Outside the west gate of Shrek City, the Sunset River flowed quietly.
The afterglow of the setting sun, like spilled golden paint, dyed the river with shimmering waves.
The riverbank was covered in lush green grass, and a weathered boulder stood silently, its surface carved with three ancient seal characters: "Three Lives Stone."
After a swift journey, Liu Yuan finally arrived at the check-in location designated by the system.
He adjusted his rapid breathing, his gaze falling on the Three Lives Stone, and his heart filled with countless emotions.
The Three Lives Stone symbolized predestined relationships and entanglements across three lifetimes.
His connection with Shrek Academy had ended today, but his new bond with this world would begin from this moment.
"System, I have arrived," Liu Yuan silently told himself.
[Ding! Host has been detected at the target location: beneath the Three Lives Stone on the banks of the Sunset River.]
[The "Stay for 10 Minutes" check-in task has officially begun. Countdown: 09:59… 09:58…]
Time passed second by second. Liu Yuan leaned against the Three Lives Stone, his mood growing calmer.
The humiliation of being expelled and his resentment toward Xuanzi gradually settled in the tranquil river breeze, transforming into a resilient and persistent force.
He knew that from now on, he would face the storms of this world alone. The system and the Rayquaza Martial Soul would be his only support.
Ten minutes felt both eternal and fleeting.
[Ding! Countdown ended, check-in task completed!]
[Calculating mission rewards for the host…]
[Congratulations, host! You have received a special reward—a permanent Mega Evolution license for your Martial Soul (Rayquaza exclusive)!]
"MEGA EVOLUTION?!"
Liu Yuan's heart clenched, his pupils dilating instantly, his breath catching in his throat.
This term was far too familiar to him, a time traveler.
In the Pokémon world, Mega Evolution, also called "Super Evolution" is a higher level of evolution that surpasses any ordinary evolution.
Mega Evolution Pokémon not only become more stunning in appearance, but their base stats, abilities, and even types undergo tremendous changes, resulting in a qualitative leap in strength.
A regular Pokémon's Mega Evolution could turn the tide of a high-level battle.
Rayquaza's Mega Evolution was beyond conventional limits! Its total base stats were undoubtedly the pinnacle of all Pokémon, even surpassing the creator god Arceus.
Liu Yuan dared to claim that a regular Rayquaza with nine skills could fight a god.
What about a Mega Rayquaza that could permanently maintain its Mega form and wield nine moves? What world-destroying power would that be?
Even the God-King would tremble at its sight!
"System… this reward is too incredible!" Liu Yuan's voice trembled with excitement.
[Ding! Do you wish to use the "Permanent Mega Evolution License for Martial Soul" immediately?]
"Use it! Use it immediately!" Liu Yuan confirmed without hesitation.
In the next moment, a mysterious, powerful energy surged through his body, connecting with the dormant green dragon soul deep within.
It was as if an invisible shackle had been completely broken, and the genetic chain began to recombine and evolve under a higher law.
Liu Yuan could clearly see the dormant phantom of the Rift Seat undergoing drastic changes within his Martial Soul Space.
Mega Evolution… Success!
Liu Yuan clenched his fists tightly, feeling terrifying power several times stronger than before. An unprecedented sense of satisfaction and security filled his heart.
On impulse, he could not wait to witness his newfound power firsthand.
"Come forth, my Martial Soul—Mega Rayquaza!"
At his call, a dragon's roar, as if from the primordial era, resounded through the sky.
"ROARRRRRR-!!!"
The sound was not only loud but also contained supreme power, instantly suppressing all other sounds.
The river at sunset stopped flowing. The wind stopped blowing. Even the clouds on the horizon seemed frozen.
A divine ray of light, interwoven with emerald green and gold, shot up from behind Liu Yuan and quickly condensed in mid-air.
A magnificent dragon appeared, its beauty beyond what anyone can possibly describe.
Its body was long and slender, winding like pure jade and gold. Golden whiskers cascaded like a celestial river, and emerald green energy swirled around it. Every movement caused ripples in the surrounding space.
Its eyes were cold and majestic, as if all things were insignificant before it.
Mega Rayquaza had appeared!
Its unique ability, "DeltaStream" triggered instantly.
An invisible aura spread wildly, and the sky changed color in an instant. The red sunset clouds were dispersed by a mysterious force and replaced by swirling emerald green air currents. They gathered, forming a turbulent sky curtain over Shrek City.
Beneath this celestial canopy, elemental energies became unstable, as if subjects had met an emperor. Only the wind element remained active, emitting bursts of joyful submission.
Air pressure outside Shrek City shifted. Countless birds fled the forest in panic, lost in the swirling currents.
…
Meanwhile, at Shrek Academy, in the Sea God Pavilion.
The atmosphere in Yan Shaozhe's office had been relaxed.
Taotie Douluo Xuanzi lounged on the sofa, holding a sizzling chicken leg in one hand and a pot of fine wine in the other, chatting casually with Yan Shaozhe, dean of the Martial Soul Department.
"So, Elder Xuan, in the end, you just dismissed Liu Yuan like that?"
After hearing Xuanzi's story, Yan Shaozhe understood what had happened to Liu Yuan. He remained calm, asking a question without agitation.
Xuanzi smiled faintly, took a bite of the chicken leg, and replied:
"Hmph! Naturally.
"Even I must admit he has some talent.
"But the Douluo Continent is never short of geniuses! What it lacks are geniuses who know their place and are loyal.
"I personally gave him the opportunity to join the supervisory group. That was a great honor. How dare he refuse? A troublemaker like that is only a scourge!
"This is a chance to make an example and show arrogant brats the consequences of disobedience!"
Yan Shaozhe nodded silently, saying no more.
But then—
"ROARRRRRR-!!!"
A strange dragon roar echoed without warning.
It wasn't just loud, it also pierced their souls.
Xuanzi and Yan Shaozhe's expressions changed instantly.
"What was that?!"
Yan Shaozhe stood. Even as a dignified Super Douluo, he felt his heart skip a beat.
Xuanzi sat upright, the chicken leg falling with a thud. His usually clouded eyes now gleamed sharply as he stared out the window.
As a level 98 Super Douluo, his perception of heavenly energy far surpassed ordinary people.
He could feel that moments ago, the laws of heaven and earth above Shrek City had been forcibly altered by a higher power.
Outside the window, the sky was an eerie emerald green.
Mysterious air currents churned, forming a vast sky curtain that blocked the sunset.
A terrifying pressure enveloped Shrek Academy as if the sky were collapsing.
Even the Gluttonous Douluo trembled, a deep suppression pressing on his soul.
"What… what is this?!" Yan Shaozhe exclaimed, face pale.
Xuanzi's expression turned grave. He stepped to the window, channeling soul energy into his eyes, straining toward the source of the aura.
Despite the distance, he could see the sacred dragon silhouette coiled over the Sunset River outside the city.
A single glance struck him like lightning; his body trembled violently.
"Wow… such power! This pressure… it's from a 100,000-year-old soul beast? No! More terrifying than any 100,000-year-old soul beast I've ever seen! Could it be a ferocious beast?"
Xuanzi muttered in disbelief.
"And this ability to control a region… what soul beast has such power? Even Di Tian doesn't!"
He stared at the figure, heart churning with unease.
What exactly is this? A reclusive beast overlord awakened? Or an unknown being descended upon us? What purpose brings it here?
Countless questions and a sense of crisis surged in Xuanzi's mind like a tidal wave.