Luoning City, an Auspicious Start

The next morning, before dawn had fully broken, Xiao Cheng, Leng Yaozhu, and Leng Yulai were already packed and ready to depart.

According to the route assigned by Leng Zhaoran, they would head west from Shrek City, pass through several cities, and eventually rendezvous with the other two groups near Heaven Dou City. The cities along this route were not particularly large, but since it was an essential road leading to Heaven Dou City, there was a high chance that Shrek Academy students would pass through them.

"Let's go!" Leng Yaozhu waved her hand and was the first to leap into the soul-guided vehicle prepared for them by the Spirit Pagoda. Xiao Cheng and Leng Yulai followed her into the car.

This was a land-based soul-guided means of transportation that had already become widespread across Douluo Continent. However, after modifications by the Spirit Pagoda staff, it had stronger power, greater speed, and impressive off-road capability. With one vehicle for the three of them and taking turns driving, they could travel continuously for long periods.

Xiao Cheng sat in the passenger seat, while Leng Yulai sat in the back. Leng Yaozhu twisted the throttle, and the soul-guided vehicle let out a low roar before shooting toward the city gates like an arrow released from its bow.

Once they left Shrek City, urban buildings gradually became scarcer, replaced by vast fields on both sides of the road.

The morning wind blew against their faces, carrying the scent of grass, trees, and earth. The fields on either side gleamed golden beneath the morning light, and occasionally, small early-rising beasts darted across the roadside, drawing startled cries from Leng Yulai.

"Yaozhu, take it easy!" Xiao Cheng had no choice but to raise his voice. "Uncle Leng only approved our licenses temporarily. It'll be troublesome if the police stop us."

"Relax! I know what I'm doing!" Leng Yaozhu shouted without turning around, though she did not slow down in the slightest.

Xiao Cheng helplessly shook his head and complained inwardly, With driving like this, her license would've been revoked several times over in my previous life.

Three hours later, they arrived at their first target city—Luoning City.

It was a medium-sized city with a population of roughly two to three hundred thousand. There was a branch of the Spirit Pagoda within the city. According to their intelligence, a Shrek Academy student should have been active near this city.

The three parked their soul-guided vehicle outside the city, changed into ordinary clothes, blended into the crowd, and began gathering information.

"Boss, three bowls of noodles!" Leng Yaozhu led the other two into a bustling noodle shop. Pretending to be ordinary tourists, they ate while listening closely to the conversations around them.

"Did you hear? Someone caused trouble at the Spirit Master Club in the eastern part of the city yesterday and knocked out a Soul Elder-level coach!"

"Really? Who was bold enough to do that?"

"They say he's a student from Shrek Academy. He looked barely ten or so, but that strength... well, he really was worthy of being a student from the number one academy on the continent. Tsk, tsk, tsk..."

"What would a Shrek Academy student be doing in a little place like ours?"

"Who knows? Maybe it's some kind of test. Anyway, students from places like that all think they're above everyone else. If they didn't have business here, they wouldn't lower themselves to come to a backwater like ours."

Xiao Cheng and the other two exchanged glances.

"The target has appeared." Leng Yaozhu lowered her voice. "Once we finish eating, we'll head to the Spirit Master Club in the east."

The three quickly finished their noodles, paid, and headed toward the eastern district.

The Spirit Master Club in eastern Luoning City was a place where Soul Masters gathered and exchanged knowledge. By the time the three arrived, quite a few people had already gathered inside, all discussing what had happened the previous day.

"That brat was way too arrogant! It wasn't enough that he beat Coach Li—he even declared that he'd keep challenging people today and let all the Soul Masters in Luoning City witness Shrek's strength!"

"Hmph! He only beat a Soul Elder. What's so impressive about that?"

"You can't put it that way. How old did that kid look? Eleven or twelve? Being able to defeat a Soul Elder at that age means he really has some skill."

Xiao Cheng and the other two blended into the crowd and listened quietly.

Just then, a disturbance broke out at the club entrance.

A boy who looked about eleven or twelve strode inside. He wore a dark green tracksuit, his hands tucked into his pockets, with a lazy, cocky expression on his face. His gaze swept over the crowd before his lips curled into a disdainful smile.

"Oh? Quite a crowd today." The boy spoke lazily. "What, is that Li guy from yesterday still unwilling to accept it? Did he find helpers? Perfect. My teacher said that Soul Elder yesterday was too weak. I need to beat another one before I can count Luoning City's quota as complete."

The club's Soul Masters all looked unpleasant, yet no one dared step forward.

Seeing this, the boy became even more smug. "What? No one dares to come up? Is this all the courage Luoning City's Soul Masters have?"

"I'll take you on!"

A burly middle-aged man stepped forward. He glared at the boy on the stage and said in a deep voice, "Kid, don't get too full of yourself! Let me, Li Tieniu, experience the moves of a Shrek genius!" Soul Rings rose around him—one white and two yellow. A three-ringed Soul Elder!

"That's it?" The boy raised an eyebrow. "Forget it. I shouldn't have expected anything from Soul Masters in a tiny place like this. Come on, then. Let's see what you can do." At the same time, a black spear appeared in his hand, and two yellow Soul Rings surfaced around him.

The two stepped onto the club's arena. At the referee's command, the battle began.

Li Tieniu roared and stomped down hard. Like an enraged bull, he charged at the boy! Every step he took made the arena tremble dully, displaying his astonishing weight and strength.

When he closed in, Li Tieniu swung his heavy axe. A powerful Mountain-Splitting Strike came crashing down toward the boy's head with howling wind!

This axe strike carried terrifying force!

Yet in the face of that Thunderous Might, the boy merely narrowed his eyes slightly.

At the instant the axe blade was about to fall, his figure swayed, and he slid half a step to the left like a phantom, narrowly evading the blade's direct edge. The axe grazed his clothes and struck the arena, carving a deep crack into it as fragments of stone flew everywhere!

"He dodged it?!" Li Tieniu's heart tightened, but his move had already been fully committed. He had no time to change techniques.

Taking advantage of the moment when Li Tieniu's old strength was spent and his new strength had yet to rise, the boy flipped his wrist. The black spear shot out like a venomous snake, stabbing straight for Li Tieniu's ribs!

Li Tieniu was a Soul Elder after all, with some combat experience. He remained calm in danger and forcibly twisted his body, bringing his heavy axe across his front—

Clang!

The spear tip struck the axe's surface with a crisp metallic ring. Li Tieniu felt a sharp force travel through the axe, making the web between his thumb and forefinger go slightly numb.

"As expected of a Shrek student. You've got some strength!" Li Tieniu praised, but his hands did not pause for even a moment. Borrowing the recoil from that stab, he spun with the motion, swinging his heavy axe in a full circle and unleashing a Whirlwind Slash aimed at the boy's waist!

The move flowed seamlessly from the last, clearly a technique he had practiced for many years.

The Soul Masters below the stage cheered. "Good! Let's see how that brat dodges Brother Li's Whirlwind Slash!"

But the boy remained unhurried. With a light tap of his toes, he drifted backward several feet, allowing the sweeping axe blade to pass right by the tip of his nose. Then he flicked his spear, and the tip transformed into countless cold flashes that blanketed Li Tieniu's upper body like a sky full of stars!

The attack was fast and dense. Li Tieniu saw nothing but spear shadows before him and could not distinguish illusion from reality. He could only whirl his heavy axe into a mass of dark light, protecting his vital points—

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

A rapid series of impacts rang out, like a blacksmith hammering metal. Li Tieniu was forced back again and again, both hands gripping the axe handle trembling slightly as blood seeped from the webs of his hands.

"What? You can't hold on already?" The boy's spear slowed slightly, and a mocking smile appeared on his lips. "I haven't even used my full strength yet."

"Cut the crap!" Li Tieniu roared. His third Soul Ring suddenly lit up!

"Third Soul Skill—Giant Axe Mountain Splitter!"

The heavy axe in his hand abruptly expanded in size. A solid layer of earthy yellow light condensed over its blade as it came smashing down toward the boy with a force that seemed capable of splitting mountains and rocks apart!

This was his ultimate trump card!

The Soul Masters below the stage held their breath, hoping this axe strike would end the battle.

However—

Faced with that earthshaking blow, the boy merely sighed softly.

"Too slow." His first and second Soul Rings lit up as he unleashed two Soul Skills, one boosting speed and the other strength. His figure suddenly vanished from where he stood!

Li Tieniu's axe struck empty air, and his excessive force made him stagger forward a step. He inwardly cursed as he prepared to turn and defend, only to feel a sharp pain explode across his back—

At some point, the boy had appeared behind him. The spear swept horizontally, smashing viciously into his spine!

Li Tieniu let out a muffled groan and pitched forward. A searing pain shot through his lower back, and he felt as though he had been struck by the tail of a giant python. He was flung away and crashed heavily against the edge of the arena before bouncing onto the ground. He struggled to rise, but his chest churned violently. With a "puh," he spat out blood and could no longer stand.

The boy had struck viciously. If Li Tieniu had not been a power-attack Soul Elder with a sturdy constitution, his spine might have been snapped outright, leaving him bedridden and paralyzed for life. Even though it had not broken, Li Tieniu would probably be confined to a bed for half a year.

Seeing this, Xiao Cheng's expression darkened, and anger rose in him. It was not because his sympathy had suddenly overflowed, but because the sight reminded him of something unpleasant. Leng Yaozhu noticed his expression and seemed to understand something.

From beginning to end, the battle had lasted only two or three minutes.

The entire venue fell silent.

The boy withdrew his spear and stood upright, patting dust from his hands even though there was none. He curled his lips. "That's all?"

The club's Soul Masters looked livid, but no one dared step forward again. Li Tieniu had thirty-eighth-level Soul Power and was already the strongest person their club could hire.

Just then—

"Let me take you on."

A clear voice rang out.

Everyone looked toward the source and saw a red-haired girl step out from the crowd. It was Leng Yaozhu.

Xiao Cheng had originally intended to make a move, but Leng Yaozhu had beaten him to it.

When the boy saw Leng Yaozhu, he paused slightly before grinning. "Oh? A pretty little girl. What, you want to fight me too?"

"Enough nonsense. Get on the stage." Leng Yaozhu strode onto the arena. With Martial Soul Possession, the Heavenly Phoenix emerged, a pair of phoenix wings spreading from her back as two purple thousand-year Soul Rings circled around her. She did not rush to attack. Instead, she slowly raised her right hand.

A crimson glow gathered in her palm, forming an exquisitely designed longsword.

The sword was roughly three feet and two inches long. Its blade was a magnificent crimson, as though it had been forged from tempered phoenix feathers. Fine flame patterns flowed across the blade like the texture of phoenix plumage, every line radiating scorching heat.

A phoenix poised to take flight was carved into the guard, its beak clasping the blade. A crimson gemstone was embedded where its eye would be, gleaming with soul-stirring light. Golden-red threads wrapped around the hilt, making it exceptionally comfortable to grip. The entire sword radiated a noble and blazing aura.

It was her Soul Bone Skill—Phoenix Feather!

Leng Yaozhu's Martial Soul Possession and the two thousand-year Soul Rings she revealed immediately stunned the surrounding spectators. They had not expected another expert to be present.

Upon seeing the sword, the boy's pupils contracted slightly. Though young, he had good judgment. The blazing aura rushing toward him made the Soul Power within his body feel faintly sluggish.

"This is... a weapon-type Soul Skill?" The boy narrowed his eyes, his tone becoming more serious. "Which faction are you from?"

"Take a guess." Leng Yaozhu smiled faintly and flicked her wrist. Phoenix Feather traced a dazzling arc beneath the sunlight. "Are you ready? I'm attacking now."

The next moment, her second Soul Ring lit up. Her phoenix wings beat behind her, accelerating her as her figure abruptly vanished!

The boy's pupils shrank sharply. Instinctively, he raised his spear across his body—

Clang—!!!

A piercing metallic clash rang out as sparks scattered everywhere!

The boy felt a tremendous force travel through the spear shaft, numbing both arms and sending agonizing pain through his hands. His body slid backward uncontrollably for several meters, his feet plowing two deep trenches through the arena before he barely managed to stabilize himself and prepare a counterattack.

But Leng Yaozhu gave him no chance to catch his breath.

Her figure appeared at the boy's side once more like a phantom. Phoenix Feather swept down diagonally, trailing a scorching crimson streak!

The boy raised his spear to block again—

Clang!

Another thunderous impact rang out. The boy was jolted down onto one knee, which smashed heavily into the arena and cracked its surface!

"How is this possible..." The boy clenched his teeth, disbelief filling his eyes. He could sense that Leng Yaozhu's cultivation was clearly two levels lower than his, yet her strength was on an entirely different level! Worse still, each collision allowed a thread of scorching flame energy attached to Phoenix Feather to seep into his body, disrupting the circulation of his Soul Power and making him feel miserable inside!

Leng Yaozhu's assault did not stop. She lowered her body, and Phoenix Feather became a crimson arc as it chopped down once more!

This sword strike was as swift as a shooting star and as forceful as thunder!

Crack—!!!

A crisp sound rang out!

That high-quality spear snapped cleanly beneath Phoenix Feather's slash!

The boy's hand suddenly went light, and inertia made him stagger forward a step. His eyes were filled with horror!

He had never imagined that his spear Martial Soul would be forcibly severed by the other party's sword!

Yet Leng Yaozhu did not pursue the advantage. She merely sheathed her momentum and stood with Phoenix Feather angled toward the ground, the flame patterns along its blade slowly flowing as it radiated a noble, blazing aura.

"You're nothing special either. You only come to small places to bully people. Is bullying the weak all Shrek taught you?" she said flatly.

After hearing Leng Yaozhu's mockery, the boy, whose face had already gone pale from the backlash caused by his damaged Martial Soul, instantly turned red-eyed. He panted like a bull. "How dare you insult Shrek!" But no one paid him any attention.

The club's Soul Masters erupted into cheers!

"Good!"

"That little girl is amazing!"

"Someone finally taught that arrogant brat a lesson!"

The boy struggled to his feet, ignoring the dust on his clothes. He looked coldly at Leng Yaozhu and asked, "Do you dare leave your name? You dared insult my Shrek. One day, Shrek Academy students will settle this with you."

"I despise you, not Shrek. But if everyone in Shrek is like you, then I suppose you're right." Leng Yaozhu replied sarcastically, somewhat speechless. "As for my name, you'll see it on the Continent Wind and Cloud Ranking someday."

"Hmph. I'll remember you." The boy's face alternated between red and white. In the end, he could only snort coldly and leave without looking back.

Xiao Cheng walked to Leng Yaozhu's side and gave her a thumbs-up. "Yaozhu, that was beautifully done!"

"Of course!" Leng Yaozhu proudly raised her chin. "Who do you think I am?"

Leng Yulai also walked over, her little face full of admiration. "Big Sister is amazing!"

"Just a small matter." Leng Yaozhu waved her hand, though she could not hide the pride in her eyes. "Besides, I was venting Xiao Cheng's anger too."

"Venting Xiao Cheng's anger?" Leng Yulai looked at Xiao Cheng in confusion.

Xiao Cheng was also somewhat surprised. He guessed that Leng Yaozhu had picked up on something from his earlier expression. No wonder Yaozhu went so hard. Severing that guy's Martial Soul will cause him quite a severe backlash.

Without concealing it any longer, Xiao Cheng slowly explained why he had been angered earlier.