Plotting Against Huo Yuhao!

The wind through the forest scattered the stench of blood and roused Wang Dong from her daze.

She shuddered violently. Her pink-blue eyes refocused and settled on the black-haired youth before her.

By now, Zichuan had completely withdrawn his aura. His hair had returned to its ink-black color, and his eyes were once again gentle and clear, as if the terrifying being who had punched the Evil Soul King to death and stood upon heaven-defying Soul Rings had merely been her illusion.

Yet the corpse with its chest pierced through, the lingering aftertaste of destruction in the air, and her heart still racing from overwhelming shock all told her clearly—everything that had just happened was real.

Wang Dong looked at Zichuan, her expression impossibly complicated. Shock, curiosity, disbelief, a faint flutter she could barely detect, and... an uncontrollable admiration for strength.

She had grown up in the God Realm and was accustomed to powerful figures. Her father was even a God King, so she should have long since become used to the idea of "strength." But Zichuan's strength was something else entirely.

It was not the lofty, rule-defying might of a god. It was the crushing power of a "human" who had reached an almost impossible level for someone of his age!

That five-Soul-Ring configuration in particular had completely overturned everything she knew.

She only had two rings, while he already had five—and their ages were so terrifying that they defied comprehension.

More importantly, he appeared to be around her age? Perhaps even... younger?

"Are... are you from Shrek Academy?"

Wang Dong spoke tentatively, her voice carrying a faint tremble she could not conceal.

Instinctively, she felt that an unparalleled genius like Zichuan ought to have come from Shrek, the continent's number one academy. Only that place could possibly cultivate such a monster, right?

However, Zichuan shook his head and answered calmly, "No. I'm from the Body Sect."

"The Body Sect?" Wang Dong froze. She had heard the name before. It seemed to be a reclusive sect renowned for cultivating Body Martial Souls. It was not weak, but its reputation was not particularly prominent, nowhere near as thunderous as Shrek Academy's.

"You... you're from the Body Sect?"

"Mm." Zichuan nodded. Looking at Wang Dong's large pink-blue eyes full of curiosity, he hesitated before finally saying, "You said you were going to enroll at Shrek Academy?"

"Y-yes." Wang Dong nodded, but Zichuan's pause stirred a hint of doubt within her.

A look of hesitation appeared on Zichuan's face, as though he wanted to say something. In the end, he merely waved his hand, his tone carrying an inexplicable meaning.

"Shrek Academy... is famous, sure. But sometimes, being famous does not mean it is truly suitable for everyone. There are... too many rules there, and the competition is distorted. What they teach may not necessarily be right. If you go there, it might... not do you much good."

His words were vague, stopping at just the right point. He did not directly disparage Shrek, since he was not close with Wang Dong yet. Saying too much would only make her suspicious.

At the same time, he left behind a mystery, arousing her curiosity while subtly implying, "That place isn't much, but I have somewhere better."

Sure enough, Wang Dong's curiosity was completely hooked. "What do you mean? Shrek Academy misleads its students? How could that be? I heard it's the continent's number one academy and has produced countless experts..."

Most of her impression of Shrek came from her father's descriptions and the rumors in the God Realm, so naturally, she thought very highly of it. Zichuan's words undoubtedly shook her understanding.

"Forget it, forget it. Pretend I didn't say anything." Zichuan cut the matter off at the right moment, wearing an expression that said, "There's no point saying more," and, "You're too young to understand." He changed the subject.

"I don't think it's safe for you to be alone. Those Evil Soul Masters from before may have companions. This is no place to stay. You should leave quickly."

He still needed to hurry and intercept the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm. He had no time to hold an in-depth discussion with Wang Dong about Shrek's educational problems.

In any case, the "seed" had already been planted. Given Wang Dong's personality, she would definitely investigate it, perhaps even develop a trace of doubt toward Shrek. That was enough. The rest could come slowly.

Seeing that Zichuan was unwilling to say more, Wang Dong was curious enough to feel as if cats were clawing at her heart, but she could not press him further.

She glanced at the corpse on the ground, then looked back at Zichuan. Her heart was already filled with indescribable interest in this mysterious and powerful black-haired youth, along with... a trace of reliance and affection she had not even fully realized herself.

A hero saving a beauty, overwhelming strength, a mysterious background, and apparent criticism of the continent's number one academy... all of it created an irresistible attraction.

"Then... then I'll go." Wang Dong was reluctant to leave, yet did not know what else to say. After thinking for a moment, she asked, "What... what's your name? Will we... be able to meet again?"

"Zichuan. Zi as in purple, chuan as in mountains and rivers." Zichuan gave his name, then thought for a moment and pointed in the direction from which he had come.

"If you want to find me... you can go to the Body Sect. It's in Heaven Dou City, behind the imperial palace. Or go to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion east of Heaven Dou City and give them my name. The proprietor will know how to contact me."

He gave her two ways to reach him. One was the real address of the sect—Wang Dong would not be able to enter anyway, but it demonstrated his sincerity. The other was an external contact point. It made him seem open while preserving an air of mystery.

"The Body Sect... Heaven Dou City..." Wang Dong silently committed them to memory and nodded firmly, her pink-blue eyes gleaming.

"My name is Wang Dong! Dong as in winter! Zichuan, thank you... for today! I'll definitely come find you!"

After saying that, she gave Zichuan one last deep look, as if she wanted to carve his appearance into her mind. Then she spread the wings of her Light Goddess Butterfly and flew toward Shrek Academy.

Only this time, her mood was completely different from before.

Her anticipation for Shrek was now mixed with a trace of doubt, while a black-haired youth's figure and intense curiosity had taken root in her heart.

Watching Wang Dong disappear into the forest, Zichuan's gentle smile faded, and he let out a soft breath.

"The first step went fairly smoothly." The God of Destruction's voice rang out, tinged with satisfaction.

"The impression was deep enough, you gave her a way to contact you, and you planted a seed of distrust toward Shrek in her heart. Not bad, kid. You've improved."

But Zichuan had no interest in hearing praise. He turned and looked toward the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest, his gaze sharpening.

"Old Zi, is the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm... really nearby?"

"This god's senses cannot be wrong. That worm may possess extremely powerful spiritual strength and be skilled at hiding, but the vast spiritual origin it accumulated over a million years is like a lighthouse in the night. Once we get close enough, it cannot possibly hide from this god," the God of Destruction said with certainty.

"It should be wandering through this area right now, waiting for the person 'fate' has chosen to appear."

"Huo Yuhao..." Zichuan murmured the name, his thoughts churning.