In Yan Shaozhe's office at Poseidon Pavilion, the atmosphere shifted from relaxed to heavy and oppressive.
Suddenly, a gentle yet supremely majestic voice echoed deep within their minds, as if transcending space and speaking directly to their souls.
"Xuanzi, Shaozhe."
At once, Xuanzi and Yan Shaozhe trembled and bowed respectfully, responding in unison toward the deepest part of the Sea God Pavilion: "Elder Mu!"
It was the voice of Mu En, guardian deity of Shrek Academy, current master of the Sea God Pavilion, and a Limit Douluo at cultivation level ninety-nine.
Clearly, the recent earth-shattering event had also alarmed him.
Mu En's voice carried unprecedented seriousness: "Did you sense that aura just now?"
"I did," Xuanzi replied in a deep voice. "It's a terrifying power I've never encountered before. Its oppression surpasses that of a 100,000-year-old soul beast—it may even rank among ferocious beasts… or stronger!"
Mu En paused, then spoke again with commanding authority: "That aura is unknown even to me. I cannot determine its origin."
"But since it has appeared near Shrek Academy, we cannot sit idly by."
"Xuanzi, Shaozhe, I order you to immediately set aside all other matters and devote all efforts to investigating!"
"We must discover the source of that power. No matter the cost, we must obtain firsthand information. Go!"
"Yes! We will obey Elder Mu's orders!" Xuanzi and Yan Shaozhe responded in unison, careful not to show the slightest negligence.
Elder Mu personally giving the order made the urgency absolute.
The two exchanged a glance, seeing solemnity and irrepressible anticipation in each other's eyes.
Such a terrifying existence could be a crisis for Shrek Academy—but also an unprecedented opportunity.
Without hesitation, the two figures transformed into streaks of light and vanished from the office, speeding toward the Sunset River in the west of the city.
---
On the banks of the Sunset River, Liu Yuan gazed at the gradually clearing emerald-green turbulent sky, still feeling the surging power within him after connecting with Mega Rayquaza. His excitement lingered.
"Too… too powerful!" he murmured, eyes gleaming.
He had known Mega Rayquaza was strong, but experiencing it firsthand revealed just how immense and magnificent that power truly was.
Its unique ability, "Delta Stream," could instantly alter celestial phenomena, creating a turbulent sky that covered all of Shrek City.
"Moreover, my power feels greatly amplified here…"
"Isn't this just an enhanced version of a 'domain'?"
Liu Yuan's heart raced. On Douluo Continent, a domain was a coveted power among the strong.
And his Mega Rayquaza, from birth, possessed abilities far beyond the ordinary!
The terrifying power within him, enough to ripple space itself, gave him an unprecedented sense of security and satisfaction.
"Xuanzi… Shrek…" Liu Yuan clenched his fists, a cold smile forming. The gap that once seemed insurmountable now felt within reach.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. The earthquake he caused must have alerted Shrek Academy's top experts.
He was still just an "empty shell" a powerful martial spirit but without soul skills and could not afford to act recklessly.
"Let's play it safe," he reminded himself.
With a thought, the magnificent Mega Rayquaza perched in the sky transformed into a divine ray of emerald and gold and disappeared back into his body.
The Delta Stream faded, and the sky returned to its calm, sunset-red state, as if the cataclysm had never occurred.
Liu Yuan dared not linger and turned to leave, but the taste of power ignited a fierce desire to grow stronger.
"System!" he exclaimed in his mind. "Where is my next check-in location?"
[Ding! A new check-in task has been released.]
The system's voice spoke, and a new task panel appeared in Liu Yuan's mind.
[Check-in location: Starry Sky Forest]
[Mission Requirements: Arrive and stay for three days]
[Quest Reward: 1 Divine Soul Ring (Rayquaza Exclusive). The Soul Ring skill will be randomly drawn from Rayquaza's original skill pool]
"Divine Soul Ring! Random Skill!" Liu Yuan's eyes lit up, his breathing quickening.
Soul skills were exactly what he lacked. Without them, even a powerful Rayquaza was like a toothless tiger.
The divine soul ring was the perfect solution.
"Rayquaza's signature move… Dragon Pulse? Dragon Strike? Or Extreme Speed?"
His heart raced with anticipation.
The Star Dou Great Forest is the most famous and dangerous gathering place for soul beasts on Douluo Continent and that would be the next stop on his journey.
Without delay, Liu Yuan adjusted his pack and set off toward the Star Dou Great Forest.
---
Not long after, two figures appeared like ghosts on the riverbank: Xuanzi and Yan Shaozhe.
As soon as they landed, they were shocked by the residual energy in the area.
"Such powerful energy… spatial laws, wind laws… and… there's also something else and it's something that's beyond my comprehension."
Yan Shaozhe squatted, touched the ground, and said solemnly, "This power is too strong and too domineering..."
Xuanzi closed his eyes, spreading his spiritual energy like a web to sense every trace of aura.
A moment later, he opened his eyes, filled with disappointment: "We're too late. The other party already left and they left without leaving any valuable traces."
They expanded their search for miles but found nothing.
The mysterious entity had appeared and vanished, leaving only a terrifying aftershock.
"Damn it! Just a little bit more!" Yan Shaozhe punched a boulder in frustration.
As they prepared to widen the search, Xuanzi noticed a plainly dressed civilian nearby, still shaken.
He appeared in front of the person, speaking gently: "Friend, don't be afraid. We are teachers from Shrek Academy. Did you see anything unusual?"
The civilian, startled at first, relaxed slightly when he saw the Shrek Academy insignia.
He pointed shakily toward the riverbank: "I saw it! A huge dragon appeared in the sky!"
"It was green with golden light, bigger than a mountain. The sky changed color, and I was so scared my legs went weak…"
"But… it didn't stay. It… whooshed away!"
"Gone?" Xuanzi and Yan Shaozhe exchanged a glance. "Did it fly away?"
"No," the farmer replied, thinking hard. "It… vanished into thin air! Yes! Without a sound!"
Vanished into thin air.
This shook the two Super Douluo to their core. A dragon that massive… could disappear?
Xuanzi pressed further: "Did you see anyone suspicious?"
"A person? Oh yes!" the farmer slapped his thigh. "After the dragon vanished, I saw a young man hurrying that way."
"He looked fourteen or fifteen, with short red hair, about 1.8 meters tall, big eyes, and quite handsome."
Yan Shaozhe only thought the description sounded familiar.
But Xuanzi froze. Fourteen or fifteen… short red hair… 1.8 meters…
This was Liu Yuan—the same boy he had expelled from Shrek Academy that morning!
The timing, the location, the description… it all matched.
A bold, heart-stopping thought surged through Xuanzi's mind:
Could that terrifying, world-shaking being from just now be connected to Liu Yuan?