A Fine Bird Chooses the Tree It Perches In, Xuanzhen Is Number One Under Heaven, Angel Le Zhengyu, Body Secret Technique (4K)

"Shrek Academy has stood tall on the continent for twenty thousand years. Under the leadership of generation after generation of Shrek Seven Devils, from the Sea God ancestor to Spirit Ice Douluo and beyond, it has made indelible contributions to the prosperity of Douluo Continent."

At the classroom podium, Shen Yi passionately recounted Shrek's Ten Thousand Year Glory. Her pilgrimage-like radiance moved Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi, who were immersed in it and nodded repeatedly.

"The Academy's establishment of the special Class Zero means that Sea God Pavilion has high hopes for you. I hope that one day, you will enter the inner court, take up the torch of the Shrek Seven Devils, uphold the will of your predecessors, burn yourselves brightly, and protect the peace and tranquility of Douluo Continent. This concludes the lesson. Tomorrow's class will be practical combat, and your opponents will be people you never expected. You may look forward to it. Class dismissed."

Shen Yi leisurely departed with an ancient text in her arms, leaving the four little ones in the classroom. Based on their reactions after the first day of school, they had split into two camps.

Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er felt as though a burden had been lifted. Shrek Class Zero sounded nice—small-class teaching and special training—but once the loincloth was lifted, it was simply intense one-on-one brainwashing. The two had endured the entire morning.

In stark contrast to Xuanna, Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi were glowing with health, their faces filled with lingering satisfaction as though they were ready to shine and give their all.

The minds of teenagers were easily molded. That was precisely why so many Shrek Students who joined the Eight Great Legions, the Federation's War God Hall, or major soul master sects after graduation still thought fondly of Shrek Academy.

"Zhao Xuanzhen, what do you think of the Academy...?"

For the first time ever, Ye Xinglan took the initiative to speak. A faint hope for his approval filled her azure eyes.

Her action made Xu Lizhi's heart skip a beat, and he involuntarily recalled that night at Tianhai Hotel. Ye Xinglan's wound had split open, her delicate body trembling as she stood there dazed and despondent, looking utterly pitiful.

From the bottom of his heart, Xu Lizhi did not want Ye Xinglan getting involved with Zhao Xuanzhen. Yet he had no ability to change her mind, nor did he want her to distance herself from him. A simp who lost his goddess would become a homeless stray dog.

"Just as expected. It fits the stereotype," Zhao Xuanzhen said calmly.

Ye Xinglan's brow furrowed. If it had been her from last week, she would already have drawn her Stargod Sword and demanded that Zhao Xuanzhen apologize. After suffering a crushing defeat, however, her mindset had matured considerably. She calmly asked, "I don't understand. What stereotype?"

"Do you really not understand?" Zhao Xuanzhen countered. "Those voices appeared long ago, but you used to dismiss them with scorn. Shrek Academy has its own set of rules. It ignored the three great empires in the past, and now it has overstepped the Sun Moon Federation. Once the Academy has expanded to this extent, an explosion is bound to come sooner or later."

Ye Xinglan did not realize that the so-called explosion meant an explosion in the literal sense. Her brows drew together even more tightly. "Th-That is Shrek fulfilling its own responsibility. It has no choice but to cross those boundaries."

"Then let me ask you: what is Shrek Academy's responsibility?"

"To cultivate talent, slay evil and eliminate wickedness, and defend the continent!"

This time, Ye Xinglan's answer was resolute and decisive.

Shrek was not foolish enough to shout in class that the Academy's honor stood above all else. The most brilliant method was to make students identify with Shrek's ideals—such as the Academy being a guardian of the continent—and then voluntarily defend its Ten Thousand Year Glory.

"Slaying evil, eliminating wickedness, and defending the continent are everyone's responsibility among Douluo Continent's righteous forces." Zhao Xuanzhen chuckled. "Shrek is ultimately an academy and cannot care for the entire continent. Why not let the super geniuses of the inner court freely join forces such as the Federation and Spirit Pagoda, while also dispelling those rumors from the outside world?"

"The geniuses cultivated by the Academy, leaving the Academy to join other factions..." Ye Xinglan's eyes widened like bronze bells. "Isn't that forgetting their roots?"

Zhao Xuanzhen lightly tapped the wooden desk. "Defending the continent is not limited to any one place. Cultivating talent is the Academy's duty. Shouldn't the continent's number one academy lead by example? Shrek should return to normal, starting with you and me. After graduation, we should leave the Academy and devote ourselves to various factions to defend the peace of the continent. Not only would that not be forgetting our roots, it would actually continue its twenty-thousand-year glory. In the future, everyone across the continent would praise Shrek's noble character, and every student it produced would be a pillar of the nation."

Fine golden sunlight filtered through the window lattice. Ye Xinglan unconsciously clenched her knuckles, while surging waves churned within the lake of her heart.

Just as Zhao Xuanzhen had said, Ye Xinglan had seen remarks refuting the claim that Shrek was a state within a state. Especially after Shrek's first public defeat, those remarks had sprung up like mushrooms after rain.

If leaving Shrek Academy could also be a kind of Ten Thousand Year Glory, what should she choose...?

Lost in thought, Ye Xinglan left the classroom. Xu Lizhi eagerly scampered after her.

"You're incredible!"

After the two left, Na'er gave Zhao Xuanzhen a thumbs-up and said with heartfelt admiration, "Shrek brainwashes us, and you turn around and brainwash your classmates."

"Just doing it while I'm at it."

Zhao Xuanzhen waved it off without minding, then fixed his gaze on Na'er and put on a serious expression. "Student Na'er, the first lesson was loyalty and righteousness, the second lesson was forgetting one's roots. Tell Teacher Zhen, what is the third lesson?"

"Betraying those who feed you!" Na'er answered without hesitation.

"And the fourth lesson?"

"Backstabbing!"

"My heavens, Student Na'er, I have never heard an answer that pleased me more. Your IQ must definitely be above one hundred sixty!"

"Of course! I'm smart as hell!"

Na'er gave a "hey-ha!" and slashed twice, her little tail practically rising into the heavens.

"Ding-dong—"

The Soul Guide Communication device suddenly rang. Zhao Xuanzhen glanced at the message and immediately revealed a trace of a smile. "Teacher says we're going home for dinner tonight, and she'll give each of us a Phoenix Pendant."

"Auntie Leng is so nice. Next time Silver Moon Douluo tries to disgust us, we'll see if her Three-character Battle Armor can block two Heavenly Phoenix True Fires!" Na'er smirked. "There are no classes this afternoon. Shall we head back to Spirit Pagoda early?"

Zhao Xuanzhen shook his head and said quietly, "No. I'm going to Spirit Ice Plaza."

"What are you doing?"

"Reaching the top."

Shrek Academy's outer court, Spirit Ice Plaza.

Spirit Ice Plaza was located at the heart of the outer court and had been built to commemorate Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao. Water sprayed from the fountain, blossoming with enchanting seven-colored brilliance beneath the sunlight, while Shrek Students passed by in an endless stream.

"Needs an arena..."

The bluestone path was perfectly level. Zhao Xuanzhen sized up the fountain beside it, and his eyes turned a mysterious deep blue.

The next second, the fountain erupted with thunderous roars as eight columns of water shot into the sky, flowing with icy-blue radiance beneath the sun.

Frost spread outward from where Zhao Xuanzhen stood. The water froze into a crystalline layer of ice, while eight ice pillars stood around its edge, exhaling chilling cold.

The last few strands of drifting water vapor were sealed into the ice. When Zhao Xuanzhen stood at the center and turned with a sweep of his sleeve, an Ice Arena had taken shape!

The Ice Arena instantly drew the attention of the Shrek Students. They halted their hurried steps and fixed their eyes on the boy who was the youngest in all of Shrek Academy.

Na'er tilted her little head as an idea struck her. The Silver Dragon Spear appeared in her hand, and her delicate body became a silver phantom. The spear light carved across the ice pillars, ice shards falling in flurries as two lines of bold, brilliant characters appeared!

A Fine Bird Chooses the Tree It Perches In!

Xuanzhen Is Number One Under Heaven!

"Ahem!"

Na'er cleared her throat, then formed a megaphone with her hands and shouted, "Zhao Xuanzhen, fifth on the Young Genius Ranking, has set up an arena to challenge the Young Genius Ranking students of Shrek Academy! If you refuse to accept it, come fight! The top three get priority!"

"Boom—"

The entire plaza erupted in an uproar, turning into a clamorous sea in an instant. Shrek Academy encouraged combat, but someone setting up an arena at Spirit Ice Plaza with such arrogance was unprecedented!

"Tai Chi Zhao Xuanzhen, Silver Dragon Na'er!"

Their extraordinarily recognizable, heaven-defying looks, combined with their explosive popularity on the soul network, had the Shrek Students talking fervently.

"At the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition, they led East Sea to defeat the Academy. Zhao Xuanzhen stepped on Yu Yuanheng to reach fifth place on the Young Genius Ranking!"

"The Academy released a statement inviting them to be exchange students. Who would have thought they'd arrive so quickly?"

"Number One Under Heaven? He really dares to boast so shamelessly. Does he think Shrek has no one?"

"You're right, brother! Go up and show that kid what we're made of!"

"I'm just talking big. Yu Yuanheng beat me up before, so I won't go up there and embarrass myself..."

Watching a spectacle was human nature, and Shrek Students were no exception. In the blink of an eye, Spirit Ice Plaza had gathered a dense crowd, yet not a single person stepped onto the stage to accept the challenge.

The video of Zhao Xuanzhen brutally beating Yu Yuanheng had spread everywhere. These people were not idiots; students weaker than Yu Yuanheng had no need to go up and humiliate themselves.

Those veteran students over eighteen saw Zhao Xuanzhen's youthful face and were too embarrassed to bully someone younger. Besides, he was challenging the Young Genius Ranking. They were already old-timers, and they no longer counted as youths...

"Why are you all being so cowardly? Then I'll do it!"

A clear, resounding howl rose from the crowd. Everyone turned toward the sound and saw a handsome youth in a white formal suit. His short golden hair had been slicked with pomade and combed impeccably, glossy and neat. With a slight push from his legs, he leaped onto the Ice Arena.

"Tenth on the Young Genius Ranking, Angel Le Zhengyu."

Yue Zhengyu introduced himself loudly. The Holy Angel Clan loved displaying their holiness before others, and Zhao Xuanzhen setting up an arena at the number one academy under heaven had struck directly at his excitement!

On Douluo Continent, strength reigned supreme. What kind of soul master would cower and hesitate? Geniuses were meant to be high-spirited and fight across the world!

Others feared fifth place, but Yue Zhengyu dismissed it with scorn. It was perfectly normal for Holy Angels to fight above their level. Fifth place was exactly who he wanted to fight!

Zhao Xuanzhen nodded slightly, welcoming all challengers. This afternoon, he would do only one thing: reach the top of the Young Genius Ranking!

The blazing afternoon sun hung high overhead. The Ice Arena reflected scattered glimmers beneath its rays, cold vapor rising from the ice as the two youths faced each other.

Martial Soul True Self possessed Zhao Xuanzhen. A lock of black hair before his forehead turned pale white, three Ten Thousand Year Spirit Rings appeared, black-and-white currents wrapped around his wrists, and the Tai Chi Diagram slowly revolved. The abyss-deep aura forced nearby spectators to unconsciously retreat.

Yue Zhengyu spread a pair of pure white angel wings. Three purple spirit rings revolved around his body, and as his second spirit ring flashed, a Golden Holy Sword appeared in his hand.

"Watch out!"

The Holy Angel's first spirit ring flared brilliantly. Holy Light Shines Everywhere!

A waterfall of light poured down from the heavens, instantly coating the Ice Arena in molten gold. Light flames scorched black marks into the ice.

Zhao Xuanzhen pressed down with both palms. Qi Follows Heart, rotating in reverse like a millstone and grinding the dazzling flames into firefly-like motes of light. The Yin and Yang Qi suddenly surged, coating his fists as they overlapped and blasted forward!

"Boom—"

Holy Light Shines Everywhere condensed into a barrier before him. Yue Zhengyu reacted with extreme speed, but the gap in raw strength was there. The light barrier shattered in an instant, and the shockwave hurled him back seven steps, plowing two deep trenches through the ice. Only by frantically flapping his wings did he barely stabilize himself.

"This freak's attack power... The Young Genius Ranking really isn't ranked randomly..."

Feeling the stabbing pain radiating through his body, Yue Zhengyu sucked in a cold breath. Seeing the figure opposite him seize the opportunity to attack, he dared not remain on the ground. With a fierce flap of his wings, the Holy Angel soared into the sky!

From high above, Yue Zhengyu looked down at the tiny figure on the ground. This was the aerial advantage of a flying martial soul. His third spirit ring shone intensely as holy light gathered. He was going to poke Zhao Xuanzhen hard!

"You can't fly. Prepare to face judgment!"

Holy Angel's third soul skill, Light Judgment!

He raised the holy sword high and drew upon the power of light, which condensed within the clouds into an enormous pillar of judgment.

Just as Yue Zhengyu believed victory was assured, Zhao Xuanzhen's spine suddenly tore through his clothes. A pair of Black and White Wings spread open, their membranes dense with blood vessels. When they flapped, sonic booms spread far into the distance, and he became a black-and-white meteor pursuing the Holy Angel!

"Y-You can fly!?"

Yue Zhengyu's voice even cracked from excitement, his face bearing the stunned expression of someone whose world had been shattered.

"Flight is not an angel's exclusive privilege."

Body Secret Technique, Wing Transformation!

The Secret of the Body that Muye had given Zhao Xuanzhen recorded countless secret techniques of the Body Sect. Wing Transformation was one created by a torso-type Super Douluo, altering the shape of one's ribs to form wings!

Zhao Xuanzhen's repeated flickers left dazzling afterimages in mid-air. Yue Zhengyu's scalp went numb. This guy flew even faster than a Holy Angel! He instantly understood that he had no choice. Pointing his holy sword forward, he swept the pillar of judgment across the sky!

Qi Moves Mountains and Rivers, Suppress!

The phantom Tai Chi Diagram expanded without end as the Light Judgment was ground away inch by inch by Yin and Yang Qi. Brilliant gold was swallowed by black and white, while the Tai Chi Diagram descended without losing momentum, crushing the Holy Angel down from the sky!

The Holy Angel crashed onto the Ice Arena, collapsing the ice layer. The terrifying destructive force split more than ten enormous cracks across the ice, which spread wildly outward.

When the lingering influence faded, Yue Zhengyu was revealed. His angel wings were tattered, and he knelt on one knee, barely supporting his body with his sword. The holy sword was covered in countless dense cracks.

Zhao Xuanzhen folded his Black and White Wings and slowly descended while standing atop the floating Tai Chi Diagram. The watching Shrek Students wore grave expressions, silently calculating whether they could block that strike of Qi Moves Mountains and Rivers if they were in his place. Even if they could block it, what then?

Golden Awakening, three Ten Thousand Year soul skills, Dark Gold Dreadclaw, Body Secret Technique... A sudden sense of helplessness rose in their hearts.

"Shrek's geniuses truly are as numerous as fish crossing a river!"

Yue Zhengyu rose to his feet and stared at Zhao Xuanzhen with burning eyes. He had left the Angel Legion only to temper himself, yet on his first day at school he had encountered a monster younger and more talented than himself. He felt that he had come to the right place!

The Angel Clan was indeed proud and arrogant, but it absolutely respected strength. Yue Zhengyu clasped his fists in salute. "I lost this time. I will suspend my studies and return home to absorb the Angel Clan's Inherited Soul Spirit. We'll spar again then!"

"Good. Please send up the next genius youth."

At those words, the students below the stage exchanged glances. Tenth place had possessed no ability to fight back at all, proving that the gap between the two was like a heavenly chasm. Perhaps only the top three could face Zhao Xuanzhen head-on!

Among the spectators, a girl with Chestnut Red Short Hair overflowed with fighting spirit as she stepped toward the Ice Arena. Her face was breathtakingly beautiful, her skin pale, and her figure exquisitely developed beyond what her age suggested.

Halfway there, she suddenly remembered something and stopped moving forward.

"Forget it. I'm a work-study student and don't get to enjoy Shrek's free cafeteria or welfare benefits. I need to find a job and figure out how to support myself first..."

With regret, the girl ranked eighth on the Young Genius Ranking turned and left.

"Boom, boom, boom—"

Heavy footsteps resounded as a young man steadily stepped onto the stage. He was tall and broad, an immovable mountain-like majesty spreading from him. His entire body seemed like a giant pillar holding up the sky.

"Based on Yu Yuanheng and Mo Jue's descriptions, I should not be able to defeat you," the young man said in a deep voice.

"But you came anyway," Zhao Xuanzhen said.

"I am the class monitor of Class One, Year Two. More than ten of my classmates suffered crushing defeats at your hands. I have the responsibility to step forward and reclaim our class's dignity. Besides, you set up this arena to challenge us. As third on the Young Genius Ranking, the pride in my heart is no less than anyone else's. I will never allow myself to fear battle. A man may lose, but he must never retreat. Unbreakable Li Qiankun, please enlighten me!"