The Glazed Sect's Unattainable Desire, Na'er's Heart

The students of Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy faced off. The several noisy train cars suddenly fell silent, and while many people looked excited, they were also somewhat disappointed:

Why hadn't they started fighting?

The sudden incident killed any interest Feng Zaixing and the other two had in chatting. Long Chen pulled up information on Yu Minglong and the other girl, then lowered his voice.

"Yu Minglong, second-year class monitor at Shrek Academy, from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. He ranks fifteenth on the Young Genius Ranking and is known as Blue Lightning."

"The yellow-skirted girl ranks twenty-eighth on the Young Genius Ranking, Seven Treasures Ningyue. Rumor has it that they're a couple, and both are top candidates to enter the Inner Court."

"Judging by the timing, they're most likely taking Shrek's final examination."

"It's no surprise that Shrek people look down on everyone else, but are they the young masters of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect?" Feng Zaixing asked.

He remembered that the setting for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul seemed to change every ten thousand years, while the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda had remained the same.

Long Chen said, "They're the candidates with the greatest hope. Graduating from the Shrek Inner Court won't be a problem for them, and Ning Yue might even directly inherit the sect master's position."

"After all, because of the limitations of their martial souls, battle armor isn't particularly useful to Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda soul masters. And after the Nine Treasures Douluo, there has never been another Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda."

"I know that. A title without substance," Feng Zaixing said, nodding lightly.

Ever since Ning Rongrong, the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect had produced only Seven Treasures Glazed Pagodas for generations. Once they reached rank seventy-nine, they could advance no further.

Even worse, Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda soul masters seemed to have been abandoned by heaven in this era. Battle armor, which could greatly enhance other soul masters' combat strength, could not improve their amplification effects. It could only increase their own soul power and defensive strength.

For all these reasons, the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect had begun allowing direct-line disciples to marry out several thousand years ago. They formed marriage alliances with old soul master families to protect themselves, and even had a bloodline branch on the Star Luo Continent.

"I heard that the Tang Sect's Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes are one of the greatest blessed lands in the world, with Immortal Grade herbs capable of evolving the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda. The Tang Sect has revived for ten thousand years now, and the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect still hasn't obtained a second one?"

Thinking of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect's awkward circumstances, Feng Zaixing could not help feeling a peculiar interest.

"No. The Tang Sect isn't stupid. If they gave them an Immortal Grade herb, the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect would no longer have anything to ask of them, unless they merged into the Tang Sect."

Long Chen spread his hands and shook his head, indicating that the Tang Sect was full of top-tier profiteers who understood fishing tactics all too well.

By giving them a faint, elusive hope, the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect would cling to the fantasy that perhaps if I work a little harder, I'll obtain an Immortal Grade herb. Generation after generation, they sent geniuses to Shrek and the Tang Sect, even habitually yielding to the Tang Sect in commercial competition.

But if the Tang Sect truly gave them an Immortal Grade herb, the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect would surely learn its lesson thoroughly. They would have a pile of children to continue the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda bloodline, upgrade the entire sect, and welcome a new dawn.

Combined with the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect's business abilities, it would not take more than a few centuries before, regardless of whether the balance of power changed completely, Shrek and the Tang Sect could no longer maintain their former lofty stance toward the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect.

"As expected of an international arms dealer. That's vicious enough."

Feng Zaixing gave him a thumbs-up. Long Chen gave an awkward smile; how could he fail to hear the mockery in Feng Zaixing's words?

They had not spoken loudly, but it was just enough for Yu Minglong and Ning Yue, seated two rows behind them, to hear.

Ning Yue's gaze dimmed. Every word Feng Zaixing and Long Chen had said was true. The Nine Treasures Glazed Sect's situation was just that awkward and helpless.

One of the once-renowned Upper Three Sects from twenty thousand years ago, they had long since declined into obscurity. They could barely even retain the title of a first-rate sect.

"Yue'er, don't worry. I believe the academy and the Tang Sect will remember their twenty-thousand-year friendship with the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect. They may not have let you obtain an Immortal Grade herb before, but this generation definitely will."

Yu Minglong comforted her in a low voice.

"I hope so..."

Ning Yue gave a soft hum, but her expression remained despondent.

After ten thousand years of striving in vain, even she had begun to despair.

At the rear of the train, Shen Yi, the second-year homeroom teacher from Shrek Outer Academy who had secretly accompanied them to oversee the examination, heard these words and shook her head slightly.

She sighed inwardly. The Tang Sect once considered giving you a chance to obtain an Immortal Grade herb, but the Aromatic Silk Beauty is a Fierce Beast. It can't be forcibly consumed, and forming a Soul Spirit Contract is even more impossible...

As a disciple of Red Dragon Douluo Zhuo Shi, one of Shrek's Twin Saint Dragon, Shen Yi knew some of the secrets of Shrek and the Tang Sect.

The strongest plant Fierce Beast in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes was the Aromatic Silk Beauty in transformed form. It could speak as an equal with the Tang Sect's Passionate Douluo. Swallowing it, or having it sign a Master-Servant Contract with a young master of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, was absolutely impossible. (In Soul Land 3, the Aromatic Silk Beauty and the Aromatic Silk Beauty had been conflated into the same immortal herb, the leader of the six plant Fierce Beasts.)

Leaving aside the fact that the Tang Sect could not accept such a loss, Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda soul masters could not fuse with a Fierce Beast-level Soul Spirit through a Master-Servant Contract at the quasi-seventh ring. Their heads would explode like watermelons.

There was a slim chance of success with an Equal Contract, but Equal Contracts had nearly been lost even within the Spirit Pagoda. No one but absolute core powerhouses would learn them.

Have a core powerhouse from the Spirit Pagoda enter Shrek and the Tang Sect's foremost treasure ground to preside over an Equal Contract? Not even in their dreams!

Thus, barring an accident, the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda would remain the Ning Family's forever-unattainable white moonlight. If anyone was to blame, it was their ancestors for not having enough children. The Tang Sect could do nothing about that.

"On the other hand, those two young geniuses headed to Ming Capital have such excellent talent. Why didn't they wait two more years and apply to Shrek Academy?"

No longer paying attention to the powerless Yu Minglong and Ning Yue, Shen Yi instead observed Feng Zaixing and Long Chen. Since they could travel alongside Xu Miao, they were certainly no ordinary geniuses.

Because of their martial souls, both had developed quickly, yet their faces still retained childish features.

With one glance, the veteran teacher Shen Yi saw that they were only eight or nine years old, yet both were Soul Grand Masters. Long Chen's soul power was active, while Feng Zaixing's aura was restrained.

With talents and backgrounds like theirs, they would have been top geniuses even at Shrek Academy, with hopes of entering the Inner Court. Why had they gone to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and wasted their futures for nothing?

"A pearl cast into darkness. What a pity. Then you can become Shrek's whetstones. The final destination for the Outer Court's final examinations these past years has always been Ming Capital. Sooner or later, you'll meet."

With another inward sigh, Shen Yi stopped dwelling on these geniuses who had missed Shrek Academy.

Shrek would always be Shrek, undefeated for twenty thousand years.

"Big Brother, there's an old woman behind us looking at you with a very unfriendly gaze."

By the train window, the quiet little Na'er suddenly spoke up to warn Feng Zaixing.

Over the past two years, Na'er's perception had grown stronger by the day. She could often distinguish a blacksmith's mood and temperament, helping Feng Zaixing find many easygoing blacksmiths.

"She should be from Shrek. Don't mind them, Na'er. Those people have always looked down on everyone and never bother to look at others properly."

Feng Zaixing gently shook his head. His consciousness entered his Sea of Consciousness and woke the Heavenly Sacred Winged Divine Tiger, which spent its days sleeping.

"Heavenly Saint, I'll leave keeping watch in all directions to you. If you discover any evil aura, notify me First Thing."

"Got it, got it. No one understands evil attributes better than this king. If there really are Evil Soul Masters, this king will be happier than you."

Golden misty water rolled through the Sea of Consciousness. The Heavenly Sacred Winged Divine Tiger lay sprawled on the beach, limbs spread wide. It suddenly woke with an "Ao Wu," raised a front paw, and looked on expectantly.

"Your Spiritual Power has broken through to the Spirit Sea Realm for some time now. When will you let this king advance to ten thousand years? Nine thousand years of cultivation is decent enough, but ten thousand years offers a much broader horizon."

"Let me tell you some Good News. Once this king sleeps and advances to ten thousand years, I'll be able to release my innate domain outside your body. I guarantee it'll make your opponents feel like they're in heaven and hell."

"How Are They? Aren't you looking forward to it?"

"Very much so, Tiger King Brother."

Feng Zaixing flattered him, then said somewhat helplessly, "But you know that Grand Uncle-Master needs time to coordinate his move from Heaven Dou City to Ming Capital. Without him concealing us, we'll be exposed. It's better to be cautious in all things."

The Heavenly Sacred Winged Divine Tiger flapped its wings, its huge tiger eyes full of agreement. "That's true. If you want to become king and dominate the world, you must first learn to lower your head and be a tiger. Ao Wu."

"Exactly."

Feng Zaixing painted him a bright picture. "Grand Uncle-Master arrived in Ming Capital to complete the handover half a month ago. The day after we arrive, we'll go to the Spirit Pagoda and have a proper slaughter."

"This king can hardly wait. But can we enter the Intermediate Spirit Ascension Platform and have some fun? This king is sick of looking at the Junior Spirit Ascension Platform."

The Heavenly Sacred Winged Divine Tiger rolled over, stood upright on its hind legs, and rubbed its front paws together as it coaxed him. "It may be dangerous there, but your Divine Arrows are like clouds, your twin swords like rain, and you also have me. What is there to fear?"

"You're right. I'll ask Big Senior Brother to come with us then," Feng Zaixing agreed.

"Good! Sleep without worry. No danger can escape this king's eyes! Ao~ Wu..."

The Heavenly Sacred Winged Divine Tiger cheered and took on all the sentry duties.

Feng Zaixing relaxed. He informed Mu Ye and A Ruheng through his thoughts, then rubbed Na'er's adorable little head and silky hair. As she pouted in protest, he said softly, "Na'er, it's still a long journey. Rest for a while."

"Big Brother, honestly, Na'er isn't a child anymore..."

Na'er protested softly. Looking at Feng Zaixing, who had fallen asleep with a smile for the first time in two years, she whispered inwardly, Big Brother, Na'er wishes she could live with you, Big Senior Brother, and Teacher Mu Ye forever. But Na'er has remembered many things already. If they come, Na'er will have to leave...

But Na'er will never let them hurt any of you. Na'er will protect Big Brother forever, whether it's them or any other bad people...