"Zhu Ziyang!" Long Xiaoyao stared in surprise at the young man who had suddenly appeared. His face showed open astonishment as he sighed, "To think that in just five short years, you've grown to such a level. Truly remarkable!"
"Senior Brother Ziyang!" Yan Shaozhe and Huo Yuhao cried out at once. Their expressions were very different—Yuhao's was filled with excitement and joy at a long-awaited reunion, while Shaozhe's sternness gave way to visible relief.
Though Shaozhe had already reached rank 98 as a Super Douluo, facing Long Xiaoyao was still too much for him. But Zhu Ziyang's appearance allowed him to finally relax. As Zhu Ziyang's senior brother, he knew better than anyone what kind of strength the young man now possessed. Though only at rank 92, with twin Ultimate Martial Souls and all ten-thousand-year soul rings, he could not be measured by the standards of an ordinary Titled Douluo.
At present in Shrek Academy, by cultivation, Xuan Zi ranked first. But in terms of combat power, Zhu Ziyang was second—and no one dared claim first. In the six months since his return, he had sparred with every elder of Tianyuan Pavilion. Aside from Xuan Zi and Shaozhe, none could withstand even five moves from him.
It was precisely because of this overwhelming strength that Zhu Ziyang had so quickly established absolute authority within the pavilion.
"Senior Brother, take Yuhao back to the academy first. I'll stay here to catch up with Uncle Long," Zhu Ziyang said with a calm smile.
"Alright, be careful!" Shaozhe replied without protest, immediately pulling Yuhao along toward Shrek Academy. Long Xiaoyao made no move to stop them.
All of his attention was now fixed on Zhu Ziyang. Though he still addressed him as a junior, in his heart he already regarded him as an equal.
"You should only be twenty this year, yes?" Long Xiaoyao said with genuine admiration. "To reach rank 92 at twenty—such talent is heaven-defying! Mu En truly raised a fine disciple."
"My twentieth birthday is still a few months away," Zhu Ziyang replied with a smile. "Uncle Long, would you be willing to grace my birthday banquet?"
"Haha! I appreciate the invitation, but given that we're technically enemies right now, it's better I don't impose." Long Xiaoyao chuckled. "Enough talk. Let me see the strength of this new Pavilion Master of Tianyuan Pavilion!"
As he spoke, his body shone with a dark radiance. Nine soul rings flared into existence behind him as a pitch-black dragon coiled around his form before diving straight into his body. His frame expanded rapidly, clad in black-gold armor as his Dark Holy Dragon martial soul transformed into its true body armor form.
This was the second stage of Martial Soul True Body, unlocked only by Super Douluo at rank 95 or higher. It allowed the user to retain a humanoid form while doubling the amplification effects of the true body—a form far more suited for battle between soul masters.
The fact that Long Xiaoyao unleashed this form immediately showed how seriously he regarded Zhu Ziyang.
"In that case, Uncle, I won't hold back either!" Zhu Ziyang replied, fully unleashing his aura. It was his first time facing a rank-99 opponent, and caution was necessary.
The Scythe of Judgment materialized in his hands, its blade gleaming with divine light. Behind him, nine crimson hundred-thousand-year rings rose into the sky, bathing the battlefield in dazzling radiance. Even Zhang Peng, who was locked in combat with Xian Lin'er nearby, was momentarily stunned by the sight. Xian Lin'er seized the opening, pressing him into disadvantage.
"Astonishing!" Long Xiaoyao's eyes narrowed in surprise, but his movements did not falter. His rings lit up, his arms transforming into massive dragon claws that tore through the air, descending toward Zhu Ziyang.
Zhu Ziyang lifted his scythe lightly. Blade and claw clashed, halting the dragon's strike. In a flash of light, Zhu Ziyang stepped forward, closing the distance in an instant, his scythe sweeping down at Long Xiaoyao's chest with brilliance unmatched.
Long Xiaoyao swiftly drew back his arm, crossing it before his chest. His dragon-scale armor absorbed the blow, unleashing a violent clash of light and darkness. The shockwaves meant nothing to either of them—mere ripples in a sea.
Blocking the strike, Long Xiaoyao retaliated immediately. His head shifted into a dragon's, and he spewed a torrent of corrosive black flame.
Zhu Ziyang spun through the air, evading the first wave, then channeled all his gathered power into the scythe. With a single sweep, the blade tore through the dragon breath and descended once more. This time, Long Xiaoyao's arm guard shattered, the light burning into his flesh.
His face darkened. Rings flared again, and his massive form dissolved into a raging black tornado. The storm carried with it the corruptive and oppressive nature of darkness, sweeping across heaven and earth.
Zhu Ziyang instantly leapt back a kilometer, transforming his scythe into a golden staff. A pillar of golden light surged skyward, summoning eighty-one blazing meteors. Radiant with holy judgment, they rained down, cleaving through the storm.
The battlefield became a maelstrom of light and darkness. Tempest shredded meteor, meteor pierced storm, again and again, until at last the chaos subsided.
When the dust cleared, the two stood apart once more. Zhu Ziyang looked unscathed, save for some soul power spent. Long Xiaoyao, however, bore traces of dust upon his once-impeccable form. The gap between ranged divine techniques and close combat martial soul skills was clear.
"Well done, boy." Long Xiaoyao grinned, his giant form shrinking as the martial soul armor faded away. Returning to human size, he said, "I've had enough. No sense denying age any longer."
"Thank you for your mercy, Uncle," Zhu Ziyang said politely, though inwardly puzzled. They had only exchanged one true round, neither side having gone all out. Why had Long Xiaoyao ended the fight so quickly?
"Haha, mercy? Hardly." Long Xiaoyao chuckled wryly. "If we fought seriously, I might not be your match. Mu En was truly fortunate to have you."
"You flatter me, Uncle," Zhu Ziyang replied. "Since you no longer wish to fight, then until we meet again."
"Agreed. I need to make my report anyway," Long Xiaoyao said with a smile. "One word of advice, though—the Sun Moon Empire's Crown Prince, Xu Tiannan, is an ambitious man. Be on your guard."
"Thank you for the warning, Uncle," Zhu Ziyang said, his expression turning faintly odd but grateful nonetheless.
"That's all I'll say. Farewell!" With that, Long Xiaoyao vanished.
Seeing him go, Zhang Peng wasted no time in fleeing as well. Xian Lin'er gave chase, but Zhu Ziyang stopped her.
"Ziyang, why didn't you let me pursue him?" she demanded, still burning with battle fury.
"Senior Sister, it's unnecessary," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile. "Zhang Peng is clearly from the Holy Spirit Sect. We'll clash with them sooner or later. When the time comes, he'll die all the same. No need to startle the snake now."
"Hmph. Fine," Xian Lin'er cooled, withdrawing her martial soul. "But tell me—why did you suddenly appear here?"
"I was bored at the academy and decided to take a look," Zhu Ziyang answered with a grin. "Who knew I'd stumble into this mess? Pure coincidence."
"Still, it's thanks to you we got through this. Without you, Shaozhe and I wouldn't have been able to handle Long Xiaoyao," Xian Lin'er admitted, shivering at the thought. "I never imagined he would fight for the Sun Moon Empire. Isn't he from the Dou Ling Empire?"
"In my opinion, he isn't working for the Sun Moon Empire at all," Zhu Ziyang said thoughtfully. "Remember—the imperial family of Sun Moon is in league with the Holy Spirit Sect."
"You mean Long Xiaoyao is one of them? But why?" Xian Lin'er asked, baffled.
"That's a long story," Zhu Ziyang murmured, stroking his chin as he pondered where to begin.
The two continued their discussion as they flew back toward the academy. After several kilometers, they were met by Xuan Zi and the other elders of Tianyuan Pavilion.
"Ziyang, are you alright?" Xuan Zi asked with deep concern.
"I'm fine," Zhu Ziyang answered with a faint smile. "Elder Xuan, you arrived just in time. Go to Maple Leaf City and bring back Fan Yu and the others."
"Understood," Xuan Zi said with a nod, immediately ordering Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo to retrieve Shrek's exchange team still waiting in the city.
Meanwhile, Zhu Ziyang and the remaining elders turned back toward the academy.
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