Attempting to Ambush Xuan Zi

Ma Xiaotao saw that he did not reply and said nothing more.

The group hurried through the night, and the outline of White Tiger City gradually appeared on the horizon.

To the east of White Tiger City, that towering academy of white jade and golden tiles stood silently beneath the moonlight, like a sleeping behemoth.

Awaiting its guests.

Xuan Zi gazed at the academy from afar, a glint flashing through his cloudy old eyes.

"Hehe... Martial Soul Academy... interesting."

He drained the last mouthful of wine, hung the empty gourd at his waist, and quickened his pace.

"Let's go. This old man can't wait any longer."

Martial Soul Academy, top floor of the Spirit Pagoda.

Shen Zhou stood atop the tower, moonlight spilling over him and stretching his shadow long.

"Big Brother."

Qian Daoliu stood beside him, his long golden hair drifting in the night breeze as his brilliant golden eyes gazed into the distance.

"You sensed them?"

"Mm." Qian Daoliu nodded. "Level ninety-eight, Godly Taotie Bull.

And a few juniors. A Six-Ring Soul Emperor and a Five-Ring Soul King. Nothing worth mentioning."

"What does Big Brother intend to do?"

Qian Daoliu fell silent for a moment. The corners of his lips rose slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

"Guests are guests.

Since they are guests, we must show them proper hospitality."

He turned and walked down the Spirit Pagoda.

"Let them in."

The moonlight flowed like water, and the eastern outskirts of White Tiger City lay silent.

The White Jade Steps of Martial Soul Academy gleamed coldly beneath the moonlight. Its golden-tiled rooftops layered upon one another like dragon scales, while a faint blue radiance shrouded the entire academy, making it seem like an immortal realm.

The Spirit Pagoda stood silently in the center of the lake. The runes on its body slowly circulated with light, releasing Soul Power fluctuations that made one's heart tremble.

Xuan Zi stood before the academy's main gate, looking up at the four words "Martial Soul Academy" on the plaque. A glint flashed through his cloudy old eyes.

"This is the place?"

"It should be."

Dai Yueheng stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the imposing white jade gates. "My mother mentioned in her letter that this academy covered several hundred acres, with white jade steps and golden-tiled roofs. It matches what we see perfectly."

Ma Xiaotao stepped forward as well, her red hair fluttering in the night breeze, her phoenix eyes filled with vigilance.

Her Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul stirred restlessly within her, as though it had sensed some threat.

The feeling made her deeply uncomfortable—she was a Six-Ring Soul Emperor and had served in the Shrek Inspection Team for three years. What kind of situation had she not seen?

Yet now, standing before this academy, she felt an inexplicable pressure.

"Elder Xuan, is there any movement inside?"

Ma Xiaotao lowered her voice.

Xuan Zi did not answer.

His gaze passed beyond the main gate and settled upon the Spirit Pagoda deep within the academy.

His cloudy old eyes became clear and sharp, as though he wanted to pierce through the tower and see the secrets within.

"Interesting."

Xuan Zi muttered, the corners of his lips curling slightly. "This tower... is not simple."

He had lived for more than a hundred years and seen countless rare treasures, yet he had never seen such a miraculous structure.

Even he felt a trace of apprehension at the Soul Power fluctuations emanating from the tower.

It was not fear, but... curiosity.

"Come on. Let's go in and take a look."

Xuan Zi stepped onto the stairs.

At that moment, the main gates opened soundlessly.

Inside the gates stood a figure with his hands behind his back.

He was a middle-aged man with cascading golden hair, a handsome yet imposing face, and a pair of brilliant golden eyes shining beneath the moonlight.

He did not release his Martial Soul or reveal his Soul Rings. He merely stood there quietly, yet Xuan Zi's steps abruptly halted.

Xuan Zi's pupils suddenly contracted.

He sensed it.

That aura—deep, vast, and unfathomable as an abyss.

Level ninety-nine.

A Limit Douluo.

Xuan Zi's throat tightened, and his right hand unconsciously clenched around the wine gourd at his waist.

He had lived for over a hundred years and seen countless experts: Mu En of Shrek Academy, Long Xiaoyao, several Offering Elders of the Sun Moon Empire...

But this golden-haired man gave him an even stronger feeling than Elder Mu.

No, it was not as simple as being "stronger than Mu En."

He was unfathomable.

"Who are you?"

Qian Daoliu spoke. His voice was not loud, yet it carried an undeniable pressure.

Xuan Zi took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and cupped his hands.

"Xuan Zi, elder of the Sea God Pavilion, Shrek Academy."

"I have long heard of you."

Qian Daoliu replied indifferently. "May I ask why Elder Xuan has come to visit so late at night?"

Xuan Zi grinned, revealing two rows of yellowed teeth. "This old man heard that a new academy had opened in White Tiger City. I was curious, so I came to pay a visit."

"A visit?"

Qian Daoliu's gaze swept over the six people behind Xuan Zi—Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and the other four members of the Inspection Group. The corners of his lips rose slightly. "You brought an Inspection Group on a visit?"

Xuan Zi's smile did not change. "The youngsters haven't seen much of the world, so I brought them out to broaden their horizons."

The atmosphere froze subtly for a moment.

Just then, Shen Zhou stepped out from behind Qian Daoliu. Dressed in white and smiling, he cupped his hands in greeting.

"Elder Xuan, your esteemed arrival honors us. Forgive us for failing to welcome you from afar."

Xuan Zi's gaze settled on Shen Zhou as he examined him from head to toe.

This young man appeared to be only in his early twenties. His aura was restrained, making it impossible to gauge his depth.

But Xuan Zi noticed Shen Zhou's right eye. Deep within its pupil seemed to be a golden vertical mark, with a faint glow flowing through it.

"You are Shen Zhou?"

Xuan Zi asked.

"I am."

"You built this academy?"

"Yes."

Xuan Zi stared at him for a moment, then chuckled. "Young man, quite the grand undertaking.

White jade steps, golden-tiled roofs, ancient formations, a mysterious tower... even the imperial families of the two great empires could not produce such things.

Where did a young man like you get so many resources?"

Shen Zhou smiled. "If Elder Xuan is curious, why not come in and sit for a while?

Standing here talking is not proper hospitality."

He turned slightly and gestured with his right hand.

"Please."

Xuan Zi glanced at Qian Daoliu, then at Shen Zhou, before stepping into the academy.

Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng exchanged a glance and followed behind Xuan Zi.

The remaining four members of the Inspection Group entered in single file. Every one of them was tense, hands resting on their Martial Souls, ready to strike at any moment.

They passed through the main gate and stepped onto the pathway.

Xuan Zi slowed his pace.

The Spirit Locust Trees lining both sides of the path swayed gently in the moonlight. Ice crystals on their leaves refracted the light, illuminating the entire road like a river of stars spread across the ground.

He crouched down and rubbed a Spirit Locust Tree leaf between his fingers, his brows knitting slightly.

"Ancient Spirit Locust Trees... these have been extinct on Douluo Continent for eight thousand years.

Where did you get them?"

Shen Zhou did not answer, merely smiling.

Xuan Zi rose to his feet. He did not press the matter and continued onward.

After passing through the moon gate, the view suddenly opened up.

The lake was like a mirror, reflecting the Spirit Pagoda. The tower's blue radiance and its reflection in the water complemented one another, beautiful beyond anything of this world.

Xuan Zi stood by the lake and looked up at the seven-story tower, his pupils narrowing slightly.

"What is this tower called?"

"The Spirit Pagoda."

Shen Zhou walked to his side and stood with his hands behind his back.

"Spirit Pagoda..."

Xuan Zi repeated the name, his gaze falling upon the flowing runes on the tower. "What is its purpose?"

"To increase the age of Soul Rings."

Xuan Zi's body suddenly stiffened.

He slowly turned around and stared into Shen Zhou's eyes.

"What did you say?"

"To increase the age of Soul Rings."