Chapter 79

Shrek Academy, Outer Campus Battle Arena.

The first-year versus third-year seven-person team challenge attracted the attention of every outer-campus student.

Shrek Academy admits students every three years; if a student has not become a One-Character Battle Armor Master by fourth year, they essentially lose the chance to enter the inner campus, and can only focus on cultivation to pass the graduation exam and obtain a Shrek Academy diploma.

Thus, the top talents of the fourth, fifth, and sixth years have already entered the inner campus or graduated, leaving overall strength relatively weak.

Generally speaking, since the most outstanding students are mostly still present, the third year is the strongest class in Shrek’s outer campus.

But exceptions exist—this year’s first-year produced a monster, casting doubt on the third year’s title of strongest, and his name loomed like a towering mountain, crushing the hearts of every outer-campus genius.

Number One on the Contemporary Youth Talent List: Taiji Zhao Xuanzhen.

Except for this year’s new students, the vast majority of second- through sixth-year outer-campus students had witnessed Zhao Xuanzhen climb to the top by stepping over the predecessors on the Youth Talent List.

This team battle was initiated by the third year, using the word “challenge”—the audience understood that Zhao Xuanzhen’s personal combat ability still led by an unbridgeable gap, though his teammates had been largely replaced since the Three-Year Tianhai Alliance Competition.

Yuan Su and Blue Silver Tang Wulin remained; Zhao Xuanzhen lost Xiang Naer, Qian Jin Jiutian, Guang’an Long Bi Xie Xie, and the accessory Xu Xiaoyan, replaced by four new teammates.

Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizi were inner-campus designated disciples, their talent naturally top-tier; Youming Wu Siduo’s self-body martial soul fusion technique was exceptionally powerful; as for Dark Bear Yang Nianxia…

In this battle, her role was roughly equivalent to Xu Xiaoyan’s—without Little Yang, this team battle could not begin.

The clash between the two grades caused a huge stir; barely past breakfast time, the spectator stands were already packed with outer-campus students.

The fourteen students qualified to represent their classes in the challenge were unquestionably exceptional talents, representing the face of the younger generation; outer-campus students refused to miss this epic battle.

First-year and third-year students lined up early, unfurling banners proclaiming victory—the former awaiting a miracle, the latter determined to reclaim their dignity, the two classes locked in unyielding rivalry.

The second-year homeroom teacher considered this an exceptionally thrilling battle and led his students to watch.

Yuan En Yehui and Le Zhengyu stared fixedly at the two teams preparing to enter the arena; though unwilling to admit it, even if Zhao Xuanzhen were banned, the second-year’s overall strength still fell short of the first-year’s. The second-year could only sit here, watching others sweat freely as they fought seniors they could never challenge.

On the Shrek Academy high command side, the Holy Spirit Douluo Luo Yali personally attended, taking the central seat on the podium, flanked by Shrek’s Twin Sacred Dragons: the Crimson Dragon Douluo Zhuo Shi and the Fiery Dragon Douluo Feng Wuyu.

The Twin Sacred Dragons came to watch the junior challenge for two simple reasons: one, they enjoyed accompanying the goddess Yali; two, they valued Tang Wulin, who was both Zhuo Shi’s disciple’s disciple and dragged daily by Feng Wuyu to learn forging.

Yali’s soft, gentle gaze fell upon the refined young man leading the first-year students onto the field, and she unconsciously sighed lightly.

Since the Golden Ancient Tree granted Zhao Xuanzhen thirty percent of its energy, Yun Ming had not had an easy two years.

The Light-Dark Douluo Long Yeyue kept pressuring Yun Ming, strongly demanding he bind Xuan Na to Shrek Academy’s war chariot, just as he once stormed into Ming Capital to kidnap Yali.

The Empress Dowager, over two hundred years old, with deep seniority and

The Golden Tree has belonged to Shrek Academy since ancient times; whether the Golden Tree Spirit willingly gifted it or not, Zhao Xuanzhen reaped immense benefits—and thus must join Shrek Academy as one of its own.

On one side were the furious elder masters of the Sea God Pavilion; on the other, the will of the Spirit Tower and the Golden Tree Spirit—Yun Ming and his wife were caught helplessly in between.

As the originally agreed five-year exchange period drew near, Shrek Academy kept increasing its favors toward Xuan Na, yet the two

Yun Mingya Li felt urgent: Long Yeyue was the kind of woman who dared slap the Master of the Spirit Tower, and if they failed to keep Xuan Na, no one knew what outrageous act she might commit.

The couple went to the Spirit Tower headquarters to visit Sky Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaoju, their primary goal naturally being to persuade this guardian of Xuan Na to relent, and secondarily to gauge her attitude.

The outcome was obvious: if Shi Laike moved to seize her, Leng Yaoju would immediately fight to the death with her subordinates. At that point, a full-scale team battle would erupt, and Qian Gu Dong Feng—who always despised Shi Laike—would unquestionably join in, turning the student snatch into a decisive clash between two superpowers.

To Cloud Sky Douluo Yun Ming, fighting the Spirit Tower was utterly irrational, yet Long Yeyue was another major headache—a two-hundred-year-old grandmother who could not be struck or scolded; the situation seemed to be slowly slipping into a dead end.

United in heart, Yun Ming’s gloom dragged Ya Li into sorrow as well; the two old dragons beside them hurried to offer warm words and concern to the goddess.

On the Battle Arena, fourteen students stood facing each other across the field; the referee, Wu Changkong, spoke coldly: “Captains of both teams, shake hands in greeting.”

Two figures slowly stepped forward from their ranks and extended their hands to clasp in the center of the arena.

“You’re stronger than I expected.”

Zhao Xuanzhen smiled at Li Qiankun, whose appearance was ancient and unadorned; in another timeline, Li Qiankun and Mo Jue had broken through to the One-Character Doukai Master only a year later.

“The defeated must strive harder without ceasing.”

Li Qiankun’s reply rang strong and resolute.

Ye Xinglan, Li Qiankun, Mo Jue, first-year, third-year… all the talented students brimming with pride were like this. In their relentless pursuit of Zhao Xuanzhen, they had unknowingly grown far stronger than their former selves.

“Are Yu Yuanheng and Ning Qian not here?”

Zhao Xuanzhen noticed the third-year team lacked the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower—this third-year squad’s overall strength had clearly dropped a tier.

“They passed into the Inner Academy. Someone there invited them to form another revenge squad,” Li Qiankun said frankly.

“Actually, Mo Jue and I were also invited, but after careful consideration, we chose to decline. Because we are the third-year class monitors, we bear the responsibility to lead our classmates in reclaiming our lost dignity.”

“Today is our final battle before entering the Inner Academy. So this time, we stake everything as third-year students!”

Li Qiankun released his grip and turned, striding back to his team with long, determined steps.

Zhao Xuanzhen received the message and quietly rolled up his sleeves; Li Qiankun and Mo Jue possessed top-tier talent and character, and after three years of sparring and exchange, their bond had grown very strong.

Precisely because of this, Zhao Xuanzhen could already picture the shattered, despairing expressions on their faces when they collapsed to the ground!

The two captains returned to their positions; Wu Changkong raised one hand high, then brought it down with a thunderous roar: “Begin!”

“Boom—”

All fourteen released their soul rings at once; soul power surged into two waves that collided violently upon contact.

On the first-year side, Zhao Xuanzhen towered above them all as a Soul King; Gu Yue, Ye Xinglan, and Wu Siduo, each Soul Ancestors, radiated overwhelming presence. Tang Wulin, Xu Li, and Yang Nianxia, all Soul Elders, wore slightly grim expressions.

The third-year team lived up to its title as the strongest in the Outer Academy, their cultivation base firmly suppressing the first-years; led by Li Qiankun and Mo Jue, both Soul Kings, and supported by five high-level Soul Ancestors each with at least forty-five levels of soul power!

“I’ve got a steamed bun, I’ve got a red bean bun!”

“Fourth Soul Skill: Sacred Halo!”

The support soul masters moved first: Xu Li flung out light, nimble steamed buns and bloodthirsty red bean buns, precisely landing in the hands of his six teammates; the third-year’s replacement for Ning Qian’s Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower was a Holy Scepter soul master, who unleashed a Sacred Halo to amplify both attack and defense.

“Brothers, equip your Doukai!”

A clear, piercing cry rang out—what followed stunned the spectators: despite their overwhelming soul power advantage over the first-years, the third-year’s main controller, Mo Jue the Black Swan, opened the battle by ordering his teammates to don their Doukai!

Strips of light spiraled upward; armor plates of varied shapes covered their bodies; the aura of the seven third-year students surged with astonishing speed!

Mo Jue donned a dark green Doukai, unfurled his black swan wings, and soared into the sky, looking down with a sweet, teasing smirk at Zhao Xuanzhen.

In a normal sparring match, the third-years would never bully first-years so brutally—but this was their final battle before entering the Inner Academy, the last hope for third-year students to rise from the ashes!

To avoid the awkwardness of not having enough time to don their Thousand-Forged Metal One-Character Doukai, Mo Jue decisively revealed his trump card: he planned to crush Gu Yue and Ye Xinglan with a storm of relentless attacks, then concentrate all force to overwhelm Zhao Xuanzhen!

Li Qiankun charged ahead straight toward Zhao Xuanzhen; his One-Character Doukai, named “Yue,” mirrored Li Qiankun himself—ancient, silent, and as heavy and reliable as a mountain.

The Qiankun Ball transformed into a gilded light shield; the core array on the Doukai’s chest supplied endless energy. A top-tier Doukai could amplify soul power by twenty levels—Li Qiankun was nearly as potent as a Soul Sage without his martial soul’s true form!

The third soul ring blazed fiercely; golden Qiankun energy surged from the seams of the Doukai; ancient inscriptions on the Qiankun Ball glowed brightly; Li Qiankun’s muscles bulged violently, and with a thunderous roar, he lunged at Zhao Xuanzhen!

“Boom—”

A deafening sonic explosion shattered the air; the arena echoed with the wail of metal. Li Qiankun’s charge halted; his Qiankun shield bore a clear, deep fist imprint—and before him, the figure stood utterly unmoved, his crystalline white hair fluttering in the wind like an endless snowy plain.

True Self, Third Soul Skill: Wuji Dao!

“Still can’t do it…”

Li Qiankun murmured to himself; back then, he had failed to force Zhao Xuanzhen to reveal his true martial soul—the Golden Awakening. Now, clad in a One-Character Doukai, he was no closer than before!

Three years had passed, and the ten-level soul power gap had been completely erased. Both were fifty-one-level Soul Kings. Among peers, few ever survived ten strikes against Zhao Xuanzhen; had he not worn the Doukai, Li Qiankun would already have been sent flying!

On other fronts, Gu Yue and Ye Xinglan faced a brother-sister duo: Flame Demon Tiger Li Mengyang and Flame Demon Lion Li Mengtian.

Five pieces of Doukai boosted their soul power to Soul King level—but against Gu Yue and Ye Xinglan, two over-tier soul masters, what did Soul King status matter?

Pointing her Elemental Staff, Gu Yue summoned a blizzard; the cold of ice elements instantly suppressed the siblings’ fire attributes; the gale howled like ten thousand sharp blades, mercilessly tearing at their Doukai.

The spectral image of the Star Unicorn flickered; the sky froze; the Star God Sword Intent pierced the heavens; Ye Xinglan’s azure eyes blazed fiercely as countless sword rays descended like a rain of light, packed with intense compressed sword qi!

Fourth Soul Skill: Sword Star Rain!

Flame Lord Chu Yan confronted Wu Siduo; she Landefeihua , swallowed the bloodthirsty red bean bun, entered her bloodlust state, and immediately activated their Soul Fusion Technique—the aura of the Youmingbaihu matched that of Chu Yan’s six-piece Doukai.

Golden Wolf Emperor Chen Feng slapped away the Dark Gold Bear attempting to ambush the Holy Scepter soul master; Yang Nianxia lay on the ground, face filled with sorrow, a grotesque wolf-claw mark branded into his chest—luckily, the Dark Gold Bear’s hide was thick, or one claw would have ended him!

The Golden-Textured Blue Silver Grass yanked Yang Nianxia back to his feet; Tang Wulin shouted, “Protect Xu Li!” then drew his Golden Dragon Claws and charged head-on at the Golden Wolf Emperor, fists meeting flesh—true men never feared close combat!

Mo Jue hovered above, surveying the battlefield, his lips twitching slightly. Li Qiankun falling into disadvantage was expected—Zhao Xuanzhen, who rose to the top of the Shaoniantiancaibang at ten, could hardly be easily subdued.

What about the rest of the first-years?

Excluding the new “accessory” Yang Nianxia, Gu Yue, Ye Xinglan, Wu Siduo, and Tang Wulin all fearlessly faced Doukai-clad opponents!

“A bit unexpected… remarkable first-years…”

Mo Jue’s tone was filled with awe—he now realized how deeply this year’s first-years concealed their strength; they were fully capable of holding out until Zhao Xuanzhen shattered Li Qiankun completely!

“Whoosh—”

Zhao Xuanzhen raised a fist and shattered the descending dark demonic flames; Li Qiankun seized the chance to retreat, stumbling backward several steps, gasping for breath, his Doukai riddled with spiderweb-like cracks.

Mo Jue flapped his wings and descended slowly, staring at Zhao Xuanzhen’s calm, composed face, and said gravely: “Our battle plan has failed. In the end, it’s still just the two of us against you.”

“This is our final battle. Grant us one request: one strike to decide victory. Let us see just how far we are from you.”

“Agreed.”

Zhao Xuanzhen nodded lightly; the pure white of Wuji Dao was engulfed in brilliant gold. Simultaneously, within the chaotic black-and-white aura, metal began to climb from his right fingertip, tracing along his meridians, echoing with the delicate sound of shattering ice crystals.

As the final sliver of light emerged from Zhao Xuanzhen’s body, half his right arm had become a jade-carved weapon of fury; each flex of his arm sent ripples through the surrounding air. The golden veins along his forearm flowed like molten lava; yin and yang energies spiraled along the patterns, forming intricate runes.

Armor materialized, its surface a gradient of ink-wash hues; the palm was pure white as snow, darkening toward the forearm, turning pitch-black at the elbow; three golden lines, like coiling dragons, threaded through it, tracing the profound symbol at the boundary of yin and yang.

Two-Character Doukai: Taiji!

(End of Chapter)