Taiji Silver Dragon Dance, Spirit Radiant and Contained, Return to Simplicity, Open

Chapter 46: Taiji Silver Dragon Dance, Divine Essence Within, Return to Simplicity, First Lesson of the Semester: Loyalty and Righteousness (4K)

Dawn split the night, ushering in the newborn sun.

A pair of silver-white pupils snapped open. Na'er fumbled for her Soul Guide Communicator, read the course schedule sent by Shrek, pouted, and jumped off the bed. Her delicate body arched backward, arms spreading wide as she stretched lazily.

"Life is dull and tedious, 8 AM classes murder humanity!"

After thoroughly condemning Shrek, Na'er dressed neatly, flattened a stray strand of silver cowlick, and pushed open the wooden house door.

Morning light first bloomed, halos spilling through cloud gaps, dyeing the earth in brightness. A youth stood in the warm sun, a plain white long robe fluttering lightly in the wind. His fingertips gathered drifting clouds, his opening posture like embracing the moon, his fists and palms like pushing mountains and overturning seas—every move and stance secretly aligned with the Way of Yin Yang.

The wooden door creaked softly. Na'er leaned against the frame, and the moment the youth's figure appeared, all her troubles seemed to vanish into thin air. A shallow smile curved her red lips:

"Your fist technique looks so slow when you practice, but in real combat, you're like a different person."

"Fast striking is the fist; slow practice is the skill."

Zhao Xuanzhen chuckled lightly. His foot touched the ground like a crane feather brushing water, rippling an invisible circle beneath him. His Taiji Cloud Hands traced a half-arc, sleeves fluttering as he condensed a wisp of black-and-white qi whirl. The lingering morning dew, drawn by the qi whirl, suspended three feet around him, like a strange domain of water droplets.

"I'll practice with you!"

The silver gleam at the spear tip clashed with the morning light, splashing a brilliant radiance. Na'er watched Zhao Xuanzhen's fist forms, and a flame suddenly ignited in her eyes.

The Silver Dragon Spear howled like a dragon's roar. Thousands of spear lights burst forth, transforming into a thousand dragons dancing. The spear's momentum did not strike directly at Zhao Xuanzhen but instead followed the trajectory of the Taiji qi whirl.

Na'er turned her head midair like a startled swan, the Silver Dragon Spear like a meteor chasing the moon. Every spear form resonated with the rhythm of Zhao Xuanzhen's fists and palms.

The spear wind swept up fallen leaves, which were caught by the soft force the moment they touched the Taiji field. Dead leaves coated in black-and-white light tumbled endlessly with the silver dragon spear shadows.

Zhao Xuanzhen's lips curled slightly. His fist forms shifted, his body spinning to appear before Na'er. The silver-haired girl smiled sweetly. The Silver Dragon Spear roared loudly, the dragon patterns coiled on its shaft manifesting as a silver dragon phantom. The dragon's tail wrapped around the spear, its head raised in a proud cry.

"Ha!"

Na'er let out a clear shout. The spear tip tore through the sky, the silver dragon phantom leaping upward. Zhao Xuanzhen stepped through the Eight Trigrams positions, his palms forming a circle. The black-and-white qi whirl condensed into a slowly rotating Taiji Diagram.

The silver dragon's body swayed, coiling around the edge of the Taiji Diagram. Its tail hooked the Yin eye, its head bit the Yang eye. As black, white, and silver merged, light and mist filled the sky, and the world seemed to freeze in that moment.

Taiji Silver Dragon Dance.

High in the distant sky, Saint Spirit Douluo Yali leaned against a young man's chest. Her emerald eyes reflected the Taiji Diagram circled by the silver dragon. She spoke softly: "Brother Ming, what do you think of the two children Yao Zhu has raised?"

The only person on the Douluo Continent so intimate with Saint Spirit Douluo Yali was unmistakable. The young man's identity was clear: Sea God Pavilion Master of Shrek Academy, Qingtian Douluo Yun Ming.

"Divine essence within."

Yun Ming gazed from afar at Na'er wielding the Silver Dragon Spear and gave a four-word verdict. Then his gaze shifted to Zhao Xuanzhen, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Return to simplicity."

"This is the first time I've heard you give such high praise to the younger generation." Ya Li said, slightly surprised.

"They are peerless geniuses, rare in ten thousand years." Yun Ming sighed with emotion. "Both children are only ten years old, yet they have comprehended a will unique to themselves and can communicate with heaven and earth through that will.

I have to admit one thing: at the same age, my cultivation and state of mind were far inferior to theirs."

"Two wills?"

Ya Li's breath caught. Her willow brows furrowed slightly: "Na'er has comprehended the Silver Dragon Spear Intent. Does Zhao Xuanzhen have a will too?"

"Of course. Only another will can resonate with spear intent."

Yun Ming held his beloved wife, chuckling warmly. "Everyone has their own path. Comprehending a will is not a necessary path for a soul master, so you, who have never set foot in the realm of will, cannot see Zhao Xuanzhen's will.

In truth, Zhao Xuanzhen's will is extremely concealed. After the Qingtian Spear Intent broke through to the Spear God realm, I could more easily sense the wills of other soul masters. Otherwise, he might have hidden it from me too."

"I see. Zhao Xuanzhen's comprehended will has always been guarding him. No wonder the Black Swan's curse didn't have its intended effect. An unbreakable will is precisely the bane of curses." Ya Li mused.

"But one thing I'm curious about: what exactly is the will that child has comprehended? Fist intent?"

Under his wife's probing expression, Yun Ming actually shook his head. "Not fist intent. I'm not sure what it is specifically, but it's far more complex than conventional intent.

Zhao Xuanzhen's fist technique indeed contains intent, but watching his battles in the Tianhai Alliance Competition—how he shattered the Thunder Dragon released by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, and the advanced version of the Darkgold Fearclaw that finally gathered the power of three people—both soul skills were imbued with intent.

All his abilities seem to become part of his will: fist techniques, soul skills, soul bones, and so on. It's not limited to a single fixed form. This flexible and varied mode of expression is unheard of.

Interesting. Even I'm starting to get curious."

Seeing her lover's usually calm state of mind broken, Ya Li teased, "It's fine to be interested in Xuanzhen, but don't think about taking him as a disciple.

Yesterday, Yue'er wanted to recommend him as Sister Yue's apprentice, and Yao Zhu immediately flew into a rage. She cares very much about her own disciple."

Yun Ming gently stroked Ya Li's emerald long hair and corrected her: "It's the excitement of uncovering a secret. I'm not suited to be Zhao Xuanzhen's teacher. I wouldn't teach him more than Tianfeng would.

Speaking of disciples, I'm actually more inclined toward Na'er. The Silver Dragon Spear, a rare Silver Dragon Bloodline tool martial soul.

The Sun Moon Empire, predecessor of the Sun Moon Federation, once killed a silver dragon. History books record that silver dragon's combat prowess was formidable. It ultimately died under the bombardment of multiple ninth-level soul tools, but before dying, it still used a Seven Elements Storm to slay several ninth-level Soul Tool Masters.

The Silver Dragon and the Golden Dragon are the dragon descendants closest to the Dragon God, standing at the peak of soul beast bloodlines on the continent. The innate quality of the Silver Dragon Spear surpasses even the Qingtian Divine Spear.

In the future, Na'er needs to continuously temper her spear intent, striving to break through to Spear Soul and Spear God as soon as possible. Her second Spirit Soul should still choose a space-attribute soul beast, preferably with true dragon bloodline.

The seventh soul ring must be given special attention. Find a spirit soul or soul beast that can help her tool martial soul beastify, allowing her to simultaneously control two forms of Martial Soul True Body, maximizing the activation of the Silver Dragon Bloodline.

Soul bones, battle armor... let me think..."

"Hey, stop!"

Ya Li waved her hand in front of Yun Ming's face, amused. "Na'er isn't your disciple. Why are you worrying about her? In two minutes, you've already planned out her entire future."

"It's a pity for talent. I couldn't help myself."

Yun Ming sighed. "Shrek Academy has many students, but I haven't found a junior worthy of inheriting the Sea God Pavilion Master's position. Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng are more than qualified as elders, but they're still far from the baseline for Sea God Pavilion Master."

"Given the talent Na'er has shown, she'll face almost no bottlenecks before breaking through to Quasi-God. In other words, as long as she cultivates step by step, Extreme Douluo is within reach."

"Ya Li, to be honest with you, I want to take her as my disciple and pass on my legacy."

"If one day Zhao Xuanzhen replaces the Qiangu Clan and takes control of the Spirit Transmission Tower, and Na'er takes my place to inherit the Sea God Pavilion, that might ease the growing conflicts between these two great powers."

"But Na'er happens to be connected to the Sky Phoenix... Sigh, I can't bring myself to ask!"

Just as the generation's Qingtian Douluo was caught in a dilemma, on the ground, Zhao Xuanzhen bent his knees and sank his wrists, completing the final closing posture. Na'er reversed her spear and withdrew it, the lingering clouds coiling and entwining. A morning breeze swept by, and fallen leaves drifted to the ground, their veins imprinted with Taiji patterns and silver dragon scale marks.

"Refreshing!"

The Taiji Silver Dragon Dance was like a harmonious duet of zither and harp. Na'er's mood lifted greatly, and her appetite improved considerably. She dragged Zhao Xuanzhen straight to the cafeteria!

The two were exchange students, not hard-luck work-study students. The cafeteria provided free meals until they were full.

After finishing their meal, looking at the stacks of plates piled high on the table, the Canteen Director's facial muscles twitched uncontrollably. Having received a sudden notice of food shortage today, he rushed over hastily, only to catch Na'er performing "Three Bites, One Pig" for Zhao Xuanzhen!

On the first meal of enrollment, Na'er gave the cafeteria a harsh lesson!

"Gotta say, Shrek's cafeteria isn't bad." Na'er praised contentedly.

"Didn't you see the black aura on the Canteen Director's face? I bet tomorrow there'll be a sign at the cafeteria entrance with your big avatar on it, red letters reading 'Silver-Haired Little Pig Prohibited,'" Zhao Xuanzhen teased.

"You're the pig!" Na'er puffed out her chest proudly. "If the number one academy under heaven won't let students eat their fill, I'll have to post on the Soul Net and condemn them harshly!"

"Support. I'll buy you data."

Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er played off each other. One place doesn't breed two kinds of people; their mischievous demeanor was identical.

With some time before 8 AM, the two strolled around Sea God Island, enjoying the island's beautiful scenery.

"The life energy on Sea God Island is so abundant. Even meditating last night felt faster than at the Spirit Transmission Tower," Na'er said.

Zhao Xuanzhen pointed to the golden giant tree at the center of Sea God Island. "That's the Golden Ancient Tree, the founding core of Shrek Academy. All the life and light energy permeating Sea God Island originates from it."

The further a soul master cultivates, the slower their progress. Many disciples from great powers enroll in Shrek not only to carry out their family's mission of befriending monsters of the same age but also to use the Golden Tree to accelerate their cultivation.

"Rumor has it that inner court disciples of Shrek get a chance to enter the Golden Tree Underground for enlightenment. Zhao Xuanzhen, do you want to enter the inner court later and try enlightenment under the tree?"

Na'er meant it as a joke, but Zhao Xuanzhen nodded lightly. "Honestly, I want to gain enlightenment under the Golden Tree, but I don't want to enter the inner court."

As the Golden Tree was the life core of the Douluo Continent, half of Zhao Xuanzhen's purpose in entering Shrek Academy was for it, and the other half was to use Shrek's Heaven's Timing, Geographical Advantage, and Human Harmony to awaken the Eight Deceitful Gods.

Because of the Golden Tree's existence, Shrek Academy's Geographical Advantage was arguably the pinnacle of Douluo. If the Golden Tree allowed the Eight Deceitful Gods to temporarily lodge in his body and channel some life energy to nourish them, Zhao Xuanzhen might even break the shackles of the Divine Plate and manifest both Eight Deceitful Gods in their Extreme Form!

However, Zhao Xuanzhen had waited full of anticipation last night, but the Golden Tree Spirit, that old fellow, never showed up, forcing Zhao Xuanzhen to take the initiative to get closer now.

After circling Sea God Island, Zhao Xuanzhen used water control to bring Na'er across Sea God Lake. Passing through a large area of inner court buildings, they arrived before a white low-rise building. At the entrance, a little fatty closely followed a golden-haired girl with a high ponytail, his tone fawning:

"Sister Xinglan, have you had breakfast? Want a baozi?"

Ye Xinglan, Xu Lizhi!

Ye Xinglan bypassed Xu Lizhi's big meat bun, staring somewhat blankly at the two slowly approaching. Her gaze lingered on Zhao Xuanzhen for a long time.

Na'er instantly went on alert, half her body blocking Zhao Xuanzhen. After all, this guy was born with an Appearance of a Woman's Disaster, a natural soft-rice saint body.

Aside from Sky Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu and the Bai Sisters, no female creature was allowed to touch Zhao Xuanzhen!

Special note: Strictly guard against Gu Yue!

Fortunately, Ye Xinglan didn't speak. She turned and walked into the white low-rise building, with Xu Lizhi following closely on his short, chubby legs.

"Same teaching building. Looks like we're classmates," Zhao Xuanzhen speculated.

Sure enough, the classroom had four desks and chairs, with a sign reading "Zero Class."

"Why is Shrek also Zero Class..."

Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er complained. The East Sea Zero Class F4 had fallen apart, and now the Shrek Zero Class F4 made a grand debut.

The four sat down according to the nameplates on the desks. From left to right: Na'er, Zhao Xuanzhen, Ye Xinglan, Xu Lizhi.

A figure pushed the door open. The homeroom teacher was also a familiar face—Shen Yi, the lead teacher of the Shrek Team!

"Class begins." Shen Yi smiled. "Though we shouldn't be strangers, let me introduce myself."

"My name is Shen Yi, and I'll be the homeroom teacher for Zero Class from now on. Because of your special circumstances—two previously designated inner court disciples and an unprecedented double-perfect-score exchange student—Shrek has decided to form a special class. The Outer Court Dean, Red Dragon Douluo, assigned me as your homeroom teacher."

"Xuanzhen and Na'er are new students, so let me first go over some student basics. Every Shrek student has a student card, which records various details about you and stores the academy's contribution points."

"Within the academy, contribution points can be used for anything—exchanging for cultivation resources, purchasing time for teaching facilities... Within legal limits, contribution points can achieve everything."

"Shrek Academy practices open education. Mornings are for classes, while afternoons and evenings are free time."

The two nodded slightly. The reason Leng Yaozhu had agreed to their enrollment was twofold: first, the Spirit Transmission Tower Headquarters neighbored Shrek Academy, allowing for on-call support anytime.

Second, she understood Shrek's teaching style. With only half a day of classes, if Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er wanted, they could directly become day students!

"Now, let's officially begin class. The first lesson of the semester won't cover cultivation. I'll talk about Shrek Academy's glorious history."

Shen Yi spread open a thick black ancient book and said, "Twenty thousand years ago, the first dean, Flender, founded Shrek Academy. Led by the ancestor Tang San, the Shrek Seven Devils fought through thorns and thistles, won the Soul Master Competition championship, ventured into the mysterious Sea God Island, eradicated the evil Martial Soul Hall, and became heroes sung throughout the continent..."

"Ten thousand years ago, Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao won the competition championship twice in a row, infiltrated Mingde Hall, thwarted the Sun Moon Empire's Iron-Blooded Conquest, destroyed the Holy Spirit Cult, and maintained continental peace..."

Shen Yi spoke eloquently about Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year glory. Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi listened with rapt fascination, while Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er exchanged a glance, seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

Good grief. First lesson of the semester: Loyalty!

Gu Yue and Na'er don't sacrifice themselves. Na'er also doesn't bow to Yun Ming as her master. It's just that after seeing Na'er's talent, Yun Ming will try to attract her to become his disciple, but...

Na'er: Loyalty!