Back in his room, Zhong Shenxiu closed the door, his pale gold vertical pupils sweeping across the entire room.
This is a luxurious ocean-view suite with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the boundless sea, where the afterglow of the setting sun spreads a golden halo. The room is exquisitely furnished, with soft beds, solid wood tables and chairs, and Soul Guidance Lamp emitting a gentle glow.
But Zhong Shenxiu had absolutely no interest in any of these things.
He raised his right hand, his five fingers spread, and a ball of golden light shone from his palm. The light expanded, outlining a complex rune array in the air. The rune array rotated once, then suddenly exploded, turning into countless golden specks of light.
The points of light coalesced in the air, gradually outlining a robust human figure.
He wore heavy, crimson armor trimmed with gold, and his dark, deep bat wings were adorned with an inextinguishable flame that lingered on his forehead.
Badi Holy Dragon knelt on one knee, his right fist on the ground, his head bowed, his voice low and respectful.
" My the Master."
Zhong Shenxiu raised his hand, gesturing for Badi Holy Dragon to stand up.
Badi Holy Dragon stood up, his massive figure almost taking up half the room. His crimson eyes looked at Zhong Shenxiu, filled with awe and loyalty. A blazing aura emanated from him, and the temperature in the air seemed to rise slightly because of his presence.
Zhong Shenxiu spoke, his voice not loud, but every word was clear.
" Badi Holy Dragon, I need you to protect my safety these next few days."
Badi Holy Dragon's eyes narrowed.
Zhong Shenxiu continued, "I have a feeling that something is about to happen."
He frowned. According to his vague memories from his previous life, there shouldn't have been any major conflicts in the Skysea Alliance Grand Competition. At that time, Tang Wulin and his friends were just ordinary students at the Eastsea Academy. Although they experienced some twists and turns, they were not in any great danger overall.
But things are different now.
His arrival changed so much that no one knew what kind of chain reaction it would trigger.
Moreover, after arriving in Skysea City, Clear Dragon Heart had been constantly reminding him.
The ability to Clear Dragon Heart is bestowed upon him by the Heavenly Mountain's Clear Dragon Heart. It grants him a clear and undisturbed mind, allowing him to anticipate enemy moves and see through illusions. However, this time, the warning did not come from an external attack, but rather from a deeper and more ambiguous premonition.
What great calamity is about to befall this place?
Zhong Shenxiu didn't know what it was, but he trusted his intuition.
Badi Holy Dragon's eyes sharpened upon hearing Zhong Shenxiu's words.
"We swear to protect our the Master!"
His voice carried a scorching heat, and the flames within him burned even more fiercely. Crimson light erupted from his body, and the temperature in the air suddenly rose several degrees.
As one of the first Doulong corrupted by the Black Death Dragon, the Badi Holy Dragon committed heinous sins. Those sins burdened him with thousands of years of pain and regret. It was only with the appearance of Zhong Shenxiu and the arrival of the Master that he saw an opportunity for redemption.
Now, someone actually dares to lay a hand on the destiny of the Fighting Dragon Clan's revival?
A hint of killing intent flashed in the crimson eyes of the Badi Holy Dragon.
They're really asking for trouble.
Zhong Shenxiu nodded without saying anything more. He turned and walked into the room with unhurried steps, but a hint of solemnity lingered in his light golden vertical pupils.
Badi Holy Dragon stood still, watching Zhong Shenxiu's back, his eyes filled with determination.
Flames surged around him, and dark gold patterns flowed through his crimson armor in the firelight. His fists clenched slightly, and true fire swirled in his palms, ready to unleash destructive power at any moment.
No matter who comes, no matter how many people come, he will protect the Master with his own life.
This is his mission, and also his chance to atone for his sins.
Zhong Shenxiu walked to the French windows and looked out at the sea.
The sun had already sunk below the horizon, the sky gradually transitioning from orange-red to deep purple, leaving only a sliver of light on the sea. In the distance, the port of Skysea City was brightly lit, with massive warships anchored on the sea, their outlines appearing and disappearing in the night.
"Let's meet force with force and water with earth."
Zhong Shenxiu slowly exhaled.
His expression remained calm, his pale gold vertical pupils devoid of any emotion. The alertness of his Clear Dragon Heart made him vigilant, but not fearful. Fear had long been extinguished by the battles of the first nine years of his life.
He believed in his own strength, and he also believed in the strength of Badi Holy Dragon.
If anyone dares to come, then let them come.
Zhong Shenxiu withdrew his gaze, walked to the bedside, and sat down cross-legged.
He began his cultivation.
As the Eternal Myriad Dragon Source Art began to circulate, the energy of heaven and earth converged upon him like a vortex. Golden light shone from his body, enveloping him in a soft halo. His breathing became long and even, each breath driving the flow of Dragon Power within his body.
Badi Holy Dragon stood in the corner of the room, his crimson pupils scanning his surroundings.
His senses were fully activated; no movement inside or outside the room escaped his detection. Changes in air temperature, footsteps in the corridor, the flow of sea breeze outside the window—everything was under his surveillance.
His fists remained clenched, the fire in his palms ready to erupt at any moment.
Night deepened.
The other rooms in the hotel gradually quieted down as the participants rested and prepared for tomorrow's opening ceremony and competition.
Xie Xie and Tang Wulin's room was at the other end of the corridor.
When Xie Xie came out of the shower, he saw Tang Wulin sitting on the bed, holding a pair of Forging Hammer in his hands, his eyes closed as if sensing something.
"Aren't you going to sleep yet?" Xie Xie asked while drying his hair.
Tang Wulin opened his eyes and shook his head. "I can't sleep, I'm a little nervous."
"What's there to be nervous about?" Xie Xie sat on his bed, crossed his legs, and said, "It's just a competition. It's not like we've never played before."
"It's different." Tang Wulin placed the Forging Hammer beside the bed and rubbed his face with his hands. "Before, we only fought in internal academy matches, and winning or losing didn't matter. This time, we're representing Eastsea Academy, and losing would be a disgrace to the entire Eastsea City."
Xie Xie chuckled, "You certainly think a lot. But you're overthinking it. With Zhong Shenxiu around, it would be difficult for us to lose."
Tang Wulin thought about it and felt that Xie Xie's words made sense, but something still felt off. He shook his head, stopped thinking about it, lay down on the bed, and closed his eyes.
Xie Xie lay down as well, but his eyes were open, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.
In a room not far from Zhong Shenxiu, Xu Xiaoyan was whispering to Gu Yue.
Although the two girls were fiercely competing for Zhong Shenxiu, as the only two women in Class Zero, they generally had a good relationship. After all, they were the only two girls in the entire Class Zero, and the two boys, Tang Wulin and Xie Xie, simply didn't understand girls' feelings, so there were some things they could only say to each other.
Xu Xiaoyan lay on the bed, her two long, fair, and delicate legs swinging in the air. Although the girl was slightly petite due to her age, her proportions were perfect. Two light blue braids hung down beside her face. She rested her chin on her hands, her light blue eyes looking at Gu Yue on the next bed with a hint of curiosity.