Zhu Zhuqing swiftly and cleanly defeated the 38th-level agility-type Soul Master.
Her powerful presence as a 45th-level Soul Elder caused a stir among the spectators. Many who were unfamiliar with Shrek Academy assumed Zhu Zhuqing was their strongest member.
Indeed, aside from Lin Fan, among the fifteen teams and nearly a hundred participants, Zhu Zhuqing's soul power was the highest.
"45th-level Soul Elder? That girl looks so young—how does she have 45 levels of soul power?"
"Yeah, she looks younger than all of us. How come we've never heard of Shrek Academy before?"
It wasn't just outsiders who were surprised—even Tang San and his teammates were left puzzled by her soul power growth.
They knew Zhu Zhuqing was a few months younger than Tang San, and before arriving in Heaven Dou City, her soul power was average.
"Wait, how did Zhuqing level up so fast? I remember she was around 35 before. But in just over half a year, she gained ten levels?" Ning Rongrong asked, full of envy and confusion.
"That's right. I remember when we first got to Heaven Dou City, she became Swordshadow Douluo's disciple, and her soul power just started shooting up," Xiao Wu nodded in agreement.
"I wonder what Swordshadow Douluo taught her… If only we could learn the same thing," Ma Hongjun said longingly.
Even Tang San, though silent, was filled with questions.
He thought of his own Mysterious Heaven Skill and muttered internally: "Could it be that Swordshadow Douluo taught her some kind of accelerated cultivation method?"
"No way… could it be demonic cultivation from my past life?"
As a Tang Sect disciple, Tang San had heard of dark sects with techniques that could steal others' soul power. But looking at Zhu Zhuqing's aura and Lin Fan's temperament, neither resembled someone practicing evil arts.
"Maybe it's just that their technique isn't being suppressed by this world the way my Mysterious Heaven Skill is," Tang San reasoned.
From the royal viewing platform, Emperor Xue Ye watched Zhu Zhuqing with keen interest.
"According to her records, she's barely fourteen years old. She was 44th level at the end of the preliminaries, and now, just a month later, she's at 45? That's incredible," he said to Ning Fengzhi.
"Indeed, a rare talent. According to Rongrong, she became the disciple of a Titled Douluo called 'Swordshadow.' After arriving in Heaven Dou City, her soul power skyrocketed," Ning Fengzhi agreed.
But in his heart, Ning Fengzhi was thinking, Did Lin Fan give her a spirit herb too?
Having seen the power of those herbs firsthand, and knowing Zhu Zhuqing was Lin Fan's disciple, he was beginning to understand.
Still, Ning Fengzhi didn't mention the herbs to Emperor Xue Ye. After all, the palace had eyes from the Spirit Hall—best to keep such secrets.
"Yes, aside from Lin Xuan, she has the highest soul power among all contestants this year," Emperor Xue Ye nodded.
Of course, he was aware of Zhu Zhuqing's background. Her Netherworld Civet martial soul came from the Zhu clan—capable of forming a martial soul fusion technique with the White Tiger of the Xingluo royal family.
Even if Emperor Xue Ye wasn't an expert in soul masters, the history between the Zhu and Dai clans was too deeply rooted for him not to know.
As an agility-type soul master, Zhu Zhuqing was highly attuned to sound, and she naturally heard all the murmurs surrounding her rapid advancement.
"So this is the power of the 'Immortal Herb' the teacher gave me," Zhu Zhuqing thought, realizing she'd underestimated its effect.
Ever since consuming the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone Herb, her meditation and cultivation had skyrocketed compared to her past rate.
And she remembered Lin Fan had said the herb's effects would last all the way until she reached Soul Sage. It seemed now that he had been telling the truth.
Zhu Zhuqing felt immense gratitude toward her teacher. She believed that becoming Lin Fan's disciple was the best decision she had ever made.
"If only teacher could see me now…" she thought with a bit of regret.
From the shadows, Lin Fan watched with a smile. Seeing all the reactions and shock from the crowd, he felt genuinely proud.
"Haha… not bad having a disciple. Zhuqing really brought honor to me today."
Meanwhile, Fire Academy was visibly troubled. Watching Zhu Zhuqing defeat a 38th-level Soul Master with ease left them scrambling for options.
"Fire Dance, I didn't expect Shrek to send Zhu Zhuqing as their second player. What are we supposed to do now?" Fire Wu Shuang asked, brows furrowed.
"Vice captain, let me go," said Huo Yun, filled with fighting spirit. "She's an agility-type Soul Elder, and so am I. Though I'm four levels lower, I can at least wear her down."
Huo Yun was one of the three Soul Elders in Fire Academy, with 41 levels of soul power.
Fire Dance didn't reply immediately, lost in thought as she weighed their options.
After a moment, she spoke up:
"Huo Chui, Huo Jun—you two go first. Try to exhaust her soul power. Huo Yun, you go third."
"Got it," the three replied.
Huo Chui and Huo Jun stepped onto the stage one after another.
But—
Even the two of them together didn't last more than three minutes before being cleanly defeated by Zhu Zhuqing.
They couldn't even react to her blinding speed.
Seeing this, Fire Dance's expression darkened. Their quick defeat had caught her off guard.
"Huo Yun, your turn," she ordered, reluctantly.
At this point, Fire Academy had already lost five members. Only Fire Dance and Huo Yun remained.
"Yes, vice captain." Huo Yun clasped his hands, then stepped onto the stage.
"Match start!" Meng Shenji announced.
"Martial Soul: Possession!" Huo Yun activated his Fire Crane martial soul. Flaming red wings spread from his back as he slowly rose into the air.
"You and I are both agility-types. I'm slower than you, but I can fly. I'll stay airborne and exhaust your soul power," Huo Yun called out.
Zhu Zhuqing narrowed her eyes, silently assuming a battle stance in response.
Seeing this, Huo Yun immediately launched his soul skill:
"First Soul Skill: Fire Feather Pierce!"
Flaming feathers materialized and rained down on Zhu Zhuqing from above.
She moved quickly, dodging each flaming feather with incredible speed.
Whoosh—whoosh—
The feathers fell precisely where she moved—but they simply couldn't keep up with her.
"So fast! We're both agility-types, but her speed is more than twice mine," Huo Yun thought in shock, continuing to unleash attacks.
"First Soul Skill: Nether Spike!"
With a sudden slip of her foot, Zhu Zhuqing vanished into the blind spot beneath Huo Yun, launching upward in a surprise attack.
Huo Yun flinched, immediately stopping his soul skill and soaring higher—barely escaping Zhu Zhuqing's jump as her strike narrowly missed.