The Second Grade's Most Terrifying Moment: Never Underestimate the Bond Between Auspicious Beasts

The second grade's Most Terrifying Moment: Never Underestimate the Bond Between Auspicious Beasts (5K)

"Arrogant!"

"He's here to stir up trouble!"

"Glory! Shrek's glory cannot be desecrated!"

The moment Zhao Xuanzhen issued his outrageous challenge to take on ten people alone, the Shrek students were stunned. Once they realized they had not misheard him, everyone erupted in outrage, their faces red and necks thick as spit flew three meters.

"Saint Spirit Senior, it shouldn't be a problem if I take on ten by myself, right?"

Zhao Xuanzhen loosened up slightly, completely ignoring the hostile gazes that seemed eager to devour him. He had not come here to be some model student. He was here to show the Shrek students what a monster was!

"For the talent display, it's up to you." Ya Li waved her hand, her gentle smile unchanged.

Seeing that Ya Li, the chief examiner, had approved this wildly uneven battle, Mo Jue gazed at the handsome young man across from her and lowered her voice to her teammates.

"Taiji Zhao Xuanzhen, newly ranked fifth on the Young Genius List. At the Tianhai Alliance Competition's Opening Ceremony, he led the obscure Eastsea Academy to crush the Shrek Team formed by Yu Yuanheng, Ning Xian, and the others.

"I watched that Battle Recording. Zhao Xuanzhen's combat power is terrifying. In a one-on-one fight, Yu Yuanheng, even with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's enhancement, barely landed a single effective hit. In the end, he suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's greatest specialty—Thunderbolt.

"A genius of this level is certainly no reckless fool. He has the confidence to take on ten of us. Don't let anger cloud your minds. Follow my arrangements.

"I'll use curses to weaken Zhao Xuanzhen from afar. Zhou Xin has the strongest attack. Everyone else, press forward and buy Zhou Xin time to end this with one strike."

"Yes, Sister Mo!"

While the Shrek students all felt insulted, Mo Jue was the only one who remained calm and clear-headed. She swiftly steadied their morale and laid out their tactics.

They were all Shrek second-grade students. As the Vice Class Monitor, Mo Jue commanded considerable authority in the class. Everyone clearly trusted her, and their strength immediately united as one!

"Their momentum seems to have changed. Be careful not to overturn the cart," Na'er teased.

"Say something lucky next time."

Zhao Xuanzhen shot her an annoyed glare, then flashed forward and landed thirty meters away from the Shrek students.

"The assessment begins!"

At Ya Li's command, all eleven people released their Soul Rings. The instant Zhao Xuanzhen's three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet, the Shrek students' eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

At the same time, the ten Shrek students revealed their cultivation. Swan Mo Jue was a Four Ring Soul Ancestor. Her four purple Soul Rings radiated a noble glow as black feathers spread down her long hair to her chest, her aura turning viscous and gloomy.

The top-tier Martial Soul, Black Swan, excelled at curses and long-range attacks.

Aside from Mo Jue, the Shrek students also had another Soul Ancestor, Zhou Xin. His Soul Ring configuration was two yellow and two purple. He raised a platinum-gold longbow, his right hand resting upon the bowstring as his essence, energy, and spirit surged at an astonishing speed!

The Heavy Light Bow was an extremely specialized Tool Martial Soul. It had no defensive or control abilities whatsoever, only attack pushed to its utmost limit!

"Go!"

Mo Jue gave a cold shout. Zhou Xin remained in place, gathering power and channeling energy into the Heavy Light Bow. The other eight Soul Elders charged like beasts released from cages, their Soul Rings shining as they surrounded Zhao Xuanzhen from every direction!

Shrek Academy admitted one class every three years, only accepting around a hundred students each time. Those who passed its examinations all had real ability. Charging at the front was an illusory black shadow—the Ghost Tiger Soul Elder!

A skull wreathed in black flames floated above Zhao Xuanzhen's head. The Black Swan's curse had arrived at exactly the right moment. The Ghost Tiger Soul Elder sneered. His charging body swayed, splitting into three figures that were impossible to distinguish as real or fake!

Third Soul Skill, Ghost Shadow Doppelganger!

"Roar—"

The tiger roar shook the heavens as the Ghost Tiger charged forward without hesitation. In his vision, Zhao Xuanzhen's pitch-black third Soul Ring blazed brightly. His black hair transformed into crystalline white, and his body became like transparent Glazed Glass.

Half a second later, the Ghost Tiger Soul Elder's expression abruptly changed to terror. Zhao Xuanzhen's eyes were fixed squarely on his true body. White light flashed, and Zhao Xuanzhen's burst speed was actually faster than that of this agility-type Soul Master!

"Boom!"

At such high speed, there was no avoiding it. The Ghost Tiger Soul Elder had no time to change direction as the two slammed heavily into each other. His features twisted instantly, unbearable pain erupting from his lower abdomen. His body flew backward through the air, curling like a shrimp!

One punch had turned him into a folding screen!

The Xuanhua Axe Soul Elder roared and surged forward, his axe blade whipping up fierce winds. Zhao Xuanzhen used Empty Step Single Whip to block, then followed with Advance, Cover Hands, and Support Hammer.

The Yang Hand's fierce, unyielding power traveled along the axe blade. The Xuanhua Axe Soul Elder's hands went numb, and both the strength and speed of his chop plummeted. Zhao Xuanzhen twisted his waist and shifted his step through the axe's arc. The Inch Strength hidden beneath his elbow erupted violently. The Xuanhua Axe Soul Elder's tall body trembled before he collapsed limply to the ground!

In the blink of an eye, two Soul Elders had lost their ability to fight. Only now did the Shrek students understand why Zhao Xuanzhen dared to challenge ten people alone!

Arrogance required strength, and he happened to have it!

His first Soul Ring lit up as Qi Follows the Heart coated his palms. His arms traced a perfectly rounded arc, and Cross Hands entangled the Red Tassel Spear thrusting at him from the side. With a twist, the spear shaft bent. Zhao Xuanzhen's palm slid along the warped shaft and struck the Soul Elder's chest and abdomen, Hidden Strength shattering his Soul Power.

The Iron Bone Barbarian Bull and Dark Nether Dragon Horse Soul Elders charged from both sides, attempting to reverse the unfavorable situation. Zhao Xuanzhen used Peng Block to press down their arms, then Single Whip Circle Bridge tied two into one. After shifting into White Crane Spreads Wings, both palms struck their temples. Yet the deadly Killing Move turned into a soft, gentle push just before touching their skin.

The two staggered back several steps before barely stabilizing themselves. They exchanged bitter smiles and dismissed their Martial Soul Possessions. They had felt Zhao Xuanzhen hold back and sensibly withdrew from the battle, becoming spectators.

Watching the boy, like a humanoid tyrannosaur, rampage across the battlefield and beat their teammates until they cried out in pain, the two finally broke into cold sweat. They quietly began to suspect that this monster was not human at all. His strength and technique made him seem like a machine born solely for battle!

"Unparalleled technique..."

Ya Li's eyes shone with brilliance. This was undoubtedly a one-sided battle. Zhao Xuanzhen's fist techniques were like art, every move full of flavor, balancing beauty and power. Before overwhelming strength, numbers meant nothing!

The average quality of these ten people was far below the Shrek Team's, and they lacked the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's forty-percent boost to three attributes. Against Soul Masters of the same rank, Zhao Xuanzhen moved with ease like a dragon swimming through water!

"Zhou Xin, aren't you ready yet?!"

A defense-type Soul Elder turned back and roared. His voice was so miserable that listeners could only grieve for him, mixed with the dull sounds of him being violently beaten.

"Almost!"

Zhou Xin was drenched in sweat. The Heavy Light Bow could fuse all of a Soul Master's Soul Power into a single arrow, but this earth-shattering strike required a long preparation time!

Damned bow, hurry up and charge already!

"Buzz—"

Suddenly, the Heavy Light Bow let out a crisp hum, as though platinum-gold flames overflowed from within it. Zhou Xin's bearing instantly turned brimming with confidence as his four Soul Rings flashed in succession.

First soul skill, Break—increased penetration! Second Soul Skill, Swift—increased speed! Third Soul Skill, Burst—an explosion upon impact! Fourth soul skill, Radiance—greatly enhanced light attribute!

"Even a Fifth Ring Soul King would be severely wounded by this Aurora Arrow!"

Zhou Xin narrowed his eyes and nocked his arrow. The bowstring was drawn nearly to a full moon. A platinum-gold feathered arrow condensed from light shone with dazzling brilliance, tearing through the air as it shot straight toward Zhao Xuanzhen!

"Yin Yang Reversal!"

A Black and White Vortex spun around Zhao Xuanzhen. The instant the Aurora Arrow entered the vortex, it began rotating along with it. Seeing this, Zhou Xin, who had drained every last bit of Soul Power from his body, turned pale and let out a resounding... "Fuck!"

In an instant, he lost control of the Aurora Arrow!

"Go back!"

Zhao Xuanzhen unleashed the second stage of Yin Yang Reversal. The Aurora Arrow, layered with Yin Yang Airflow, shot toward Swan Mo Jue, who had been secretly casting curses from the side!

The Aurora Arrow's power was extraordinary. Mo Jue's first reaction was to beat her Swan Wings and evade, but she soon discovered that Yin Yang Reversal came with a locking effect!

Ya Li, Old Li, and the other judges stared in utter disbelief. Absorption, reflection, and target lock—on Douluo Continent, the last Soul Master to possess a Soul Skill this devious had been Tang Sect's Duoqing Douluo Zang Xin!

Her final purple Soul Ring shone brilliantly, and a dark green spear appeared in Mo Jue's hand. Three skulls sat upon its spearhead, each representing a different curse effect: weakness, fear, and pain!

Black Swan's fourth soul skill, Curse Spear!

"Boom—"

The two Soul Skills clashed. Light and Dark Power were incompatible as fire and water, frantically eroding each other. The Aurora Arrow after Yin Yang Reversal was even stronger than the original. Mo Jue fell from the sky, her feathers disheveled as she violently coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"I'm sorry, Sister Mo..."

Having struck his beloved Vice Class Monitor, Zhou Xin fell to his knees, his eyes filled with guilt and regret. For some reason, Zhao Xuanzhen seemed to detect the faintest hint of pride in his brows over the Heavy Light Bow's formidable attack power!

Mo Jue and Yu Yuanheng cultivated in different directions, but both were absolute geniuses in their respective fields. Against a Soul Master like Zhao Xuanzhen, Yu Yuanheng had an innate advantage over Mo Jue.

The Black Swan leaned toward curses and weakening effects, making it more suitable for fighting alongside powerful teammates while serving as the core controlling the battlefield. This time, her teammates were not strong enough. Even the cleverest housewife could not cook without rice. Worse yet, Mo Jue had discovered a fatal issue: her curses were ineffective against Zhao Xuanzhen, blocked by a force of will!

Mo Jue raised her hand and wiped the blood from the corner of her lips, her expression grave. When she was young, her elders had told her that the Black Swan's curses struggled to achieve their proper effect against Soul Masters with Mental Combat Skills. Those Soul Masters possessed firm wills that dark curses could never shake!

"A nemesis..."

Mo Jue did her best to keep her expression calm, but her trembling hands exposed the violent turmoil in her heart. A Martial Soul nemesis meant being beneath someone for life. The feeling of forever being inferior was not pleasant.

Boss Mo Jue's combat power had plummeted. Zhou Xin, the second-in-command, had exhausted his Soul Power and was also a mole. Of the ten Shrek students, only a scattered few remained. Looking at Zhao Xuanzhen as he approached step by step, they swallowed hard, their fighting spirit gone and their faces full of terror.

The most terrifying moment!

"The battle is over."

There was no point in continuing. Ya Li called a halt to the match. With a light wave of her delicate hands, specks of life energy entered everyone's bodies, healing the injuries left by the battle.

"Fourth Stage, talent assessment. Eighth Stage, comprehensive battle. Full marks."

Ya Li looked at Zhao Xuanzhen and nodded gently in approval.

The assessment continued. The fifth stage tested their Second Profession. Third rank was full marks.

Na'er was a Fourth Rank Mecha Repairer, while Zhao Xuanzhen was fourth rank in all Three Second Professions. The two earned full marks without any effort.

The sixth stage tested appetite. They were forbidden from circulating Soul Power and had to rely solely on their own appetites. Within thirty minutes, eating fifteen steamed buns counted as passing. Every additional five buns earned one more point, and they were allowed to help each other.

Two enormous trays were piled high with steamed buns like mountains. Ya Li and the other examiners had thought that an assessment unrelated to combat power would trouble the two, but then something happened that nearly made their eyes pop out.

Na'er immediately demonstrated how to eat one steamed bun in three bites. She munched away, and the mountain of buns visibly collapsed at a rate the naked eye could see!

At times like this, clever people might ask: did Zhao Xuanzhen eat any?

Of course not!

The two trays of buns were not enough for Na'er alone. How could Zhao Xuanzhen dare reach out? He was afraid Na'er would protect her food and bite him!

After thirty minutes, Na'er had devoured two hundred steamed buns in one go. She happily patted her flat little stomach and declared that she was thirty percent full!

The seventh stage was an endurance test with three assessments. Time itself was not scored: a ten-thousand-meter run, one thousand fifty-kilogram squats, and one thousand pull-ups. Full marks required completing everything within an hour.

There was no need to say anything about the physical fitness of an Original Martial Soul. Zhao Xuanzhen completed it easily. Na'er did not expend much effort either. Her physical fitness was exceptionally outstanding, even stronger than Gu Yue, who had inherited seventy percent of the Silver Dragon King's power.

Zhao Xuanzhen believed it had much to do with her appetite. Even if the Silver Dragon King's physique was inferior to the Golden Dragon King's, it still surpassed that of ninety-nine percent of Soul Beasts on Douluo Continent. Na'er's extraordinary appetite, in a sense, meant she had inherited the Silver Dragon King's physical capabilities.

For the eighth stage, comprehensive battle, a new batch of students replaced the previous examinees. It was no longer Mo Jue's group. Zhao Xuanzhen had already earned full marks earlier along with the Fourth Stage, so only Na'er needed to take the test.

Na'er casually pointed at the Soul Master with the weakest individual combat power among the ten Shrek students: a Soul Seizing Bell Tool Martial Soul user who specialized in Mental Control.

That fellow's Mental strength was not even as high as Na'er's. He threw out all three Soul Skills without even making a sound, and he was nearly impaled by the Silver Dragon Spear instead. At the critical moment, Ya Li intervened and saved him.

So far, the two had earned full marks in all eight assessments!

A smile appeared on Saint Spirit Douluo Ya Li's exquisitely beautiful face. She had allowed the two to participate in the assessment because she had already expected their results to be outstanding. This would give Yun Ming a reason to brush off those stubborn Poseidon Pavilion Elders.

Every Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone was a treasure of Shrek Academy and was not so easily obtained. Although Yun Ming was the Sea God Pavilion Master, he could not decide everything at Shrek Academy. Above him was still Light and Dark Douluo Long Yeyue.

The widow of the previous Sea God Pavilion Master, she was over two hundred years old. When Light and Dark Douluo had made her name across Douluo Continent, Qingtian Douluo had not even been born yet. Long Yeyue was like Shrek Academy's Empress Dowager. If she strongly opposed something, Yun Ming would find it difficult to accomplish.

Unlike every previous assessment, the Ninth Pass was held in a dim room with no extravagant decorations. Its interior was constructed of metal, and Soul Guidance Screens hung across the walls.

"The Ninth Pass is called the Survival Test. The environment is rather similar to the Spirit Pagoda Spirit Ascension Platform, and the Soul Beasts are real. By killing Soul Beasts, you can absorb Soul Rings and may also obtain other spoils of war."

A middle-aged teacher spoke in a meaningful tone. After giving a few reminders, he walked to the side and pressed a button.

The two appeared in a dense Primitive forest. Zhao Xuanzhen knew what the Ninth Pass was about—a classic test of human nature. Na'er, however, was completely unaware and marveled that Shrek possessed high-end technology comparable to the Spirit Pagoda's.

The familiar Darkgold Fearclaw Bear and Three-Eyed Golden Lion were fighting fiercely. The two super Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts were not enemies Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er could face, so they left the battle zone and found a dark cave.

"Roar—"

A childish cry came from the depths of the cave. A beam of golden light shot at them. Na'er's gaze sharpened, and her Silver Dragon Spear slashed out a spear light, sending the golden beam crashing into the stone wall beside them.

The golden light was a Three-Eyed Golden Lion, with cultivation equivalent to a ten-year Soul Beast. It looked like a large dog. The third eye on its forehead had yet to open, and it lay on the ground with its body twitching continuously.

"A Little Three-Eyed Golden Lion!" Na'er grabbed Zhao Xuanzhen and ran to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. Her silver-white eyes glittered. "They say a Three-Eyed Golden Lion is guaranteed to drop a Head Soul Bone, and its skull bone can continuously evolve just like an External Soul Bone. The method is to devour other Head Soul Bones.

"Our luck is amazing, but...

"The Three-Eyed Golden Lion, also known as the Emperor Auspicious Beast, is unique under heaven. Ten thousand years ago, she sacrificed herself to Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao. Where did Shrek get a Three-Eyed Golden Lion?"

Zhao Xuanzhen leaned back strategically, looking shocked. His eyes seemed to say, Classmate Na'er, is this really intelligence you should possess?

Understanding Zhao Xuanzhen's gaze, Na'er's cheeks puffed up like a Pufferfish. Embarrassed and angry, she said, "You're insulting my peerless wisdom, but I have no proof to fly into a rage."

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. King Na'er, the pinnacle of wisdom."

Na'er gave a light snort. "A great person does not hold grudges against a petty one. I forgive you.

"What do we do now? Is this Little Three-Eyed Golden Lion real? Can she really drop a Head Soul Bone? Should we kill her and find out?"

"You really show no mercy..."

Zhao Xuanzhen had realized it. Na'er had no feelings whatsoever for Soul Beasts. She would kill even an Emperor Auspicious Beast without hesitation!

"No rush. I have a plan."

Between killing and sparing it, Zhao Xuanzhen found a third way through.

"Bring forth the plan!"

"It isn't difficult to tell whether this Three-Eyed Golden Lion is real. Think about what my Soul Spirit is."

"Oh, right. We shouldn't underestimate the bond between Auspicious Beasts!" Na'er suddenly understood.

"Tun Tun, I choose you!"

The Spirit Water Porpoise appeared with a duang. Having broken through to become a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Spirit, Tun Tun's appearance had not changed much. Only the Yin-Yang Brand at the center of its brow had become deeper, while its eyes had grown more spirited.

"Tun Tun." Na'er rubbed the Spirit Water Porpoise's head and said with a smile, "Help us identify the Emperor Auspicious Beast!"

Outside, the examiners led by Saint Spirit Douluo Ya Li stared at the scene on the screens, all dumbfounded. We don't have an Auspicious Beast, so how do you two actually have one?!

What kind of joke was this? Just argue honestly already!

Zhao Xuanzhen had never released his Soul Spirit to assist him in battle before others. Who would have known it was an Auspicious Beast, one in ten thousand!

The Spirit Water Porpoise slowly waddled over to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. Its moist nose gradually approached as it sniffed at the aura deep within her bloodline.

"Tun Tun, is this little one an Emperor Auspicious Beast?" Na'er asked again.

"No." The Spirit Water Porpoise established a Mental Connection and shook its head. "It has only the appearance, without the auspicious aura of the Auspicious Beast race."

Hearing that, Na'er clenched her left hand into a fist and struck it against her right palm. She said intelligently, "There is only one truth!

"There is no Three-Eyed Golden Lion at all. This is just Shrek's little trick to test people's hearts!"