Enormous Changes

After many days on the road, Lu Mingzi and the others finally reached Spirit Hall headquarters.

"Young Mistress, what should we do with this Soul Saint?"

As they stepped down from the carriage, She Long respectfully asked Qian Renxue.

"Mingzi, what do you think? He came looking for you, so you should decide what to do with him."

Qian Renxue looked back at Lu Mingzi. She had changed clothes and returned to her original appearance.

Golden hair fell over her shoulders, and her skin was so fair and delicate it seemed a breath might break it. In her gold-and-white dress, she looked like a heavenly beauty.

What to do with him?

With Flender captured, Shrek Academy would never sit still. They would probably act today.

But... who could they send?

Would they ask Tang Hao to rescue him?

Or would Zhao Wuji and the other teachers come to beg sincerely for his release?

"Hmm... someone that arrogant should be locked in the Prison for now. Let Senior She Long keep an eye on him."

Lu Mingzi thought for a moment before answering. He did not want to waste too much time on this; the black markings mattered more.

As for Flender... he could leave that headache to Snake Lance.

"That works. Once you decide what to do with him, it won't be too late to act. He's only a Soul Saint. There's no way he can escape Spirit Hall."

As Qian Renxue spoke, she moved closer step by step, her alluring scent washing over him.

"Xue'er, what are you doing?"

Lu Mingzi stepped back without thinking, but Qian Renxue caught him and pulled him back.

"The same goes for you. Until you're stronger than me, you have to stay by my side. Understood?"

Qian Renxue's tone left no room for argument. Lu Mingzi did not dare refuse, afraid she might chop him to pieces.

"Hahahaha... bullied by your own wife! That's hilarious!"

A familiar voice rang out in Lu Mingzi's mind.

A wife? What wife?

Was Black Egg talking?

"Shut up!"

The words burst from Lu Mingzi's mouth. His face flushed scarlet; he really did have special feelings for Qian Renxue.

Black Egg had exposed them in a single remark, leaving him angry with embarrassment.

When he had read the original Douluo novel and watched the animation, Qian Renxue had been a character he cared for deeply and liked very much.

So when he had truly arrived in this world and seen her in person, his heart had stirred at first sight.

"What did you say?!"

Qian Renxue had heard "shut up." Her voice rose several notches as she stared ominously into Lu Mingzi's eyes.

"No, no, Xue'er! The demonic fire rushed to my head just now. I was talking nonsense."

Lu Mingzi came to his senses and gave an awkward laugh.

"Oh, right, Xue'er, it's getting late. We should hurry to see Senior Qian. He must be tired of waiting."

Before Qian Renxue could speak again, Lu Mingzi changed the subject, steering clear of what he had just said.

"Hmph! I'll let you off this time!"

Qian Renxue gave a cold snort and dragged Lu Mingzi toward Douluo Hall.

Morning came to Shrek Academy.

As usual, Zhao Wuji trained the students in Flender's place. His expression was gloomy, and his mind kept wandering.

Flender's capture had hit him hard, though not because they were especially close.

Rather, if even the headmaster had been taken, could Shrek Academy keep its doors open?

He worried about those talented, lovable Little Monsters and could not bear to part with them.

"Spirit Hall... what are we going to do?"

Zhao Wuji sighed again and again, slumped listlessly in a chair by the training ground. He did not notice

a figure approaching from afar.

"So Flender really was taken away."

The figure came closer and answered Zhao Wuji's mutterings. If Tang San had been there, he would have recognized Yu Xiaogang at a glance.

"And you are?"

Zhao Wuji turned and saw Yu Xiaogang, who had appeared out of nowhere. For once, his tone was gentle.

Though he sensed little Soul Power from the man, he remained respectful.

After what had happened to Flender, he was friendly to everyone.

At most, he would grumble a few words behind their backs.

"My name is Yu Xiaogang. I'm Tang San's teacher. You can call me Grandmaster; everyone else does."

Yu Xiaogang introduced himself calmly.

At the word "Grandmaster," Zhao Wuji's expression shifted slightly, as though something had come to mind.

"Grandmaster? Are you the one from the Golden Iron Triangle?"

Zhao Wuji suddenly grew excited, but Yu Xiaogang raised a hand to stop him.

"That's all in the past. I came today to warn you not to do anything rash."

Yu Xiaogang spoke evenly, making his purpose clear.

"Don't set your sights on Spirit Hall. You're far too weak. If you go, you may never come back."

"Focus on training and teaching these children. They're the stars of the future, and their achievements will surpass any of ours."

"I'll deal with Flender's situation. But I may fail. Perhaps neither of us will return."

Qian Renxue dragged Lu Mingzi into Douluo Hall. It was his third visit, and he knew the way well.

Unlike before, Qian Daoliu was already in the great hall, his former arrogance gone.

He sat motionless in midair, his whole body radiating a sacred glow like a blazing sun.

Lu Mingzi did not even dare look straight at him. That divine sun was too dazzling.

"Grandpa!"

Qian Renxue was delighted to see her grandfather again.

"Xue'er, Brother Lu. You're here."

Qian Daoliu's voice was as commanding as ever, heavy with pressure.

His figure flickered. A streak of golden light fell to the ground like a meteor and took his form.

"Brother Lu, I heard you came this time because you need my help with a problem in your body."

Qian Daoliu was concerned that something might go wrong with Lu Mingzi. He had learned the details from Qian Renxue's letter several days earlier.

"Yes, Senior. But Xue'er has already helped me suppress it, and it's changed. I'd still like you to take a look."

With that, Lu Mingzi spread his arms. Black markings surfaced on them, then glowed faintly like lit bulbs.

Scalding Demonic Qi poured out. Mist spread through the air and gathered around his body, forming a thin shield.

"Hmm... it has indeed been suppressed. Can you control this Demonic Qi now?"

Qian Daoliu studied the black markings, a trace of puzzlement on his face.

"I can, but I can't be sure it won't go out of control later."

Lu Mingzi hesitated.

"These markings resemble those on the Angel Sword. I think they're a kind of enhancement. Used well, they could make you stronger."

"If you can control this Demonic Qi, you should learn to use it. It isn't necessarily a bad thing."

Qian Daoliu had observed it closely, and his words gave Lu Mingzi much to think about.

"Thank you for the guidance, Senior. I'll go to the Training Room and study it further."

"Good lad. Go on. Xue'er, stay behind."

Qian Daoliu nodded happily, then turned to ask Qian Renxue to remain.

After saying goodbye, Lu Mingzi went to a spacious Training Room.

"I never thought I'd be able to control Demonic Qi freely."

He stood at the center of the room and released the Demonic Qi at will, feeling its strange power.

Demonic Qi could merge with flames to form black fire. When it coated the Demonfire Blade, the weapon's power increased severalfold.

The same principle applied when it coated his fists.

"Hmph. You have me to thank for that."

Just then, the familiar voice rang out in his mind again.

That damned Black Egg again!

The more Lu Mingzi thought about it, the angrier he grew. Black Egg's reckless chatter had nearly gotten him beaten by Qian Renxue.

With a thought, he entered his Spiritual Sea.

The Spiritual Sea stretched without end. At the center of that vast sea, Black Egg was nowhere to be seen. In his place stood someone who looked exactly like Lu Mingzi.

"Who are you?"