"Why do I hear cows?"
The heart that Long Aotian had just calmed instantly tightened again, his lips twisting bitterly.
"Alright then, it's settled."
Weina's eyes lit up upon hearing Jiang Jue's words, and she happily agreed.
On her shoulders rested the mission of the Heavenly Soul Empire. Being able to build a good relationship with Jiang Jue was exactly what she had hoped for.
But she wasn't some naïve girl. She knew very clearly what she could and couldn't do.
"What should I even say?"
Long Aotian suddenly felt like the sky had collapsed. From the very first time he saw Weina, he had felt an indescribable emotion in his heart.
Now he finally understood what that emotion was called — but it seemed that Weina was about to leave him.
Yet, as a man, Long Aotian didn't know in what capacity he could stop her. That only added to his frustration, his heart a mess.
Seeing Long Aotian's dazed look, Jiang Jue shook his head.
Long Aotian's talent wasn't bad, but he had been confined within the Body Sect his whole life, never experiencing the cruelty of the outside world. His temperament was still too immature.
With just a light move, Jiang Jue had already pushed him to his breaking point.
Jiang Jue also understood that if he wanted the Body Sect's support in the future, Long Aotian was an obstacle he would have to step over. After all, Long Aotian was already the sect's young master. Jiang Jue would have to rise by trampling him.
If Long Aotian cooperated, he could stay within the sect, and his talent wouldn't go to waste. If not… then he could stay inside the Soul Refining Banner forever, reserved a seat among countless souls.
"Well then, Jiang Jue, go rest. I won't disturb you further."
Weina smiled serenely and stepped aside.
Jiang Jue nodded slightly, pushed open the door, and stepped inside. Passing by Long Aotian, he saw the latter still standing there in a daze.
"Is that the 'white moonlight' of a boy's heart?"
Jiang Jue thought silently as he closed the door behind him.
Bang!
"Brother Long, what are you thinking? I'll head off first."
Weina spoke softly to the stunned Long Aotian, then turned to leave.
She could vaguely sense Long Aotian's feelings toward her, but she wasn't just herself. Behind her stood the Heavenly Soul Empire. Some things were not hers to decide.
"Oh… alright…"
Long Aotian watched her fading figure, then turned to the Body Sect disciple beside him.
"Third Brother, tell me — how does one obtain what they truly desire?"
"Become stronger. Once a person is strong enough, they can have everything."
The disciple thought for a moment before answering.
"But by then, wouldn't everything have already changed?"
"Young Sect Master, you're still young. You still have limitless possibilities."
"Limitless possibilities… You're right. I, Long Aotian, am destined to suppress all beneath heaven!"
Long Aotian gradually pressed down the bitterness in his heart and turned away. But his departing figure still looked faintly lonely.
Shrek Academy, Sea God's Pavilion.
"Elder Mu, rest assured and leave this to me. Such a small matter, I'll definitely get it done."
After the last incident, Xuanzi had tidied himself up a little. Though his clothes still had oil stains, at least they weren't yellowed anymore.
"Taking Huo Yuhao and the other two to obtain spirit rings? That's child's play! Absolutely no problem."
"Trust me!"
Xuanzi stood in front of Mu En, patting his chest in assurance.
Seated in his wheelchair, Mu En looked at the slightly more steady Xuanzi and nodded.
"Don't mess it up."
He believed this much: Xuanzi shouldn't be able to make mistakes on such a simple matter. After all, Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao only needed their third spirit rings. They could be found in the outer or mixed areas of the Star Dou Forest.
Xuanzi suddenly thought of something and transmitted his voice via soul power.
"Elder Mu, when will you accept Huo Yuhao as your disciple? That way, he'll truly be bound to Shrek Academy's chariot."
Mu En glared at him and transmitted back:
"Nonsense. What binding? We simply want to give Yuhao a warm home."
"Yes, yes, you're right, Elder."
Xuanzi chuckled, pulling out a large drumstick.
"Yuhao and the others still aren't out yet…"
At that moment, a girl's voice sounded. Xiao Xiao, dressed in green, sat in a chair, peering upstairs.
She, who was never chubby, had grown even thinner — almost frail-looking. Yet her large eyes shone brighter than ever.
Since the end of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament, she, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong had stayed in the Sea God's Pavilion under Mu En's guidance to search for their own paths.
Now she had found her path, but Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong had not yet emerged.
"Child, don't worry. Look — here they come."
Mu En's old voice sounded just as two figures emerged from the corridor upstairs.
It was Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong.
Both wore smiles, having found their own path: the Tang Sect.
"So you've all found the road within your hearts."
Mu En looked at them with a smile.
"Elder Mu, we were born in this era. Wang Dong and I are both disciples of the Tang Sect. We are duty-bound to strengthen it!"
Huo Yuhao's eyes shone as he spoke loudly, full of passion.
"I don't know why it must be the Tang Sect, but I'm willing to follow the voice in my heart."
Wang Dong's eyes flickered with confusion, but he still spoke.
"Good children. Be brave and do it."
Mu En nodded slightly, then continued:
"You and Xiao Xiao have both reached Soul Elder. In a while, let Xuanzi take you to the Star Dou Forest for spirit rings."
"Thank you, Elder Mu."
Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao bowed.
"You should thank me too! I'll be the one taking you."
"Thank you, Elder Xuan."
Looking at Xuanzi munching on a chicken leg, Huo Yuhao felt an inexplicable shiver.
"Mhm… that's better."
Xuanzi nodded in satisfaction and gulped down a swig of liquor.
With him around, what could possibly go wrong?
Heavenly Soul Empire, Tian Dou City.
A petite, lonely figure walked silently down the street. She had been back here for nearly a month.
That figure was none other than Tang Ya, who had dropped out of Shrek Academy.
But now, her once-smiling face was pale and unhealthy. Compared to before, she carried a frail kind of beauty.
In the distance, a great gate appeared before her. Tang Ya's body trembled, and tears instantly streamed down her fair cheeks.
"Father, Mother… today, I will avenge you!"
Her voice was full of hate, her eyes flashing with darkness.
She stepped forward slowly toward the gate, on which three characters were engraved: Ironblood Sect!
"This is my home. My home!"
Standing before the Ironblood Sect's gates, Tang Ya took a deep breath, then suddenly shouted.
Her arms spread wide, and in that instant, countless thick blue-black vines burst forth, splitting into three strands that smashed the plaque to pieces. Four spirit rings immediately rose beneath her feet.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple!
Four rings appeared.
Tang Ya was no longer an ordinary soul master. She had awakened a devouring attribute and become an evil soul master.
Her martial soul had evolved into Dark Blue Silver Grass — an epic transformation.
From the despised Blue Silver Grass, it had become the high-grade Dark Blue Silver Grass.
That was the reason she had left school. She was no longer normal. She had fallen…
She had fallen.
But for revenge, Tang Ya believed it was all worth it.
The blue-black vines lashed like giant serpents. A faint purplish-red glow flickered in her eyes.
"Ga? An intruder?"
Two disciples stood guard at the gates. Tang Ya had been so fast that only when the plaque shattered did they react.
Her heart held only vengeance. Two thick vines lashed out, instantly wrapping around their necks. Without using a single spirit skill, the vines darkened to deep violet.
With horrific screams, their bodies were crushed like prey strangled by pythons, reduced to pulp. Blood gushed out, absorbed directly into the vines, glowing as it flowed back into Tang Ya's body. Her face grew even paler.
"Tsk tsk tsk."
"I love to see rivers of blood."
From a distant attic, a man in black robes watched Tang Ya with amusement.
He pulled out a rabbit head sprinkled with chili powder — spicy rabbit head.
"Since the Holy Son left, even rabbit heads don't taste as good anymore."
He bit into it with a sigh.
"But with this show in front of me, it has its own flavor."
By now, chaos had already erupted within the Ironblood Sect.
(End of chapter)