The next day at dusk.
The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the entire Shrek City in a rose-gold hue, with the tops of towering buildings scattering dazzling halos.
Xu Zihuang sat up and leaned against the amethyst floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the commercial district in the southern center of Shrek City. The streets were crowded with people, fully displaying prosperity.
Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian were covered with a soft blanket. The bright purple blanket was densely covered with strange patterns. Although thin, it had excellent warmth retention. The main material of this blanket came from the fur of the Three-Eyed Demon Fox. The Three-Eyed Demon Fox is a very powerful spiritual-attribute soul beast, particularly skilled in mental illusion abilities.
Its fur is not only lustrous and shiny but also has a calming effect.
However, because the Three-Eyed Demon Fox is extremely rare and its few spiritual-attribute innate soul skills are especially troublesome, there are very few records of it being hunted by human soul masters. This also causes its fur, once appearing in major auction houses across the continent, to be fought over by countless nobles.
The blanket on the sofa was of the same material, one large and one small, matching each other. Together, the two were worth at least several hundred thousand gold soul coins.
For this day, Ning Tian had specially prepared these.
As the sunset slowly sank below the western horizon, Ning Tian, after sleeping for a day, finally showed signs of waking. Her eyelashes trembled, her eyes opened and closed, and the first thing that met her gaze was the face that had left a deep impression on her last night.
As if sensing it, Xu Zihuang withdrew his gaze, turned his head to look at Ning Tian beside him, and their eyes met.
Ning Tian made a motion as if to get up. As a soul master, her physical quality was far stronger than that of an ordinary person; it wasn't to the point where she couldn't move at all. But some discomfort during the process of getting up was unavoidable.
Xu Zihuang quickly helped Ning Tian up, letting her lean into his embrace, and asked gently.
"How do you feel?"
Scenes from last night involuntarily flashed through her mind, causing Ning Tian's pretty face to blush slightly, but more than that, it was filled with sweetness.
She affectionately rested her chin on Xu Zihuang's shoulder and gently shook her head.
"I'm already feeling much better."
Under the blanket, Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian's skin touched. After they had taken that step, it seemed an indescribable tacit understanding had developed between them.
With a flash of white light, Xu Zihuang took out a pitch-black pill from his storage soul guide device. The pill was only the size of a longan, emitting a refreshing fragrance.
Black Tortoise Divine Pill.
This was given to him by an elder of the Xuanming Sect behind Xu Sanshi. Back then, Jiang Nannan had made that deal with the Xuanming Sect precisely to obtain such a Black Tortoise Divine Pill to treat her mother's heart condition.
The Black Tortoise Divine Pill has the effect of improving a soul master's physique and stimulating potential. For ordinary people, as long as the damage is not irreversible, taking one Black Tortoise Divine Pill can restore them to full health.
In terms of value, this Black Tortoise Divine Pill is countless times more precious than the Mysterious Water Pill. However, a soul master can only consume it once in their lifetime. Taking it again has no effect, at most serving to consolidate the foundation and cultivate vitality.
That elder of the Xuanming Sect had given Xu Zihuang three Black Tortoise Divine Pills in total. He had consumed one, leaving him with two.
Ning Tian was aware of all this. Moreover, she had taken one Black Tortoise Divine Pill in her childhood to solidify her foundation.
Xu Zihuang brought the Black Tortoise Divine Pill to Ning Tian's lips and smiled tenderly.
"Take this Black Tortoise Divine Pill. It will make you feel more comfortable."
"Mm." Ning Tian softly agreed without refusing. With a smile on her face, she opened her mouth, took the Black Tortoise Divine Pill, and swallowed it.
Given their relationship, there was no need for those polite formalities on the surface. And although the Black Tortoise Divine Pill was precious, to the two of them, it wasn't really anything significant.
The rarely encountered Black Tortoise Divine Pill was now being used by Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian as an ordinary foundation-consolidating pill.
Xu Zihuang held Ning Tian and sat her on his lap, reminding her: "Circulate your soul power. I'll help you refine the medicinal effect of the Black Tortoise Divine Pill."
Ning Tian naturally knew the characteristics of the Black Tortoise Divine Pill. Although its medicinal power is gentle, it digests slowly. And as time passes, the efficacy weakens significantly.
Without hesitation, she closed her eyes and began circulating the soul power in her body. Xu Zihuang stretched out his hands and placed them on Ning Tian's back, using his own even thicker soul power to guide the Black Tortoise Divine Pill's medicinal effect to fuse with Ning Tian.
A layer of rippling black light instantly enveloped Ning Tian's body. That was the sign that the Black Tortoise Divine Pill had taken effect.
The process of refining the Black Tortoise Divine Pill's effect continued until nightfall. Ning Tian's complexion was clearly much better than before. Without any avoidance, she turned around and looked straight at Xu Zihuang, even though she was completely unclothed.
"Tianhuang…"
Xu Zihuang understood and gave a soft laugh, lowering his head and leaning in.
The night was still long.
…
Morning. Warm sunlight shone upon the earth, dispelling the lingering chill of the deep winter nights in Shrek City.
It was now class time, and the outer court of Shrek Academy appeared very quiet. Most students were in classrooms attending lessons, although some classes were outside, taking practical combat courses.
Judging by their age, the students in this class were likely new first-year freshmen. But with one academic year about to end, after a one-month holiday, they would advance to the second year.
Batch after batch of young students brought vibrant life to Shrek Academy.
On their way to Sea God Island, Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian happened to pass by this area.
Today, Ning Tian wore a light blue long dress that further accentuated her fair and delicate skin. Her platinum-blonde long hair was casually draped over her fragrant shoulders, giving her a unique charm.
Beside her, Xu Zihuang wore simple, close-fitting black clothes. Holding Ning Tian's jade hand, the two chatted and laughed as they walked. The sight left those young students staring, whispering among themselves.
The middle-aged male teacher conducting the class scolded the young students a few times, then turned back to look at Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian passing through Shrek Plaza.
The moment he met Xu Zihuang's deep eyes, even with his Soul Emperor-level cultivation, he felt his mind momentarily dazed.
He had originally intended to say something, but very tactfully closed his mouth. Just one glance was enough to make him feel this way, undoubtedly proving that the seemingly seventeen- or eighteen-year-old youth before him far surpassed him in strength.
A genius soul master of this level appearing inside Shrek Academy could only be an inner court disciple. Inner court disciples were not someone an outer court teacher like him could casually comment on.
Just as Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian crossed Shrek Plaza and reached the shore of Sea God Lake, a low voice suddenly sounded from behind.
"Tianhuang?"
The two stopped and turned around.
They saw a youth with short white hair and slightly wheat-colored skin walking toward them.
"Tuoba?" Xu Zihuang raised an eyebrow in surprise. In the academy, he did not constantly release his spiritual power to sense the surroundings. He hadn't expected to run into an acquaintance here.
The newcomer was precisely Tuoba Yu, who had been his roommate for over a year. He was also the first person Xu Zihuang had interacted with upon entering Shrek Academy.
Tuoba Yu's face showed pleasant surprise.
"Tianhuang, it really is you! When did you get back?"
"A few days ago." Xu Zihuang noticed that Tuoba Yu was not wearing the sixth-year uniform of Shrek Academy.
"You…?"
"I'm preparing to leave the academy." Tuoba Yu gave a bitter smile, then glanced at Ning Tian beside Xu Zihuang.
"Tianhuang, do you have time right now?"
"You two talk. Tianhuang, I'll wait for you over there." Ning Tian smiled slightly, gracefully stepping toward a towering ancient tree not far away.
Tuoba Yu sincerely congratulated him: "I knew you and Ning Tian would end up together in the end. You two really are a perfect match."
Xu Zihuang briefly sensed Tuoba Yu's soul power cultivation. He was not far from the level 50 bottleneck, with soul power already at level 47. Among all sixth-year students in the outer court, that was quite outstanding. Passing the graduation assessment would definitely not be a problem.
And if Tuoba Yu was preparing to leave the academy, there was only one reason.
"Tuoba, you're not planning to apply for the inner court? With your ability, it's not impossible."
"I know my own situation. If I hadn't followed you back then and obtained the Mysterious Water Pill and Soul Ascension Pill, I might not have even become a core disciple. In terms of talent, I can't compare to you all. Besides, the elders in my family require me to return soon to familiarize myself with family affairs." Tuoba Yu gave another bitter smile.
"I just said goodbye to Jin Xuan, Si Chen, and the others. Meeting you here is probably what they call fate. From the very beginning, I knew we weren't from the same world, but I still feel honored to have known you. I've always regarded you as my friend."
As he spoke, Tuoba Yu reached out and patted Xu Zihuang's shoulder.
"Tianhuang, take care. I believe that one day in the future, you will definitely stand at the pinnacle of the soul master world. If there's a chance, you can come find me in Yuming City of the Star Luo Empire. For the foreseeable future, I should be staying with the family."
Tuoba Yu turned and left freely, leaving Xu Zihuang standing in place, gazing at Tuoba Yu's departing figure.
"Take care."
Back then, in the dormitory, they had seen countless students eliminated, packing up their belongings and leaving dejectedly. Now the one leaving was Tuoba Yu.
Xu Zihuang felt as if it were just yesterday. He had never schemed against Tuoba Yu. Although they had only known each other for a little over a year, there was a youthful sincerity between them. In front of Tuoba Yu, he had revealed his boyish nature more than once.
But at this moment, he seemed to realize something, and his brows furrowed slightly.
"Yuming City?"
Yuming City is located in the northwest of the Star Luo Empire. It is the Star Luo Empire's first line of defense against the Sun Moon Empire, hence the name.
And in his memories from his previous life, Yuming City was the first city to be breached by the Sun Moon Empire.
"What's wrong, Tianhuang?" Ning Tian returned to Xu Zihuang's side and asked with concern.
Xu Zihuang's expression returned to calm, and he smiled: "Nothing. Let's go to Sea God Island."
Thinking about meeting Ye Guyi today, Ning Tian couldn't help feeling a little uneasy.
She had only come to see Ye Guyi today, and she was a bit worried about whether Ye Guyi would have a bad impression of her. Although Yu Tianhuang had told her several times to relax.
Crossing Sea God Lake, Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian naturally did not need a ferry boat. Xu Zihuang directly circulated his soul power to rise into the air, carrying Ning Tian as they flew toward Sea God Island.
The lake surface that had been condensed into dark red crystal by him last night had already returned to normal. A clear breeze blew past, rippling the water, with mist rising, like a fairyland on earth.
Arriving at the female student dormitory area on the west side of Sea God Island. The two did not find Ye Guyi, but instead encountered Eldest Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan.
Zhang Lexuan roughly guessed their intention and told them that Ye Guyi had entered the underground world beneath Sea God Pavilion yesterday and begun deep meditation. It would probably last about a month.
Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian could only give up for now.
Xu Zihuang could see Ye Guyi's feelings and felt quite helpless. But Ning Tian, who didn't know the full story, was much more troubled. Even while eating breakfast in the inner court cafeteria, she was somewhat distracted.
As the saying goes, concern leads to chaos. Ning Tian cared too much about Ye Guyi's opinion of her.
After leaving the inner court cafeteria, Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian walked along the mountain paths of Sea God Island. Everywhere were the sounds of insects and birds, full of vitality. The air mixed with the fresh fragrance of plants rushed toward them, making them feel refreshed and clearing Ning Tian's mood somewhat.
Xu Zihuang wrapped his arm around Ning Tian's soft, boneless waist and comforted her.
"Don't be too nervous. She won't deliberately make things difficult for you. Since when did you become so lacking in confidence?"
"Mm."
Ning Tian leaned into Xu Zihuang's embrace, also knowing that thinking about these things was meaningless.
The two were about to head to the Sea God Pavilion's library.
After truly feeling the enormous amplification the Thunderclap Hell Vine provided him, Xu Zihuang had the idea of continuing to add soul rings to his second martial soul, Purple Inferno Thunder Prison Dragon. The Thunderclap Hell Vine had fallen into slumber; he was unsure whether it could still grant him soul rings.
And to obtain the two soul skills inherited from Elder Mu, Dragon Emperor Evil-Breaking Rend and Dragon Emperor Shock Domain, he needed to plan for this as soon as possible.
The Sea God Pavilion's library contained very complete records of information on various powerful soul beasts. Of course, his primary focus was powerful lightning-attribute soul beasts, or soul beasts possessing the attribute of destruction.
However, on the way to Sea God Pavilion, Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian encountered two more acquaintances.
Wang Yan and Han Ruoruo.
They were also talking as they walked and happened to run into Xu Zihuang and the others.
"Teacher Wang, Senior Sister Han." Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian greeted them at the same time.
Han Ruoruo showed no major reaction, but Wang Yan seemed a little uneasy. Although he had not yet confessed to Han Ruoruo, being caught in the act still gave him a guilty feeling.
After a slight awkwardness, Wang Yan's expression returned to normal.
"Tianhuang, Ning Tian, are you heading to Sea God Pavilion?"
Xu Zihuang nodded slightly: "We were planning to go to the library to look up some materials."
Looking at Xu Zihuang, Han Ruoruo suddenly said.
"Teacher Wang, Tianhuang is a spiritual-attribute soul master. He might be able to see something."
"Senior Sister Han, what are you referring to?" Ning Tian asked in confusion.
Wang Yan's eyes lit up, and he explained eagerly.
"It's like this: the White Tiger Duke's youngest son's martial soul has undergone a benign mutation. He was sent to the academy yesterday in hopes of developing his potential. The academy assigned me to handle this matter. After his martial soul mutated, it lost the traditional White Tiger martial soul's ferocity but gained spiritual-attribute abilities. Tianhuang, if you're not in a hurry, you can come with us to take a look."
"Dai Luoli?" Xu Zihuang's heart stirred slightly as he met Wang Yan's gaze.
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