaoya and the others waiting too long."
After the two washed up and tidied their appearances, they came out of the Nine Treasure Pavilion. Before leaving, Xu Zihuang also took the Thunder Beast along.
A soul beast of this level would be too dangerous if left alone in a large city.
Since he was the one who brought the Thunder Beast back, he had to ensure no accidents occurred.
What surprised Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian was that it was not just Beibei and Tang Ya—Xu Sanshi was also there.
Xu Sanshi had returned to his usual carefree appearance and was chatting idly with Beibei. When he spoke, his facial expressions were very animated. From time to time, he showed hearty smiles, but no matter how one looked at it, there was a somewhat sleazy undertone.
Seeing Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian approaching, they immediately stopped talking.
Xu Sanshi whistled lewdly and raised an eyebrow with a grin.
"Tianhuang, Junior Sister Ning Tian, we shouldn't have disturbed you two, right?"
Xu Zihuang had no particular reaction, but Ning Tian felt her cheeks heat up. She stepped forward and deliberately composed herself by taking Tang Ya's arm.
Tang Ya quietly observed Ning Tian's expression between her brows, both shy and greatly curious.
She and Beibei had not yet taken that step.
"Alright."
Beibei gave a light cough.
"Let's hurry over first. Caitou and Nannan should already be at the academy."
Hearing Beibei mention Jiang Nannan, Xu Sanshi furrowed his brows slightly but soon relaxed them again. Truly letting go of a love that could not be obtained was not so easy. But he had already confirmed what was truly in his heart; from now on, he could only leave it to time. Let time gradually erase those marks.
Xu Sanshi had only returned to the academy today. Only now did he notice the Thunder Beast on Xu Zihuang's shoulder and ask in surprise.
"Tianhuang, when did you get such a pet? But this squirrel looks pretty cute."
As he spoke, he reached out to grab the Thunder Beast.
The Thunder Beast did not resist at first but placed its chubby little paw on Xu Sanshi's finger, staring at him as if thinking about something. In reality, it was observing the relationship, or rather, the degree of closeness, between Xu Sanshi and Xu Zihuang.
That sleazy guy Xu Sanshi carefully examined the Thunder Beast's belly again and complained.
"Too bad it's not a male. Tianhuang, you're popular with girls anyway, but how come even the pet squirrel you keep is female?"
"Squeak—"
After a brief moment of stunned silence, the Thunder Beast suddenly let out a sharp cry. A layer of fine blue-purple electric light surged from its body. Xu Sanshi's body immediately began to tremble uncontrollably; even his hair stood on end from the electricity, and his eyes rolled back.
Xu Sanshi's body completely stiffened. Taking the opportunity, the Thunder Beast leaped up and landed back on Xu Zihuang's shoulder. It also bared its teeth and grimaced at Xu Sanshi.
Beibei looked at him with contempt.
"You really deserve it. I never thought you could be sleazy enough to do something like that."
"Nonsense! I was just a little curious, how is that sleazy?!" Xu Sanshi retorted unhappily, then glanced sideways at Xu Zihuang beside him, his eyes full of shock and doubt.
"Tianhuang, what kind of soul beast is this?"
This squirrel was clearly a thunder-attribute soul beast, yet at first, he could not sense the slightest soul power fluctuation from it. There was only one possibility for such a situation: this soul beast's cultivation far surpassed his own.
Xu Zihuang nodded and said, "This is a Thunder Beast. I brought it back from the Star Dou Great Forest not long ago. Its situation is special; it needs to stay with me all the time."
"Squeak!" When Xu Sanshi's gaze shifted over, the Thunder Beast demonstratively puffed up its fur again.
Xu Sanshi subconsciously shrank back. On the other side, Ning Tian and Tang Ya, who were quietly chatting about private topics, found Xu Sanshi's deflated appearance rather amusing.
After this little farce, Xu Sanshi finally restrained himself somewhat. The group of five left Shrek City and headed straight for Shrek Academy.
Just as Beibei had said, He Caitou and Jiang Nannan were waiting on the path to the Sea God Pavilion on Sea God Island.
Everyone greeted each other, and the seven of them arrived together in front of the Sea God Pavilion.
Xu Sanshi did not pester Jiang Nannan as he usually did, which actually felt a bit strange to everyone. Jiang Nannan also felt a complex emotion.
Xu Zihuang, Ning Tian, He Caitou, Beibei, Tang Ya, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan—the seven stood side by side in front of the central conference table on the first floor of the Sea God Pavilion.
Elder Xuan sat in the main seat, looking at these vibrant young people and sighing inwardly.
These little fellows were growing even faster than he had anticipated. Without a doubt, in the future, they would all become the pillars of Shrek Academy. Especially Yu Tianhuang's growth speed, it was simply terrifying, far beyond his imagination.
Compared to Yu Tianhuang, any genius would seem insufficiently outstanding.
"Mm, everyone is here." Elder Xuan picked up the wine gourd beside him and took a swig. As long as it was not a particularly formal occasion, he could not change this drinking habit.
"I called you all here this time because there is something I want to discuss with you."
Beibei said respectfully, "Elder Xuan, please speak."
Elder Xuan said, "You should have heard some news already. This edition of the Full Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Competition will be different from previous ones; it has been changed to the Full Continent Young Soul Master Competition. It will introduce participation from sects across the continent."
"Although the format change will make the competition more intense, with Tianhuang holding the fort, honestly, I'm not too worried."
"Moreover, the format change is not entirely a bad thing. Before Elder Mu passed away, he once instructed me to support the construction and development of the Tang Sect strongly. Beibei, Tang Ya, I want you two to represent the Tang Sect in this Full Continent Young Soul Master Competition. This is exactly an opportunity to make the Tang Sect's name resound once again."
Tang Ya and Beibei had already had this idea for a long time and had vaguely guessed Elder Xuan's intentions. Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian had also discussed this topic. The only ones surprised among the group were Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, and Jiang Nannan.
Xu Sanshi said in astonishment, "Elder Xuan, you're asking Beibei and Xiaoya to represent the Tang Sect in this Full Continent Young Soul Master Competition? But the Tang Sect only has three people right now. How can they even form a seven-person team to compete?"
Elder Xuan smiled and said, "This is what I'm about to discuss next. Of course, all of this is premised on your willingness. Tianhuang and Ning Tian have somewhat special identities. Aside from them, if the five of you are willing, you can all represent the Tang Sect in the competition. There are some loopholes allowed under the rules of this competition's format change. It doesn't mean you have to formally join the Tang Sect; you are only temporarily representing the Tang Sect in the competition. After the Full Continent Young Soul Master Competition ends, you can leave the Tang Sect at any time."
"I believe many other sects will also take advantage of this loophole. To promote their sects, they will spend large sums of money or resources to hire external help."
"It can be played like that?" Xu Sanshi was somewhat dumbfounded. Then he looked at Beibei and Tang Ya and said readily, "In that case, count me in. With Tianhuang at the academy, it doesn't make much difference whether I'm there or not."
"Thanks, Sanshi." Beibei gratefully patted Xu Sanshi on the shoulder. Though the two brothers usually liked to bicker, when the other truly needed help, there would never be the slightest hesitation.
With Xu Sanshi joining, Beibei gained sufficient confidence to strive for a better ranking for the Tang Sect. The promotional effect would naturally improve as well.
At that moment, Beibei and Tang Ya received another pleasant surprise.
"Senior Brother Beibei, I'll help you guys too." He Caitou, scratched his head in his honest way.
"Sanshi is right, the academy has Tianhuang, so that's enough. Besides, we cooperate quite well together."
"Good! Exactly what I wished for!" Beibei nodded forcefully. Tang Ya was equally moved, her eyes reddening slightly. Ever since her parents passed away, she had unknowingly gained so many friends and companions around her.
"Thank you, Caitou."
Jiang Nannan hesitated for a moment and looked toward Tang Ya.
"Xiaoya, I'm also willing to help you."
As soon as these words came out, everyone's expressions became somewhat interesting. According to Jiang Nannan's usual personality, she should have avoided Xu Sanshi like the plague.
Elder Xuan nodded slightly.
"That's it for now. I'll give you one day to think it over carefully."
"Yes!"
After bidding farewell to Elder Xuan, Jiang Nannan left first. Everyone's gaze fell on Xu Sanshi, but no one teased him.
Xu Zihuang appropriately eased the atmosphere.
"Senior Brother Beibei, Senior Sister Xiaoya, I have a suitable candidate I can recommend to you. If we include him, plus Huo Yuhao from your Tang Sect, that would make exactly seven people. His name is Dai Luoli. Although he has only just broken through to four-ring Soul Ancestor, his mutated Blood Tiger martial soul is very strong, with considerable combat power. He shouldn't be much weaker than an ordinary five-ring Soul King."
"Blood Tiger? Surname Dai? The person Tianhuang is talking about wouldn't happen to be the White Tiger Duke's youngest son, right? I heard from Beibei before that his martial soul mutated, and the White Tiger Duke sent him to the academy." Tang Ya's eyes immediately lit up.
Ning Tian smiled and chimed in, "Yes, Senior Xiaoya, that is Luo Li."
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