Chapter 73

“You… took my disciple!?”

In an instant, a piercing phoenix cry echoed through the air; Leng Yaoju regarded Xiang Yunming with the gaze of a mortal enemy, and the True Phoenix Flame spread outward in a ring, its scorching phoenix fire interwoven with threads of black energy, wild and ferocious!

Xiang Naer’s expression changed slightly; her soul power barrier blocked the True Phoenix Flame. Even though Leng Yaoju was outnumbered, they had no doubt she would unleash her most frenzied assault in her near-raging state!

“Phoenix, please calm down first—I haven’t finished speaking.”

Amid the crackling of flames striking the soul power barrier, countless shadowy black spears pierced the air, shattering the tidal waves of phoenix fire; Xiang Yunming said gravely: “You raised these two children. Put yourself in my shoes—I never once intended for them to fully sever ties with you.”

Naer is my direct disciple; she will inevitably inherit the position of Sea God Pavilion’s master. Zhao Xuanzhen, under your and Dragon Elder’s joint cultivation, can serve as a high-ranking member of the Spirit Tower while also becoming an honorary member of the Sea God Pavilion.”

Yali took up the thread, her voice gentle as she urged: “Yaoju, Mingge only wants Naer to become his disciple and inherit the Legacy of the Pillar God Spear. Zhao Xuanzhen’s case arose from an unexpected event.”

He once secluded himself for a year beneath the Golden Tree, earning the favor of Golden Tree Spirit, Old Golden, who granted him three-tenths of the Golden Ancient Tree’s energy as his fourth soul ring.”

Three-tenths of the Golden Tree’s energy is immense—it could at least forge a quasi-god-level Supreme Douluo. The Sea God Pavilion’s elders could never allow Zhao Xuanzhen to leave.”

Mingge faces immense pressure too, especially from Dragon Elder—she’s not a particularly rational person. I beg you to understand.”

“Yali, are you threatening me?” Leng Yaoju said coldly. “If you won’t let Zhao Xuanzhen become his disciple, will Long Yeyue come storming in?”

“Fine. Let her come. I’d like to see if I can slap that old hag’s face as hard as she slapped the Spirit Tower’s master!”

Hearing this, Xiang Yunming and Yali couldn’t help but twitch their temples. Long Yeyue held status equivalent to the Shrek Academy’s Empress Dowager—her cultivation was profound, her seniority immense, even the Sea God Pavilion’s master was bound by her authority. To slap Long Yeyue’s face? The couple dared not even imagine it!

Regarding their beloved disciple Zhao Xuanzhen, Leng Yaoju’s expression turned icy and unyielding: “Xiang Yunming, don’t forget you’re the current Sea God Pavilion master. Even if Long Yeyue holds a higher seniority, does she dare rally factions to overthrow you?”

All this talk of pressure is nonsense—it’s merely that you find her arguments convincing, using the old witch’s name to mask your own desires.”

As for those three-tenths of the Golden Tree’s energy… the Golden Tree and Shrek have always maintained a mutually beneficial relationship. Over the years, how many strong cultivators have you raised and how many crises have you overcome using its life energy?”

Ten thousand years ago, it was the Golden Tree’s power that sealed the World-Ending Beast Tide and preserved Shrek City!”

Old Golden has the right to give energy to whomever he chooses. The Golden Tree owes Shrek Academy nothing—even if one day it decides to leave Sea God Island, you have no right to stop it!”

With this, the chance of Naer entering Shrek Academy was nearly nonexistent. Xiang Yunming’s face darkened severely; Yali made one final, almost pleading effort:

“Yaoju, reconsider. These two children are so close—they’ll inevitably end up together. We could arrange a betrothal for them now.”

Naer becomes Sea God Pavilion master; Zhao Xuanzhen becomes her husband. With this marital bond between the two powers, Shrek Academy can naturally intervene in Spirit Tower affairs—and with your Phoenix Clan’s strength, together you can break the Qian Gu family’s suppression and easily elevate Zhao Xuanzhen to Spirit Tower master.”

“Three birds with one stone. Brilliant strategy,” Leng Yaoju sneered. “Shrek gains Zhao Xuanzhen and Naer as guardians, while absorbing the entire Spirit Tower into its domain, reviving the glory of the Spirit Ice Douluo era. Yali, your scheming has grown sharper since marrying into Shrek Academy!”

“I…”

Yali smiled bitterly. Since marrying Xiang Yunming, her thinking naturally leaned toward her husband—and she truly believed this was a win-win, a chance for the two powers to thaw and reunite.

“Zhao Xuanzhen can only be mine. His teacher is and will be only me,” Leng Yaoju declared without room for argument. “If he wishes to compete for Spirit Tower master, I will spare nothing—Shrek Academy has no business meddling.”

“We have nothing more to discuss. From now on, let’s leave each other alone.”

Seeing Leng Yaoju’s clear dismissal, Xiang Yunming and Yali could only swallow their frustration and return to Shrek Academy to consider their next moves.

After they left, Qian Gu Dongfeng dismissed the Spirit Tower’s Titled Douluo and entered the first-floor reception hall, gazing at the stunning woman still seething, and said: “Phoenix, calm down. Did Xiang Yunming say anything outrageous just now?”

The entire conversation had been sealed by spiritual power—no Supreme Douluo could eavesdrop. Qian Gu Dongfeng cautiously asked Leng Yaoju, who glanced at him with her crimson phoenix eyes and snorted:

“Came to steal my disciple.”

“What!?”

Qian Gu Dongfeng’s entire frame trembled.

The Phoenix Clan’s lineage stretches back far, nearly rivaling the Qian Gu Clan, controlling thirty percent of the Spirit Tower’s power. Core cities like Heaven Dou City and East Sea City are all under Leng Yaoju’s command.

The Tower Master’s plan was brutal. He’d feared Leng Yaoju would fiercely oppose it. Now, it seems that threat is gone.

Adopting a righteous ally’s stance for the first time in years, Qian Gu Dongfeng declared firmly: “Zhao Xuanzhen is a core disciple of the Spirit Tower and the direct heir of the Deputy Tower Master. As the current Tower Master, I have a duty to defend the Spirit Tower’s authority. Phoenix, if anything happens, report it to me—I will never”

With a strong surge of goodwill to win the Phoenix family’s future support, Qian Gu Dongfeng strode out of the reception hall, hands behind his back, his gait as regal as a dragon’s, humming a melodious tune.

“Yunming, Yunming, you’ve truly grown senile—why on earth did you go flirting with someone else’s disciple…?”

…

The Spirit Transmission Tower headquarters, Spirit Spirit Tower, Fourteenth Floor.

After an hour of effort, Yuan En Yehui successfully fused the Diamond Baboon spirit, officially becoming a four-ring Soul Ancestor.

The Fallen Angel now possessed three purple soul rings, while the Titan Ape had four. For safety’s sake, Yuan En Yehui had no intention of absorbing the Fallen Angel spirit yet, instead constantly suppressing its malevolence with the Titan Ape.

“Guye, Xinglan, Yuan En,” Zhao Xuanzhen said, “stay at the Spirit Transmission Tower this weekend—I’ll be designing your Doukai.”

Zhao Xuanzhen usually returned to Shrek Academy to cultivate using the potent life energy of the Sea God Island, but a few nights here made no difference. This weekend, he also planned to visit the Ascension Platform to enhance his spirit’s lifespan, avoiding the daily back-and-forth.

“The ninety-eighth floor has been unoccupied. I’ll tell the teacher and have them prepare three rooms.”

“Mm.”

Ye Xinglan agreed without hesitation; Yuan En Yehui considered for two and a half seconds, then slowly nodded.

Ever since Yue Zhengyu blurted out the word “secret room,” Yuan En Yehui dared not be alone with Zhao Xuanzhen again. Staying with Guye and Ye Xinglan gave her much-needed peace of mind.

“Two rooms are enough—I’ll share one with Na’er.”

Guye declined the ninety-eighth floor, smiling as she looped her arm around Na’er’s pale, lotus-like arm, subtly jabbing the silver-haired girl’s waist with her elbow.

“Huh!?”

Na’er instantly wore a face of agony—she understood Guye wanted to meditate with her at night.

Since Guye enrolled at Shrek Academy, she’d dragged Na’er to train together every other day. Not only did Guye benefit, but the two Silver Dragon Kings’ incarnations had seen their soul power rise far faster than before.

Yet Na’er had always regarded the ninety-ninth floor as her secret sanctuary with Zhao Xuanzhen—the love nest they’d woven since childhood. Why should Guye move in?

“Soul… Bone…”

Guye leaned close to Na’er’s delicate ear beneath the silver hair, whispering in a devilish tone. Na’er laughed, more heartbroken than crying, squeezing out a line through clenched teeth:

“Yes yes yes, we’re like sisters—I love staying with Guye!”

Seeing this, the trio of Xuan, Xing, and Ye all tilted their heads in perfect unison, their expressions clearly saying: “If you’re being forced, blink.”

Na’er received the signal, helplessly closing her silver-white eyes—she resembled a pure maiden surrendering to a wicked witch, just to give her childhood friend a gift, the inner torment beyond words.

Guye clicked her tongue. What’s wrong with these four? She suddenly felt like the villain!

But to be fair, taking over Na’er’s room suited her perfectly—this was exactly what she wanted: to usurp the nest.

Starting with one bedroom, she’d gradually replace everything the silver-haired girl owned.

The five exited the Spirit Spirit Tower. Zhao Xuanzhen pulled out his soul communicator and sent a message to Leng Yaoju, informing her that the three girls would be staying at the Spirit Transmission Tower this weekend.

Leng Yaoju replied instantly, dispatching the Supreme Butler sisters, the Bai sisters, to clean the long-vacant ninety-eighth floor, then ordered Zhao Xuanzhen to meet her alone on the hundredth floor.

“Squeak—”

The door was half-open. Zhao Xuanzhen easily pushed it open—the very door Leng Yaoju had left for him.

Leng Yaoju sat beside the floor-to-ceiling window in the hall, the evening sun bathing her crimson hair in a soft glow, its luster falling to partially obscure her face—yet unable to hide her unparalleled beauty.

She gently swirled the wine in her goblet, the amber liquid spiraling along the glass. Her crimson phoenix eyes held both haze and clarity. In the twilight, the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo seemed to shed her heavy, supreme exterior, appearing instead as a lonely woman—tender, lingering, and deeply pitiable.

Zhao Xuanzhen automatically sat across from Leng Yaoju, glancing at the half-drunk wine, and smiled. “Teacher, what did you want to talk about?”

“What, can’t a teacher call her student for a chat if she has nothing else to do?” Leng Yaoju countered.

“A disciple must always be ready to answer his teacher’s summons,” Zhao Xuanzhen replied smoothly.

“That’s more like it.”

Leng Yaoju smiled in satisfaction, her gaze fixed on Zhao Xuanzhen’s increasingly handsome and mature face. She took a small sip of wine and sighed sincerely:

“Xuanzhen, I suddenly regret it—I shouldn’t have let you go to Shrek Academy.”

Even though the Spirit Transmission Tower and Shrek Academy stand side by side, even though they knew you were my disciple, knew I was right nearby… with your extraordinary talent, you still drew those shameless old bastards into the game.”

Shrek Academy’s resources were no less than the Spirit Transmission Tower’s. Though she refused to admit it, the Pillar Douluo Yun Ming and the Light-Dark Douluo Long Yeyue were truly better suited to guide Xuan and Na’er.

For a moment, Leng Yaoju felt panic—her sister, Leng Yulai, had cruelly abandoned her, falling to become one of the Dark Four Heavenly Kings of the Holy Spirit Cult. If Zhao Xuanzhen also abandoned her, joined Shrek Academy, she feared she’d fall into utter despair—and a desperate woman might do anything.

“I won’t leave you. Na’er won’t either.”

Zhao Xuanzhen stared unblinkingly at Leng Yaoju, each word spoken with absolute certainty.

Seeing his solemn expression, Leng Yaoju felt immense relief. For over a decade, Zhao Xuanzhen’s presence had helped her forget the pain of her past.

The time, energy, and emotion she’d poured into him had grown, slowly occupying the largest part of her heart—he was her final spiritual anchor.

Leng Yaoju could not imagine a life without Zhao Xuanzhen: becoming a soulless corpse dragging out her days, or falling into darkness as the Holy Spirit Cult’s Dark Heavenly Phoenix, locked in eternal war with Shrek Academy.

She drained the wine in her cup, then slowly extended a pale, slender hand. Zhao Xuanzhen assumed she wanted to pat his head—his teacher adored that gesture.

Zhao Xuanzhen generally disliked having his head touched—even the Bai sisters couldn’t do it. Only Leng Yaoju was the exception.

The rich, deep fragrance of the mature woman—like a blooming rose—forcefully filled his nostrils. His ink-black pupils dilated. When her fingertips brushed the hair at the nape of his neck, he realized: she didn’t want to pat his head—she wanted to embrace him.

The embrace caught him off guard. The radiant woman gently stroked his black hair, her cool, exquisite face pressed against his cheek, whispering softly: “You’ve grown… already taller than your teacher.”

“Then it’s my turn to protect you now.”

Zhao Xuanzhen’s fingers dug into the cloud-silk of her back, hesitating whether to pat lightly or hold tightly. Leng Yaoju felt the young boy’s chest tremble with vitality, and finally, a relieved smile broke across her face.

Leng Yaoju refused to let go. Zhao Xuanzhen couldn’t push her away. He looked up at the ceiling, suddenly seeing the white wooden panels as ancient artifacts—needing careful study.

In the silent moment between teacher and disciple, Zhao Xuanzhen’s body suddenly stirred.

His soul power, at the peak of level forty-nine, surged further—breaking through the fifty-level barrier!

Black, black, black, gold, black!

His fifth soul ring coalesced. His soul power naturally rose to level fifty-one.

One embrace—broke into Soul King!

Zhao Xuanzhen’s soul power surge snapped Leng Yaoju back to reality. She loosened her arms, her cheeks flushed faintly. She realized she’d lost composure, cleared her throat, and changed the subject:

“The girls you brought are strange. Aside from Yuan En Yehui with her chestnut-brown short hair, the other three look at you in ways no normal classmates should. Is there something… romantic between you and them?”

“Subjectively, no. Objectively, perhaps.”

Leng Yaoju blinked, then lightly slapped Zhao Xuanzhen, sighing: “I always thought you’d end up with Na’er. But I’m not an old-fashioned fool—I understand that an outstanding boy naturally draws outstanding girls. That’s an irresistible, bone-deep magnetism. You can’t fight it.”

Be a little of a scoundrel if you must. If you like them, accept them boldly, love them courageously. Don’t waste the feelings of good girls, and don’t let societal rules bind you. They don’t care what others think—they only care about you…”

(End of Chapter)