Leng Yaozhu's Mysterious Past, Defeating Gu Yue!

The morning in North Sea City brought a salty, fishy breeze blowing in from the rocky coastline. The leaves of the locust tree in the corner of the Shen Family's private courtyard training ground had mostly turned yellow, rustling as they fell onto the bluestone tiles with every gust of wind.

Shen Nanxun stood on the deepest part of the training ground, on a patch of hard earth worn smooth and flat. He was shirtless, the contours of his ten-year-old shoulders and back already showing the faint, sharp angles characteristic of a growing boy.

He stood with his shoulders level, his presence as steady as a mountain.

Before him stood an iron stake. It was not a common wooden training post, but a solid iron pillar cast in one piece by the North Sea Legion's armory. The stake was thicker than an adult's thigh, its base buried three feet into the ground, with two meters exposed. The surface lacked any cushioning material, showing only a layer of dull rust worn away by wind and sun.

Shen Nanxun's hands hung at his sides, fingers slightly splayed. He closed his eyes slowly, adjusting his breathing to the deepest, slowest rhythm. Deep within his consciousness, that nine-colored orb of light continued to rotate languidly.

Qian Renxue sat cross-legged on a golden branch, arms crossed, her purple eyes gazing through his Sea of Consciousness at the iron stake. Her voice remained cold and detached.

"Although his current situation is peculiar, he did, after all, bestow your third soul ring upon you. Since this dragon bloodline has awakened within your body, even if it is only a sliver, it is enough to reshape your very being."

Shen Nanxun opened his eyes. Deep within his black pupils, a faint, fleeting glimmer of nine-colored light flashed and vanished. He sank his waist, assumed a horse stance, and pulled his right fist to his side.

He focused all his intent on his clenched hand. His bones tightened, his muscles coiled, and the speed of the blood surging through his veins accelerated abruptly.

He threw a punch.

His right fist tore through the wind, compressing the air into a visible white shockwave. The moment his knuckles struck the center of the iron stake, a streak of nine-colored light flashed between his fingers, yet the stake did not budge.

Immediately following, a crack began to spread from the point of contact. Iron filings showered down as the fissure expanded and multiplied, until the entire stake emitted a dull, overwhelmed roar.

The iron stake snapped.

The upper half flew off at an angle, tumbling twice in the air before slamming heavily onto the bluestone tiles at the edge of the training ground, leaving a shallow crater.

Shen Nanxun held his punching posture, his breathing shifting from steady to ragged.

The third soul ring was also golden, but unlike the bright gold of the previous two, this one was dark gold. This ring had granted him absolute strength.

In the corner of the courtyard, the silver-haired girl had long since widened her eyes. If the original Shen Nanxun had been a delicious meal in her eyes, then now, the roles seemed to have reversed.

Especially when Shen Nanxun was practicing his punches just now, she had clearly sensed that faint, lingering dragon might.

The girl licked her lips with an evil grin and muttered to herself, "Wealth is found in danger. Hehe, Gu Yue, just wait to be ruthlessly suppressed by your Na'er, the King of Kings!"

"East Sea City?"

Shen Nanxun wiped the sweat from his body, looking at his eldest sister, Shen Yue, who had suddenly approached, with a look of confusion.

"Big Sister, why must I go there?"

In another time and space, East Sea City held a position of great importance, and the fact that he was now heading there felt like too much of a coincidence.

"It concerns your origins. The person who knows the truth has made a request, and even I cannot overrule it." Shen Yue sighed softly and patted his shoulder.

"She is waiting for you at the East Sea City Spirit Pagoda. If you want to understand, you must go. But don't worry, Xiaoxun, no matter what, just go and find out. At the very least, retrieve your jade pendant. Regardless of whether you ultimately choose to pursue your true identity, Sister and Mom and Dad will always be your strongest support."

"You must understand, I cannot deny your right to seek the truth. After all, those are your biological parents."

Shen Nanxun was silent for a moment.

"Alright, I will go."

No matter the outcome, he had to find out. There was a strange feeling in the dark, urging him to uncover the truth.

Perhaps it was a tremor from his own bloodline.

Shen Yue smiled, touched Shen Nanxun's head, and said softly, "It's fine, just treat it as a vacation. Have some fun. The temperature by the sea in East Sea City is more pleasant; you can take Na'er along to play."

"Ah, I have to take her too?"

"Stinky Shen Nanxun, what do you mean by that!"

Suddenly, Na'er appeared at the courtyard gate, charging out aggressively, her small fangs faintly visible.

"Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue."

"Little dog Na, don't bite me!"

Three months had passed since Shen Nanxun's victory in the Star Dou Battle Net individual tournament. Just as Shen Yue had said, this trip to East Sea City was a perfect opportunity to relax.

In the soul-guided car, to his surprise, the driver was Su Jiuyin.

"Are you curious why I am the one taking you?"

Su Jiuyin wore sunglasses, driving the car with a smile.

"A little." Shen Nanxun, sitting in the back, answered truthfully. Normally, they would have been protected by members of the North Sea Legion.

Yet, it was Su Jiuyin, who hailed from the Spirit Pagoda. Although she was his eldest sister's close friend, she was not part of the legion's hierarchy.

Su Jiuyin smiled, reached up to adjust her sunglasses on the bridge of her nose, and said, "Two reasons. First, I am from the Spirit Pagoda, and the person you are meeting is also from the Spirit Pagoda. With me present, it is easier for both sides to talk. It is neither official business nor a private matter; it is just an acquaintance doing a favor. Your sister's influence is useful in the legion, but not quite as effective in the Spirit Pagoda."

She paused as she turned a street corner, her voice softening, "Second, I am originally from East Sea City."

Shen Nanxun raised an eyebrow. This was the first time he had heard this. He only knew that Su Jiuyin was one of the three special-grade awakeners at the North Sea City Spirit Pagoda and a close friend of his sister, but he had no idea her hometown was East Sea City.

"My original surname was Xu." Su Jiuyin's voice remained gentle and calm, though it carried an inexplicable weight, "But later, for certain reasons, I changed it to Su. I was nineteen when I left East Sea City, and I haven't been back since. It has been over twenty years."

She gazed at the road stretching into the distance, and behind her sunglasses, her brown eyes flickered with complex emotions she preferred not to mention, though they were instantly masked by her usual warmth.

Su Jiuyin turned her head and glanced at Shen Nanxun in the rearview mirror. "So this time, it is also a bit of a selfish wish on my part. I am taking advantage of your trip to return to my old home."

The carriage fell quiet for a while.

Shen Nanxun did not press for the reason why a nineteen-year-old girl would change her surname, leave her hometown, and never look back for over twenty years.

Everyone has their own past; some pasts are meant to be told as stories, while others are only meant to be sipped alone in the dead of night. Since Su Jiuyin did not speak of it, he did not ask.

Na'er leaned against him, appearing somewhat carefree, her short silver hair fluttering slightly in the breeze from the carriage window.

For once, she wasn't chattering away. She simply fished two pieces of Sea Salt Toffee from her pouch, unwrapped one, popped it into Shen Nanxun's mouth, and tucked the other into her own. Both of their cheeks bulged with the candy—it was sweet.

East Sea City.

This was a coastal city located in the central-eastern region, a major hub for port trade and deep-sea navigation. Being further south than North Sea City, it enjoyed mild temperatures throughout the four seasons and was a renowned tourist destination.

Su Jiuyin led them directly to the East Sea Spirit Pagoda, which was also one of the eighteen major branch pagodas.

After she notified the staff, she took them straight to the exclusive internal elevator and headed for the upper levels.

They stopped at the thirty-sixth floor. The level was remarkably quiet, filled with nothing but the hum of metal and the scent of technology.

Su Jiuyin stopped in front of one of the doors and raised her hand to knock three times.

"Come in." A woman's voice drifted from within, flat and tinged with a lazy, husky tone.

The metal door slid open silently.

It was an exceptionally spacious observation room. The entire curved wall had been converted into a massive floor-to-ceiling screen, which was currently broadcasting real-time surveillance footage from inside the Spirit Pagoda's exclusive spirit beast forest.

Towering ancient trees, tangled vines, and dappled light leaking through the gaps in the foliage. The silhouettes of spirit beasts flickered in the distance. The image was so clear that one could almost capture the subtle vibrations caused by every small spirit beast darting through the bushes.

In front of that massive screen sat a single chair. It was a minimalist black leather chair with a slightly reclined back, a fair, slender hand resting on the armrest.

A woman sat there. She was turned slightly to the side, her right leg elegantly crossed over her left. One elbow rested on the armrest, supporting her chin, while her other fingers held a stemmed glass. Red liquid swirled within.

Matching the red wine was her dazzling, flamboyant long red hair.

Beneath that hair, her stunning face held a hint of cold aloofness amidst the laziness. She swept her captivating eyes over them, sizing the three up.

Shen Nanxun could clearly feel that her gaze was fixed mostly on him. There was no sense of oppression as he had imagined; instead, there was more of a sense of inquiry.

"Your Excellency, the person has been brought here. This is Shen Nanxun," Su Jiuyin said respectfully.

At the same time, she introduced them, "This is Her Excellency, the Heavenly Phoenix, and the person you were looking for."

Heavenly Phoenix!?

Heavenly Phoenix Douluo, Leng Yaozhu!

The Vice Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda, a top-tier powerhouse standing at the pinnacle of the continent.

Shen Nanxun had never expected his own background to be connected to her.

Na'er seemed to catch a scent of something unusual. Her little nose twitched, and she instantly grabbed Shen Nanxun's arm.

She looked at Leng Yaozhu with great vigilance.

It looked as if she were guarding her food.

Leng Yaozhu found it somewhat amusing. She sat up straighter and chuckled, "I am not a bad person, so there is no need for that. If we really want to talk about it, you should call me your aunt."

"What?"

Shen Nanxun was stunned. What did that mean? If that were true, then his biological mother would be... Leng Yulai!?

That didn't seem right.

"Although not by blood, it is much the same," Leng Yaozhu murmured, as if remembering something, and fell into a brief moment of recollection.

Shen Nanxun breathed a sigh of relief. If Leng Yaozhu were truly his biological mother's sister, the relationships involved would be far too convoluted.

A moment later, Leng Yaozhu set her wine glass on the armrest and sat up slightly, her wine-red hair sliding off her shoulder and draping over her knees. When she lifted her eyes again, the laziness in her amber gaze had vanished completely, leaving only a sharp, piercing light.

"Shen Nanxun."

"Do you want to know your origins?"

Shen Nanxun met her gaze without flinching. "I wouldn't have come here if I didn't."

Leng Yaozhu shook her head with a faint smile. "Your personalities are truly the same—equally stubborn."

"Very well. Since that is the case, as long as you complete the two tasks I assign you, I will tell you everything. Otherwise, don't expect to learn anything from me."

"Why?" Shen Nanxun frowned, feeling deeply confused. "I don't understand why I must complete your tasks to learn about my own background. Passing a trial—this isn't reasonable."

"There is no such thing as reasonable or unreasonable. Once you finish, I will tell you everything, and then you will understand." Leng Yaozhu's voice remained indifferent, yet she did not budge an inch; there was no room for negotiation.

In the end, a rabbit could hardly topple a tiger. With fists not big enough, he had no choice but to comply.

Shen Nanxun had no other way. He gave a slight nod and exhaled. "I agree."

"Good." Leng Yaozhu turned around and pointed at the screen. "Do you see that? That is my disciple, currently training in the Spirit Ascension Platform. As long as you can defeat her and her team, the first trial will be considered won."

"Damn it, that brat Gu..." Na'er's voice cut off abruptly, and she covered her small mouth.

Shen Nanxun followed the direction of Leng Yaozhu's finger and saw a young girl's face reflected on the screen.

Her black hair fell to her shoulders like ink, her brows and eyes cold, her dark pupils devoid of ripples. Her beauty was stunning yet carried an inherent sense of detachment, standing as still as cold jade under the moonlight.

It was... Gu Yue!

"Southeast direction, Blue Crystal Leopard, cultivation of about eight hundred years." Xu Xiaoyan crouched halfway on a thick tree branch, the Star Wheel Ice Staff gripped in her hand. "It's very fast. It seems to have sensed our presence and is fleeing toward the depths of the dense forest."

"Fleeing? As if it can escape!" Xie Xie curled his lips, his entire body already springing from the tree trunk like a shadow. He moved with extreme speed, his toes tapping against the branches of several ancient trees as he rapidly closed the distance.

"Front left, it's turning!" Xu Xiaoyan's voice came from above.

"I see it! Xiaoyan, block its path to the right!" Xie Xie was in mid-air, the Light Dragon Dagger already unsheathed.

"First Soul Skill, Ice Wheel!" Xu Xiaoyan gave a clear shout, waving her ice staff as a blue ring of light sped away.

The Blue Crystal Leopard was forced to make a sharp left turn to dodge, its speed dropping for a split second.

That was the moment Xie Xie arrived. The Light Dragon Dagger struck directly at the Blue Crystal Leopard's flank.

The Blue Crystal Leopard let out a low growl, dodging the blade by turning its side, while its front paw, wrapped in ice-blue soul power, swiped toward Xie Xie's face. Xie Xie had no leverage in mid-air, but he didn't panic at all. He pressed his left hand against the leopard's swiping paw, used the force to flip over, and landed steadily behind it.

Just then, a young girl's figure appeared directly in front of the Blue Crystal Leopard, fireballs and ice spikes erupting from her body in an instant.

They struck straight at the Blue Crystal Leopard's face!

Under the cover of the elemental attacks, the boy who had been trailing behind closed in, his hand transforming into a claw as his golden dragon claw struck directly at the Blue Crystal Leopard's abdomen.

Finally, the Blue Crystal Leopard let out a mournful cry of resentment, its massive body crashing to the ground as its ice-blue crystal armor shattered inch by inch, turning into countless fine specks of light.

Just as the group hadn't yet had time to share the joy of victory, a muffled shout came from afar.

"Hand over the energy and withdraw yourselves!"

It was a group of five, all looking to be in their teens, and one of them was even a three-ring Soul Master.

They were full of hostility.

Meanwhile, in a nearby thicket, two heads poked out. One of them pressed a hand down on the somewhat excited Silver Ahoge King.

"Shh, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!"