The "Art" of Language

The night passed without incident.

The constant-temperature jade bed gave off a gentle energy, like the softest pair of hands, smoothing away the last obscure threat buried deep in Wang Dong's soul on the level of karma, and soothing her mind after an entire day of violent Emotional Fluctuations had left it utterly exhausted. That night, she slept more deeply and peacefully than ever before, without even a single dream.

When the first faint light of dawn shone through the dormitory window and fell across the face of the Pink Blue Short Hair youth, exquisite as a work of art, his Long Eyelashes trembled softly like Butterfly Wings.

Then, a gentle call, carrying a hint of the unique magnetism of early morning, passed clearly through the thin cloth curtain and into her ears.

"Get up, Wang Dong. Let's go have breakfast."

Almost the instant the voice sounded, Wang Dong's eyes snapped open. In those Beautiful Pink Blue Eyes, yesterday's redness and confusion were gone, replaced by a clear brightness like the sky after rain.

She felt as if her entire body was filled with strength. The exhaustion from yesterday that had nearly wrung her dry had vanished without a trace. The soul power within her body was more active and purer than ever before, as if it had undergone an entire night of Tempering, faintly showing signs of a breakthrough.

All of this came from the miraculous jade bed beneath her.

Of course, even more than that... it came from the person who had given this bed to her.

The moment she thought of the youth beyond the cloth curtain, Wang Dong's heart skipped uncontrollably. A scalding heat instantly spread from her neck to her Ear Root. She almost scrambled up from the bed in a panic, her mind completely blank, leaving only that voice, so close at hand, echoing inside it.

He... he's waiting for me.

That thought made it impossible for Wang Dong to stay calm. She put on her neat school uniform at the fastest speed of her life and rushed to the Wash Up sink in the little cubicle. When she saw herself in the mirror, bright-eyed and full of energy, with a healthy blush on both cheeks, even she froze for a moment.

She carefully washed her Face, and even, for the first time ever, spent a little extra time combing her smooth Pink Blue Short Hair, trying to make herself look... a bit more refreshed.

When she gently pulled open the cloth curtain with a nervous heart that also carried the tiniest trace of sweet anticipation, the scene she saw instantly calmed Her Heart, which had been pounding wildly.

Long Yao had not urged her, nor had he been impatient. He was simply leaning quietly against the corridor wall, bathed in the soft morning sunlight. The sunlight plated his Tall Figures with a faint golden outline, and his handsome profile looked especially gentle in the Light and Shadow. He waited there in silence, as if he had already been waiting a long time, and yet as if time meant nothing to him at all.

Seeing her come out, he turned his head, and a smile as radiant as sunlight appeared on his face.

"Come on, let's go."

That familiar and natural tone made the last bit of tension and awkwardness in Wang Dong's heart vanish like smoke. She lowered her head, gave an almost inaudible "Mm," then quietly followed at his side.

The two walked Side by Side on the road to the cafeteria. The academy in the early morning was full of life and energy. Occasionally, Students who had gotten up early passed by and could not help glancing at them a few more times. These two "roommates," both shockingly outstanding in appearance, had already become famous figures known to every New Student on the very first day of school.

Wang Dong secretly glanced at Long Yao beside her from the corner of her eye. She discovered that today, he seemed a little different from yesterday again. There was a little less of that worldly, teasing irreverence, and a little more fresh, cheerful approachability. But no matter what he became, that composure and confidence, as if he could hold everything in the palm of his hand, had never changed.

Just as her thoughts were running wild, familiar voices came from the corner ahead.

"Brother Long Yao! Junior Brother Wang Dong! Good morning!"

It was Bei Bei. He, Tang Ya, and Huo Yuhao were also preparing to go to the cafeteria, and judging by the look of them, they had clearly just finished their morning cultivation.

"Come on. Let's have breakfast together."

Long Yao smiled and invited them.

"Sure, sure!" Tang Ya was still the liveliest one. She came over in a few quick steps, curiously looking back and forth between Long Yao and Wang Dong, an ambiguous, wicked smile appearing on her face. "Oh? Junior Brother Wang Dong, look at you, all glowing with health today. Slept pretty well yesterday, huh? Did Long Yao give you some special treatment?"

"Wh-what nonsense are you saying!" Wang Dong's face flushed with a whoosh. She glared fiercely at the unfiltered Tang Ya, yet did not know how to refute her, and could only turn her head aside, pretending to look at the scenery.

Bei Bei helplessly tugged Tang Ya and shook his head at her, then gave Long Yao an apologetic smile. "Brother Long Yao, don't mind her. Xiao Ya is just like this."

"It's Okay." Long Yao waved it off without concern.

Huo Yuhao, meanwhile, had his gaze fixed on Wang Dong. With his keen perception, he could clearly sense that the Soul Power Fluctuation coming from Wang Dong today was much more Solidified and pure than yesterday, and her mental state was excellent. This was absolutely not something that could be achieved by simply sleeping for one night. He glanced again at Long Yao beside her, whose face was calm and unruffled, and the curiosity and urge to investigate in his heart grew even stronger.

This Long Yao was full of secrets, and he seemed to be developing an ever-stronger interest in uncovering them.

The five of them once again arrived at that spacious and bright cafeteria.

Because it was still early, quite a few Students were already seated in the cafeteria. The moment the five of them walked in, they immediately attracted everyone's attention. Especially when those Students saw Long Yao and Wang Dong, their eyes were filled with complicated emotions—reverence, jealousy, and undisguised curiosity.

That shocking hundred-lap run yesterday, and that Earth-Shattering team command, had already carved the name "Long Yao" deeply into the hearts of this new generation of Students.

The five of them familiarly found seats and sat down, while Tang Ya and Bei Bei once again volunteered to get the food. This time, there was no "Champion Dinner," but the breakfast provided by the cafeteria was still extremely plentiful. Steaming meat buns, fragrant Soy Milk, and Beast Milk and wheat porridge specially prepared for Soul Masters, containing gentle soul power.

At the Dining Table, the atmosphere was even more harmonious than yesterday.

Tang Ya ate big mouthfuls of buns while enthusiastically discussing what new "Devil Training" might happen today. Bei Bei, while handing Tang Ya Soy Milk, did not forget to remind Huo Yuhao to eat more.

Huo Yuhao still did not speak much, but he was no longer constantly on guard as he had been yesterday. He listened seriously to everyone's conversation, and occasionally, in response to cultivation questions Bei Bei raised, he would offer one or two of his own unique insights, often striking right at the heart of the matter, making even Bei Bei look at him with fresh eyes.

And Wang Dong was finally no longer that silent Background Board.

Although she was still somewhat shy and did not speak much on her own, when Tang Ya asked how she had slept yesterday, she would blush and softly reply, "It was... it was pretty good." When Long Yao pushed a cup of warm Beast Milk in front of her, she would raise her head, look at him with those clear Beautiful Pink Blue Eyes, and say softly, "...Thank you."

The closeness and dependence hidden beneath that shyness was already self-evident.

A lively yet warm breakfast slowly came to an end in this harmonious atmosphere filled with the breath of youth.

When they walked out of the cafeteria, ready to face the challenges of a new day, all of their faces were filled with anticipation for the future. They knew that their days at Shrek might be full of hardship and sweat, but as long as the companions beside them were there, it seemed that no difficulty would be quite so frightening anymore.

A warm and lively breakfast Swept Away the fatigue and gloom brought by yesterday's brutal punishment. The atmosphere within the five-person Small Group also became increasingly harmonious and pleasant through the relaxed chatter.

As they walked out of the cafeteria, laughing and talking, bathed in the warm morning sunlight and preparing to head to Central Plaza to gather and welcome a new day of "Devil Training," a new bond Named "Comrade" had already quietly taken root in their hearts.

However, this harmonious and beautiful atmosphere was instantly torn to shreds by a voice from behind them, filled with undisguised contempt and arrogance.

"Well, well. If it isn't the new 'celebrities' of our Shrek Academy?"

That Voice was as grating as low-quality metal scraping together. Its tone was mocking and strange, and every word carried a heavy sense of provocation.

The five of them stopped almost at the same time and turned around.

Not far behind them stood three Youths and Maidens, also wearing New Student uniforms. The one at the front was a tall, handsome youth, but between his brows lingered an arrogant pride that refused to fade. His dazzling Golden Short Hair shone brilliantly in the sunlight. With his arms crossed over his chest and his chin slightly raised, he sized up Long Yao and the others with a look full of disdain, as if he were appraising goods.

Nestled beside him was a curvaceous, seductive-looking young girl. She wore exquisite makeup, her eyes twirling as they moved, and the way she looked at everyone was filled with a lofty sense of superiority. Behind the two of them stood a boy as sturdy as an iron tower. He was nearly two meters tall, his whole body knotted with muscle, his face thick with flesh, and the look he gave everyone was full of naked, malicious provocation.

Clearly, they had not come with good intentions.

"And what kind of nobody are you? Your mouth stinks that badly—did you leave the house this morning without brushing your teeth?"

The first to explode was, unsurprisingly, the fiery-tempered Tang Ya. Her pretty small face instantly darkened, her almond eyes almost spraying fire. Planting both hands on her waist, she snapped back without the slightest politeness.

"Xiao Ya." Bei Bei grabbed the impulsive Tang Ya. He stepped forward and shielded both Tang Ya and Wang Dong behind him. His gentle, refined face still carried a polite smile, but his blue eyes had already sharpened. Looking at the blond youth in the lead, he said neither servilely nor arrogantly, "This classmate, I don't believe we know each other. If there's something you want, please say it directly."

"Know each other?" The blond youth seemed to have heard some enormous joke and let out a scoff. He reached out and frivolously scraped the chin of the seductive young girl beside him, while his gaze swept brazenly back and forth over Wang Dong's absurdly beautiful face, the frivolity and covetousness in his eyes completely undisguised.

"Just you lot think you're worthy of calling me Dai Huabin your brother?" he said contemptuously. "I was only curious what kind of people could produce that so-called 'ninety-nine percent' compatibility in the New Student Assessment. Now that I've seen you today, you're nothing special. One sickly-looking kid, and one... embroidered pillow who looks like a woman."

His words were extremely insulting. Not only did he belittle Long Yao and Wang Dong as utterly worthless, he dragged everyone present into it as well.

The small face that had been flushed from Wang Dong's good mood that morning lost all color the instant she heard the words "like a woman," turning icy cold! A sharp yet holy aura suddenly burst from her slender body. Her beautiful pink-blue eyes were now like two pieces of ten thousand year old ice, staring fixedly at Dai Huabin, and deep within them was a sky-high rage that could freeze a person solid. This was the first time in her life she had suffered such blunt, vulgar humiliation. The pride that came from being a princess of the God Realm almost made her erupt on the spot! But she forced it down, only subconsciously moving half a step closer in Long Yao's direction. She herself did not notice that tiny movement, but it was an instinctive sign of seeking support and a pillar to lean on.

The smile on Bei Bei's face vanished completely as well. Lightning flashed around him, his long blue hair moving without wind, and a pressure belonging to the top-tier beast martial soul, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, filled with destruction and tyranny, was abruptly released! "Classmate, you can eat whatever nonsense you want, but you cannot speak whatever nonsense you want. Please apologize to my comrade for what you just said."

"Apologize?" Dai Huabin seemed to have heard an even funnier joke. Not only did he show no restraint, he instead stepped forward, and a white soul power that was not the slightest bit weaker than Bei Bei's—indeed, even more savage and filled with kingly might—erupted with a boom! "On your word? A stray dog whose sect was wiped out, who can only live under someone else's roof? You dare ask me to apologize?"

The moment those words came out, Bei Bei's face instantly turned deathly pale! "The sect was wiped out" was the Tang Sect's eternal pain, and the deepest scar in his heart! This Dai Huabin had actually torn open that bloody scar in front of so many people!

"You're courting death!" Tang Ya at the side could no longer endure it. She screamed, and her martial soul, Blue Silver Grass, was instantly released. Two yellow soul rings abruptly rose, and she was about to attack!

However, at that tense moment when swords were drawn and the fight was about to break out, Huo Yuhao, who had remained silent all along, suddenly moved.

He did not speak, nor did he release his martial soul. He merely walked silently out from behind Bei Bei and stood beside Long Yao. His head was slightly lowered, and no one could see his expression clearly, but if someone could look straight into his eyes, they would discover that his originally deep ink-blue eyes had now been completely covered by a strange, dazzling gold that shone to the extreme!

Spirit Detection, sharing!

In an instant, an invisible mental ripple that only the four people beside him could receive quietly spread out.

Dai Huabin: Martial soul, White Tiger. Soul power, level thirty-seven. Soul rings, two yellow and one purple.

Zhu Lu: Martial soul, Hell Spirit Cat. Soul power, level thirty-two. Soul rings, two yellow and one purple.

Cui Shi: Martial soul, Basalt. Soul power, level thirty-three. Soul rings, two yellow and one purple.

The detailed information of the three of them, together with the undisguised, malicious mental fluctuations on their bodies, were all clearly presented in everyone's minds.

More importantly, through the sharing of Spirit Detection, Bei Bei and Tang Ya instantly calmed down. They could clearly "see" that the majority of the malice from that blond youth named Dai Huabin was actually not directed at Long Yao and Wang Dong, whom he had verbally insulted, nor at them, who had spoken back.

Instead... it was locked tightly onto Huo Yuhao, who had remained silent the entire time and looked the most unremarkable!

It was a bone-deep hatred filled with venom, jealousy, and the absolute desire to get rid of him at all costs!

Huo Yuhao... knew him?

This thought flashed through Bei Bei and Tang Ya's minds at the same time.

Their disturbance had already attracted all the new students passing by. In just a few dozen seconds, the road leading to the plaza was already packed three layers inside and three layers outside with people watching the show. Everyone pointed at the two groups in the center, discussing animatedly.

"It's Dai Huabin from Class Two! I heard he's the legitimate son of Duke White Tiger. His martial soul is the top-tier beast martial soul, the White Tiger, and he was already a level thirty-seven Soul Elder as soon as he entered school!"

"My heavens! Level thirty-seven! Doesn't that make him one of the very top among the new students?"

"Shh! Keep it down! Those people opposite him are from Class One! They're Long Yao and Wang Dong, the ones who came first in yesterday's run and even produced a 99% compatibility!"

"There's going to be a good show! Class One and Class Two have always been mortal rivals! I didn't expect them to start fighting on the second day of school!"

Being watched by so many people made the arrogance on Dai Huabin's face grow even stronger. He greatly enjoyed this feeling of being the center of attention. He wanted to trample these so-called "famous figures" of Class One underfoot in front of everyone!

He no longer paid attention to Bei Bei and Tang Ya. Instead, he fixed that venomous, resentful gaze on Huo Yuhao like two poisonous snakes.

"What? After seeing me, you don't even know to call me 'Brother'?" he slowly said in a tone full of humiliation, like he was bestowing charity. "Or have you, this... bastard who ran out of the Duke's Mansion, already forgotten your own status?"

The word "bastard" was like two of the most vicious daggers, tempered with deadly poison, driving fiercely, accurately, into Huo Yuhao's heart, which had only just felt a trace of warmth!

Time: Douluo Calendar Year 2030 Season: Autumn Second Day of Enrollment Morning 8:30

Location: Shrek Academy, Central Plaza

Audience: 435,812

Equipment: Shrek Academy Uniform x1, True Vast Sea Ring (Divine Artifact), Student Emblem x1

Items: Shrek Academy Uniform x1, Student Emblem x1, Dormitory Key x1

First Martial Soul: Soul Breaking Spear [Traits: Armor Breaking, Soul Devouring, Penetration]

Second Martial Soul: Chaos Holy Dragon (Hidden) [Traits: Power, Time, Space]

Soul Power: Level 45 (Soul Ancestor) [Status: True Vast Sea Ring Shielding, external perception as Level 24]

Soul Rings: [Soul Breaking Spear] First Soul Ring (Yellow Hundred-Year), Second Soul Ring (Purple Thousand-Year), Third Soul Ring (Black Ten-Thousand-Year), Fourth Soul Ring (Black Ten-Thousand-Year)

[Chaos Holy Dragon] First Soul Ring (Black Thirteen-Thousand-Year), Second Soul Ring (Black Twenty-Eight-Thousand-Year), Third Soul Ring (Black Forty-Six-Thousand-Year), Fourth Soul Ring (Rose Gold Hundred-Thousand-Year)

Soul Skills: [Soul Breaking Spear] First Soul Skill: Swift Shadow Stab, Second Spirit Skill: Whirlwind Spear, Third Spirit Skill: Armor Breaking Spiral, Fourth Spirit Skill: Thousand Spirit Spear Rain

[Chaos Holy Dragon] First Soul Skill: Star Ring, Second Soul Skill: Holy Dragon Claw, Third Spirit Skill: Void Claw, Fourth Spirit Skill: Time and Space Roar

Soul Bones: None

Soul Spirits: None

Tip Temporary Storage: [Million-Year Spirit Beast Inverse Scale] x1, [Starlight Sapphire Brooch] x1, [Tsundere Princess Strategy Manual Platinum Edition] x1, [God-Bestowed Soul Ring] x1, [Spring of Life] x1, [Calming Incense] x1, [Dragon Blood Body Tempering Pill] ×10, [Space Storage Bracelet (Couple's Model)] ×1, [God King Level Space Law Comprehension Crystal] ×1, [Super Divine Artifact: Time and Space Wheel Fragment] ×1, [God King Godhead] ×1