A Good Bird Chooses Its Tree, Xuanzhen Number One Under Heaven, Angel Le Zhengyu

A Good Bird Chooses Its Tree, Xuanzhen Number One Under Heaven, Angel Le Zhengyu, Ben Ti Secret Technique (4K)

"Shrek Academy has stood tall on the continent for twenty thousand years. Under the leadership of generations of Shrek Seven Devils, such as the Sea God Ancestor and Spirit Ice Douluo, it has made indelible contributions to the prosperity of Douluo Continent."

At the classroom podium, Shen Yi vividly recounted Shrek's ten-thousand-year glory. That pilgrim-like radiance infected Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi, and the two were immersed in it, nodding repeatedly.

"The academy established the special class, Zero Class, which means Poseidon Pavilion has great expectations for you. I hope that one day, you will be admitted to the Inner Court, take up the torch of the Shrek Seven Devils, uphold the will of your predecessors, burn yourselves away, and protect the peace and tranquility of Douluo Continent.

"That concludes today's lesson. Tomorrow will be practical class, and your opponents will be people you would never expect. You may look forward to it.

"Class dismissed."

Shen Yi leisurely departed with an Ancient book in her arms, leaving only the Four Little Ones in the classroom. Based on their reactions after the First Lesson of the Semester, they had split into two camps.

Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er felt as though a burden had been lifted. Shrek Zero Class sounded nice enough—Small Class Teaching, special training—but once the loincloth was lifted, it was just point-to-point brainwashing. The two had endured the entire morning.

In stark contrast to Xuan Na, Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi were flushed with excitement, looking utterly satisfied, as though they were already prepared to shine and give their all.

The minds of teenagers were easily molded. That was precisely why so many Shrek students who graduated and joined the Eight Great Legions, the Federation War God Hall, or major Soul Master sects still thought constantly of Shrek Academy.

"Zhao Xuanzhen, what do you think of the academy...?"

For the first time, Ye Xinglan took the initiative to speak. Her azure eyes carried a Trace of hope that she would receive his approval.

Her actions made Xu Lizhi's heart skip a beat, and he involuntarily recalled that night at Tianhai Hotel. Ye Xinglan's wound had split open, her delicate body trembling, her dazed appearance incomparably pitiful.

From the bottom of his heart, Xu Lizhi did not want Ye Xinglan to get involved with Zhao Xuanzhen. But he had no power to change her, and he was afraid that she would grow distant from him. When a simp lost his goddess, he became a stray dog with no home.

"Just as expected. It fits the stereotype," Zhao Xuanzhen said calmly.

Ye Xinglan's brows knitted together. If it had been her from last week, she would already have drawn the Stargod Sword and demanded that Zhao Xuanzhen apologize. After suffering a crushing defeat, however, her mindset had matured considerably. She calmly asked,

"I don't understand. What stereotype?"

"Do you really not understand?" Zhao Xuanzhen countered. "Those voices appeared long ago. You simply used to disdain them. Shrek Academy has its own set of rules. In the past, it ignored the Three Great Empires; now, it has overstepped the Sun Moon Federation.

"When the academy swells to this extent, it will sooner or later face an explosion."

Ye Xinglan did not realize that the explosion he meant was a literal explosion. Her frown deepened. "Th-That is Shrek fulfilling its own responsibilities. It has no choice but to cross those rules."

"Then let me ask you: what are Shrek Academy's responsibilities?"

"Cultivate talent, Exterminate Evil, and protect the continent!"

This time, Ye Xinglan answered with absolute certainty.

Shrek was not stupid enough to shout in class that the academy's honor came before all else. The most brilliant method was to make students identify with Shrek's ideals—such as the academy being the continent's protector—then willingly uphold its Ten Thousand Years Glory.

"Exterminate Evil and protect the continent—every Righteous Faction on Douluo Continent bears that responsibility," Zhao Xuanzhen said with a faint smile. "Shrek is ultimately an academy and cannot look after the entire continent. Why not let the Inner Court's super geniuses freely join forces such as the Federation and Spirit Pagoda, while also dispelling those rumors from the outside world?"

"The geniuses the academy cultivates leave the academy and join other forces..." Ye Xinglan's eyes widened like bells. "Isn't that forgetting one's roots?"

Zhao Xuanzhen lightly tapped the wooden desk. "Protecting the continent is not restricted by where one does it. Training talent is the academy's duty. Shouldn't the Continent's First Academy set an example?

"Shrek should return to normal, starting with you and me. After graduation, we should leave the academy and devote ourselves to major forces to protect the continent's peace. Not only would that not be forgetting one's roots, it would actually continue twenty thousand years of glory.

"In the future, everyone on the continent will praise Shrek's noble character. Every student who walks out of it will be a Pillar of the Nation."

Fine golden sunlight filtered through the window lattice. Ye Xinglan's fingers unconsciously clenched as surging waves churned within the young girl's heart.

Just as Zhao Xuanzhen had said, Ye Xinglan had seen arguments refuting the claim that Shrek was a Country Within a Country. Especially after Shrek's first public defeat, such arguments had sprung up like bamboo shoots after rain.

If leaving Shrek Academy could also be a kind of Ten Thousand Years Glory, what should she choose...?

Deep in thought, Ye Xinglan left the classroom. Xu Lizhi eagerly scampered after her.

"You're amazing!"

After the two left, Na'er gave him a thumbs-up and said with genuine admiration, "Shrek brainwashed us, and you turned around and brainwashed our classmates."

"Just doing it along the way."

Zhao Xuanzhen waved it off, then stared at Na'er and feigned a serious expression. "Classmate Na'er, the first lesson was loyalty and righteousness, the second lesson was forgetting one's roots. Tell Teacher Zhen, what is the third lesson?"

"Backstabbing your own side!" Na'er answered without hesitation!

"And the fourth lesson?"

"Backstab!"

"Oh my God, Classmate Na'er, I've never heard an answer more satisfying than that. Your IQ must definitely be over one hundred and sixty!"

"Of course! I'm smart as hell!"

Na'er stabbed out twice with a "Hey ha!" her little tail practically pointing at the sky.

"Ding-dong—"

The Soul Guide Communicator suddenly rang. Zhao Xuanzhen checked the message and immediately revealed a smile.

"Teacher said to come home for dinner tonight. She's also giving each of us a Phoenix Pendant."

"Aunt Leng is so nice. Next time Silvermoon Douluo disgusts us again, let's see whether her Three-Word Battle Armor can block two blasts of Sky Phoenix True Fire!" Na'er said with a mischievous smile. "There are no classes this afternoon. Shall we head back to Spirit Pagoda early?"

Zhao Xuanzhen shook his head and said quietly, "No. I'm going to Spirit Ice Plaza."

"What for?"

"To reach the top."

Shrek Outer Court, Spirit Ice Plaza.

Spirit Ice Plaza stood in the heart of the Outer Court, built to commemorate Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao. Water from the fountain splashed into brilliant rainbow hues beneath the sunlight, while Shrek students passed by in an endless stream.

"It needs an arena..."

The bluestone path was perfectly level. Zhao Xuanzhen examined the fountain beside it, his eyes turning a mysterious deep blue.

The next instant, the fountain erupted with thunderous roars. Eight columns of water shot into the sky, refracting icy-blue brilliance beneath the sunlight.

Frost spread outward from where Zhao Xuanzhen stood. The flowing water froze into a crystal-clear ice layer, while eight ice pillars rose at the edges, exhaling chilling air.

The final wisps of drifting water vapor were sealed in ice. When Zhao Xuanzhen stood at the center and flicked his sleeves as he turned, an Ice Arena had taken shape!

The Ice Arena instantly drew the eyes of Shrek students. They halted their hurried steps and fixed their gazes on the boy who was the youngest in all of Shrek Academy.

Na'er tilted her little head as an idea came to her. The Silver Dragon Spear appeared in her hand, and her delicate body became a streak of silver. Her spear-light carved through the ice pillars, sending ice shavings fluttering down as two lines of large characters appeared, vigorous and gleaming!

A Good Bird Chooses Its Tree!

Xuanzhen Number One Under Heaven!

"Ahem, ahem!"

Na'er cleared her throat, then cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, "Zhao Xuanzhen, fifth on the Young Genius List, has set up an arena to challenge Shrek Academy students on the Young Genius List!

"If you refuse to accept it, come fight! The top three get priority!"

Boom—

The entire plaza erupted. In an instant, it became a roaring sea of noise. Shrek Academy encouraged battle, but someone setting up an arena at Spirit Ice Plaza with such arrogance was unprecedented!

"Taiji Zhao Xuanzhen, Silver Dragon Na'er!"

Their extraordinarily recognizable, heaven-defying looks and their immense popularity on Soul Net sent Shrek students into animated discussion.

"At the Tianhai Alliance Competition, they led Eastsea to defeat the academy. Zhao Xuanzhen stepped on Yu Yuanheng to rise to fifth on the Young Genius List!"

"The academy released a statement inviting them to become Exchange Students. I didn't expect them to arrive so quickly."

"Number One Under Heaven? He really dares to make such wild claims! Does he think Shrek has no one?"

"You're right, brother! Go up there and show that kid some color!"

"I'm just talking big. Yu Yuanheng beat me up before, so I'm not going up there to embarrass myself..."

Watching excitement was human nature, and Shrek students were no exception. In the blink of an eye, Spirit Ice Plaza had gathered a dense crowd, yet not a single person stepped onto the stage to accept the challenge.

The video of Zhao Xuanzhen brutally beating Yu Yuanheng had spread everywhere. These people were not fools. Students weaker than Yu Yuanheng had no reason to go up and make fools of themselves.

Those older, established students above eighteen saw Zhao Xuanzhen's youthful face and were too embarrassed to bully someone younger. Besides, he was challenging the Young Genius List. They were old-timers, not youths at all...

"Why are all of you such cowards? Then I'll do it!"

A resounding howl rose from the crowd. Everyone looked toward its source and saw a handsome youth in a white formal suit. His short golden hair had been styled with wax, combed flawlessly and slick with shine. With a slight exertion of his legs, he leaped onto the Ice Arena.

"Tenth on the Young Genius List, Angel Le Zhengyu."

Le Zhengyu introduced himself in a loud voice. The Holy Angel Clan loved displaying their holiness before others, and Zhao Xuanzhen setting up an arena at the Number One Under Heaven academy had directly struck his excitement point!

On Douluo Continent, strength reigned supreme. What kind of Soul Master acted timid and submissive? Geniuses were meant to be high-spirited and conquer the world!

Others feared fifth place, but Le Zhengyu disdained it. It was commonplace for Holy Angels to fight above their rank. He was here to fight fifth place!

Zhao Xuanzhen nodded slightly, refusing no challenger. This afternoon, he had only one thing to do: reach the top of the Young Genius List!

The blazing afternoon sun hung high overhead. The Ice Arena reflected scattered glimmers beneath the sunlight, cold mist rising from the ice as the two youths faced each other.

Martial Soul True Self possessed him. A lock of black hair before Zhao Xuanzhen's forehead turned pale white, three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Rings appeared, and Black and White Qi Flow wrapped around his wrists. The Taiji Diagram slowly rotated as an abyss-deep aura forced the nearby spectators to unconsciously retreat.

Le Zhengyu spread a pair of pure white Angel Wings. Three purple Soul Rings circled his body, and as his second Soul Ring flashed, a golden holy sword appeared in his hand.

"Watch out!"

The Holy Angel's first Soul Ring flared brightly—Holy Light Shines Everywhere!

A waterfall of light poured down from the heavens, instantly coating the Ice Arena in molten gold. Light flames scorched black marks across the ice.

Zhao Xuanzhen pressed both palms down through the air. Qi Follows the Heart as it spun in reverse like a millstone, grinding the blinding flames into firefly-like light shavings. Yin and Yang Dual Qi suddenly surged, Qi covering both fists as they struck out in succession!

Boom—

Holy Light Shines Everywhere formed a barrier before him. Le Zhengyu's reaction was extremely fast, but the difference in raw strength was right there. The light shield shattered in an instant, and the shockwave sent him stumbling back seven steps, carving two deep furrows into the ice. Only by frantically beating his wings did he barely stabilize himself.

"This freak's attack power... The Young Genius List really wasn't ranked randomly..."

Feeling the stabbing pain coursing through his body, Le Zhengyu sucked in a cold breath. Seeing the figure across from him charge in, he did not dare remain on the ground. He fiercely flapped his wings, and the Holy Angel soared upward!

From high above, Le Zhengyu looked down at the tiny figure on the ground. This was the aerial advantage of a flying Martial Soul. His third Soul Ring blazed with light as holy radiance condensed. He was going to mercilessly poke Zhao Xuanzhen!

"You can't fly. Accept judgment!"

Holy Angel's third Soul Skill—Light Judgment!

He raised the holy sword high, drawing upon Light Power. The radiance gathered within the clouds, forming a massive Judgment Light Pillar.

Just as Le Zhengyu thought victory was assured, Zhao Xuanzhen's spine suddenly tore through his clothes. A pair of Black and White Wings unfurled behind him, their membranes densely covered in blood vessel patterns. When he flapped them, Sonic Booms echoed into the distance as he shot after the Holy Angel like a black-and-white meteor!

"Y-You can fly!?"

Le Zhengyu was so shocked that his voice cracked, his expression as though his mother had been stunned for a hundred years.

"Flight isn't exclusive to angels."

Ben Ti Secret Technique—Wing Transformation!

The Secrets of Ben Ti that Muye had given Zhao Xuanzhen recorded countless secret techniques of the Body Sect. Wing Transformation was a technique created by a Trunk Super Douluo, altering the shape of one's ribs to form wings!

Zhao Xuanzhen left a series of dazzling afterimages in midair. Le Zhengyu felt chills crawl down his spine. This guy flew even faster than a Holy Angel! He instantly understood that he had no choice. Pointing the holy sword forward, he swept the Judgment Light Pillar across the sky!

"Qi Dong Shan He, suppress!"

The Taiji Diagram phantom continuously expanded. Light Judgment was ground away inch by inch by Yin and Yang Dual Qi. Brilliant gold was devoured by black and white, while the Taiji Diagram lost none of its power as it pressed the Holy Angel down from the sky!

The Holy Angel crashed into the Ice Arena, collapsing the ice layer. The terrifying destructive force split the ice surface with more than ten enormous cracks that spread wildly outward.

As the lingering force faded, Le Zhengyu's figure was revealed. His Angel Wings were tattered, and he knelt on one knee, barely supporting his body with his sword. The holy sword was covered in dense cracks.

Zhao Xuanzhen folded his Black and White Wings and slowly descended atop the floating Taiji Diagram. The Shrek students watching wore grave expressions as they silently calculated whether they could withstand that Qi Dong Shan He if they were in his place—and even if they could, what then?

Golden Awakening, three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Skills, Darkgold Fearclaw, Ben Ti Secret Technique... A feeling of powerlessness suddenly rose within them.

"Shrek Geniuses truly are as numerous as carp crossing a river!"

Le Zhengyu rose to his feet and stared at Zhao Xuanzhen with blazing eyes. He had left the Angel Legion only to gain experience, yet on his first day at school, he had encountered a younger and more talented monster. He felt he had come to the right place!

The Angel Clan was indeed proud, but they absolutely respected strength. Le Zhengyu cupped his fists in salute. "I lost this time. I will take a leave from school and return home to absorb the Angel Clan's Inheritance Soul Spirit. Then we'll spar again!"

"Good. Please welcome the next genius."

As soon as those words were spoken, the students below the stage exchanged glances. Tenth place had been utterly unable to fight back, proving that the gap between them was like a natural barrier. Perhaps only the top three could fight Zhao Xuanzhen head-on!

Among the spectators, a young girl with chestnut-red short hair was overflowing with Fighting Spirit. She stepped toward the Ice Arena. Her face was exceptionally beautiful, her skin pale, and her figure far more curvaceous than her age suggested.

Halfway there, she suddenly thought of something and stopped walking.

"Forget it. I'm a Work-study Student. I don't get Shrek's free cafeteria meals or welfare benefits. I need to find a way to support myself, so I should look for work first..."

With life taking priority over everything, the eighth-ranked young girl on the Young Genius List regretfully turned and left.

Boom, boom, boom—

Heavy footsteps rang out as a young man steadily stepped onto the stage. He was tall and broad, an unmoving, mountain-like majesty radiating from him. His entire body seemed like a colossal pillar holding up the heavens.

"Based on Yu Yuanheng and Mo Jue's descriptions, I should not be able to defeat you," the young man said in a deep voice.

"But you came anyway," Zhao Xuanzhen said.

"I am the class monitor of Class One, Second Year. More than ten classmates suffered crushing defeats at your hands. I have a responsibility to stand forward and recover the class's dignity.

"Besides, you set up this arena to challenge us. As third on the Young Genius List, the pride in my heart is no less than anyone else's. I will never allow myself to fear battle.

"A person may lose, but they cannot retreat.

"Bu Po Li Qiankun. Please enlighten me!"