Young Genius List, Taiji Zhao Xuanzhen, Ten-Thousand-Year Cave Demon

Chapter 42: Young Genius List, Taiji Zhao Xuanzhen, Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Cave Demon Spider (4K)

The Skyfire Phoenix's black wings spread wide, streaking across the sky like a meteor, its crimson tail flame leaving a dazzling trail in the heavens that lingered long after.

Leng Yaozhu activated autopilot, glanced back at Zhao Xuanzhen behind her, and a moving curve tugged at her rosy lips.

Two months. Did she have any idea how she had endured these two months!

During the days when Zhao Xuanzhen wasn't by her side, Leng Yaozhu found everything unbearably dull. She couldn't muster interest in anything, spending each day hoping he would message her saying, "Teacher, we're coming back."

Although Zhao Xuanzhen still hadn't truly returned to the Spirit Transmission Tower and had instead enrolled at Shrek as an exchange student, Shrek Academy and the Spirit Transmission Tower Headquarters were neighbors. Leng Yaozhu could see him anytime. The feeling of her child going to school right at her doorstep left her quite satisfied.

On the sofa, Na'er rested her little head against Zhao Xuanzhen, scrolling through news on the Soul Net with her Soul Guide Communicator. Her silver long hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her bare feet pressed into the Flame Lion King fur rug, warm heat rising through her soles to warm her body.

Zhao Xuanzhen served as Na'er's human backrest, tilting his head slightly. In his field of vision appeared a giant eagle mecha painted with dark green patterns.

That was the Black-Grade Mecha the Shrek group used for transport. With the exhibition match's lingering issues resolved, Saint Spirit Douluo Yali was leading them back to the academy.

"Zhao Xuanzhen, look!"

Na'er gently tugged his arm, then raised the Soul Guide Communicator to his eyes. A news headline was marked in eye-catching bold red, prefaced with the explosive word "BOMBSHELL"!

Bombshell—Major Genius Shake-Up, Heroes Emerge from Youth!

"The Young Genius List has updated!" Na'er said cheerfully. "We're on it! Making the list at ten years old seems to have broken records!"

The Young Genius List was founded by the Spirit Transmission Tower, with the aim of promoting development in the Soul Master Realm and encouraging talented young soul masters to keep improving.

The requirements for being listed were soul masters under eighteen, evaluated from multiple perspectives including combat power, talent, and secondary professions. With only thirty seats available, those who made the list were considered the most outstanding young heroes across the entire Douluo Continent, their futures bright and boundless.

Zhao Xuanzhen took Na'er's Soul Guide Communicator and checked the latest Young Genius List rankings, quickly finding his own name.

Young Genius List, Fifth Place—Taiji Zhao Xuanzhen.

"I landed straight at fifth, and Yu Yuanheng dropped to sixth?"

Seeing that Lan Dian Yu Yuanheng was right behind him, Zhao Xuanzhen found it somewhat amusing.

Although the Young Genius List judged from multiple angles, combat power still carried the highest weight, after all, every soul master's cultivation was ultimately aimed at increasing battle strength.

Direct confrontation was the most critical factor in determining rankings. Previously, Zhao Xuanzhen had dominated Yu Yuanheng one-on-one, even with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's amplification, crushing him throughout the match. Naturally, the Young Genius List placed Zhao Xuanzhen above Yu Yuanheng.

He hadn't climbed higher because the Young Genius List considered his young age—he might not yet be able to defeat or surpass the top four—so they temporarily settled him at fifth.

"Silver Dragon Na'er, twenty-first."

Scrolling further down, Zhao Xuanzhen found Na'er's name.

"I protest! Why are you fifth and I'm twenty-first!" Na'er fumed indignantly. "Am I not strong? Did I coast to victory? Didn't I beat Ye Xinglan into the ground?"

Na'er fired off three deadly questions in a row, wishing she could reach through the Soul Guide Communicator, grab the staff who made the rankings, and demand to know why King Na'er only got twenty-first!

Zhao Xuanzhen quickly smoothed Na'er's feathers, soothing her. "Don't take the Young Genius List ranking so seriously. It can twist our efforts into something else."

Everyone was an MVP; there were no freeloaders. Even Xu Xiaoyan had contributed—at least aesthetically!

"One thing's another. I can't stand being so far behind you." Na'er muttered, "Most of the Young Genius List is at Shrek Academy. I'll challenge them one by one from now on. I absolutely won't let you leave me in the dust!"

Hearing this, Zhao Xuanzhen couldn't help but smile. The person who created the Young Genius List was truly talented—it stirred up the competitive spirit in young people. Looking at those names ranked above his own, not just Na'er, but Zhao Xuanzhen himself found them rather glaring.

"Hehe, Gu Yue is twenty-second, codename Element!"

Having one-upped Gu Yue, Na'er's anger instantly turned to joy. Especially seeing the codenames "Silver Dragon Na'er" and "Element Gu Yue," she couldn't stop grinning, the Skyfire Phoenix filled with her hearty laughter.

Gu Yue had been the Silver Dragon King her whole life, yet her codename was Element. Meanwhile, Na'er had transformed into Silver Dragon Na'er!

"Next time we meet, I'm going to mock her hard..."

Na'er filed that away.

Besides the Spirit Transmission Tower trident trio, Jiu Tian and Tang Wulin also made the list—the former at twenty-ninth, the latter at thirtieth, holding the gate. The two had been evenly matched in the exhibition match, so the order likely referenced the outcome of the blacksmith finals.

Shrek Academy's first defeat in twenty thousand years had caused an uproar, instantly propelling five young geniuses onto the Young Genius List. It was like a whale's fall giving rise to all life.

Na'er studied the rankings closely, then suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "All of the top four are at Shrek Academy. The first-place is about to turn eighteen—in another month, he'll automatically drop off the list. Won't we just move up a spot..."

"Mhm."

Zhao Xuanzhen stared at the avatars of the top four, memorizing their faces and martial souls, quietly calculating in his mind.

At dusk, as the sun set, two Black-Grade Mechas entered Shrek City.

It was the triennial enrollment season at Shrek Academy, and the entire city was bustling with activity. The blow to their reputation didn't seem to have overly affected Shrek's recruitment. Everywhere in the city, young soul masters eager to enter the Continent's First Academy could be seen, accompanied by their teachers, forming a massive crowd.

The strong only grew stronger. Shrek Academy's resources were undeniable, and those soul master forces with deep foundations paid little attention to so-called reputation. As always, they sent their own disciples or juniors, instructing them to cultivate and study while also befriending talented peers—more friends meant more paths.

Both Black-Grade Mechas were built for transportation, equipped with metal transformation functions. They descended from the sky, transforming into Soul Tool Cars, and continued toward Shrek's inner city.

The inner and outer cities were like two different worlds. In stark contrast to the outer city's lively, crowded clamor, the inner city was exceptionally quiet. The wide streets paved with blue bricks exuded an ancient charm, lined with shops that retained the wooden architectural style of ten thousand years ago.

"Screech—"

Before Shrek Academy's ancient plaque, two Soul Tool Cars braked. Saint Spirit Douluo Yali descended gracefully, looked at the Sky Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu beside her, and said in a gentle tone, "Yaozhu, care to come in for a while?"

"Next time for sure." Leng Yaozhu declined. "I'll leave Xuanzhen and Na'er to you. Warn Cai Yue'er for me—tell her not to cause trouble for herself or for Shrek Academy."

"If they suffer any grievances at Shrek Academy, I will personally come to demand an explanation."

Saint Spirit Douluo Yali was hailed across Douluo Continent as the kindest woman alive. She had once overexerted herself saving plague-stricken commoners, leaving her unable to bear children. Having known her for years, Leng Yaozhu trusted Ya Li's character. As for Silvermoon Douluo Cai Yue'er...

That woman did as she pleased, eccentric to the core, stirring chaos across the Soul Master Realm in her youth. Shrek Academy, pressured from all sides, had to send their high-level members to bring her back.

They were all from the same era. Ya Li understood why Leng Yaozhu kept singling her out. She smiled bitterly and nodded, resolving not to let Cai Yue'er run wild.

Silvermoon Douluo might be restless, but Sky Phoenix Douluo was no pushover either.

The Phoenix sisters had stirred up storms across the world. Dark Phoenix Leng Yulai defied all common sense by joining the Holy Spirit Cult, climbing all the way to become one of the Dark Four Heavenly Kings.

Sky Phoenix Leng Yaozhu also carried the same mad blood in her veins. Back then, she had dared to abandon everything, offering to be a hidden woman. Later, as Deputy Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda, she constantly used her authority to shield her fallen sister Leng Yulai, keeping outsiders from harming her.

Thus, while Leng Yaozhu appeared radiant, mature, and rational on the surface, the older generation of soul masters knew her as a hidden lunatic. Touch her bottom line, and her madness would surpass even Leng Yulai's!

Ya Li could imagine it: if Cai Yue'er jumped around like a clown targeting those two, Zhao Xuanzhen would make one phone call, and Leng Yaozhu would really charge over to kill her!

Shen Yi and the seven members of the Shrek Team stepped out of the vehicle one by one, gazing at Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er in the distance, their expressions twisted with complexity.

On the way back to Shrek City, Ya Li announced the punishment handed down by the Poseidon Pavilion.

Yu Yuanheng and Ye Xinglan had sparked the conflict. Out of respect for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Star Saint Sword Clan, Shrek did not expel them but placed them on probation, making entry into the inner courtyard more difficult.

Shrek Academy's inner courtyard admission rules required reaching level fifty by age twenty-five and becoming a One-Word Battle Armor Master. For them, the deadline was reduced by five years—they had to meet those requirements by age twenty to qualify for the inner courtyard exam.

Xu Lizhi, Ning Xian, and the others had lost in full view of everyone, severely damaging Shrek Academy's prestige. From now on, final exams would be harder, and any failure would result in denial of an outer courtyard graduation certificate.

Shrek's crushing defeat left the lead teacher Shen Yi without excuse. Normally, she would have been fired outright. However, Red Dragon Douluo Turbid World fought to protect his beloved disciple, and the Poseidon Pavilion ultimately decided to reassign her to teach a special class, allowing her to atone through merit.

After Leng Yaozhu left, Ya Li's gaze was calm as she looked at the Shrek group: "These past days haven't been easy on you, have they? Go rest and relax your minds.

The punishment is only temporary. The academy hasn't given up on you. We hope every student can learn and grow from failure."

"Yes, Saint Spirit Your Eminence."

They all bowed in unison, then dispersed.

Yu Yuanheng hung his head, his face full of resentment and hatred. Zhao Xuanzhen had won the acclaim of the entire continent, while he, reduced to a stepping stone, had become the biggest joke in the Soul Master Realm. But Zhao Xuanzhen was just a bug. Yu Yuanheng knew deep down that he was far from matching that terrifying, overwhelming power...

Bide his time, swallow his pride!

Yu Yuanheng would return!

Ye Xinglan ignored Xu Lizhi's concerned inquiries behind her, her eyes burning as she stared at Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er. She was a strong, competitive girl. One defeat couldn't shatter her resolute heart—it would only make her fiercer!

Silvermoon Douluo Cai Yue'er was the Chief Officer of the New Student Assessment. Given Leng Yaozhu's prior warning, Saint Spirit Douluo Yali decided to personally escort the two to their entrance assessment to be safe.

Passing along wide roads, Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er took in the scenery of Shrek Academy. The Life Energy radiating from the Golden Tree nourished all things, and the lush vegetation was so abundant that no matter where they looked, they could see at least ten different kinds of plants.

Ya Li led them into a circular hall over twenty meters high. The dome was carved with a mural: a pitch-black giant dragon circling the sky, its brilliant golden dragon eyes drawing particular attention.

The moment Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er looked at the black dragon, the dome mural suddenly flared with black light. The dragon's claws seemed to tear through the painting, and where its tail swept, clouds burst apart one after another.

"Roar—"

When the dragon's golden vertical pupils lit up, the Dragon Clan's might was released instantly. Its scales shimmered with a deep black that seemed to devour all light, and black mist seeped from the gaps between scales, blotting out the sky. The entire hall echoed with the dragon's furious roar!

The overwhelming pressure of the black dragon descended, but the two showed no reaction at all. Na'er patted her slightly rising chest and complained:

"Startled me—so loud!"

"Geniuses come every year, but this year we've got two monsters."

An old man in a dark green robe appeared, his weathered face showing surprise: "Old Man has guarded the First Stage for a hundred years, and this is the first time I've seen little monsters ignore the Dragon's Might of the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King."

The dragon carved in the mural was the continent's First Fierce Beast, the Beast God Di Tian's true form—the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King. A drop of the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King's blood had been mixed into the ink, simulating half a trace of Dragon's Might.

Most examinees facing the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King's pressure would be cowed by the Dragon's Might. Those with Dragon Clan martial souls far inferior to Di Tian's fared even worse, a miserable sight.

Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er were completely unaffected, a first in the old man's lifetime.

"Little Li, what score does the First Stage guardian plan to give?" Ya Li asked with a light laugh.

Old Li bowed respectfully: "Saint Spirit Your Eminence, the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King's Dragon's Might had no effect at all. It's clear these two students have exceptional martial soul talent. Naturally, a full score of ten."

From the moment they entered the hall, Shrek's entrance assessment had already begun. The assessment consisted of ten stages, each with a maximum score of ten. A score of sixty admitted them to the outer courtyard; eighty-five or above granted them early entry to the inner courtyard, like Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi.

"Xuanzhen, Na'er, ten points for the First Stage. The Second Stage now begins."

As the soft voice fell, Ya Li and Old Li vanished. The dome spun, and the surroundings shifted violently.

When the rotation stopped, they stood in a desert of flying sand.

"A bit like the Spirit Pagoda's real illusion."

"Indeed."

Zhao Xuanzhen spoke, and Na'er nodded in agreement.

"Boom—"

The attack came silently. Spikes burst from the sand, their tips gleaming with crystalline yellow light. Grains of sand rustled down along the grooves, and translucent sticky silk trailed from the spikes' ends, weaving a shrinking net of death in the air.

Na'er summoned the Silver Dragon Spear. The spear blade swept out, Spatial Power shredding the net. Zhao Xuanzhen poured the force of a thousand jun into his right leg and stomped hard. The sand cracked open, and a massive shadow lurking underground rolled out.

A spider-type soul beast. Eight long, segmented legs gleamed under the scorching sun. Its carapace blended seamlessly with the flowing sand dunes, and its swollen abdomen stored a huge amount of silk.

A cunning hunter—the Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Cave Demon Spider!