Xuan Zi gnawed on the chicken leg in his hand as casually as ever.
He was a rank ninety-eight Super Douluo, one of the continent's foremost existences. Mere spiritual interference and domain suppression had almost no effect on him.
But Zhang Lexuan was completely different.
She had just finished a grueling battle. Her Soul Power had yet to stabilize, and her emotions were already in turmoil.
The moment the Heartbroken Red Domain spread out, an invisible emotional shockwave instantly blanketed the surroundings. The Soul Power gradually recovering within her became chaotic and restless, and her face turned extremely ugly.
Even more dangerous was her state of mind. Love, hatred, affection, and resentment were forcibly tugged at and magnified by the domain.
She could still break free with ease at first, but the longer it went on, the deeper she sank... until she was completely trapped within it.
Her face alternated between red and pale, making her look utterly miserable.
Xuan Zi could not help but laugh. He was both shocked and delighted.
What shocked him was how domineering this domain was—so powerful that even Zhang Lexuan, a six-ringed Soul Emperor, could not withstand it. What delighted him was that he had taken in such a monstrously talented final disciple.
He waved a hand and urged him aloud.
"Enough, enough. Hurry up and withdraw it."
Just as Zhang Lexuan remained completely unaware, the chaotic emotions surging within her heart were quietly drawn away and soothed by Yue Ling's second martial soul, falling silent in an instant.
Yue Ling obediently complied. He let out a breath of relief, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and immediately withdrew the domain.
As soon as the domain vanished, his legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.
The domain looked terrifying, but its consumption was even more frightening. His spiritual power was nearly drained, and his Soul Power had not fully recovered either. He simply could not sustain it for long.
Beside him, Zhang Lexuan hurriedly closed her eyes and meditated, forcibly suppressing the restless Soul Power and turbulent emotions within her.
Only after resting for quite a while did their conditions stabilize somewhat. Yue Ling sighed softly, looked at Xuan Zi and Zhang Lexuan before him, and honestly revealed the weakness of his martial soul.
"My second martial soul has a serious flaw."
Zhang Lexuan, who had just finished meditating, and Xuan Zi, who had been watching the show nearby, both turned to look at him with curiosity.
"What flaw?"
Yue Ling pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.
"The deeper one's love, hatred, and obsessions, the stronger the Lovesick Heartbreak Red becomes. But if I become pure-hearted and free of desire, this martial soul will gradually fall dormant until I can no longer summon it at all."
"The domain is the same. The deeper the obsession and the greater the emotional fluctuations, the stronger the domain."
"That is why I have always prioritized cultivating my first martial soul and have not deliberately developed my second."
Zhang Lexuan fell silent for a long time after hearing this, her eyes filled with shock.
Xuan Zi clicked his tongue in amazement and could not help sighing.
"There is actually such a martial soul in this world? Truly unheard of. How extraordinary!"
After a brief silence, Zhang Lexuan cupped her hands toward Xuan Zi.
"Congratulations, Elder Xuan, on taking in such an exceptionally talented final disciple."
"Haha! Of course!"
Xuan Zi laughed smugly, then waved a hand with the air of someone ready to wash his hands of responsibility.
"I've taken in such a fine disciple. When this old man isn't around, I'll have to trouble you to watch over the boy. I'm very busy on ordinary days!"
Zhang Lexuan's mouth twitched, and she shot him an irritated glare.
Who took in a disciple only to immediately leave them unattended? Only Xuan Zi could do something like that.
She had originally planned to return the Thousand-Year Spirit Bone she had picked up earlier to Yue Ling, but seeing that he did not even have a storage Soul Tool, she decided against it for the moment. She planned to find an opportunity to give it to him after they returned to Shrek Academy.
After a brief rest, Xuan Zi glanced at the Sun Flower standing quietly in the distance and casually asked,
"Kid, do you still want this Sun Flower? Its age is suitable, and it can serve as your second Spirit Ring."
Yue Ling shook his head without hesitation.
"Master, it doesn't suit me. I follow a pure assault path. I need a metal-element Soul Beast, or one that can greatly increase combat power. Soul Beasts of the support type aren't very useful to me."
"Assault?" Xuan Zi paused slightly. "With your talent for domains, taking the Control Type path would clearly be safer and more advantageous."
"I won't take the Control Type path!"
Yue Ling clenched his fists, his gaze incomparably resolute.
"I want every petal of my Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum to become a blade for killing enemies! I want it to specifically slaughter all Evil Soul Masters beneath heaven!"
Seeing the tenacity and fierce spirit in his eyes, Xuan Zi immediately smiled and nodded in approval.
"Good boy. You've got ambition!"
Yue Ling straightened his chest, full of confidence.
"The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum that Village Chief Grandpa gave me had already transformed my physique long ago. My physical body is fully capable of withstanding the tempering impact of a Thousand-Year Spirit Ring. Master can examine me personally to verify it."
Xuan Zi became interested. He stepped forward, and a faint sweep of Soul Power passed across Yue Ling's entire body.
A moment later, surprise appeared on his face, and he exclaimed repeatedly.
"Oh, it's true! Your physique far surpasses that of an ordinary Soul Grandmaster. Your foundation is solid, and your resilience is extremely strong. You absolutely have what it takes to bear a Thousand-Year Spirit Ring! Let's go! We'll head deeper in. Today, we must choose the most suitable Thousand-Year Soul Beast for you!"
"Thank you, Master!"
Yue Ling's heart was filled with gratitude.
He knew very well that if Xuan Zi and Zhang Lexuan had not rescued him in time, he would have perished in the Star Dou Great Forest long ago—either becoming nourishment for Evil Soul Masters or ending up in the belly of a Soul Beast.
Meeting these two people had been the greatest opportunity for him to turn the tables in the depths of despair.
The lingering despair in his heart completely vanished, replaced by boundless hope.
Xuan Zi did not waste any time. As usual, he lifted Yue Ling one-handed like a chick, brought Zhang Lexuan along, and raced straight toward the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest.
The three wandered through the outer region for an entire day, yet never encountered a Thousand-Year assault-type Soul Beast suitable for Yue Ling.
Bored along the way, Xuan Zi could not be bothered to talk much. He directly had Zhang Lexuan explain Shrek's school rules and academy regulations to Yue Ling.
Zhang Lexuan was patient and meticulous, explaining everything to him bit by bit.
Shrek's admission requirements were now extremely strict, completely different from the original Shrek in Yue Ling's memories.
The mandatory admission requirements were: under twelve years old, Soul Power above rank fifteen, and freedom to choose between the Martial Soul Department and the Spirit Guidance Department.
The Shrek Outer Court had a uniform six-year program. Only after passing the graduation assessment after six years would students qualify to participate in the fiercely competitive Shrek Inner Court selection. Those who entered the inner court were the top group of geniuses from each class.
However, geniuses had exceptions. With special approval from an elder of Sea God Pavilion, one could take the inner court assessment early and be promoted exceptionally.
Even Xuan Zi's disciple had no special privileges. If he slacked off in the outer court and neglected his cultivation, he would still be expelled directly, without any favoritism.
As for Shrek's unchanging school rule: those who dared not cause trouble were mediocre.
But the bottom line was equally strict: harming fellow students without cause was forbidden. Anyone who severely injured another in a private fight would be heavily punished and expelled outright.
Yue Ling listened and secretly sighed to himself. As expected, on Douluo Continent, strength was ultimately supreme.
Xuan Zi took a swig of wine, smacked his lips, and spoke.
"The outer region is full of low-grade stuff. There aren't any good Soul Beasts here. We'll go to the Mixed Zone. The Soul Beasts there are older and of better quality."
Zhang Lexuan and Yue Ling both nodded.
At that moment, Yue Ling was filthy and disheveled, looking utterly bedraggled. He only wanted to settle on a suitable Soul Beast as soon as possible and end this forest trial.
Xuan Zi grabbed Yue Ling, flashed forward, and sped into the depths of the dense forest with Zhang Lexuan.
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