Chapter 65

It is well known that second awakening is the source of a Body Martial Soul’s power, and innate Golden Awakening is an extreme beyond extremes.

Wu Siduo could accept defeat—not that she couldn’t, given Zhao Xuanzhen was top of the Young Genius List, his raw strength far surpassing hers—but to exhaust herself completely and still fail to trigger a second awakening, the girl couldn’t help but feel crushed.

“You’ve tried your hardest.”

Hearing Zhao Xuanzhen’s gentle, sincere words, Wu Siduo felt even more heartbroken, a sorrowful ache growing with every effort she made.

Her full, blood-stained lips parted slightly; Wu Siduo wanted to say, “Don’t comfort me next time,” but her body reached its limit, her eyes rolled back, and her delicate form shattered into countless white lights.

Zhao Xuanzhen pressed downward through the air; the stone wall slowly sank to the ground, revealing the battles at the other two fronts.

Gu Yue was surrounded by seven elemental orbs, summoning attacks of every element with ease, unleashing a relentless barrage that forced the five first-year students opposite her to flee in panic. At her feet, four deep-purple soul rings rotated slowly, their violet glow like starlight illuminating her exquisite, serene face.

“Forty-one-level Soul Ancestor…”

Zhao Xuanzhen sensed the soul power fluctuation radiating from Gu Yue. Compared to her unremarkable cultivation and soul rings in another timeline, this girl, possessing seventy percent of the Silver Dragon King’s origin, was clearly far stronger now.

She’s a veteran reborn—don’t judge her by ordinary standards. Even if Gu Yue broke through to Titled Douluo in three years, Zhao Xuanzhen would have nothing to say, only shed tears and bite his handkerchief in silent outrage at her cheating.

Xu Yucheng gripped his grotesquely shaped Dark Demon Scythe, executing a 360-degree, all-angle slash; the blade’s light traced a dark-purple circle, slicing through every fireball that came from all directions.

After the strike, Xu Yucheng staggered, nearly collapsing; with a thud, he drove the scythe’s long shaft into the ground, barely keeping himself upright.

According to Tang Wulin’s original battle strategy, Xu Yucheng’s personal combat strength ranked second only to himself and Youming Wu Siduo. As long as he avoided Zhao Xuanzhen—the freak with that insane physical strength—Xu Yucheng, with support from others, could certainly challenge Gu Yue.

But three years apart demand a new perspective—Gu Yue was no longer the Gu Yue Tang Wulin remembered; her strength after emerging from seclusion far exceeded imagination. Xu Yucheng couldn’t even close the distance; every charge was blasted back by countless elemental energies!

“Xu Yucheng! Wu Siduo and the others are out!”

A sharp female voice suddenly rang out. Xu Yucheng turned to see Bi She Zheng Yiran watching the black-haired boy ahead with grim alertness; beside her stood her two subordinates, Zheng Long and Zheng Hu, and the support-type Soul Master, Ruyi Bell.

“They had nine people—how did they get eliminated faster than us?”

Xu Yucheng gritted his teeth, unable to fathom why Tang Wulin’s group collapsed so quickly—they were barely holding their own against just Gu Yue, let alone Zhao Xuanzhen!

“Shhh—”

A wind blade sliced through the air, whistling past Xu Yucheng’s cheek, leaving a crimson streak on his pallid skin; blood trickled slowly.

Meeting Xu Yucheng’s shocked, furious gaze, Gu Yue said calmly: “Zhao Xuanzhen won’t interfere in this battle. Your opponent is only me.”

Xu Yucheng panted heavily, glaring furiously at Gu Yue’s relaxed, effortless expression, then roared: “All of us—attack together!”

“Ruyi, Ruyi, fulfill my will!”

The support-type Soul Master shook the Ruyi Bell; her three soul rings flashed simultaneously, spreading rings of light that bestowed a twenty-percent boost in strength, speed, and soul power onto her four teammates.

Ruyi Bell’s blessing effect was exactly half that of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower—this was precisely why the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower was called the number one support-type weapon martial soul: its abilities far outstripped all competitors!

Empowered by Ruyi Bell’s buff, Xu Yucheng’s pale face turned icy, the Dark Demon Scythe surging with deep purple-black energy.

The third and fourth hundred-year soul rings blazed brightly; Xu Yucheng charged forward, transformed into a reaper of life, the Dark Demon Scythe shrieking through the air as its dark-purple glow carved crescent-shaped arcs—leaves and dead branches alike vanished in its wake!

On the other side, the Green Serpent Poison Mist churned like a giant serpent; the sickly green fog condensed the combined soul power of Zheng Yiran, Zheng Long, and Zheng Hu—all poison-type Soul Elders. The mist echoed with the corrosive hiss of the Green Serpent Emperor, surging wildly toward Gu Yue.

“Child’s play.”

In Gu Yue’s hand appeared a silver scepter—the Elementalist’s fourth soul skill: Element Scepter. She had no traditional offensive or defensive soul skills; all four of her soul skills aided her in controlling elemental forces!

Violet light swirled deep within her pupils; a blizzard erupted from nowhere, howling winds carrying countless ice crystals instantly freezing the Green Serpent Poison Mist into emerald ice prisms, which clattered down to the earth.

Towering trees were coated in frost; the dark glow of the Dark Demon Scythe slowed like mud in extreme cold. Gu Yue swung the Element Scepter—the ground trembled and cracked, murky waves and molten lava erupted skyward, dark-green wind blades slashed through the night, and crimson flame pillars pierced the heavens like divine punishment!

Seven Elements, Fission!

The world fell silent for an instant—the explosive roar of elemental fission swallowed all sound. The frozen Green Serpent Poison Mist evaporated under blinding white light; the Dark Demon Scythe shattered into countless fragments.

After engulfing Xu Yucheng and his four comrades, the Seven Elements Fission did not cease—earth, water, wind, and fire ravaged the forest; amid chaotic flows of light and darkness, silver light representing space flashed suddenly. Gu Yue stood proudly in the sky, wind elements cradling her slender, curvaceous frame, her long black hair flying, her eyes reflecting a world of chaos and annihilation.

Gu Yue slowly lowered her gaze, locking eyes with Zhao Xuanzhen below. Their gazes met—she saw admiration in his eyes, and a faint, almost imperceptible upward curve touched her crimson lips.

Attracting the opposite sex through pure looks or body allure is the lowest form. Gu Yue placed great emphasis on self-improvement—displaying excellence in appearance, temperament, talent, and combat power, so Zhao Xuanzhen would inwardly acknowledge her, then gradually grow fond of her, then love her.

The entire process was long and arduous, but Gu Yue was an extremely patient hunter. She would quietly weave a warm net, causing Zhao Xuanzhen to sink into it unconsciously, forever bound to her, the Queen of Gu Yue, with no other choice in this life or the next!

Gu Yue looked forward to that day—certainly, that silver-haired fool was destined to be a loser!

…

“They’re done—I can’t be left behind…”

In the last battlefield, Ye Xinglan’s hair fluttered in the night breeze, the Star God Sword slanted toward the ground, its faint glow seeming ready to slice through the surrounding darkness.

Ye Xinglan wiped crimson blood from the Star God Sword; of the four who originally attacked, only two remained—Luo Guixing and Xie Xie, their expressions grim, forming a front-and-back encirclement.

Luo Guixing possessed a Space Element Martial Soul; silver threads curled around his fingertips, as if connected to invisible spatial nodes. Xie Xie crouched low, gripping the Light-Dark Dragon Dagger backward, its blade tip silently flickering with lethal sharpness.

Space Element surged—silver threads converged into a prison-like cage. Element-type Martial Souls are famed for their versatility, offering excellent prospects along any path. Luo Guixing chose to become a control-type Soul Master, commanding space elements to imprison all things!

The space around Ye Xinglan grew sluggish; she could barely move. Xie Xie stepped with the Tang Men Ghost Shadow Mysterious Steps, appearing like a fleeting afterimage rushing toward her.

The Light Dragon Dagger blazed with blinding white radiance; the Shadow Dragon Dagger carried transparent, razor-sharp blades. The combined power of both martial souls converged to crush Ye Xinglan—third soul skill, Light-Dark Clone, amplified Xie Xie’s assault further.

“Clang—”

The Star God Sword rang clear and long; its tone tore through the sluggish space. Deep within Ye Xinglan’s azure pupils, starlight exploded—the Star God Sword Intent surged, dazzling sword beams flashing like stars across the heavens.

The Light-Dark Dragon Daggers crossed downward; Ye Xinglan twisted her body at an impossible angle, the sword tip grazing both blades, sending out brilliant sparks!

“Break!”

With a sharp cry, the Star God Sword Intent materialized into solid starlight blades. Xie Xie, startled, crossed his daggers to block—but Ye Xinglan forced him back step by step; his second soul skill, Double Dragon Storm, shattered like waves crashing against a reef, torn apart by the Star God Sword Intent.

Luo Guixing formed hand seals to manipulate space, attempting to drag Xie Xie out of the Star God Sword’s attack range—when he saw Ye Xinglan’s third soul ring flare violently.

Star God Sword’s third soul skill: Starfall Blade!

The swordsman advances without retreat!

Swordlight erupted like a newborn star; the Star God Sword descended with a brilliance piercing heaven and earth. Under Ye Xinglan’s sword intent, the space element dissolved instantly; the Double Dragon Storm collapsed the moment it touched the blade’s edge.

Before Xie Xie dissolved into white light, his final vision was Luo Guixing’s twisted, stunned face—the space lock he’d desperately formed was already filled with dazzling starlight; the sweeping blade passed over him, and Luo Guixing exploded into clouds of blood.

The battle ended. Ye Xinglan retracted the Star God Sword, her sword intent returning within her. Her eyes, brimming with sword qi, gazed across at Zhao Xuanzhen and Gu Yue.

“Three remain in the arena.”

Above, Shen Yi’s announcement came perfectly timed.

The three nodded to each other; the two girls left the training ground space, one ahead, one behind. Per the selection rules, Zhao Xuanzhen automatically became the first-year class monitor.

Consciousness returned. Zhao Xuanzhen’s vision cleared—the hatch opened, and they returned to the real world.

The three stepped out from their respective pods; over a hundred pairs of eyes fixed upon them.

The first-year class had 104 students total; most had been cleared out during the Xuan Yue Star Battle’s earlier purge.

One fist, one sword, one element—this trio was unstoppable, crushing all before them.

Seeing these three monsters, many students wore expressions of fear. Being eliminated meant watching the rest of the battles through soul-tool

Zhao Xuanzhen subdued dragons and tamed tigers, Gu Yue’s elemental fission split the heavens, Ye Xinglan’s sword intent pierced the clouds—each scene burned deep into their hearts. From now on, they could scarcely muster the will to resist; even the haughty Nine Gates were shattered beyond repair.

Wu Siduo huddled in a corner, arms wrapped around her knees, sunk into profound isolation. Zhao Xuanzhen’s words, “You’ve tried hard enough,” would haunt her for life.

Luo Guixing, Xu Yucheng, Yang Nianxia, and Zheng Yiran each hung their heads like defeated roosters, needing time to reclaim their lost confidence.

Xu Li lowered his head, feeling he had betrayed Ye Xinglan; he dared not meet the goddess’s gaze, terrified of seeing even a flicker of displeasure on her face.

In truth, Ye Xinglan didn’t care at all—she even felt a quiet sigh of relief. Xu Li was finally no longer a shadow trailing after her.

Tang Wulin was the most composed of them all, for his innate soul power was only Level Three—he was no natural prodigy, having endured countless taunts along his path, far more resilient than the others of the Nine Gates.

Losing means running, chasing—nothing to make a fuss over.

Wu Changkong announced: “First-year Class One’s class president: Zhao Xuanzhen. Vice president: Gu Yue and Ye Xinglan.”

“In one year, all students may challenge the three class leaders. The victor takes the position; the loser is removed.”

At these words, Zhao Xuanzhen and Gu Yue remained calm, but Ye Xinglan’s eyes flickered—her combat strength was the lowest of the three, and within the class, Tang Wulin and Wu Siduo both had the right to challenge her.

“I can’t stop. I must train harder, sweat more…” she warned herself silently.

“Next, we select four class officers,” Shen Yi said. “Your entrance exams included a secondary profession test. The academy has recorded your secondary profession ranks. The four officers will be those with the highest ranks.”

Zhao Xuanzhen cultivates mech design, mech manufacturing, and mech repair—each secondary profession at Level Five, high-tier. He should serve as all three committee heads.

Tang Wulin is a Level Five smith; he will serve as the Smithing Committee head.

At this, everyone drew a sharp breath. While holding multiple class posts wasn’t rare—Shrek Academy once produced a master who held all four posts: vice president, mech design, mech manufacturing, and mech repair—Zhao Xuanzhen had surpassed even that legend, becoming a new myth.

Confidence stems from strength; all were sincerely convinced. After the class officers were appointed, homeroom teacher Wu Changkong dismissed the class.

In the afternoon, Zhao Xuanzhen, Gu Yue, and Na’er returned to the Spirit Transmission Tower headquarters to routinely ascend the Spirit Altar and farm for levels.

After dinner, the three returned to Shrek Academy. Passing the outer campus, Gu Yue grabbed Na’er’s arm and demanded she move into the outer campus dormitory with her. Though reluctant, Na’er nodded in agreement.

To be fair, Zhao Xuanzhen couldn’t help suspecting Na’er had some secret leverage over her hands…

The night breeze blew cool and refreshing. Zhao Xuanzhen hesitated, then decided against going to the Shenshen Island. He stepped toward the work-study dormitory to fulfill his promise.

The work-study dormitory was in ruinous condition: moss crawled over weathered wooden planks; broken windows flickered faintly in the moonlight; the door’s outer skin had peeled away, revealing blackened wood grain beneath.

“Knock. Knock. Knock.”

In the silent night, the three muffled knocks rang clear. The door creaked open slowly. First, a faint, sweet fragrance drifted out, then a girl’s figure appeared in the doorway.

Bathed in silver moonlight, her chestnut-red hair shimmered softly. Her pale, jade-like face was heart-stoppingly beautiful. She wore only a thin white sports crop top, barely concealing her graceful, full figure. Bare arms glowed like pearls under the moon, every inch of skin radiant.

“Boss?”

Yuan En Yehui gazed at Zhao Xuanzhen with clear, bright eyes, her voice as melodious as a mountain stream.

“I’m free tonight. I came to see your Doukai blueprints, study the manufacturing method,” Zhao Xuanzhen said without blinking.

Yuan En Yehui blinked, stepping aside to make way.

“Please come in, Boss…”

(End of Chapter)