Chapter 42: Youth Genius Ranking, Taiji Zhao Xuan, Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Cave Demon

The Sky Fire Phoenix's black wings spread, cutting through the sky like a meteor, the crimson tail flame leaving a dazzling path in the sky that lingered for a long time.

Leng Yaoju turned on the autopilot mode, looked back at Zhao Xuan behind her, and a moving arc curved at the corners of her crimson lips.

Two months, ah! Did he know how she had survived these two months!

On the days when Zhao Xuan was not by her side, Leng Yaoju felt bored to death, unable to lift any interest in doing anything, hoping every day that he would send a message saying, "Teacher, we're back."

Although Zhao Xuan still hadn't truly returned to the Spirit Tower but enrolled in Shrek as an exchange student, Shrek Academy was adjacent to the Spirit Tower headquarters, and Leng Yaoju could see him at any time. She was already satisfied with this feeling of having a child go to college at her doorstep.

On the sofa, Xiang Xiang Naer leaned her little head against Zhao Xuan, holding the Soul Guidance communicator and scrolling through the news on the Soul Net. Her silver long hair fell like a waterfall, and her bare feet stepped on the Fire Lion King blanket, the warm heat warming her body from the soles of her feet.

Zhao Xuan acted as Xiang Xiang Naer's human pillow, turning his head slightly, and a giant eagle mecha with dark green patterns appeared in his field of vision.

That was the black-level mecha used by the Shi Laike group for transport. With the leftover problems of the exhibition match resolved, Holy Spirit Limit Douluo Yali took them back to the academy.

"Zhao Xuan, look quickly!"

Xiang Xiang Naer tugged lightly on Zhao Xuan's arm, then held the Soul Guidance communicator in front of his eyes. A news headline was marked in bright red bold, starting with the word "Explosive"!

Explosive, Genius Replacement, Heroes Emerge from Youth!

"The Youth Genius Ranking has been updated!" Xiang Xiang Naer said happily. "We are on the list! Being on the list at ten years old seems to have broken a record!"

The Youth Genius Ranking was founded by the Spirit Tower, with the purpose of promoting the development of the Soul Master Realm and encouraging genius soul masters to improve unremittingly.

The requirement for being on the list is to be a young soul master under eighteen, evaluated from multiple perspectives such as combat power, talent, and secondary professions. There are only thirty seats, and those on the list can be called the most powerful young heroes in the entire Limit Douluo Continent, with a bright and brilliant future.

Zhao Xuan took the Soul Guidance communicator from Xiang Xiang Naer and checked the ranking of this Youth Genius Ranking, quickly seeing his own name.

Youth Genius Ranking Fifth, Taiji Zhao Xuan.

"I parachuted into fifth, and Yu Yuanheng dropped to sixth?"

Discovering that the one following closely was indeed Blue Lightning's Yu Yuanheng, Zhao Xuan found it somewhat funny.

Although the Youth Genius Ranking is evaluated from multiple perspectives, combat power still accounts for the highest weight, after all, all the cultivation of a soul master is to improve combat power.

Head-to-head combat is the top priority in determining the ranking. Previously, Zhao Xuan had single-handedly crushed Yu Yuanheng under the amplification of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, so the Youth Genius Ranking naturally placed him above Yu Yuanheng.

He couldn't go further because the Youth Genius Ranking considered that Zhao Xuan was still young and might not be able to defeat or surpass the top four, so he was temporarily placed fifth.

"Silver Dragon Xiang Xiang Naer, twenty-first."

Flipping down, Zhao Xuan found Xiang Xiang Naer's name.

"I protest! Why are you fifth and I'm twenty-first!" Xiang Xiang Naer was indignant. "Am I not powerful? Did I lie down and win? Didn't I beat Ye Xinglan to a pulp?"

Xiang Xiang Naer's three death questions made her want to go through the Soul Guidance communicator, pick up the staff member who released the ranking, and ask why Xiang Xiang Naer the Great was only twenty-first!

Zhao Xuan hurriedly smoothed Xiang Xiang Naer's fur, persuading her: "Don't take the Youth Genius Ranking so seriously; it will alienate our efforts."

Everyone is an MVP, there are no "lying down" dogs, even Xu Xiaoyan played a role in the styling!

"One thing is one thing, I can't stand being so far behind you." Xiang Xiang Naer muttered, "More than half of the Youth Genius Ranking is in Shi Laike Academy. In the future, I will challenge them one by one, and I must not be left behind by you!"

Hearing this, Zhao Xuan couldn't help but smile. The person who created the Youth Genius Ranking was truly a talent, stimulating the young people's competitive spirit. Looking at those names ranked above him, let alone Xiang Xiang Naer, even Zhao Xuan felt it was quite stinging.

"Hehe, Gu Yue twenty-second, codename Element!"

Having suppressed Gu Yue, Xiang Xiang Naer instantly turned anger into joy, especially seeing the two codenames "Silver Dragon Xiang Xiang Naer" and "Element Gu Yue," Xiang Xiang Naer was so happy that her mouth couldn't close, and the Sky Fire Phoenix was filled with bell-like laughter.

Gu Yue had been the Silver Long Wang for a lifetime, but her codename was "Element," while Xiang Xiang Naer had transformed into "Silver Dragon Xiang Xiang Naer"!

"Next time we meet, I must mock her severely..."

Xiang Xiang Naer kept it in mind.

Besides the Spirit Tower Trident, Jin Guang and Tang Wulin were also on the list, the former twenty-ninth and the latter thirtieth, becoming the gatekeepers. The two were evenly matched in the exhibition match, and the order likely referred to the outcome of the blacksmith finals.

Shi Laike Academy's first defeat in twenty thousand years caused a huge uproar, instantly creating five young geniuses on the Youth Genius Ranking, looking like "one whale falls, all things grow."

Xiang Xiang Naer carefully studied the ranking and suddenly said in surprise: "The top four are all in Shi Laike Academy. The first one is about to turn eighteen, and will automatically withdraw from the list in a month, so aren't we lying down and rising one place..."

"Hmm."

Zhao Xuan stared at the top four avatars, remembered their appearance and martial souls, and had a plan in his heart.

At sunset, two black-level mechas entered Shi Laike City.

It was the three-year enrollment season of Shi Laike Academy, and the whole city was bustling. The reputation blow didn't seem to overly affect Shi Laike's enrollment. Everywhere in the city were young soul masters eager to enter the continent's number one academy to study, accompanied by teachers, forming a huge group.

The strong remain strong. Shi Laike Academy's resources are there, and those soul master forces with deep foundations don't care about so-called reputation. Like in the past, they sent their own disciples/juniors, instructing them to cultivate and study while making friends with geniuses of the same generation—more friends, more paths.

The two black-level mechas were both designed as transport vehicles, possessing metal transformation functions. They descended from the sky, transformed into soul guidance cars, and continued to advance toward the inner city of Shi Laike.

The inner city and the outer city were like two worlds. In stark contrast to the bustling and crowded outer city, the inner city atmosphere was exceptionally quiet. The wide streets paved with blue bricks were antique, with shops lining both sides, retaining the wooden architectural style of ten thousand years ago.

"Screech—"

In front of the ancient plaque of Shrek Academy, the two soul guidance cars braked. Holy Spirit Douluo Yali landed gracefully, looked at Sky Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaoju on the side, and said in a gentle tone:

"Yaoju, want to come in and sit for a while?"

"Next time, definitely." Leng Yaoju declined. "Xuanzhen and Na'er are handed over to you. Give Cai Yue'er a warning for me: don't cause trouble for yourself or Shrek Academy.

If they are wronged at Shi Laike Academy, I will personally come to demand an explanation."

Holy Spirit Limit Douluo Yali is revered by the Limit Douluo Continent as the kindest woman on the continent, having once overdrawn her body to save civilians during a plague, leading to the loss of her fertility. Knowing each other for many years, Leng Yaoju trusted Yali's character. As for Silver Moon Limit Douluo Cai Yue'er...

That person acted according to her own will and had a strange personality. When she was young, she turned the soul master world upside down. Shi Laike Academy, hindered by various pressures, finally sent high-level officials to bring her back.

Everyone was from the same era. Yali understood why Leng Yaoju named her many times and nodded with a bitter smile, determined not to let Cai Yue'er act recklessly.

Silver Moon Limit Douluo was indeed restless, but Lady Tianfeng Limit Douluo was definitely not a soft persimmon to be pinched.

The Phoenix sisters stirred up storms all over the world. Dark Phoenix Leng Yulai defied the world and joined the Holy Spirit Cult, climbing to become one of the Four Dark Heavenly Kings.

Lady Tianfeng Leng Yaoju also had crazy blood flowing in her body. Back then, she dared to abandon everything and proposed to be a woman in the dark. Later, she became the Deputy Tower Master of the Spirit Tower and had always used her authority to protect the fallen Leng Yulai, preventing outsiders from hurting her sister.

Therefore, Leng Yaoju looked bright and brilliant on the surface, mature and rational, but was actually called a "hidden lunatic" by the older generation of soul master experts. If others touched her bottom line, her craziness was even worse than Leng Yulai's!

Yali could imagine that if Cai Yue'er acted like a clown to target the two, Zhao Xuan would make a phone call, and Leng Yaoju could really rush over and kill her!

Shen Yi and the seven members of the Shi Laike team got out of the car one by one, looking at Zhao Xuan and Xiang Xiang Naer not far away, their expressions complex to the extreme.

On the way back to Shi Laike City, Yali announced the punishment issued by the Sea God Pavilion.

Yu Yuanheng and Ye Xinglan were the fuse that caused the battle between the two sides. For the sake of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family and the Star Saint Sword family, Shi Laike did not give them an expulsion, but probation, and the difficulty of entering the inner court in the future was increased.

According to the enrollment regulations of the Shi Laike Academy inner court, one must break through level fifty and be a one-word battle armor master by the age of twenty-five. For them, it was reduced by five years; they were allowed to be admitted to the inner court only if they met the above requirements by the age of twenty.

Xu Xu Li Zhi, Ning Xian, and others were defeated in full view, causing Shi Laike Academy's majesty to be greatly damaged. From now on, the difficulty of final exams would increase, and any failure would result in not being awarded the outer court graduation certificate.

Shrek suffered a crushing defeat, and team leader Shen Yi was responsible. Normally, she would be expelled directly. However, Red Dragon Douluo Zhuoshi protected his beloved disciple, and the Sea God Pavilion finally decided to change her position to teach a special class, allowing her to make up for her crimes with meritorious service.

After Leng Yaoju left, Yali looked at the Shrek group with a peaceful gaze: "You haven't had an easy time these days. Go back and rest, relax your mind.

Punishment is only temporary. The academy has not given up on you; it hopes that every student can learn to grow from failure."

"Yes, Your Excellency Holy Spirit."

Everyone bowed in unison and then went their separate ways.

Yu Yuanheng lowered his head, his face full of unwillingness and hatred. Zhao Xuan received the affirmation of the entire continent, while he, like a stepping stone, was reduced to the biggest joke in the soul master world. But Zhao Xuan was a bug; Yu Yuanheng knew deeply that he was far from being able to defeat that terrifying power...

Avoid the edge for now, endure for now!

Yu Yuanheng would definitely come back!

Ye Xinglan ignored Xu Xu Li Zhi's concern behind her, staring fixedly at Zhao Xuan and Xiang Xiang Naer. She was a strong and competitive girl; a single failure could not crush her firm heart, only make her more courageous!

Silver Moon Limit Douluo Cai Yue'er was the chief examiner for the freshman assessment. Given that Leng Yaoju had already warned her in advance, to be safe, Holy Spirit Limit Douluo Yali decided to personally escort the two to participate in the enrollment assessment.

Passing through road after road, Zhao Xuan and Xiang Xiang Naer appreciated the scenery along the way of Shi Laike Academy. The life energy emitted by the Golden Tree nourished all things, and various vegetation was rich and lush. No matter which direction they looked, they could see at least ten kinds of plants.

Yali led the two into a circular hall. The hall was over twenty meters high, and the dome was carved with a mural. A pitch-black giant dragon circled in the sky, its pair of golden dragon eyes particularly eye-catching.

The moment Zhao Xuan and Xiang Xiang Naer looked at the black dragon, the dome mural suddenly flashed with black light. The giant dragon's claws seemed to pierce the mural, and wherever the dragon tail swept, the clouds burst one after another.

"Roar—"

When the giant dragon's golden vertical pupils lit up with brilliance, the dragon's pressure was instantly released. The dragon scales flashed with a deep black that seemed to swallow all light, and black mist that covered the sky seeped out from the gaps in the scales. The entire hall echoed with the giant dragon's furious roar!

The black dragon's monstrous pressure descended, but the two looked as if they felt nothing at all. Xiang Xiang Naer patted her slightly undulating chest and complained:

"Scared me, so loud!"

"Geniuses appear every year, but two monsters have come this year."

An old man in a dark green robe appeared, his weathered face showing surprise: "I have guarded the first pass for a hundred years, and this is the first time I've seen little monsters who ignore the pressure of the Golden-Eyed Black Long Wang."

The dragon carved in the mural is the continent's number one fierce beast, the true body of the Golden-Eyed Black Long Wang, Di Tian. A drop of the Golden-Eyed Black Long Wang's blood was mixed into the ink, simulating half of the dragon's might.

Ordinary examinees facing the pressure of the Golden-Eyed Black Long Wang would be deterred by the dragon's might, and those with dragon martial souls whose bloodlines were far inferior to Di Tian's would be in a miserable state.

Zhao Xuan and Xiang Xiang Naer were exactly the same as usual, undoubtedly the first time the old man had seen such a thing in his life.

"Little Li, as the guardian of the first pass, what score do you intend to give?" Yali asked with a light smile.

Li Lao bowed respectfully: "Your Excellency Holy Spirit, the pressure of the Golden-Eyed Black Long Wang has no effect, which shows that the two students' martial soul talent is excellent. Naturally, it is a full score of ten."

From the moment they entered the hall, the Shi Laike enrollment assessment had already begun. The assessment was divided into ten items, each with a maximum score of ten. Sixty points are required for admission to the outer court, and those with over eighty-five points have the qualification for early admission to the inner court, like Ye Xinglan and Xu Xu Li Zhi.

"Xuanzhen, Xiang Xiang Naer, the first assessment is ten points. The second assessment officially begins."

The gentle voice fell, Yali and Li Lao disappeared, the dome spun, and the surrounding scenery changed drastically.

After the rotation stopped, the two stood in a desert filled with yellow sand.

"A bit like the Spirit Tower's True Illusionary Realm."

"Indeed."

Zhao Xuan said, and Xiang Xiang Naer agreed.

"Boom—"

The attack came silently. Spikes broke through the sand, their tips flashing with crystal-yellow cold light. Sand grains rolled down the gullies, and the stingers dragged semi-transparent sticky silk, weaving a shrinking strangulation net in the air.

Xiang Xiang Naer summoned the Silver Dragon Spear, the spear blade swept out, the power of space shredded the big net, and Zhao Xuan poured the power of a thousand jun into his right leg and stomped down hard. The sand cracked, and the giant shadow hidden underground rolled out.

Spider-type soul beast, eight long limbs reflecting luster under the scorching sun, the carapace blending with the flowing sand dunes, the bloated abdomen storing a huge amount of spider silk.

Cunning hunter, ten-thousand-year Earth Cave Demon Spider!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 43 =====