"Si Duo, why have you been so distracted these past two days?"
Beside Wu Siduo, even Xu Xiaoyan couldn't help but show a puzzled expression. Classmate Dai Yun'er was even from the same hometown as her, both hailing from the Star Luo Continent.
As the saying goes, when fellow townsfolk meet, tears flow freely. But ever since Dai Yun'er appeared, Si Duo's mood seemed worse than before.
Was it her imagination, or...
"No, Xiao Yan."
Hearing this, Wu Siduo quickly shook her head, forcing a faint smile. Whatever her own feelings might be...
Yun'er might really end up with Luo Chuan!
Then, Wu Siduo quickly adjusted her emotions, refusing to dwell on it too much. As long as she worked hard enough to grow stronger, Luo Chuan would surely notice her...
Yes! Definitely!
"Brother, so this afternoon..."
"Shall we proceed as planned?"
Tang Wulin stood beside Tang Luochuan at this moment, his face brimming with anticipation.
"Mn."
"Bring Zi Xin along. We'll all go together later."
Tang Luochuan nodded with a smile.
"I'm coming too."
Gu Yue said calmly.
"Got it." Tang Wulin responded.
"..."
That afternoon, led by Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue, Tang Wulin and Ouyang Zixin set off toward the Shrek Inner Court.
"Brother Luo Chuan, Sister Gu Yue, you're here."
On Sea God Island, Na'er, dressed in a beautiful floral dress, spotted Tang Luochuan's group and greeted them with a bright smile.
Even from a distance, it was as if she had spotted a long-lost sweetheart, and she immediately ran over to them.
"We're here."
Tang Luochuan stepped forward, holding Gu Yue's hand with one hand and wrapping the other around Na'er, speaking gently.
The scene was enough to make onlookers green with envy.
Of course, whether others were envious or not was unknown, but Tang Wulin beside them wasn't the least bit jealous—because his own girl was right there with him.
"Shrek Inner Court... Wulin, is this the legendary Shrek Inner Court?"
Ouyang Zixin wore a look of wonder as she took in everything on Sea God Island, murmuring to herself.
Sea God Island, a name left in commemoration of the God King Tang San, was the heart of Shrek Academy—an artificial island built with untold resources...
It was also the true core of Shrek Academy. Apart from the powerful Elders, only those deemed elite even within Shrek Academy were qualified to study here.
To think she would set foot here today...
"That's right, Zi Xin."
"The Cloud Abyss Pavilion Master we met before, as well as other powerful Shrek Elders like Zhuo Shi, Feng Wuyu, and Ya Li, are all here..."
"And of course, the Golden Ancient Tree—the true form of the Tree Elder we're about to meet—is right over there!"
Tang Wulin grinned, pointing at a towering golden tree in the distance, its peak lost in the clouds.
Indeed, the Golden Ancient Tree was their next destination.
Right now, after consuming Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasures, Zi Xin's talent and potential had undoubtedly grown far beyond what they were before. But her Martial Soul was still Blue Silver Grass—not even as strong as the Blue Silver King...
Despite its immense potential, before evolution, even the most powerful Blue Silver Grass is still just Blue Silver Grass—the weakest Martial Soul. Among the strong, it simply can't hold its own.
This was precisely why his brother had suggested bringing her to the Golden Ancient Tree as soon as possible. Through the tree's vigorous Life energy and the guidance of Tree Elder, Zi Xin's Martial Soul could advance further, reaching a higher level of potential.
"In the future, we'll all be studying here. The Life energy here is so dense, far better than the outer court," Tang Luochuan said with a gentle smile.
This wasn't just wishful thinking. In fact, by their second year at the latest, his brother, Gu Yue, and he himself would all be able to enter the Inner Court. As for Zi Xin...
Perhaps she could too!
"Is that so?"
Ouyang Zixin nodded with a smile, listening intently as the one she adored explained everything to her, murmuring softly to herself.
Joining Shrek Academy, and possibly even becoming a member of the Shrek Inner Court in the future—oh, Ouyang Zixin...
She could definitely do it!
"Zi Xin, come with us quickly."
"My teacher is inside."
At this moment, Na'er released her grip on Tang Luochuan's arm, her face lit up with joy as she looked at Ouyang Zixin.
"Ah!"
"Alright!"
Hearing this, Ouyang Zixin immediately perked up, nodding repeatedly before quickly following them.
"Luo Chuan, you're here."
Inside the small wooden house, Yun Ming and Ya Li were seated, the latter wearing an elegant smile as always.
Yun Ming's gaze, however, first fell on Na'er's arm, which had been wrapped around Tang Luochuan earlier. With his spiritual power, he could tell exactly what had been happening even after she let go.
This Luo Chuan kid... living the good life, huh!
If he'd known, he should've just made Tang Wulin bring Ouyang Zixin here himself!
"Everyone else, stay here. Zi Xin, come with me."
"Oh, and Wu Lin, your first Martial Soul is also Blue Silver Grass. You should come too."
A moment later, Yun Ming took Ya Li's hand and headed for the door, speaking calmly.
"Yes!"
Tang Wulin and Ouyang Zixin responded in unison.
But truthfully, Tang Wulin was a bit confused. Although his Martial Soul was indeed Blue Silver Grass, after awakening his Second Soul—especially after it evolved into the Golden Dragon King—he rarely used it anymore.
After all...
He preferred a more domineering power.
"Hehe."
"Teacher and Shiniang have left. Luo Chuan Gege, we don't have anything to do now, let's go~"
Watching their retreating figures, Na'er's face broke into a grin, completely forgetting her earlier promise to train with the two of them under their teacher's supervision. That was out of the question now.
"..."
Yun Ming, who hadn't gone far, nearly fainted from frustration.
As he walked away, his thoughts couldn't help but drift to the pair beside him.
He knew Tang Wulin's potential all too well. As Tang Luochuan's younger brother, he was far more reliable and steady than his elder sibling. But the latter...
This transfer student who had only recently arrived at Shrek was undoubtedly unforgettable. He just hadn't expected to see her here again so soon.
And it was Luo Chuan who had suggested she cultivate by the Golden Ancient Tree to advance her Martial Soul further.
"Actually, any student who has just arrived at the academy is not permitted to cultivate near the Golden Ancient Tree before entering the Inner Court. The two of you..."
"You must cherish this opportunity."
Yun Ming's face showed no excessive emotion as he spoke.
Shrek Academy had countless geniuses, and few would refuse the chance to cultivate near the Golden Ancient Tree. Yet even among Inner Court students, very few held such privilege.
This was because the Golden Ancient Tree was far too precious. Even a mere thousandth of its immense energy, when absorbed by a Soul Master, could bring tremendous benefits.
Thus, even a single opportunity to absorb energy near it required completing Inner Court missions—let alone the chance to face Tree Elder directly...
But geniuses like Tang Wulin and Ouyang Zixin, who possessed the Blue Silver Grass Spirit, were truly rare.
"Ming, why are you pressuring the kids like this?"
Beside him, Ya Li couldn't help but murmur softly.
"It's different."
"If it were just cultivating near the Golden Ancient Tree, it wouldn't mean much for the two of them. But whether they can earn Tree Elder's recognition..."
"That will determine whether they'll have further opportunities for rigorous cultivation here."
Yun Ming shook his head and spoke earnestly.
Tree Elder's cultivation far surpassed his own by an immeasurable margin.
As the tree spirit that emerged from the Golden Ancient Tree nine thousand years ago, no one in Shrek's entire history knew its origins. Yet its strength had been acknowledged by the mightiest of every era.
Had it not remained reclusive and expended much of its energy over the years, Tree Elder alone...
Could rival all the world's strongest combined.
And throughout history, not a single person had ever earned its recognition.
"Yes, Pavilion Master."
Hearing these words, the two immediately responded in agreement, fully aware of how precious this opportunity was.
Gradually, Yun Ming and the others reached the very center of Sea God Island, where the colossal Golden Ancient Tree suddenly came into view.
"From now on."
"It's up to you."
After one final glance at the two, Yun Ming and Ya Li vanished in an instant, leaving only Tang Wulin and Ouyang Zixin behind.
Before them appeared an indistinct, spectral elder—none other than the spirit of the Golden Ancient Tree itself.
(End of Chapter)