Young Genius Ranking, Tai Chi Zhao Xuanzhen, Ten Thousand Year Cave Spider Demon

The Skyfire Phoenix spread its black wings, streaking across the sky like a meteor. Its crimson tail flames left a dazzling trail through the heavens that lingered for a long time.

Leng Yaozhu activated autopilot mode and glanced back at Zhao Xuanzhen behind her, a captivating curve lifting the corners of her rosy lips.

Two months—did he know how she had endured these past two months?!

With Zhao Xuanzhen away, Leng Yaozhu had found everything unbearably dull. She could not muster interest in anything, and every day, she had waited for him to message her: "Teacher, we're back!"

Although Zhao Xuanzhen had not truly returned to the Spirit Pagoda and had instead enrolled at Shrek as an exchange student, Shrek Academy stood beside Spirit Pagoda Headquarters. Leng Yaozhu could see him whenever she wanted. It was like having her child attend university right at her doorstep, and that was enough to satisfy her.

On the sofa, Na'er rested her little head against Zhao Xuanzhen as she scrolled through news on the Soul Guide network. Her silver hair spilled down like a waterfall, her bare feet planted on the Flame Lion King carpet as the gentle heat rose through her soles and warmed her body.

Serving as Na'er's human pillow, Zhao Xuanzhen tilted his head slightly. A giant eagle mecha painted with dark green patterns entered his view.

It was the black-grade mecha used by the Shrek group for transportation. With the issues left over from the exhibition match resolved, Holy Spirit Douluo Yali was bringing them back to the academy.

"Zhao Xuanzhen, look!"

Na'er lightly tugged Zhao Xuanzhen's arm, then held the Soul Guide communicator before his eyes. One news headline was marked in striking, bold red, beginning with the words: Shocking news!

"Shocking news! A massive reshuffle among geniuses—the young have become heroes!"

"The Young Genius Ranking has been updated!" Na'er said delightedly. "We made the list! Getting listed at ten years old seems like a record!"

The Young Genius Ranking had been established by the Spirit Pagoda to promote the development of the soul master world and encourage talented soul masters to improve without cease.

Those eligible for the ranking were young soul masters under eighteen, evaluated from multiple angles including combat strength, talent, and secondary professions. There were only thirty spots. Those listed could be called the most outstanding young talents with the strongest overall abilities on the Entire Douluo Continent, with brilliant futures ahead of them.

Zhao Xuanzhen took Na'er's Soul Guide communicator and checked the latest Young Genius Ranking. He quickly found his own name.

Fifth on the Young Genius Ranking: Tai Chi Zhao Xuanzhen.

"I parachuted straight into fifth, and Yu Yuanheng dropped to sixth?"

Seeing Lan Dian Yu Yuanheng directly beneath him, Zhao Xuanzhen found it somewhat amusing.

Although the Young Genius Ranking was judged from multiple perspectives, combat power still carried the greatest weight. After all, every aspect of a soul master's cultivation existed to increase combat strength.

A direct confrontation was the most critical factor in determining rankings. Previously, Zhao Xuanzhen had challenged Yu Yuanheng, strengthened by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, and completely crushed him throughout the battle. Naturally, the Young Genius Ranking placed him above Yu Yuanheng.

He had not risen any further because the ranking considered Zhao Xuanzhen's young age. He might not necessarily be able to defeat or surpass the top four, so he was temporarily placed fifth.

"Silver Dragon Na'er, twenty-first."

Scrolling down, Zhao Xuanzhen found Na'er's name.

"I protest! Why are you fifth while I'm twenty-first?" Na'er protested indignantly. "Am I not strong? Did I just coast to victory? Didn't I beat Ye Xinglan until she was utterly defeated?"

Na'er fired off three deathly questions in a row, wishing she could reach through the Soul Guide communicator, grab the staff member who had published the rankings, and demand to know why King Na'er was only ranked twenty-first!

Zhao Xuanzhen hurriedly soothed Na'er, advising, "Don't take the Young Genius Ranking so seriously. It will alienate us from our own efforts."

Everyone was an MVP. No one had coasted to victory. Even Xu Xiaoyan had contributed to the team's visual presentation!

"That's one thing, but I can't stand being so far behind you." Na'er muttered. "More than half of the Young Genius Ranking is from Shrek Academy. I'll challenge them one by one in the future—I absolutely can't fall behind you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuanzhen could not help but smile. The person who had created the Young Genius Ranking was truly talented; it had stirred up young people's competitive spirits. Looking at all those names ranked above him, not only Na'er—even Zhao Xuanzhen found them rather glaring.

"Hehe, Gu Yue is twenty-second, codename Elemental!"

Having edged Gu Yue out, Na'er instantly went from anger to laughter. Especially when she saw the codenames Silver Dragon Na'er and Elemental Gu Yue, she laughed so hard that she could not close her mouth. The Skyfire Phoenix was filled with laughter as thunderous as a barbell clanking.

Gu Yue had been the Silver Dragon King for a lifetime, yet her codename was Elemental. Na'er, meanwhile, had transformed into Silver Dragon Na'er!

"Next Meeting, I have to mock her mercilessly..."

Na'er committed it firmly to memory.

Aside from the Spirit Pagoda trident, Jiu Tian and Tang Wulin had also made the list. The former ranked twenty-ninth, while the latter was thirtieth, becoming the gatekeeper. The two had been evenly matched in the exhibition match, so their order had most likely been determined by the result of the blacksmithing finals.

Shrek Academy's first defeat in Twenty Thousand Years had caused a huge uproar. In an instant, it had produced five young geniuses on the Young Genius Ranking, just like the fall of one whale nourishing all things.

Na'er studied the ranking carefully, then suddenly said in surprise, "The top four are all at Shrek Academy. The first-place person is about to turn eighteen, and in another month, they'll automatically leave the rankings. Doesn't that mean we'll rise one spot without doing anything...?"

"Mm."

Zhao Xuanzhen stared at the portraits of the top four, memorizing their appearances and martial souls as he quietly made his calculations.

At sunset, two black-grade mechas entered Shrek City.

It was Shrek Academy's triennial recruitment season, and the entire city was bustling. The blow to its reputation did not seem to have excessively affected Shrek's enrollment. Everywhere in the city were young soul masters yearning to study at the continent's number one academy, accompanied by their teachers and elders in a vast crowd.

The strong remained strong. Shrek Academy's resources were there for all to see, and those soul master factions with deep foundations did not care about so-called reputation. Just as before, they sent their disciples and juniors, instructing them to cultivate and study while making friends with talented peers. The more friends one had, the more paths opened before them.

Both black-grade mechas had been designed for transportation and possessed metal transformation capabilities. They descended from the sky, transformed into Soul Guide cars, and continued toward Shrek's inner city.

The inner and outer cities were like two separate worlds. Completely opposite to the outer city's bustling crowds and noisy commotion, the inner city was exceptionally tranquil. Its broad streets, paved with blue bricks, carried an antique charm. Shops lined both sides, preserving the wooden architectural style of Ten Thousand Years Ago.

"Skreee—"

Before the ancient plaque of Shrek Academy, two Soul Guide cars braked to a stop. Holy Spirit Douluo Yali descended gracefully and looked toward Heavenly Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu at her side, her tone gentle.

"Yaozhu, would you like to come in and sit for a while?"

"Next time for sure." Leng Yaozhu politely declined. "I'll leave Xuanzhen and Na'er to you. Warn Cai Yue'er for me—don't cause trouble for herself or Shrek Academy.

"If they suffer any grievance at Shrek Academy, I will personally come to demand an explanation."

Holy Spirit Douluo Yali was praised across the Douluo Continent as the continent's kindest woman. She had once exhausted her body to save civilians during a plague, losing her ability to bear children as a result. Having known each other for many years, Leng Yaozhu trusted Ya Li's character. As for Silver Moon Douluo Cai Yue'er...

That woman did whatever she pleased and had an eccentric personality. In her youth, she had turned the soul master world upside down. Only under pressure from many parties had Shrek Academy sent high-ranking members to bring her back.

They were all from the same era, and Ya Li understood why Leng Yaozhu had repeatedly singled out Cai Yue'er. She nodded with a wry smile, determined not to let Cai Yue'er act recklessly.

Silver Moon Douluo might be unruly, but Heavenly Phoenix Douluo was no easy target either.

The Phoenix sisters had stirred up storms across the world. Dark Phoenix Leng Yulai had defied the world by joining the Holy Spirit Cult, climbing all the way to become one of the Dark Four Heavenly Kings.

Heavenly Phoenix Leng Yaozhu likewise had mad blood flowing inside her body. Back then, she had dared to abandon everything and propose becoming a woman in the shadows. Later, after becoming Vice Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda, she had continuously used her permissions to protect the fallen Leng Yulai, preventing outsiders from harming her younger sister.

Thus, although Leng Yaozhu appeared radiant, mature, and rational on the surface, older soul master powerhouses called her a hidden madwoman. Should anyone touch her bottom line, she would become even crazier than Leng Yulai!

Ya Li could imagine it clearly: if Cai Yue'er caused trouble for the two like some clown, Zhao Xuanzhen could make one phone call, and Leng Yaozhu might truly charge over and beat her to death!

Shen Yi and the seven members of the Shrek Team got out of their vehicles one by one. Looking at Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er not far away, their expressions were indescribably complicated.

On the way back to Shrek City, Ya Li had announced the punishment issued by the Sea God Pavilion.

Yu Yuanheng and Ye Xinglan had been the fuse that ignited the conflict between both sides. Out of consideration for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Star Saint Sword Family, Shrek did not expel them. Instead, they were placed under probation, and it would be harder for them to enter the inner court in the future.

Shrek Academy's inner court admission rules required one to reach rank fifty cultivation and become a One-Word Battle Armor Master by age twenty-five. For the two of them, however, the deadline had been reduced by five years. Only if they reached those requirements by age twenty would they be allowed to enter the inner court.

Xu Lizhi, Ning Xian, and the others had been defeated in full view of the public, severely damaging Shrek Academy's prestige. The difficulty of their final exams would be raised from now on. Any failed exam would result in no outer court graduation certificate being issued.

Shrek had suffered a crushing defeat, and the team leader, Shen Yi, could not evade responsibility. Under normal circumstances, she would have been expelled outright. However, Scarlet Dragon Douluo Zhuo Shi had firmly protected his beloved disciple, so the Sea God Pavilion ultimately decided to transfer her to another post, where she would teach a special class and atone through merit.

After Leng Yaozhu left, Ya Li looked peacefully at the people from Shrek. "You haven't had an easy time these past few days, have you? Go back and rest. Relax your mind.

"The punishment is only temporary. The academy has not given up on you. We hope every student can learn to grow from failure."

"Yes, Your Holiness Holy Spirit."

Everyone bowed together, then departed in different directions.

Yu Yuanheng lowered his head, his face full of resentment and hatred. Zhao Xuanzhen had gained recognition from the entire continent, while he, the stepping stone, had become the greatest joke in the soul master world. Yet Zhao Xuanzhen was a complete bug. Yu Yuanheng knew well that he was far from a match for that terrifying power...

Avoid his edge for now and endure it for the time being!

Yu Yuanheng would return someday!

Ye Xinglan ignored Xu Lizhi's concerned inquiries behind her. She gazed intently at Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er. She was a strong-willed and competitive girl; one defeat could not crush her resolute heart. It would only make her fight more fiercely after every setback!

Silver Moon Douluo Cai Yue'er was the chief examiner for the freshmen assessment. Since Leng Yaozhu had already issued a warning, Holy Spirit Douluo Yali decided, to be safe, to personally escort the two to their Entrance Examination.

After passing along one broad road after another, Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er admired the scenery along the way within Shrek Academy. The Life Energy released by the Golden Tree nourished all things, while all kinds of vegetation grew lush and abundant. No matter where they looked, they could see at least ten types of plants.

Ya Li led them into a circular hall over twenty meters tall. A mural was engraved upon the vaulted ceiling: a pitch-black giant dragon circled through the sky, its pair of brilliant golden dragon eyes especially eye-catching.

The instant Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er looked toward the black dragon, the ceiling mural suddenly rippled with black light. The dragon's claws seemed to rip out of the mural, and wherever its tail swept, the clouds exploded one after another.

"Roar—"

When the giant dragon's golden vertical pupils lit up, the pressure of the dragon race erupted instantly. Its scales glimmered with a deep black that seemed ready to devour all light, while black mist seeped from between the scales and obscured the heavens. The entire hall echoed with the giant dragon's enraged roar!

The overwhelming pressure of the black dragon descended, yet the two appeared completely unaffected. Na'er patted her slightly heaving chest and complained, "That startled me. It's so loud!"

"Geniuses appear every year, but this year, two monsters have arrived."

An elderly man in a dark green robe appeared, surprise showing on his weathered face. "This old man has guarded the first stage for a hundred years, and this is the first time I've seen little monsters who can ignore the pressure of the Gold-eyed Black Dragon King."

The dragon carved into the mural was the true form of the continent's First Fierce Beast, Beast God Ditian—the Gold-eyed Black Dragon King. A drop of Gold-eyed Black Dragon King blood had been mixed into the ink, simulating a fraction of its dragon might.

When ordinary examinees faced the pressure of the Gold-eyed Black Dragon King, the vast majority would be intimidated by its dragon might. Those with dragon-type martial souls and bloodlines far inferior to Di Tian's were in even more miserable condition.

Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er were no different from usual. This was undoubtedly the first time the old man had ever seen such a thing.

"Little Li, as the guardian of the first stage, how many points do you intend to give them?" Ya Li asked with a light laugh.

Elder Li gave a respectful bow. "Your Holiness Holy Spirit, the pressure of the Gold-eyed Black Dragon King had no effect whatsoever. This shows that both students possess exceptional martial soul talent. Naturally, they receive a perfect score of ten."

From the moment they entered the hall, Shrek's Entrance Examination had begun. The assessment consisted of ten stages, with each stage worth a maximum of ten points. Sixty points were required to enter the outer court, while those who scored above eighty-five earned the qualification for early admission to the inner court, like Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi.

"Xuanzhen, Na'er, ten points for the first stage. The second stage officially begins."

As Ya Li's gentle voice fell, she and Elder Li disappeared. The vaulted ceiling spun in a dizzying blur, and the surrounding scenery underwent a violent transformation.

When the spinning stopped, the two stood in a desert filled with blowing sand.

"It's a little like the Spirit Pagoda's True Illusion."

"Indeed."

Zhao Xuanzhen spoke, and Na'er agreed.

"Boom—"

The attack came without a sound. Spikes burst from the sand one after another, their tips glinting with a cold crystalline yellow light. Sand grains rolled down their grooves in rustling streams, while translucent sticky threads trailed from their tails, weaving a tightening net of death in the air.

Na'er summoned the Silver Dragon Spear and swept its blade out. The Power of Space sliced apart the great net, while Zhao Xuanzhen poured Qian Jun's power into his right leg and stomped down fiercely. Cracks exploded across the sand, and a gigantic shadow hidden beneath the ground rolled out.

A spider-type soul beast. Eight long jointed limbs reflected the sunlight, its carapace blending perfectly with the flowing dunes, while its swollen abdomen stored a massive amount of spider silk.

A cunning hunter—the Ten Thousand Year Cave Spider Demon!