Encounter Three, Plotting the Golden Dragon King's Origin

"Are those the two geniuses Teacher Wu mentioned? How did you know, Gu Yue?"

Xie Xie paused at the question, his gaze shifting to the two figures walking toward them. He locked eyes with Jiang Xiu, his eyes narrowing slowly as he spat out four words.

"Overwhelming dominance!"

"Oh? You can tell just by looking?"

Tang Wulin raised an eyebrow, asking with a hint of doubt.

"No, it's that I can't see through their cultivation at all. If I can't see through them, they certainly aren't weak. They're here for the Spirit Ascension as well, so we might run into them inside. When that happens, we'll know if they're truly the strongest of our generation as Teacher Wu claims, or if their strength even lives up to that title."

Xie Xie stood with his hands behind his back, delivering his judgment with a serious tone.

"I see. But we should just focus on ourselves; a true powerhouse never looks at what's ahead."

Tang Wulin said softly, though he didn't pay it much mind. He hadn't even broken through to become a Great Soul Master yet, so overthinking was useless. Furthermore, Old Tang, who resided within his spiritual sea, had once told him that a genius who fell wasn't a genius—they were just a dead man.

"Gu Yue, you're here too."

Just as the two were discussing, Jiang Xiu arrived before them with Na'er in tow. Looking at the familiar yet strange faces before him, Jiang Xiu's gaze flickered slightly. He hadn't expected to run into the members of East Sea Academy's Class Zero today. That youth with the resolute expression and surging blood energy within his body was none other than Tang Wulin.

"Mm, long time no see."

Gu Yue stood up, returning Jiang Xiu's smile.

"We only saw each other yesterday."

Na'er pouted, her figure shifting slightly to block Jiang Xiu. Her bright purple eyes remained fixed on Gu Yue. She, Great King Na'er, would absolutely not give Gu Yue any chance to strike! Stealing her man? That was simply out of the question.

Tang Wulin and Xie Xie were left completely bewildered by the scene. They had no idea when Gu Yue had become acquainted with the genius Teacher Wu spoke of, and the air between Gu Yue and the silver-haired girl seemed thick with hostility. The two exchanged a look, ready to watch the drama unfold.

"Xie Xie, didn't you say you wanted to challenge someone? Well, they're here now."

Gu Yue smiled faintly at the remark, her gaze shifting away from Na'er without a hint of lingering attachment, before she spoke softly to the eager Xie Xie beside her. She had realized after returning last time that because she hadn't seen Na'er for years, she had been caught off guard by Na'er's thorough preparations. But that wouldn't happen again. She would show Na'er through her actions that there was nothing she could protect.

"Ah? No, no! I had a friend ask me to inquire, yes, it was that friend of mine..."

Seeing the drama turn toward him, and catching the look Jiang Xiu cast his way, Xie Xie waved his hands in a hurried explanation.

Jiang Xiu paid him no mind, his gaze merely sweeping over Tang Wulin in a casual manner.

He has indeed broken the first seal of the Golden Dragon King's origin. It seems I must accelerate the plan.

Thoughts churned in his mind. Jiang Xiu knew that Tang Wulin would break the second seal before the Shrek Academy entrance exam; he had to extract the Golden Dragon King's origin from his body before then. He had already devised the method for extraction, but before that, he had to completely wear down the divine consciousness left behind by Tang God King within Tang Wulin's spiritual sea. Only then could he act without restraint.

The Soul Beast Group should be put to use, and the future Soul Guidance Train incident involving the Evil Soul Masters must be leveraged as well.

Jiang Xiu mentally reviewed his plan methodically, weighing every detail.

But Tang God King, you don't seem to dare to make a move. Though, I suppose that makes sense. With Gu Yue, this Silver Dragon King, constantly by Tang Wulin's side, you must cherish every opportunity you have to strike.

Watching Tang Wulin, who showed no signs of abnormality, the corners of Jiang Xiu's mouth curled upward as he slowly retracted his first and second soul skills, which had been primed for release. This was within his expectations. Moreover, Tang San had to save his final opportunity to trap the future Abyssal Sage King, creating a chance for Tang Hao to hammer the Abyssal Sage King into oblivion. Otherwise, not only would the ten-thousand-year grand plan fail, but the entire Douluo Plane would vanish, consumed by the Abyss Plane.

At this moment, Gu Yue, standing to the side, felt a flash of solemnity in her black eyes. After a moment of hesitation, she slowly hid the Seven-Colored Dragon Scale she had been holding. Just a moment ago, she had once again sensed the fluctuation of that divine consciousness within Tang Wulin, but this time, it had not acted.

Xiong Jun may have been severely injured, but you didn't have an easy time of it either after being struck by Di Tian's Dragon God Claw.

Gu Yue snorted inwardly. During their last confrontation, although Xiong Jun had nearly perished, Di Tian had also launched a counterattack. The Dragon God Claw was the supreme weapon bestowed upon the Black Dragon clan by the Dragon God himself; it was capable of wounding even the divine consciousness of a god.

But what caused your fluctuation? Was it Jiang Xiu... This is getting more and more interesting. It seems you are hiding secrets of your own.

Gu Yue's red lips curved upward. Just as she was about to look at Jiang Xiu, she found that Na'er had already positioned herself like a soldier, shielding Jiang Xiu behind her.

"Gu Yue, I never expected that the second lesson of my life would be taught by you."

Noticing that Jiang Xiu had looked away, Xie Xie approached Gu Yue, his voice filled with grief and indignation.

"What second lesson of your life?"

Gu Yue raised an eyebrow, looking puzzled.

"A backstab!"

Xie Xie said with a bitter expression.

"Little ones, come over here. The riot period of the Spirit Ascension Platform has already begun, so you must make the most of your time."

Just then, the silver-white metal door opened, and Vice Pagoda Master Liu, whom Jiang Xiu had met yesterday, stepped out with a kind smile on his face.

Normally, a standard entry into the Spirit Ascension Platform would not require his presence, but because of Jiang Xiu and Na'er, he had come personally.

For no other reason than that he was desperate to advance further!

Soon, the group followed instructions and entered their respective Soul Guidance Pods. Since none of them were new to spirit ascension, they were all quite familiar with the process.

With a blink of his eyes, Jiang Xiu found himself inside the semi-virtual world of the Spirit Ascension Platform.

"The energy saturation in the Spirit Ascension Platform during the riot period has indeed doubled."

Looking at the lush, verdant world before him, Jiang Xiu sensed the environment carefully. From the forest ahead, the roars of Soul Beasts and the sounds of combat echoed intermittently.

Because it was the riot period of the Spirit Ascension Platform, many spirit masters chose this time to enter, hoping to gamble on increasing the age of their spirit rings.

Jiang Xiu did not rashly enter the forest. Instead, he released his Dark Night Raven, letting it circle above the canopy to scout which area held the most Soul Beasts so he could round them all up later.

Furthermore, he had to wait for Na'er. The Spirit Ascension Platform in the East Sea was slightly different from the one at the Spirit Pagoda headquarters; upon entering, spirit masters were scattered to different locations.

However, since Na'er had said she had a way to find him, he was not in a hurry.

"Jiang Xiu, I'm here!"

Before long, a voice like a silver bell rang out. Na'er's petite figure appeared, stepping atop a giant silver-white dragon.