Sparks Flying, Chaos Erupting in the Inner Court

Chen Xuan looked at the little girl before him and smiled. "Of course they can. Your parents and your grandfather can all move to Shrek City.

If you want to go home in the future, it'll only be a few steps away.

And if they don't want to move, you can go back to Azure Mist City to visit them. With this old man here, no one can stop you."

Zhang Lexuan's eyes slowly lit up.

She bit her lip and finally nodded heavily. "I'm willing!"

Chen Xuan burst into laughter and gently patted the top of her head. "Good! From this day onward, you, Zhang Lexuan, are the only personal disciple of me, Xuanzi!"

Everyone present broke into happy smiles.

Lu Yun stood to the side, grinning even more happily than the Zhang Family.

Chen Xuan returned to the seat of honor, clearly in an excellent mood. "Since you've agreed, this old man will hold a lively discipleship ceremony when the time comes.

Let's set it for a month from now."

He turned to Lu Yun. "Little Yun, you must come then."

Lu Yun hurriedly nodded. "You're taking in a disciple, Elder Xuan. Of course I'll be there."

Chen Xuan added with a smile, "Not just that. That'll surely be Shrek's happiest time.

Put aside your pride and go beg Elder Song. I'll mediate a little as well, and she'll definitely teach you some real skills.

She might even take you as her disciple directly."

Lu Yun was stunned at first, then his whole face flushed red.

"Elder Song? You mean Green Shadow Douluo Song Yunzhi, Elder Song?"

"Who else could it be?

That Wind Spirit Crane of yours follows the agility-attack path. If she gives you a little guidance, it'll be better than ten years of blind hard training.

But that old woman has quite a temper, so you'll have to wear her down."

Lu Yun rubbed his hands excitedly. "This junior will go! Forget begging—I'll kneel if I have to!"

Chen Xuan laughed loudly. "Promising. With that shamelessness of yours, the matter is already half done."

The whole hall burst into laughter.

Zhang Lexuan did not understand any of this. She merely tilted up her little face and looked at her newly acknowledged master, feeling that he was both formidable and a little improper.

Chen Xuan lowered his head to look at Zhang Lexuan again, his tone softening. "How many days until your birthday?"

Zhang Lexuan timidly held out two fingers. "Two days."

"Oh, two days." Chen Xuan nodded. "Perfect. We'll celebrate your birthday first, then set off for Shrek."

As he spoke, he turned to Lu Yun. "Lu Yun, personally send word to Yan Shaozhe. Tell him this old man is taking in a personal disciple.

Have him prepare a batch of invitations and send them to the original three great empires and the major sects.

Send one to the Sun Moon Empire Imperial Soul Engineer Academy as well."

Lu Yun immediately cupped his fists. "Rest assured, Elder Xuan. I'll make sure the message reaches him."

Zhang Lexuan stood in the hall, listening as Chen Xuan arranged the forces of the entire continent in just a few words.

She was merely a girl from little Azure Mist City. When had she ever seen such a scene?

The three great empires, the Sun Moon Empire, the major sects—every one of them sounded like something from a legend.

Yet now, those legends had somehow become connected to her.

She could not help tugging at Chen Xuan's sleeve and asking softly, "Master... a month from now, will I have to kowtow to you in front of lots of people?"

Chen Xuan laughed heartily. "What, are you scared?"

"Of course not." Zhang Lexuan raised her little face. "I'm just afraid I won't do well and will embarrass you."

Chen Xuan's heart softened. He reached out and rubbed the top of her head. "You're this old man's personal disciple. No one would dare say you aren't good enough.

When the time comes, just stand by this old man's side and keep your back straight.

If the sky falls, your master will hold it up for you."

Zhang Lexuan nodded heavily, though her eyes quietly reddened.

Zhang Yuanshan was overcome with emotion as well. He rose unsteadily and bowed deeply to Chen Xuan. "Elder Xuan, the Zhang Family can never repay such great kindness!"

Chen Xuan helped him up. "Old Mister Zhang, there's no need for this. Lexuan is a good child. This is her own fortune.

From now on, the Zhang Family and Shrek are one family.

Prepare for the move with peace of mind. This old man has already had a place selected in Shrek City. Once the discipleship ceremony is over, your whole family can move there."

Tears streamed down Zhang Yuanshan's face as he repeatedly said yes.

Lu Yun watched from the side, feeling a few emotions stir within him as well.

"Zhang Lexuan, Zhang Lexuan, do you know that with this bow today, you've stepped directly into the most eminent household on the entire continent?"

Chen Xuan stood and straightened his robe. "All right, the important matters are settled. We'll leave it at that for today.

We'll celebrate Lexuan's birthday over the next two days. Once we return to Shrek, that will be the real excitement."

Zhang Yuanshan hurriedly invited them to stay for a meal. Chen Xuan did not stand on ceremony and had an exceptionally lavish lunch at the Zhang Family.

During the meal, Zhang Lexuan sat beside him, taking small bites of rice and occasionally sneaking glances at him.

Chen Xuan placed a chicken leg in her bowl. "Eat more. Once you start cultivating with this old man, your days won't be this leisurely."

Zhang Lexuan gave an "Mm" and obediently ate the chicken leg.

After lunch, Chen Xuan took Lu Yun and said his farewells.

Zhang Yuanshan led the entire family to see them off at the entrance. Only after the two had gone far away did he straighten up.

"Heaven has blessed my Zhang Family. Heaven has blessed my Zhang Family..." He looked at Chen Xuan's retreating figure, his voice choked with emotion.

Chen Xuan and Lu Yun walked back toward the guest residence, both in excellent spirits.

"Little Yun," Chen Xuan suddenly said.

"Yes, Elder Xuan?"

"Tell me, how far do you think this old man's disciple can go?"

Lu Yun considered it seriously before answering, "With Miss Lexuan's talent, along with your personal guidance, she'll at least become a Super Douluo in the future.

If she encounters the right opportunity, becoming a Limit Douluo is not impossible."

Chen Xuan smiled. "A Super Douluo is nowhere near enough. In the future, she will be the one carrying the entirety of Shrek."

Lu Yun's heart trembled. He immediately nodded heavily. "This junior believes in Elder Xuan's judgment."

Chen Xuan said nothing more and merely looked up at the drifting clouds on the horizon.

News of Chen Xuan taking in a disciple reached Shrek that very night.

Lu Yun's message traveled extremely quickly, using a communication Soul Tool exclusive to the southern border of the Heaven Dou Empire.

After passing through several relays, the message was placed on the desk of the Sea God Pavilion in less than two hours.

And Shrek Academy was quite lively at the time as well.

Flames shot into the sky, sparks flew everywhere, and even the Sea God Pavilion could hear the explosions.

The Soul Tool testing grounds at the northeastern corner of the Outer Court had become the hardest-hit area.

Explosions rang out one after another as thick smoke billowed into the air.

From time to time, Inner Court disciples ran out covered in soot, their hair singed and curled, their clothes tattered, black smoke still pouring from their mouths.

"It exploded! It exploded again! Hahaha! Hahahaha!"

"Waaah, my defensive Soul Tool! It took me half a month to make it!"

"I'm dying laughing. You call that a defensive Soul Tool? That piece of junk can't even withstand one Level Two Soul Tool shell. Hurry home and tend cattle."

"Get lost. You've got the nerve to talk when all you made were those little firecrackers?"

The entire area around the testing grounds was filled with the screams of Inner Court disciples and the sounds of Soul Tools exploding.

Several people who looked like teaching assistants stood in the distance with expressionless faces, apparently long accustomed to such scenes.

All four Soul Engineers invited from the Underground City of the Sun Moon Empire had already reported for duty.

Two were Level Eight, and four were Level Seven.

They stood at different positions around the testing grounds, each watching over the area under their responsibility.

One of the Level Eight Soul Engineers was an elderly man with grizzled hair. His brows were furrowed so tightly they looked like a lock that could not be twisted open.

The other Level Eight Soul Engineer was somewhat younger, but his expression was not much better.

The Level Seven Soul Engineers were the same, looking at everyone as though they owed them money.