"!!!"
Rage devoured Lan Xuanyu's sanity like a monster. The veins on his forehead bulged, and his chest heaved violently, looking like a balloon on the verge of exploding.
What is wrong with this guy? Why does he get so angry every time he sees me?
Huo Yuhao felt the stinging gaze and the irrepressible fury emanating from behind him. He found the whole thing utterly bizarre, but he didn't stop or turn around.
Regardless of whatever cause and effect existed between him and this Lan Xuanyu, at least for now, Huo Yuhao had no reason to take his life. Up to this point, Lan Xuanyu had not actually harmed him.
As for what Lan Xuanyu truly wanted or hoped to gain from him, Huo Yuhao wasn't entirely clear.
However, his guess was likely close to the mark: it probably had something to do with his martial soul.
If people don't cross me, I won't cross them. But if they do, I'll strike back with thunderous force. If Lan Xuanyu decided to make a move, he would counter-attack immediately.
...
Calm down... I must stay calm!
After exhaling several heavy breaths, Lan Xuanyu forced himself to cool off and suppress his anger.
Based on the history he was familiar with and the accounts from Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena, Gu Yuena had been recovering from her injuries on the Douluo Continent ever since escaping the God Realm. She wasn't supposed to emerge and fall in love with his father, Tang Wulin, until ten thousand years later. In other words, in Huo Yuhao's current era, she should still be deep in slumber.
Although the Huo Yuhao before his eyes was different from the one he knew in history, the wheels of time shouldn't change just because of one individual.
Was it even possible for Huo Yuhao to wake his mother up early?
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
Since Huo Yuhao possessed the Dragon God bloodline, it wouldn't be strange for him to forge a silver dragon scale to wear as an ornament... it wasn't strange at all. Furthermore, it didn't necessarily prove it was the scale of the Silver Dragon King. According to Lan Xuanyu's judgment, there were still other soul beasts on the Douluo Continent that carried the Silver Dragon lineage.
Only after Huo Yuhao vanished from his line of sight did Lan Xuanyu turn around and walk toward the dormitory.
Next time! Next time, he would definitely solve all these mysteries!
And yes, it definitely wasn't because he couldn't beat Huo Yuhao.
...
Sea God Island, inside the Golden Tree.
Dressed in a pale purple gown, the serene and elegant Zhang Lexuan sat upright on a wooden chair of the Sea God Pavilion. Her silky black hair draped softly over her shoulders, her expression remained calm, and her breathing was steady and measured.
The sound of a cane tapping the floor preceded a kind, gentle voice. "...My apologies, Lexuan, kept you waiting, didn't I? Heh, these old arms and legs of mine really can't move like they used to."
"Elder Mu." Upon hearing Mu En's voice, Zhang Lexuan hurried to her feet to greet him.
"Hehe, sit." Elder Mu gave a soft smile and sat down across from her with some effort.
Zhang Lexuan was not one for affectation; she sat down gracefully, her legs slanted to the side.
He looked her over and smiled faintly. "Your complexion looks much better than before. I can see that being a teacher in the Outer Court makes you happier than when you were in the Inner Court."
Zhang Lexuan pursed her lips slightly and nodded.
Without having to look at that old beggar Xuan Zi, and getting to happily eat a certain student's dinner made with love—how could I not be happier than in the Inner Court?
"Good... good..."
Mu En spoke slowly. "I am already a dying man; I have five or six years left at most. Until you have truly grown, Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe must take up the heavy burden of protecting the Academy. Therefore, regarding the events of the past... I can only ask you to bear the grievance..."
Zhang Lexuan's eyes flickered slightly as she said uneasily, "Elder Mu..."
Mu En silently waved his hand. "I know you have prejudices against Xuan Zi, but I have no other choice. You are a smart child; you know the Academy has many enemies across the continent."
"The glory of Shrek Academy has lasted for ten thousand years on the Douluo Continent. This glory must not end in our hands..."
"..."
Zhang Lexuan bit her lip and remained silent, but in her mind, she recalled what Huo Yuhao had once said to her.
[Shrek Academy claims to be the guardian god of this continent, preventing wars and judging the wicked... but in reality, it is merely a parasite thriving on the three nations of Douluo.]
[To ensure that so-called glory continues, what Shrek must do is everything in its power to prevent a war of unification. Once the Douluo Continent is unified, their 'city-state' will lose its superior status and value...]
Initially, Zhang Lexuan had reprimanded Huo Yuhao for those words. However, after integrating external evaluations and intelligence over the past few days, she realized that Shrek's actions were not as honorable as she had once imagined.
The royal families of the original three nations had many complaints about the actions of the Shrek Inspection Team, and even ordinary villagers were unwilling to let these "superior people" enter their homes.
What was the "justice" the Academy had always taught? Was it truly justice?
Shrek intended to hand the Sea God Pavilion over to her in the future. This weight pressed down on her shoulders like a massive mountain, making it hard to breathe.
Could she truly "live for herself," as Huo Yuhao had suggested?
Instinctively, Zhang Lexuan clenched her hands.
"By the way, Elder Mu," Zhang Lexuan suddenly spoke, her gaze firm and unwavering. "The matter between me and Bei Bei... let's just forget it. He already has someone he likes. My position as an 'older sister' is awkward; it's better if I don't stand in his way."
Mu En: ???
Wait, I just came here to have a heart-to-heart and make sure you don't waver in your stance. Why did you suddenly bring this up? Didn't you say before that you had feelings for Bei Bei too?
Mu En's mouth hung open; he nearly lost his composure.
Seeing that Zhang Lexuan's serious expression didn't look fake, Mu En could only inwardly curse that foolish boy Bei Bei. In terms of looks, talent, or strength, could Tang Ya compare to even a single finger of Zhang Lexuan? How did you end up falling for that Tang Ya?
I told you to get close to Tang Ya only because of the guidance of the Lord Sea God, not for you to throw yourself into it! At the very least, you could have learned from your ancestor and kept them both satisfied...
But Zhang Lexuan's eyes were incredibly determined. And as for the matter of the vow... the key was whether the individual was willing to keep it.
It was Bei Bei who had found someone else to date first... you couldn't blame Zhang Lexuan. Frankly, she had done more than enough for Shrek over the years; it wouldn't be right to keep her hanging like this.
Mu En fell into a dilemma. Honestly, he didn't want the vow between Bei Bei and Zhang Lexuan to be dissolved.
"...Back then, it was just this old man acting on impulse and playing matchmaker poorly. You are still young; it's normal to feel confused about love."
Mu En looked kindly at this girl who once had hollow eyes. "I only hope you can make a decision that does not go against your own heart."