[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-douluo-the-dragon-king-s-taiji-xuanzhen":3,"chapter-douluo-the-dragon-king-s-taiji-xuanzhen-douluo-the-dragon-king-s-taiji-xuanzhen-chapter-56":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Douluo: The Dragon King's Taiji Xuanzhen",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2308624,4511,"Chapter 56: The Crown Prince","douluo-the-dragon-king-s-taiji-xuanzhen-chapter-56",56,"\u003Cp>Afternoon sunlight lazily slanted against the wooden house, dappled tree shadows scattered across the ground, where a girl in plain white training attire stood alone, her silver spear swirling like a dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spearpoint pierced the air, refracting tiny silver glimmers in the blazing light; her figure rose and fell with each motion, sleeves fluttering like a whirlwind, every strike and retreat accompanied by a clear, dragonlike roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spearhead suddenly retracted; the girl spun and swept horizontally, instantly conjuring hundreds of silver dragon shadows, sweat beads rolling down her snow-white jawline, dampening the pale green bamboo pattern on her collar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hundred meters away, a tall figure had stood motionless for who knew how long, his hem lifted and settled by the wind, a smile curled at his lips, his brows dusted with brilliant golden light filtering through the leaves, highlighting his refined, superior features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl suddenly turned back; the familiar silhouette came into view, her fingers tightening unconsciously around the spear, wind scattering her silver hair across her flawless, breathtaking face—yet she seemed indifferent, only staring, transfixed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao, Xuanzhen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naer’s expression shifted from daze to delight, emitting a piercing shriek, she flung the Silver Dragon Spear aside and lunged toward Zhao Xuanzhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuanzhen’s dark, warm eyes sparkled with amusement; he opened his arms in advance—this reunion with his childhood companion called for a warm embrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet when they were only a meter apart, Naer suddenly ducked her head, using her legs to drive her waist and whole body forward, launching a rocket-headed ram straight into Zhao Xuanzhen’s chest!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thud—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy impact rang out; caught off guard, Zhao Xuanzhen nearly toppled over from Naer’s charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Attacking right when we meet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuanzhen smiled, letting the silver little head burrow into his chest repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the Phoenix Pendant hadn’t activated and if Soul Emperor Qintian hadn’t assured us repeatedly, Cold Aunt and I thought you’d been buried by Shrek Academy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naer lifted her head, eyes red-rimmed, the very image of a pouting wronged woman; she’d planned to harshly scold Zhao Xuanzhen, but their gazes met, and she couldn’t look away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That gentle, elegant face, always wearing a faint smile, instantly filled her entire vision; the reprimand died before it could leave her lips, transforming itself without her consent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re not here—I can’t even enjoy my meals!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl’s captivating voice trembled slightly; eating had always been the most important thing in her day—until Zhao Xuanzhen entered seclusion. Naer wandered alone through the vast Shrek Academy, like a lonely child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Naer entered the Spirit Transmission Tower, Zhao Xuanzhen and she had never been apart for more than a day. They’d grown used to each other’s presence; sudden separation caused unbearable discomfort. For these past days, Naer couldn’t finish even ten bowls of rice in one sitting, each day waiting for Zhao Xuanzhen to emerge from his seclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deep meditation took longer than expected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuanzhen gently embraced the girl, as if hearing the tremor of her heartbeat; silver strands of hair brushed his nose with the breeze, a faint fragrance lingering, utterly intoxicating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naer greedily inhaled the comforting scent only she could smell; after a long while, reluctantly let go, her silver eyes sparkling: “Let’s hurry back to the Spirit Transmission Tower—Cold Aunt misses you just as much as I do, and her temper’s grown even worse this year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I remember once, Lord Qian Gu came to discuss official matters, and Cold Aunt just threw him out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm, let’s go see the teacher. We’ll have a big feast tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yay!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Naer instantly perked up—if Zhao Xuanzhen was by her side, she’d happily devour three hundred bowls of rice in a day!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They raced out of the city at top speed, heading straight for the Spirit Transmission Tower’s headquarters outside Shrek City, deliberately not sending a soul-tool message to Leng Yaoju—the little rascals planned to surprise the Heavenly Phoenix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they stepped into the first floor of the Spirit Transmission Tower, they faced an unexpected person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man was tall and handsome; upon seeing Zhao Xuanzhen and Naer, he froze for two seconds, then strode forward with a bright smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xuanzhen, Naer, older brother has long heard you’ve enrolled at Shrek Academy, and we’ve never crossed paths recently—I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Long time no see, Zhangting—your charm remains unchanged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuanzhen exchanged pleasantries with the newcomer; Naer subtly rolled her eyes. The young man was Qian Gu Zhangting, the grandson of the current Spirit Transmission Tower Master, Qian Gu Dongfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At age six, Qian Gu Zhangting awakened the Qian Gu family’s ancestral martial soul—the Coiled Dragon Staff—and possessed innate full soul power, placing him among the continent’s elite. Qian Gu Dongfeng was overjoyed and declared his grandson the perfect heir to the Spirit Transmission Tower throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, within the Spirit Transmission Tower circle, Qian Gu Zhangting carried the nickname: Crown Prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the direct disciple of Tian Feng Douluo Leng Yaoju, the deputy tower master, Zhao Xuanzhen held an exalted status; all Spirit Transmission Tower members, including division masters, owed him respect. Qian Gu Zhangting, representing the future of the Qian Gu lineage, was the only young generation member whose status surpassed Zhao Xuanzhen’s within the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At major banquets hosted by the tower’s inner circle, the two young representatives of the Phoenix and Qian Gu families inevitably met. Naer, at six, had accompanied Zhao Xuanzhen and thus knew Qian Gu Zhangting—but she disliked the Crown Prince of the Spirit Transmission Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuanzhen knew the Qian Gu family’s filth and had zero interest in cultivating any relationship with Qian Gu Zhangting; their daily interactions amounted to little more than nodding acquaintances—unless they happened to meet, as today, they never exchanged a word privately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After brief small talk, Qian Gu Zhangting’s gaze shifted to the silver-haired girl beside Zhao Xuanzhen, a flicker of awe crossing his eyes as he remarked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little sister Naer… you’ve grown even more beautiful. You’ll surely become a celestial beauty of unparalleled grace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Naer felt nauseated, her skin crawling; she snapped: “Call me by my name—who’s your sister? If you want sisters, go to the brothels—there are plenty of women who’ll call you brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once, Qian Gu Zhangting’s face darkened like a soot-covered pot, his cheek muscles twitching uncontrollably, fists clenching instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuanzhen stepped forward, his body subtly shielding Naer, smiling faintly: “The girl doesn’t understand propriety—she’s just speaking childishly. Brother Zhangting, don’t take it to heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, not your fault, Naer. I was too forward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Gu Zhangting smiled without warmth, silently reminding himself he was the next tower master—his grandfather Qian Gu Dongfeng had said Zhao Xuanzhen and Naer, though gifted, were destined to be his subordinates; their relationship must not be strained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The teacher summoned us for a meeting. Brother Zhangting, we’ll take our leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuanzhen casually made an excuse to depart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By all means.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Gu Zhangting watched them board the upper elevator, recalling Naer’s cutting words; he finally dropped all pretense, his hatred spilling out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So young, yet such a foul temper!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for Grandfather’s orders to keep you two apart, and if you weren’t half-decent-looking—barely good enough for me—you’d think I, the young master…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His furious words cut off abruptly. Qian Gu Zhangting couldn’t deceive himself—he had to admit the silver-haired girl had entered her rapid growth phase, transforming miraculously into a stunning beauty, more beautiful each day, perfectly hitting every one of his preferences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Qian Gu Zhangting’s mind, Naer was a celestial beauty; Zhao Xuanzhen was barely human. The Spirit Transmission Tower belonged to the Qian Gu family—Zhao Xuanzhen should obediently serve as the Qian Gu family’s servant, offering himself entirely, while Naer should be a golden cage bird, utterly at his disposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough. No need to rush.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Gu Zhangting’s gaze turned deep: “I’ll follow Grandfather’s advice—no distractions of romance. Focus on refining the Coiled Dragon Staff’s intent… try to earn the approval of the monster on the top floor…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The upper elevator reached the hundredth floor. Naer hugged herself, shuddering with indignation: “Qian Gu Zhangting is utterly repulsive! Once I train a few more years, I’ll beat him senseless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He was born lucky—since childhood, he’s been secretly named the first heir to the tower master position, with the entire Qian Gu family shielding him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Xuanzhen, you’re full of scheming—think of a plan fast! I don’t want to work under a tower master like him…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Explain what you mean by ‘I’m full of scheming’?” Zhao Xuanzhen sighed. “The Crown Prince is just a Crown Prince. The one who ascends the throne isn’t necessarily the Crown Prince. Even if he becomes emperor—so what? History is full of stories of assassinating kings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The annals of Huaxia were vast; Zhao Xuanzhen never believed in hereditary succession. The strong follow the Xuanwu Gate succession principle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly! Drag Qian Gu Zhangting down, you become tower master, me and Gu Yue become deputy masters, then we go travel—dump all the boring paperwork on Gu Yue, and let the trident handle its duties!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naer raised her arms, deciding the Spirit Transmission Tower’s future in three sentences. Zhao Xuanzhen listened—and wait, you know what? You’re not wrong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, the elevator reached the hundredth floor. Zhao Xuanzhen gestured for Naer to knock, remaining silent behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dong dong dong—it’s me, Cold Aunt!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naer’s cheerful voice echoed inside. Leng Yaoju sat on the sofa handling paperwork, not looking up, she shot out a pulse of soul power—the door flew open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opulent hundredth floor. Zhao Xuanzhen gazed at his long-awaited teacher. A year had passed, yet Leng Yaoju’s appearance had barely changed—her figure still exquisitely mature, the crimson dress outlining a seductive curve, unforgettable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, her aura had grown colder, more elegant—a sovereign’s presence radiated, like a heavenly phoenix descending, commanding awe without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two footsteps reached her ears. Leng Yaoju turned, her phoenix eyes reflecting Zhao Xuanzhen’s tall, upright figure; her crimson pupils, calm as a still lake, rippled gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xuan… Xuanzhen…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leng Yaoju’s lips trembled. The two-month separation during her Golden Tree enlightenment differed vastly from Zhao Xuanzhen’s recent seclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Zhao Xuanzhen couldn’t send soul-tool messages to reassure her, Leng Yaoju had drowned daily in worry, fearing Shrek Academy might harm her precious disciple—her emotions had grown increasingly volatile, even Qian Gu Dongfeng avoided her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Zhao Xuanzhen stood before her, unharmed, the suffocating tension in her chest dissolved as if never there; she regained the composure of a supreme Douluo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing the urge to pull her disciple into her arms and examine him thoroughly, Leng Yaoju asked: “Xuanzhen, during your year-long seclusion, did anything go wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher, no need to worry. The Golden Tree’s life energy has continuously nourished my body.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naer chimed in: “By the way, after such a long seclusion, what amazing benefits did you gain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuanzhen smiled without answering, instead demonstrating his answer—his soul power surged outward; three black, ten-thousand-year soul rings rose in succession, followed by a brilliant golden soul ring twice the size of a ten-thousand-year ring!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Four-ring Soul Ancestor!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Golden soul ring?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two stunning beauties stared wide-eyed, waiting for Zhao Xuanzhen’s explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuanzhen concisely recounted his experience, omitting the Eight Deceits God, but otherwise speaking truthfully: beneath the Golden Tree’s underground space, the Yin-Yang field formed by two ten-thousand-year soul beasts was thrice as dense as that of the Sea God Island, enabling him to break through level forty—and drawing the Golden Tree Spirit’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Golden Tree Spirit was an elderly man who loved investing in the young; he willingly gifted thirty percent of his energy, forming a golden soul ring whose power would gradually unlock as Zhao Xuanzhen grew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two women stared in shock. Naer probed: “The Golden Tree’s fourth soul ring—its soul skill must be absurdly powerful?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuanzhen hesitated: “It’s not about raw power. This soul skill is unique—it’s unlike any other… it has a certain… resonance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naer looked utterly confused, her small mind unable to grasp such vague words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leng Yaoju pondered: “Ten-thousand-year soul spirits can provide at most four soul rings. Since the Golden Tree occupies the fourth, your fifth soul ring can still be provided by the Lingrui Water Porpoise. Merge your second soul spirit only after reaching level sixty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xuanzhen, this might be fortunate. The Spirit Transmission Tower possesses a soul spirit perfectly suited to your Yin-Yang affinity. Even a Soul King might struggle to fuse it—but a Soul Emperor would face no issue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so? Then I’ll look forward to it,” Zhao Xuanzhen smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I guarantee you won’t be disappointed,” Leng Yaoju smiled sweetly. “I’ll notify the kitchen to prepare dishes—we’ll celebrate properly tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m starving—I want to eat a hundred bowls!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naer rubbed her little belly confidently, then turned to Zhao Xuanzhen: “I just remembered—you missed your first-year final exam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have to retake it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How?” Zhao Xuanzhen guessed blindly. “No money allowed—challenge high-level Soul Masters in ten cities?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the first-year outer academy final exam. We’re the noble Zero Class!” Naer sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Noble…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh, you’re missing the point!” Naer glared at Zhao Xuanzhen. “The final exam is similar to the Hall of Glory, except instead of simulating the original Shrek Seven, you fight soul beasts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Based on the student’s talent, a soul beast of matching cultivation level manifests for a life-or-death battle. For example, Xu Li, as a food-type soul master, faced a weaker-blooded soul beast—a Phoenix-Tailed Rooster Snake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ye Xinglan, by contrast, is far stronger—her exam soul beast was the Death Spider Emperor, one of Bibi Dong’s dual martial souls from twenty thousand years ago, its entire body coated in lethal poison—utterly disgusting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What soul beast are you hunting?” Zhao Xuanzhen asked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ice Snow Maiden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Naer’s expression was miserable, but Zhao Xuanzhen couldn’t help smiling—the Snow Emperor, leader of the Three Great Sovereigns of Jibei, belonged to a race rumored to carry a youthful version of the Snow Emperor’s Three Supreme Techniques; for the silver-haired girl, that battle had clearly been no easy feat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop laughing!” Xiang Naer flashed her soft white fist in a serious warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, alright, I won’t laugh.” Zhao Xuanzhen conceded. “I’ve never heard of the location for the final exam—what’s it called?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Arena of Life and Death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2392,"2026-06-20T10:43:43.510Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","103f4a9a4dea5261a6b2e1ee806da2ff379b2ada869344cc16573fc73ae7357e","douluo-the-dragon-king-s-taiji-xuanzhen-chapter-57","douluo-the-dragon-king-s-taiji-xuanzhen-chapter-55",92,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdouluo-the-dragon-king-s-taiji-xuanzhen-cover.jpg"]