Chapter 81: Blame Heaven, Blame Earth, But Not You—Evil Soul Master Attack, Zhao Xuanzhen

Lingbing Square is at the center of Shrek’s Outer Academy, with students constantly coming and going—a perfect place for first-years to make money.

One hundred and four students each displayed their own methods: Gu Yue, Ye Xinglan forcibly borrowed money through sheer strength; Xu Xiaoyan charmed people into spending; Xu Li sold buns… Lingbing Square became bustling all at once.

Upperclassmen at Shrek saw the first-years pulling out all sorts of tricks and immediately understood these juniors were taking their final exams.

As the saying goes, having been caught in the rain, they now wanted to tear others’ umbrellas apart. The upperclassmen puffed out their chests and strolled past the hardworking first-years with smug smiles.

At Zhao Xuanzhen’s fortune-telling stall, students who knew him stared at the two imposing banners and teased him:

“Brother Zhao, finals coming up?”

“Hmm, care to support me?”

“Hehe, too late—class is starting!”

Zhao Xuanzhen is a legend in Shrek’s Outer Academy: he enrolled at ten, challenged the arena, and rose to the top of the Young Genius Rankings. Later, he led a team of seven first-years to crush the third-years, making the first-year class the strongest in the Outer Academy.

Once an unreachable Young Emperor, now reduced to this, the Shrek students dared to approach and joke with him. Though they had no intention of spending, Zhao Xuanzhen wasn’t annoyed—he simply waited for those destined to come.

A graceful figure stepped into Lingbing Square: a young woman in her early twenties, with golden wavy hair and a dark green uniform that clung to her flowing curves. Her face could be called charming, but she paled beside the girls near Zhao Xuanzhen; her eyes were red, as if she’d wept bitterly.

Jiang Ting, a fourth-year student at the Outer Academy with a martial soul known as the Golden Waist Flying Swallow. The top fourth-years, Ji Bing, Tang Dong, and the elusive Nan Gong Yao, had already advanced to the Inner Academy. At her age, still remaining in the Outer Academy, she had little chance of entering the Inner Academy—she would graduate as an ordinary Outer Academy student.

“Brother Zhao…” Jiang Ting stumbled to the stall, hopeful, “Can you really read fortunes?”

“Heaven, earth, ancient mysteries, human ailments—I understand them all.”

“Then let me test you once—if it’s wrong, I’ll curse you!”

Jiang Ting extended her soft, pale palm toward Zhao Xuanzhen, lips pressed together: “Read my love and marriage.”

Zhao Xuanzhen lightly touched her wrist, studying the lines on her palm—his brows furrowed, then relaxed, nodding repeatedly. Jiang Ting’s heart pounded wildly at his shifting expressions.

After a long while, Zhao Xuanzhen lifted his gaze to meet hers, gently saying: “You’re a slow-burning girl. Love must grow gradually—you long for someone who understands your soul.”

“Yes, yes, that’s exactly me!”

Jiang Ting’s eyes lit up—she’d hit the jackpot, found a divine fortune-teller!

“Your exterior is beautiful and approachable, but your heart is stubborn and strong. You bear pain alone, never confiding in family or friends.”

“You’re easily swayed by apologies—you forgive too quickly. Your kindness has cost you in love. The last time was within the past twenty-four hours—and it hurt you deeply.”

“Brother, you’re the only person who truly understands me!”

Jiang Ting was awestruck, eyes wide as pearls. Who would have thought Zhao Xuanzhen, besides his terrifying combat power, was also a master of divination?

“My boyfriend is a fifth-year student. Lately he’s been going to shady places…” Jiang Ting begged the master for guidance, “Last night we had a huge fight. He was cold, didn’t care about my feelings at all.”

“I want to break up, but I can’t let go of three years of feelings. Brother, tell me—are we compatible?”

Zhao Xuanzhen asked for their birth times, calculated with his fingers, and said calmly:

“He harms you. He drains your wealth. He ruins your Soul Master fortune.”

“Break up!”

Jiang Ting shuddered, decisively ending it—three years of feelings meant nothing compared to her Soul Master fortune. Without a deadweight ex, she’d have entered Shrek’s Inner Academy already!

“Twenty thousand Federal Coins. Cash only. Thank you.”

It was not too late to cut losses. Jiang Ting was grateful to have met the master. She took twenty thousand Federal Coins from her storage soul tool and handed them over without hesitation.

Receiving his first payment, Zhao Xuanzhen showed no smile. He quietly pulled out a card engraved with pink rose patterns: the Rose Hotel annual VIP card, reserved room 801.

“Sister, your card.”

“No—it’s yours now.”

Jiang Ting smiled seductively, swaying her slender waist as she walked away, her voice lingering in Zhao Xuanzhen’s ears.

“If my ex had even half your understanding, I’d accept ruined Soul Master fortune. I’ll book this room until graduation—always welcome to come discuss the origin of life!”

“….”

After two and a half seconds of silence, Zhao Xuanzhen ignited flame in his palm and burned the Rose Hotel card—this was another price.

With Jiang Ting’s fourth-year sister as the start, Shrek students began tentatively seeking readings. The fortune-telling stall grew busier. Zhao Xuanzhen gave each one advice:

“Your Spirit Forging failed? Not your fault. There’s a traitor near you. Move your workstation—you’ll sail smoothly.”

“The armor manufacturing accident isn’t your fault, Sister. There’s something dirty in your dorm. Clean it tonight—especially the southeast corner. Do it yourself—I won’t go into girls’ dorms.”

“Brother, your ability is strong. Doing this task is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. You need a better platform. Your Soul Master fortune peaks after thirty—you’re a late bloomer.”

“Though you act mature and steady, small details betray a lonely boy inside—yearning for someone to share childish, simple joys with you in private.”

Blame heaven, blame earth, blame the air—but never blame the customer seeking fortune.

With Chinese fortune-telling paired with vague generalizations, even a dog could hit a few truths. Shrek students cried out that a god had descended, frantically calling friends. A long line formed before the stall.

Watching Shrek students line up to hand over money, Gu Yue and Ye Xinglan twitched like they had Parkinson’s, unable to imagine how wildly Zhao Xuanzhen could deceive.

Understanding the world is knowledge; mastering human nature makes a shaman. This path depends on emotional intelligence and reputation. For a man who’s the Outer Academy’s top fighter, No. 1 on the Young Genius Rankings, and a core disciple of the Spirit Transmission Tower—offering readings for only twenty thousand Federal Coins (equivalent to two hundred contribution points)?

These Shrek Shaoyexiaojie s didn’t lack money—they just wanted emotional value that aligned with their desires.

“Last one.”

Having saved enough for travel, Zhao Xuanzhen decided to take one last job before leaving. Hearing this, the students at the back of the line sighed and dispersed. Then Zhao Xuanzhen, seated on the low stone chair, saw a pair of perfectly proportioned, legendary legs.

“Zhao Xuanzhen, you judge people by their legs first?”

A clear, bell-like female voice rang out. Zhao Xuanzhen, recognizing her by her legs, didn’t look up and teased:

“I should look at the face first—she didn’t look at me, she kept staring at my legs.”

“Cunning trickster, eating from the bowl while eyeing the pot!”

“I can carry the bowl and eat everywhere.”

“Pfft!”

The girl spat lightly. Zhao Xuanzhen stood and looked up—his vision was instantly filled with a breathtaking face: silver hair, silver eyes, radiant and dazzling.

She poked a finger under her eyelid, stuck out her tongue, made a funny face, then turned away dismissively, tossing down a gold card:

“My pocket money—all yours!”

“Safe travels, Great Deceiver Zhao Xuanzhen!”

…

Shrek City, Soul Tool Train Station.

Zhao Xuanzhen bought a ticket, boarded the Soul Tool Train, and sat by the window, waiting quietly for departure.

Last night, he’d casually mentioned Shrek’s final exam rules. Na’er had come all the way—she’d even emptied her long-saved gold stash. Zhao Xuanzhen’s heart warmed.

By the way, the silver-haired girl’s move had an unexpectedly powerful effect: Gu Yue instantly turned into a sulking puppy, her face dark as if dripping water. Seeing this, Na’er grew even more smug, turning into a cocky kitten and shooting him a mocking glance.

The two Silver Dragon King halves locked eyes like two spiritual soul skills clashing—sparks flickered faintly. Ye Xinglan wore an expression of enlightenment: only by striking first can one achieve greatness!

Zhao Xuanzhen’s mind displayed his pre-planned route: from Shrek City to Ming City, the best first transfer point was Tiandingcheng.

Upon arriving in Tiandingcheng, Zhao Xuanzhen would head straight to the Blacksmith Association’s headquarters. Mu Ye had recently been demanding to test Zhao Xuanzhen’s Body Cultivation techniques and mecha manufacturing.

Originally, Mu Ye visited Shrek City once a month to guide Zhao Xuanzhen. But Mu Ye wasn’t one to hide—he stood boldly outside Shrek’s gate and was caught by the Bai sisters, who were picking up Xuan Gu Na. They reported it to their superior, Tiantian Douluo Leng Yaoju.

Leng Yaoju warmly invited Mu Ye to the Spirit Transmission Tower. Mu Ye spent the afternoon like sitting on needles, and for three months straight, dared not return to Shrek City to lure Zhao Xuanzhen. He only sent messages via soul tool communicator, telling Zhao Xuanzhen to visit the Blacksmith Association—and to avoid Leng Yaoju at all costs.

The final exam was the perfect opportunity: he could meet Mu Ye, and his first lucky final exam recipient could be chosen from the Blacksmith Association.

The train slowly departed, heading toward Tiandingcheng—a journey of about three hours.

This carriage had few passengers; no one sat beside him. Zhao Xuanzhen closed his eyes, entering a meditative state. Soon, his spiritual sense detected a pair of unusually hot gazes.

He opened his eyes slightly and saw a mature woman in the conductor’s uniform, her full-figured face smiling warmly.

“Hello, Zhao Xuanzhen. Do you remember me?”

“Miss Mo Lan…”

The conductor was Mo Lan, daughter of the Tiandingcheng governor. Four years had passed; Mo Lan had risen from a regular train attendant to conductor, her bearing steady, elegant, and commanding.

“I checked the passenger list and found your identity. I came specially to see you,” Mo Lan smiled. “Thank you again for your help last time—without you, the Soul Tool Train might have been destroyed.”

“The Federation granted you special privileges: free rides, unlimited boxed meals. Why did you still buy a ticket?”

Zhao Xuanzhen smiled. The reason was obvious.

Purebred Spirit Transmission Tower man—has pride!

“Miss Mo Lan, could you check if someone named Tang Wulin is on this train?”

Zhao Xuanzhen suddenly remembered something—he imagined steaming him.

“Tang Wulin… he’s here!” Mo Lan was slightly surprised. “He’s also the hero from last time’s demonic soul cultivator incident. Are you friends? Should I tell him?”

“No need…”

Ruined. Totally ruined!

Zhao Xuanzhen weakly waved his hand, face blank with despair. Soul Tool Train + Tang Wulin + Mo Lan—the three elements of the summoning ritual were complete. Who would appear next needed no explanation.

The next second, the train’s public address system crackled with static, then a cold, eerie male voice spoke: “Conductor Mo Lan, come to Carriage 7 immediately—or I’ll kill every ordinary person on this train.”

Immediately afterward, Mo Lan’s soul tool communicator buzzed urgently: “Conductor, Carriage 7 is under attack by a demonic soul cultivator! Only one attacker—a sixth-ring Soul Emperor!”

“A brave third-ring Soul Elder passenger has stepped forward to fight him. Request immediate security team support!”

After the announcement, the Soul Tool Train erupted into chaos. Having endured multiple terrorist attacks recently, passengers panicked even more. Hearing the incident was in Carriage 7, everyone fled in opposite directions.

“You always seem to run into demonic soul cultivators,” Zhao Xuanzhen remarked pointedly.

Mo Lan’s expression turned grave. Her father, Mo Wu, had never wanted her to be a conductor—but she insisted, both to serve the continent’s people and because if the governor’s daughter avoided danger, her political enemies would use it to attack her father.

A demonic soul emperor was far beyond the train’s security team’s capability. But Mo Lan had no choice. She ordered the security team to assemble, drew a soul tool pistol, and charged toward Carriage 7 through the stampeding passengers.

Armed security officers gathered, using the carriage as cover, firing soul tool beams at the demonic soul emperor.

The demonic soul emperor was thin, dressed in gray. His left hand transformed into a bone shield, effortlessly blocking the soul tool beams. From his right index finger sprouted a bone spike over a foot long, piercing through Tang Wulin’s shoulder and lifting him into the air!

Thanks to Tang Wulin’s resistance, passengers in Carriage 7 escaped. But Tang Wulin, a third-ring Soul Elder, and the security team were no match for the demonic soul emperor—the situation was dire!

“Boom—”

The demonic soul emperor hurled Tang Wulin aside. The security team rushed forward, scrambling to catch him.

Bearing severe injuries, Tang Wulin’s face was as pale as paper; just as he prepared to charge forward again, a clear, ringing voice sounded from behind.

“Can a dark soul master even count as an exam subject?”

“Kill him, and I’ll count it as two. Record the entire process and submit it to the academy—you’ll get an extra reward.”

Tang Wulin turned around in surprise and saw Zhao Xuanzhen’s reassuring figure—a familiar face—whose teacher, Instructor Shen Yi, had been secretly following Zhao Xuanzhen.

“Two? That’s more than worth it.”

“Miss Mo Lan, may I borrow your soul tool communicator?”

Mo Lan instinctively handed over the soul tool communicator; Zhao Xuanzhen switched it to recording mode, aimed it at the snarling dark soul emperor, and flashed a perfect smile showing all eight teeth:

“Dark soul master, prison cell—recording now. Say ‘cheese’…”

(End of chapter)