Chapter 88: Star Gazing Platform, Midnight Misunderstanding: Ye Xinglan, the Heart

“To grace us with your presence? That’s exaggerated…”

Xu Xiaoyan rubbed her eyes; the approach of Tianding Star Soul Master Academy was truly sincere. Gu Yue’s expression cleared in understanding—no wonder Zhao Xuanzhen had stopped targeting Tang Men; he’d long since made an agreement with the Star Academy.

The six of them stood out like cranes among chickens; within minutes, a circle of curious students had gathered, some eager to approach and strike up conversation.

The metal gate slammed open, and out stepped a middle-aged man, tall and burly, with a head of bristling gray-streaked short hair.

“Back to class! Don’t gawk!”

The middle-aged man waved his hand—clearly a respected senior instructor—and the students of Tianding Star Soul Master Academy scattered like stars, sprinting toward the teaching buildings.

Then, the man strode up to the six, his gaze burning: “I am Li Zhilong, Director of Education at Tianding Star Soul Master Academy. On behalf of all faculty and students, I welcome you!”

“Hello, Director Li.”

“Please follow me—the Dean is waiting for you on the Star Gazing Platform.”

Li Zhilong led the six toward the Star Gazing Platform, explaining the star carvings lining the path.

They also learned that this Director had once enrolled at Shrek Academy but failed to enter the Inner Academy; after being invited by his hometown’s top school, Tianding Star Soul Master Academy, he became a teacher and gradually rose to Director.

Zhao Xuanzhen was a guest the Dean valued—and in Li Zhilong’s eyes, an outstanding junior. Having graduated, Li had never met another Shrek student until now, and he opened up, reminiscing about his own student days.

Learning the six were undergoing Shrek’s final exam, Li Zhilong burst into laughter, revealing that in his cohort, a legendary senior had single-handedly stormed a military base to complete his academy’s assessment, turning the entire garrison upside down and even drawing the ire of the Dayue Federation’s high command.

As they chatted, they spotted the main teaching building of Tianding Star Soul Master Academy—a vast dome-shaped structure, majestic and radiant, reflecting sunlight from all sides.

The Star Gazing Platform sat atop the building, facing the open sky. As the six stepped onto it, a plump, noble-looking elder stepped forward, extending a hand as weathered as an ancient pine, smiling warmly: “Zhao Xuanzhen of Taiji! Fame doesn’t do you justice—you truly are a hero in youth!”

“Dean Liu, you’re as vigorous as ever.”

Zhao Xuanzhen smiled, clasping the hand of the Tianding Star Soul Master Academy’s Dean.

Dean Liu was over eighty, yet he showed no trace of condescension toward the barely-twenty-year-old Zhao Xuanzhen—only deep respect.

An old fox, he understood: the fact that the Spirit Relic Tower’s headquarters had humbled themselves to contact the Star Academy was entirely due to this young man. Dean Liu knew clearly—exceptional talent paired with profound connections meant a new star was rising in the soul master world, and his academy could not afford to offend him.

So when Zhao Xuanzhen called two days ago requesting an extra six-vs-six sparring match, Dean Liu agreed immediately, dispatching Director Li Zhilong to monitor the academy gate and welcome Zhao’s group at any moment.

Dean Liu chuckled: “Let’s set aside small talk—we’ll begin the exchange match now.”

Director Li always boasts that every Shrek student possesses extraordinary skills, and you, young Zhao, are the next leader of the Spirit Relic Tower—your future is limitless.”

“Our Star Academy will send our strongest team under twenty to face you. I wish to see how our carefully nurtured students compare to Shrek and the Spirit Relic Tower, both revered for ten thousand years.”

No sooner had he finished than Dean Liu clapped lightly, and a team of youths in Star Academy uniforms appeared before the six, their eyes blazing with the fire of a challenge.

The two sides stepped back; Director Li personally took charge as referee, and with a single command, the battle erupted.

Tianding Star Soul Master Academy admits only flight soul masters; the six students reacted in perfect unison, instantly soaring into the air.

“Stick to the plan!”

“Yes, Captain!”

The petite, lovely Soul Ancestor woman gave an awkward military salute, her fourth soul ring flaring—bright flames erupted, her skin darkened drastically, her body solidified into a mass of stone, trailing a dazzling tail of fire as she plummeted from above, target locked on Zhao Xuanzhen!

Martial Soul: Meteor!

A type of celestial martial soul, high attack, high defense, high speed—its signature move, Meteor Strike, is a famous suicide technique of Tianding Star Soul Master Academy!

Seeing the Meteor Soul Ancestor had locked onto Zhao Xuanzhen, Gu Yue, Ye Xinglan, and the others didn’t even glance over; Zhao Xuanzhen himself was slightly surprised—he hadn’t expected such boldness in this world!

A faint smile touched his refined face. Zhao Xuanzhen relaxed his body, drawing a perfect circle with his hands before him, palms glowing with interwoven black and white light. Instantly, the Meteor Soul Ancestor felt as if she’d flown into a vortex, losing control of her technique, drifting helplessly.

An irresistible pull surged forth—the Meteor Soul Ancestor gasped as Taiji Yin Hand’s silk-reeling force yanked her toward Zhao Xuanzhen, her hardened meteor body taking a direct punch to the core!

“Crack… crack… crack…”

The vast power gap caused the meteor to crack with a spiderweb of fine fissures—these cracks spread rapidly, covering every inch in an instant. With a thunderous boom, the girl tumbled out from within the shattered meteor.

Her face was as pale as paper, her body limp from the violent shock of Zhao Xuanzhen’s punch—but her inner shock far outweighed the physical pain.

One punch shattered her defense!

Seeing Zhao Xuanzhen rolling his wrist, ready to strike again, the Meteor Soul Ancestor frantically waved a stop sign, weakly pleading: “Brother, we’ve been waiting for days—give us a chance? Just let us spar a little longer—pretend you’re held up by me, okay?”

Zhao Xuanzhen couldn’t help but laugh and sigh—Star Academy truly bred brilliant minds; they were already hatching a Tian Ji horse-racing strategy on the spot?

Zhao Xuanzhen couldn’t help but laugh and sigh at the same time—Starlight Academy truly produced extraordinary talents; were they really haggling over Tian Ji’s horse racing right here on the spot?

The Tianding Star Soul Master Academy’s battle was over; the six would proceed directly to Mingdu for the final match. Since the Evil Soul Emperor counted as two heads, Zhao Xuanzhen had already gathered the ten required heads for the final exam—Tianding City and Mingdu were merely formalities.

The only task left was a message from Na’er, asking her childhood friend to bring back local specialties from each city.

Zhao Xuanzhen boldly slacked off—he’d fought his whole life, wasn’t a little rest allowed?

“I’m your fan! Can we take a photo?”

The Meteor Soul Ancestor, now the “low horse” swapped in for the “high horse,” dashed over with a soul-tool camera and took a selfie with the top-ranked teenage genius.

On the main battlefield, Gu Yue, Ye Xinglan, Wu Siduo, Yang Nianxia, and Xu Xiaoyan faced the Star Academy’s five. Without traditional flight soul masters, they couldn’t prevent the enemy from rising—only intercept them midair.

Glancing at Zhao Xuanzhen, who’d already dismissed his martial soul to take selfies with fans, Gu Yue’s temple throbbed. She swung her Element Staff violently—fireballs roared skyward, exploding into scorching waves that engulfed half the sky; Gu Yue single-handedly crushed the five flying Star Academy soul masters!

Gazing at Zhao Xuanzhen, who didn’t even bother pretending and immediately dismissed his martial soul to take photos with fans, Gu Yue’s temple throbbed violently; she swung her Element Staff sharply, sending volley after volley of fireballs roaring skyward—each exploding into searing waves of flame that engulfed half the sky, as Gu Yue single-handedly crushed five flying Soul Masters from Starlight Academy!

Dean Liu was stunned by Gu Yue’s long-range explosive power, murmuring: “This won’t do—losing so badly will crush the children’s confidence.”

“Perfect—let these Shrek students see our Tianding Star Soul Master Academy’s Star Gazing Platform!”

A hum resonated—the walls around the platform glowed, intricate patterns coming alive, radiating light upward that dissolved into countless star points.

Strange stellar energy descended; golden glimmers appeared on the Star Academy’s five, their soul power surging noticeably.

Yet two brilliant golden pillars erupted from within the Shrek team—their radiance far surpassed the home team’s!

Ye Xinglan, Star God Sword; Xu Xiaoyan, Star Wheel Ice Staff!

Dean Liu and Li Zhilong stared wide-eyed. After the Star Gazing Platform activated, the more a martial soul resonated with stellar energy, the stronger the boost—these two girls’ golden pillars had reached the level of stellar manifestation, an exceedingly rare sight even at Tianding Star Soul Master Academy—a once-in-a-century phenomenon!

Ye Xinglan raised her Star God Sword, her third soul ring blazing—a brilliant beam pierced the sky, her body defying gravity as she soared upward, harmonizing with the stars above; her sword fell like a meteor streaking across the heavens.

Under the Star Gazing Platform’s starlight, Xu Xiaoyan’s transformation was equally astonishing—her Star Wheel Ice Staff blazed with dazzling radiance, thousands of star points bursting forth; the five Star Academy soul masters froze midair, helplessly watching as Ye Xinglan brought her sword down!

Beneath the starlit glow of the Observing Platform, Xu Xiaoyan’s transformation was equally striking—her Starwheel Ice Staff shimmered with dazzling radiance, thousands of starlight beams bursting forth, freezing the five Starlight Academy members midair, powerless to move, forced to watch helplessly as Ye Xinglan brought down her sword!

The five offered no resistance. Li Zhilong intervened to block Ye Xinglan’s ultimate strike—the battle ended.

Xu Xiaoyan clutched her Star Wheel Ice Staff—or rather, the staff that had evolved after being purified by the Star Gazing Platform’s energy. The girl was ecstatic—she no longer needed to be bound to nighttime!

Xu Xiaoyan clutched her Starwheel Ice Staff—or rather, the staff that had evolved after the Observing Platform stripped away its ice affinity—her face beamed with pure delight; she no longer had to be bound to the night!

Ye Xinglan pressed her lips together. When the Star Gazing Platform’s energy descended, her Star God Sword had clearly stirred—but it had fallen just short of the evolution Xu Xiaoyan achieved.

After the battle, Yang Nianxia, who’d just coasted through another round, sidled up: “Captain, are we leaving for Mingdu?”

Zhao Xuanzhen waved off: “No. Mingdu is the final stop of this exam. We still have six days—plenty of time. Relax in Tianding City tomorrow, then depart for Mingdu at dawn.”

Zhao Xuanzhen waved dismissively: “No need. Mingdu is the final stop of this final exam—we still have six days, more than enough time. Everyone, take a full day to rest in Tiandingcheng, then set out for Mingdu tomorrow morning.”

The six agreed. They were lodged at the Star Hotel opposite Tianding Star Soul Master Academy, enjoying their hard-earned day off.

Before entering the Star Hotel, Ye Xinglan gazed longingly at the Star Academy—if she could experience the Star Gazing Platform a few more times, her Star God Sword might evolve.

Before entering the Starlight Grand Hotel, Ye Xinglan gazed longingly at Starlight Academy—if only she could experience the Observing Platform a few more times, her Star God Sword might have evolved.

Star Hotel, midnight.

Ye Xinglan tossed and turned in bed. As a soul master desperate for power, missing this chance was a tragedy. Her mind churned, too restless to meditate. Barefoot, she walked slowly into the bathroom, sinking into warm water and blowing bubbles.

Ye Xinglan tossed and turned on her bed; as a Soul Master yearning for greater power, missing this opportunity was a bitter regret. Her mind churned, too restless to enter meditation, so she stepped barefoot into the bathroom and sank into the warm water, letting out soft bubbles.

A clear chime rang. Ye Xinglan blinked, reaching for the soul tool communicator beside her—then her hand slipped, nearly dropping it into the bathwater.

Zhao Xuanzhen (Master): Come to my room.

Her blue eyes widened instantly. Midnight. A man and woman alone together. Was this… a game of two-player poker?

Ye Xinglan bit her lower lip tightly, her mind reeling. She owed Zhao Xuanzhen so much—his guidance on her Star God Sword’s essence, her Spirit Armor with soul, the Star Unicorn…

She was a girl who repaid every debt. If Zhao Xuanzhen wanted… then she had no choice.

Steam curled along the mirror like streams. She brushed her wet hair behind her ears, dried her slender, graceful body, wrapped herself in a pure white robe, tied a neat bow at the waist—yet her chest throbbed with a wild, fluttering deer.

Moonlight spilled across the hotel corridor like a silver river. Ye Xinglan stared at Zhao Xuanzhen’s door, breathing deeply—the four words “come to my room” burned fiercely in her heart.

Had Na’er and Gu Yue experienced this?

It didn’t seem so—so she’d be the first…

The thought sent a quiet thrill through her. As she raised her hand to knock, her robe sleeve slipped, revealing a faint pink flush on her inner forearm, warmed by steam.

The creak of the door reached her ears. As warm light spilled over the threshold, Ye Xinglan closed her eyes, her lashes casting trembling butterfly shadows beneath them. She charged forward with flushed cheeks, as if delaying half a second would melt her into moonlight.

The creak of the door reached her ears; as warm light spilled across the threshold, Ye Xinglan shut her eyes, her eyelashes casting trembling butterfly shadows beneath them, and she bolted forward with a flushed face, as if hesitating half a second longer would melt her into the moonlight.

The dull thump of her forehead hitting his nose shattered the silence. Zhao Xuanzhen clutched his aching nose, his large black eyes filled with even bigger question marks.

The dull thud of her forehead hitting his nose shattered the room’s silence; Zhao Xuanzhen clutched his aching bridge, his large black eyes widening into even bigger question marks.

“I… I came in…” Ye Xinglan whispered, avoiding eye contact with Gu Yue’s door next door.

“No need. We’re going out.”

“Huh?”

Ye Xinglan was aghast—first time, and we’re leaving?

Ye Xinglan was utterly horrified—first time already?

She obeyed.

“Your robe isn’t appropriate. Go change.”

“Okay… what style do you like? Black silk? White silk? Or natural bare?”

Zhao Xuanzhen froze. After a long pause, he said: “Whatever you like.”

Zhao Xuanzhen froze, then after a long pause, muttered: “Do as you like.”

Almost fleeing, Ye Xinglan dashed back to her room, pressing her back against the cold door, her heartbeat thundering as if it would shatter her ribs.

She swapped her robe for a pale yellow dress. After careful thought, she chose a natural, bare look—distinct from Gu Yue’s preference for black silk—and walked out, head bowed, trailing obediently behind Zhao Xuanzhen as they left the Star Hotel.

Moments later, they arrived at the main gate of Tianding Star Soul Master Academy.

Moments later, the two arrived at the main gate of Tianding Star Soul Master Academy.

Ye Xinglan glanced left at the Starry Sky Academy sign, then right at the upright Zhao Xuanzhen; her pale face flushed crimson in 0.25 seconds, and she blurted out something to fill the silence:

“It’s… it’s Starry Sky Academy, huh…”

“That’s right,” Zhao Xuanzhen nodded. “During the day, your Star God Sword was just one step away from breakthrough. The Star Gazing Terrace at night is even more potent—I’ll channel stellar power and take you to try again.”

“Th-thank you…”

Zhao Xuanzhen noticed the girl’s disheveled long hair reflected in her eyes, her voice a whisper, her face burning red—he sensed something strange.

“Forgive me for asking, but what did you think this was?”

“Don’t ask—I want to die…”

Ye Xinglan was flushed from head to toe!

Zhao Xuanzhen clicked his tongue; he roughly guessed the girl’s unspoken thoughts—late night, young people, a hotel, solitude…

Prejudice in the human heart is a mountain of yellow earth!

(End of Chapter)