The Scariest Episode of Second Year: Don't Underestimate the Bond Between Auspicious Beasts (5K)

"Arrogant!"

"He's here to wreck the place!"

"Glory! Shrek's glory shall not be desecrated!"

Upon hearing his outrageous challenge to take on ten people alone, the Shrek Students were stunned at first. Once they realized they had not misheard, everyone became fired up, faces red and necks swollen, practically spraying saliva three meters away.

"Holy Spirit Senior, it's fine if I fight ten alone, right?"

Zhao Xuanzhen loosened up slightly, completely ignoring the hostile gazes that seemed ready to devour him. He had not come here to be some model student. He was here to show the Shrek Students what a monster was!

"For the specialty demonstration, you call the shots." Ya Li waved her hand, still wearing a gentle smile.

Seeing that Ya Li, the chief examiner, had agreed to this severely uneven battle, Swan Mo Jue looked across at the handsome young man and lowered her voice as she spoke to her teammates.

"Tai Chi Zhao Xuanzhen, newly ranked fifth on the Young Genius Ranking. At the opening ceremony of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition, he led the obscure Eastsea Academy to crush the Shrek Team formed by Yu Yuanheng, Ning Xian, and the others.

"I watched footage of that battle. Zhao Xuanzhen's combat capability is terrifying. In a one-on-one fight, Yu Yuanheng, even with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda's enhancement, barely landed any effective damage and was ultimately crushed by the lightning that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon excelled at.

"A genius of this level is no reckless fool. He has the qualifications to take on ten alone. Don't let anger cloud your heads. Listen to my arrangements.

"I'll weaken Zhao Xuanzhen's combat capability from afar with curses. Zhou Xin has the strongest attack power. The rest of you press forward together and buy Zhou Xin time to end the fight in one strike."

"Yes, Sister Mo!"

While the Shrek Students all felt insulted, Mo Jue was the only one who remained clear-headed and calm. She swiftly stabilized their morale and arranged their battle strategy.

They were all second-year Shrek Academy students. As the Vice Class Leader, Mo Jue held considerable authority in the class. Everyone clearly trusted her, and their strength united as one!

"Their momentum seems to have changed. Be careful not to get overturned." Na'er teased.

"Say something lucky next time."

Zhao Xuanzhen shot her an annoyed glare, then flashed forward and landed thirty meters away from the Shrek Students.

"The examination begins!"

At Ya Li's command, all eleven people released their spirit rings. The instant Zhao Xuanzhen's three Ten Thousand Year Spirit Rings rose from beneath his feet, the Shrek Students' eyelids twitched involuntarily.

At the same time, the ten Shrek Students revealed their cultivation. Swan Mo Jue was a Four-Ring Soul Master, her four purple spirit rings radiating noble light. Black feathers spread from her long hair to her chest, and her aura became thick and gloomy.

The top-tier martial soul, Black Swan, excelled at curses and ranged attacks.

Besides Mo Jue, the Shrek Students also had another Soul Ancestor, Zhou Xin. His spirit ring configuration was two yellow and two purple. He raised a platinum longbow, placing his right hand on the bowstring as his Essence, Qi, and Spirit surged at an astonishing speed!

The Heavy Light Bow was an extremely specialized weapon martial soul. It possessed no defense power or control ability, only attack power taken to the absolute extreme!

"Attack!"

Mo Jue shouted coldly. Zhou Xin remained where he was, gathering power and pouring energy into the Heavy Light Bow. The other eight Soul Elders charged like beasts released from their cages, spirit rings shining as they surrounded Zhao Xuanzhen from all directions!

Shrek Academy recruited one class every three years, accepting only around a hundred students each time. Those who passed the examinations all had some real ability. Leading the charge was an illusory black shadow—the Ghost Tiger Soul Elder!

A flaming black skull floated above Zhao Xuanzhen's head. The Black Swan's curse came at exactly the right moment. The Ghost Tiger Soul Elder sneered, and his sprinting body swayed, splitting into three figures impossible to distinguish as real or fake!

Third Soul Skill, Ghost Shadow Clone!

"Roar—"

The tiger's roar shook the heavens as the Ghost Tiger Charged Forward. In his vision, Zhao Xuanzhen's pitch-black third spirit ring shone brilliantly, his black hair turning crystalline pale white while his body became like transparent glass.

Half a second later, terror suddenly filled the Ghost Tiger Soul Elder's face. Zhao Xuanzhen's eyes were fixed directly on his true body. White light flashed, and Zhao Xuanzhen's explosive speed was actually faster than that of this agility-attack soul master!

"Boom!"

At such speed, there was no avoiding it. The Ghost Tiger Soul Elder had No Time To change direction, and the two slammed heavily into each other. His facial features twisted instantly as unbearable pain erupted from his lower abdomen. His body flew backward through the air, curled like a bent shrimp!

One punch had turned him into a folding screen!

The Xuan Hua Axe Soul Elder roared as he charged forward, his axe blade Rolled Up a fierce wind. Zhao Xuanzhen used an empty step and single whip to block it, then stepped forward, covered his hand, and struck with a supporting hammer.

The fierce, unyielding strength of the yang hand came attacking along the axe blade. The Xuan Hua Axe Soul Elder's hands went numb, and both the force and speed of his chop greatly diminished. Zhao Xuanzhen twisted his waist and shifted his steps through the axe light. The Inch Strength hidden beneath his elbow erupted fiercely, making the Xuan Hua Axe Soul Elder's tall body tremble before he collapsed limply to the ground!

In the blink of an eye, two Soul Elders had lost their ability to fight. Only then did the Shrek Students understand why Zhao Xuanzhen dared to take on ten alone!

Arrogance required ability, and he happened to have it!

His first spirit ring lit up. Qi Follows Heart and attached itself to his palms as his arms traced a perfectly rounded arc. His crossed hands twisted around the red-tasseled spear stabbing in from the side. As he turned, the spear shaft curled, and Zhao Xuanzhen's palm slid along the warped shaft toward that Soul Elder's chest and abdomen. Hidden force shattered the soul power throughout his body.

The Iron Bone Savage Bull and Dark Nether Dragon Horse Soul Elders charged from the left and right, attempting to reverse their unfavorable situation. Zhao Xuanzhen used Peng and block, following the momentum to press down his arm. His single whip circled the bridge, binding two at once. After changing moves into White Crane Spreads Wings, both palms struck at their temples. The Fatal Blow that could kill in one strike became a gentle push the moment it touched their skin.

The two staggered backward several steps before barely steadying themselves. They exchanged bitter smiles, dismissed their Martial Soul Possession, and sensibly withdrew from the battle after sensing Zhao Xuanzhen's mercy, becoming spectators instead.

Watching the youth, like a humanoid tyrannosaur, sweep through the battlefield and beat their teammates until they cried out miserably, the two broke out in cold sweat belatedly. They quietly suspected that this monster was not human at all. Such strength and technique made him seem like a machine born for battle!

"Unparalleled technique..."

Sparkling with Excitement filled Ya Li's eyes. This was undoubtedly a one-sided battle. Zhao Xuanzhen's martial arts were like art, every move rich in flavor and balancing beauty with power. In the face of overwhelming strength, numbers were utterly meaningless!

The average quality of these ten was far inferior to the Shrek Team's, and they lacked the forty-percent enhancement in three attributes from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. Against this group of soul masters at the same rank, Zhao Xuanzhen moved with ease like a dragon!

"Zhou Xin, aren't you ready yet?!"

A defense-type Soul Elder Looked Back and shouted. His voice was so miserable that listeners could not help but feel sorrow, mixed with the muffled sounds of him being violently beaten.

"Almost!"

Zhou Xin was drenched in sweat. The Heavy Light Bow could fuse all of a soul master's soul power into a single arrow, but this earth-shattering strike required a long period of preparation!

Damn bow, charge faster!

"Buzz—"

Suddenly, the Heavy Light Bow emitted a clear hum, as if platinum flames were spilling from it. Zhou Xin's aura immediately became brimming with confidence as all four spirit rings flashed in succession.

First Soul Skill, Break—enhanced penetration! Second Soul Skill, Swift—increased speed! Third Soul Skill, Blast—an explosion upon impact! Fourth Soul Skill, Radiance—a massive increase in light attribute power!

"Even a Five-Ring Soul King would suffer Serious Injury from this Aurora Arrow!"

Zhou Xin's eyes Slightly narrowed as he nocked an arrow and drew the bowstring almost into a full moon. A platinum feathered arrow condensed from light shone with dazzling brilliance, tearing through the air as it shot straight toward Zhao Xuanzhen!

"Yin Yang Reversal!"

A Black and White Vortex spun around Zhao Xuanzhen. The instant the Aurora Arrow entered the vortex, it began spinning continuously along with it. Seeing This Scene, Zhou Xin, who had drained all the soul power Inside the body, turned pale and let out a loud... "What the hell?!"

In an instant, he lost control of the Aurora Arrow!

"Go back!"

Zhao Xuanzhen unleashed the second stage of Yin Yang Reversal. Layered with yin-yang currents, the Aurora Arrow Rushed Towards Swan Mo Jue, who had been secretly casting curses from the side!

The Aurora Arrow's power was extraordinary. Mo Jue's first reaction was to flap her swan wings and evade it, but she quickly discovered that Yin Yang Reversal came with a locking effect!

Ya Li, Elder Li, and the other judges stared in astonishment. Absorption, reflection, and target lock—on the Douluo Continent, the last soul master with a soul skill this underhanded had been the Tang Sect's Duoqing Douluo Zang Xin!

The purple spirit ring in the final position blazed brilliantly. A dark green spear appeared In her hand, its spearhead bearing three skulls representing three curse effects: weakness, fear, and pain!

Black Swan's Fourth Soul Skill, Spear of Curse!

"Boom—"

The two soul skills ground against each other. Light and Dark Power were irreconcilable like fire and water, frantically eroding one another. The Aurora Arrow after Yin Yang Reversal was even stronger than the original. Mo Jue fell from the sky with feathers in disarray, coughing up a large mouthful of blood.

"I'm sorry, Sister Mo..."

Having struck his beloved Vice Class Leader, Zhou Xin fell to his knees, his Face Full Of guilt and regret. For some reason, Zhao Xuanzhen seemed to glimpse a tiny bit of pride in his brows over the Heavy Light Bow's formidable attack power!

Mo Jue and Yu Yuanheng had different cultivation directions, but both were absolute geniuses in their respective fields. Against a soul master like Zhao Xuanzhen, Yu Yuanheng was inherently more suited than Mo Jue.

The Black Swan leaned toward curse-based weakening, making it more suitable for fighting alongside powerful teammates while acting as the core controlling the battlefield. This time, her teammates were not strong enough. Even the cleverest housewife could not cook without rice. Moreover, Mo Jue had discovered a fatal issue: her curses were ineffective against Zhao Xuanzhen, blocked by a certain will!

Mo Jue raised a hand to wipe the blood from the corner of her lips, her expression grave. When she was young, her elders had told her that Black Swan curses struggled to work properly against soul masters with spiritual combat techniques. Those soul masters possessed unwavering willpower, not something dark curses could shake!

"A natural counter..."

Mo Jue tried her best to keep her expression calm, but her trembling hands betrayed the violent turmoil in her heart. A martial soul counter meant being beneath someone for life. The feeling of forever being inferior was not pleasant.

Big Cat Small Cat Mo Jue's combat capability had plummeted, while second-in-command Zhou Xin had exhausted his soul power—and was practically an insider traitor. Of the ten Shrek Students, only two or three stragglers remained. Watching Zhao Xuanzhen approach step by step, their throats bobbed as they gulped down saliva. Their fighting spirit was gone, and their faces were filled with terror.

The scariest episode!

"The battle is over."

There was no point in continuing. Ya Li called a halt to the match. With a light wave of her delicate hand, specks of life light fell Into the body of everyone present, healing the wounds left by battle.

"Fourth test, specialty assessment. Eighth test, comprehensive combat. Full marks."

Ya Li looked at Zhao Xuanzhen and nodded lightly in approval.

The examination continued. The fifth test assessed their Second Profession, with three points as the full score.

Na'er was a fourth-rank Mecha Repairer, while Zhao Xuanzhen had three fourth-rank second professions. The two easily received full marks.

The sixth test was appetite. They were forbidden from circulating soul power and had to rely on their natural appetite. Within thirty minutes, eating fifteen steamed buns was passing. Every additional five earned one point, and helping each other was allowed.

Two enormous trays were piled with steamed buns like mountains. Ya Li and the other examiners thought that a test unrelated to combat capability would trouble the two, but then something happened that made their eyes nearly fall out.

Na'er immediately demonstrated how to eat one steamed bun in three bites. Chomp, chomp, chomp—the mountain of buns Collapsed at a visible speed!

At a time like this, clever people might ask: did Zhao Xuanzhen eat any?

Of course not!

The two trays of buns were not enough for Na'er alone. How could Zhao Xuanzhen dare reach out? He was afraid Na'er would bite him for guarding her food!

By the end of the thirty minutes, Na'er had devoured two hundred steamed buns in one go. She happily patted her flat little belly and declared that she was thirty percent full!

The seventh test was endurance, consisting of three assessments with no time calculated individually: a ten-thousand-meter run, one thousand fifty-kilogram squats, and one thousand pull-ups. Full marks required completing them all within one hour.

There was no need to say anything about the body of a Body Soul user. Zhao Xuanzhen finished with ease. Na'er did not expend much effort either. Her physical constitution was exceptionally outstanding, even stronger than Gu Yue, who had inherited Seventy Percent of the Silver Dragon King's Strength.

Zhao Xuanzhen believed it was inseparable from her appetite. Even if the Silver Dragon King's physique was inferior to the Gold Dragon King's, it still surpassed ninety-nine percent of the soul beasts on the Douluo Continent. Na'er's extraordinary appetite was, in a sense, an inheritance of the Silver Dragon King's physical abilities.

For the eighth comprehensive combat test, a new batch of examinees replaced Mo Jue's group. Zhao Xuanzhen had already received full marks for this test along with the fourth, so only Na'er needed to take it.

Na'er casually pointed at the weakest individual fighter among the ten Shrek Students: a soul master with the Soul Capturing Bell weapon martial soul, specializing in spiritual control.

That fellow's spiritual power was not even as high as Na'er's. He threw out all three soul skills without producing even a sound, and instead nearly got impaled by the Silver Dragon Spear. Ya Li intervened to save him at the Moment of Crisis.

At this point, the two had received full marks in all eight tests!

A smile appeared on Holy Spirit Douluo Yali's stunningly beautiful face. When she had let the two take the examinations, she had already expected excellent results. This would give Yun Ming a reason to brush off those stubborn Sea God Pavilion Elders.

Every Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone was a treasure of Shrek Academy, not something easily obtained. Although Yun Ming was the Sea God Pavilion Master, he could not decide everything at Shrek Academy. Above him was still Light Darkness Douluo Long Yeyue.

The widow of the previous Sea God Pavilion Master, she was over two hundred years old. When Light Darkness Douluo made her name across the Douluo Continent, Sky Pillar Douluo had not even been born. Long Yeyue was like Shrek Academy's Empress Dowager. Anything she vehemently opposed was difficult for Yun Ming to accomplish.

Unlike all the previous tests, the ninth test took place in a dark room without luxurious decorations. The room was constructed from metal, and Soul Guide Screens hung from the walls.

"The ninth test is called the survival trial. Its environment is rather similar to the Spirit Pagoda's Spirit Ascension Platform, and the soul beasts are real. Killing soul beasts allows you to absorb spirit rings, and you may also obtain other spoils."

A middle-aged teacher spoke with meaningful emphasis. After offering several instructions, he walked aside and pressed a button.

The two appeared in a dense primeval forest. Zhao Xuanzhen understood what the ninth test was about—a classic test of human nature—but Na'er was completely unaware, marveling that Shrek possessed high-end technology comparable to the Spirit Pagoda's.

The old actors, the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, were fighting fiercely. The two super Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts were not enemies Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er could contend with. The two left the battle zone and found a pitch-black cave.

"Roar—"

A young cry came from deep inside the cave. A Beam of golden light came attacking. Na'er's gaze sharpened, and the Silver Dragon Spear slashed out a spear beam, sending the golden light crashing into the stone wall beside them.

The golden light was a Three-Eyed Golden Lion, its cultivation equivalent to that of a Ten-Year Soul Beast. It looked like a large dog. The third eye atop its head had not yet opened, and it lay on the ground, its body continuously twitching.

"A Little Three-eyed Golden Lion!" Na'er dragged Zhao Xuanzhen over to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. Her silver-white eyes sparkled. "They say that a Three-Eyed Golden Lion is guaranteed to drop a Head Soul Bone, and its skull can continuously evolve like an External Soul Bone. The method is to devour other Head Soul Bones.

"We're so lucky, but...

"The Three-Eyed Golden Lion is also called the Imperial Auspicious Beast. There can only be one in heaven and earth. Ten thousand years ago, it sacrificed itself to Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao. Where did Shrek get a Three-Eyed Golden Lion?"

Zhao Xuanzhen tactically leaned back with an astonished expression. His eyes seemed to say, Na'er, is this intelligence you ought to possess?

Understanding Zhao Xuanzhen's look, Na'er puffed out her cheeks like a pufferfish and said in embarrassment and anger, "You're insulting my peerless intelligence, but I have no proof that I should fly into a rage."

"I wouldn't dare, King Na'er, the end point of wisdom."

Na'er snorted lightly. "A great person does not hold grudges against a petty one. I forgive you.

"What now? Is this Little Three-eyed Golden Lion real or fake? Should we kill it and see if it drops a Head Soul Bone?"

"You really show no mercy..."

Zhao Xuanzhen had realized that Na'er had not the slightest affection for soul beasts. She would kill an Imperial Auspicious Beast just like that!

"No rush. I have a plan."

Between killing it and releasing it, Zhao Xuanzhen found a third way to pass.

"Let the plan come!"

"It's Not Difficult to determine whether this Three-Eyed Golden Lion is real. Think about what my soul spirit is."

"Oh, right. We shouldn't underestimate the bond between Auspicious Beasts!" Na'er Suddenly realized.

"Tuntun, I choose you!"

The Auspicious Water Pig appeared with a duang. Having broken through to become a Ten Thousand Year Soul Spirit, Tuntun's appearance had not changed much. Only the Yin Yang brand at its Brow Center had become deeper, and its eyes more lively.

"Tuntun." Na'er rubbed the Auspicious Water Pig's head and said with a smile, "Help us identify the Imperial Auspicious Beast!"

Outside, the examiners led by Holy Spirit Douluo Yali watched the scene on the screens, all of them staring in dumbfounded disbelief. We don't have an auspicious beast—how do you two actually have one?!

What kind of joke was this? Just argue honestly already!

Zhao Xuanzhen had never released his soul spirit in front of others to assist in battle. Who would have known it was an exceedingly rare Auspicious Beast!

The Auspicious Water Pig slowly shuffled over to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. Its moist nose gradually approached, sniffing the aura deep within its bloodline.

"Tuntun, is this little guy an Imperial Auspicious Beast?" Na'er asked.

"No." The Auspicious Water Pig established a spiritual link and shook its head. "It merely looks the part. It lacks the auspicious aura of the Auspicious Beast clan."

Upon hearing this, Na'er clenched her left hand into a fist and struck it against her right palm, saying cleverly, "There is only one truth!

"There is no Three-Eyed Golden Lion. It's just a little Shrek trick to test human nature!"

(End of Chapter)