Zhang Lexuan: Were You Doing That for Cultivation?

Underground Palace, Zhou Huan and the other two stared at each other for a long time, looking at the strange Soul Ring that was black and red with blue and white stripes.

At this moment, Ma Xiaotao finally spoke up, "We don't even know if this thing is a real Soul Ring. Let it go to waste. Even if you gave it to me, I wouldn't dare absorb it. There's never been Soul Ring of this color in Shrek's records, has there?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Huan nodded. "Indeed, there aren't any, but just because we haven't seen or recorded any special Soul Ring doesn't mean they don't exist."

Zhou Huan still felt it was a bit of a pity. This Soul Ring was obviously not ordinary, and this unknown Ice Fire Spirit Beast was definitely not ordinary either.

However, to the surprise of Zhou Huan and the other two, the strange Soul Ring did not dissipate but instead transformed into two streams of light.

The black and red light streamed into half of the black and red bead, while the blue and white light streamed into the other half of the Blue White Bead.

Even the Ice Fire Spirit Beast, which had been cut in half, was affected; its corpse was absorbed by the black-red bead and the Blue White Bead, respectively.

The black and red beads and Blue White Bead, which were originally in half-form, have now become completely new round beads.

At this point, Zhou Huan and the other two naturally realized that these two beads were valuable items.

The black and red beads were now filled with the aura of Extreme Fire, while the Blue White Bead also contained the coldness of Extreme Ice, making them much purer than when they were mixed together before.

This really is like getting equipment drops from defeating monsters!

At this moment, Snow Empress's somewhat urgent and excited voice came from Floating Pagoda: "Zhou Huan, we must get that Blue White Bead. It gives me a very special feeling."

Actually, even without Snow Empress's reminder, Zhou Huan wouldn't have given up on that Blue White Bead.

As the possessor of both Extreme Ice and Extreme Cold, how could Zhou Huan not see the importance of that Blue White Bead to him?

Therefore, Zhou Huan said, "Senior Sister Ma, I'll choose the treasure first."

After saying that, he took the Blue White Bead with one hand, wrapped it with his Soul Power, and put it into his Soul Tool.

Ma Xiaotao glanced at the black and red bead; there was no doubt it would be of great use to her Extreme Fire. However, she first looked at Zhang Lexuan and said, "Senior Disciple Sister, I..."

Zhang Lexuan immediately interrupted Ma Xiaotao: "You discovered the Underground Palace, so you're naturally the second one to choose the treasure. Besides, what would I do with a bead of Extreme Fire?"

"Thank you, Senior Disciple Sister."

As she spoke, Ma Xiaotao also put away the Black Fire Bead.

Next, Zhou Huan and Zhang Lexuan sat down to meditate and recover some of their Soul Power. The three of them then explored the Underground Palace again. Apart from the Colorful Fire in the outer Underground Palace, there was really nothing else there.

The three of them couldn't understand what those Colorful Fire were, and they couldn't take them with them, because they went out as soon as they left the Underground Palace. It was hard to comprehend.

Finally, the three of them had no choice but to leave the Underground Palace. After they came out, Ma Xiaotao covered the cave entrance again and said, "This Underground Palace still feels a bit strange to me, especially those unknown flames, so let's hide it for now. It might come in handy later."

Zhou Huan and Zhang Lexuan both nodded in agreement.

Then, Zhang Lexuan looked at Ma Xiaotao and said seriously, "Xiaotao, you can't tell anyone about Zhou Huan's true strength, including your teacher. This is my requirement for you as the successor to the Sea God Pavilion Master, and also as your Senior Disciple Sister. Zhou Huan doesn't like to be disturbed."

Ma Xiaotao was momentarily stunned, but ultimately readily agreed, "Okay."

Then, Zhang Lexuan thought for a moment and added, "Before returning to the academy, I'd like to visit Peach Spring Village first."

She has been in seclusion for the past year, and it's time for her to go back and visit her parents. Every year in the past, she would go to the Back Mountain of Peach Spring Village to sweep their graves and pay her respects.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Huan immediately replied, "I'll go with you."

Ma, the Glowing Soul Guidance Lamp, Xiaotao: "... Um, I have something to do, so I'll head back to the academy first."

As soon as she finished speaking, Ma Xiaotao spread her Phoenix Wings and flew away in a flash.

She really didn't want to follow those two anymore; the unspoken jealousy was the most painful thing for a single person.

To this, Zhou Huan could only chuckle sheepishly and say, "Senior Ma is still as impatient as ever." Inwardly, however, he couldn't help but give her a thumbs up; she was a girl who knew how to handle people.

Then Zhou Huan added, "Sister Lexuan, you didn't have to do that just now. Since I dared to show it, I'm not afraid of anything. It's not like it's anything shameful."

Regarding the strength of Soul Sage, Zhou Huan is not actually too worried about the higher-ups of the Sea God Pavilion finding out.

To reiterate, while some of Shrek's ideas and practices may have problems, the higher-ups at the Sea God Pavilion are not bad people; on the contrary, they all protect Shrek's students.

Because the younger generation of students are the future of Shrek, and what they are protecting is actually Shrek's future.

Given Zhou Huan's genius and his usual disciplined nature, the Sea God Pavilion, if they had any brains, would certainly not push him out.

Zhou Huan concealed his strength for two reasons: first, to avoid standing out from the crowd and attracting too much attention; and second, to reduce unnecessary disturbances, simply staying at Shrek as usual.

Now that Shrek understands his character and personality, and he has made his stance clear, even if Shrek knows he has become Soul Sage, they will at most come to talk to him, and there won't be any major trouble.

Even if we take a step back, he only revealed a little of his Soul Sage strength. Besides, given the situation in the Underground Palace at the time, he had no choice but to take action. It was better than revealing the Floating Pagoda and the Snow Empress.

So what if he cultivated a little too quickly?

It's no big deal, I'm not Evil Soul Master anyway.

However, upon hearing Zhou Huan's words, Zhang Lexuan smiled faintly and asked in return, "So, I was being nosy?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Huan quickly replied, "How could that be? Sister Lexuan is only doing this for my own good. I'm not an ungrateful fool."

Then, Zhou Huan explained, "I just felt that what you said to Senior Ma just now, Sister Lexuan, sounded a bit like a command. Wouldn't that be bad for your image?"

Zhang Lexuan laughed genuinely after hearing this, "Then what image do you think I have?"

Zhou Huan didn't even need to think to give the answer, "Gentle, generous, understanding, and highly skilled, she's the best Senior Disciple Sister in the Inner Court, and the goddess of countless people's dreams."

Zhang Lexuan rolled her eyes at Zhou Huan speechlessly. "I'm not as good as you say."

Then, with a firm gaze, he said, "Since I have accepted the responsibility given to me by the Sea God Pavilion, I should have the corresponding rights. Therefore, it is fine to give orders to Xiaotao Tao."

Zhou Huan: "... Senior Disciple Sister is so domineering!"

Seeing that Zhang Lexuan ignored his flattery, Zhou Huan felt it was best not to discuss these rights and such anymore, as Sister Lexuan probably wouldn't like it anyway.

Therefore, Zhou Huan then said, "Sister Lexuan, how about we practice more Martial Soul Fusion Skill in the future? Moreover, I think that trying more training involving the Soul Power Fusion will definitely make our improvement twice as effective."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lexuan's pretty face flushed slightly, and she glared at Zhou Huan: "Shut up, what are you practicing for? Let's go back to Peach Spring Village."

She was too embarrassed to ask, "Was that for cultivation?"

Seven days later, in Peach Spring Village, the Northern Frontier of the Heavenly Soul Empire.

Three years later, Zhou Huan and Zhang Lexuan returned to this place together again.

This made Zhou Huan realize how fast time had flown! Three years had passed in the blink of an eye.

The last time they went back to Peach Spring Village together was during the summer vacation after their first year of high school. They returned here after obtaining Soul Ring from the Extreme North.

Although Zhang Lexuan returned to pay respects to her parents the year before last and the year before that, the timing certainly didn't coincide with Zhou Huan's holidays, so it was impossible for them to return to Peach Spring Village together.

Zhang Lexuan had been in seclusion for cultivation since last year, which is why she only returned now.

However, as soon as Zhou Huan and Zhang Lexuan entered Peach Spring Village, they noticed the sound of gongs and drums, as if a wedding was being held.

When the two arrived at the alley where Zhou Huan's house was located, they happened to see a large red sedan chair parked in front of Aunt Zhao's house.

Peach Spring Village doesn't have many people to begin with, but at this moment, most of the villagers have gathered here.

There were people banging gongs, beating drums, and playing suonas... It was a rare sight in the village.

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