Princess Carry Phoenix! Heartbeat Under the Nine-Colored Dragon Wings

"Huh? Teacher?! When did you..."

Yan Shaozhe's sudden appearance sent Ma Xiaotao into a panic; her eyes widened, and her cheeks burned hot.

"From the moment someone pushed their junior brother down," Yan Shaozhe added with a mischievous grin.

"Ahhh! All of that... did Teacher see it all? That is truly embarrassing to the point of no return!"

Her heart gave a violent jolt, and she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

"Wait... what did Teacher call him? Little Junior Brother? He, he, he...!"

Long Jinyu was also filled with question marks, his mind racing:

"Emmm, Ma Xiaotao's teacher? That should be Yan Shaozhe, right? His appearance and temperament do match the original work."

"But why did he call me Little Junior Brother? Isn't his teacher Mu En? What does that have to do with..."

"Wait, Mu En?!"

He suddenly realized:

"How could I forget that! Doesn't he love lying outside the dormitory building?"

"Then the old man who kept pestering me and forced that token into my hands... that was Mu En, wasn't it?!"

"No wonder the mission was completed so inexplicably back then? This is just too, too, too sloppy!"

The more he thought, the more chaotic his mind became, and he couldn't help but confront the system in his sea of consciousness:

"System brat! What are you doing? You didn't even warn me?!"

[You didn't ask.] The system replied righteously.

"6. Fine, you're really something. You're the worst system I've ever seen. I'll settle this with you later, but for now..."

Long Jinyu adjusted his state, smiled slightly, and bowed to Yan Shaozhe:

"Greetings, Dean Yan. I am Long Jinyu."

"I have long heard of your 'lofty virtue and extraordinary bearing.' It is an honor to meet you today; your reputation is well-deserved. Helping Senior Sister Ma Xiaotao suppress her evil fire just now was truly 'showing off before an expert,' and I hope you aren't amused."

"Hmph, sycophant!" Ma Xiaotao curled her lip. "Why does that sound so familiar??"

"Senior Sister, you are mistaken," Long Jinyu feigned grievance. "Can the affairs of a scholar be called sycophancy? This is heartfelt admiration~."

Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but laugh: "..."

"Little Yu, there is no need to be overly modest. To be able to easily resolve the evil fire at such a young age—if that is showing off before an expert, then where would we old fellows put our faces?"

"...Let's go. Elder Mu is waiting for you in the Sea God Pavilion. As for Xiaotao..."

He smiled meaningfully and intentionally drew out his tone—

"Since someone can treat your evil fire, you should seek advice from your 'Little Martial Uncle' more often in the future."

"Little Martial Uncle?!"

Ma Xiaotao's fur stood on end instantly.

"He's so much younger than me! Teacher, you—"

"Hey, the seniority cannot be messed up."

Yan Shaozhe waved his hand to interrupt, his gaze turning profound as he looked at Long Jinyu.

"By the way, Little Yu, your martial soul... it seems to be more than just 'Ultimate Ice,' doesn't it?"

"That invisible dragon might from just now made even my Bright Phoenix tremble."

"Dean, your eyes are sharp."

Long Jinyu said respectfully.

"When I see Elder Mu, I will certainly tell the truth."

"However, I dare not accept the title of 'Little Martial Uncle.' Please, Dean, do not make things difficult for Senior Sister Ma Xiaotao; just call me Junior Brother."

"Hmph, you're sensible enough." Ma Xiaotao snorted coldly.

Long Jinyu appeared humble and polite on the surface, but his heart was in turmoil, and a cold rage threatened to swallow his reason—

"Mu En... this old fox has a sharp eye and is first-class at picking up bargains. Unfortunately... he is a man of short-sighted vision after all!"

The tragic scenes of the Star Luo Tournament from the original work surged in his mind, and blood rushed to his head.

"Knowing that the starting lineup was severely wounded by evil soul masters and nearly crippled, yet still insisting on sending no reinforcements! Calling it 'honing'? It's absolutely absurd! How foolish!"

"In the later stages, it was all supported by Ma Xiaotao and the other two! After winning the match, did you high-and-mighty pavilion elders ever truly empathize with their efforts and sacrifices? Did you ever think about the immense pressure they endured?!"

His nails dug deep into his palms, the bone-deep pain far less than the anger and heartache in his heart.

"Did you have to win so tragically to be satisfied? Knowing her temperament is as fierce as fire, that she views Shrek as her home like a lone phoenix, willing to burn everything for the academy, yet you still let her carry it all alone, forcing her into a one-on-two! In the end, it caused her martial soul to mutate and fall into the abyss... is this what you call 'cultivation'?!"

A thick, metallic taste surged into his throat. He forced it down, but his thoughts continued to gnaw at him like a venomous snake:

"And look at this Sea God Pavilion..."

"Mu En is old and decrepit, nearing the end of his life;"

"Xuan Zi is muddled and incompetent, a mere figurehead!"

"Yan Shaozhe is indecisive and weak; he couldn't even protect his own direct disciple!"

"For such a prestigious institution, the number one academy in the world, to allow a dozen evil soul masters to come and go as they please, as if entering an empty room..."

"The number one in the world? Hah... a hollow reputation! A gilded exterior hiding a rotten core! Just a bunch of old fools occupying high positions without doing any work, misleading their students!"

But if not Shrek, then where else could he go?

"The Sun Moon Empire, Mingde Hall, and the Holy Spirit Cult are all in cahoots, treating human lives like blades of grass, with evil soul masters running rampant..."

"The Body Sect... their actions are eccentric and overbearing, seizing whatever they desire and disregarding all rules. Whether it is Shrek or Mingde Hall, both could become targets for their plundering..."

"Heaven Soul? Star Luo?... A scattered pile of sand, each with their own selfish motives, incapable of shouldering any great responsibility."

As his thoughts swirled, he had to admit a cruel reality:

By comparison, Mu En and this Shrek... despite all their myriad faults, at least... they still maintained the dignity of an 'academy' and still upheld the crumbling banner of 'protecting the continent,' having not yet completely degenerated into a den of filth.

"If not for the fact... that there truly isn't a single usable force on this continent..."

"If not for having seen with my own eyes the heartbreaking endings of so many characters in the original work..."

"This Shrek, it wouldn't be worth staying in!"

"Pfft—"

The rage suppressed to its limit and the massive consumption of soul power finally broke the threshold; a mouthful of blood sprayed onto the ground, a blinding, crimson red.

Long Jinyu's face turned even paler, his figure swaying slightly, yet he forced himself to stand straight.

He licked the blood from the corner of his mouth, a trace of self-mockery flashing in his eyes.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

The violent coughing tugged at his injured internal organs, but it also acted like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing a portion of his out-of-control fury.

Calm down... no matter how much I denounce them, it won't change the pedantry and stubbornness of these old men.

He warned himself in his heart, forcibly suppressing his churning blood.

A flame, mixed with cold calculation and burning ambition, quietly ignited in the depths of his heart.

"Since by some twist of fate, this old fox 'took advantage of my weakness' to force me into becoming his disciple..."

He glanced at Yan Shaozhe, who appeared concerned on the surface but hid deep-seated scrutiny in his eyes.

"Then... since I am here, I shall settle in."

"Shrek..."

"This 'game' has only just begun. I have plenty of time... to play with you all properly!"

"Hey! Little brat! What's wrong with you?!"

Ma Xiaotao flashed to his side in an instant, her palms trembling slightly as she supported his shoulders.

Phoenix flames seeped uncontrollably from her fingertips, yet they automatically transformed into a warm stream of energy upon touching his skin—this strange phenomenon left even her stunned.

Yan Shaozhe's bright soul power had already enveloped them:

"Soul power exhausted, mental strength overdrawn, but..."

He frowned as he looked at Long Jinyu.

"Little Yu, you..."

Given his strength, he naturally understood Long Jinyu's current state; logically speaking... it shouldn't have been enough to cause him to vomit blood.

"It's nothing... I just caught my breath wrong for a moment..."

Long Jinyu waved his hand, his right hand pressed against his chest as an emerald green halo circulated around his body.

The Ultimate Ice attribute began to repair his body, but the speed was clearly slower than in his normal state—he had indeed overexerted himself.

Ma Xiaotao suddenly pressed her palm against his back, and scorching soul power surged in continuously.

Unlike before, her flames were unusually docile this time, all violent aura transformed into pure soul power replenishment.

"Don't move."

Her voice was terrifyingly low.

"Do you really think I can't tell?"

"If it were purely Ultimate Ice, could I have recovered so well?"

"You have at least one other Ultimate attribute, and it must be of the healing variety."

Long Jinyu raised an eyebrow in surprise.

He had indeed used five Ultimate attributes simultaneously just now, but they had all been hidden within the Ultimate Ice.

Even Yan Shaozhe hadn't noticed this detail, yet she...

"Interesting."

A flash of sharp light flickered in Yan Shaozhe's eyes.

"Ma Xiaotao's Martial Soul is actively cooperating with you. It seems your soul power fusion has triggered a unique resonance."

Two blushes bloomed across Ma Xiaotao's face, yet her hands did not stop channeling soul power; if anything, she pressed them against him with even greater force.

Her other hand naturally wrapped around Long Jinyu's waist as she asked softly, "Can you walk? Teacher, should we take him for treatment first?"

"Senior Sister, I'm really fine," Long Jinyu said helplessly.

If he hadn't just transmigrated and failed to adapt to this body yet, this minor expenditure would have been beneath his notice.

"Enough nonsense!"

Ma Xiaotao glared at him.

"You've spat this much blood and you say you're fine? Do you take me for a three-year-old?"

Long Jinyu: "..."

Yan Shaozhe gave a timely, light cough. "Xiaotao, don't be anxious. Little Yu is indeed not in any serious trouble. However..."

He shifted his tone.

"This good junior of yours ended up like this precisely to help you... Why don't you fly him over to the Sea God Pavilion?"

"Ah? Oh... alright!" Ma Xiaotao bit her lower lip.

Although she had just finished suppressing her evil fire and her own state was hardly any better, she thought back to their first meeting—where she had tried to kill him and then pinned him down. If she didn't put on a good show to mend their relationship now, who would she find to treat her evil fire when it flared up again later?

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Senior Sister." Long Jinyu was sensible enough not to be stubborn or decline this time.

He had already gotten a taste of Ma Xiaotao's explosive temper; it was exactly the same as in the original work.

If he refused again... he definitely wouldn't get a good outcome.

The moment he was scooped up, Long Jinyu's face flushed, and he sighed inwardly.

Sigh... what kind of decent person encounters this mess right after transmigrating? System, are you messing with me on purpose?

[Host, can the affairs of a scholar be called messing with you? This is called: when Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility upon a man, it first exhausts his mind and will, labors...] the system responded cheekily.

You brat... not only are you mimicking my speech, but you're also quoting classics now?

As he closed his eyes to rest and bicker with the system, he suddenly felt his body sink.

He opened his eyes to look, and good grief, Ma Xiaotao had actually fainted while carrying him toward Sea God Lake.

The girl had passed out on him!

Holy crap! System!

Can I fly? You haven't taught me any soul skills yet?!

[Damn it, does the Dragon God need soul skills to fly?! Do you think you're a flightless chicken?]

Tell me sooner next time!

Long Jinyu subconsciously spread his arms. A flash of the system's teaching projection flickered in his mind, and a pair of iridescent, nine-colored dragon wings unfurled from his back with a "whoosh."

He dove sharply, catching the falling Ma Xiaotao steadily just three meters above the lake surface.

The girl's body fell softly into his arms. Her fiery red hair was whipped up by the wind, carrying a faint scent of phoenix flowers, and a few unruly strands brushed against his cheek, tickling him.

Long Jinyu held his breath involuntarily. He carefully supported the nape of her neck with one hand and slipped the other under her knees, pulling her closer to adjust her into a more secure position.

Ma Xiaotao's head rested softly against the hollow of his shoulder, her warm breath brushing against his neck.

That pair of dazzling phoenix wings now hung limply, swaying slightly with his movements.

Green healing light bloomed rapidly over his body. He muttered under his breath, his gaze fixed on her peaceful sleeping face.

"How... how are you so light..."

The moment that thought crossed his mind, a wave of heat rushed to his ears—the soft, warm sensation in his arms, the unique floral scent lingering at the tip of his nose, and the faint, warm breath against his neck...

Every sensation became incredibly vivid in an instant! His heart felt as if it had been struck hard, thumping like a drum inside his chest, shaking him until his arms stiffened and the tips of his ears burned bright red.

Yan Shaozhe appeared to be focused on leading the way, but in reality, a sliver of his spiritual power had long been quietly trailing the two behind him.

Noticing Long Jinyu's cautious movements, as if he were afraid of bumping or bruising her, the fingers hidden within his sleeves unconsciously twisted the fabric of his cuffs.

The moment he turned around, his sharp eyes caught the exact instant when Long Jinyu lowered his head to check on Ma Xiaotao, and his lips, by some coincidence, "brushed" against her forehead!

"Oh ho!"

He felt wonderful inside, like drinking a glass of iced plum juice on a sweltering summer day. Every pore in his body felt refreshed, yet he kept his face stern and serious, pretending he hadn't seen a thing as he continued to fly forward at a leisurely pace.

But that look in his eyes was exactly like an old farmer watching his own lush, crisp cabbage finally being "approached"—ahem, "nuzzled"—by a pig he had taken a liking to.

"Good lad, you're quick with your hands and feet..."

He muttered to himself, then glanced at the nine-colored dragon wings flickering behind Long Jinyu.

"But then again... at a quick glance, tsk, they really do have a certain... inexplicable resemblance to Gongyang Mo's Rainbow Dragon Martial Soul, don't they?"

"Dean Yan." Long Jinyu was clearly oblivious to the "little interlude" that had just occurred, his tone filled with obvious concern. "Your disciple..."

"Oh my, I'm getting old; I can't fly anymore."

Yan Shaozhe deliberately rubbed his waist.

"Jinyu, you're young and strong, so you'll have to shoulder a bit more."

He added specifically after saying that:

"Xiaotao trains too hard usually; it's rare for her to get a good rest."

Long Jinyu: "..."

Are you kidding me? A Super Douluo faking a sore back?

Your precious disciple is unconscious and you're still putting on a show? If she knew you were doing this on purpose...

Sigh... forget it, forget it.

Wait, Mu En... he wouldn't be this ridiculous too, would he?

He complained frantically in his heart.

He looked down again at the sleeping Ma Xiaotao in his arms. Her cheeks looked exceptionally soft from the unconsciousness, completely devoid of her usual sharpness.

Even though you were just as exhausted, you still insisted on channeling your soul power to me?

He felt an inexplicable bitterness in his heart.

"Haji Tao, you..."

"Your personality really... hasn't cracked at all."

Suddenly, Ma Xiaotao rubbed against his chest unconsciously, letting out a kitten-like whimper. Long Jinyu froze instantly, his flight path even veering off course.

Ahead, Yan Shaozhe's shoulders shook like a sieve; he almost couldn't hold back his laughter.

As expected of Mu En, recruiting this junior apprentice brother was a stroke of genius!

He can both cure the evil fire and keep this 'crazy girl' in check... Hehe, there will be a good show to watch in the future.

If the two of them really could... it would be a good thing for the academy and for Xiaotao...

Never mind, it's too early to consider these things. As for the affairs of the young, let fate take its course. He stroked his beard and chuckled, quietly slowing his flight speed.

Inside the Sea God Pavilion, the light was soft, and the calm scent of wood drifted in the air.

An old man with white hair leaned halfway against a rattan chair, his aged fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. His gaze was gentle, yet it seemed as if he could see through a person's heart...

This person was none other than the strongest individual in Shrek Academy for the past thousand years.

The current Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion.

Dragon God Douluo—Mu En!

Yan Shaozhe led Long Jinyu through the door, the latter still carrying the unconscious Ma Xiaotao.

Mu En's gaze swept lightly over the three of them, finally landing on Long Jinyu and the figure in his arms. The imperceptible smile at the corner of his mouth deepened slightly: "Oh? You brought her here while carrying her?"

Long Jinyu: "..."

"Teacher, I've brought them." Yan Shaozhe bowed respectfully, then stepped aside.

"Xiaotao's evil fire flared up. It's thanks to Jinyu's timely intervention, though both of them have exhausted themselves quite a bit."

The implication: Look, aren't these two a perfect match!

Mu En nodded and smiled: "Jinyu, put her on that couch over there first."

Long Jinyu followed his instructions, his movements gentle. His fingertips brushed against Ma Xiaotao's wrist, the touch warm. Just as he withdrew his hand, he heard Mu En say slowly: "It seems you two get along quite well."

Why did that sound like teasing?

This master and disciple were cut from the same cloth!

Long Jinyu raised his eyes, meeting Mu En's smiling gaze, and understood instantly.

This old man definitely knew what had happened just now! He might even be fully aware of Yan Shaozhe's "sore back" act.

"Elder Mu."

He decided to be blunt.

"You didn't mention at the time that becoming your disciple would come with the added duty of 'taking care of the senior sister'."

Mu En smiled without a word, while Yan Shaozhe coughed lightly: "Junior apprentice brother, those who are capable should do more."

Ma Xiaotao's eyelashes trembled on the couch; she seemed to have regained some consciousness but kept her eyes closed, feigning sleep.

Long Jinyu caught a glimpse of this and found it amusing in his heart: Looks like you've recovered well, but you're acting on me too, huh?

Mu En finally got to the point: "Good disciple, since you have joined my sect, shouldn't you come clean with your master about a few things?"

He tapped his fingertips on the table, and the formation inside the Sea God Pavilion glowed faintly, isolating them from the outside world. "For example, your martial soul... what exactly is it?"

The air went quiet.

Long Jinyu raised an eyebrow. Sure enough, this old fox had been probing him from the very beginning.

"You already knew, didn't you?"

A faint, elusive smile played on his lips, carrying a hint of "stop pretending" mockery.

A wisp of nine-colored light rose from his palm, like holding a small piece of flowing neon, instantly capturing the full attention of both Mu En and Yan Shaozhe. The light reflected in the old man's deep pupils, swirling restlessly.

"If that weren't the case, why would you be in such a rush to take me as your disciple?"