The competition had entered its final stage. Every team that had qualified for the finals was preparing to set out for Spirit City, located at the center of the continent.
At Heaven Dou City Gate, a group of knights in standard Heaven Dou Empire armor had fanned out, keeping watch over the surrounding area.
Inside their formation, teachers and students from the various academies said their farewells to friends and family, then climbed into their respective carriages.
Shrek Academy's carriage was at the back of the procession. In addition to the regular competitors, four teachers were making the trip to Spirit City: Flender, Liu Erlong, Vice Dean Zhao Wuji, and Poison Douluo Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo had already taken care of his personal business and returned to Shrek Academy. When he heard that the academy had reached the finals, he felt it reflected well on him, too, and decided to travel with the team to Spirit City and show his face.
Zhao Wuji felt the same way. This was Shrek Academy's first time reaching the finals of the Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition, so the vice dean naturally wanted to come along and see it for himself.
But one figure was conspicuously absent from the Shrek Academy team: Wisdom Horn Yu Xiaogang, one of the Golden Iron Triangle.
Inside the carriage, Liu Erlong sat with a blank expression, clearly distracted. Her thoughts were still fixed on that night half a month ago.
At Shrek Academy, by the lake behind the woods.
Soft moonlight spilled across the lake. A breeze rippled its previously smooth, mirrorlike surface, breaking up the moon's reflection. Shimmering silver scattered across the water, like countless tiny fish darting about.
On the shore, two figures leaned against each other. The man was tall and muscular, with short hair parted three-seven. He wasn't particularly handsome, but his features were firm and resolute. His bearing was steady, yet brimmed with the vitality of someone in their twenties.
The woman nestled in his arms was tall and curvaceous. Her features were cool and striking, but now her expression was tender. Her left arm was around the man's waist, while her right hand rested against his chest.
Feeling the strong beat of his heart beneath her hand, the woman's cheeks flushed. She tilted her head up to look at him and said, "Xiao Gang, I think you've gotten a lot stronger."
Yu Xiaogang smiled. "It must be the Immortal Medicine Xiao San gave me. My body's been completely remade, and I'm back to the way I was at twenty."
"That's wonderful. It's like being back twenty years ago." The woman closed her eyes and snuggled closer to Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang tightened his embrace. Then his expression grew serious. "Erlong, I'm planning to go to Spirit City ahead of the others and meet Bibi Dong."
"What!"
Liu Erlong, who had been wearing a tender expression just moments before, immediately broke free of Yu Xiaogang's arms and transformed into a Female Tyrant Dragon.
Her beautiful eyes turned icy as she stared at Yu Xiaogang. A faint trace of murderous intent even seemed to hang in the air.
"What are you going to see that woman for?" Liu Erlong narrowed her eyes and asked in a low voice.
Yu Xiaogang shivered. Then, smiling, he stepped forward and pulled Liu Erlong back into his arms despite her resistance. "Xiao San's about to graduate. He'll have to venture out into the world sooner or later. I still haven't fully figured out how to cultivate Twin Martial Souls. If I want to understand the matter, I can only meet with Bibi Dong. After all, she's the first Soul Master in history to cultivate Twin Martial Souls to the Titled Douluo level."
After saying all that, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help feeling a little guilty.
Why did he feel like such a scumbag?
Yu Xiaogang shook his head, quickly banishing the thought.
It was all for the System Mission. The system had led him astray!
Once he'd used the system as a shield, Yu Xiaogang's guilt eased considerably.
Hearing his explanation, Liu Erlong's frost-cold expression softened again. A thoughtful look appeared in her eyes, and the murderous intent in the air vanished completely.
Ever since adopting Xiao Wu as her goddaughter, Liu Erlong had devoted much of her attention to her. She could naturally see through her daughter's feelings.
Although Xiao Wu and Tang San always claimed they were brother and sister, anyone with eyes could tell they were actually a couple. They just hadn't admitted it.
So, out of love for her daughter, Liu Erlong naturally wanted to help Tang San, too.
Besides, Tang San was Yu Xiaogang's personal disciple and represented his Martial Soul concept. With both factors at play, Liu Erlong just couldn't bring herself to voice the objection she so often had on the tip of her tongue.
"When are you planning to leave?" Liu Erlong asked, looking up at him.
"I'll set out first thing tomorrow morning. I need to get there before the finals begin, so I don't hold up the competition."
Yu Xiaogang looked into Liu Erlong's eyes and saw a hint of worry in them. He smiled. "I have the Martial Soul Hall Elder Token that Tang San's father left behind. I'll be safe."
Liu Erlong's brow relaxed. She nodded, then fell silent.
They continued to embrace, watching the moonlight ripple across the lake and savoring the quiet.
In the carriage.
Xiao Wu saw Liu Erlong staring blankly at the floor beside her and quickly leaned over. "Mom, what's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing, dear."
Liu Erlong came back to herself and smiled. Then she stroked Xiao Wu's hair. "You'll be reaching level forty soon. When you do, I'll go with you to get your Soul Ring."
"Okay." Xiao Wu nodded with a smile, then leaned against Liu Erlong's shoulder.
Holding Xiao Wu close, Liu Erlong's thoughts drifted elsewhere again.
I wonder if Xiao Gang has arrived yet.
A day later, in Spirit City.
A carriage passed through the gates of Spirit City and headed toward the center.
Spirit City's overall layout resembled Heaven Dou City's, with concentric districts arranged from the inside out.
But Heaven Dou City had only an Inner City and an Outer City, while Spirit City had three districts: the Inner City, Middle City, and Outer City.
The Outer City was naturally home to ordinary residences and commercial centers. The Middle City housed Spirit Hall's administrative offices and living quarters for Soul Masters. At the very heart of the city lay Spirit Hall's centers of power and faith: the legendary Papal Palace, Elder Hall, and Douluo Hall, all within the Inner City.
The strongest impression Yu Xiaogang had formed on the journey was how strictly Spirit City enforced its hierarchy.
The Outer City brimmed with the bustle of everyday life; the Middle City was orderly; and the Inner City was solemn and heavily guarded.
The stark contrast along the way left a deep impression on any outsider.
The carriage wasn't allowed to enter once it reached the Inner City gate. Yu Xiaogang stepped down, then, to avoid causing a commotion, took out the Third-class Pass and showed it to the guards.
At the sight of the three symbols on the pass, the guards withdrew the spears blocking the road and motioned for Yu Xiaogang to enter, though their expressions remained indifferent.
Yu Xiaogang tucked the pass back into his clothes, walked through the gate alone, and headed toward the Papal Palace.
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