Qiangu Zhangting

"Really? I don't feel any difference."

"Maybe I imagined it."

The student shook his head and left.

Chen Xing heard that and smiled to himself.

Of course it was weaker. Its fortuitous opportunity had been taken. How could nothing have changed?

Fortunately, the effect was minor. The Golden Ancient Tree itself had suffered no real damage.

The two of them made it out through the gates of Shrek Academy without trouble.

Tang Wulin looked back, still a little dazed.

"Bro, we're just leaving?"

Chen Xing nodded.

"We've done what we came to do. Why stick around?"

Tang Wulin thought for a moment, then suddenly asked,

"Bro, what exactly is the Golden Ancient Tree?"

Chen Xing glanced at him.

"You'll find out someday. Don't ask so many questions now. Come with me."

Tang Wulin pursed his lips but didn't press him.

By the time they returned to the Blacksmiths Association in Shrek City, Feng Wuyu was no longer in the lobby.

Chen Xing didn't look for him. He took Tang Wulin straight back to their lodgings.

As soon as the door closed, Chen Xing sat down and began planning their trip to Dragon Valley.

While walking around the academy with Tang Wulin that afternoon, he had deliberately put himself where he could overhear some news:

Tang Sect and Shrek Academy were recruiting people for a joint expedition to Dragon Valley.

He had to go.

Not just for Tang Wulin, but for Na'er too.

The power of the dragons in Dragon Valley would be perfect nourishment for Na'er as the Silver Dragon King.

Chen Xing took out pen and paper and began making a list.

First, contact Na'er and tell her to get ready.

Second, find out exactly when and where the Dragon Valley expedition would begin.

Third, prepare enough supplies and equipment.

As he wrote, Tang Wulin leaned over.

"Bro, what are you writing?"

Chen Xing didn't look up.

"The Dragon Valley expedition. Are you coming?"

Tang Wulin's eyes lit up.

"Dragon Valley? Does it have something to do with my Golden Dragon King?"

Chen Xing nodded.

"There's a dragon graveyard there. It'll benefit both you and Na'er."

Tang Wulin agreed without a second thought.

"I'm in!"

Chen Xing's lips curved upward.

"Then it's settled."

"I'll contact Na'er tomorrow. We leave in three days."

Chen Xing finished the list, put it away, then leaned back in his chair and stretched.

"That's everything for today. Get some rest."

Tang Wulin murmured his assent and obediently went to wash up.

Chen Xing sat in his chair, gazing out at the night. He couldn't keep the smile off his face.

The more he thought about it, the more worthwhile this trip to Shrek felt.

He had helped his younger brother obtain his fourth ring and learned about the dragon graveyard.

As for that little incident with Cai Yue'er and Teacher Zhou, he hadn't taken it to heart.

People like them weren't worth the energy.

Half a month later, at the entrance to Dragon Valley.

Chen Xing crouched with Tang Wulin behind a massive boulder and peered ahead.

Well, would you look at that. More than a dozen people.

The people from Shrek Academy and Tang Sect stood on one side, the remnants of the Holy Spirit Cult on the other. The two groups faced each other down.

Although the Holy Spirit Cult's headquarters had been destroyed, its remnants scattered across the continent had yet to be fully dealt with.

Among them were the Ghost Emperor, Dark Bell, and Leng Yulai.

Their leader was a Soul Emperor. His Soul Power was strong enough, but that was all.

One glance told Chen Xing everything he needed to know.

"Bro, are we just going to watch?"

Tang Wulin kept his voice low.

Chen Xing nodded.

"What's the rush? Let them fight first."

Tang Wulin scratched his head. He didn't quite understand, but he stayed crouched where he was.

Shrek Academy and Tang Sect had more people, but Chen Xing could see that most of the disciples were young, and their Soul Power varied widely.

They might not have the advantage once the fighting started.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before the two sides clashed.

The Holy Spirit Cult remnants fought viciously, every strike aimed to kill.

The Shrek Academy and Tang Sect disciples had numbers on their side, but their coordination was poor. They soon found themselves on the back foot.

Chen Xing lowered his head and tapped a few times on his Communicator.

"Na'er, you're up."

A soft laugh came through the Communicator.

"Got it, brother."

The next instant, a silver figure flew in from the horizon.

She moved so fast that no one there had time to react.

Silver light touched down, and Na'er stood in the middle of the battlefield.

She had silver hair, violet eyes, and a plain-colored dress. A faint silver glow surrounded her.

The Soul Emperor leading the Holy Spirit Cult remnants froze.

"Where did this little girl come from?"

Na'er didn't waste words on him. She raised a hand and struck.

Silver light took the shape of a dragon and pierced straight through the Soul Emperor's chest.

He looked down at the hole in his chest, opened his mouth, then toppled backward stiffly.

Silence fell across the battlefield.

The remaining Holy Spirit Cult members exchanged looks. One of them instinctively took a step back.

"Why run?"

Na'er's voice was soft.

She raised her hand. Silver light gathered in her palm, forming dozens of threads as fine as hair before shooting out in every direction.

Every thread struck a Holy Spirit Cult member squarely between the brows.

Within moments, every last one of the Holy Spirit Cult members who had been so arrogant moments before lay on the ground.

The Shrek Academy and Tang Sect disciples stared in disbelief.

"Who... who is she?"

"Silver hair and violet eyes... I've never heard of anyone like her."

"She took out the whole Holy Spirit Cult group by herself?"

"She's so strong... and so beautiful..."

More than a few of the male disciples couldn't take their eyes off her.

Na'er lowered her hand and turned toward the Shrek Academy and Tang Sect disciples, giving a slight nod.

"Na'er, a core disciple of the Spirit Pagoda."

The Spirit Pagoda?

The Shrek Academy and Tang Sect disciples looked at one another.

Since when had the Spirit Pagoda had someone like her?

Whatever the case, she had just saved their lives. The least they could do was thank her.

The dozen or so disciples crowded around her at once, all trying to speak to her.

"Miss Na'er, that move just now was incredible!"

"Which Spirit Pagoda branch are you from? How come we've never seen you before?"

"Miss Na'er, could I have your contact information?"

Na'er merely smiled and nodded, saying little. Her gaze kept searching the crowd.

Chen Xing pressed Tang Wulin down beside the boulder.

"Wait here. Don't move."

Tang Wulin asked, "Bro, where are you going?"

"To put on a show."

With that, Chen Xing stood, straightened his clothes, and strode toward Na'er.

Meanwhile, another man in the crowd was staring at her so intently that it was hard to miss.

Qiangu Zhangting.

The Spirit Pagoda had also sent people on this Dragon Valley expedition, and he was their leader.

He had originally come for the secret treasure in Dragon Valley.

But now his eyes were fixed on Na'er, and he couldn't look away.

Na'er was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

No one else came close.

From the moment he first saw Na'er, Qiangu Zhangting had been convinced he was in love.

That was why he had insisted on joining the Dragon Valley expedition: to find a chance to get close to her.

But Na'er had barely paid him any attention.

And now a crowd of Shrek Academy and Tang Sect disciples surrounded her.

Qiangu Zhangting seethed with jealousy, grinding his teeth.

He was about to push through and stake his claim when he saw a gray-haired young man walk out of the crowd.

The young man stopped in front of Na'er, smiled faintly, and held out his hand: