King Na'er's Seafood Porridge, Gu Yue Arrives, Silver Dragon King

# Chapter 24: King Na'er's Seafood Porridge, Gu Yue Arrives, the Silver Dragon King's Two Halves Clash (4K)

Noon, Eastsea City Spirit Transmission Tower.

His eyelashes trembled slightly, a layer of gray-white emerging in his vision, like a moon veiled by thick fog. A wisp of fragrance faintly drifted into his nasal cavity. In a daze, Zhao Xuanzhen thought himself immersed in a hazy dream. He lifted his finger and touched a patch of warm softness.

"Stupid Zhao Xuanzhen, poking me the moment you wake up!"

A pleasant voice brushed past his ear. Zhao Xuanzhen steadied himself, the blurry outline gradually coalescing into a stunning silver-haired girl. A beam of sunlight poured in, fine golden light scattered among her hair. Beneath the falling bangs, silver pupils reflected a somewhat pale silhouette.

Na'er had been there for who knows how long. She had pulled a short stool to sit by Zhao Xuanzhen's bed, propping her cheeks on both hands, baring a row of small white teeth as she said: "I sent you messages all morning, and you didn't reply to a single one. I was afraid something happened to you, so I came in to check on you!

You actually slept all the way until noon. What happened to you? Got solo-killed by last night's spicy stir-fried crab?"

Silently withdrawing his fingertip that had poked Na'er's cheek, Zhao Xuanzhen said speechlessly: "Although I really don't like spicy food, getting solo-killed by a creature like a ten-year Green Armor Crab is still too ridiculous. Green Armor Crabs would get promoted to sit at the same table as Wind Baboons..."

"So it's not the crab's fault?"

Na'er wrinkled her brow like a little kitten, her expression turning serious: "Your complexion looks terrible. Should I find Aunt Leng or a Healing System soul master to come check on you?"

"It's nothing serious. I'll recover after a few days of rest. Don't tell Teacher, I don't want her to worry." Zhao Xuanzhen waved his hand to cover up the truth.

The truth was actually the aftereffects of fusing with the Soaring Serpent. As a quasi-god level spirit of heaven and earth, the Eight Deceitful Gods—Zhao Xuanzhen had forcibly fused with the Soaring Serpent at the Soul Elder level. With such a massive leap in soul power, a certain price had to be paid.

The Soaring Serpent was false and cunning, treacherous and venomous. The backlash it brought was false alarm, strangeness, and illusion. During this period, Zhao Xuanzhen would occasionally suffer from mental confusion and disorientation. The first week was the most severe; it would take about a month to fully recover his peak form.

As Zhao Xuanzhen's strength gradually increased, the backlash would grow milder until it completely disappeared, allowing him to wield the Human Plate Eight Divine Powers of the Divine Plate without any side effects.

For now, the threat from Tang San and Tang Hao had temporarily subsided. The Soaring Serpent alone was already a top-tier combat force in the world. In the current era of Douluo Continent, there weren't many enemies requiring Zhao Xuanzhen, the Master of Qimen, to fuse the Eight Divine Powers. Moreover, more of the Eight Deceitful Gods would awaken in the future.

Taking a look at the one-month limited edition sickly person, Na'er's jade hand rubbed her chin as she suddenly said: "In your current state, am I stronger than you now!"

"The things you focus on are so weird!" Zhao Xuanzhen glared at her in exasperation.

He was weak, not trash!

A Trisolarians cut still dealt excessive damage!

"No worries, I'm super loyal. Even if I'm stronger than you, I'll still take care of you! Zhao Xuanzhen, you haven't eaten all morning. Wait right here!"

Na'er bounced away, her silver long hair rising and falling. Zhao Xuanzhen watched the girl's carefree retreating figure and helplessly shook his head.

A month would pass in the blink of an eye. Compared to dealing with the Tang father and son and obtaining the Golden Dragon King God Core, being a sickly person for a month was nothing at all.

Zhao Xuanzhen sank into thought. Tang San had only lost a wisp of divine thought; his main body was still playing games with other God Kings of the divine realm, preparing to create the Great God Circle.

Given Tang San's vengeful nature, Zhao Xuanzhen was a hundred percent certain that Tang San wouldn't act without dragging all Twelve God Kings of the Great God Circle along with him.

If the Twelve God Kings fought side by side, even Emperor Xuanzhen would have a headache. Moreover, in the Legend of the Dragon King Era, one could only rely on oneself to condense a divine position and break through to godhood; there were almost no shortcuts like inheriting a predecessor's divine position.

"The Golden Dragon King God Core... far from enough..."

The peak Golden Dragon King was weaker than the combined strength of the Five God Kings of the Douluo Divine Realm. Even if Zhao Xuanzhen absorbed every last drop of the God Core's energy, the gap would still be enormous.

Zhao Xuanzhen didn't want to walk the same path as Tang Wulin, eventually transforming into the next Golden Dragon King. Therefore, the Golden Dragon King God Core suppressed by the Human Plate Eight Gates could only be one of the cornerstones beneath his future divine position!

"I'm back!"

Before the person arrived, the voice came first. When Na'er burst through the door with fierce and fiery energy, Zhao Xuanzhen was just thinking about how to obtain the infinite energy needed to create a divine position surpassing the Golden Dragon King.

Hearing the commotion, Zhao Xuanzhen had barely propped himself up halfway when the girl had already familiarly squeezed up to the bedside, dragging an oversized insulated bucket in her hand.

The insulated bucket slowly unscrewed, releasing a vast white mist. The curled arcs of cuttlefish tentacles condensed amber broth. On the sea of porridge, red jade shrimp lay like crescent moon boats at anchor. The golden gauze woven from dried scallop shreds was dyed into sunset hues by crab roe. At a single glance, it was indescribably enticing.

The steaming heat hit his chin. Zhao Xuanzhen said in surprise: "Not bad, it actually looks appetizing. Did you make it?"

"Of course! King Na'er is skilled in both letters and martial arts, equally at home in the hall and the kitchen!" the girl said proudly.

"Pop quiz. Without tasting it with your mouth, how do you tell salt from sugar?"

"Uh ⊙⊙!"

Na'er was instantly dumbfounded. It took her a long while before she mumbled: "I confess. The Spirit Transmission Tower chef made the seafood porridge. It looked delicious to me, so I brought it over."

"But!" The girl changed her tone, emphasizing: "I participated in the process of bringing it to you. Even without merit, I have my effort!"

"Alright, thank you for your hard work."

Zhao Xuanzhen praised her with a smile. In four years, Na'er had never set foot in the kitchen. She didn't produce meals; she was just a meal transporter!

"Hehe!"

Na'er was happy. She ladled a full bowl of seafood porridge into a celadon bowl, dodged Zhao Xuanzhen's hand reaching for the bowl, and volunteered: "Seeing how badly you're injured and barely hanging on by a thread, I'll feed you out of pity!"

"Injured and barely hanging on by a thread... Am I really that pathetic?"

Zhao Xuanzhen retorted with half-closed eyes, but his body honestly opened his mouth.

Na'er sat by the bed, scooped up a spoonful of thick porridge. Crab meat wrapped in translucent rice paste, tender pink shrimp poking out from among bits of green celery. The corners of her rosy lips curled into a smile of successful scheming, and she said in a gentle tone like coaxing a child:

"Little Zhen, Mommy feeds you. Ah—"

"You..."

Zhao Xuanzhen's eyes instantly went wide. He knew Na'er was up to no good!

However, Na'er was quick-eyed and quick-handed, stuffing the porcelain spoon into Zhao Xuanzhen's mouth, physically interrupting his retort.

"Don't let it get cold. Eat up, eat up!"

Na'er shoved three huge spoonfuls into his mouth in quick succession, and Zhao Xuanzhen seriously suspected she was trying to choke him to death.

After the initial laughter and teasing, Na'er began to take things seriously, feeding Zhao Xuanzhen spoonful by spoonful, her smile as clear as frost and snow, chattering endlessly:

"Chef Uncle said the crabs and shrimp were caught this morning, still carrying the taste of seawater, fresh as can be. The porridge oil was simmered with lots of specialty seafood from Eastsea City—it smells amazing, perfect for a patient like you!"

As he drank the porridge, Zhao Xuanzhen glanced sidelong at Na'er. The light projection outlined her translucent figure; when she lowered her eyes to blow on the porridge, the tip of her nose trembled slightly, as if she were sniffing the seafood aroma.

He could clearly see the craving on Na'er's face, and how many times her tongue darted toward the spoon, only to be held back at the last moment with sheer effort.

"Na'er, you don't have to hold back so hard. If you want to eat, we can eat together. I can manage on my own..."

Zhao Xuanzhen's expression was complicated, afraid Na'er might drool.

"I'm not eating—this is for you, you idiot!" Na'er held her ground.

"Benefiting others is better than benefiting oneself alone; joy shared is joy doubled."

"Mm... I'll taste it a little after I finish feeding you!"

Na'er's bottom line was made to be broken!

"Shh—the point is, you keep hitting my teeth with the spoon..." Zhao Xuanzhen finally couldn't help but tell the truth.

"Don't talk while eating!"

Na'er glared fiercely, but the tips of her ears flushed the same tender pink as the shrimp.

Objection invalid, Zhao Xuanzhen could only continue accepting Na'er's feeding. Amid the clinking of the porcelain spoon, the tiny beads of sweat on the girl's nose were even more distinct than the glossy grains of rice in the bowl.

"This is my first time taking care of someone—I'm inexperienced. You can't treat me like a waitress, you know..." Na'er protested softly.

Zhao Xuanzhen smiled silently. He had never really blamed her; it was more just teasing and banter.

To be honest, Zhao Xuanzhen was always grateful that, four years ago that night, he had made the right choice and invited Na'er to join the Spirit Pagoda.

She was like a flame, making his life bright and colorful.

After two bowls, Zhao Xuanzhen called a halt, signaling he was full. Na'er cradled the remaining more-than-half bucket of seafood porridge and dug in with excitement.

She had been eyeing the kitchen's supreme-quality seafood porridge since early morning, but it was only after Zhao Xuanzhen's sudden condition that she brought all the porridge over, hoping to help him recover quickly.

"Ring, ring, ring—"

A bell suddenly rang. The screen of the Soul Guide Communicator showed the word "Teacher."

"Xuanzhen."

Pressing the answer button, Leng Yaozhu's gentle and soft voice came through.

"I heard from Na'er that you slept until noon. Is your body feeling unwell somewhere, or did you go to the seaside... and overexert yourself a bit?"

"It's nothing. I was tired yesterday, so I took a day off." Zhao Xuanzhen said lightly.

"Mm, it's good to rest for a day during the holiday."

Leng Yaozhu held the Soul Guide Communicator to her ear. Zhao Xuanzhen had always been diligent and hardworking, never slacking in cultivation. Suddenly, scenes from the beach chair flashed through her mind—could the tiredness be because...

Sighing inwardly that the child had grown up, Leng Yaozhu brought up the main matter: "Gu Yue has arrived at the Spirit Pagoda for her grade evaluation. I'm assigning this task to you, according to the position we discussed yesterday."

"Alright, Teacher."

Zhao Xuanzhen had no objections. He got up, washed up, and dressed neatly, casually asking Na'er a question. The latter shouted that Gu Yue wasn't as important as eating, and kept devouring the seafood porridge.

At the main entrance of the Eastsea City Spirit Pagoda, the silhouette of the black-haired girl was gilded by the noon light. Her eyebrows and eyes were like a finely brushed work of art. The collar of her white shirt puffed slightly in the wind, the fabric tracing the soft curves of her shoulders and neck. Beneath the flowing black skirt hem, the lines of her calves gleamed like carved jade arcs.

"I hope the Spirit Pagoda's scheme goes smoothly..."

Gu Yue sighed softly. Ever since enrolling at Eastsea Academy, everything seemed to go wrong.

Half a year ago, she had tricked Tang Wulin outside Eastsea Academy, intending to forcibly strip the Golden Dragon King Bloodline. But then Tang Wulin's father showed up on the spot, a single great halberd sending the Xingdou Fierce Beasts howling. Di Tian, Bear Monarch, and the other fierce beasts were severely injured, and were still receiving treatment from Biji in the Star Dou Great Forest.

She had planned to lie low and observe Tang Wulin, waiting for the fierce beasts to recover before scheming for the Golden Dragon King Bloodline. But an unexpected accident occurred—Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon King Bloodline vanished overnight!

This morning, the five-person group of Zero Class fought Wu Changkong. Tang Wulin's martial soul suddenly evolved into the Golden Patterned Blue Silver Grass, but his bloodline level dropped drastically. Before, it was the Golden Dragon King; now, at best, it was a Golden Dragon!

The Golden Dragon King and the Golden Dragon were worlds apart. The meager bloodline of the Golden Dragon was completely insufficient to support Gu Yue's transformation into the Dragon God!

Gu Yue clenched her fists. After taking human form, she had set two goals for herself: first, to devour the Golden Dragon King God Core and become the Dragon God; second, to join the Spirit Pagoda, use its monopoly on spirits to destroy humanity from the root!

Now, with the Golden Dragon King vanished without a trace, Gu Yue needed time to investigate the cause. Her infiltration into the Spirit Pagoda's core could not afford any more problems!

Following the staff's directions, Gu Yue arrived at a meeting room door. She knocked lightly, then pushed it open and entered.

Inside the meeting room sat one person. The sunlight was brilliant, casting a shallow layer of gold over his long hair, his fingertips, and his pitch-black pupils—gentle and beautiful.

"It's you..."

Gu Yue paused briefly, recognizing Zhao Xuanzhen.

Zhao Xuanzhen's gaze, however, fell on Gu Yue's empty hands. Empty-handed!

Told you to wait at home for news, you could at least bring a fruit basket!

Soul beasts are just too simple—they don't understand social graces!

"Sit."

Zhao Xuanzhen pointed to the seat across from him, and Gu Yue sat down as instructed, her quiet, dark eyes half expectant, half nervous.

"Next, I represent the Spirit Pagoda in announcing the results of your assessment."

Clearing his throat with a light cough, Zhao Xuanzhen spoke with an air of formality: "Gu Yue, age ten, soul power twenty-first rank, martial soul Elementalist, commanding the seven elements of Earth, Water, Wind, Fire, Light, Darkness, and Space.

After deliberation among the Spirit Pagoda's high-level members, Gu Yue's talent is exceptional, and her martial soul possesses great developmental potential. However, during the Spirit Ascension Platform assessment, her practical combat performance against the examiner was lacking. Therefore, she is granted the status of Quasi-Core Disciple of the Spirit Pagoda."

"Quasi-Core Disciple?" Gu Yue asked, puzzled.

"It's equivalent to a reserve for Core Disciples. You enjoy the same treatment but lack the corresponding authority. Once the examiner deems your abilities satisfactory, you will be formally turned into a Core Disciple of the Spirit Pagoda. Oh, and by the way, I am your sole examiner."

Though Zhao Xuanzhen's face was full of smiles, Gu Yue inexplicably felt that handsome face carried a hint of scheming. Her eyebrows furrowed tightly as she said:

"A sole examiner means that unless you agree, I can never become a Core Disciple, doesn't it?"

"You could understand it that way." Zhao Xuanzhen nodded. "So you'll have to do your best to earn my recognition."

The status of Quasi-Core Disciple just barely tread the bottom line, and Gu Yue could reluctantly accept it. With the Golden Dragon King God Core missing, entering the core tier of the Spirit Pagoda was all the more important. Thinking of this...

Faced with someone holding such Power of Life and Death over her, shouldn't she perhaps offer a little temptation?

"If there are no objections, you can go to the first floor of the East Sea Spirit Pagoda to collect your identity credentials and register your information."

"Mm."

Zhao Xuanzhen watched Gu Yue leave, a wave of mental exhaustion washing over him as he yawned wearily. The first week was the hardest to endure. He propped his chin on his hand, his eyelids growing heavy.

"Just a quick nap..."

Gu Yue went through the motions of registering and collecting her Spirit Pagoda identity credentials. Suddenly, she spotted a figure leaning against the Metal Wall, one slender, fair long leg slightly bent, the tip of her foot pressing against the surface. Her Silver Long Hair flowed like silk, the hair tips curling with sunlight like fragments of gold.

"Gu Yue, there are some things Zhao Xuanzhen couldn't say in front of him." Na'er spoke softly.

"Let's talk?"