A chat with Ling Luochеn, Heavenly Soul's first lucky find, and a ten-thousand-year Frost Abyss Cold Wyrm

"Tianjun, you're taking bounty jobs at such a young age. Isn't it dangerous?"

On the road to the Far North, the two Ling elders looked disgruntled. Their treasured clan maiden was deeply interested in Yu Tianjun, as though she truly regarded him as a younger brother.

As one of Shrek's monsters, Ling Luochеn sensed a calm, composed confidence in Yu Tianjun. It was an elusive quality, yet unmistakably there, and not at all off-putting. His clear eyes shone with a gentle warmth.

He spoke more maturely than others his age. Ling Luochеn felt that someone like him would be easy to get along with.

"It's been all right. My last job was guiding two young ladies of distinguished standing from the Heaven Dou Empire. There were a few scares, but no real danger."

Yu Tianjun smiled freely, strolling along as though through his own courtyard. "At first, they thought my Martial Soul had undergone a harmful mutation. Once we cleared up the misunderstanding, they invited me to the Heavenly Soul Imperial Soul Master Academy."

"You've dealt with them in Heaven Dou City, haven't you, Sister Luochеn? What did you think?"

The previous Continental Soul Fighting Tournament had been hosted in Heaven Dou City, the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire. The Heavenly Soul Team had placed third.

"They're pretty good. The Heavenly Soul Imperial Soul Master Academy is also called Di'ao Academy. They make the top four or top eight every tournament. They're an established powerhouse."

Ling Luochеn thought for a moment, then said, "I remember their reserve team's captain was called Jiang Peng. His Martial Soul is the top-tier tool Martial Soul, the Heaven-Shaking Axe. Among Power Attack System tool Martial Souls, only the Clear Sky Hammer can barely edge it out. He's very talented."

"According to Shrek's assessment, he has a chance of becoming the first Soul Emperor in Di'ao Academy's history to compete in the tournament."

"Only two of our current Shrek Seven Monsters will become Soul Emperors before the tournament."

As she spoke, Ling Luochеn's voice faded.

If I hadn't started suppressing Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire after enrolling and delayed my own cultivation, could I have been the third?

No, wait. If I didn't help Ma Xiaotao, her Evil Fire would flare up and stop her from cultivating. She definitely wouldn't become a Soul Emperor. There could only be two at most during the same period.

The Soul Master World universally recognized becoming a Soul Emperor before twenty as the benchmark for a peerless genius. Those who failed to do so would fall further and further behind such geniuses. One slow step meant every step thereafter would be slow.

Ling Luochеn was certain that continuing to help Ma Xiaotao would keep delaying her cultivation, while refusing would earn her petty retaliation from a certain dean. Fortunately, the Inner Court's education was no different from the Outer Court's. She decided to reduce the frequency of her Evil Fire suppression sessions upon returning, and eventually refuse Ma Xiaotao altogether.

Ice and fire could not coexist. In another two years, she would have to pack her bags and leave.

Yu Tianjun's attention settled on Jiang Peng becoming the first competing Soul Emperor in the Heavenly Soul Imperial Academy's history.

Every Shrek Academy tournament team had at least one Soul Emperor. This year's main team, for instance, had two, both of whom survived the Death Messenger's Corpse Explosion and successfully competed.

By comparison, Di'ao Academy was downright shabby for an imperial academy. No wonder Vina was doing everything she could to recruit him.

Look at how thoroughly Shrek has sucked the Heaven Dou Empire dry. Jiang Peng is their first successful lucky find since the empire was founded!

Applause, applause! Whoever in admissions recruited Jiang Peng needs an immediate promotion to admissions director.

Walking behind them, Ling Er muttered, "Fast cultivation doesn't prove anything. A Soul Emperor from Di'ao Academy isn't necessarily stronger than a Soul King from Shrek. Shrek students are the strongest."

The implication was that Yu Tianjun, who had received an invitation from Di'ao Academy, was ultimately inferior to the Shrek Seven Devils.

Ling Luochеn could no longer tolerate it. She turned around, her expression frosty. "Aunt, do you think Tianjun would lack a recommendation letter if he wanted to enter Shrek?"

"Tianjun is extremely talented. If he entered Shrek, he'd definitely be a leading candidate for the next generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters!"

He was already a Soul Elder before even enrolling. Only a handful in the Shrek Outer Court possessed such cultivation talent.

Given his position as the Heavenly Dragon Sect's blade, spear, and cannon in Dragon City, the city lord could write ten different recommendation letters for Yu Tianjun if he wanted them.

The two Ling elders fell as silent as cicadas in winter. Ling Luochеn had personally endorsed Yu Tianjun, shattering every source of confidence they had taken pride in.

Only after Ling Luochеn finished did Yu Tianjun smile. That was more like it. If she failed to take his side unequivocally when her own family spouted nonsense, that was no different from standing against him.

"You're too kind, Sister Luochеn. The world's foremost academy must hide dragons and crouching tigers. I'm used to taking things easy. I'm afraid I couldn't handle it."

Ling Luochеn looked sympathetic and said pointedly, "There are indeed some teachers in the Outer Court with something wrong with their heads who enjoy tormenting people. But I wasn't exaggerating. Each incoming first-year class generally has no more than two Soul Elders."

"If even you say the Outer Court has teachers with something wrong with their heads, Sister Luochеn, I'd better stay away."

Yu Tianjun had never considered Shrek. Running and medicinal baths were all it offered. Why not do those at home?

Would praying devoutly before God King Tang's statue every day make me run faster?

Ling Luochеn considered it, then agreed. "That's fair."

For children of great clans, the Shrek Outer Court was merely a place to build connections. The knowledge it taught was not necessarily better than the Heavenly Dragon Sect's.

The Inner Court taught the same things as the Outer Court. The difference was that students had to sign a life-and-death waiver and complete thirty unpaid Inspection Corps Missions, leaving them even less time to study.

At this point, someone might ask: Teacher, teacher, does entering the Inner Court just mean becoming an idiot and marching off to die?

Answer: Of course not. You get the opportunity to defend Shrek's glory with your life, attend the Inner Court's Matchmaking Tournament, and receive the Sea God's blessing with your beloved.

Question: I came to Shrek to learn. Where is the academy's most essential knowledge?

Answer: Sitting in Sea God's Pavilion, inaccessible to students. When the elders are in a good mood, they flip through a couple of books and bring them out for some sunshine. The rest of the time, they gather dust.

Question: Are there any exceptions?

Answer: Yes, yes, brother, there are. As long as you have one of three identities—"the Sea God Pavilion Master's Great-Grandson," "the Martial Soul Department Dean's direct disciple," or "the Sea God Pavilion Master's Great-Grandson's Child Bride"—and are destined to be bound to Shrek for life, you can enter Sea God's Pavilion whenever you like.

When the elders are in a good mood, they'll even give you Soul Bones and teach you secret combat techniques!

Otherwise, there was no chance. Just look at poor little Ling. After four members of the main team were wiped out, she was the first to recover her combat strength and hold everything together. She carried the entire tournament to defend their championship, collapsing several times along the way.

After she returned to Shrek, Dean Yan swept his pen across the page: Little Ling had failed to protect her teammates promptly when facing an Evil Soul Master's Corpse Explosion, forcing the esteemed Xuan Zi to gnaw through several more buckets of chicken legs with tears in his eyes. A major demerit!

Considering that she had subsequently fought for her life and preserved Shrek's championship, her merits canceled out her faults. No rewards. Get out of Sea God's Pavilion immediately. She didn't even deserve a few extra breaths of Life Energy.

Moreover, she still had to complete every last one of those thirty Inspection Corps Missions. No graduation until she finished!

What? You say Dean Yan's direct disciple, Ma Xiaotao, was the main team's captain, and bore the greatest responsibility for leading their reckless advance? Since little Ling received a major demerit from the impartial Dean Yan, Ma Xiaotao should have been asked to leave, rather than enjoying the extraordinary privilege of recuperating long-term in Sea God's Pavilion, lying on the Ten-Thousand-Year Mystic Ice Bed, and receiving the Sea God Pavilion Master's personal care?

W-w-well, Xiaotao already risked her life for Shrek's glory! Why do you keep asking questions that put the Dean in such a difficult position? Are you a spy from the Sun Moon Empire?

No more questions. Whoever asks about this dies.

That was all there was to their so-called double standards.

Yu Tianjun knew Shrek would not give resources to anyone outside its inner circle. Nor did he care to stomp weaker opponents in the Freshmen Tournament or attend that unbearably awkward Matchmaking Tournament.

Who in their right mind went matchmaking unless they were bad at romance?

Besides, the Matchmaking Tournament allowed stronger participants to steal someone else's partner.

To Yu Tianjun, rules like that showed no respect for genuine affection. They resembled animals fighting for mating rights.

In plain language: "They're a handsome man and a beautiful woman, a match made in heaven. Who are you, some monster, to object?"

The group traveled quietly through the frozen, snowbound landscape and safely reached their first destination. Sure enough, they found a Frost-veined Fire-Quelling Python.

"Eleven thousand years of cultivation. Shall we fight it?" Yu Tianjun asked after examining it.

"The limit I can withstand is within fifteen thousand years."

Ling Luochеn explained her foundation, then glanced back at Ling Da and Ling Er, silently asking for their opinions.

Before a battle, they had to agree.

"Shall we keep looking?"

The two maintained their usual attitude, just as Yu Tianjun had expected. He could see that Ling Luochеn was also somewhat hesitant.

"We'll change course. I'll take you straight to the nearby Millennium Ice-Frost Group, where the Heaven and Earth Essence is richest, the ice element most active, and the Soul Beasts oldest."

Yu Tianjun acted decisively, setting out to find a better target.

A day and a half slipped quietly by. The group evaded a migrating Snowfield Elephant Herd, a Snow Leopard hunting antelope, and a hulking Titan Snow Demon out for a stroll. They crossed mountains and ridges, winding their way toward their destination.

After he demonstrated his abilities repeatedly, the two Ling elders finally shut their mouths. Yu Tianjun's professional competence was plain for all to see.

Yet just as the Ice-Frost Stone Group came into distant view, Yu Tianjun and Ling Luochеn stopped in unison.

Two domineering, bitterly cold waves of Soul Power collided and surged into the sky. Beast roars filled the air. Clearly, Soul Beasts were fighting.

Closer up, the two beasts proved to be a long-haired white ape and an ice-blue Flood Dragon. Chunks of python flesh lay scattered nearby. It had evidently been dead for some time.

"Judging by the situation, the Frost-veined Fire-Quelling Python was killed by that twenty-thousand-year Mystic Ice Demon Ape. It's ill-tempered and likes expanding its territory. Its species ranks in the second tier, I'd say."

Yu Tianjun sighed inwardly. The little snake had been slaughtered before humans could even get their hands on it. Still, it had a backer here to avenge it. He couldn't tell whether that was its husband or its boss.

Ling Luochеn's gaze turned solemn as it settled on the ice-blue wyrm. "A hexagonal ice crystal on its forehead, four claws beneath its feet, and scales like shards of ice. It's a thirteen-thousand-year Frost Abyss Cold Wyrm, with a trace of Ancient Ice Dragon blood. Its attribute approaches Ultimate Ice. A first-tier Soul Beast."

Yu Tianjun nodded slightly. "That dead Frost-veined Fire-Quelling Python was right around fifteen thousand years old. What a pity."

Noticing Ling Luochеn's lingering gaze on the Frost Abyss Cold Wyrm, Yu Tianjun offered a friendly warning. "The demon ape might not inflict a fatal wound on it. Trying to reap an easy profit could go wrong."

Ling Luochеn reluctantly looked away and gave Yu Tianjun a helpless smile. "If only we'd invited an expert from your sect to accompany us."

The Demon Ape had greater age, while the cold wyrm had the stronger species. A clash between them would leave both wounded.

But even a wounded Frost Abyss Cold Wyrm was dangerous. Killing a Soul King would be child's play for it, and even a Soul Emperor would hesitate.

Forcing the issue would mean casualties.

"Don't go, don't go. This wyrm is more suitable than the Fire-Quelling Python. Let's give it a try."

Ling Da spoke, looking gently at Ling Luochеn. "Luochеn, as long as you can absorb it, we're willing to risk our lives. It doesn't matter if we die. Getting you a good Soul Ring matters more than anything."

"Your family is useless. This is all we can do for you. Don't blame us for speaking harshly. Study hard at Shrek from now on, and don't quarrel with your classmates..."

For once, Ling Er bowed to Yu Tianjun, his head lowered. "Young brother, we owe you an apology. If the two of us don't make it out, could you take Luochеn out? Disciples of great sects like you must have ways to contact your elders."

"Luo Chen is usually cold, but she treats you differently from everyone else. Please help her. She'll remember it and repay you someday."

Faced with an ice-attribute draconic Soul Beast, both knew their chances were grim. But for their clan maiden's future, these old fellows were willing to stake their lives!

Someone who talked big while sending others into danger was a bastard. But if they sought out a powerful Soul Beast and risked their own lives against it, Yu Tianjun could only say, "You have honor."

"I promise."

"Thank you."

The two elders turned around and released their Martial Souls. Two ice blades appeared, and three yellow and two purple Soul Rings rose from beneath each man's feet.

"Sorry. You'll have to run farther away in a moment. Once we're out, we'll still pay you the Gold Soul Coins."

Seeing that both elders were prepared to die, Ling Luochеn gave Yu Tianjun an apologetic smile.

Few people ascended to heaven in a single step. Normally, a clan needed generations of continuous effort to rise to a higher level. Some would fall along the way, and the living had to carry their hopes onward, one step at a time.

Beneath his mask, the corners of Yu Tianjun's mouth moved slightly. "The Demon Ape is about to be driven away. Watch for your chance to strike."

"I'll be fine."

A moment later, the Mystic Ice Demon Ape lost the exchange of blows and fled, stumbling and scrambling with two broken arms dragging behind it. Lacking the strength to pursue, the cold wyrm raised its head and cried to the sky, then crawled beside the Fire-Quelling Wyrm's corpse and lowered its head in mourning.

Then it opened its great jaws and ate.

Its warm, beloved concubine had become a cold corpse, then warm cultivation, as though she were still by its side.

The Frost Abyss Cold Wyrm was deeply moved by its own devotion. This was the love between Soul Beasts, never abandoning one another!

Whoosh, whoosh—

Two ill-timed flashes of blade light descended, cleaving straight toward the cold-blooded Flood Dragon's head.