Tang Ya's Enthusiasm

"That's incredible..." Bei Bei was stunned. "If the shockwave alone had that much power, then at the center of the direct collision..."

His gaze turned toward the center of the explosion, and his pupils contracted.

The crimson fireball, hot enough to melt steel, had lasted less than a second in front of the golden blade of light!

Like a hot knife through butter, the golden blade sliced into the fireball without the slightest resistance, and then—

"Pff!"

The fireball split in two, turning into a pair of raging flames that exploded to either side and blasted two charred craters into the ground.

But the golden blade of light kept going, slashing toward the Red-Winged Dragon!

"Roar—!!!"

The Red-Winged Dragon let out a desperate howl. It wanted to flee, to dodge, to resist with what little strength it had left. But under the suppression of the Angel Domain, it had barely any Soul Power remaining. Even keeping itself airborne was becoming difficult, let alone making an effective evasive maneuver.

All it could do was watch as the enormous golden blade, like a giant sword of light, rapidly grew larger in its eyes.

"Shhk—!!!"

The sound of a blade cutting through flesh rang out clearly.

The golden blade of light struck the Red-Winged Dragon squarely in the chest, then sliced downward without the slightest resistance, cutting all the way from its chest to the base of its tail!

The Red-Winged Dragon's enormous body froze in midair. The madness and savagery in its crimson eyes gradually faded, replaced by bewilderment.

The next moment, a thin golden line stretched from its forehead all the way to its tail.

"Boom!"

The Red-Winged Dragon's body split neatly in half down the middle. The two halves crashed to the ground on either side, kicking up a skyful of dust. Dark red blood gushed out like a fountain, quickly forming two pools on the ground.

A deep purple Soul Ring slowly rose from the split corpse, hovering in midair and radiating the powerful aura unique to a five-thousand-year Soul Beast.

The five-thousand-year Red-Winged Dragon was dead.

Silence.

A deathly silence.

Bei Bei and Tang Ya stared blankly at the scene, their minds all but stopped.

From the moment Su Chen unleashed his domain to the moment the Red-Winged Dragon was slain with a single sword strike, the whole thing had taken barely more than ten seconds. Yet everything that had happened in those few seconds had utterly upended their understanding of the word "genius."

"Five thousand years... a Red-Winged Dragon on the level of a Soul Elder... and it just... died?" Tang Ya murmured, her voice trembling.

Bei Bei was even more shaken. As a thirty-fourth-level Soul Elder, he knew all too well how terrifying the Red-Winged Dragon was. Not long ago, he and Tang Ya had teamed up and only barely escaped the beast's claws—and even then, they had suffered serious injuries.

But Su Chen?

A Soul Grandmaster with two Thousand-Year Soul Rings had slain a terrifying Soul Beast that had left two Soul Elders helpless with just two sword strikes—no, strictly speaking, just one and a half!

"His strength... is already no less than mine," Bei Bei admitted bitterly. "No, I should say... he's already surpassed me. If we fought to the death, I doubt I'd have even a thirty percent chance of winning."

The realization left Bei Bei with a jumble of feelings. He had been a genius at Shrek Academy since childhood, hailed as one of the students of his generation most likely to enter the inner court.

But today, in front of this boy who looked only twelve, all his pride had been shattered to pieces.

After a long while, Bei Bei finally forced down his shock, took several deep breaths, and tried to regain his composure. He straightened his torn clothes, stepped forward, and respectfully clasped his fists. Then he bowed deeply to Su Chen, who was slowly descending from the sky.

He bent at the waist, his manner utterly sincere.

"Thank you for coming to our aid, brother," Bei Bei said, unable to hide his respect. "I'm Bei Bei, and this is Tang Ya. We're both students at Shrek Academy. I'll never forget your life-saving kindness."

He paused, lifted his head, and looked at Su Chen as he ventured, "May I ask your name, brother?"

Su Chen had already put away the Angel Holy Sword, and his six wings had slowly folded back behind him. Yet that sacred, imposing aura had not faded. He looked at Bei Bei and Tang Ya, his expression still calm. "Su Chen."

Those two simple words made Bei Bei's heart jolt.

"Brother Su Chen." Bei Bei chose his words carefully. His gaze lingered on the six wings behind Su Chen, and a trace of hesitation flickered in his eyes, but in the end, he asked, "The Martial Soul you used just now had three pairs of wings and a sacred, imposing presence... Could it be the legendary Six-Winged Angel?"

As he asked, Bei Bei's heart began to race despite himself.

The Six-Winged Angel! The supreme inheritance of Spirit Hall ten thousand years ago, the bloodline Martial Soul of Qian Renxue, the Angel God! If this super Martial Soul, believed to have long since vanished, had truly reappeared on the continent...

Su Chen looked the two of them over. The Six-Winged Angel's features were so distinctive that anyone with even a little knowledge of the history of Soul Masters could recognize it. There was no point in hiding it.

He nodded and admitted it without hesitation. "That's right."

"Hiss—"

Though they had already suspected as much, when Su Chen confirmed it himself, Bei Bei and Tang Ya couldn't help drawing in a sharp breath at the same time.

Tang Ya covered her mouth, her beautiful eyes wide with shock. "It really is the Six-Winged Angel... The legendary Martial Soul... has reappeared on the continent..."

Bei Bei's expression grew even more solemn. He saw further than Tang Ya did—what did the return of the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul mean? Though Spirit Hall had fallen ten thousand years ago, no one could guarantee that none of its legacy had survived. And in certain remote regions of the Douluo Continent, the faith in the Angel God still lingered to this day.

Tang Ya had also recovered from her shock by now. Looking at Su Chen's handsome face, so perfect it seemed unreal, and his composed demeanor, she couldn't hold back her curiosity. She stepped forward and asked, "Su Chen, how... how old are you this year? What's your Soul Power Level?"

Only after asking did Tang Ya realize she had been a little forward. Her cheeks flushed slightly. But Su Chen was simply too dazzling; she couldn't help wanting to know more about him.

Su Chen's gaze fell on Tang Ya. Though the purple-haired girl's clothes were torn and her face pale, her lovely features and lively charm were still apparent. Especially her purple eyes, bright as they gazed at him, filled with curiosity and... some indefinable emotion.

"Twelve," Su Chen answered. "My Soul Power is level twenty-seven."

"Twelve... level twenty-seven..." Tang Ya repeated softly, shock flashing in her eyes. "That... that's already the level of a top genius!"

Bei Bei was even more flabbergasted. Twelve years old, level twenty-seven, two Thousand-Year Soul Rings, a domain, and combat strength that rivaled or even surpassed an ordinary Soul Elder...

How could "top genius" possibly describe him? He was a prodigy! A monster! Even in the ten thousand years since Shrek Academy's founding, there couldn't have been many like him!

I have to bring him into Shrek! Bei Bei made up his mind in an instant.

If such a prodigy were allowed to leave—or worse, be recruited by another faction—it would be an enormous loss for Shrek Academy! He might even become a formidable enemy to Shrek in the future!

With that in mind, Bei Bei gave him an even more sincere smile. "Brother Su Chen, do you have any plans for what you'll do next?"

Su Chen fell silent for a moment, his thoughts racing.

His strength was still too weak. Although he had two Thousand-Year Soul Rings and the Angel Domain to rely on, he was only level twenty-seven, after all. Once his Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul was exposed, Evil Soul Masters would surely hunt him down—in the original story, Evil Soul Masters had an almost obsessive hatred of Martial Souls with sacred attributes.

If he wanted to develop in peace, the best choice was to find a powerful faction to protect him. And Shrek Academy was undoubtedly the best option right now.

First, Shrek Academy had deep foundations and abundant resources, and could offer him the best environment for cultivation.

Second, Shrek Academy held a position above the fray. Even Evil Soul Masters wouldn't dare attack its students lightly.

Lastly... a profound glint flickered in Su Chen's eyes.

Ten thousand years ago, Shrek Academy had opposed Spirit Hall, ultimately leading to Spirit Hall's downfall. If he could enter Shrek, gradually take control of its forces, and even bring all of Shrek under his command in the future...

Wouldn't that be the best "repayment" for the old grudge from ten thousand years ago?

Of course, that was a long-term plan. For now, the most important thing was to grow stronger quickly by making use of Shrek's resources.

With that in mind, Su Chen looked at Bei Bei and said, "I originally planned to train in the Star Dou Great Forest, but now..."

He glanced at the Red-Winged Dragon's corpse, then at the wound on Tang Ya's shoulder. "I'm somewhat interested in Shrek Academy."

Bei Bei's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said, "If you're interested in Shrek, brother Su Chen, that couldn't be better! Shrek Academy is the number one Soul Master academy on the continent. It has a strong faculty, abundant cultivation resources, and plenty of talented peers to spar and learn with. With your talent, brother Su Chen, you'd surely receive the best training if you joined Shrek!"

He paused, then added, "Besides, Shrek Academy has always valued talent. A student like you, who's reached level twenty-seven at only twelve and possesses such a powerful Martial Soul, would certainly be given great attention. You might even be admitted straight into the inner court for training!"

Tang Ya nodded again and again, her eyes full of anticipation. "That's right, Su Chen. Shrek Academy is really great! There are lots of powerful teachers and senior students, and, and the atmosphere is wonderful too. Everyone's very friendly..."

As she spoke, her eyes stayed fixed on Su Chen. Her cheeks turned red, and her voice grew softer and softer until it was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.

Su Chen took in their reactions and understood. He nodded. "In that case, I'll have to trouble you both to show me the way."

"It's no trouble at all!" Bei Bei was overjoyed. "It's Shrek Academy's honor to have you join us, brother Su Chen! Let's set off now and get back to the academy as soon as possible!"

Tang Ya smiled happily too. She looked at her own disheveled state, then at Su Chen, and suddenly felt a little embarrassed. "Um... Su Chen, Bei Bei and I aren't in very good shape right now. We might need to rest for a little while..."

"Of course," Su Chen said calmly.

After resting for about half an hour, all three of them had recovered considerably. Bei Bei dealt with the Red-Winged Dragon's corpse, collecting some valuable materials. Then the three of them set off, leaving the Star Dou Great Forest and heading toward Shrek City.

Along the way, Tang Ya was especially lively.

"Su Chen, where are you from?"

"Su Chen, how did your Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul awaken? Hasn't that Martial Soul been gone for ten thousand years?"

"Su Chen, did you train by yourself before? Did you have a teacher?"

"Su Chen, what do you like to eat? There are lots of delicious things in Shrek City. When we get there, I'll take you to try some!"

She kept finding new things to talk about with Su Chen, hardly stopping for a moment. Her purple eyes stayed bright the whole time, and her cheeks were always tinged with a faint blush. Sometimes, when she asked something too personal, she would stick out her tongue in embarrassment, only to quickly find another topic.

Bei Bei followed behind the two of them, surprised to see Tang Ya so lively for once, but he didn't think much of it. He assumed that Tang Ya was being so enthusiastic because Su Chen had saved their lives and was interested in Shrek Academy, so she wanted to tell him all about the academy and the city.

"Xiao Ya sure has a lot to say today," Bei Bei thought with a smile and a shake of his head. "But it's a good thing. With a genius like Su Chen, we really should make him feel more warmly toward Shrek."

He had no idea that Tang Ya's thoughts had already gone far beyond simply helping the academy recruit talent.

Su Chen really is so handsome... Tang Ya secretly glanced at the golden-haired boy beside her from the corner of her eye, her heart beating faster despite herself. He's strong and so calm, too. He's much better than that blockhead Bei Bei...

The moment the thought appeared, Tang Ya startled herself. She hurriedly shook her head, trying to chase away those scattered thoughts, but her gaze drifted back to Su Chen all the same.

Su Chen naturally noticed Tang Ya's unusual enthusiasm. As he casually answered her questions, he calmly analyzed the situation in his mind.

Tang Ya, the current Sect Master of the Tang Sect. Though the Tang Sect had fallen into decline, it had once been the number one sect on the continent. And the Tang Sect was closely connected to Tang San. If he could take control of the Tang Sect through Tang Ya...

This is a pretty good opportunity, Su Chen thought.

Of course, he wouldn't simply use Tang Ya. If possible, he certainly wouldn't mind developing a closer relationship with this lively, kindhearted girl. After all, Tang Ya was talented and quite beautiful, and her Martial Soul had the potential to mutate. Even if it went out of control, he would be there. Once she grew stronger, she would make a fine ally.

More importantly... if he could take the Tang Sect for himself, wouldn't that be like slapping the face of that God King Tang from ten thousand years ago? The sect he founded would ultimately fall under the command of the heir to the Angel God...

At the thought, a barely perceptible smile curved Su Chen's lips.

"Su Chen, what are you smiling about?" Tang Ya asked curiously.

"Nothing." Su Chen stifled his smile and looked ahead. "Just thought of something interesting."

"Oh..." Tang Ya nodded, only half understanding.