Heavenly Phoenix True Fire Burns Silver Moon, Fourth on the Young Genius Ranking, Swan Mo Jue

Cave Spider Demons were among the kings of spider-type soul beasts, skilled in traps, sneak attacks, and ambushes!

This Ten Thousand Year Cave Spider Demon had intended to hide underground and launch an attack, but Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er's combat strength was off the charts. Its body was forcibly shaken out of the ground, and its eight tiny eyes stared at them in utter horror.

Compared to the evil slayer, the Man Faced Demon Spider, the Cave Spider Demon's most fatal weakness was its lack of frontal offensive power. It also lacked the Man Faced Demon Spider's neurotoxin that killed upon drawing blood. However, the Cave Spider Demon's control abilities far surpassed those of the Man Faced Demon Spider!

Crystalline yellow spider silk emerged, its mucus drying the instant it met the wind and forming a vast net that covered the sky and sun as it descended upon the two of them!

Claw blades tore through the air. Ten dark-gold claws, like falling meteors, sliced the spiderweb into a sky full of dust. The Cave Spider Demon's true killing move followed close behind—the web condensed into barbed spikes that burst from the ground!

Spider Web Cage, the Cave Spider Demon's proudest Innate Soul Skill—silent, invisible, and capable of controlling groups!

"Qi Moves Mountains and Rivers, shake."

The second before the Spider Web Cage closed, Zhao Xuanzhen softly chanted. The First Soul Ring bloomed with light as Black and White Qi surged forth, transforming into a rotating Tai Chi formation diagram. The webs struck the Yin Yang currents and exploded into powder one after another.

Na'er also used her First Soul Ring. She tapped off the ground and leaped into the air, her Silver Dragon Spear tracing a silver arc like a full moon. Silver-white Power of Space erupted, effortlessly shredding those irritating webs without losing momentum. The spear tip carried a cold gleam over three meters long as it stabbed straight at the Cave Spider Demon.

"Qi Moves Mountains and Rivers, bind!"

The Tai Chi Diagram swelled in midair. Yin and Yang Qi chased one another in a continuous flow, and the Cave Spider Demon's body, just about to burrow underground and flee, suddenly froze and fell into a stunned state.

Na'er would not miss such an opportunity. Her Second Soul Skill, Silver Dragon's Wrath, was unleashed. A silver dragon roared, her entire aura surged, and the Silver Dragon Spear pierced through the spider's abdomen with the force of thunder. The spear blade spun—Spatial Cutting!

A piercing wail spread outward as yellow-green blood splattered. A huge gash opened in the Cave Spider Demon's millstone-like bloated abdomen. Na'er pulled out the bloodstained Silver Dragon Spear and calmly watched its blood seep into the sand as the Cave Spider Demon rolled incessantly in a painful death struggle.

"Whoosh—"

A moment later, the Cave Spider Demon stopped moving, its body breaking down into specks of light and fading away.

Against Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er's combined assault, even a Ten Thousand Year Cave Spider Demon could not stir up much trouble. A Ten Thousand Year Man Faced Demon Spider might have been able to withstand them for a while, but the attack power of the two spider species was not on the same level.

"Second assessment, beast fighting: ten points."

Holy Spirit Douluo Yali's gentle, pleasant voice rang out at just the right moment. In truth, the second test did not require students to kill the soul beast. They only needed to do their best, and the examiners would naturally assess them accordingly. Having slain a Ten Thousand Year Cave Spider Demon, the two of them had undoubtedly earned full marks.

"Candidates, please note. The third stage, Guillotine Gate, is now open. Passing within thirty seconds earns six points. One additional point is awarded for every three seconds under that time, while one point is deducted for every three seconds over."

The environment changed. The yellow sand dissipated, and the two returned to the real world, standing before a passage hung with dozens of guillotine blades.

The guillotines tore through the air, producing shrieks like wailing ghosts. Blue-gray cold light gleamed across their surfaces, while serrated teeth like fangs lined their edges. The icy currents they stirred cut through fine floating dust.

"That's it?"

Na'er sized up the crisscrossing descending guillotines, put away her Silver Dragon Spear, and said with a grin, "I'll leave it to you!"

Without waiting for Zhao Xuanzhen to reply, Na'er clasped her hands behind her back and skipped toward the curtain of blades. Her silver hair rose and fell with her lively movements, while she hummed a cheerful tune.

The guillotines seemed unable to stand the sight of such an arrogant girl. Two blades flashing with dazzling sharpness came slashing down. Zhao Xuanzhen smiled helplessly, flashed behind Na'er, and spread his fingers, intercepting the guillotines with one hand on each side.

Clang—

The blade edges struck his skin, erupting with a ringing sound like metal striking stone. Dense cracks spread from the edges, and the black iron guillotines instantly shattered into iron sand.

Zhao Xuanzhen shook his wrist, iron filings drifting from between his fingers and exploding into sparks on the ground. Then his palms once again sent three crisscrossing guillotines flying. Their blades twisted into spirals under the impact of immense strength.

"Show some respect for the test. At least bring out the Silver Dragon Spear."

"But I have you!"

Hearing Zhao Xuanzhen's reminder, Na'er did not mind in the slightest. She had never doubted whether Zhao Xuanzhen could protect her.

"Besides, dodging them is easy."

The girl leaped toward the finish line, her slender waist twisting into a heart-stopping arc. The skirt hem embroidered with silver butterflies swept past the final guillotine.

Time elapsed: ten seconds.

In the observation room for the new student assessment, the examiners sat in a row. At the center was Holy Spirit Douluo Yali, with Elder Li, the guardian of the first stage, on one side and an elderly woman with an aged face on the other.

"Crushing black iron guillotines barehanded... is that really a flesh and blood body a Soul Elder could possess?" Elder Li could not help but marvel.

The old woman sneered. "Old Li, haven't you watched that boy's battle recordings from the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition? His Body Soul is Gold-tier.

Sea God Pavilion preserves the Secret of the Body left behind by Spirit Ice Douluo, which records many secrets of the Body Sect. At his age and Soul Power Cultivation, his Martial Soul could not possibly have evolved from a Silver-tier Third Awakening. It could only be a Gold-tier Second Awakening that had broken through the Body Sect's historical limits. There is nothing strange about him possessing such a flesh and blood body.

As expected of Shrek Academy—they've made it sound as if the Body Sect's Secret of the Body belonged to Eunuch Dai. 😂 Still, that was only to be expected. In terms of physical constitution, no Soul Master of the same level, or even one level above him in Soul Power, could rival him.

Leng Yaozhu... hmph, she really does have an outstanding disciple."

The sarcastic tone made Ya Li's dark eyebrows slightly furrow. She opened her mouth and said, "Yue'er, the fourth stage is a special talent assessment. They will come in to demonstrate their abilities.

Do not act rashly, lest you cause Yaozhu to misunderstand. The academy should not fall out with the Spirit Pagoda at present."

"Rest assured, Sister Yali. I know what I'm doing. Everything I do is for the sake of the academy's Ten Thousand Year Glory."

Cai Yue'er swore solemnly, but an imperceptible glint of calculating malice flashed through her eyes.

Before long, the door opened wide, and Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er walked out side by side. Cai Yue'er's eyes brightened slightly. After a light cough, she said, "You achieved a perfect score of thirty points in the first three stages. The fourth stage is called the special talent assessment. You have three minutes to consider how to demonstrate your strengths.

Martial Souls, Soul Skills, spiritual power, combat techniques... anything is acceptable."

"I'll go first."

Na'er stepped forward voluntarily. Unlike Zhao Xuanzhen, whose ability system was complex, she only cultivated the Silver Dragon Spear of the Space Attribute. There was no need for much thought. Besides, she wanted to test the waters for Zhao Xuanzhen and see what this special talent assessment was really about!

A clear, impassioned dragon's roar rang out. Na'er ignited brilliant silver flame, and her delicate body flashed through the air seven times, leaving seven silver points of light behind with the Silver Dragon Spear. Space was torn apart by the spear tip. Immediately afterward, the seven lights merged into one, forming a black spatial rift that madly devoured everything around it.

"Na'er: Space Attribute weapon Martial Soul, the Silver Dragon Spear. Top-tier dragon bloodline, suspected to belong to the Silver Dragon lineage. Excellent attack power and speed. Comprehended spear intent at the age of ten. Fourth-stage special talent assessment: ten points."

After giving her evaluation, Cai Yue'er shifted her gaze to Zhao Xuanzhen. He was her true target. As if asking casually, she said, "You are Leng Yaozhu's disciple?"

"Yes."

"Your name is Zhao Xuanzhen, correct? I watched the match recording of Eastsea Academy against Shrek Academy. A Body Soul, Gold-tier Second Awakening, Yin Yang attribute—talent unmatched in twenty thousand years."

Even beneath Ya Li's deeply warning gaze, Cai Yue'er still rose without concern, her voice echoing through the room.

"This Seat bears the title Silver Moon and is one of the members of Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion. I believe your Martial Soul abilities are special, and Leng Yaozhu is not suited to teach you.

Shrek Academy has a highly senior elder, titled Light Darkness, with Twin Martial Souls: the Holy Dragon of Light and the Darkness Holy Dragon.

Light Darkness Douluo controls the two attributes of Light and Darkness, which share similar common ground with the Yin Yang attribute. Her self-created ultimate technique, Two Extremes Blast, is unmatched under heaven.

Boy, a Soul Master's teacher is extremely important and determines the achievements of their entire life. I intend to recommend you to Light Darkness Douluo as her Final Disciple. This is an immense honor in this life..."

"Cai Yue'er!"

Anger suddenly appeared on Ya Li's exquisite face. Backed by Shrek and possessing considerable strength herself, Cai Yue'er had rarely been disciplined by anyone, which had made her accustomed to doing whatever she pleased throughout her life. Now, she had the nerve to poach Leng Yaozhu's disciple the moment she opened her mouth. Even Ya Li, who was usually so good-tempered, could no longer stand it!

"Zhao Xuanzhen, what do you think?"

Ignoring Ya Li's anger, Cai Yue'er gazed intently at Zhao Xuanzhen. A leopard could not change its spots. She had long been displeased with Leng Yaozhu, and with the willful personality of this Silver Moon Douluo, how could she possibly refrain from stirring up trouble?

"Me..."

Zhao Xuanzhen silently took out the Soul Guide Communication device in his pocket. The screen showed that it was currently connected.

"Teacher, Silver Moon Douluo is advising me to become Light Darkness Douluo's Final Disciple instead. Do you agree?"

Zhao Xuanzhen looked troubled as he cautiously asked Leng Yaozhu. His incredibly obvious acting, along with that outrageously fake probing tone, made Na'er beside him burst into cackles.

Guessing that the assessment would not pass peacefully, Zhao Xuanzhen had contacted Leng Yaozhu through Soul Guide Communication in the first moment after passing Guillotine Gate. Every single punctuation mark Cai Yue'er uttered had entered Leng Yaozhu's ears in full!

"Cai Yue'er, you're courting death!"

A sharp, shrill roar came through the Soul Guide Communication device. A loud phoenix cry resounded throughout the room, while the Phoenix Pendant beneath Zhao Xuanzhen's clothes blazed with light!

The Phoenix Pendant contained a wisp of Leng Yaozhu's spiritual power. It had originally been meant to make tracking convenient, but now it became the trigger for Leng Yaozhu to unleash its power!

A phoenix phantom flapped its wings and gave a long cry. Its outspread wings were like clouds hanging from the heavens, and scorching streams of flame flowed along its feathers, burning warped ripples into the air. This was the Heavenly Phoenix True Fire that Leng Yaozhu had condensed from the source flame of her Martial Soul. The might of a single blow was enough to instantly annihilate a Level 95 Titled Douluo!

Cai Yue'er's expression changed drastically. Silver armor covered her body, moonlight-like patterns flowing ceaselessly across it. Runes surged from the gaps in the armor and intertwined into a crescent-shaped shield.

Three-character Battle Armor, Silver Moon Nether!

The two powers collided heavily. The phoenix flames exploded into a thousand waves of fire, while the Silver Moon barrier let out brittle cracking sounds, unable to bear the strain. Runes burst apart in succession, and the armor turned from silver to red!

Boom—

Ruthlessness appeared in the phoenix's eyes. The Heavenly Phoenix True Fire clinging to the Silver Moon barrier detonated violently. Cai Yue'er was blasted away by the fire wave, and scars covered the exposed skin between the tattered sections of her Three-character Battle Armor. Her hair ends curled as black smoke rose from them.

Cough, cough, cough!

Cai Yue'er got to her feet in a miserable state, rings of black smoke spilling from her mouth. Her cultivation was only Level 96. If not for her Three-character Battle Armor, that single strike of Heavenly Phoenix True Fire would have cost her half her life!

"Leng Yaozhu!" Cai Yue'er screamed, her hair disheveled.

"I'm outside Shrek Academy's gates. If you're not convinced, come fight me." Leng Yaozhu said coldly. "Ya Li, you did not uphold our agreement. It seems there is no need for Xuanzhen and Na'er to become exchange students, and the Spirit Pagoda should cooperate with the Sun Moon Federation instead."

"Wait!"

Ya Li hurriedly called out in alarm. Her emerald eyes glared at Cai Yue'er as she coldly said, "Get out. From today onward, you will no longer assess new students.

I will tell Brother Ming to remove you from all your positions. Zhuo Shi will replace you as Dean of the Outer Court. Go back to Sea God Pavilion and properly enter seclusion to temper your character!"

"Sister Yali..."

The sudden fury of the normally mild-tempered Holy Spirit Douluo truly startled Cai Yue'er. She stood there speechless for a long while before finally leaving the room unwillingly and accepting Ya Li's punishment.

"I'm sorry, Yaozhu. I never expected Yue'er to be this willful. I have already punished her. Xuanzhen will always be your disciple. Such a situation will absolutely not happen a second time," Ya Li said apologetically.

"You had better keep your word."

Leng Yaozhu hung up the communication and did not mention having the two leave Shrek again.

Ya Li let out a breath of relief. Shrek desperately needed to restore its reputation, and Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er enrolling were the best possible choice. Besides, Cai Yue'er truly needed discipline. If she continued to be allowed free rein, she would sooner or later cause a catastrophic disaster.

"Aunt Leng is so awesome! I thought that Silver Moon Douluo was so powerful, but she still got blasted away," Na'er said, her face filled with little stars.

Zhao Xuanzhen smiled softly. Cai Yue'er's behavior could only be said to fit the stereotype, but Holy Spirit Douluo Yali's decisiveness had come as a surprise.

With Cai Yue'er no longer causing trouble at random, Shrek Academy would be half as peaceful from now on.

"A minor interruption. You need not care about it. The assessment will continue," Ya Li said warmly. "Xuanzhen, what do you consider your special talent?"

"Actual combat."

Hearing this, all the examiners, including Ya Li, were slightly stunned. Zhao Xuanzhen was the first student they had ever seen who considered actual combat his special talent. But on second thought, the answer truly made sense. After all, so-called special talents were all meant to serve actual combat.

"Open the eighth stage in advance."

As Ya Li's voice fell, a wall rose with a thunderous rumble, revealing ten young people behind it, dressed in Shrek's dark-green school uniforms. There were both men and women, each with a different expression.

"The eighth stage is comprehensive combat. Before you are students from the previous class of Shrek Academy," Ya Li said with a smile. "Since your special talent is actual combat, then prove it with a battle.

Xuanzhen, you may challenge any one student as you please. This battle concerns your scores for both the fourth and eighth stages, so you must take it seriously.

A hint: among them is someone ranked higher than you on the Young Genius Ranking."

On the way to Shrek Academy, Zhao Xuanzhen had already memorized the appearances of the top four on the Young Genius Ranking. His gaze locked from afar onto a black-haired woman with a graceful figure and sweet features, though coldness radiated from her black eyes.

Fourth on the Young Genius Ranking, Swan Mo Jue.

Their eyes met. Just as Mo Jue assumed that he would naturally challenge her, Zhao Xuanzhen slowly opened his mouth.

"A one-on-one fight hardly counts as a special talent. You all...

Come at me together."