Chapter 47: Good birds choose trees to perch, Xuanzhen is number one in the world, Angel music

"Shi Laike Academy has stood on the continent for twenty thousand years. Led by generations of Shi Laike Seven Monsters such as Sea God ancestor and Spirit Ice Douluo, it has made indelible contributions to the prosperity of the Douluo Continent."

In the classroom, Shen Yi narrated Shi Laike's ten-thousand-year glory with passion. The pilgrimage-like brilliance infected Ye Xinglan and Xu Xu Li Zhi, and the two nodded constantly, immersed in it.

"The academy established a special class, Zero Class, which means the Sea God Pavilion has high hopes for you. I hope that one day, you can be admitted to the inner court, take over the torch of the Shi Laike Seven Monsters, uphold the will of your predecessors, burn yourself, and guard the peace and tranquility of the Douluo Continent.

The course ends here. Tomorrow there will be a practical combat class. The opponents will be people you never expected. Everyone can look forward to it.

Class dismissed."

Shen Yi left with the ancient book leisurely. Four little ones remained in the classroom, divided into two factions according to their reactions after the first lesson.

Zhao Xuan and Xiang Xiang Naer felt relieved. Shi Laike's Zero Class is called small-class teaching, special cultivation, but when you open the loincloth, it is point-to-point brainwashing. The two barely finished the morning.

In stark contrast to Xuan and Na, Ye Xinglan and Xu Xu Li Zhi were glowing, looking back with endless aftertaste, as if they were ready to shine and heat.

Teenagers in their teens are easily shaped. Because of this, many Shi Laike students who joined the Eight Great Legions, the Federation War God Temple, and major soul master sects after graduation all kept Shi Laike Academy in mind.

"Zhao Xuan, what do you think of the academy...?"

Ye Xinglan took the initiative to speak for the first time, with a glimmer of hope for recognition in her azure pupils.

This behavior made Xu Xu Li Zhi's heart jump, and he couldn't help but recall that night at the Tianhai Hotel. Ye Xinglan's wounds cracked, her delicate body trembled, and her dazed appearance was extremely sorrowful. 【47

Xu Xu Li Zhi did not want Ye Xinglan to get involved with Zhao Xuanzhen from the bottom of his heart, but he could not change Ye Xinglan's ability, and he was also afraid that Ye Xinglan would distance herself from him from then on; a simp who loses his goddess becomes a homeless stray dog.

"As expected, it fits the stereotype," Zhao Xuanzhen said indifferently.

Ye Xinglan's brows knitted tightly. If it were the Ye Xinglan of last week, she would have already drawn her Star God Sword and demanded an apology from Zhao Xuanzhen. After experiencing a crushing defeat, her mindset had also grown significantly, and she asked calmly:

"I don't understand, what is a stereotype?"

"Do you really not understand?" Zhao Xuanzhen countered. "Some voices appeared long ago; it's just that the past you always turned a blind eye to them. Shrek Academy has its own set of rules; it ignored the three great empires in the past, and now it oversteps the Sun-Moon Federation.

The academy has expanded to this point; sooner or later, it will face an explosion."

Ye Xinglan did not realize that the so-called explosion was a physical one, and her brows furrowed even tighter: "That... that is Shrek fulfilling its own responsibilities, having no choice but to step over the rules."

"Then let me ask you, what is Shrek Academy's responsibility?"

"To cultivate talent, to slay evil and eliminate wickedness, to guard the continent!"

This time, Ye Xinglan answered with a resolute tone.

Shrek was not stupid enough to shout in class that the academy's honor was above all else. The most brilliant method was to make students identify with Shrek's philosophy—for instance, that the academy was the guardian of the continent—and then spontaneously defend its ten-thousand-year glory.

"Slaying evil, eliminating wickedness, and guarding the continent are the responsibilities of every righteous force on the Douluo Continent," Zhao Xuanzhen chuckled. "Shrek is an academy after all; it cannot take care of the entire continent. Why not let the super geniuses of the Inner Court freely join the Federation, the Spirit Pagoda, and other forces, while simultaneously shattering those outside rumors?"

"The geniuses cultivated by the academy leaving the academy to join other forces..." Ye Xinglan's eyes widened like copper bells. "Isn't this forgetting one's roots?"

Zhao Xuanzhen tapped the wooden table lightly: "Guarding the continent is not restricted to any one place. The academy's duty is to cultivate talent, and as the number one academy on the continent, shouldn't it lead by example?

Shrek should return to normal, starting with you and me. After graduation, leave the academy and throw yourselves into major forces to guard the continent's peace. This is not forgetting one's roots; in fact, it is continuing its twenty-thousand-year glory.

In the future, everyone on the continent will only praise Shrek's noble character, and the students who walk out will all be pillars of the nation."

Fine, golden, warm sunlight leaked through the window lattice. Ye Xinglan's knuckles clenched involuntarily, and a stormy sea surged in the young girl's heart.

Just as Zhao Xuanzhen said, Ye Xinglan had seen arguments refuting that Shrek was a "nation within a nation," especially after Shrek's first defeat in a public setting; those arguments had sprung up like bamboo shoots after a rain.

If leaving Shrek Academy was also a form of ten-thousand-year glory, what choice should she make...

Ye Xinglan left the classroom thoughtfully, and Xu Xu Li Zhi followed her, trotting along.

"You're amazing!"

After the two left, Xiang Xiang Naer gave a thumbs up and said with genuine admiration: "Shrek brainwashes us, and you turn around and brainwash your classmates."

"Just a casual matter."

Zhao Xuanzhen waved his hand dismissively, stared fixedly at Xiang Xiang Naer, and feigned a serious expression: "Student Xiang Xiang Naer, the first lesson is loyalty, the second is forgetting roots. Tell Teacher Zhen, what is the third lesson?"

"Eating inside and out!" Xiang Xiang Naer replied without hesitation!

"The fourth lesson?"

"Backstabbing!"

"My god, Student Xiang Xiang Naer, I have never heard such a satisfying answer. Your IQ must be over 160!"

"Must be, I'm incredibly witty!"

Xiang Xiang Naer stabbed out with two knives, her little tail held high in the air.

"Ding-dong—"

The soul guidance communicator suddenly rang. Zhao Xuanzhen took one look at the message and immediately revealed a smile:

"Teacher is calling us home for dinner tonight and will give us each a phoenix pendant."

"Aunt Leng is so nice. Next time the Silver Moon Douluo tries to disgust people, let's see if her three-word Doukai can block two blasts of the Lady Tianfeng's True Fire!" Xiang Xiang Naer smirked. "No class this afternoon, shall we head back to the Spirit Pagoda early?"

Zhao Xuanzhen shook his head and said softly: "No, I'm going to Lingbing Square."

"What for?"

"To reach the top."

Shrek Outer Court, Lingbing Square.

Lingbing Square is located in the core area of the Outer Court, built to commemorate the Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao. The water splashing from the fountain bloomed with moving, seven-colored luster under the sunlight, and Shrek students passed by in an endless stream.

"Missing a fighting ring..."

The bluestone road was flat. Zhao Xuanzhen examined the fountain nearby, his eyes turning a mysterious, deep blue.

The next second, the fountain erupted with a thunderous roar. Eight water columns shot into the sky, reflecting the sunlight and flowing with icy blue radiance.

Frost spread with Zhao Xuanzhen's position as the center, the water flow solidifying into a crystal-clear layer of ice. Eight ice pillars stood at the edges, spitting out chilling cold air.

The last few wisps of stray water vapor were locked into the cold ice. When Zhao Xuanzhen stood in the center and turned his sleeves, a cold ice fighting ring had taken shape!

The cold ice fighting ring instantly attracted the gazes of the Shrek students, who stopped their hurried footsteps, their eyes locking onto the boy who was the youngest in the entire Shrek Academy.

Xiang Xiang Naer tilted her head, a plan forming. The Silver Dragon Spear flashed, her delicate body becoming like a silver phantom. The spear light cut the ice pillars, ice shavings falling with a rustle, and two lines of large characters were carved with iron-hook-and-silver-stroke style, shining brilliantly!

A good bird chooses its tree to perch in!

Xuanzhen is the best in the world!

"Ahem!"

Xiang Xiang Naer cleared her throat, then cupped her hands into a megaphone and shouted: "The fifth-ranked genius on the Youth Genius Ranking, Zhao Xuanzhen, has set up a ring to challenge students on the Shrek Academy Youth Genius Ranking!

If you're not convinced, come and fight; the top three get priority!"

"Boom—"

The entire venue was in an uproar, instantly turning into a noisy ocean. Although Shrek Academy encouraged fighting, being arrogant enough to set up a ring in Lingbing Square was a first in history!

"Taiji Zhao Xuanzhen, Silver Dragon Xiang Xiang Naer!"

Their highly recognizable, heaven-defying looks and the popularity they had on the Soul Network caused the Shrek students to discuss them heatedly.

"In the Tianhai Alliance competition, they led the East Sea to defeat the academy, and Zhao Xuanzhen stepped on Yu Yuanheng to reach fifth on the Youth Genius Ranking!"

"The academy issued a statement inviting them to be exchange students; I didn't expect them to come so soon."

"Best in the world, he really dares to speak such wild words. Does he think Shrek has no one?"

"Brother is right, let's go up and show that kid some color!"

"Just trash-talking, I was beaten by Yu Yuanheng before, I'm not going up to lose face..."

Joining in the fun is human nature, and Shrek students were no exception. In the blink of an eye, Lingbing Square was packed with a dense crowd, yet no one went up to accept the challenge.

The video of Zhao Xuanzhen beating Yu Yuanheng was spreading wildly; these people weren't stupid. Students whose strength was inferior to Yu Yuanheng's had no need to go up and make a fool of themselves.

Those veteran students over eighteen saw Zhao Xuanzhen's young face and were embarrassed to bully the young. Besides, he was challenging the Youth Genius Ranking, and they were considered old-timers, so they didn't count as youths...

"Why is everyone so cowardly? Then I'll come!"

A loud, clear whistle rang out from the crowd. Everyone looked toward the sound to see a boy wearing a white formal suit. He was handsome, his short golden hair styled with hair wax, combed meticulously and slick. He exerted a slight force with his legs and leaped onto the cold ice fighting ring.

"Tenth on the Youth Genius Ranking, Angel Yue Zhengyu."

Yue Zhengyu introduced himself loudly. The Holy Angel clan loved to show off in public, and Zhao Xuanzhen setting up a ring at the number one academy in the world directly hit his excitement point!

On the Douluo Continent, strength is respected; what kind of Soul Master is timid? A genius is a genius because they should be high-spirited and fight the whole world!

Others feared the fifth rank, but Yue Zhengyu scoffed. For a Holy Angel to fight across ranks was commonplace; he was going to beat the fifth rank!

Zhao Xuanzhen nodded slightly, refusing no one. He only had one thing to do this afternoon: reach the top of the Youth Genius Ranking!

The scorching afternoon sun hung high. The cold ice fighting ring refracted shards of light under the sun, cold air steamed from the ice surface, and the two boys stood facing each other.

With his Martial Soul True Self possessed, a strand of black hair on Zhao Xuanzhen's forehead was dyed pale. Three ten-thousand-year soul rings appeared, black and white air currents wrapped around his wrists, the Taiji diagram rotated slowly, and his aura, deep as an abyss, forced the nearby observing students to retreat involuntarily.

Yue Zhengyu spread a pair of pure white angel wings, three purple soul rings circled his body, his second soul ring flashed, and a golden holy sword appeared in his hand.

"Be careful!"

The Holy Angel's first soul ring shone brightly: Holy Light Illumination!

A waterfall of light poured down from the firmament, the cold ice fighting ring instantly plated with a molten gold color, and the light flames scorched charred marks onto the ice surface.

Zhao Xuanzhen pressed his palms out into the void, his Qi moving with his heart, rotating in reverse like a millstone, twisting the blinding flames into light dust like fireflies. The Yin and Yang Qi suddenly surged, and he slammed his fists out in an overlapping strike!

"Boom—"

The Holy Light Illumination condensed into a barrier in front of him. Yue Zhengyu's reaction was extremely fast, but the gap in raw strength was there. The light shield shattered instantly, and he was blown back seven steps by the air wave, plowing two deep furrows into the ice surface, only managing to stabilize his figure by flapping his wings violently.

"This perverted attack power... the Youth Genius Ranking really isn't ranked randomly..."

Feeling the stinging pain from his body, Yue Zhengyu gasped. Seeing the figure opposite him attacking while taking advantage of the momentum, he didn't dare to stay on the ground and flapped his wings violently, the Holy Angel soaring straight up!

Looking down from a high position, Yue Zhengyu overlooked the tiny figure on the ground. This was the aerial advantage of a flying Martial Soul. His third soul ring shone brightly, holy light condensed, and he wanted to fiercely poke Zhao Xuanzhen!

"You can't fly, prepare for judgment!"

Holy Angel's third soul skill: Holy Judgment!

The holy sword was held high, drawing upon the power of light, and the light condensed in the clouds into a massive pillar of judgment light.

Just when Yue Zhengyu thought he had the victory in the bag, the spine behind Zhao Xuanzhen suddenly tore through his clothes, and a pair of black and white wings spread out. The wing membranes were covered in blood vessels and meridians, and when he flapped them, the sonic boom spread far away, chasing the Holy Angel like a black and white meteor!

"You, you can fly!?"

Yue Zhengyu's voice cracked from excitement, his expression one of "I'm shocked for a hundred years."

"Flying is not the exclusive patent of angels."

Body Secret Method: Wing Transformation!

The Body Secrets that Mu Ye gave to Zhao Xuanzhen recorded countless secret methods of the Benti Sect. Wing Transformation was a secret method created by a torso-type Limit Douluo, changing the rib structure to construct wings!

Zhao Xuanzhen's series of flashes left dazzling afterimages in mid-air. Yue Zhengyu felt a chill run down his spine; this guy's flying speed was faster than the Holy Angel's. He instantly understood he had no choice, pointed his holy sword forward, and swept the judgment light pillar!

"Qi Moves Shanhe, Suppress!"

The Taiji diagram phantom expanded continuously, the Holy Judgment was ground down inch by inch by the Yin and Yang Qi, the bright gold was swallowed by black and white, and the Taiji diagram's power remained undiminished, pressing the Holy Angel down from the sky!

The Holy Angel smashed into the cold ice fighting ring, the ice layer collapsed, and the terrifying destructive power caused more than ten huge cracks to split the ice surface, extending crazily.

As the remaining power dissipated, Yue Zhengyu's figure was revealed. His angel wings were tattered, he was kneeling on one knee, barely supporting his body with his sword, and the holy sword was covered in dense cracks.

Zhao Xuanzhen retracted his black and white wings and descended slowly, stepping on the floating Taiji diagram. The observing Shrek students had solemn expressions, secretly calculating if they could block that "Qi Moves Shanhe" strike. Even if they could block it, what then?

Golden Awakening, three ten-thousand-year soul skills, Dark Gold Terrorclaw, Body Secret Method... A sense of powerlessness rose in their hearts.

"Shrek geniuses are truly as numerous as crucian carp!"

Yue Zhengyu stood up, his eyes gazing at Zhao Xuanzhen with fiery intensity. He had left the Angel Legion just for training, and on his first day of school, he had met a younger, more talented monster. He felt he had come to the right place!

It was true that the Angel clan was proud and arrogant, but they absolutely respected strength. Yue Zhengyu cupped his hands in a salute: "I lost this time. I will suspend my studies and go home to absorb the Angel clan's inherited soul spirit, and then we can spar again!"

"Good, next genius youth, please."

As soon as these words were spoken, the students below had flickering eyes. The tenth rank had no power to fight back, proving that the gap between the two was like a natural chasm; perhaps only the top three could fight Zhao Xuanzhen head-on!

Among the observing students, a girl with chestnut-red short hair had surging battle intent and stepped toward the cold ice fighting ring. The girl was extremely beautiful, her skin pale, and her figure was exquisitely curvaceous, surpassing her age.

Halfway there, she suddenly thought of something and stopped, not moving forward anymore.

"Forget it, I'm a work-study student, I don't enjoy Shrek's free cafeteria and benefits. I have to find a way to support myself, let's go find a job first..."

Life is greater than everything. The girl, eighth on the Youth Genius Ranking, turned and left with regret.

"Boom, boom, boom—"

Heavy footsteps rang out. A young man stepped onto the stage steadily, his figure tall, a sense of majesty like an immovable mountain spreading out, his whole person appearing like a giant pillar supporting the sky.

"According to the descriptions of Yu Yuanheng and Mo Jue, I probably can't beat you," the young man said in a deep voice.

"But you still came," Zhao Xuanzhen said.

"I am the monitor of Grade Two, Class One. More than a dozen classmates were crushed by you, and I have the responsibility to stand out and regain dignity for the class.

Moreover, you set up a ring here to challenge us. As the third on the Youth Genius Ranking, the pride in my heart is no less than anyone else's, and I will never allow myself to shrink from a fight.

A person can lose, but cannot retreat.

Unbreakable Li Qiankun, please enlighten me!"

(End of this chapter)