Second floor of the Treasure Pavilion.
After stepping onto the second floor, Zhu Ziyang began searching through the vast collection of various treasures.
After about fifteen minutes, he finally selected the appropriate spiritual herbs for Zhu Changhe and Liang Ying.
A thousand-year-old Snow Lotus, a rare high-grade herb that only grew deep within the frigid Northern Wilderness. It was an exceptional tonic for soul beasts and soul masters with ice attributes, capable of nourishing one's foundation and focusing one's energy. This herb was chosen for Liang Ying.
A single Earth Origin Fruit, also a high-grade herb. It could not only enhance a soul master's soul power but also refine their innate potential—one of the finest spiritual herbs of its class. This one was clearly for Zhu Changhe.
"Senior Brother, I've made my decision. I'll take this Snow Lotus and that Earth Origin Fruit," Zhu Ziyang said to Yan Shaozhe.
"Just these two?" Yan Shaozhe asked with some confusion. "They're clearly not as valuable as the Storm Ghost Harrier soul bone. Why not pick one more?"
"No need, Senior Brother," Zhu Ziyang replied firmly. Of course, he understood the value difference, but he didn't intend to take more. "I don't really need anything else right now. I can always return later if I do."
"Alright then. As you wish." Yan Shaozhe nodded in resignation.
Zhu Ziyang smiled and stored the Snow Lotus and Earth Origin Fruit into his newly acquired soul tool ring—Starflame.
Yan Shaozhe then led him away from the Treasure Pavilion and back to the base of the Golden Tree.
"Little junior brother, I have other matters to handle. Will you stay and explore the island a bit more, or head back to the outer courtyard?" Yan Shaozhe asked.
"I'll return to the outer courtyard. Nannan and Tang Ya are probably still waiting for me," Zhu Ziyang replied without hesitation.
"Alright." Yan Shaozhe smiled knowingly and added, "Then I won't escort you back. There's a ferry at Sea God Plaza. You can take that back to the outer courtyard. From now on, you're free to cross the lake at any time—the island access restriction has been lifted for you."
"Got it, Senior Brother," Zhu Ziyang said with a nod.
"Then I'll be off. See you later, junior brother." Yan Shaozhe gave a nod and walked away.
Once Yan Shaozhe was out of sight, Zhu Ziyang headed toward Sea God Plaza.
Along the way, he drew a lot of attention. Practically everyone he passed gave him curious glances, their eyes clearly wondering, 'Huh? What's a first-year student doing on Sea God Island?' At first, Zhu Ziyang felt a bit self-conscious under those stares, but after a few encounters, he quickly got used to it. His expression remained calm as he walked across the plaza.
"Hey, little guy, you're a new student, right?"
Just as Zhu Ziyang reached the lakeside and began debating whether to walk across the lake or take the ferry, a charming and spirited voice called out from nearby.
He turned toward the voice and saw a stunning young girl, no older than fourteen or fifteen, flying in from across the lake and landing gracefully beside him.
The girl wore a bright red dress. Her figure was tall and graceful, her movements elegant. Her face was like a blossoming peach flower, eyes sparkling like stars, long hair flowing behind her. Her presence was fresh and ethereal—truly unforgettable.
"Uh…" Zhu Ziyang had no intention of chatting, but the girl had already moved up close, her lovely face nearly touching his. Her soft pink eyes glimmered with curiosity, and her red lips were only inches from his cheek. Feeling cornered, he took a step back and said, "Is it really so strange for a new student to be here?"
"To be precise, it's rare for new students to appear on Sea God Island," the girl said with a light laugh as she stepped back too, noticing that she'd gotten a bit too close.
"Oh." Zhu Ziyang gave a flat response and didn't say more.
"If I asked what you were doing here, you probably wouldn't tell me, right?" the girl said, not expecting an answer. "So I won't ask. My name is Ma Xiaotao. What's yours?"
"First-year, Class One—Zhu Ziyang." Since she wasn't leaving, Zhu Ziyang felt awkward ignoring her, so he replied politely.
"Looks like you're heading off the island, back to the outer courtyard, right?" Ma Xiaotao guessed thoughtfully.
"Yeah." Zhu Ziyang nodded. He was growing curious about her too. "Ma Xiaotao, are you an inner courtyard student?"
"Ma Xiaotao? That's no way to address your elders! I'm fifteen this year—you should be calling me Sister Xiaotao!" she replied with a pout before answering, "Of course I'm from the inner courtyard. If you're here, you must be quite talented. Keep working hard! I hope to see you in the inner courtyard soon."
Zhu Ziyang didn't care much about the name issue, but her encouragement made him smirk. "Don't worry. You'll see me in the inner courtyard very soon."
"Oh? Aren't you confident, little brat." Ma Xiaotao raised an eyebrow. Then she smiled mischievously and said, "Planning to cross the lake? Want big sister to take you across?"
"No need to trouble yourself," Zhu Ziyang replied, clearly intending to decline.
"Aww, don't be shy!" Ma Xiaotao giggled, and before he could react, she appeared behind him and wrapped her fair arms around his waist.
"You—!" Zhu Ziyang's expression changed, and he instinctively prepared to resist. But before he could move, he felt her warm body press close to his back.
Strangely, he didn't resist.
"Such a good boy!" Ma Xiaotao laughed playfully. A pair of crimson wings unfurled from her back. With a light tap of her foot, she lifted off the ground, taking Zhu Ziyang with her as she soared toward the opposite shore.
Zhu Ziyang's eyes widened in surprise. 'A Fire Phoenix martial soul!' Her surname was Ma—could she be a descendant of Ma Hongjun, the original Phoenix Douluo of the first-generation Shrek Seven Devils?
Before he could dwell on it further, they had already landed at the lakeside.
Ma Xiaotao set him down and said, "Bye-bye, little brother."
Then, under Zhu Ziyang's confused gaze, she turned and walked away, a trace of awkwardness in her steps. He noticed her face was flushed, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself.
"Strange girl…" he murmured, then turned toward the administrative building.
—
Back on Sea God Island, Ma Xiaotao landed lightly. A faint blush still lingered on her pretty face.
"Seriously… It was our first time meeting, so why did I feel so close to him?" she muttered, her eyes dreamy. "But being near him felt so comfortable… even my martial soul calmed down."
She walked forward absentmindedly.
"Xiaotao." A familiar voice called out.
She snapped out of her daze and found her teacher, Yan Shaozhe, standing ahead.
"Teacher." She smiled brightly.
"What were you thinking about so intently?" Yan Shaozhe asked, eyeing his prized disciple. His thoughts drifted to Zhu Ziyang. Eleven years old, Level 37. Ma Xiaotao, fifteen, Level 47. When compared side by side, even his outstanding disciple suddenly seemed… ordinary.
Ma Xiaotao couldn't know what her teacher was thinking. She said casually, "Teacher, I just ran into a new student on the island. Why would a first-year be here?"
"You met… Ziyang?" Yan Shaozhe blinked in surprise, then smiled.
"Mhm!" Ma Xiaotao nodded. Her beautiful eyes held a hint of uncertainty. "Being around him made my martial soul settle down. It was strange… but calming."
"!?" Yan Shaozhe's gaze sharpened instantly. His expression became thoughtful, clearly deep in contemplation.
"Xiaotao, you should spend more time with Zhu Ziyang if you can," he eventually said.
"Huh?" Ma Xiaotao blinked, not understanding.
But Yan Shaozhe didn't explain.
(End of Chapter)
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