Return to Star Luo

Lin Chen fell silent.

Did he like Zhang Lexuan? It would be a lie to say he did not, but he could not tell whether his feelings for Zhang Lexuan were the kind between a man and a woman, or the kind a younger brother felt for an older sister.

Perhaps, through their future interactions, Lin Chen would come to understand his own heart.

Seeing Lin Chen remain silent, Mu En said nothing more. Instead, he turned to Xuan Zi and said, "Xuan Zi, take him there."

"Yes, Elder Mu."

Lin Chen followed Xuan Zi away.

The moment they stepped out of Sea God Pavilion, a cool and breathtakingly beautiful face appeared before Lin Chen. It was Zhang Lexuan.

Just moments ago, Zhang, who liked staying secluded in her own little home, had sensed Lin Chen's aura appear on Sea God Island before vanishing into Sea God Pavilion.

Zhang Lexuan found it strange as well. He should only know her on Sea God Island, so who else could he be looking for if not her? And why was Elder Xuan taking him somewhere?

That was why Zhang Lexuan had hurried over.

Before Lin Chen could speak, Zhang Lexuan asked, "Lin Chen, why are you here?"

"Elder Mu asked me to join the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament as a reserve member," Lin Chen answered truthfully.

At that moment, Xuan Zi asked as well, "Lexuan, you two know each other?"

Zhang Lexuan nodded without offering any further explanation. She had never thought highly of Xuan Zi.

"Elder Mu asked me to take him to Star Luo City for the Soul Fighting Tournament so he can gain some experience. We were about to leave."

At those words, a flash of pain passed through Zhang Lexuan's eyes. "Elder Xuan, I'll take him! You have your own matters to attend to."

There was a hint of firmness in her tone that brooked no refusal.

Xuan Zi gave a bitter smile. "Fine. You can take him, then."

Zhang Lexuan nodded and said nothing more. She grabbed Lin Chen by the arm and flew away with him.

"The affairs of young people should be left to them," Mu En said, appearing beside Xuan Zi at some unknown point.

"Lexuan still doesn't trust me. Then again, another accident happened while I was leading the team this time," Xuan Zi said bitterly.

"You're already so old. You endured so many storms back then. Who doesn't make mistakes?" Elder Mu said.

By then, Zhang Lexuan had already brought Lin Chen back to the Outer Court.

"Sister Lexuan, why didn't you let Elder Xuan take me? He's a level ninety-eight Super Douluo!" Although Lin Chen knew the reason, he still wanted to strike up a conversation with Zhang Lexuan.

"I'll tell you later. You... should spend less time following him when you need to obtain Soul Rings in the future. Sigh!" A pained expression appeared on Zhang Lexuan's face.

"Sister Lexuan, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Hurry up and pack. We're leaving right away."

Lin Chen nodded and returned to the Dormitory to pack his things.

Watching Lin Chen's retreating figure, Zhang Lexuan sighed, overcome by a swirl of emotions.

Lin Chen moved quickly and came down in less than five minutes. There was not much to pack in the first place; as a grown man, he did not own many things.

"Let's go."

Just as Zhang Lexuan was about to fly with Lin Chen, he took out a Flying Soul Tool from his Storage Ring and said with a smile, "Sister Lexuan, I can fly using a Soul Tool."

Zhang Lexuan nodded, and the two flew together toward Star Luo City.

"You really like Soul Tools?" Zhang Lexuan asked in the sky.

"Yeah. But I only like using them, not making them. That's too troublesome." Lin Chen answered honestly. Soul Tools really did make life far more convenient. The Martial Soul Department looked down on Soul Tools? Fine, then they could keep living like ascetics. He was not going along with that.

"You can use them in moderation, but you can't become dependent on Soul Tools, understand?" Zhang Lexuan said earnestly.

"Mhm, I understand, Sister Lexuan."

"Sister Renxue, are you there?" Lin Chen called out within his Sea of Consciousness.

"What is it?"

"Sister Renxue, what do you think of Sister Lexuan's talent?" Lin Chen asked.

"This girl has decent talent. She may become a Limit Douluo in the future," Qian Renxue gave her assessment.

"How does she compare to you?" Lin Chen pressed.

"I possess a God-Given Martial Soul and am protected by the ancestral gods. In terms of talent, not only can she not compare to me, even that Limit Douluo from your academy cannot compare to me." Qian Renxue spoke with some disdain.

"What, do you like her?" Looking at the pensive Lin Chen, Qian Renxue suddenly felt like teasing him.

"Sister Renxue, why are you teasing me too?" Lin Chen said irritably.

"What? Isn't your skin usually quite thick? Oh, you're blushing?!"

"No... I'm not." Lin Chen answered, his face red.

Zhang Lexuan had no idea about the farce taking place in Lin Chen's Sea of Consciousness. She had already flown out of Shrek City with him.

The two sped along like the wind, and three days later, Lin Chen and Zhang Lexuan arrived in Star Luo City.

By then, Shrek Academy had just finished the elimination rounds. Huo Yuhao's six Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings had utterly crushed their opponents and left them doubting their lives.

Because they had won, everyone was in high spirits, chatting and laughing in the hotel conference room.

"Judging by the time, the academy's reinforcements should be here soon," Wang Yan said.

Just then, Lin Chen and Zhang Lexuan arrived outside the conference room.

Lin Chen stepped forward and knocked on the door.

Before long, the door opened, with Wang Yan standing on the other side.

"Lin Chen?" Wang Yan was somewhat surprised to see him.

"Teacher Wang." Lin Chen nodded in greeting.

Only then did Wang Yan notice the person behind Lin Chen. He respectfully said, "Chief Disciple."

Wang Yan naturally would not slight Zhang Lexuan, especially given her status as the Inner Court's Senior Sister.

"Teacher Wang, there is no need for such formality. This tournament has been thanks to your efforts. I'll have to trouble you from here on."

"This is what a team leader should do."

Upon entering the conference room, everyone saw Lin Chen's arrival. Huo Yuhao and the other two were surprised; Beibei, Jiang Nannan, Xu Sanshi, and He Caitou were puzzled; while Ma Xiaotao and the other two from the Inner Court were dissatisfied.

"Why did the academy send a mere Soul Elder?" Ma Xiaotao said with some displeasure.

Lin Chen did not reply. With his current strength, relying solely on his Soul Master cultivation and without using all his trump cards, he could not defeat Ma Xiaotao. Even if he used them, he might not be able to win.

"Xiaotao, do not be rude." Zhang Lexuan had just entered the conference room when she heard Ma Xiaotao's words, and immediately spoke up.

Upon seeing Zhang Lexuan, Ma Xiaotao's dissatisfaction instantly vanished. There was not the slightest trace of defiance on her face, nor any in her heart. "Yes, Senior Sister."

Ling Luochen and Dai Yueheng also rose to their feet and respectfully said, "Senior Sister."

Immediately afterward, the seven reserve members stood as well. "Senior Sister!"

Zhang Lexuan nodded and said to everyone, "You've all done very well. I'll be counting on you from here on as well."

The Shrek Seven reserve members were encouraged, their confidence growing; Ma Xiaotao and the other two, meanwhile, felt ashamed. As official team members, they had actually needed the reserve team to step in for them. It truly was...

Unlike in the original story, Lin Chen had given Xiao Xiao a level-six Soul Tool. Therefore, Xiao Xiao, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong had not suffered serious injuries. It was a defensive Soul Tool.

"Little Earth, thanks to your Soul Tool, or I would have been in real trouble." Xiao Xiao said gratefully.

"By the way, how did you know there would be Evil Soul Masters?"