Sea God Pavilion

Yan Shaozhe took a porcelain bottle from his Soul Tool, removed a pill, and handed it to Zhou Sichen.

Yan Shaozhe said, "This is a Soul Nourishing Pill. Helping Xiaotao consumed quite a bit of your strength, so consider this some compensation."

Zhou Sichen did not refuse, because he knew the effects of the Soul Nourishing Pill: strengthening the tendons and marrow, calming the mind, and nourishing the soul.

The value of this pill far surpassed ordinary pills like the Profound Water Pill from the original work. It required the essence of dozens of Plant-Type Soul Beasts over ten thousand years old to refine, and its annual production was extremely limited.

Even Zhou Sichen had rarely seen one before.

After swallowing the Soul Nourishing Pill, Zhou Sichen immediately closed his eyes and began cultivating, paying no mind to Yan Shaozhe before him or Xuan Zi and the others atop the platform.

These big shots seemed particularly pleased with Zhou Sichen. None of them spoke, simply waiting quietly for him.

After hesitating for a moment, Ma Xiaotao also sat down cross-legged and began cultivating to restore her soul power.

While Zhou Sichen cultivated, Hellfire and the Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear came directly to his side and guarded him.

Even when facing the many big shots present, these two Soul Beasts showed no fear whatsoever!

Seeing this, Xuan Zi and the others could not help but take another look at Zhou Sichen's Contracted Soul Beasts.

A full hour passed before Zhou Sichen slowly opened his eyes. His vitality had fully recovered to its peak, and the icy aura around him was dense. As he let out a long breath, it condensed directly into an icicle!

He was still fused with the Ice Jade Scorpion.

Naturally, he had done this deliberately, so these big shots could get a good look at his strength. As long as he had enough soul power, he could remain fused with his Contracted Soul Beast indefinitely.

After taking a Soul Nourishing Pill, Zhou Sichen's soul power had risen considerably. He had only just broken through to Level 38, but now his Soul Power Level had increased by nearly half again, bringing him one step closer to Level 39.

Ma Xiaotao was already gone. After recovering some soul power, Yan Shaozhe had pulled her aside and spoken to her at length from the heart.

After hearing him out, Ma Xiaotao glanced at Zhou Sichen with a flushed face, then ran off in a hurry.

Zhou Sichen rose to his feet and gave Yan Shaozhe a slight bow. "Thank you, Dean Yan, for the pill."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Sichen raised his right hand. The Book of Contracts, as though forged from gold, appeared and automatically opened. The Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear and Hellfire Bird turned into streams of light and returned to it, once more becoming exquisite illustrations.

Ah Da separated from Zhou Sichen's body, transformed into a stream of light, and entered the Book of Contracts as well. Zhou Sichen's appearance returned to normal.

He closed the Book of Contracts and then withdrew his martial soul.

Yan Shaozhe could not help patting Zhou Sichen on the shoulder. "Good lad... You suppressed Xiaotao at the Soul Elder realm. You've already made history at Shrek Academy."

Zhou Sichen smiled faintly, looking very modest. "Senior Sister was going easy on me. She wasn't at her peak either. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had such an easy time."

Just then, a figure arrived in an instant. "Too much modesty is not a good thing, child. You have shown us a miracle."

Seeing the old man, Zhou Sichen gave a slight bow. "Student Zhou Sichen greets Taotie Douluo."

Xuan Zi was rather surprised that Zhou Sichen had clearly identified his title. But recalling what Beibei had said—that Zhou Sichen was highly knowledgeable—he understood.

Then Zhou Sichen turned and looked toward the three people atop the platform. "Greetings, Dean Qian, Dean Xian, and Dean Cai."

All three deans smiled.

Yan Shaozhe could not help saying, "Looks like you know us quite well, brat."

Zhou Sichen replied, "The esteemed deans have devoted yourselves wholeheartedly to Shrek Academy and are renowned throughout the continent. I imagine there are very few people who do not know you."

Yan Shaozhe chuckled at this, clearly pleased by the compliment. They had striven their whole lives to contribute to Shrek and the continent, after all.

Xuan Zi did not waste words and said directly, "Zhou Sichen, your talent is extraordinarily rare even in Shrek's history. Even the three predecessors who possessed Extreme Attributes could not achieve what you have at your age."

"Even if this is due to the uniqueness of your martial soul, the martial soul itself is a manifestation of your strength. You have greatly pleased me."

Zhou Sichen gave another slight bow. "It is my honor to receive your praise."

Seeing how polite Zhou Sichen was, Xuan Zi could not help nodding inwardly. "Aren't you curious why we appeared?"

Zhou Sichen thought for a moment. "To test whether my talent and strength are genuine?"

Xuan Zi chuckled. "You truly are a clever child."

Xuan Zi said seriously, "We have already seen your talent and strength. Now, come with us."

Zhou Sichen was slightly stunned. He looked at Xuan Zi, then at Yan Shaozhe and the deans atop the platform.

"Alright."

What reason did Zhou Sichen have to refuse? The reason he had displayed his talent and strength was precisely to attract the academy's attention.

His earlier choice to travel with Beibei and the others had clearly been a great success!

With Beibei, Mu En's great-grandson, putting in a good word for him, then his own display of talent, coupled with his background, he had gained enough attention in less than a day.

He just did not know where Xuan Zi intended to take him. Could it be... the Sea God Pavilion?

Seeing Zhou Sichen agree without hesitation, Xuan Zi led him out of the Battle Soul Training Hall, with Yan Shaozhe and the others accompanying them.

Outside the Battle Soul Training Hall, quite a few Inner Court Disciples had already gathered. The four deans and Elder Xuan appearing at the same time for a single new student was enough to draw everyone's attention.

Zhou Sichen simply followed Xuan Zi and the others away, paying no attention to the whispers of the Inner Court Disciples.

A Soul Douluo-level teacher approached. "What are you looking at? Have you all completed today's Battle Soul tasks?"

The group casually made their way along the crisscrossing paths of Sea God Island. Whenever passing Inner Court Disciples saw these deans and Elder Xuan, they all bowed respectfully, though they could not help secretly sizing up Zhou Sichen.

Why was this handsome guy traveling with so many big shots? An illegitimate son?

Yan Shaozhe smiled as he looked at Zhou Sichen. "May I call you Sichen?"

Zhou Sichen nodded. "You're an elder, of course you can."

Yan Shaozhe immediately began building rapport. "Has your grandfather been keeping well lately?"

Zhou Sichen recalled what his grandfather had told him before he left. "Grandpa's still quite healthy. Ever since I was little, I'd heard stories about you two. Back then, you led him, and the two of you were absolutely unrivaled at Shrek..."

At that, embarrassment flashed across Yan Shaozhe's face. Beside him, the two deans, Xian Liner and Cai Meier, secretly rolled their eyes, while Qian Duoduo covered his mouth and chuckled. Clearly, they had remembered some things from Yan Shaozhe's youth.

Yan Shaozhe gave an awkward laugh. "Let's not talk about that. Let's not."

"I really didn't expect it. After all these years, Zhou Zhenxuan actually raised a prodigy like you, and he kept you hidden for so long before finally sending you to Shrek..."

Zhou Sichen smiled. "Grandpa was worried that I'd be young and reckless, that I wouldn't know better. He kept me at home to teach me properly before sending me to the academy."

Hearing Zhou Sichen's tactful reply, Yan Shaozhe chuckled. "You don't look young and reckless at all."

Before long, the group crossed more than half of Sea God Island. Along the way, the towering trees and elegant little pavilions made it feel as though they had stepped into a secluded paradise.

Nearly all the vegetation here had a history of over a thousand years. There were quite a few giant trees that rose more than a hundred meters high. Not only was the air fresh, but the dense foliage also blocked much of their view.

Not long after, the group followed a small path to a spot near the mountaintop. A pavilion soon came into view.

Three sweeping characters were written upon the plaque above the pavilion's entrance—Sea God Pavilion.

Zhou Sichen was actually rather surprised that Xuan Zi and the others had brought him here.

It was only his second day at the academy, yet he had already arrived at the "holy land" countless people dreamed of?

PS: Please bookmark, vote with recommendation tickets, and send monthly tickets!

Please keep reading...

The first round of recommendations comes the day after tomorrow. Brothers, send whatever you can. Better results mean more motivation for Golden Crow to keep writing.