Chapter 39

Early the next morning, on the top floor of the Spirit Pagoda.

Luo Yang opened his eyes, feeling as though his entire body were falling apart.

The agonizing experience of being squeezed in the middle like a sandwich last night had resulted in the worst night of sleep he had had since arriving.

He silently swore to himself: I must lock the door tonight!

"Awake?"

At that moment, Leng Yaozhu's lazy voice drifted over from the side. She stretched, her perfect curves fully revealed under the sunlight.

"How did you sleep?"

"...Quite well." Luo Yang answered, stifling his conscience.

Leng Yaozhu nodded with satisfaction, threw off the quilt, and got out of bed. She turned back and winked at him: "Then let's continue tonight."

Luo Yang: "???"

Continue what?! Who wants to continue with you?!

But Leng Yaozhu had already left the room with a smile, leaving Luo Yang alone in a state of disarray.

Ye Guyi had also woken up at some point. She watched Luo Yang quietly, her gaze seemingly saying: I know everything, but I won't say a word.

Luo Yang took a deep breath, deciding not to dwell on what had just happened.

Because there were other matters to attend to today.

The friendly exhibition match against Shrek Academy!

Shrek City, Central Arena.

This was a massive structure capable of accommodating one hundred thousand spectators. Built entirely from white soul-guiding alloy, its design was grand and imposing, shimmering with a metallic luster under the sun.

At this moment, the area around the arena was packed with people. Crowds from Shrek City and the surrounding areas had swarmed in, all to catch a glimpse of this annual grand event.

Long queues formed at the entrances, while vendors hawked various snacks and souvenirs, the air filled with the sweet aroma of roasted sausages and candies.

Children ran about excitedly, waving Shrek Academy flags, while adults gathered in small groups to discuss the upcoming matches.

"I heard the Spirit Pagoda brought some powerful newcomers this year!"

"Pfft, they say that every year, and doesn't Shrek win every year? I'm used to it."

"True, with ten thousand years of heritage, the Spirit Pagoda wants to win? They can wait another ten thousand years!"

"I wouldn't say that. I saw Heavenly Phoenix leading the team in person today; maybe they really have an ace up their sleeve..."

"Wanna bet? I'm putting my money on Shrek, three to zero!"

"I'm betting two to one! If you lose, you're buying me dinner for a month!"

Similar conversations rose and fell throughout the crowd, the atmosphere as lively as a festival.

Inside the arena, all one hundred thousand seats were filled.

The massive competition platform in the center was one hundred meters long and wide, paved with the hardest soul-guiding alloy. Its surface was engraved with complex defensive arrays, sufficient to withstand the full-force attack of a Spirit Saint.

Above the platform, four giant soul-guiding screens hovered in the air, broadcasting every detail of the match in real-time from every angle.

Cheers, shouts, and chants merged into a single, deafening roar.

The viewing platform, VIP section.

This was the spot with the best view in the entire arena, looking down over the whole competition platform.

At this moment, two figures sat opposite each other, the atmosphere subtle.

On the left was the Dean of the Outer Court of the Spirit Soul Department of Shrek Academy—Cai Yue'er. She was an elderly woman who looked to be in her fifties, dressed in a deep green robe with the Shrek Academy emblem embroidered on the hem. Although she did not intentionally release her spirit power, the invisible pressure she exuded was enough to make ordinary people shrink back.

On the right was the Vice Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda, Leng Yaozhu. She wore a dress as brilliant as a raging fire, her stunning face seemingly glowing under the sunlight.

The two locked eyes, and the air seemed to solidify.

"Your Spirit Pagoda loses every year; how do you still have the courage to come?" Cai Yue'er spoke first, her tone flat yet carrying a hint of subtle mockery.

Leng Yaozhu smiled slightly, a smile so radiant that the surrounding spectators were momentarily dazed: "The past is the past, and now is now. This year, our Spirit Pagoda will not lose."

"Oh?" Cai Yue'er raised an eyebrow, a flash of interest in her eyes. "It's been a long time since I've seen your Spirit Pagoda this confident. It seems Heavenly Phoenix has recruited some good seedlings?"

Leng Yaozhu did not answer directly, her smile merely deepening.

Just as Cai Yue'er was about to speak, Leng Yaozhu suddenly changed the subject:

"Elder Cai, how about we make a wager?"

Cai Yue'er was slightly taken aback: "A wager?"

"If your Shrek wins again this time," Leng Yaozhu said unhurriedly, "our Spirit Pagoda will provide one Unyielding Soul Spirit for free. You can pick the age, any type under ten thousand years, it's your choice."

Cai Yue'er's pupils constricted, a flash of surprise crossing her face.

An Unyielding Soul Spirit, under ten thousand years, and she could pick any one?

This was an incalculable, massive fortune!

Although the Spirit Pagoda was wealthy and powerful, a spirit of this caliber was a treasure that anchored the tower; taking out even one was enough to cultivate a top-tier genius!

"Yaozhu, it seems you really went all out this time." Cai Yue'er's gaze narrowed. "Are those little guys worth you placing such a heavy bet?"

Leng Yaozhu merely smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

Cai Yue'er was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Fine, you have guts. However, we at Shrek Academy cannot take advantage of you."

"If your Spirit Pagoda wins, we at Shrek Academy will allow your disciples to enter our inner court to study for half a month for free."

"..."

Leng Yaozhu's smile stiffened.

What kind of lousy reward was this? Who cared about entering their Shrek inner court to study?

"How about it? If that really won't do, a month is fine too." Seeing Leng Yaozhu's expression turn sour, Cai Yue'er assumed the other party was dissatisfied.

However.

"Your Shrek Academy is too stingy. Who would care about entering your inner court to study?"

Leng Yaozhu was almost angered into laughing.

It wasn't that she didn't know the rules of the Shrek Academy inner court; every month, one had to accept inner court missions, and the content of those missions was mostly related to eliminating Evil Soul Master threats.

However.

The number of disciples who actually graduated from the Shrek Academy inner court was pitifully small, and the vast majority had even sacrificed their lives.

At this moment, Cai Yue'er's face darkened.

What did she mean? Countless people wanted to enter our Shrek inner court but couldn't, yet your Spirit Pagoda looks down on it.

In the next moment.

A gentle voice rang out.

"Since that is the case, then I shall add a wager: the Holy Spirit Baptism."

Following the voice appeared a stunning woman who looked to be in her thirties, dressed in a simple and elegant white dress. Her temperament was as gentle as water, yet it carried an underlying dignity and majesty that one could not ignore.

She stood there quietly, as if the entire viewing platform had brightened because of her.

Ya Li.

A member of the Sea God Pavilion at Shrek Academy, hailed as the "most beautiful woman on the Douluo Continent," and the goddess in the hearts of countless people.

She possessed an indescribable temperament, as if she were the embodiment of a queen, making anyone who saw her feel instant reverence.

However, the moment she appeared.

The smile on Leng Yaozhu's face froze for an instant, and a bone-chilling coldness flashed deep within those beautiful eyes.

It was this woman.

It was this woman who had snatched away the man she had secretly loved for so long.

Those years of admiration, those years of waiting, those years of fantasies—all had ultimately lost to this woman who appeared gentle but was actually "deeply calculating."

Leng Yaozhu's fingers tightened slightly, her nails almost digging into her palms.

But she did not show it.

As a Limit Douluo and Vice Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda, she had long since learned to bury all her emotions deep within her heart.

Ya Li seemed not to notice Leng Yaozhu's abnormality; she smiled slightly, a smile so gentle it seemed capable of melting ice and snow.

"If your Spirit Pagoda wins this time, I will personally perform the Holy Spirit Baptism for one of your contestants."

Holy Spirit Baptism!

As these four words were spoken, the several high-ranking members of Shrek Academy nearby all gasped.

It was an extremely rare and precious ritual.

Performed by a top-tier powerhouse using their own soul power as a guide to draw in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth for an infusion, it could wash away a soul master's body and soul to a great extent, improve their aptitude, and even potentially awaken the latent abilities of their martial soul!

On the entire Douluo Continent, the number of people with the ability and qualifications to perform the Holy Spirit Baptism did not exceed the count of one hand!

Leng Yaozhu's pupils constricted, then she put back on that light and breezy smile, her gaze fixed on Ya Li:

"Fine, it's a deal."

Ya Li smiled slightly and nodded.

The two stunning women locked eyes, and invisible sparks seemed to be flying in the air.

Cai Yue'er looked at one, then the other, looking like someone watching a show.

As someone who had been through it all, she naturally knew the history of love and hatred between these two, and could even see the complex emotions Leng Yaozhu felt toward Ya Li—jealousy, unwillingness, hostility, and a trace of something... envious.

Below the competition stage, in the contestant preparation area.

Luo Yang, Yuanen Yehui, and Nanali stood together.

Ye Guyi found it inconvenient to appear in public, so she remained at the Spirit Pagoda to rest.

"Good luck, stay relaxed." Luo Yang looked at Yuanen Yehui, smiling as he offered encouragement.

Yuanen Yehui nodded silently. Her cold, stern face betrayed no expression, but her slightly clenched fists revealed the tension in her heart.

Luo Yang remained quite confident in Yuanen Yehui's strength.

He knew Yuanen Yehui's capabilities better than anyone.

With Twin Martial Souls—the Titan Giant Ape and the Fallen Angel—even without using her Fallen Angel martial soul, the terrifying power of the Titan Giant Ape alone was enough to crush the vast majority of opponents her age.

After all, the Titan Giant Ape was a top-tier hegemon in the world of spirit beasts, an existence of ultimate pure power that had almost no rivals at the same level.

Furthermore, Yuanen Yehui's combat experience and ability to adapt on the fly far exceeded those of her peers.

As long as she did not underestimate her opponent, her chances of winning this match were extremely high.

"Don't worry," Luo Yang laughed. "Just perform as you normally do. If you truly encounter a troublesome opponent, using the Titan Giant Ape will be enough. Even if you lose, it doesn't matter."

"Whatever you do, do not use the Fallen Angel martial soul."

This match was taking place right under the nose of Shrek Academy; if the Fallen Angel martial soul were truly exposed, she would undoubtedly be treated as an Evil Soul Master by Shrek Academy.

Shrek Academy was clearly a den of Evil Soul Masters, yet they could not tolerate the sight of one.

Yuanen Yehui nodded once more.

Just then—

The opposing contestant tunnel opened, and the participants from Shrek Academy filed out, stepping onto the competition stage amidst the thunderous, mountain-shaking cheers of the audience.

Leading them was a tall, handsome youth with blue hair, his brow carrying a hint of innate arrogance.

Yu Longheng.

The talented descendant of this generation of the Blue Lightning Overlord Dragon Clan, he possessed the purest Blue Lightning Overlord Dragon martial soul and was hailed as a super-nova "destined to become a Title Douluo."

Behind him followed a round, chubby boy, Xu Lizhi, a girl in a pink dress, and a cold-faced girl who stood expressionless, seemingly indifferent to everything: Ye Xinglan.

The five of them stood firm, facing the three contestants from the Spirit Pagoda.

The cheers of the audience grew even more fervent.

"Shrek! Shrek! Shrek!"

"Yu Longheng! Yu Longheng!"

"We're going to win again this year!"