Three-Eyed Golden Lion

What a Xuanming Sect indeed.

One must know that he hadn't asked for profit, but merely for the Xuanming Sect to help bridge a connection; had the connection succeeded, he might not have minded conceding thirty percent of the profits.

Yet he hadn't expected the Xuanming Sect to be so foolish, though come to think of it, that was normal—in this romance-obsessed continent, who would expect anyone to have a brain?

It could be said that his older brother Xu Tianran's intelligence was already at the pinnacle of the Douluo Continent.

After all, in the Douluo Continent, the strategy of suspecting Martial Soul Hall of setting fire to the grain stores was actually hailed as a stroke of genius by all the great generals...

Xu Yanli looked at the letter, rubbed his forehead, and sighed softly.

Afterward, he stepped out of his dormitory, intending to head to Yan Shaozhe to request a leave of absence.

Some matters always required handling, and since staying at the academy was just idling away time, he might as well go do something substantial.

He had already recorded about a third of the books, and the remaining portion could be resolved during the competition period.

As for the last fifth of the content, he felt there was no need to record it at all...

That fifth actually consisted of basic theoretical knowledge regarding Soul Tools obtained from their Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy.

Xu Yanli arrived at Yan Shaozhe's office, knocked on the door, and said apologetically, "Dean, sorry to disturb you."

"Come in," Yan Shaozhe said, setting down the files in his hand. "What is it?"

"Teacher, something has come up at Xiaoyao Pavilion, and I may need to take leave to handle it," Xu Yanli said, lowering his head.

After all, he didn't know what expression to wear for this, and part of it was just an instinctive reaction.

"Very well. Can you return in two weeks? The freshman exams are in a month," Yan Shaozhe said calmly.

In truth, he hadn't intended to let him go; who knew if this fellow might be harmed once he ran off? Or...

After all, that princess of the Xu Clan had also disappeared suddenly back in the day, and Shrek Academy was currently severely lacking in geniuses of the new generation.

However...

Yan Shaozhe sighed. This fellow also held the status of the Master of Xiaoyao Pavilion; if someone needed to handle affairs within their own pavilion, it wasn't easy for them to stop him. If a major problem arose later, it wouldn't be a favor, but a grudge.

Although they didn't know that from the very beginning, it was impossible for Xiaoyao Pavilion to stand with Shrek Academy, and what they sought could never be realized.

After receiving the leave slip issued by Yan Shaozhe, Xu Yanli immediately headed to Mu Jin's office.

Xu Yanli handed the leave slip to Mu Jin. The two didn't say much, and Mu Jin specifically urged him to pay attention to his safety...

Xu Yanli felt as if his life were particularly precious; why did everyone insist on telling him to watch his safety?

Don't go setting flags for him.

Xu Yanli didn't dwell on it and immediately headed to Xiaoyao Pavilion to prepare for departure.

Seeing Xu Yanli return, Kong Deming smiled and said, "You got your leave? Do you intend to handle this matter personally?"

Xu Yanli nodded, his voice sounding somewhat cold. "Since they refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, then don't blame us for being ruthless."

"But it isn't suitable for us to take action; my martial soul is a bit too conspicuous," Kong Deming sighed and said.

"Rest assured. Has this matter been mentioned to Big Brother?" Xu Yanli rubbed his temples and asked.

"The moment the letter arrived, I informed His Highness the Crown Prince according to your wishes," Kong Deming nodded.

Xu Yanli laughed brazenly. "Don't worry, you don't need to take action. My good big brother has a sharp blade, though it's a pity this blade cannot see the light of day."

"Prince Xiaoyao, those fellows are not to be trifled with. If you get involved with them, you might never be able to wash your hands of it for the rest of your life," Kong Deming said, his expression full of tension.

Xu Yanli sneered, "It doesn't matter. In the future, they will also be the best sacrifices. Do you know why there were almost no Evil Soul Masters during the Martial Soul Hall era ten thousand years ago?"

Xu Yanli didn't intend to let Kong Deming answer, continuing on his own: "The Six-Winged Angel martial soul can gain soul power by executing evil soul masters. You said back then that my mother possessed the Six-Winged Angel martial soul..."

"What a perfect soul-raising pill, and one without side effects at that. However, these fellows still need to be kept; draining the pond to catch the fish is not a good idea." A hint of calm madness flickered in Xu Yanli's eyes.

Xu Yanli didn't view the members of the original three empires as human beings at all. In his eyes, as long as they weren't on his side, they were nothing more than expendable resources.

There was only the distinction between useful and useless.

Xu Yanli never claimed to be a good person; even if he had once received nine years of compulsory education, those years in the cold palace had ground that away.

Not to mention that it was Xu Tianran who had raised him from childhood.

Xu Yanli and Kong Deming set off for the Heaven Dou Empire, also bringing Huo Yuhao along—what if they ran into people from the Body Sect?

It was also a chance to cultivate their relationship on the road, though he could now sense that Huo Yuhao's emotions toward him hovered between worship and reverence.

There might even be a trace of an indescribable filial affection.

Although Xu Yanli wasn't certain if the other party would betray him in the future, at least for now, he wouldn't, so this chess piece had value in being utilized.

"Are you sure? About throwing this bait to the Body Sect?" Kong Deming asked while sitting in the soul-powered vehicle.

"Yes." Xu Yanli glanced at Huo Yuhao without leaving a trace and chuckled. "As long as we reel in the Body Sect, even if it's just a partnership, Xiaoyao Pavilion will have enough power to gain a foothold in this Douluo Continent."

"Many of our hidden forces cannot be brought into the light, but if we gain the cooperation of the Body Sect, at least incidents like the one with the Xuanming Sect won't happen again," Kong Deming sighed. "Let's go, we're off."

However, traveling to the Heaven Dou Empire required passing through the Star Dou Great Forest.

Xu Yanli drove the soul-powered vehicle at full speed, heading in the direction of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Xu Yanli truly hadn't expected that they would encounter a three-hundred-thousand-year-old fierce beast and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion.

Under normal circumstances, shouldn't they be deep within the Star Dou Great Forest?

Their caravan was currently only traveling outward through the peripheral region...

Xu Yanli suddenly felt that there was something about the Three-Eyed Golden Lion that was constantly drawing him in, and it seemed the Three-Eyed Golden Lion felt the same way.

After a moment of hesitation, Xu Yanli slowly stepped out of the carriage and locked eyes with the Scarlet King. The Scarlet King had intended to strike, but was stopped by the Three-Eyed Golden Lion.

"Human, what exactly is it about you that is attracting me?" the Three-Eyed Golden Lion asked in a milky, childish voice.

Xu Yanli slowly approached the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, and noticing that the Scarlet King did not attack him, he reached out and gently stroked the creature's fur.

"I don't know either. Do you? Every time I cultivate, I always feel something profound and mysterious surging into my body," Xu Yanli said, lowering his head with a gentle tone.