Chapter 47: A Wise Bird Chooses Its Tree, Xuanzhen Is Number One Under Heaven, Angel Yue Zhengyu

The Shrek Academy has stood for twenty thousand years on the continent, and under the leadership of generations of Shrek Seven, including the Spirit Ice Douluo and the Sea God Ancestor, it has made indelible contributions to the prosperity of the Douluo Continent.

On the classroom podium, Shen Yi passionately recounted the ten-thousand-year glory of Shrek, its saintly radiance infecting Ye Xinglan and Xu Li, who nodded repeatedly, lost in awe.

The academy has established a special class, Class Zero, signifying the Sea God Pavilion’s high hopes for you. I hope one day you will enter the Inner Academy, take up the torch of the Shrek Seven, carry forward the will of our ancestors, burn yourselves to protect the peace and tranquility of the Douluo Continent.

That concludes today’s lesson. Tomorrow’s class is practical combat—your opponent will be someone you never expected. Look forward to it.

Dismissed.

Shen Yi left leisurely, ancient texts in arms, leaving behind the four youths, who split into two factions based on their reactions after the first lesson.

Zhao Xuanzhen and Xiang Naer breathed a sigh of relief—Class Zero sounded like small-class instruction and special cultivation, but peel back the cover and it was just relentless brainwashing. They endured the entire morning.

In stark contrast, Ye Xinglan and Xu Li glowed with excitement, their faces filled with lingering awe, as if already ready to shine and radiate.

Teenagers’ minds are easily shaped, and that’s why many Shrek graduates who joined the Eight Military Legions, the Federation’s War God Hall, or major Soul Master sects still harbored deep devotion to the Shrek Academy.

“Zhao Xuanzhen, what do you think of the academy…?”

Ye Xinglan spoke up unexpectedly, her azure eyes holding a flicker of hope for validation.

This behavior made Xu Li’s heart leap—he couldn’t help but recall that night at the Tianhai Hotel, when Ye Xinglan’s wounds split, her body trembled, and she looked utterly broken.

Xu Li deeply did not want Ye Xinglan to get entangled with Zhao Xuanzhen, but he had no power to change her mind, and feared she would distance herself from him—once a lickspittle loses his goddess, he becomes a homeless stray dog.

“As expected. Fits the stereotype.” Zhao Xuanzhen said calmly.

Ye Xinglan’s brow furrowed. A week ago, she would have drawn her Star God Sword and demanded Zhao Xuanzhen apologize. After her crushing defeat, her mindset had matured significantly. She asked coolly:

“I don’t understand. What stereotype?”

“Don’t you really understand?” Zhao Xuanzhen countered. “Those voices have existed for a long time—you just ignored them. The Shrek Academy has its own rules: once it disregarded the Three Empires, now it oversteps the Sun-Moon Federation.”

“At this rate, the academy will eventually explode.”

Ye Xinglan didn’t realize “explode” meant a literal explosion. Her brow tightened further. “That’s… Shrek fulfilling its duty—it must transcend the rules.”

“Then tell me, what is Shrek Academy’s duty?”

“To cultivate talent, eradicate evil, and defend the continent!”

This time, Ye Xinglan’s tone was resolute.

Shrek would never be so foolish as to shout in class that the academy’s honor outweighs all else. The most brilliant method is to make students internalize Shrek’s ideals—like the notion that Shrek is the continent’s guardian—then they’ll defend its ten-thousand-year glory on their own.

“Eradicating evil, defending the continent—every righteous force on the Douluo Continent shares that duty,” Zhao Xuanzhen chuckled lightly. “But Shrek is still an academy. It can’t cover the entire continent. Why not let the Inner Academy’s super-talents freely join the Federation, the Spirit Transmission Tower, and other factions—and shatter those outside rumors at the same time?”

“Talents trained by the academy leave to join other factions…” Ye Xinglan’s eyes widened like copper bells. “Isn’t that betraying your roots?”

Zhao Xuanzhen tapped the wooden desk lightly. “Defending the continent isn’t bound by location. Cultivating talent is the academy’s duty. As the number-one academy on the continent, shouldn’t it lead by example?”

“Shrek should return to normal—from you and me. After graduation, leave the academy, join major factions, and defend the continent’s peace. That’s not betrayal—it’s continuing the twenty-thousand-year glory.”

“In the future, everyone on the continent will praise Shrek’s noble integrity, and every graduate will be a pillar of the nation.”

Golden afternoon sunlight filtered through the window, and Ye Xinglan’s fingers unconsciously clenched—her heart’s lake churned with stormy waves.

As Zhao Xuanzhen said, Ye Xinglan had seen criticisms calling Shrek a “state within a state,” especially after its first public defeat, when such remarks sprouted like mushrooms after rain.

If leaving Shrek Academy could also be part of its ten-thousand-year glory… what choice should she make?

Ye Xinglan left the classroom in deep thought; Xu Li hurried after her, eager and eager.

“You’re amazing!”

After they left, Naer raised her thumb, sincerely admiring: “Shrek tried to brainwash us—you turned around and brainwashed your classmates.”

“Just happened to be convenient.”

Zhao Xuanzhen waved it off dismissively, fixing his gaze on Naer, feigning seriousness: “Classmate Naer, first lesson: loyalty. Second lesson: betraying roots. Tell me, what’s the third lesson?”

“Colluding with the enemy!” Naer answered without hesitation.

“Fourth lesson?”

“Stabbing in the back!”

“Oh my, Classmate Naer, I’ve never heard a more satisfying answer—your IQ must be over 160!”

“Of course it is! I’m insanely smart!”

Naer slashed twice with mock swords, her little tail sticking high in triumph.

“Ding-dong—”

The soul tool communicator suddenly chimed. Zhao Xuanzhen glanced at the message and smiled.

“Teacher asked me home for dinner tonight—and she’ll give each of us a Phoenix pendant.”

“Cold Aunt is so nice! Next time Yin Yue Douluo acts up, see if her three-star Dou Armor can block two strokes of True Heavenly Phoenix Flame!” Naer grinned mischievously. “No class this afternoon—should we head back to the Spirit Transmission Tower early?”

Zhao Xuanzhen shook his head, speaking softly: “No. I’m going to Spirit Ice Square.”

“Why?”

“To climb to the top.”

…

Outside the Shrek Academy, Spirit Ice Square.

Spirit Ice Square lies at the heart of the outer academy, built in memory of the Spirit Ice Douluo, Huo Yuhao. Water sprays from the fountain, sparkling with seven-colored light under the sun, and Shrek students pass by constantly.

“Needs a fighting platform…”

The stone path was flat. Zhao Xuanzhen studied the nearby fountain, his eyes turning into mysterious deep blue.

The next instant, the fountain erupted with thunderous roars—eight water columns shot skyward, reflecting sunlight into shimmering ice-blue radiance.

Frost spread from Zhao Xuanzhen’s feet, freezing the water into crystal-clear ice, eight ice pillars standing at the edges, exhaling chilling cold.

The last wisps of vapor locked into the ice. When Zhao Xuanzhen stood at the center, sweeping his sleeves and turning, a frozen fighting platform stood fully formed.

The ice platform instantly drew the attention of Shrek students. They halted their hurried steps, locking eyes on the youngest boy in the entire academy.

Naer tilted her head, a plan forming. The White Silver Dragon Spear appeared. Her slender body became a silver phantom, spear points slicing the ice pillars, ice shards falling like snow—two bold, gleaming characters carved in silver script!

A wise bird chooses its tree!

Xuanzhen is number one under heaven!

“Cough, cough!”

Naer cleared her throat, cupped her hands like a megaphone, and shouted: “Fifth-ranked young genius Zhao Xuanzhen issues a challenge! Anyone on the Shrek Academy Young Genius Ranking who dares, come fight!”

“Disagree? Step up! Top three get priority!”

“Boom—”

The entire crowd erupted. Though Shrek encouraged combat, no one had ever dared to set up a challenge platform in Spirit Ice Square—it was unprecedented!

“Taiji Zhao Xuanzhen! Silver Dragon Naer!”

Their unmistakably heavenly looks and viral fame on the Soul Network sparked heated discussion among Shrek students.

“At the Tianhai Alliance Tournament, they led the East Sea team to defeat the academy—Zhao Xuanzhen rose to fifth on the Young Genius Ranking by crushing Yu Yuanheng!”

“The academy issued a statement inviting them as exchange students—didn’t expect them to show up so fast.”

“Number one under heaven? How dare he speak so arrogantly? Does he think Shrek has no one?”

“Brother’s right! Go give that kid a lesson!”

“Just talk big—I’ve been beaten by Yu Yuanheng before. No point showing up and embarrassing myself…”

Curiosity is human nature—Shrek students were no exception. In seconds, Spirit Ice Square was packed with a dark sea of onlookers—yet not a single soul stepped onto the platform.

Zhao Xuanzhen’s video of thrashing Yu Yuanheng had spread like wildfire. These students weren’t fools—those weaker than Yu Yuanheng had no reason to humiliate themselves.

The older students over eighteen, seeing Zhao Xuanzhen’s youthful face, felt too ashamed to bully a child—and since he only challenged the Young Genius Ranking, they, as seasoned veterans, didn’t even qualify as “teenagers”…

“All of you are cowards? Then I’ll go!”

A loud cry rang out from the crowd. Everyone turned—there stood a young man in a white formal suit, handsome, his golden short hair slicked back with wax, legs tensing as he leapt onto the ice platform.

“Tenth-ranked young genius, Angel Yue Zhengyu.”

Yue Zhengyu announced himself loudly. The Holy Angel Clan loved to show off before crowds—Zhao Xuanzhen setting a challenge platform in the number-one academy struck his sweet spot.

On the Douluo Continent, strength rules. What’s the point of being timid? A genius is a genius because he dares to fight the world!

Others feared the fifth rank. Yue Zhengyu sneered. Holy Angels fighting above their level was routine—he’d fight the fifth himself!

Zhao Xuanzhen nodded slightly. He welcomed all challengers. This afternoon, he had only one goal: climb to the top of the Young Genius Ranking.

The afternoon sun blazed high. The ice platform refracted glittering shards of light, steam rising from its frigid surface. Two boys stood facing each other.

Wu Hun: True Self. Zhao Xuanzhen’s front lock of black hair turned white. Three ten-thousand-year soul rings appeared. Black-and-white energy spiraled around his wrists. The Taiji diagram rotated slowly, its profound aura forcing nearby spectators to step back involuntarily.

Yue Zhengyu spread his pure white angelic wings. Three purple soul rings circled his body. His second soul ring flared—he held a golden holy sword.

“Watch out!”

The first soul ring of the Holy Angel blazed—Holy Light Illuminates All!

A waterfall of light poured from the heavens. The ice platform instantly gilded in molten gold. Holy flames scorched black marks across the ice.

Zhao Xuanzhen pressed his palms outward. Qi followed his intent, spinning like a grinding stone, twisting the blinding flames into glowing embers. Yin and yang energy surged violently—he slammed his fists together!

“Boom—”

Yue Zhengyu reacted swiftly, forming a shield of holy light before him. But the gap in raw power was undeniable—the shield shattered instantly. He was blasted backward seven steps, carving two deep grooves in the ice. Only by flapping his wings furiously did he stabilize himself.

“This guy’s attack power is insane—the Young Genius Ranking really isn’t arbitrary…”

Feeling the sting in his body, Yue Zhengyu gasped. Seeing the figure charging toward him, he dared not stay grounded. He slammed his wings hard and soared upward.

From above, Yue Zhengyu looked down at the tiny figure below. This was the sky advantage of a flight martial soul. His third soul ring blazed brightly. Holy light condensed—he would strike Zhao Xuanzhen hard!

“Can’t fly? Face judgment!”

Holy Angel third soul skill: Holy Judgment!

He raised his holy sword, drawing divine light. A colossal column of judgment coalesced in the clouds.

Just as Yue Zhengyu thought victory was assured, Zhao Xuanzhen’s spine tore through his clothes—two black-and-white wings unfurled, their membranes threaded with veins and capillaries. As they beat, sonic booms echoed far away—he shot upward like a black-and-white meteor, chasing the Holy Angel!

“You—you can fly?!”

Yue Zhengyu’s voice cracked with excitement, his face stunned as if he’d just seen his mother for the first time in a hundred years.

“Flight isn’t the exclusive right of angels.”

Body Sect Secret Art: Wings Manifest!

Mu Ye’s record of the Body Sect’s secrets contained countless techniques; Wings Manifest was created by a Torso Super Douluo, reshaping the ribs into wings!

Zhao Xuanzhen flashed repeatedly, leaving dazzling afterimages in midair; Yue Zhengyu’s skin crawled—he flew faster than the Holy Angel! He instantly realized he had no choice: he thrust his Sacred Sword forward, unleashing a sweeping column of judgment.

“Qi Moves Mountains and Rivers—Stabilize!”

The phantom Taiji diagram expanded relentlessly; the Light of Judgment was ground to dust by Yin and Yang energies, golden radiance swallowed by black and white, the Taiji diagram’s power undiminished, forcing the Holy Angel down from the sky!

The Holy Angel crashed onto the ice arena, the ice collapsing under the terrifying force, cracking into more than a dozen massive fissures that spread wildly.

When the residual force faded, Yue Zhengyu’s figure emerged—his angelic wings torn, one knee on the ground, barely propping himself up with his sword, its surface riddled with countless fine cracks.

Zhao Xuanzhen retracted his black-and-white wings and descended slowly upon the floating Taiji diagram; the watching Shrek students wore grim expressions, silently calculating whether they could withstand this Qi Moves Mountains and Rivers technique—and even if they could, what then?

Golden Awakening, three ten-thousand-year soul skills, Dark Gold Dread Claws, Body Sect Secret Arts… a sudden sense of helplessness rose in their hearts.

“The geniuses of Shrek Academy are as numerous as fish crossing a river!”

Yue Zhengyu rose, his eyes burning as he stared at Zhao Xuanzhen. He had left the Angel Corps solely for cultivation; on his first day at school, he’d met a younger, more talented monster—and he knew he’d come to the right place!

Though the Angel Clan was proud, they deeply respected power. Yue Zhengyu bowed with a fist salute: “I’ve lost this round. I’ll take a leave of absence to absorb the Angel Clan’s inherited soul spirits—then we’ll duel again!”

“Very well. Please welcome the next young genius.”

At these words, the students below shifted their gazes—Tenth had been utterly powerless, proving the gap between them was like a chasm. Only the top three might stand a chance against Zhao Xuanzhen!

Among the spectators, a girl with chestnut-brown short hair burned with battle lust, stepping toward the ice arena. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, her skin pale, her figure more sculpted and graceful than her years suggested.

Halfway there, she suddenly remembered something and halted.

“Never mind—I’m a work-study student. I don’t get Shrek’s free meals or benefits. I need to find a way to support myself—better go look for a job first…”

Life came before all else. The eighth-ranked young genius on the Young Genius Ranking turned away, disappointed.

“Boom. Boom. Boom—”

Heavy footsteps echoed as a young man strode onto the stage, tall and immovable as a mountain, radiating an aura of solemn authority—he looked like a colossal pillar holding up the sky.

“Based on descriptions from Yu Yuanheng and Mo Jue, I can’t beat you,” the young man said gravely.

“Yet you still came,” Zhao Xuanzhen replied.

“I’m the class monitor of Second Year, Class One. Dozens of classmates have been crushed by you. I have a duty to step forward and restore my class’s dignity.”

Moreover, you’ve set up this challenge before us. As the third-ranked young genius on the list, my pride equals anyone’s—I will never shrink from battle.”

A man may lose, but he must never retreat.

“I am Li Qiankun. I challenge you!”

(End of Chapter)