Reward Settlement, Departure

While the entire continent was plunged into heated debate due to the drastic changes involving Shrek Academy and the Star Luo Empire.

The instigator of this storm, however, remained peacefully in Skywater City, sipping fragrant tea while waiting for the fruits of his victory.

Inside the private courtyard of Ji Xuan of the Tianshui Clan.

He leaned back comfortably on a lounge chair, his eyes slightly closed.

In his mind, the cold yet pleasant notification sound of the system finally arrived right on schedule.

[Ding! The eighth place on the Hypocrite Ranking—Dai Hao, has been fully exposed!]

[This exposure revealed the shocking conspiracy of the Star Luo Empire's Marshal colluding with the enemy and committing treason, altered the landscape of the Western Front battlefield, triggered violent turmoil within the upper echelons of the Star Luo Empire, and simultaneously caused an unprecedented mental shock across the entire continent through a highly creative method of punishment!]

[Comprehensive evaluation: Perfect!]

"It seems everyone is quite satisfied with the cat-girl." A playful smile curled at the corners of Ji Xuan's mouth.

[Rewards are being calculated----]

[Reward 1: Host's Soul Power Level increased by five levels! Current Soul Power Level: Level 30!]

Boom!

A torrent of soul power, more pure and vigorous than any before, surged out of thin air into Ji Xuan's limbs and bones!

His soul power, which had just reached level 25, surged forward all the way, finally stopping steadily at level 30!

Soul Elder realm!

Feeling the surging power within his body, Ji Xuan nodded with satisfaction.

At this rate, it probably wouldn't be long before he caught up to those so-called geniuses on the continent.

[Reward 2: Obtained special cultivation technique--Ice Heart Art!]

[Ice Heart Art: A mental cultivation method originating from a high-martial world. Practicing this technique allows the heart to remain as clear as ice, unshaken even if the sky falls. It can greatly increase the speed of mental power refinement, purify soul power, suppress inner demons and evil thoughts, and provides extremely strong resistance and immunity to all mental-type negative status effects.]

"Good stuff!"

Ji Xuan's eyes lit up.

What he lacked least right now were methods to increase his strength; instead, he most needed this kind of technique that could stabilize his mind and temper his realm!

[Reward 3: Second Martial Soul slot (Empty)!]

[Second Martial Soul slot: The host has gained the qualification to unlock a second martial soul. This martial soul slot is currently empty; the host may attach a brand-new martial soul to themselves.]

A second martial soul!

Ji Xuan's pupils contracted sharply!

This was a heaven-sent opportunity!

"My Mirror martial soul focuses on support and control, so this second martial soul must be one of extreme offense or extreme defense----"

Countless powerful martial souls flashed through Ji Xuan's mind, but he quickly rejected them one by one.

Ordinary powerful martial souls were not worthy of this hard-won second martial soul slot.

What he wanted was a martial soul that could truly shake the past and dazzle the present!

Just then, the final reward appeared.

[Reward 4: Obtained permanent guardian-Ying"]

[Guardian "Ying": Cultivation level 89 Agility-Attack System Soul Douluo, Martial Soul "Shadow", Soul Ring configuration:

Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black, Red, cannot be upgraded, absolutely loyal.]

Level 89!

A top-tier Soul Douluo who even possessed a 100,000-year soul ring!

Ji Xuan sat up abruptly from the lounge chair, an unprecedented brilliance erupting in his eyes!

The previous experience card, although it was a level 95 Super Douluo, was ultimately just a one-time consumable.

But now, he possessed an absolutely loyal top-tier powerhouse!

With such a powerhouse by his side, where in the entire Douluo Continent, aside from a few select places, could he not go?!

Ji Xuan took a deep breath, his brain spinning rapidly.

With this guardian, with the Ice Heart Art, and with the second martial soul slot----

That plan was no longer just a fantasy!

"Extreme Ice and Snow--Snow Empress!"

Ji Xuan spat out these words, one by one.

What he intended to do was a feat that even Huo Yuhao from the original Douluo work had never accomplished!

What he wanted was not the Snow Empress as a soul spirit.

But rather----to turn this 700,000-year-old Heavenly Snow Woman into his own--second martial soul!

"Time waits for no one; I must depart immediately!"

Ji Xuan suppressed the agitation in his heart and immediately began to lay out the plans for his agenda.

First and foremost, he had to leave the Tianshui Clan.

With a flick of his thoughts, he acted.

"Summon, Guardian Ying."

The moment his words fell, the air in front of him rippled like water.

A tall and slender figure stepped silently out of the shadows and knelt on one knee before him.

She was a woman dressed in a tight black night-suit that perfectly accentuated her figure.

She wore a solid black metal mask, revealing only a pair of eyes so indifferent they held no emotion, and her entire being exuded an aura as cold and deathly silent as a shadow.

She knelt there quietly, yet she seemed to have merged into the shadows of the entire world.

"Ying, greets Master."

Her voice was cold and ethereal, devoid of even the slightest emotional fluctuation.

"Rise." Ji Xuan nodded, very satisfied with his guardian.

He stood up, straightened his robes, and pushed the door open to leave.

He was going to bid farewell to Ling Luochen.

Inside the study, Ling Luochen was frowning as she looked at the latest intelligence she had just received regarding Shrek Academy and the Star Luo Empire, her cold, pretty face filled with gravity.

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.

"Please, come in."

When she saw Ji Xuan push the door open and enter, the gravity on her face eased slightly, replaced by a touch of softness.

"You're here."

"I came to bid you farewell," Ji Xuan said, getting straight to the point.

"Farewell?"

Ling Luochen was slightly stunned, then asked with a hint of reluctance, "Leaving so soon? Your injuries—"

"They are no longer an issue." Ji Xuan smiled. "I have troubled your esteemed family for long enough; it is time for me to leave."

Ling Luochen opened her mouth, wanting to say something to make him stay.

But given her cold nature, she did not know how to speak the words.

"The elders of my family have already sent people to collect me."

Ji Xuan unhurriedly tossed out the excuse he had prepared long ago.

"Your elders?" A flash of curiosity crossed Ling Luochen's eyes.

Regarding Ji Xuan's mysterious background, she and the entire Tianshui Clan had speculated countless times.

Just then, a black figure appeared silently behind Ji Xuan like a ghost.

It was his guardian, Ying!

Ling Luochen's pupils contracted sharply the moment she saw Ying!

She hadn't sensed when this person had appeared at all! It was as if she had been standing there from the very beginning!

An indescribable, terrifying pressure that could freeze the soul began to radiate from Ying.

In the face of this aura, Ling Luochen felt like a tiny boat in a raging storm, finding it difficult even to breathe!

And the very instant Ying appeared!

Deep within the Tianshui Clan estate, several powerful auras erupted violently!

"Who goes there?!"

An aged, angry shout rang out.

The next second, the Tianshui Clan's Second Elder, a level 83 Soul Douluo, rushed into the study with several Soul Saint elders, looking as if they were facing a formidable enemy!

However, when they saw the scene inside the study, everyone froze.

Their gazes were locked firmly onto the black-clad, masked woman behind Ji Xuan.

Every one of their faces was written with shock and disbelief!

"A—a Title Douluo?!"

The voices of the elders were trembling uncontrollably!

He could not see through the depth of the opponent at all!

That aura was as deep as an abyss and as heavy as a prison, unfathomable!

It was even more terrifying than the level 94 Title Douluo he had once had the fortune to meet!

"No—that's not right! It's a top-tier Soul Douluo!"

The Second Elder exclaimed in horror.

"Her soul power has been refined to the absolute limit! Level 89! She is only one step away from becoming a Titled Douluo!"

Level 89!

This realization caused all the elders of the Tianshui Clan present to gasp in unison!

What a terrifying existence this was!

The entire Tianshui Clan would likely not even last the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn before such a figure!

"Respected seniors, there is no need for panic."

At this moment of extreme tension, the calm voice of Ji Xuan broke the deathly silence.

"This is Ying, an elder from my family, sent here under orders to bring me home."

Boom!

This sentence exploded in the minds of everyone in the Tianshui Clan like a thunderclap from the heavens!

They stood there dumbfounded, staring at the calm-faced Ji Xuan, their minds completely blank.

A top-tier level 89 Soul Douluo was merely sent out to pick someone up?!

Just how terrifying must the family behind him be?!

An ancient sect that had been hidden for ten thousand years? Or some unknown super empire?

In this instant, all the mysteries surrounding Ji Xuan had been answered.

No wonder his first soul ring was ten thousand years old! No wonder he possessed such unfathomable methods! No wonder he didn't even change his expression when facing a Soul Saint!

As it turned out, he was not some down-and-out work-study student at all, but a true dragon lurking in a fish pond!

Ling Luochen was also completely stunned.

She stared blankly at Ji Xuan, her eyes filled with shock, sudden realization, and a trace of—indescribable loss.

The gap between him and her was, as it turned out, even further than she had imagined.

"Thank you for your hospitality despite the intrusion."

Ji Xuan bowed slightly to the crowd, his manners impeccable.

"If there is an opportunity in the future, I will certainly come to visit again."

"Young Master Ji—you are too kind!"

The Second Elder hurriedly returned the bow, his posture extremely humble, devoid of even a fraction of the contempt he had shown before: "It is the honor of the Tianshui Clan to host you, Young Master!"

Ji Xuan smiled, took one last look at the dazed Ling Luochen, and said nothing more.

"Ying, let's go."

"As you wish, Young Master."

Ying's figure flickered, transforming into a literal shadow that merged into the space beneath Ji Xuan's feet.

Under the gaze of everyone in the Tianshui Clan, filled with the utmost awe, Ji Xuan walked slowly out of the study and out of the mansion.

He raised his head, his eyes burning with unprecedented determination and fervor.

Snow Empress.

I am coming!

(I went to generate the image, but I didn't realize I couldn't show anything at all. I adjusted it many times, so I'm late. You leaders will forgive me, right!)

(Guardian - Ying)