Xu Yanli fanned himself as he went to find Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao was keeping his head down as he sold his grilled fish. When he saw Xu Yanli approach, he immediately grew timid and didn't dare look up at him.
Xu Yanli lightly tapped Huo Yuhao on the forehead with his fan. "Look at me. What are you feeling inferior for?"
"I think I got you into trouble..." Huo Yuhao lowered his head and said sadly.
"Heh, I really don't like people who cause trouble," Xu Yanli said with a faint smile.
Huo Yuhao lowered his head even further.
Xu Yanli chuckled. "Huo Yuhao, you weren't causing trouble just now. You were defending yourself. I hope my people don't cause trouble, but they shouldn't be afraid of it either. Lift your head, straighten your back, and have a little confidence."
Huo Yuhao raised his head somewhat timidly, but his eyes were shining brightly.
"Teacher, thank you," Huo Yuhao said gratefully.
Xu Yanli lifted his chin, then pointed his fan at the grilled-fish stand. "Pack up your things and come back to Xiaoyao Pavilion. If anything happens again, you have to call me right away. Understand? But remember, you must always conduct yourself honorably and keep your conscience clear."
Xu Yanli watched from the side as Huo Yuhao packed everything up, then took him along to Xiaoyao Pavilion.
Xiaoyao Pavilion, main hall.
"Send this to our branch in the Heaven Dou Empire and see what the Xuanming Sect chooses," Xu Yanli said calmly.
The original hall master of Xiaoyao Pavilion at Shrek Academy answered respectfully, his face alight with an indescribable fervor.
Xu Yanli held his head, looking utterly helpless. Even he didn't know why these people were so fanatical about him. Could it be the influence of his Martial Soul?
After giving his instructions, Xu Yanli turned and returned to Shrek Academy. He walked along the shore of Sea God Lake, gazing at the Golden Ancient Tree.
In a sense, this Golden Ancient Tree could be considered the world's Life Core. He just didn't know why it was so devoted to Shrek Academy.
Was it forced to do so, or was it by choice?
But as its inheritor, perhaps he could control the Golden Ancient Tree to some extent. Maybe he could even persuade it to return to its rightful master.
Xu Yanli's gaze grew distant, and his thoughts drifted who knew where.
Whatever the case, if he couldn't have it, he might as well destroy it. If the Golden Ancient Tree refused to submit, destroying it would be better than leaving it behind.
Meanwhile, a deep dragon's roar came from the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest's core.
The relatively low-level birds around the core region scattered in every direction.
The Ferocious Beasts cultivating elsewhere rushed toward the core region, pounding the ground as they went. Even the Three-Eyed Golden Lion abandoned her hunt and immediately turned back toward the core region.
Xu Yanli seemed to sense something and looked that way, only to see a dazzling flash of red flying toward him.
At the same time, he sensed an aura that was both frenzied and corrupt.
Shit...
Could that thing be Ma Xiaotao?
Xu Yanli facepalmed. Never mind—he released his Martial Soul in an instant.
At the same time, he instinctively hid his Angel wings so no one else would discover them.
"Second Soul Skill, Apocalypse: Holy Wing Protection."
The Holy Barrier expanded almost instantly. Six layers of faint golden Sun Moon Holy Wing phantoms overlapped in midair, gentle yet carrying an inviolable pressure.
The moment that frenzied, feverish, corrupt aura slammed into the barrier, it was like a raging fire meeting the sun. A harsh sizzling sound rang out as it was forcibly repelled.
The force of the rebound made Ma Xiaotao's whole body jolt to a halt, murderous intent surging in her scarlet eyes.
But her body seemed to be locked in place by an invisible force. The more she struggled, the tighter the holy power spilling from the barrier wound around her. The energy that specifically countered evil souls and corrupt auras continuously washed over her rampaging spirit.
Xu Yanli raised a finger. A wisp of Sun Moon Soul Power, condensed to the utmost, silently slipped into Ma Xiaotao's body, precisely suppressing her out-of-control emotions and the dark turbulence within her.
In just an instant, the scarlet in Ma Xiaotao's eyes slowly faded. Her frenzied howl caught in her throat, and her gaze gradually cleared.
But as soon as she regained consciousness, all the strength seemed to drain from her body, and she slumped forward.
Xu Yanli reached out and caught her securely. Only after confirming she had fallen completely unconscious and showed no sign of losing control again did he let out a quiet breath of relief.
Xu Yanli suddenly sensed a powerful aura approaching. He knew Yan Shaozhe had arrived.
The next second, he viciously pinched his own thigh. Pain instantly drained the color from his face.
Xu Yanli withdrew all his Soul Power into his dantian in an instant, deliberately stumbled, then let himself collapse to the ground, his chest heaving violently.
He looked as though he'd completely exhausted himself after forcibly using a powerful Soul Skill, without even the strength left to lift a hand.
Xu Yanli slowly lay down and closed his eyes, sinking his consciousness into his Sea of Consciousness.
Xu Yanli touched the small gray golden ball.
Suddenly, a faint consciousness passed to him. "Thank you. I should recover in about a week. After that, we can talk at length."
He heard voices outside. It was Yan Shaozhe and someone called Elder Li.
"It's Xu Yanli, that kid. Thank goodness. It looks like his Martial Soul can suppress Xiaotao's Martial Soul to some extent," Yan Shaozhe said after checking Ma Xiaotao's condition.
"This child is fine too. He's only run out of Soul Power." Teacher Li released his Tree of Life Martial Soul and slowly treated him.
"Take him with us to Sea God Island," Yan Shaozhe said after a moment's hesitation.
After he finished speaking, the connected consciousness vanished at once. Xu Yanli felt his body being enveloped in the power of light, followed by a rush of dense Life Force.
It seemed he had been taken to Sea God Island.
Xu Yanli remained completely still, but slowly released a little of his spiritual power to sense his surroundings.
"Xiaotao, didn't I tell you to ease up on your cultivation for two days? I've already found a way to suppress your condition. It's this kid. Do you realize you nearly—" Yan Shaozhe's voice was full of anger and helplessness.
"But, Teacher, he's fine, isn't he? We can just give him more compensation later," Ma Xiaotao said nonchalantly.
"You!" Yan Shaozhe looked at her, furious, but still said nothing more.
At that moment, deep within the core of the Star Dou Great Forest—
Boom... The ground split apart in an instant. The entire forest seemed to shudder, and the water of Lake of Life rushed away in a sudden surge, exposing the lakebed in the blink of an eye.
A gigantic silver claw slowly emerged from the fissure.
The other Ferocious Beasts knelt on the ground with reverence. "We welcome you, Lord."
The Soul Masters who had been preparing to hunt Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest fled toward the forest's outskirts in terror.
Before you continue