Sky Phoenix True Fire Burns Silver Moon, Fourth on the Young Genius List, Heaven

Chapter 43: Sky Phoenix True Fire Burns the Silver Moon, Fourth on the Young Genius List, Swan Mo Jue (4K)

The Earth Cave Demon Spider, one of the kings among spider-type soul beasts, excels at traps, ambushes, and stealth kills!

This Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Cave Demon Spider had intended to launch an attack from underground, but it never expected Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er's combat prowess to be so explosive. Their bodies were forcibly shaken out of hiding, and its eight small eyes stared at the two in sheer terror.

Compared to the evil and murderous Man-Faced Demon Spider, the Earth Cave Demon Spider's most fatal flaw is its lack of frontal attack power, and it doesn't possess the Man-Faced Demon Spider's nerve venom that kills on contact. However, the Earth Cave Demon Spider's control abilities far surpass those of the Man-Faced Demon Spider!

Crystalline yellow spider silk emerged, the mucus drying instantly upon contact with air, forming a massive web that covered the sky and blocked the sun, cascading down to envelop the two!

Claw blades tore through the air, ten dark-gold claws like falling meteors shredded the web into a sky full of dust. The Earth Cave Demon Spider's true killing move followed close behind, as the web condensed into prism thorns that burst from the ground!

Spiderweb Cage, the Earth Cave Demon Spider's proudest innate soul skill, silent and stealthy, a group control!

"Qi Dong Shan He, halt."

A second before the Spiderweb Cage closed, Zhao Xuanzhen murmured softly. His first soul ring blazed with light, black and white qi surged forth, transforming into a flowing Taiji diagram. The web crashed into the yin yang airflow and shattered into dust.

On Na'er's side, it was also her first soul ring. She tapped her toes on the ground and leaped into the air, the Silver Dragon Spear carving a full-moon silver arc. Silver-white spatial power erupted, effortlessly shredding the annoying webs before continuing unabated. The spear tip carried a cold gleam several meters long, thrusting straight at the Earth Cave Demon Spider.

"Qi Dong Shan He, freeze!"

The Taiji diagram swelled in midair, yin and yang qi swimming in tandem. The Earth Cave Demon Spider's body, which had been trying to burrow underground to escape, suddenly froze, falling into a dazed state.

Na'er wouldn't miss this good opportunity. She released her second soul skill, Silver Dragon Rage. A dragon roar echoed, her entire aura surged, and the Silver Dragon Spear, carrying the might of thunder, pierced through the spider's abdomen. The spear blade twisted, spatial rending!

A sharp, mournful cry rang out. Yellow-green blood splattered as the Earth Cave Demon Spider's millstone-like bloated abdomen gained a massive gaping wound. Na'er pulled out the bloodstained Silver Dragon Spear, calmly watching the blood seep into the sandy ground as the spider thrashed and writhed in a painful dying struggle.

"Emp—"

After a moment, the Earth Cave Demon Spider stopped moving, its body dissolving into specks of light and dispersing.

Facing the combined attack of Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er, even a Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Cave Demon Spider couldn't stir up much trouble. If it had been a Ten-Thousand-Year Man-Faced Demon Spider, it might have been able to hold out for a while, but the attack power of these two spider types is on completely different levels.

"Second assessment, Beast Combat, ten points."

Saint Spirit Douluo Yali's gentle and melodious voice rang out at the right moment. In truth, the second stage didn't require killing the soul beast; students just had to do their best, and the examiner would naturally evaluate them. The two had killed a Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Cave Demon Spider, so their score was undoubtedly maxed out.

"Attention candidates, the third stage, Guillotine Gate, is now open. Passing within thirty seconds earns six points. For every three seconds under, add one point; for every three seconds over, subtract one point."

The environment shifted, the yellow sand dissipated, and the two returned to the real world, standing before a passage lined with dozens of guillotine blades.

The guillotines sliced through the air, producing a wailing howl like a vengeful spirit. The blade surfaces gleamed with a gray-blue cold light, the serrated edges like fangs, and the icy airflow they stirred up shredded fine floating dust.

"That's it?"

Na'er sized up the alternating falling guillotines, put away the Silver Dragon Spear, and said with a grin, "It's all you!"

Without waiting for Zhao Xuanzhen's reply, Na'er clasped her hands behind her back and hopped toward the blade shadows, her silver long hair rising and falling with her bouncing movements as she hummed a light tune.

The guillotines seemed unable to tolerate such an arrogant young girl. Two blades, gleaming with piercing sharpness, swung down. Zhao Xuanzhen gave a helpless smile, flashed behind Na'er, and stretched out both hands, intercepting the guillotines left and right.

"Clang—"

The blades struck his skin, ringing out with the clash of metal on stone. Dense cracks spread along the edges, and the guillotines, forged from black iron, instantly disintegrated into iron sand.

Zhao Xuanzhen shook his wrist, iron filings slipping through his fingers and bursting into sparks on the ground. Then his palm sent three more interweaving guillotines flying, the blades twisting into pretzel shapes under the immense force.

"Show some respect for the assessment. At least bring out the Silver Dragon Spear."

"You've got me!"

Hearing Zhao Xuanzhen's reminder, Na'er was completely unbothered. She never doubted whether Zhao Xuanzhen could protect her.

"Besides, dodging it is easy."

The young girl leaped toward the finish line, her waist twisting in a breathtaking arc, the hem of her skirt embroidered with silver butterflies brushing past the last guillotine.

Time ended. Ten seconds.

In the New Student Assessment observation room, the examiners sat in a row. At the center was Saint Spirit Douluo Yali, flanked by the first-stage guardian Old Li and a wrinkled old woman.

"Forcibly shattering black iron guillotines with bare hands—is that a flesh-and-blood body a Soul Elder should have?" Old Li couldn't help but marvel.

The old woman sneered, "Old Li, haven't you seen that kid's battle recording from the Tianhai Alliance Competition? His martial soul is a Gold Grade Original Martial Soul.

The Poseidon Pavilion preserves the Secrets of Ben Ti left by Spirit Ice Douluo, which records many hidden details of the Body Sect. Given his age and soul power cultivation, his martial soul couldn't have evolved from a Silver Grade through a Third Awakening. It can only be a Second Awakening Gold Grade, breaking the Body Sect's history. Having such a flesh-and-blood body isn't strange.

In terms of physical fitness, no soul master of the same level, or even one rank higher in soul power, can match him.

Leng Yaozhu... Hmph, she really does have an outstanding disciple."

The sarcastic tone made Ya Li's eyebrows furrow slightly. She spoke up, "Yue'er, the fourth stage is a specialty assessment. They'll come here to demonstrate.

Don't act rashly, or you'll cause misunderstandings with Yaozhu. The academy shouldn't be at odds with the Spirit Pagoda right now."

"Don't worry, Sister Yali. I know what I'm doing. Everything I do is for the academy's Ten Thousand Years Glory."

Cai Yue'er vowed earnestly, but a faint, calculating glint of malice flickered in the depths of her eyes.

Before long, the doors swung open, and Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er walked out side by side. Cai Yue'er's eyes lit up, and she cleared her throat, saying, "You've achieved a perfect score of thirty points across the first three stages. The fourth stage is called the Specialty Assessment. You have three minutes to consider how to showcase your advantages.

Martial souls, soul skills, mental strength, combat techniques... anything goes."

"I'll go first."

Na'er stepped forward proactively. Unlike Zhao Xuanzhen, whose ability system was complex, she only cultivated the spatial path of the Silver Dragon Spear, so she didn't need much deliberation. Plus, she wanted to test the waters for Zhao Xuanzhen and see what this specialty assessment was all about!

A clear and passionate dragon roar rang out. Na'er ignited a brilliant silver light flame, her delicate body flickering seven times in midair, leaving seven silver light points in the air from the Silver Dragon Spear. Space was torn apart by the spear tip, and then the seven points merged into one, forming a pitch-black spatial rift that frantically devoured everything around it.

"Na'er, Space-attribute Tool Martial Soul Silver Dragon Spear, top-tier Dragon Clan bloodline, suspected Silver Dragon lineage. Attack power and speed are excellent. Comprehended spear intent at age ten. Fourth Stage specialty assessment: ten points."

Cai Yue'er finished her evaluation and shifted her gaze to Zhao Xuanzhen—he was her real target. She asked in a seemingly casual tone, "You're Leng Yaozhu's disciple?"

"Yes."

"Your name is Zhao Xuanzhen, right? I've watched the match recording of Eastsea Academy versus Shrek Academy. Original Martial Soul, Golden-Grade Second Awakening, Yin-Yang attribute. A talent unique in twenty thousand years."

Despite Ya Li's warning glare, Cai Yue'er rose to her feet without a care, her voice echoing through the room:

"This Seat's title is Silvermoon, a member of Shrek Academy's Poseidon Pavilion. I believe your Martial Soul ability is special, and Leng Yaozhu is not fit to teach you.

Shrek Academy has an elder of extremely high seniority, titled Light and Dark, with Twin Martial Souls: Bright Holy Dragon and Dark Holy Dragon.

Light and Dark Douluo commands the two attributes of light and darkness, which share similarities and common ground with the Yin-Yang attribute. His self-created ultimate technique, Two Extremes Explosion, is unmatched under heaven.

Boy, a soul master's teacher is extremely important, determining the soul master's lifelong achievements. I intend to recommend you to Light and Dark Douluo as his closed-door disciple. This is the greatest honor of your life..."

"Cai Yue'er!"

A flash of anger appeared on Ya Li's exquisite face. Because she had Shrek Academy backing her and considerable personal strength, few could discipline Cai Yue'er, leaving her accustomed to doing as she pleased her whole life. Now, openly poaching Leng Yaozhu's disciple—even the usually good-tempered Ya Li couldn't stand it!

"Zhao Xuanzhen, what do you think?"

Ignoring Ya Li's fury, Cai Yue'er stared at Zhao Xuanzhen with burning eyes. A leopard can't change its spots. She'd held a grudge against Leng Yaozhu for a long time, and with this Silvermoon Douluo's willful personality, how could she not stir up trouble!

"Me..."

Zhao Xuanzhen silently pulled out the Soul Guide Communicator from his pocket. The screen showed it was in an active call.

"Teacher, Silvermoon Douluo is trying to persuade me to become Light and Dark Douluo's closed-door disciple. Do you agree?"

Zhao Xuanzhen put on a troubled expression and cautiously asked Leng Yaozhu. His overly theatrical acting and the fake probing tone made Na'er, standing nearby, burst into giggles.

He'd guessed the assessment wouldn't go smoothly. The moment he passed through the Guillotine Gate, Zhao Xuanzhen had called Leng Yaozhu via the Soul Guide Communicator. Every single punctuation mark that came out of Cai Yue'er's mouth had fallen intact into Leng Yaozhu's ears!

"Cai Yue'er, you're asking for death!"

A sharp, shrill roar erupted from the Soul Guide Communicator. A piercing Phoenix Cry rang through the entire room, and the Phoenix Pendant beneath Zhao Xuanzhen's clothes blazed with intense light!

The Phoenix Pendant contained a trace of Leng Yaozhu's mental strength, originally meant for positioning. Now it became the fuse for Leng Yaozhu to trigger the Phoenix Pendant's eruption!

A Phoenix phantom spread its wings and cried out, its wings stretching like clouds covering the sky. Scorching flame currents flowed from its feathers, and the air warped into rippling heat haze. This was the Sky Phoenix True Fire condensed from Leng Yaozhu's Martial Soul origin flames—a single strike potent enough to instantly annihilate a level 95 Title Douluo!

Cai Yue'er's expression shifted drastically. Silver armor covered her body, moonlight-like patterns flowing without end. Runes burst from the armor's seams, weaving together into a crescent moon barrier.

Three-Word Battle Armor, Silver Moon Ming!

The two forces collided heavily. Phoenix flames exploded into a thousand layers of flame waves. The silver moon barrier emitted a brittle cracking sound under the unbearable strain. Runes detonated one after another, the armor turning from silver to red!

"Boom—"

A ruthless intent gleamed in the Phoenix's eyes. The Sky Phoenix True Fire clung to the silver moon barrier and detonated with ferocious force. Cai Yue'er was sent flying by the flame surge. Her Three-Word Battle Armor hung in tatters, exposed skin covered in scorch marks, her hair tips curled and smoking with black fumes.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Cai Yue'er scrambled up in disarray, spouting rings of black aura from her mouth. Her cultivation was only level 96. If not for wearing the Three-Word Battle Armor, that Sky Phoenix True Fire strike would have taken half her life!

"Leng Yaozhu!" Cai Yue'er screamed, her hair disheveled.

"I'm at Shrek Academy's gate. If you're not satisfied, come fight me." Leng Yaozhu's voice was icy. "Ya Li, you didn't keep your promise. It seems Xuanzhen and Na'er don't need to be exchange students. The Spirit Pagoda should also cooperate with the Sun Moon Federation."

"Wait!"

Ya Li hurriedly spoke up in alarm. Her jade-green eyes glared furiously at Cai Yue'er as she snapped, "Get out. From now on, you will no longer assess new students.

I'll tell Ming Ge to remove you from all your positions. The Outer Court Dean will be replaced by Turbid World. You will obediently return to the Poseidon Pavilion and go into seclusion to temper your temperament!"

"Sister Yali..."

The usually good-tempered Saint Spirit Douluo's sudden fury genuinely startled Cai Yue'er. She stammered for a long time before finally leaving the room in resignation, accepting Ya Li's punishment.

"Sorry, Yaozhu. I didn't expect Yue'er to be this willful. I've already punished her. Xuanzhen will always be your disciple. This situation will absolutely not happen again." Ya Li said apologetically.

"You'd better make sure of it."

Leng Yaozhu hung up the communication, no longer mentioning the two leaving Shrek Academy.

Ya Li breathed a sigh of relief. Shrek Academy urgently needed to restore its reputation. Admitting Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er was the best choice. Besides, Cai Yue'er really did need to be disciplined. If left unchecked, she would eventually cause a massive disaster.

"Aunt Leng is absolutely domineering. I thought that Silvermoon Douluo was so impressive, but she still got blasted away." Na'er said with stars in her eyes.

Zhao Xuanzhen smiled lightly. Cai Yue'er's behavior only fit the stereotype, but Saint Spirit Douluo Yali's decisiveness was unexpectedly impressive.

With Cai Yue'er gone and no longer causing random trouble, Shrek Academy would be half as peaceful.

"A small interruption. Don't mind it. The assessment continues." Ya Li said warmly. "Xuanzhen, what do you consider your specialty to be?"

"Combat."

Hearing this, all the examiners, including Ya Li, were momentarily stunned. Zhao Xuanzhen was the first student they'd ever met who claimed combat as his specialty. But on second thought, the answer actually made sense—after all, every so-called specialty ultimately served combat.

"Open the Eighth Stage early."

As Ya Li's voice fell, a wall rose with a rumble, revealing ten young men and women behind it, all wearing Shrek Academy's dark green uniforms, each with a different expression.

"Eighth Stage: comprehensive combat. Before you are last term's Shrek students." Ya Li smiled. "Since your specialty is combat, prove it with a fight.

Xuanzhen, you may challenge any one of them. This battle will determine your results for both the Fourth Stage and the Eighth Stage. Please take it seriously."

"Just a heads-up—one of them ranks above you on the Young Genius List."

On the way to Shrek Academy, Zhao Xuanzhen had already memorized the faces of the top four on the Young Genius List. His gaze locked onto a black-haired woman from afar—her figure graceful, her features sweet, yet her pitch-black eyes radiated a chilling cold.

Fourth on the Young Genius List, Swan Mo Jue.

Their eyes met. Just as Mo Jue expected him to challenge her as a matter of course, Zhao Xuanzhen slowly spoke:

"One-on-one isn't really my specialty... You all—

Come at me together."

Going live on the shelves tomorrow! Thank you all for your support over the past month—thank you for every tip, every monthly ticket, every recommendation vote! Tomorrow's update will be 8K words. One chapter at noon, and a second chapter later in the evening~