Saint Spirit Douluo Yali VS Sky Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu, The Agreement

Chapter 41: Holy Spirit Douluo Yali vs. Celestial Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu, The Agreement and Conditions

Tianhai Hotel, eighty-eighth floor.

The Tianhai Hotel was the most luxurious hotel in Tianhai City, and both Shrek Academy and the Forging Association had coincidentally booked rooms here. With Shrek Academy's resources, finding out a room number was no problem.

Ye Xinglan stood before a door, her Azure Pupils shimmering with light as she took a deep breath to steady herself, murmuring, "The trouble I caused should end with me."

"Knock knock knock—"

Bracing herself for utter humiliation, the young girl clenched her fist and rapped on the door.

"Midnight snacks are here!"

Na'er's delighted voice rang out from inside the room as she leaped off the sofa, not even bothering to put on shoes, and dashed barefoot to open the door.

"Huh?"

What met her eyes wasn't a hotel server with a lavish cart of food, but Ye Xinglan's cold, clear face. Na'er froze for a moment, then stumbled back three steps and shouted over her shoulder:

"Zhao Xuanzhen, grab a weapon! Shrek's attacking again!"

"I'm not here to fight..."

Ye Xinglan tried to explain, but before she could finish, Na'er had already pulled out the Silver Dragon Spear, and Zhao Xuanzhen was slowly walking over.

Facing Na'er's undisguised hostility and Zhao Xuanzhen's probing gaze, Ye Xinglan said earnestly, "I'm not here to fight. I just want to take responsibility for what I've done. Can you give me a chance?"

Seeing that Ye Xinglan was alone and hadn't drawn the Star God Sword, Zhao Xuanzhen exchanged a glance with Na'er and said flatly:

"Say it here, then."

"Thank you."

Relieved that they hadn't immediately thrown her out, Ye Xinglan let out a quiet breath. She bit her rosy lips, and her shoulders suddenly sagged as if all strength had left her. Hanging her head, she said, "I'm sorry. That day was my fault. I shouldn't have suspected you without reason, and I shouldn't have said those rude things."

"Whoa!"

Na'er's silver eyes lit up, surprised that Ye Xinglan had come late at night just to apologize. This wasn't like Shrek Academy's domineering style at all!

"Is there something else?"

Zhao Xuanzhen sensed the girl might have more to say.

Ye Xinglan lifted her head, her fair, clean face a mix of complex emotions. Her voice was strained as she said, "Because of our failed match and my inappropriate words and actions, Shrek Academy has been mocked and cursed across the entire continent these past few days...

I want to ask you two to speak up for the Academy. You're the strongest members of the Eastsea Academy Representative Team, and also at the center of public opinion.

If you agree to help, the pressure on the Academy will ease greatly, and they'll be able to get through this crisis.

I made a grave mistake, and I'm willing to give everything to make it up to you..."

As she spoke, a tear slid down the tip of Ye Xinglan's small nose, darkening a spot on the carpet. More tears kept flowing, her long eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings touched by morning dew.

As if to prove the sincerity of her willingness to give everything, she forced herself to lift her chin, letting the chandelier's Light Waterfall wash over her tear-streaked face. Her back straightened, and her bandaged knees suddenly bent as she prepared to kneel.

But the moment Ye Xinglan's knees began to lower, two discs of ice rose from the floor, catching her bent knees. The cold light refracted from the ice pierced straight into her tear-filled eyes.

Ye Xinglan looked at Zhao Xuanzhen in confusion, not understanding why he had stopped her from kneeling.

"Shrek Academy's so-called face is worth you debasing yourself?"

Zhao Xuanzhen let out a long sigh. Except for certain specific occasions, he disliked the act of kneeling.

Kneeling was an act utterly devoid of dignity. Both his lives had taught him to stand tall. For the Continent's First Academy to have a ten-year-old girl begging on her knees—wasn't that too ironic?

"This matter has long surpassed the ordinary meaning of victory or defeat in battle. Even if we're discussing solutions, it should be Shrek Academy's High-level coming to negotiate in person. You can't solve this, and you don't need to sacrifice yourself for nothing. Go back."

"I see..."

The door closed again. Ye Xinglan straightened her knees shakily, her heart a tangled mess. With a dazed look, she supported herself against the wall and left.

Her mind in chaos, she stumbled back to the sixty-sixth floor. Her injuries seemed to have worsened. Beneath her paper-thin skin, purple-red bruises showed through. Her knees were swollen, and fine beads of blood trickled down her legs, forming droplets on her jade-like calves.

"Xinglan, Sister Xinglan!?"

A startled cry from the corridor snapped Ye Xinglan out of her daze. Xu Lizhi came waddling over on his plump body, his face pained as he said, "Sister Xinglan, your injuries!"

"It's nothing. I deserve it." Ye Xinglan bit her red lip hard. "They still won't forgive me..."

"Forgive?"

Xu Lizhi caught the keyword. He looked at Ye Xinglan's bloodied knees, where scabs had split open into fresh wounds, trailing intermittent red lines.

Beyond her knees, Ye Xinglan's eyes were red and swollen—she had clearly been crying. A thunderbolt struck Xu Lizhi's mind, and his chubby face trembled. Had Ye Xinglan gone to see Zhao Xuanzhen late at night!?

Highly likely!

Ye Xinglan was stubborn and headstrong. Add to that Yu Yuanheng's provocation and Shen Yi's disappointed words, and she had probably taken all the blame onto herself. It wasn't beyond her to go and try to make amends on her own!

The result was clear: Ye Xinglan was on the verge of collapse, both physically and mentally. Seeing her in a state that looked like she had been bullied, Xu Lizhi couldn't help but imagine what Zhao Xuanzhen might have done to her when she showed up at his door late at night...

"Sister Xinglan, Sister Xinglan... No!"

While Xu Lizhi's heart ached, Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er were happily enjoying their midnight snack, the atmosphere peaceful and serene.

Na'er crunched on a sausage and said indistinctly, "Zhao Xuanzhen, have you seen the news? Soul Net is flooded with reports targeting Shrek Academy. I feel like something's off. A failed Exhibition Match shouldn't cause such a stir."

Zhao Xuanzhen took a bite of crab leg and nodded. "I've been paying attention. Some forces are using our victory to pursue their own interests."

Shrek's first defeat in twenty thousand years had shaken people's hearts, and the momentum was growing fiercer by the day. The force behind it was likely the Sun Moon Federation. As the nominal ruler of the Douluo Continent, manipulating public opinion was their specialty.

"Shrek's reputation has taken a massive hit. To completely resolve this, they might actually send a high-level figure. My guess is it could be a Poseidon Pavilion Elder."

"Ah?" Na'er's eyes went wide. "Poseidon Pavilion Elders are at least Super Douluo. We'll have to ask the Godly Craftsman Senior and Ben Ti Senior to back us up."

"Forget it." Zhao Xuanzhen shook his head. "The Godly Craftsman Senior has ties to the Forging Association; it wouldn't be appropriate for him to openly oppose the Poseidon Pavilion. And the Body Sect isn't as glorious as it once was—Ben Ti Senior's standing is a bit lacking.

It's time we sought outside help."

Pulling out a Soul Guide Communicator, Zhao Xuanzhen found a chat window, thought for two and a half seconds, and sent a cute emoji. After the other party instantly replied with a smiling animation of a head pat, he dialed the communicator.

The next day, afternoon.

In the top-floor meeting room of the Tianhai Hotel, the blazing sun and layered clouds merged into a radiant glow along the horizon beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The woman's face was stunningly beautiful. Her emerald-green hair was half-coiled with a silver-threaded vine crown, and her long dress was embroidered with angel wing patterns. Faintly visible on her glossy shoulders were entwined vine garlands, and an indescribable aura of life emanated from her entire being.

"Sister Yali, listen to me!"

The Soul Guide Communicator was still connected, and the name Cai Yue'er was clearly displayed on it. She chattered on without pause: "Even though we decided to invite the Eastsea students to enroll, they made the academy lose face. You have to show the academy's authority!

Shrek is the lofty Shrek—enrolling here is their honor!"

Saint Spirit Douluo Yali smiled helplessly. "Yue'er, Eastsea Academy has a deep connection with us. The lead teacher, Wu Changkong, is a disciple of Turbid World. His students have been working hard to enter Shrek Academy. It's better to keep a gentle attitude."

Silvermoon Douluo Cai Yue'er's dissatisfied voice came through: "Among the seven from Eastsea Academy, only four are Wu Changkong's students, and the most talented one, Gu Yue, has already withdrawn to go home and go into seclusion.

As for the other three, Jiu Tian is a disciple of Godly Craftsman Zhen Hua and is focused solely on forging—he's clearly not entering the academy. Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er have backgrounds tied to the Spirit Pagoda. After using many of our hidden agents to investigate, it seems Zhao Xuanzhen might be her disciple. You have to be firm!"

"I know what I'm doing. Shen Yi went to invite them; they should be here soon. I'll hang up first."

Sensing someone approaching, Ya Li quickly ended her conversation with Cai Yue'er.

A moment later, Shen Yi pushed open the door. Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er stepped into the meeting room, and a dense wave of life energy immediately washed over them.

"Have a seat. Let's talk."

The three sat facing each other. Ya Li spoke with a gentle smile: "Xuanzhen, Na'er, hello. I am a member of Shrek's Poseidon Pavilion, Saint Spirit Douluo Yali. I'm here on behalf of the academy to discuss one thing with you—enrolling in Shrek Academy."

"Apologies, Your Saint Spirit Eminence." Zhao Xuanzhen said with regret. "We are disciples of the Spirit Pagoda. Our circumstances are not our own, and we don't have the authority to decide whether to enroll in Shrek..."

"Ya Li, the one negotiating with you is me."

The crisp sound of high heels striking the floor echoed through the room as a blaze of brilliant fire burst into everyone's sight.

A fiery red silk gown wrapped around the woman's undulating figure. As she lifted her chin, the crimson hair hanging by her ears trembled lightly, and the sharpness swirling in her scarlet pupils cut through the splendor of the room.

Ya Li's fingertips resting on the table suddenly tightened. The newcomer was none other than Sky Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu!

With Leng Yaozhu's entrance, Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er sat down leisurely. We're just kids, part of a vulnerable group. We don't understand. Go talk to our teacher!

"Letting my disciples enroll in Shrek Academy—whose idea was it?"

Leng Yaozhu looked down on the world like a reborn fire phoenix. "Yours? His? Or Turbid World's, Feng Wuyu's... or that lunatic Cai Yue'er's?"

"It was a joint decision from the Poseidon Pavilion Meeting."

Ya Li dodged the sharp question. The gazes of two stunning female powerhouses clashed—one gentle and calm, the other proud and brilliant. A compassionate angel and a blazing phoenix froze into a confrontational tableau in the surging air.

"Yaozhu, growing through failure is also an important lesson. Shrek can accept a single defeat." Ya Li said softly. "But Shrek will never allow those with ulterior motives to slander and spread rumors.

By inviting Xuanzhen and Na'er to enroll, Shrek proves that its character isn't so disgraceful. It remains open to all exceptionally talented monsters on the continent and encourages them to defeat Shrek's disciples."

Leng Yaozhu crossed her arms, her aura imposing. "Shutting people up, making the rumors collapse on their own, and recovering a huge chunk of reputation along the way—a clever strategy.

But why should I cooperate with Shrek Academy? What benefit does this bring to Xuanzhen and Na'er?"

Ya Li fell silent. As core disciples of the Spirit Pagoda, backed by the Spirit Pagoda Deputy Tower Master, the two already received abundant resources no less than Shrek's. Leng Yaozhu truly had no reason to let the children go.

"This time, Shrek is asking a favor of you. Name your terms, Yaozhu." Ya Li said with a bitter smile. "Within my authority, I will agree to them."

Leng Yaozhu had rushed to Tianhai City overnight and had already planned ahead with Zhao Xuanzhen. She decided not to hold back and went straight to the point:

"Three conditions. First, Shrek Academy issues a continent-wide announcement inviting Xuanzhen and Na'er as exchange students for a term of five years. Once the five years are up, they can withdraw from Shrek at any time.

Second, they don't stay in the outer courtyard. They move directly to Sea God Island, where the abundant energy will greatly accelerate their cultivation speed.

Third, we're doing you a huge favor. Shrek gives us two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones as compensation."

"This..."

Ya Li's brows furrowed deeply. She spoke slowly: "The five-year exchange student arrangement is fine. Shrek Academy has a historical precedent for exchanges with the Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Master Academy.

Sea God Island is where outstanding inner courtyard disciples and Poseidon Pavilion Elders reside. That's acceptable.

But two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones won't work. Soul beasts are growing scarcer by the day, and Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones are hard to come by. The ones Shrek Academy has in its collection are heirlooms passed down by our predecessors. I can at most secure one."

"One Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, and its bloodline quality must be top-grade."

"Deal."

The two Title Douluo reached an agreement. Ya Li added, "We'll need to go through the enrollment process. That way, the Poseidon Pavilion can award the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone on the grounds of outstanding assessment results."

Leng Yaozhu nodded, turned around, and led Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er out, heading back to the eighty-eighth floor.

The moment they entered the room, Zhao Xuanzhen's cheek was caught between two fingertips like jade shoots. The red-dyed nails sank into the soft flesh of his cheek, forcing him to tilt his head back and meet the flickering flames dancing in his teacher's phoenix-like eyes.

"Two months without a word, and the first time you call, it's because you're in trouble—and you insist on entering Shrek Academy? What, your teacher can't teach you anymore?"

"Teacher, go easy..."

Zhao Xuanzhen trusted Leng Yaozhu, but he couldn't lay all his secrets bare—things like his pact with the Plane Spirit, the Life Core Golden Tree on Sea God Island, the Blue Silver Emperor hidden within it, the arrival of more Eight Deceitful Gods...

Over the next five years, he had too much to accomplish at Shrek Academy.

And after that night of "reaching the heavens above and probing the abyss below," a stubborn obsession to be number one had taken root in Zhao Xuanzhen's heart. The outer courtyard, the inner courtyard, the elders, the pavilion masters—he would defeat them one by one, slowly climb to the top, and replace Someone in Leng Yaozhu's heart.

Leng Yaozhu kneaded his head for a long while, then suddenly let go and said softly:

"Forget it, do as you please. Fortunately, Shrek Academy is right next to the Spirit Transmission Tower Headquarters. If anything happens, I'll be able to help in time."

"Teacher, you're not angry with me?"

"Of course not."

Leng Yaozhu looked at Zhao Xuanzhen, her smile both indulgent and tender: "This is your life. Your teacher can't bind you forever.

Whatever you believe is right, whatever you hold dear in your heart—you must act on it, no matter what. If it's dark, turn on the light and do it. If you fall, crawl and do it. If there are rumors and gossip, put on a mask and do it.

Your teacher has had regrets, so I don't want my disciple to one day regret the same. Courage is fleeting; youth is your greatest asset.

Go ahead and do as you will. If the sky falls, your teacher will hold it up for you."