Final Battle between Gu Yue and Na'er, Sea God Pavilion Meeting, Undercurrents in Shrek

"Pagoda Master Qiangu, you must give every council member present an explanation. Why did a Soul Seizing Token appear during the Spirit Emissary assessment?"

On the Soul Guide Screen, Zhao Xuanzhen and Qiangu Zhangting exited the Virtual Space. Leng Yaozhu's crimson phoenix eyes fixed on Qian Gu Dongfeng in the seat of honor. Her voice was icy, while her mature, beautiful face barely suppressed towering fury.

The Soul Seizing Token was one of the most vicious divine artifacts in the world. The curse of Medusa, God of Sin, could petrify even a soul. Qian Gu Dongfeng had given it to Qiangu Zhangting, clearly intending for Zhao Xuanzhen to die without a burial place!

Every pair of eyes turned toward Qian Gu Dongfeng, whose expression instantly became exceedingly ugly.

Qiangu Zhangting had crossed the line by using Medusa's artifact, yet he had still suffered a crushing defeat. The Soul Seizing Token had even been destroyed by a single strike of the Huanglong Spear. Seeing Qiangu Zhangting's final frenzied state, Qian Gu Dongfeng had a faintly ominous feeling in his heart.

However, Qian Gu Dongfeng had no time to ponder how Zhao Xuanzhen possessed that Purple-gold Long Spear. He could only silently pray that Qiangu Zhangting would return to normal after leaving the Virtual Space.

Faced with Leng Yaozhu's furious questioning, Qian Gu Dongfeng needed to give the Spirit Pagoda's upper ranks a reasonable explanation. He said in a low voice:

"External items are part of a Soul Master's strength. The Spirit Emissary assessment did not prohibit the use of divine artifacts. Zhangting broke no rules. This was a fair, just, and open battle for the position of Spirit Emissary."

"In that case, Pagoda Master Qiangu acknowledges Xuanzhen's position as a Spirit Emissary and will grant him the corresponding authority. Any mishap that befalls Qiangu Zhangting after the battle is also his own fault, correct?"

To the surprise of all the council members, the usually overprotective Heavenly Phoenix Douluo did not continue pressing aggressively. Instead, she calmly fought for Zhao Xuanzhen's benefits, forcing Qian Gu Dongfeng to yield from the moral high ground.

Qian Gu Dongfeng understood Leng Yaozhu's underlying meaning. He knew that unless he gave up some benefits, the matter of the Soul Seizing Token would not be easily brushed aside. Yet Zhao Xuanzhen was clearly unharmed, while Qiangu Zhangting was the one who had suffered greater damage. In the end, the Qian Gu Family still had to pay compensation.

His chest tight with rage, Qian Gu Dongfeng nevertheless had no choice but to nod. "Tianfeng is right. Zhangting needs no one else to take responsibility; he will bear the consequences of his defeat himself. I will urge him to cultivate diligently and hold a second Spirit Emissary assessment on another day.

"Immediately, I will publicly announce to the Sun Moon Federation that Zhao Xuanzhen is one of the Four Great Spirit Emissaries, making him the youngest Spirit Emissary in the history of the Spirit Pagoda."

"Xuanzhen is the face of the Spirit Pagoda and the first successor to the position of Pagoda Master. He should receive exceptional treatment. I hope Pagoda Master Qiangu will permit the Spirit Pagoda Branches in Heaven Dou City, Star Luo City, and Spirit Dou City to be handed over to Xuanzhen and his direct subordinates."

Leng Yaozhu forced Qian Gu Dongfeng to fulfill the wager and help the three women take control of the Eighteen Sky Pillars.

"Of course..." Qian Gu Dongfeng nearly crushed his teeth. The remnants of affection he had once felt for Leng Yaozhu vanished completely. She had become a completely different person, like a greedy gluttonous beast!

The Pagoda Master and Vice Tower Master decided all matters between a few exchanges, reducing the subsequent vote by the council members to mere formality.

After generations of management by the Qian Gu Family, the council system existed in name only. Once Qian Gu Dongfeng and Leng Yaozhu agreed, no blind council member dared step forward in opposition.

If such a brave soul did appear, there were only two options: be cut into a bloody mist or chopped into mincemeat.

Zhao Xuanzhen received a thumbs-up sticker from Leng Yaozhu and understood that everything had gone smoothly on his teacher's end. The position of Spirit Emissary was securely his. He took the high-level elevator straight to the Ninety-ninth Floor.

"Greetings, Lord Spirit Emissary!"

The moment he stepped onto the Ninety-ninth Floor, a lively, crisp voice rang out. A silver-white figure pounced at him like a great roc spreading its wings, her slender arms looping around the nape of Zhao Xuanzhen's neck. It was a hug, not a chokehold.

"Pop! Pop!"

The Seven Elements formed a rainbow as party poppers burst open with crackles, scattering colorful streamers through the air. Gu Yue controlled the elemental power, while Ye Xinglan and Yuanen Yehui handled the poppers on either side. Na'er wrapped herself around Zhao Xuanzhen and secretly sniffed his scent like a little puppy.

"How was it? Was dealing with Qiangu Zhangting easy and enjoyable?" Na'er asked with a grin.

"Easy as pie. One slap on the left, one slap on the right."

With a soft, fragrant body in his arms, a smile appeared on Zhao Xuanzhen's handsome face.

"All right, Xuanzhen just finished a fierce battle. Stop bothering him."

Gu Yue pulled Na'er away with a stern face, tossed her onto the sofa, and ruthlessly suppressed her. Naturally, Na'er fought back fiercely, black and silver tangling without end.

Watching the nth black-and-white battle, Ye Xinglan and Yuanen Yehui sighed in unison. The Black and White Duo were each colder and prouder than the other outside, yet they were like fated enemies, always exerting every ounce of strength to overwhelm the other.

After fooling around for a while, the two halves of the Silver Dragon King stopped under Zhao Xuanzhen's mediation. Both Na'er and Gu Yue had flushed little faces as they used their delicate hands to tidy their disheveled long hair, restoring their poised and proper appearances.

"By the way, Xuanzhen, development of the Artificial Ten-thousand-year Soul Spirit is nearly ninety percent complete. Aunt Leng's idea is to announce it to the Soul Master world once you return. Should we reveal it directly when you take office as a Spirit Emissary?" Gu Yue asked softly.

The defective product had merely been an excuse to fool Qiangu Zhangting. Developing Soul Beasts to the level of the Thunder Beast was sufficient; the Spirit Pagoda could release the Artificial Ten-thousand-year Soul Spirit at any time.

"There's no rush. The Spirit Pagoda is still ruled by the Qian Gu Family, and a Spirit Emissary is not much when you look closely. I would rather announce the Artificial Ten-thousand-year Soul Spirit to the Sun Moon Federation after becoming the Spirit Pagoda Master, as an achievement of the new pagoda surpassing the old one."

"Mm. When the time comes, your name will be added as one of the developers of the Artificial Ten-thousand-year Soul Spirit technology," Gu Yue suggested.

"No. The honor belongs to you and Senior Zi Long."

Zhao Xuanzhen shook his head in refusal. The Artificial Ten-thousand-year Soul Spirit was Soul Guide Technology capable of shaking the entire Soul Master world. He had no intention of claiming Gu Yue's achievement as his own.

"With our relationship, do we really have to draw such a clear line? Three years ago on Star Luo Continent, that night, we..."

Gu Yue deliberately omitted the most crucial words. Her ink-black eyes rippled faintly, and her peerlessly beautiful, tranquil face seemed somewhat hurt, inviting endless speculation.

Upon hearing this, Na'er's pupils instantly widened. Her gaze darted crazily between Gu Yue and Zhao Xuanzhen before finally settling on Yuanen Yehui, who had suddenly begun sweating profusely.

Something's off. You never told me about this when you came back!

Sorry, Na'er. I'm a loyal employee. I can't betray my boss!

Having failed Na'er's expectations, Yuanen Yehui lowered her head guiltily, only to find that she could not see the ground.

"There's one more thing. When are you planning to apply for formal graduation from Shrek Academy? The five of us can go together," Ye Xinglan said, changing the subject at just the right moment.

"This doesn't seem to matter much." Zhao Xuanzhen replied casually. "Then tomorrow."

"Even if you submit the application tomorrow, the assessment probably won't happen immediately," Gu Yue interjected. "The annual Sea God Fate Dating Convention is about to begin. Graduation assessments are uniformly arranged after Sea God Fate ends."

"Sea God Fate Dating Convention..." Zhao Xuanzhen considered it for two and a half seconds before asking the most crucial question. "Are you participating?"

Hearing this, Na'er said proudly, "Shrek Academy requires all adult single students to participate in Sea God Fate, but we are distinguished Spirit Pagoda people, so of course we won't—mmph!"

A fair hand covered Na'er's red lips. Gu Yue looked earnestly at Zhao Xuanzhen and said, "We are all eighteen years old. Sea God Fate will be our first time and our last time.

"I don't want to have any regrets, and I hope you can participate in the Sea God Fate Dating Convention too, Xuanzhen..."

Zhao Xuanzhen fell silent. He had the distinct feeling that Gu Yue had defected and was deliberately creating a Shura Field.

In the room, Na'er's mouth was tightly covered by Gu Yue. Ye Xinglan and Yuanen Yehui suddenly stiffened, surging waves rising in their hearts. At the Spirit Pagoda, they would only ever remain beneath the Black and White Duo. But Sea God Fate represented an opportunity—an opportunity to openly express their love!

"Beep beep beep—"

The notification tone from the Soul Guide Communication device broke the atmosphere. Zhao Xuanzhen quickly read the message and rose to his feet. "My teacher is looking for me. Many Spirit Pagoda council members want to meet me."

"Spirit Pagoda council members are useful connections. Go quickly." Gu Yue showed understanding like a virtuous wife and mother.

After Zhao Xuanzhen left, Xingye returned to the Ninety-eighth Floor as well, leaving only the two halves of the Silver Dragon King on the Ninety-ninth Floor of the Spirit Pagoda.

"Gu Yue, what are you trying to do?!"

Na'er flung away the hand covering her mouth and demanded fiercely.

"Dating. Are those two words so hard to understand that they overloaded your pig brain?" Gu Yue's tone was indifferent.

"No, why date? Do we need to date?"

Facing Na'er's confusion, Gu Yue slowly said, "Na'er, let me ask you this. Has Xuanzhen ever said that you are the person he loves most in this life?

"I have probed around this question countless times. I assume you have tested him too. Without exception, he chose to deflect and refused to give a definite answer.

"The rules of Sea God Fate allow one to hold the hand of only one person. No matter the motive, whether it is you or me, Xuanzhen will have to make a choice."

"You want to crush my humanity at Sea God Fate, then take the opportunity to devour me." Na'er sneered, exposing Gu Yue's ultimate goal.

Gu Yue's ink-black eyes were dyed a gorgeous deep violet as she slightly raised her chin. "I have never denied it. I desire to devour you and transform into the complete Silver Dragon King.

"At the same time, I hope that the woman most important in the heart of the lover I acknowledge is me. I believe that in this regard, you and I are exactly the same.

"We have fought openly and schemed in secret for years. Rather than continue, let us decide it here and now, cleanly and decisively.

"Are you afraid?"

"Don't underestimate the bond of childhood sweethearts!" Na'er clenched one fist.

"I will win!"

"Then... let's wait and see."

The gazes of the Black and White Duo collided in the air. Na'er relied on the bond of childhood sweethearts, on their pure feelings and unwavering devotion. Gu Yue firmly believed that love at first sight was true love. She and Zhao Xuanzhen had even shared a bed—so that silver-haired idiot could just wait to become a loser!

Shrek Academy, Sea God Island.

The Sea God Pavilion Elders gathered beneath the Golden Ancient Tree. Light Darkness Douluo Long Yeyue spoke before Sky Pillar Douluo Yun Ming could.

"Zhuo Shi, what urgent matter made you suddenly ask Yun Ming to gather us for an Emergency Sea God Pavilion Meeting?"

Blazing Dragon Douluo Feng Wuyu took out his Soul Guide Communication device. Every major media outlet had reposted the same news: Witch Douluo Li Mengjie had stepped down as a Spirit Emissary, and Douluo Star's Number One Genius, Zhao Xuanzhen, had succeeded her. At only eighteen years old, he was the youngest Spirit Emissary in the history of the Spirit Pagoda.

"Zhao Xuanzhen is back, and he directly became a Spirit Emissary..."

The Sea God Pavilion Elders felt a chill in their hearts. The minimum standard for a Spirit Emissary was Titled Douluo, yet it was impossible for Zhao Xuanzhen to have broken through to Titled Douluo in three years. That meant one thing: every Titled Douluo who had fought him had become a defeated opponent beneath his hands.

"Everyone, I called this Emergency Sea God Pavilion Meeting because Zhao Xuanzhen repeatedly stated while on Star Luo Continent that he would apply for his graduation assessment upon returning to Douluo Continent.

"He is back. How exactly should we assess him?"

Zhao Xuanzhen's status was special, so Zhuo Shi did not dare make the decision on his own. He decisively reported it to Sky Pillar Douluo Yun Ming and convened a Sea God Pavilion Meeting to discuss Zhao Xuanzhen's graduation assessment plan.

"Logically speaking, he is an Outer Court Student and should undergo the Outer Court graduation assessment." Zhuo Shi covered his face.

"Outer Court..."

Blazing Dragon Douluo Feng Wuyu was speechless.

You mean a Titled Douluo-level combatant should be assessed by the same standard as a Soul King One-Word Battle Armor Master?

"Given Zhao Xuanzhen's contributions, ever since the exchange on Star Luo Continent, he has been specially approved as an Inner Court disciple and enjoys all the benefits of an Inner Court disciple. His assessment will follow Inner Court standards." Yun Ming made the final decision.

"But how should the Inner Court assessment be arranged..." Holy Spirit Douluo Yali said troubledly.

"This old woman has an idea." Long Yeyue's eyes shifted. "Lan Muzi is the eldest senior brother of the Inner Court, so no one is more suitable than him.

"There is no fixed standard for a graduation assessment. To put it plainly, it is just a formality. Lan Muzi will duel Zhao Xuanzhen. Yun Ming, Ya Li, Zhuo Shi, Feng Wuyu, and Cai Yue'er, the five of you will serve as assessment judges and give this newly appointed Spirit Emissary sufficient respect."

As soon as she finished speaking, the Sea God Pavilion Elders were all stunned. They knew how much Long Yeyue wanted to lure Spirit Pagoda geniuses such as Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er into Shrek, yet she was letting Zhao Xuanzhen go so easily!?

Even with Cai Yue'er among the judges, it was still four against one!

"Sister Yue's plan is excellent." Yun Ming said in satisfaction. "Lan Muzi will duel Zhao Xuanzhen, and the five of us will judge. Set the date for the day after the Sea God Fate Dating Convention. Let us part on good terms and maintain a friendly relationship in the future."

The Sea God Pavilion Meeting quickly ended. Long Yeyue returned to her residence, and after some time, someone lightly knocked on her door.

"Sister Yue, you sent for me."

Cai Yue'er pushed open the door and entered, cautiously looking at Long Yeyue's gloomy face.

"Yun Ming is too softhearted. The Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy are bound to become mortal enemies. With Zhao Xuanzhen's Cultivation Talent, he will become the academy's greatest enemy." Long Yeyue went straight to the point.

"Yue'er, this plan has a second part. I heard that the girl named Gu Yue signed up for the Sea God Fate Dating Convention. Zhao Xuanzhen will most likely participate as well."

"Muzi is my registered disciple. No matter whose hand Zhao Xuanzhen holds, I will send Muzi to fight him. That way, Muzi will no longer be suitable to serve as the assessor the following day.

"At the graduation assessment, the assessor Zhao Xuanzhen faces... will be you!"

"Me?" Cai Yue'er asked in shock.

"Yes. He has taken a great deal of Shrek Academy's resources, and in terms of identity, he is our enemy. Yun Ming is indecisive. I cannot stand by and watch Shrek descend into the abyss.

"This is a Dragon Pearl condensed from Light Darkness Two Extremes Blast. I want you to cripple him on the spot." Long Yeyue handed over an item, her expression vicious.

"But the Spirit Pagoda and Leng Yaozhu..." Cai Yue'er hesitated.

"Yue'er, do not forget that you are a Sea God Pavilion Elder. Everything is for the academy's glory of ten thousand years!"

Long Yeyue suddenly shouted, "It's not as though I have never slapped that old face of Qian Gu Diting! With me protecting you, are you afraid of a mere Leng Yaozhu?"

"Yue'er... will obey Elder Long's command!"