"Do You Really Know?"

"Heehee... heeheehee..."

Tang Wan'er laughed.

She laughed so hard that she bent over, her body trembling like a flower in the wind. In those deathly still, abyss-deep eyes, an ominous ghostly flame filled with sickness and excitement ignited once more!

She slowly walked out from the corner.

Her lotus steps were light, her figure graceful. Under the noonday sun, her exquisite, flawless Small Face, as though meticulously carved by the finest craftsman, gave off a sacred, ivory-like glow.

Yet her eyes, gleaming with strange light, and the eerie curve at the corners of her lips, brimming with evil and seduction, made her look like an incomparably beautiful... fallen angel slowly emerging from the depths of hell, cloaked in the guise of a Saintess.

She did not look at Moon, who could kill her with a single palm strike at any moment.

Her eyes, flashing with ominous light and overflowing with intense interest, remained locked from beginning to end on the only "kindred" who made her feel utterly excited and fascinated.

"Old Mr. Mu is right," she said sweetly to Long Yao in a crisp, Pleasant to the Ear voice that seemed capable of bewitching hearts. "Once you board this ship, you can never get off."

"But..."

Her tone suddenly shifted. Her cold, Mocking eyes met Long Yao's calm gaze directly, and her Lips curled upward slightly, forming an incredibly dangerous curve filled with fatal temptation.

"Who says Shrek is the only ship in this world?"

The instant those words fell, it felt as though all the air in the room had been sucked away!

Wang Dong's heart, which had only just sunk because of Moon's words, abruptly leaped into her throat upon hearing that bewitching, treacherous statement! She instinctively gripped Long Yao's arm tighter, her Pink Blue Eyes filled with vigilance and hostility glaring fiercely at that madwoman, who was like a venomous snake hissing at her Lover!

Moon's aged face, which had only just relaxed after he took control of the situation, instantly darkened again like ice that had never melted for ten thousand years!

"Classmate Long Yao," Tang Wan'er ignored the two hostile gazes beside her that seemed ready to devour her alive. She merely stared entranced at the Youth who alone could excite her, speaking softly in a bewitching voice like a devil's whisper.

"Aren't you... curious?"

"Curious about who gave me such interesting power, so far beyond all reason?"

"Curious why, even though this is our first meeting, I always feel that your scent is... so familiar, so... intimate?"

As she spoke, she slowly extended a slender, fair finger and gently pointed it at Long Yao's heart.

"Because..."

"We are the same kind of people."

"We are both Outsiders who do not belong in this boring, hypocritical world filled with rules and restrictions."

Boom—!!!

Those words exploded in Moon and Wang Dong's minds like black thunder filled with ominous and destructive aura!

Moon's always Profound, clouded eyes shrank instantly into two needlepoints of utmost danger! An icy aura, more terrifying, more condensed, and more saturated with tangible Killing Intent than ever before, erupted violently from his body!

This Little Girl...

What exactly was she talking about?!

She did not merely know the secret of that Evil Soul Master base! She even knew some... earth-shattering secret about Long Yao's origins, something deeper that even he himself had never noticed?!

"My Master," Tang Wan'er ignored the terrifying Killing Intent behind her that could tear her into pieces in an instant. She merely gazed intoxicatedly at Long Yao's calm eyes, where Ripples had finally appeared, and continued in a sleep-talking voice filled with fervor and devotion.

"He is very interested in you. Extremely interested."

"He said that you carry the same scent of 'Homeland' as he does."

"He said that noble existences like us, beings who should not be tainted by the filth of this world, should not be imprisoned in such a boring 'cage' full of restraints."

"So, he asked me to offer you..."

Tang Wan'er slowly performed an elegant, humble curtsy filled with classical charm, like a Waitress appearing before her sovereign.

"...his most sincere invitation."

"An invitation that will allow you to completely break free of every boring shackle this world has placed upon you, and personally touch the truest, most interesting, and most cruel... 'truth' of this world."

"Join us, Classmate Long Yao."

"Come. Return to the camp that truly belongs to us, where we can act as we please, free of all restraints."

The entire room sank into a suffocating, deathly silence.

This trial had completely veered away from its original course.

It was no longer a matter of dealing with an "Evil Soul Master."

It had become... a naked, incomparably perilous battle to seize someone, unfolding between light and darkness, order and chaos, between Shrek's "pirate ship" and that mysterious "Homeland"!

And the sole target being fought over was the Youth who had only come to watch a good show from beginning to end.

"Young friend."

Moon's aged, hoarse voice, suppressing Sky-High fury, slowly rang out. As he looked into Long Yao's Profound Eyes, his expression became incomparably grave.

"Do you still think this is entertainment that has nothing to do with you?"

"Do you still think this Old Man was using 'righteousness' to force and bind you just now?"

He slowly shook his head.

"You are wrong."

"This Old Man is not binding you."

"This Old Man is... saving you."

"I think you may have misunderstood something." Long Yao lightly brushed nonexistent dust from his shoulder. "I have no interest in your so-called 'Master,' and it is not worthy of knowing where I come from. I am not like you."

That Cloud Light Wind Light gesture, as though he had merely brushed dust from the hem of his clothes, and that rejection filled with absolute, near-disdainful contempt, appeared silently within the room like two invisible, crushing bolts of thunder!!

This Earth-Shattering twist instantly made the room's already tense atmosphere, filled with Solemn Killing and maneuvering, become utterly... utterly bizarre.

Tang Wan'er, who had just represented the mysterious "Master" and extended an alluring olive branch that could drive any ambitious person mad with betrayal and temptation, froze completely. The confident, controlling curve on her exquisite Small Face, which always wore a sweet smile but was now filled with coldness and mockery, stiffened utterly.

No interest?

Not worthy?

Not the same?

Those six words stabbed mercilessly into her evil heart, so full of pride and Self-Perception, like six Sharpest invisible ice awls!

Her expression became utterly, utterly spectacular in an instant!

First came extreme, unbelievable astonishment. Then that astonishment swiftly transformed into towering humiliation and fury, nearly bursting from her Eye Sockets, born from the public contempt directed at both herself and her all-powerful "Master"!

But before that anger could burn, the Youth's casual statement, "I am not like you," extinguished it completely.

That was right...

Not the same.

She could clearly sense the essence of the power within him. Though it likewise did not belong to this world's system of rules, it was completely different from the power within herself and her "Master," a power filled with devouring, chaos, and destruction.

The "power" within him was more ancient, more pure, and more... lofty.

It was a kind of... true Origin Power of creation and ending, as though it came from another, higher dimension.

Before him, the Gluttonous Power she had always taken pride in, power that could make even a Peerless Douluo take notice, actually... seemed somewhat... laughable and... lowly.

For the first time, Tang Wan'er's eyes, which always flickered with ominous ghostly fire, contracted violently beyond her control! Her Fair Small Hand at her side also clenched into a fist uncontrollably, her Round Nails digging deeply into her tender palm.

And Moon, the Elder with White Hair and Beard, who had just successfully "bound" Long Yao to his own "pirate ship" with "righteousness," also showed a trace of utterly unconcealable, extreme astonishment on his calm aged face for the first time.

Then that astonishment swiftly turned into deeper, more intense ecstasy from the bottom of his heart, enough to make his heart, which had been silent for many years, pound fiercely once again!

Good kid!

What unwavering resolve... what refusal to be swayed!

What clear distinction between right and wrong... what refusal to stand with evil!

He had used pressure, force, righteous coercion, threats and temptations, both soft and hard, just to barely keep this slippery Little Fox in his camp.

Yet that Evil Soul Master organization thought it could steal away this peerless treasure, whom he had only just taken a liking to and who could change the future landscape of the continent, with nothing more than a vague, tempting "invitation"?!

Wishful thinking!

At that moment, Moon's appreciation and fondness for Long Yao reached an unprecedented peak! He had even begun rapidly considering what generous terms, irresistible to anyone, he should offer later in order to bind this Little One firmly to Shrek, to his Sea God Pavilion!

Just as the thoughts of the two "Big Shots" in the room had both stirred up Towering Waves because of the Youth's Earth-Shattering words, the Youth's next action caused the atmosphere to undergo another subtle, dramatic shift.

In a voice completely different from the sharp, resolute bearing he had displayed earlier, a voice so gentle it seemed ready to drip with water, he softly said to the Young Girl beside him, who had clung to his arm like a frightened Little Rabbit from beginning to end.

"Be good. Go outside and wait for me first."

That single "be good" was like a warm spell filled with magical power, instantly soothing all the unease and fear in Wang Dong's heart.

Two lovely, vivid blushes quickly rose on her Pretty Face, which had been pale without a trace of color. She raised her Pink Blue Eyes, which always held a trace of pride, and stared entrancedly at his handsome profile. Her gaze was filled with unconditional, nearly blind trust and attachment.

She did not ask why, nor did she hesitate in the slightest.

She merely nodded obediently and firmly, her beautiful Big Eyes like the brightest stars washed clean by rain.

Then she released the Small Hand that had been tightly gripping his arm and hurried toward the heavy door in a posture that was practically an escape, even somewhat impatient.

She knew that the conversation to come was no longer something she could participate in.

And she knew even more clearly that he was sending her away to protect her.

When she reached the door, she still could not help turning back. With her watery Big Eyes, brimming with worry and reluctance, she looked deeply at him once more. Her eyes seemed to say: I'll wait for you. No matter how long, I'll wait for you.

Moon watched this scene and merely smiled knowingly without stopping her. He gently waved his hand, and the heavy door silently opened for the Young Girl.

When Wang Dong's figure completely vanished beyond the door, and when the heavy door that represented isolation and secrets slowly closed again, that strange, tense atmosphere returned to the room.

Long Yao slowly turned around and walked back to the center of the room. He did not look again at Tang Wan'er, whose expression kept changing, but instead fixed his gaze on Moon.

He pulled over the chair from before and Sat Down again unhurriedly. The movement was calm, elegant, and filled with a Sense of Control, as though he were not a "prisoner" trapped in this room, but another "Master" of it.

He looked at Moon, a suitably helpless, wry smile appearing on his face, and softly sighed. His tone sounded as though he were complaining about an Elder who was worthy of respect but also detestable for loving to tease others.

Moon's smile deepened at those words.

This kid...

He was telling him this way that he had accepted reality and was willing to keep playing along.

"You are a smart child," Moon slowly said. "Smart people should stay in safe places."

After saying that, he spoke no more. He merely watched quietly, his eyes seeming to await the formal opening of a good show.

The room's focus shifted once again.

Long Yao slowly turned his calm, Profound gaze toward Tang Wan'er, who had stood in the corner from beginning to end like an exquisite statue brimming with evil and ominous aura.

As he looked at her, his usually calm face showed, for the first time, a trace of pure, almost pitying, condescending... scrutiny.

"You and your Master," he slowly began. His voice was flat, yet like a merciless, precise scalpel, it peeled apart the other party's seemingly indestructible, proud facade layer by layer. "Do you really understand me?"

Boom—!!!

Those words struck Tang Wan'er's Soul Depth like an invisible bolt of judgment thunder filled with Chaos Qi and Origin Aura!

Her exquisite Small Face, which had only just flushed bright red from rage and humiliation, drained of all color in an instant! Her eyes, flickering with ominous ghostly fire, began trembling violently beyond her control!

It was not fear, nor was it fright.

It was... the utmost bewilderment and panic born from the collapse of faith, when the sole, supreme "truth" she believed in was completely denied before her eyes, even... trampled upon, in the most casual and dismissive manner possible!

Did they understand him?

How could they not understand him?!

Before "inviting" him, her all-powerful "Master" had already used some indescribable, great ability that transcended time, space, and laws to investigate every experience, every contact, and even every thought deep within his heart, from the first day he descended upon this world, with absolute clarity!

He knew Long Yao possessed powerful Twin Martial Souls that did not belong to this world.

He knew Long Yao possessed a mind and cunning far beyond his peers, calm to a terrifying degree.

He even knew that Long Yao had once engaged in a shocking Divine Sense confrontation across planes with Sea God Tang San, who had already ascended to the God Realm and stood high above all!

It was precisely because he understood him that Master had developed such intense interest in this "kindred"!

It was precisely because he understood him that Master was willing to pay any price to recruit this "kindred," who possessed such immense potential and value, into his own camp!

But...

But why...

Why did she feel such a powerful sense of guilt, as though she had been completely seen through and had nowhere to hide, when he looked at her with pity and scrutiny, like he was looking at a laughable frog at the bottom of a well that thought itself clever, and asked, "Do you really understand me?"

Could it be...

Could there be some deeper, more terrifying secret hidden within him... one even her all-powerful Master had never discovered?!

No...

Impossible!

That was absolutely impossible!

A sickly flush born from having her faith challenged appeared on Tang Wan'er's pale Small Face! Her violently trembling eyes stared fixedly at the Cloud Light Wind Light Youth. Her Lips had turned pale and dry from the violent turmoil of her emotions.

"What... do you mean?"

She squeezed those words out through clenched teeth With Difficulty. Her voice was no longer as crisp and Pleasant to the Ear as before, nor was it as cold and indifferent as afterward. Instead, it carried a faint, almost imperceptible tremor born from extreme guilt, one she had not even noticed herself.

Moon silently watched this scene. The light of appreciation and inquiry deep in his clouded eyes grew increasingly fervent.

He knew that the real show was only just... beginning.

As Long Yao looked at Tang Wan'er's face, filled with outward fierceness but inward weakness and on the verge of collapse, his always calm face finally showed a faint smile full of mockery.

"What I mean is..."

Long Yao slowly rose from the chair.

Step by step, he slowly walked toward the Young Girl whose body had stiffened slightly from extreme panic.

With every step he took, a trace of the aura that did not belong to this world, which he had always perfectly restrained within his body, leaked out uncontrollably.

It was not Soul Power, much less Spiritual Power.

It was a kind of... more ancient, more fundamental, more... lofty, absolute Chaos Qi, filled with the meaning of creation and ending!

When he came within less than three steps of Tang Wan'er, the entire room seemed to be completely enveloped by an invisible domain filled with chaos and primordial beginnings!

Within this domain, Moon's Limit Douluo pressure, which he took pride in and which was enough to freeze space and shatter all things, was silently suppressed, neutralized, and even... assimilated, as though it had met its nemesis!

The evil power within Tang Wan'er, the power of Taotie filled with devouring and destructive aura, was even worse. Like a venomous snake encountering its Natural Enemy, it let out a despairing cry filled with terror and submission, crazily retreating into the deepest part of her body, trembling and no longer daring to make the slightest movement!

"You..."

Tang Wan'er's violently trembling eyes widened round in an instant! She looked at the Youth before her as though she were seeing a true... god or demon slowly emerging from some ancient, chaotic, indescribable era!

"When your so-called 'Master' was Peeking at me, did it ever tell you..."

Long Yao extended one finger. At his Fingertips, a tiny grayish wisp of chaotic air slowly spiraled and coiled, seeming to contain within it the principles of Cosmic Birth and Death.

"What the true name of this so-called 'Second Martial Soul' of mine really is?"

Time: Douluo Calendar Year 2030, Autumn, Fourth Day, 4:45 PM

Location: Shrek Academy, Sea God Pavilion Elder Moon's Room

Audience: 640,000

Equipment: Shrek Academy Uniform x1, Student Emblem x1

Items: True Vast Sea Ring (Divine Artifact), Shrek Academy Uniform x1, Student Emblem x1, Dormitory Key x1, [Ancestor's Relic - Handwritten Copy] x1

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

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

Soul Power: Level 45 (Soul Ancestor) [Status: Shielded by the True Vast Sea Ring; external perception reads Level 24]

Spirit 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)

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

Soul Bones: None

Soul Spirits: None

Reward Stash: [Million-Year Spirit Beast Inverse Scale] x1, [Starlight Sapphire Brooch] x1, [Tsundere Princess Strategy Manual Platinum Edition] x1, [God-Bestowed Soul Ring (Hundred-Thousand-Year)] x1, [Spring of Life (Concentrated Liquid)] x1, [Constant Temperature Double Jade Bed] x1, [Calming Incense (Snow Mountain Thaw)] x1, [Dragon Blood Body Tempering Pill] x10, [Space Storage Bracelet] x1, [God King Level Space Law Comprehension Crystal] x1, [Super Divine Artifact: Fragment of the Wheel of Time and Space] x1, [God King Godhead (Incomplete)] x1, [Playful Rabbit Ear Headband]