Invincible Civil Engineering Team, Brilliant Gold Spirit Ring, and Long Yeyue's Forceful Retention

"Finally, we meet—the Life Core of the Douluo Continent, spirit of the Golden Ancient Tree."

Zhao Xuanzhen looked at the old man, his black-and-white eyes sharply defined. "Forced to communicate with me this way... it seems your condition is not much better than the Spirit of the Plane's."

The old man stroked his long beard, smiling somewhat bitterly. "Twenty Thousand Years ago, Tang San inherited the dual godhoods of the Sea God and Asura God. During the hundred years he remained on the Douluo Continent, he transplanted me onto Sea God Island, hoping that I would protect Shrek Academy.

"Later, Tang San made a request. He asked to place his mother, Ah Yin, the Blue Silver Emperor, within the core of the Golden Tree, allowing her to bathe in its power and undergo an elevation of her Life Origin..."

His voice paused. Zhao Xuanzhen understood that the turning point was coming. The next second, the old man let out a faint sigh. "Protecting all living beings is the duty of the Life Core. Shrek Academy is part of all living beings, so naturally, I had the responsibility to grant it a ray of light.

"I had not wished to agree to the second request, because opening the core fully meant that the Blue Silver Emperor could devour the Golden Tree at any time.

"By then, Tang San already possessed two gods in one body, and his strength far surpassed mine. Coupled with his promise that he would one day evolve Douluo into a super plane of higher life, I agreed half willingly and half under coercion.

"Time passed. The Golden Ancient Tree and the Blue Silver Emperor remained at peace until roughly three months ago.

"The Spirit of the Plane suddenly transmitted a thought to me: Tang San is truly a calamity. Beware the Blue Silver Emperor causing trouble. A Fate Variable has descended; seek help from him.

"The Blue Silver Emperor also seemed to receive a message from some creature and immediately launched a plant assimilation invasion.

"She was within the Golden Tree's core. Not only was she familiar with the Golden Tree's power, but Tang San had left behind a means to restrain me—a god-level Blue Silver Emperor vine whose aura suppressed the Golden Tree from a higher rank.

"I was powerless to resist and suffered defeat after defeat. My consciousness could not even leave my original body. Only after you entered the Golden Tree could I break into your Sea of Consciousness, avoid the Blue Silver Emperor's eavesdropping, and speak with you face-to-face."

Hearing this, Zhao Xuanzhen's expression cleared. Everything had connected.

In another timeline, after the Sea God Lake Blind Date Convention, the Golden Tree Spirit had been willing to grant Tang Wulin a green-gold fifth spirit ring. That meant it had not yet discovered Tang San's wolfish ambitions, and Ah Yin inside it had not caused any trouble. She had still been quietly stealing energy to grow.

However, because the Fate Variable had appeared, the Spirit of the Plane next door found a sliver of hope. It drove a self-destructing semi-truck and dragged Tang Hao into slumber with it, while also revealing Tang San's evil true appearance to the Golden Ancient Tree.

The one who had sent Ah Yin the message was undoubtedly Tang Hao. The Spirit of the Plane intended to perish together with its enemy. His wife was destined to be unable to keep hiding, so Tang Hao believed it was time for her to replace the Golden Ancient Tree as the new Life Core, kill Zhao Xuanzhen, the Fate Variable, restore the Douluo Continent to its proper course, and continue following Tang San's script.

"Good thing I came in time..."

Zhao Xuanzhen's expression turned cold. If he had not entered Shrek Academy and allowed Ah Yin to devour the Golden Ancient Tree, before long he would be facing a Level Two God who controlled Douluo's natural forces.

A night of brilliant stars was an opportunity that came once in ten thousand years. Zhao Xuanzhen currently had no means to confront a Level Two God. If Ah Yin succeeded, all his past efforts would go up in flames.

"Fate Variable." The old man appeared beside Zhao Xuanzhen like a ghost and asked sorrowfully, "Can you help me deal with the Blue Silver Emperor?"

Zhao Xuanzhen pondered in silence. The Golden Tree Spirit did not urge him and quietly awaited the Fate Variable's answer.

"The Golden Tree has been losing ground because Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor is exerting source-level suppression on you." Zhao Xuanzhen spoke slowly. "Then we should treat the cause and break that suppression."

Plant-type lifeforms had strict hierarchies. Higher plants naturally controlled lower plants. Ah Yin herself could not possibly be stronger than the Golden Ancient Tree; she relied on that Blue Silver Emperor vine. Just like dragon soul beasts suppressed by the bloodline of the Golden and Silver Dragon Kings, the Golden Ancient Tree had no power to resist.

His pupils lit up with brilliant gold as the Eight Trigrams Qimen Divine Disk appeared. Zhao Xuanzhen shifted it to a certain position, and the vague outline of a towering tree emerged. A life aura spread out—not immense, yet incomparably domineering.

The instant he sensed the giant tree's aura, the Golden Tree Spirit's aged body trembled. In his excitement, he nearly tore off a lock of beard, his voice shaking as he said:

"This is... a plant whose life level surpasses both the Blue Silver Emperor and the Golden Ancient Tree!"

Zhao Xuanzhen said calmly, "Eastern Wood. Though she is not currently at her peak, with her aura protecting you, the Golden Tree will at least no longer be suppressed by Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor.

"Of course, if you trust me, we can go even further."

The divine disk turned once more. A torrent of blackness erupted, sweeping across the entire Sea of Consciousness. A tall black figure could vaguely be seen within it, its pair of abyss-like dark eyes filled with coldness and indifference.

"Boss!?"

Teng Snake's winding Serpent Body instantly stiffened into a straight line. The mighty Eight Deceitful God was like a child who had run into a parent as he transmitted, "My Lord, I don't think Boss needs to act. Liu He is enough to solve the problem. Let Boss sleep a few more years."

"You're that afraid of Central Earth?" Zhao Xuanzhen asked with amusement.

Teng Snake shut down. "In terms of authority, Boss restrains the other Eight Deceitful Gods. His realm is also half a step above ours, giving him an Absolute Strength advantage.

"Who wouldn't be afraid of Boss? Even that pentagonal square-faced one would react the same way."

There were rankings even among the Eight Deceitful Gods. As the leader of the Eight Deceitful Gods, Central Earth could utterly crush Teng Snake in battle!

"Central Earth is indispensable in this matter."

There was no room for negotiation. The dark eyes within the black current coldly locked onto Teng Snake. Teng Snake's enormous beastly body, which stood tall and upright, visibly wilted, while the death star above his head flashed wildly!

Looking toward the ecstatic Golden Tree Spirit, Zhao Xuanzhen chuckled. "Central Earth and Eastern Wood—the Civil Engineering Team is invincible.

"The two Eight Deceitful Gods can use Shrek Academy's vast advantages of timing, terrain, and popular support to reach this world's limit. During this process, Eastern Wood will help you avoid suppression from Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor, while Central Earth represents unparalleled combat power...

"If you are willing to temporarily hand the Golden Tree's power over to him, Central Earth will surely give you a surprise."

"Of course I trust the one chosen by the plane. Please, Your Excellencies, remain within the Golden Tree!" The Golden Tree Spirit nodded heavily. "As long as the Blue Silver Emperor's threat is reduced even slightly, I can mobilize the Douluo Continent's terrain to supply them!"

Returning a peach with a plum, benefiting each other—Zhao Xuanzhen and the Golden Tree Spirit smoothly formed an agreement. The old man transformed into a cluster of golden light and vanished, and the two Eight Deceitful Gods departed with him.

"Blue Silver Emperor, it's time to settle our accounts!"

The Golden Tree Spirit's final words drifted away. Zhao Xuanzhen could not help but laugh as he looked at the Yin Yang Qilin corpses in the secret chamber and muttered:

"A Hundred Thousand Year Yin Yang Qilin. A rare supreme treasure in this world—I cannot let it pass me by."

One year later, in the underground world beneath the Golden Tree.

Black-and-white Soul Power linked Zhao Xuanzhen's body like ribbons. The dual-colored radiance belonging to the Yin Yang Qilin rose like blazing flames, and beneath the presence of the two Hundred Thousand Year qilin, Zhao Xuanzhen was filled with a mysterious Yin Yang aura.

The light gradually dimmed. Zhao Xuanzhen abruptly opened his eyes, and black-and-white waves of energy burst outward in all directions. The radiance blooming deep in his eyes was even more dazzling than the Golden Tree's color.

As he stood and stretched his limbs, Zhao Xuanzhen discovered that they had become incomparably light. His jade-white skin possessed a crystalline, lustrous sheen, drawing the remaining black-and-white currents from the Yin Yang Qilin corpses to spiral around it.

"Level thirty-nine..."

A year ago, Zhao Xuanzhen had broken through level thirty. Now, at eleven years old, he was already level thirty-nine. The abundant Life Energy beneath the Golden Tree, mixed with the Yin Yang aura leaking from the Yin Yang Qilin corpses, made this secret chamber the most suitable Simulated Cultivation Ground on the Douluo Continent for Yin Yang attribute soul masters.

"You're awake, Fate Variable."

Golden light condensed into the aged form of the Golden Tree Spirit. Light flickered across the room's four walls. From this moment on, even Sky Pillar Douluo Yun Ming would be unable to probe this underground room.

"You've reclaimed control of the Golden Tree?" Zhao Xuanzhen asked.

The old man laughed heartily. "Eastern Wood helped me resist the Blue Silver Emperor's aura, while Central Earth's combat strength was so formidable... I have never even heard of such power!"

His hatred for Ah Yin surpassed all else. The Golden Tree Spirit hardened his heart and handed the Golden Tree over to Central Earth. Then Central Earth demonstrated on the spot what it meant to be an overpowered carry, hacking at the Blue Silver Emperor until Ah Yin wailed miserably.

A year later, the situation had completely reversed. The Blue Silver Emperor could only defend a small region, and it was only a matter of time before the Golden Tree Spirit devoured her in return. With the help of the two Eight Deceitful Gods, the Golden Tree Spirit had effortlessly won, countless times happier than the ill-fated Spirit of the Plane.

"Golden Tree Spirit, the Blue Silver Emperor is no longer a threat. Then please prioritize supplying Central Earth's birth, and have Eastern Wood remain inside the Golden Tree a while longer, just in case."

"No problem."

The old man agreed readily, smiling at Zhao Xuanzhen. "Thank you, Fate Variable.

"Your Soul Power is extremely close to the next realm. Let me repay your kind assistance."

A distant hum came from the Golden Tree's roots. Sea God Island trembled. The ancient tree whose roots were buried in the Earth Vein seemed to come alive, its branches and leaves rustling as they shook loose a sky full of golden motes.

Countless slender golden threads emerged from cracks in the bark and gently wrapped around every part of Zhao Xuanzhen's body. Even his hair was dyed flowing gold, and his Soul Power broke through level forty in an instant.

"Boom—"

A pillar of light burst from the tree's crown and shot into the heavens. Ripples of life swept across Sea God Island. Vines grew wildly, withered trees sprouted new buds, and clear springs gushed from cracks in the rocks.

Sea God Lake surged with monstrous waves, yet their crests eerily froze in mid-air, transforming into translucent brilliant-gold sculptures. The Shrek disciples were dumbstruck, and the Sea God Pavilion Elders were equally shaken. Since Sea God Island had been established, there had never been such a magnificent sight.

The phenomenon abruptly contracted. A Brilliant Gold Spirit Ring descended from the sky, its surface entwined with the Golden Tree's ancient patterns. As it spun, specks of golden radiance scattered down. The instant the spirit ring landed, the island's Earth Vein resonated as though subjects were bowing to a newly born king.

The old man said warmly, "This spirit ring contains thirty percent of the Golden Tree's energy. It will gradually be unsealed as you become stronger, making it a growth-type spirit ring.

"I originally intended to grant you the status of Child of Nature, but you seem to already possess the ability to control nature itself. Forcing it upon you would be inappropriate.

"The Spirit of the Plane is dormant, and I still need time to deal with the Blue Silver Emperor completely. Yet More Than One evil plane is eyeing the Douluo Continent, and no one knows when the God Realm will return.

"We will eventually clash with Tang San. Fate Variable, do not let your guard down."

"Hatred will end in blood." Zhao Xuanzhen's voice was resolute.

"Someone has come. They likely sensed the Golden Tree's power draining away."

The old man shook his head and waved open the room's wooden door. More than half of Shrek Academy's Super Douluos had gathered outside. At their head stood Sky Pillar Douluo Yun Ming. To the left of this Sea God Pavilion Master was Holy Spirit Douluo Yali, while on his right stood an extremely aged old woman.

"Elder Jin."

Facing the Golden Ancient Tree, Yun Ming had no choice but to show the respect due to a junior.

"I know why you have come."

The old man looked at Shrek's Super Douluos and said calmly, "This child is fated to me and is a junior I value. That is why I granted him some abilities. Do not make things difficult for him."

Yun Ming's mouth twitched. Some abilities!?

That was thirty percent of the energy the Golden Ancient Tree had accumulated over endless years—enough to help Shrek withstand a fatal crisis!

Zhao Xuanzhen had come to the Golden Tree Enlightenment, and Shrek had suffered a catastrophic loss!

Though he had taken a huge loss, Yun Ming could not make an issue of it. The Golden Ancient Tree possessed independent consciousness and had chosen Zhao Xuanzhen of its own accord. No one could say anything.

"Come. This Old Man will ensure your safety."

To keep up the act, the Golden Tree Spirit placed an arm around Zhao Xuanzhen's shoulder and accompanied him out of the Sea God Pavilion, displaying an unwavering will to protect him. Shrek's powerful figures were left staring at one another, their aged faces dark as water, yet none of them dared say another word.

If they truly angered the Golden Tree Spirit, Shrek would not need outsiders to attack them. The Golden Tree would slaughter them cleanly with a backhand.

"Yun Ming!" The old woman suddenly barked, "I heard that you've recently been trying to persuade a little girl from the Spirit Pagoda to become your disciple?"

"Yes, Sister Yue. She has a space-attribute spear-type martial soul and is extremely suitable to become my successor," Yun Ming answered honestly.

The old woman said angrily, "The Golden Tree has been the academy's supreme treasure since ancient times. That boy devoured thirty percent of its power, so he must remain at Shrek Academy.

"Elder Jin values him. He will surely be happy to see him become part of Shrek!"

"Sister Yue, Zhao Xuanzhen is Yaozhu's only Direct Disciple!" Ya Li hurriedly explained.

"Tianfeng Leng Yaozhu?" The old woman sneered. "She is merely the Vice Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda. It's not as if I have never slapped the Spirit Pagoda Master in the face!

"Yue'er is right. What can Tianfeng, with her fire-attribute martial soul, possibly teach him? My Light Darkness Dragon Emperor shares common ground with the Yin Yang attribute!

"Yun Ming, if you cannot keep him at Shrek Academy, I will use my own methods. I'm taking a disciple—what can Leng Yaozhu do about it!

"Everyone, disperse!"

With that, Light Darkness Douluo Long Yeyue flicked her sleeve and left. The other Super Douluos scattered as well.

Yun Ming and Ya Li exchanged bitter smiles. In terms of strength, Yun Ming had long surpassed Long Yeyue, but Long Yeyue was the widow of the previous Sea God Pavilion Master, Heavenly Favor Douluo. She also held the highest seniority in Shrek Academy, and they normally treated this elder sister with the utmost deference.

"Brother Ming, Sister Yue's temper... sigh!" Ya Li's face was filled with worry. "And Yue'er too—why did she have to mention taking disciples to Sister Yue?"

Yun Ming wore a bitter expression. Na'er had no teacher, so Shrek still had a faint chance. But the odds of poaching Zhao Xuanzhen could not even be described as minuscule—they were simply wishful thinking!

"I'll first do my best to win over Na'er, then try asking Zhao Xuanzhen.

"Troubled times indeed... I have a bad feeling that Yue'er and Sister Yue will one day bring the academy to a point of no return..."