Nine Wonders (II)

True Meaning Tree?

Sword Intent made up roughly one-fifth of the total?

Ning Rongrong thought of a fact she was unwilling to admit—one that sounded utterly preposterous. Her glazed pupils trembled uncontrollably. "Wait, when you say True Meaning and Sword Intent, do you mean the True Meaning and Sword Intent I'm thinking of?"

Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened as well.

Sword Intent was uncommon, but it wasn't rare.

Nearly every Titled Douluo with a sword-type Weapon Spirit could comprehend Sword Intent.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was a typical example.

Spirit Hall had collected books from all over the world.

Naturally, it had descriptions of Sword Intent.

And it was an extremely lengthy description.

But when it came to seeing it with his own eyes, he truly had never done so.

In that regard, Ning Rongrong, who had been pampered by Chen Xin, was stronger than Yu Xiaogang. As the saying went, knowledge gained from books was ultimately shallow; one had to experience things personally to truly understand them. Yu Xiaogang had never even seen Sword Intent. Even if he could recite Spirit Hall's research findings word for word, how much real substance could he possess?

However, when compared with Flender and the others, who knew nothing at all, Yu Xiaogang's half-understanding instantly made him seem like a learned man!

The logic was simple: differences only appeared through comparison!

To show off his knowledge and prove his own worth, Yu Xiaogang looked proudly at the confused Flender and the others. He put on a modest expression, but his tone, overflowing with the desire to perform, had already betrayed his thoughts. "Sword Intent is a spiritual power that only Titled Douluo can comprehend. However, not every Titled Douluo can comprehend it. Among all Titled Douluo, those with sword-type Weapon Spirits have the highest chance of comprehending Sword Intent. According to the results of investigations and research, Sword Intent is the key to unlocking the Sword Domain. A Titled Douluo who comprehends Sword Intent is not only unstoppable in battle and supreme among those of the same rank; if they unlock the Sword Domain and master a domain of their own, they can even use rank-ninety Soul Power to defeat some rank-ninety-five Super Douluo without domains. Sword Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, for example, is a Titled Douluo who possesses Sword Intent. He is also a rank-ninety-six Super Douluo, a powerhouse standing at the peak of the continent!"

Ning Rongrong modestly waved her hands.

Yu Xiaogang had exaggerated far too much.

If she hadn't known that Yu Xiaogang had poor social awareness, she might have mistakenly thought he was trying to flatter her to death.

Moreover, in front of Ye Qingcang, even the precious Sword Intent was nothing worth mentioning. Hadn't Ye Qingcang said there were more than twenty kinds of Sword Intent here?

More than twenty kinds of Sword Intent!

Suddenly, Sword Intent felt worthless...

Not to mention that what Yu Xiaogang had said wasn't entirely correct.

However, before Ning Rongrong could fill in the errors in Yu Xiaogang's explanation, Zhu Zhuqing's astonished voice had already drawn everyone's attention.

Including Ning Rongrong's.

"Look..." Since Ye Qingcang had already walked some distance along the Flower Path, the Shrek group following behind him had also gradually stepped onto it. While Yu Xiaogang was showing off his knowledge, the usually quiet Zhu Zhuqing keenly noticed something strange on the tree trunk. Pointing at the writing, she called the others over. "There are words left by someone else here!"

"Qin Shizi, left this behind."

"Abyssal Serpent Sword Intent."

"Upon reaching sixteen years of age, after perfecting the Tendons and Bones Chapter, I hunted a Whale Shark outside Vast Sea City. By chance, I encountered a 10,000 Year Nether Water Black Serpent and comprehended the Dao while watching it transform into an Abyssal Serpent. I fought it thirteen times in total. On the day I advanced from rank thirty-eight to rank forty, I took one 20,000-year Spirit Ring and one 20,000-year Soul Bone from it and fused them into my body, becoming a Soul Ancestor. I absorbed the meaning of the serpent transforming into an Abyssal Serpent and created the Abyssal Serpent Sword Intent. It is strange and ever-changing, skilled at using technique to overcome force and skill to break momentum."

"Credits required for one comprehension: 100."

The Shrek group surrounded the pitch-black Dragon Blood Tree and exchanged glances.

Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao appeared.

They had just been discussing Sword Intent.

Now, Sword Intent was displayed right before their eyes.

But wasn't the introduction to this Sword Intent a little too exaggerated?

Reaching sixteen years of age and perfecting the Tendons and Bones Chapter—that part could be set aside. They had never practiced the Tendons and Bones Chapter, so they didn't know whether it was easy to cultivate.

Encountering a 10,000 Year Nether Water Black Serpent by chance—that sort of thing was also common in the world of Soul Masters. There were more sea Soul Beasts than land Soul Beasts, and they were fiercer by nature. Even in the Star Dou Great Forest, one could occasionally encounter a 10,000 Year Soul Beast wandering around. Encountering a 10,000 Year Nether Water Black Serpent at sea was perfectly normal.

But the next few sentences were rather strange!

Fighting it thirteen times, then killing it and taking its Spirit Ring and Soul Bone on the day he advanced from rank thirty-eight to rank forty, absorbing them into his body, becoming a Soul Ancestor, and conveniently incorporating the serpent's transformation into an Abyssal Serpent to create Abyssal Serpent Sword Intent?

Let's set aside the part about creating Abyssal Serpent Sword Intent.

There were always some geniuses whom ordinary people couldn't understand.

He had great comprehension. There was nothing to be done about that.

But how had he used rank-thirty-eight Soul Power to fight the Nether Water Black Serpent thirteen times, then killed it at rank forty, after it had successfully transformed into an Abyssal Serpent, and absorbed its Spirit Ring and Soul Bone?

A 20,000-year Nether Water Black Serpent had strength at sea equivalent to a 30,000-year Mandala Snake on land. A 30,000-year Mandala Snake was comparable to a human Soul Emperor, a 50,000-year Mandala Snake to a human Soul Saint, and a 70,000-year Mandala Snake to a human Soul Douluo. A Mandala Snake King over 100,000 years old was comparable to a human Titled Douluo. A normal rank-forty Soul Ancestor could only deal with Soul Beasts under 10,000 years old. So how had he managed, while still a Quasi Soul Ancestor without a Spirit Ring, to kill the Abyssal Serpent at sea?

Moreover, if it had been an Abyssal Serpent, its value would be even higher!

A 20,000-year Abyssal Serpent's strength in the sea was almost equivalent to that of a 50,000-year Mandala Snake. Even an ordinary Soul Saint couldn't deal with it!

How had he killed it with three Soul Skills?

Or was Stellar Martial Arts simply so powerful that a rank-forty Soul Master who had perfected the Tendons and Bones Chapter could kill a 20,000-year Abyssal Serpent?

On top of that, he had absorbed its Spirit Ring?

According to the optimal Spirit Ring configuration proposed by Yu Xiaogang, a Soul Master's first Spirit Ring should be 423 years old, the second 764 years, the third 1,760 years, the fourth around 5,000 years, and the fifth 12,000 years. Only the sixth Spirit Ring should be 20,000 years old. Even if a Soul Bone had strengthened his physique, how could a Quasi Soul Ancestor absorb a 20,000-year Spirit Ring for his fourth ring?

Wasn't he afraid of exploding?

Yu Xiaogang's head buzzed.

It was as if he had been struck by a giant hammer.

Years of knowledge were smashed to pieces by that single blow.

The entire world seemed to vanish from his perception. Only that glaring line of writing on the tree trunk remained, along with an empty echo.

It wasn't until Tang San and Flender's worried voices broke into his world that he shuddered.

He came to his senses as if awakening from a dream, dizzy and light-headed.

He instinctively raised a hand to support his forehead.

For a moment, he couldn't stop himself from feeling dazed.

Only then did he find himself again beneath the scorching sunlight.

When he raised his eyes and looked around, the Shrek group had already split into three sections.

Flender, Tang San, and Ma Hongjun were in front of him.

They were looking at him worriedly.

Qin Ming, Dai Mubai, Shao Xin, and the others weren't far away.

They walked while looking around and weren't in a hurry.

Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Oscar had gone much farther.

They showed no intention of lingering. Instead, they were absorbed in the various stories on the True Meaning Trees.

At the farthest point, standing at the end of the Flower Path, was Ye Qingcang, who had stopped walking. He said nothing, yet seemed to have said everything. Even without deliberately displaying his strength, he remained powerful enough to inspire awe.

More than a hundred students possessed True Meaning.

Yet he alone had them utterly subdued.

This natural ability to command was something Tang San lacked.

But precisely because of that, they had to join Blue Tyrant Academy!

Otherwise, he would forever remain a useless person in the eyes of others!

The world might remember second place, but the light of second place would certainly be eclipsed by first place!

Yu Xiaogang estimated the distance between himself and Ye Qingcang. After confirming that it was no less than seven or eight kilometers, he solemnly looked at Tang San, Flender, and Ma Hongjun. Although he knew that even with excellent hearing Ye Qingcang couldn't hear his voice from seven or eight kilometers away, he still lowered his voice as a precaution. "The conflict between Little San and Spirit Hall can never be resolved. Now that Xiao Wu's true identity is also a 100,000-Year Transformed Spirit Beast, the only way to stay alive is to join Blue Tyrant Academy. With the current strength of the little monsters, even Little San, who possesses Twin Spirits, might not pass Blue Tyrant Academy's entrance examination. Flender, I was thinking... why don't you go ask Er Long for a favor?"

Flender was completely dumbfounded.

He pointed at Yu Xiaogang, then at himself.

The meaning was obvious.

Yu Xiaogang understood what Flender meant. He forced out a helpless, bitter smile. Although it was feigned, it looked flawless. "I can't go. The misunderstanding from back then has already grown too deep. If I went to see Er Long now, she should be willing to make an exception for me, but doing so would also put her in a difficult position. You're the most suitable person to go. Besides, you're still the dean of Shrek Academy. Unlike me, I'm nothing..."

Others might not see through Yu Xiaogang's disguise, but could Flender, who had long held grievances against him, fail to see through it?

With a cold laugh, he exposed Yu Xiaogang's thoughts. "My view is the exact opposite of yours. You can go see Er Long, but I can't. You'd be going to see Er Long in a personal capacity, while I'd be representing Shrek Academy. Besides, you know perfectly well that Er Long likes you. If she won't even give you face, then my visit would have no result either. In my opinion, we shouldn't have come to Blue Tyrant Academy in the first place. The moment we learned on the carriage that its dean was Er Long, we should have bid farewell when we got off. We've already become a huge burden. You say that going to see Er Long would put her in a difficult position, but why haven't you considered that your insistence on coming to Blue Tyrant Academy has already put Er Long in a difficult position?"

"Then tell me, what am I supposed to do?" Yu Xiaogang was becoming anxious as well. There was no outsider here. Tang San was his disciple, and Ma Hongjun was Flender's disciple, so he laid everything out in the open.

"Do you have the courage to break up the Shrek Seven Devils?"

"We can't protect Xiao Wu. Do you understand?"

"Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing are already troublesome enough. Little San's identity is so sensitive as well. Ye Qingcang only needs to write a report exposing the fact that Little San is the son of Hao Tian Douluo and send it to Spirit Hall. Xiao Wu will fall into their hands and become his 100,000-Year Spirit Ring."

"What about reason?"

"Justice?"

"The Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire is his friend!"

"Do you still not understand?"

"Those two are already in the same boat!"

"Other than Blue Tyrant Academy, other than Er Long, who else can keep us safe and sound?"

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

"Don't joke around. The allure of one 100,000-Year Spirit Ring and one 100,000-Year Soul Bone is something even a Titled Douluo can't resist. Do you think Ning Rongrong is some saint who can restrain her own desires?"

"Do you know what one 100,000-Year Spirit Ring and one 100,000-Year Soul Bone mean to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

"It means the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can gain a completely loyal Titled Douluo!"

"None of us can rely on anyone else!"

"We can only rely on Blue Tyrant Academy!"

"Have you considered all this, Flender?"

Yu Xiaogang's barrage of questions left Flender speechless.

Tang San tried to speak twice.

He wanted to explain that he truly hadn't regarded Xiao Wu as a Spirit Ring.

He wanted to explain that Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu had a close relationship and wouldn't betray her.

But Yu Xiaogang's rapid-fire questioning of Flender forced the words back down his throat.

"It still can't be like this..." After a moment of silence, Flender looked at Yu Xiaogang in disappointment. "We're indeed carrying a pile of enormous troubles on our backs. But if we join Blue Tyrant Academy, we won't have any troubles on us anymore—the troubles will all be transferred to Er Long and Blue Tyrant Academy. We should think about how to resolve these troubles. For example, we could have Er Long speak with Ye Qingcang, and have Ye Qingcang speak with Xue Qinghe. Then the matter of Xiao Wu being a 100,000-Year Soul Beast transformed into human form could remain buried in everyone's stomachs. Also, although Ning Rongrong has a bit of a young-lady temper, she isn't a bad person. As long as we speak with her properly, I'm confident we can conceal this from Ning Fengzhi. As for the troubles surrounding Little San, Mubai, Zhuqing, and the others, I also have ways to resolve them one by one. Xiaogang, we're men. We can be selfish, but we can't be too selfish, nor can we always think about relying on others!"

"My mind is made up!" Yu Xiaogang listened quietly to everything Flender said. Just when Flender thought he had persuaded Yu Xiaogang, Yu Xiaogang decisively cut off his path and dealt him a silent slap in the face. "You can disagree, but I can still go ask Er Long for a favor!"

"You—you—you..." Flender pointed at Yu Xiaogang's nose, too angry to speak. Looking at Yu Xiaogang's expression of someone who had no fear of boiling water, he flung his hand angrily and turned to walk ahead. "Xiaogang, you've changed. You weren't like this before!"

Ma Hongjun looked at Yu Xiaogang, then at Tang San.

Then he looked at Flender's rapidly retreating back.

After standing there blankly for a moment, he jogged after Flender.

Tang San, meanwhile, remained where he was with Yu Xiaogang.

Seeing the disappointment in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, he quietly developed some opinions about Flender as well.

"That was quite a quarrel."

At the end of the Flower Path, Ye Qingcang put away the Jade Seal Machine.

The Jade Seal Machine was an imitation of a mobile phone.

It had recording and photography functions.

He looked back at the Shrek group, which had split into four batches, and lowered his eyes slightly. "With this, the final part of the trap is complete. The best way to destroy an illusion has never been to slander it, but to let that beautiful illusion come into contact with ugly reality. Once the two successfully connect, ugly reality will inevitably shatter the beautified illusion, and the beautified illusion will turn into wastepaper, allowing the flames of ugliness that people cannot endure to burn everything to ashes..."