The outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
"Sister Lexuan, are you confident you can beat a hundred-thousand-year soul beast now?"
Long Yaochen stopped and turned to Zhang Lexuan.
Zhang Lexuan nodded slowly.
"Before, it would have been hard to say."
"But now..."
She looked at Long Yaochen with a smile tugging at her lips.
"Thanks to you, even a hundred-thousand-year soul beast might not be my match."
After their visit to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Ma Xiaotao no longer had any worries about her martial soul.
She had soared into the heavens, proving her talent at the Continental Soul Master Tournament.
Afterward, her reputation in the Shrek Inner Court had shone ever brighter.
Especially since she had begun taking part in more Shrek Inspection Team missions lately, her prestige had grown by the day.
She had firmly secured her position as the Inner Court's greatest genius.
But...
The previous holder of that title had been Zhang Lexuan.
Ma Xiaotao was not the only one who had emerged from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. Zhang Lexuan was just like her martial soul.
When the sun set, the moon would reveal her true radiance.
"I don't think I've ever seen you fight seriously."
Anticipation flickered in Long Yaochen's eyes. "Come on. Let's find a hundred-thousand-year soul beast so you can stretch your muscles."
"And ring the Star Dou Great Forest's doorbell while we're at it."
Not being able to contact Di Tian directly was such a hassle.
Still, that was fine. A suitable display of strength would help lay the groundwork for what came next.
"Of course."
Zhang Lexuan nodded, though a hint of concern appeared on her face.
"It's just... if Di Tian is really like Xiaotao told me before."
"If he suddenly turns hostile, we don't