The Skyfire Phoenix flew steadily through the clouds.
The cabin was so quiet that only the faint hum of the soul-guided engine could be heard.
Gu Yuena sat opposite Bai Yuan, her eyes lowered, her fingers tapping lightly on her knees, lost in thought.
Leng Yaozhu sat in the driver's seat at the front, her gaze fixed on the gray horizon in the distance.
Bai Yuan leaned back in his seat, listlessly glancing out the window.
Skysea City.
The quiet inside the cabin was broken by the approaching noise outside the window.
Bai Yuan rested his chin on his hand and looked out the porthole. Gu Yuena had also turned her head to look over at some point.
The outline of the vast city, gleaming with a pale golden light in the sunlight, was reflected in his pupils.
"We've arrived at Skysea City."
Leng Yaozhu's voice drifted from the front.
Bai Yuan nodded.
Skysea City is one of the locations of the Eighteen Heavenly Pillars of the Sun Moon Federation.
This is the most prosperous coastal metropolis in the northern part of the Federation, and the wealthiest urban cluster on the entire continent.
The core of the Skysea Alliance.
Within the Sun Moon Federation's territory, in terms of historical and cultural foundation, Heaven Dou City is second to none.
In terms of financial resources, even that ancient and mighty city would have to show deference to the Skysea Alliance.
The port is filled with masts.
Merchant ships carrying rare goods from all corners of the continent unloaded, loaded, and delivered goods at the docks of Skysea City.
The air wasn't filled with the salty smell of the sea; it smelled of money.
The history of Skysea City is far less rich than that of Heaven Dou City, lacking the heroic epics of ten thousand years ago.
Hundreds of years ago, it was just an inconspicuous little fishing village by the sea, where fishermen relied on the sea for their livelihood, working from sunrise to sunset.
It wasn't until the resources of the Sea Soul Beast were developed on a large scale that Skysea City caught the wave of opportunity.
The Soul Bone, Soul Spirit, and Soul Ring materials of Sea Soul Beast became the most sought-after hard currency on the continent overnight.
Skysea City transformed from an obscure fishing village into the most important Sea Soul Beast trading center in northern China.
In just a few hundred years, money made money, and interest compounded, making the Skysea Alliance the wealthiest organization in the Federation.
Skysea City is wealthy, but lacks Soul Master.
Especially those top-tier Soul Master who can command respect.
The Skysea Alliance's business empire spans the northern part of the continent, yet it consistently sits at the bottom of the Federal Council.
It's not that they don't want to move forward, it's that they lack the confidence to rival the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy.
So, two hundred years ago, the rulers of the Skysea Alliance offered a deal that would tempt anyone.
The Heavenly Sea Alliance Grand Competition.
Backed by the financial resources of the entire alliance, they scour the continent for talent with enviable bonuses and prizes.
This is an open conspiracy: you want money, we have it;
Want resources? They're here.
If you want to build connections and gain prestige at the highest levels of the Federation, this is also a ladder for you.
All you need to do is win.
Why would Shrek Academy participate in this business competition?
The Heavenly Sea Alliance Grand Competition includes both team and individual competitions, with prize money so generous that even Titled Douluo) take notice.
More importantly, even though Shrek Academy is the top academy on the continent, it still needs money.
A lot of money.
Skysea Alliance provides the venue and event support, while Shrek Academy sends its students to participate.
Shrek won the game and gained prestige;
Despite losing, Shrek Academy remained a distinguished guest invited to the ceremony, maintaining both face and dignity.
The Spirit Pagoda was invited here to humiliate them and promote itself, to show the whole continent who is the number one academy.
Cai Yue'er, you're quite the schemer.
Bai Yuan withdrew his gaze, leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and a slight smile played on his lips.
Do you want Shrek to climb over us to get ahead?
Then, right here in Skysea City, in front of the entire continent, we'll crush their Youth Genius Ranking into the ground.
The roar of the Skyfire Phoenix gradually subsided.
The outline of Skysea City became increasingly clear outside the porthole.
The port was filled with merchant ships, and the docks were teeming with people.
The roof of the stadium in the distance reflected a dazzling light under the sun.
Leng Yaozhu showed no intention of landing there, Mecha sped off towards the other side of the city.
Bai Yuan withdrew his gaze and looked at the front seat.
"Shall we go to the Spirit Pagoda first, teacher?"
"Need not."
Leng Yaozhu said without turning her head.
"Let me take you to meet an old friend first."
Bai Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly.
An old friend? Leng Yaozhu's old friend?
He had known Leng Yaozhu for several years, but he had never heard her mention any old friends.
He gazed at the rapidly receding cityscape outside the window, and a sudden inspiration struck him.
I guess only Mu Ye is left.
The Sect Master of the Body Sect, a legendary figure in the continent's Mecha world.
Mu Ye is like a gust of wind; he can appear anywhere.
People have encountered him in various corners of mainland China.
The relationship between the Body Sect and the Spirit Pagoda has always been good.
After all, Han Tianyi played a crucial role!
Many disciples of the Body Sect serve as guest elders in the Spirit Pagoda, and the two sides also have numerous collaborations in Soul Spirit research and Mecha development.
Although Mu Ye is the sect leader, he has always remained outside the power structure of the Spirit Pagoda, like a free lone wolf unbound by any force.
Leng Yaozhu's personal trip to Skysea City to participate in the competition, and her special intention to take him to see Mu Ye, suggests that it's probably more than just a reunion.
For the cooperation between the Body Sect and the Spirit Pagoda, she needed this "genius" to make an appearance in front of Mu Ye.
By winning over Mu Ye, the Leng Family can increase their allies in the forging world and pave the way for the Leng Family future plans in the Spirit Pagoda.
Such considerations are hidden behind a simple meeting.
Gu Yuena sat quietly opposite Bai Yuan.
Her purple eyes gazed at the rapidly receding cityscape outside the porthole, her eyelashes drooping slightly.
Skyscrapers stand tall, streets are wide, masts line the harbor, and the docks are teeming with people.
She has lived for tens of thousands of years, from the Star Dou Forest to the human world, from ancient times to the present, witnessing firsthand how the living space of Soul Beast has been gradually compressed.
The forests, mountains, Rivers that once belonged to the Soul Beast have been encroached upon inch by inch by humans, covered by high-rise buildings, and turned into capital for them to flaunt their wealth and power.
Her people, however, are trapped in that ever-shrinking habitat, enduring generations of hunting and domestication.
If only Soul Beast could live like this.
Gu Yuena clenched her fists.
They are not wild beasts; they possess intelligence, civilization, their own language, and their own traditions.
They simply lack human ambition and the human Desire to turn everything into money and power.
And how do humans repay them?
Hunting, domestication, and exploitation.
Take away their Soul Ring and Soul Bone, and sell their hides and skeletons as commodities.
Gu Yuena closed her eyes.
I can't look anymore. If I look any longer, I won't be able to resist the urge to use elements to raze this bustling city to the ground.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the surging anger within her.
Don't act impulsively; now is not the time.
She had been lurking in the human world for so many years, not for a moment of pleasure.
What she wanted was justice that was a million years overdue.
The engines of the Skyfire Phoenix emitted a deep roar as it began to descend.
Bai Yuan turned his gaze from the window and landed on Gu Yuena's face.
His eyes were closed, his lips were tightly pressed together, and his fingers were slightly curled.
You don't need to ask to know what this girl is thinking.
What is it again?
You wait!
Such bold pronouncements as "Don't underestimate a young person's potential!"
The human world Destruction in her mind once again!
The Skyfire Phoenix slowly descended in front of a tall building.
The building's exterior walls are made of dark gray metal, and the plaque above the main entrance bears several large characters.
The Blacksmith Association.
Through the porthole, Bai Yuan saw that both sides of the tarmac were filled with people.
Men and women, young and old, were all dressed in matching dark formal attire.
He wore the Blacksmiths Association badge on his chest and wore a perfectly respectful smile.
It was quite a grand affair.
The Mecha hatch opened, Leng Yaozhu stepped out first.
Her long black dress fluttered slightly in the air, and her long hair was tied up, revealing her slender neck and delicate profile.
He glanced down at the crowd below from his vantage point and slowly walked down the gangway.
Bai Yuan followed behind the teacher, while Gu Yuena walked at the very back.
The crowd on both sides of the tarmac bent down in unison, and standing at the front was a middle-aged man in his fifties.
His temples were slightly gray, his face was square, and he wore a golden blacksmith's badge on his chest.
He quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed deeply.
"Your Heavenly Phoenix, it is an honor to have you grace our humble abode with your presence!"
The crowd behind them bowed simultaneously, their compliments ringing out in perfect unison, as if they had rehearsed it countless times.
Leng Yaozhu slightly, her gaze passing over the man's shoulder and looking into the depths of the building.
Get up.
The man straightened up and gestured for them to proceed.
"Your Majesty, please come this way."
"Senior Mu Ye has been waiting for you in the reception room for quite some time."
Leng Yaozhu nodded and stepped into the building.
Bai Yuan and Gu Yuena exchanged a glance and followed at a leisurely pace.
Mu Ye.
It really was him.