Round three

The corridor was deathly silent.

The atmosphere was so awkward it could be described as a three-bedroom, one-living room apartment.

Tang Wulin lowered his head, looking at the slightly wrinkled Yun Tai vest in his hand. His lips were pursed tightly, and he looked a little aggrieved and disappointed.

He just wanted to do something to make everyone a little safer.

"Wulin, don't take it to heart."

Xie Xie quickly reassured him, "That guy's never been mentally sound, his personality is really weird, just ignore him!"

Zhang Yangzi nodded, "Yes, that's just how he is, a naturally cold-faced weirdo. We all know you're kind-hearted."

Leng Yaozhu looked at the tall, unruly-looking young man before her, a smile spreading across her beautiful face, and asked, "Would you like to be my apprentice?"

The moment she said that, the control room fell silent.

Several staff members of the Spirit Pagoda nearby froze, their faces filled with disbelief.

Heavenly Phoenix Douluo on disciples?

This is an opportunity that everyone on the continent is scrambling for. Countless geniuses from powerful families have offered their resources but haven't even been able to get an audience with her. And now she's actually taking the initiative to ask for it?

Bai Yushan raised an eyebrow, not immediately agreeing, but instead asking the same question he had asked Wu Changkong before, "Could you take me to the Shrek Academy to find someone?"

Leng Yaozhu was somewhat surprised, raising her eyebrows slightly. "You want to enter Shrek Academy?"

In her opinion, this boy's talent was extraordinary, so it was perfectly normal for him to want to go to Shrek.

After all, it is a holy land recognized by the Soul Master World, a place that countless geniuses would do anything to get into.

Upon hearing this, Bai Yushan rolled his eyes, his tone full of undisguised disdain. "Is Shrek Academy some kind of coveted prize? Why would I need to go there? I'm just asking you, can you take me to the Shrek Academy to find someone?"

He seemed as if Shrek was just an ordinary high-level academy in his eyes, not even worth mentioning, and was as irritated as if he had heard something troublesome.

Leng Yaozhu, however, became interested.

The Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy have been locked in a power struggle for years, naturally harboring hostility towards Shrek within their ranks.

Even so, the Spirit Pagoda had to acknowledge Shrek's strength and resources; it was a behemoth that could truly rival the Spirit Pagoda.

No one in the Soul Master World can remain completely indifferent to Shrek. Whether it's reverence or hostility, it's always tinged with awe.

But this kid in front of me was different. The impatience and disdain in his tone were unmistakable; he genuinely didn't take Shrek Academy seriously.

"Is your family at the Shrek Academy?" Leng Yaozhu asked patiently. "Can you tell me why you're taking them away instead of going in to reunite with them?"

Logically speaking, if you have family members at Shrek, it would be a good opportunity to join them.

With Bai Yushan's combat strength, let alone the Outer Court, even the Inner Court would fight over him. Inside, he'd have top-tier resources and guidance from powerful figures—wouldn't that be a hundred times better than wandering outside?

Bai Yushan looked at Leng Yaozhu as if she were an idiot, his gaze blunt. "Why would I Shrek Academy? Isn't it better to live a carefree life with my family?"

Once you join the academy, you must abide by the rules, attend classes, take exams, and manage interpersonal relationships in a structured manner.

It's a hassle just thinking about it. What he wants is freedom, to kill whenever he wants, to leave whenever he wants, and for no one to interfere.

No matter how famous Shrek is, if you tie his hands and feet, it's a cage.

In fact, if it weren't for Na'er and Bi Ji's departure and Chen Qingquan's request, he wouldn't have even wanted to attend the intermediate Soul Master Academy. Instead, he would have gone directly into the deep mountains and forests to train his electric current abilities. Within ten years, the Magnetic Field Rotation, and the Dragon King would have returned!

Then Douluo Star will be his Douluo Star!

Leng Yaozhu opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word for a moment.

Carefree and at ease.

Those four simple words struck her heart like a heavy hammer.

She is Level 99 Limit Douluo, titled Heavenly Phoenix, and the deputy tower master of the Spirit Pagoda, second only to the emperor. Wherever she goes, she is surrounded by followers, and her word can decide life and death.

But is she free?

The affairs of the Spirit Pagoda, the disputes within the council, the power struggles among various factions...

Countless shackles bound her, even her own emotions were beyond her control. She stood at the pinnacle of the Soul Master World, yet she dared not easily utter the words "carefree and unrestrained."

These four words are too expensive.

Even Yun Ming, who is known as the number one Soul Master in the world and has been in charge of Shrek for many years, dominating the entire continent, does not dare to say that he is the freest being.

Leng Yaozhu looked at the boy in front of her. His eyes were clear yet arrogant, and he exuded a wild energy that was not bound by worldly constraints, as if he was born to be free.

Perhaps, he really can do it?

After all, in all her years of life, she had never heard of anyone who could single-handedly kill Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear of four thousand years at the age of nine. Even Yun Ming then did not possess such heaven-defying combat power at the age of nine.

Leng Yaozhu's eyes gleamed with a different kind of light, and her tone became more solemn. "Then become my disciple. I will train you to become the freest and strongest person in the entire Douluo Continent!"

She didn't intend to bind him with rules, nor did she intend to force him to be a slave to the Spirit Pagoda. She wanted to see how far such a brilliant young man could ultimately go if he grew up according to his nature.

Even if it's just for a dream I couldn't fulfill when I was young.

Bai Yushan pondered for a moment, then replied without hesitation, "I agree."

Decisive and efficient, without the slightest hesitation.

Leng Yaozhu had prepared a whole speech, but she swallowed it all back. She paused for a moment, then chuckled.

This kid really doesn't play by the rules.

In fact, Bai Yushan knew exactly what was going on.

He intended to join the Spirit Pagoda from the very beginning.

His current level of strength is already too dazzling.

Two-Ring Soul Grandmaster who wiped out Thousand-Year Soul Beast and single-handedly killed a thousand-year-old Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear —if word got out, countless forces would be eyeing him. Eastsea Academy couldn't protect him, and neither could Chen Qingquan, far away in Aolai City.

There may be a powerful force behind Gu Yue, but that force is secretive and elusive, and doesn't seem like a benevolent entity at all; it's unreliable.

After careful consideration, the Spirit Pagoda is the best choice.

With a Limit Douluo as his master, no one dares to mess with him openly.

As for the rules of the Spirit Pagoda?

His master personally promised to make him the freest and strongest person, so what is there to be afraid of?

As for studying his secrets?

Bai Yushan scoffed. Electric Current Push and Magnetic Field Rotation? Even if you sliced him up and studied him, you wouldn't get anywhere. If you really angered him, it's hard to say who would get what.

Proud to the core, mad to the core, he only ever believed in his own strength, and external things were indeed a burden in his eyes. Let alone a cloud titanium vest, even if someone could forge Battle Armor parts for him, that kid probably wouldn't even look at them.

"Alright, let's leave him alone," Gu Yue said calmly. "He knows what he's doing. Let's go back and prepare; we're entering the Spirit Ascension Platform tomorrow."

The group nodded, dispersed, and returned to their respective rooms.

The corridor returned to silence.

Inside the room, Bai Yushan closed the door behind him, leaned against the door panel, and let out a soft hiss.

He took off his coat and tossed it onto the chair, revealing his muscular back. His back was covered in bruises and faint scorch marks, all from the fight with Zi JI that afternoon.

An 180,000-volt current flowed slowly, and the bruises faded away at a rate visible to the naked eye.

Bai Yushan walked to the bedside and sat down, glancing down at the doorway before letting out a scoff.

Only the weak need to rely on equipment to build a sense of security.

In this world where power originates from within, the truly strong are themselves the sharpest blade and the strongest shield.

He shook his head, putting the little incident behind him.

He wasn't blind to Tang Wulin's good intentions, but there was no need for them.

He and these kids were never meant to be together.

After some time, Electric Current Push forward further and he reaches the threshold of Magnetic Field Rotation, he will leave Eastsea City and venture out onto the mainland. The Spirit Ascension Platform and Class Zero are just small episodes in his long cultivation journey.

Bai Yushan sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.

The current in his body accelerated again, and the insights he had gained during the afternoon's battle gradually replayed and settled in his mind.

Early in the morning.

As Wu Changkong led the Class Zero through the gates of the East Sea Spirit Pagoda, the morning sun slanted in from the east, casting long shadows on the polished marble floor.

Tang Wulin walked at the front of the group, clenching his fists, his eyes revealing a hint of barely suppressed excitement. He had heard about the Spirit Ascension Platform's Riot Period many times in the past few days; it was a place that could truly transform a person.

"Line up, one at a time."

Wu Changkong glanced at everyone expressionlessly, his gaze lingering on each face for a moment. "The sooner you get in, the fewer competitors you'll face. Once inside, know your limits. If you don't pass, none of you will get a holiday!"

Xie Xie chuckled and rubbed his hands together, "Don't worry, Teacher Wu, with this setup, even Soul Beast in its Riot Period would be nothing but easy prey."

Zhang Yangzi pushed up his glasses without speaking, but the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned. Wang Jinxi pursed his lips, his eyes revealing seriousness.

Gu Yue walked at the very back, dressed in white pants and a white shirt, her long hair casually loose. Her dark eyes swept across the layout of the hall, lingering for a moment at the entrance of a corridor leading in another direction before looking away.

She knew that Bai Yushan was not in this group.

Enter separately.

That guy probably prefers to play alone.

"Class Zero students of the Eastsea Academy, follow me."

A staff member in a Spirit Pagoda uniform approached respectfully and led the group toward the entrance passage on the left. Clearly, Yu Zhen had already made arrangements with the East Sea Spirit Pagoda.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the corridor, in a separate access room, Bai Yushan was casually examining the metal cabinet in front of him.

"Are you ready?" The staff member was all smiles, even more attentive than he was to the Class Zero. Master Tao had personally instructed that this young master had to be served well.

Bai Yushan hummed in agreement, said nothing more, and lay down directly into the metal cabinet.

His 1.8-meter height made the cabinet fit him perfectly. With his arms behind his head and legs crossed, he looked like a corpse lying on his own bed.

The staff member's lips twitched, and he forced back the words, "Could you please straighten up a little?" before silently closing the cabinet door.

The light gradually disappeared, until only a sliver of light remained.

"Access activated Riot Period; access card verification passed."

The staff inserted the special card into the slot and pressed the red button. "Protection protocol activated, coordinate anchoring successful."

The metal cabinet was completely closed.

Buzz--

A slight tremor spread throughout the cabinet. Bai Yushan felt a blur before his eyes, and the next moment, he felt as if he had been suddenly thrown from a great height, and suddenly lost his weight.

When his vision returned, he was standing in a lush primeval forest.

The air was fresh, the vegetation was green, everything was familiar, and it didn't look much different from when I entered two months ago.

But Bai Yushan merely narrowed his eyes, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.

He took a deep breath and stretched his shoulders.

The injuries from yesterday's fight with Zi JI have almost healed. The 180,000 volts of Electric Current Push slowly circulating, and every tiny arc of electricity is jumping in my muscle fibers, ready to explode at any moment.

"This environment... is quite comfortable."

He muttered something to himself and started walking towards the distant, indistinct dense forest.

Inside the room at this moment.

The staff member who had finished their work turned around and immediately bowed respectfully, saying, "Master Tower."

Standing at the door of the room was none other than Tao Muzhi, the tower master of the Eastsea City Spirit Pagoda branch.

Tao Muzhi, dressed in a dark-patterned robe, possessed a calm and composed demeanor. In the Soul Master World of Eastsea City, he was an absolute figure whose word was law. Even Yu Zhen, the dean of the Eastsea Academy, had to address him respectfully as "Tower Master Tao."

But at this moment, the master of this branch tower turned his body slightly to the side, adopting an extremely humble posture, and waited respectfully to the side.

Standing before him was a beautiful woman with long, fiery red hair.

The woman appeared to be no more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. Her long, crimson dress accentuated her breathtakingly slender figure, and a delicate dark gold chain cinched her waist. She wore matching high heels. Just standing there, she radiated a dazzling brilliance, like a rising sun, making one almost afraid to look directly at her.

Her complexion was like jade, and her temperament like fire.

Passionate yet delicate, breathtakingly beautiful.

What's most captivating are her eyes, bright as if burning with two inextinguishable flames, exuding the majesty of someone long accustomed to a high position, yet also carrying a touch of girlish liveliness and curiosity.

Heavenly Phoenix Douluo, Deputy Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda and Heavenly Leng Yaozhu.

A level 99 Extreme Power Attack System Limit Douluo, Demigod- level existence, one of the very few people standing at the very top of the pyramid on the entire Douluo Continent.

The staff member's pupils constricted sharply, and he almost knelt down on the spot.

Although he was just a minor figure in the Eastsea City branch tower, he still managed to rise to a position in charge of the Spirit Ascension Platform 'Spirit Pagoda admission process, so he must have some basic insight.

What is Tao Muzhi's usual behavior in the branch tower?

That was true integrity, absolute authority. Even if the City Lord of Eastsea City came, Tower Master Tao would at most exchange a few pleasantries as an equal. He had never seen such a respectful attitude from him before.

Moreover, the woman's faint but undeniable aura of power, though she clearly concealed it, was enough to make it difficult for him, Soul Master at the Three-Ring Soul Elder level, to breathe just by her standing there.

This is definitely a big shot from headquarters!

And they're the kind of truly important figures who stand on the clouds!