Gu Yuena

Zou Yihan only knew that Xia Linyuan's Soul Power Level had reached level twelve after absorbing a four-hundred-year Soul Ring. In her view, gaining eight levels in a year and a half was practically impossible.

But saying this would neither dampen Xia Linyuan's enthusiasm nor keep him from devoting himself wholeheartedly to cultivation. It was the best of both worlds.

What she didn't know was that, to Xia Linyuan, his Soul Power Level was more or less irrelevant. Whenever he wanted to break through was entirely up to him.

A year and a month later, when Xia Linyuan told Zou Yihan that he had already broken through to level twenty, she knew she had miscalculated this time...

After helping Xia Linyuan hunt down his Second Soul Ring, Zou Yihan had no choice but to pack him off in a hurry and have someone send him to Xia Yanqing in the Endless Mountains.

One day, after Xia Yanqing returned to his tent from inspecting the soldiers' training, he saw Xia Linyuan sitting on the desk he used for work. Then he saw the letter his wife had written him. The look on Xia Yanqing's face was absolutely priceless.

My dear wife! How could you do this to your husband?!

Xia Yanqing was on the verge of tears.

Five years later, in the Endless Mountains, inside the commander's tent.

Xia Yanqing pushed an unopened envelope toward Xia Linyuan. "In another month, Shrek Academy will be holding its admissions. To apply, you need a recommendation from the lord of a major city. This is a city lord's recommendation letter I got from your uncle."

Xia Linyuan glanced at the envelope on the table. "Do I have to go to Shrek Academy?"

Xia Yanqing said sourly, "If you're not going to Shrek Academy, which academy do you want to go to?"

"The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy."

Xia Yanqing: "...!?"

Xia Linyuan went on as if nothing had happened. "I'm pretty interested in Soul Tools. If I don't go to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy, where else would I go?"

Xia Yanqing said, "I admit that the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy has a major advantage when it comes to Soul Tools. But when it comes to Martial Souls, it's nowhere near as knowledgeable or experienced as Shrek Academy. Besides, you're from the Star Luo Empire, and you're my son. The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy would prioritize training you, making it unlikely you'd get a chance to work on advanced Soul Tools."

"Besides, better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. Shrek Academy has a Soul Guidance Department too. You can study Martial Souls there and apply to study Soul Tools as well."

"As it happens, I know Qian Duoduo, the head of Shrek Academy's Soul Guidance Department. He told me that the department is working hard to train people in Soul Tools. If you get into Shrek Academy, I'm sure they'll devote just as much effort and resources to you as the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy would."

"Fine." Xia Linyuan shrugged indifferently.

"Linyuan, you don't seem to think much of Shrek Academy."

"I don't." Xia Linyuan said coolly, "Shrek Academy is full of so-called geniuses who twist the meaning of 'those who don't dare cause trouble are worthless' and then repeat it all the time."

"Uh... They should only be a small minority. Most people are pretty normal."

"Then tell me, Dad, why do you need a recommendation from the lord of a major city to get into Shrek Academy? Only a thousand people can get those recommendations. These days, commoners can't even get their Martial Souls awakened for free. What kind of people do you think can get a recommendation? People like me, for instance."

"This..." Xia Yanqing was at a loss for words.

"Dad, Shrek Academy isn't as spotless as you imagine. Its reputation was built on the backs of its geniuses, not by Shrek Academy itself."

Xia Yanqing was utterly helpless.

Xia Linyuan picked up the envelope and said coolly, "But you're right about one thing, Dad. Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. I'll go to Shrek Academy to improve myself. The only downside is that I'll owe a few people favors later."

"As long as you've thought it through."

"Also, Dad, ask my uncle for another city lord's recommendation letter, one without a name on it."

Xia Yanqing was taken aback. "Are you getting it for that little girl, Yun Jin?"

Xia Linyuan gave him a cool glance. "Who's Yun Jin?"

Xia Yanqing's mouth twitched. So this kid had already forgotten about her.

"What do you need an unnamed city lord's recommendation letter for?"

"Just in case."

Xia Yanqing shook his head helplessly. "Honestly, you're something else. I'll write to your uncle later."

Xia Linyuan turned and headed for the tent's entrance. "Then I'm off."

"Don't forget to go see your mother."

"I know."

As Xia Linyuan passed the training grounds in his neatly pressed red-and-blue military uniform, the soldiers in the middle of training stopped what they were doing and gazed at his straight, if not particularly burly, figure with awe.

"Farewell, Deputy General!"

The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices booming like great bells and ringing through the sky.

But Xia Linyuan didn't so much as break his stride. He leapt onto Carlos's broad back, which had been waiting in the open space, and shot into the sky. Six Soul Saints from the Molong Duke Mansion followed behind him.

After staying at the Molong Duke Mansion for two weeks, Xia Linyuan went to Life Lake in the Core Circle of the Star Dou Great Forest.

As soon as he landed, Xia Linyuan spotted the Silver Dragon King, who had taken human form. "Your injuries look like they've healed quite well."

The Silver Dragon King gave him a slight nod. "It's thanks to your help that my hidden injuries healed so quickly."

"Heh, we each got what we wanted." Xia Linyuan sat down beside the Silver Dragon King. "What are your plans?"

"I plan to infiltrate human society and learn about the current situation."

"What identity do you plan to use to enter human society?"

The Silver Dragon King thought for a moment. "I'll probably need to learn about the development of human society from beginning to end. So the most suitable identity would probably be a student."

"Then I think you'll need this." Xia Linyuan handed her the unnamed city lord's recommendation letter.

After scanning the letter's contents with her spiritual sense, the Silver Dragon King carefully put it away. "Thank you. I think this is just what I was missing."

"I've delivered it. I should get going." Xia Linyuan stood up, ready to leave.

"Wait, Xia... Linyuan." The Silver Dragon King called after him.

"Is something else the matter?" Xia Linyuan turned to look at her.

"I've chosen a name for myself. From now on, you can call me Gu Yuena."

"Gu Yuena? What a tacky name." Xia Linyuan turned and walked away without noticing how Gu Yuena looked ready to punch a dozen holes in him.

After spending the past few years with Xia Linyuan, Gu Yuena had long since become well aware of how sharp his tongue was. She had even developed some immunity.