Skysea Alliance Competition, Na'er: That's What You Call Bold

Skysea Alliance Competition, Na'er: That's What You Call Bold (4K)

The sharp aura of the red-grade mecha tore through the dark clouds and torrential rain as it flew straight toward Heaven Dou City.

When traveling to Eastsea City, Zhao Xuanzhen had ridden Leng Yaozhu's Skyfire Phoenix. Now that he was riding Muye's red-grade mecha, he could directly compare the two. From speed and stability to comfort and every other aspect, the red-grade mecha utterly crushed the black-grade mecha.

"Even as a mere means of transportation, red-grade is better," Zhao Xuanzhen remarked.

Hearing that, Muye smacked his lips. "Using a red-grade mecha as transportation—there aren't many Soul Masters on the entire Douluo Continent who would dare be so extravagant. Besides, red-grade mechas have endless uses and can practically do anything. Using one solely for travel is a terrible waste. This Sect Master will broaden your horizons now.

Xiao Hong, transform!"

"Yes, Boss."

A gentle female voice came from inside the red-grade mecha. Accompanied by a clanging of metal, the humanoid mecha transformed into the shape of an aircraft. The edges of its wings were like blades, and its dark gold glow carried a dangerous aura.

Then, the red-grade mecha vanished into thin air. When it reappeared, it had instantly transmitted itself a thousand meters away.

"It has a life function that can solidify Instant Transmission. Within a thousand-meter range, it can freely perform Space Jump," Muye said smugly.

"Among the countless Martial Souls on the continent, Original Martial Souls are the most compatible with mechas. Once a mecha breaks through to red grade, it can fuse with one's Soul Spirit. Xiao Hong has fused with one of my Soul Spirits, practically becoming my clone."

Whenever mechas came up, Muye's eyes filled with fanaticism, and he suddenly had endless things to say. He had devoted himself to exploring the world of mechas, even giving up the chance to challenge the rank of a ninety-fifth-level Super Douluo. That alone showed how deeply obsessed this Ben Ti Sect Master was.

Muye went on and on. "Although red-grade mechas aren't as powerful as Four-Word Battle Armor, their functions are far more comprehensive. I strongly recommend that you make a red-grade mecha suited to your Martial Soul abilities. It will definitely give you an enormous surprise."

"If I have the time in the future, I'll give it a try."

Zhao Xuanzhen nodded lightly. All three of his Secondary Professions were at the fourth rank, and he had begun to gain exposure to knowledge about mechas and Battle Armor. Compared with the complicated and cumbersome Battle Armor, mechas were much simpler. He could consider making a red-grade mecha.

Heaven Dou City Forging Association, main entrance.

The Silver-Haired Girl held up a Soul Guide Shield. Rain pounded against it, flowing down in winding streaks like ink. It made her skin appear even more lustrously white as her silver-white beautiful eyes gazed expectantly into the sky.

Thunder boomed in the distance as a red mecha tore through the air. The cockpit opened, and a tall figure descended from the heavens, cleaving through the curtain of rain. His eyes shone with startling brilliance, as though they had crushed the lightning in the storm and kneaded it into his pupils.

"Over here—"

Na'er waved her little hand. Her slender figure swayed as her silver long hair fluttered in the night wind.

Zhao Xuanzhen landed steadily before Na'er and asked with a smile, "The weather's terrible. Why didn't you wait inside?"

"I was in a hurry, hurry, hurry!"

Na'er skipped forward two steps with a radiant smile and asked impatiently, "Did you awaken?"

"Mm. Gold Grade."

"I knew you could do it!"

Na'er let out a cheer. Forty-nine days was the limit for a Second Awakening, and she had been terrified that Zhao Xuanzhen would fail. She had barely been able to eat or sleep all day. After pacing around for half the day, she had simply come outside to wait so she could hear the news firsthand.

Seeing that the young girl was far more excited than he was, Zhao Xuanzhen wore a faint smile. The feeling of being in someone's thoughts at every moment was truly warm. Na'er was like a little sun. With her by his side, his life was radiant and dazzling.

After her joy faded, Na'er suddenly remembered something. Her expression turned worried as she asked, "They say the higher the grade of an Original Martial Soul's Second Awakening, the worse the overdraw is. Some Gold-Grade awakenings even consume vitality. How are you?"

"As for me..." Zhao Xuanzhen pondered for two and a half seconds. "Golden Awakening shows no signs of harming my life. It's a pure burst-type soul skill that temporarily triples all my attributes. The price is that after the Second Awakening ends, my True Self enters a brief dormant period. I can only undergo a Second Awakening again after one day."

There were countless secret techniques that left aftereffects, yet his True Self's Second Awakening was simple, brutal, and carried an extremely low cost. Even among the Gold-Grade Original Martial Souls recorded by the Body Sect, it was one of a kind.

"Then it's fine as long as it doesn't shorten your life! Come on, let's eat!"

Na'er finally relaxed completely. Excitedly grabbing Zhao Xuanzhen's hand, she headed for the small kitchen.

"Wait a second."

Zhao Xuanzhen stopped Na'er. She blinked her large eyes, looking puzzled. "What is it?"

"Your hair's messy."

Leaning forward slightly, Zhao Xuanzhen reached toward the loose silver strands by Na'er's ear and tucked them from the line of her jaw behind her ear.

Tucking someone's hair was a seriously underrated intimate gesture. Reflected in his eyes were her gentle, soft features. Na'er unconsciously held her breath. The moment Zhao Xuanzhen's little finger inadvertently brushed her delicate earlobe, the young girl's thick eyelashes trembled, and an electric shiver ran through her body.

"My heart's beating so fast..."

Na'er heard her heart pounding inside her chest and began seriously analyzing the cause. Then, a yellow lightbulb lit up above her head, and she suddenly understood:

It's all that idiot Zhao Xuanzhen's fault!

Because Na'er was worried about his Second Awakening, King Na'er couldn't eat lunch, causing malnutrition and an irregular heartbeat!

Case closed. She had to eat more tonight!

With that thought, Na'er's gaze instantly turned solemn. She prepared herself to have a huge meal and replenish her nutrition, allowing Zhao Xuanzhen to arrange her smooth silver long hair.

The three of them arrived at the small kitchen together. Godly Craftsman Zhen Hua and Jiu Tian had completed a full day's forging lesson and were waiting for chef Muye to serve dinner.

There was no need to mention Muye's efficiency in cooking. One exquisite dish after another was placed on the table. The eight dishes and one soup were all rare natural treasures, with superb flavors and abundant energy. Everyone ate until their blood surged and their bodies broke into sweat.

Godly Craftsman Zhen Hua set down his chopsticks and said, "In another ten days, the Skysea Alliance Competition will begin. I'll take Jiu Tian to participate in the forging competition and meet some old friends while we're there."

"Skysea Alliance... I remember you used to avoid that place whenever possible. Why the change?" Muye asked with amusement.

Zhen Hua shot Muye an annoyed glare. The two had been friends for decades. Did Muye not know why he had avoided the Skysea Alliance!?

Back then, Zhen Hua, Mu Chen, and Yuan Bao'er had been senior and junior siblings under the same teacher—a classic story of two men and one woman.

In the end, Zhen Hua's confession failed. He chose to enter seclusion and challenge the rank of Godly Craftsman, while Mu Chen and Yuan Bao'er became lovingly devoted to each other and had the crystallization of their love, Mu Xi.

Zhen Hua still held Yuan Bao'er, his junior sister, in his heart. A generation's Godly Craftsman remained unmarried for life. Thus, he had rarely set foot in the cities under the Skysea Alliance in recent years, lest it cause misunderstandings. But this time, his mindset was entirely different.

The older generation's story was approaching its conclusion, while the younger generation's story was about to begin. Feelings between senior and junior brothers were one thing, but Zhen Hua deeply hoped his beloved disciple would surpass Mu Chen's disciple.

Jiu Tian was steady, cold, and persistent, like a humanoid piece of metal. After fifty days of forging training, he had broken through to become a Fourth-Rank Forging Master at ten years old. He was truly a natural Godly Craftsman seedling, and Zhen Hua had the urge to boast as though he had gained a son in his old age.

Experiencing a grand occasion would be good for Jiu Tian. It would temper his will and character while allowing him to gradually make a name for himself.

The backlash from forging Heavenly Forging Metal was unimaginably terrifying. Zhen Hua could hold on for twenty more years at most. He had placed great expectations on Jiu Tian, wishing only to raise him into the next generation's Godly Craftsman and have him inherit the position of president of the Forging Association.

Participating in the Skysea Alliance Competition was a signal to tell every Forging Master on the Douluo Continent that Zhen Hua had a successor.

Of course, Jiu Tian was not flawless. Zhen Hua had secretly investigated Jiu Tian's past, only to find nothing at all. His parents and family were entirely unknown.

Logic had two sides. Being unable to uncover anything instead proved that Jiu Tian's background was clean. If he had truly been a spy sent by an enemy force, they would most likely have prepared a false identity in advance.

Zhen Hua firmly believed that a Godly Craftsman's eye for talent could not be wrong. Jiu Tian was exceptionally gifted, had outstanding character, and radiated righteous energy. He was clearly a good child!

Moreover, Zhen Hua did not believe any force would dare send a ten-year-old boy with the potential to become a Godly Craftsman as a spy. After all, Jiu Tian was so young that his values could easily be changed. He might come to identify with the Forging Association and turn around to backstab his original owner.

Looking at the silent, cold Jiu Tian beside him, Zhen Hua could not help but smile. "Junior Brother, let our disciples compete openly and fairly..."

Ten days later, Skysea City.

Skysea City was the foremost city on the East Coast. It bordered the sea and possessed the largest port on the Douluo Continent. One of the Sun Moon Federation's Eight Great Legions was stationed outside Skysea City, while warships like steel behemoths were moored across the ocean.

Because its development history was relatively short, Skysea City lacked a deep foundation. Only its economy could be considered among the Federation's upper ranks. In areas such as Soul Masters, sects, and academies, it was completely incapable of comparing with ancient cities that had existed for ten thousand years, such as Shrek City, Mingdu, and Heaven Dou City.

The Skysea Alliance Competition was a measure devised by Skysea City's high-level officials. They offered huge rewards to winners, encouraging young Soul Masters from the cities along the East Coast to participate while attracting Soul Masters from across the continent to join the Skysea Alliance.

The method had produced remarkable results. The number of Soul Masters in the Skysea Alliance had increased dramatically, and its overall strength rose rapidly. Even Shrek Academy had paid a trace of attention, granting winning academies more slots to apply to Shrek.

As the competition day drew closer, Skysea City became increasingly prosperous. Tourists flooded in to watch the event, making the entire city extraordinarily lively. Places with fine food and wine were even more bustling.

Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er took in Skysea City's local customs. Na'er held Zhao Xuanzhen's arm as sunlight fell over her exquisite face, making her skin appear crystal-clear.

Zhen Hua personally accompanied his disciple to the forging competition. Upon receiving the news, the Skysea Alliance was practically overwhelmed with delight and dispatched a grand delegation to welcome the Godly Craftsman and his disciple.

Muye was Zhen Hua's close friend and bodyguard, so he naturally came along. He also brought Zhao Xuanzhen to continue Answer Questions and Solve Doubts regarding Body Sect secret techniques. Na'er was unwilling to return to the Spirit Pagoda alone, so the five of them came to Skysea City together.

On the surface, everything was harmonious and no one had been hurt. In truth, back at the Spirit Transmission Tower Headquarters, the empty-nest teacher's eyes had turned red.

She had counted down the days on her fingers every day, and the two-month deadline had finally nearly arrived. Yet with one message from Zhao Xuanzhen, Leng Yaozhu would have to continue being an empty-nest teacher.

Zhen Hua went to dine with his old friends who were Forging Masters and introduced them to his Personal Disciple, Jiu Tian. Ben Ti Sect Master Muye stayed close to protect him. Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er finally got some peace and quiet. Using her old method, Na'er pried the location of a hidden gem restaurant from a local, while the red-grade mecha Xiao Hong protected them in secret.

"Boss, ten Tianhai King Crabs, a hundred Rose Red Shrimp, and a hundred Purple Crystal Sea Urchins!"

Na'er began ordering the instant she stepped through the door.

The owner jumped in surprise. He had initially assumed it was a family gathering, but after seeing only a young man and a young girl, he hesitantly asked, "Isn't that too much? Are there others joining you two?"

Na'er did not care. "That's not enough. Add one Salt-Baked Bluefin Tuna, at least two hundred jin, plus twenty servings of tuna sashimi and a hundred specialty Crab Burgers!"

The owner's eyes widened in disbelief. He looked at Na'er as though she were a gluttonous beast. Zhao Xuanzhen smiled helplessly and handed over a Black Card to indicate he would pay.

Taking the Black Card with utmost solemnity, the owner understood that today would be an epic battle. He loudly called for the kitchen staff to get to work and make sure the two Little Ancestors were satisfied!

Coral serving carts surrounded the two of them. The King Crabs steamed with white vapor, their shells glowing orange-red like molten gold at sunset. Their leg meat was snow white and enticing, while the peeled crab meat had been stacked into snowy towers.

The entire tuna lay atop crushed ice, its silver-gray skin gleaming. The fingertips of a waiter wearing white gloves brushed over its belly. A flash of blade light followed, carving out slices of sashimi whose Frost Pattern marbling was breathtakingly beautiful.

The crisp sweetness unique to the deep sea spread through the air. Na'er's mouth began producing saliva wildly, and at that moment, a familiar clear, serene voice sounded.

"Perfect timing."

Four figures entered. They were Gu Yue, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Xu Xiaoyan—the entire East Sea F4 had arrived.

Na'er's pupils shook. She immediately glared resentfully at Zhao Xuanzhen. I smell betrayal!

Gu Yue calmly pulled out the seat on Zhao Xuanzhen's other side, utterly ignoring Na'er. Don't forget, this was the Legend of the Dragon King Era. Gu Yue had returned to Eastsea Academy, yet she had never stopped remotely chatting with Zhao Xuanzhen through a Soul Guide Communicator.

A few days earlier, upon learning that Zhao Xuanzhen had come to Skysea City, Gu Yue had remained ready to join him at any time. Once she learned which restaurant Zhao Xuanzhen was at, she immediately transformed into a woman as swift as the wind and rushed over.

"Why didn't that Bone Dragon Soul Master and Dark Phantom Eagle Soul Master come?"

Zhao Xuanzhen spoke first.

"They dropped out," Gu Yue said.

Tang Wulin looked guilty beside her. In another spacetime, absorbing a single layer of the Golden Dragon King's seal would affect Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi's Martial Soul Fusion Skill, let alone now, when it was equivalent to absorbing five layers. The two classmates had dropped out because of him, and Tang Wulin had always felt bad about it.

They were all the same age and quickly hit it off. After introducing themselves, the restaurant entered full eating mode.

An hour passed. Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan had eaten until their bellies were round, and they leaned against their chair backs, panting with difficulty.

Gu Yue set down her chopsticks, while Zhao Xuanzhen gradually slowed down. Tang Wulin, the usual big eater, continued stuffing himself without pause. What shocked Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan the most was that Na'er's eating speed had not slowed in the slightest. The piled-up seafood shells were no lower than Tang Wulin's!

Na'er and Tang Wulin noticed each other, and their expressions changed slightly. Both were goats of the eating world. Having met a worthy opponent, they instantly felt competitive!

Crack—

The shrimp shell split apart. Gu Yue lowered her eyes as she peeled shrimp, looking gentle and soft and virtuous. As the shrimp meat came free, it drew out strands of amber-colored connective tissue that hung along the edge of Zhao Xuanzhen's bowl like crescent moons.

"Are you seriously competing again..."

Na'er looked aggrieved and furious. She had let herself slack off this past month. She should not have forgotten the threat posed by Demon King Gu Yue!

Constant crunching sounds came from across the table. Na'er no longer had any desire to compete for the title of biggest eater. Irritably, she said:

"Tang Wulin, eat more gracefully!"

Tang Wulin froze, then pointed at Zhao Xuanzhen, who had rolled up his sleeves and skewered shrimp meat into a string. He questioned, "What about him?"

Zhao Xuanzhen innocently bit into a shrimp Gu Yue had peeled for him. Na'er raised her delicate chin and declared crisply:

"Zhao Xuanzhen—now that's what you call bold!"