Morning, in class.
Zhu Ziyang, Jiang Nannan, Tang Ya, and Beibei were all seated together.
"Hey! Zhu Ziyang, what did you take Nannan to do yesterday?" Tang Ya asked curiously, her face full of interest. "Why did her soul power suddenly rise to level 30?"
"What!" Beibei, who had been concentrating on class, turned his head in disbelief when he heard Tang Ya's question. He stared at Jiang Nannan with shock.
"Beibei, do you have a question?" Beibei's outburst drew the teacher's ire. He looked at him with displeasure.
"Sorry, Teacher Li! I have no questions," Beibei quickly stood up and apologized when he heard the teacher's angry tone.
"Pay attention in class!" The teacher, seeing Beibei's respectful attitude, chose not to pursue the matter and resumed the lecture.
Beibei sighed in relief and sat back down, but his gaze didn't leave Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan. His eyes mirrored Tang Ya's curiosity.
"You didn't tell Tang Ya?" Zhu Ziyang looked at Jiang Nannan.
"No," Jiang Nannan shook her head. "I didn't get a chance to say it. She cut me off, so I just didn't continue."
"Ah..." Tang Ya suddenly recalled how she had indeed interrupted Jiang Nannan earlier that morning. She scratched her cheek in embarrassment and said, "Wasn't I worried about being late? Come on, Nannan, tell me again!"
She clung to Jiang Nannan's arm and pouted. Jiang Nannan smiled helplessly and said, "It's not really anything special. I just happened to buy something suitable for me at the trade fair the other day."
"So that's what happened!" Tang Ya suddenly understood. "No wonder you two vanished without a word that day, leaving Beibei and me standing around waiting like fools for half an hour! You got something good!"
"Hehe," Jiang Nannan giggled awkwardly. "We left in such a rush that we forgot to tell you."
"Alright, alright, it's been days. I, Tang Ya the magnanimous, won't hold it against you two!" Tang Ya laughed lightly, satisfied with the explanation.
"Ziyang, when is Nannan planning to hunt her third soul ring?" Beibei now understood the situation and asked, "Is the academy helping out?"
"Yes," Zhu Ziyang nodded. "We're heading out this afternoon."
"I see. Then I'll congratulate Nannan in advance," Beibei smiled, though he couldn't help but feel a surge of pressure. It seemed he needed to work even harder!
—
That afternoon.
After requesting leave from Xia Yu, Zhu Ziyang brought Jiang Nannan to the edge of Sea God Lake.
"Brother, why are we here?" Jiang Nannan asked in confusion. "Aren't we going to find Dean Yan?"
"No need," Zhu Ziyang smiled. "We just have to wait here. Someone will come for us."
As he spoke, he pondered. Who was the old fellow Mu En mentioned? Likely one of the elders of the Sea God Pavilion. Otherwise, Mu En wouldn't have used such familiar words.
"Oh, alright," Jiang Nannan nodded and didn't question further. Her gaze drifted across the lake to Sea God Island—the location of the Inner Court. She had imagined many times that she and her brother Zhu Ziyang would both enter the Inner Court together, become disciples, and... Her mind drifted far, her heart full of hope. She was now a Soul Elder and ever closer to that dream.
They didn't wait long before someone appeared flying across the lake.
At first, it was just a black dot. In the blink of an eye, it became an elderly woman with silver hair and youthful features, landing gracefully before them.
"Elder Song!" Zhu Ziyang was slightly surprised. He immediately pulled Jiang Nannan forward to greet her.
"Elder Song!" Jiang Nannan followed suit, curious about this old lady's identity since her brother was being so respectful.
"Hehe, long time no see, little one," Elder Song said kindly, her voice gentle. "Is this the girl who needs a third soul ring?"
"Yes, Elder Song," Zhu Ziyang replied. He introduced her, "Nannan, this is Elder Song, one of the elders of the Sea God Pavilion, a Rank 97 Super Douluo."
"What!" Jiang Nannan's eyes widened in shock. She quickly bowed respectfully. "Hello, Elder Song. My name is Jiang Nannan, a level 30 Soul Elder."
"Very good! A fine young lady!" Elder Song looked pleased. "What is your martial soul?"
"My martial soul is a mutated Soft Bone Rabbit, Elder Song," Jiang Nannan answered sweetly.
"Soft Bone Rabbit?" Elder Song showed a flicker of surprise, then nodded. "Understood. I assume you've prepared everything? This trip may take over a month."
"All ready, Elder Song," Zhu Ziyang replied with a smile, lifting his right hand to reveal the Starflame Ring on his ring finger.
"Good, then let's depart," Elder Song said promptly, no longer delaying.
The trio left Shrek Academy and headed south.
"Elder Song, are we going to the Star Luo Empire?" Zhu Ziyang asked curiously along the way.
The Mingdou Mountain Range was located at the junction of the Heaven Soul Empire, Sun Moon Empire, and Star Luo Empire, to the west of Shrek Academy. They should've been heading west.
"Yes," Elder Song replied. "But I have a few matters to attend to first. I'll also give you a look at some things going on in the continent. Then we'll go to the Mingdou Mountain Range and find Nannan a soul ring."
"Oh," Zhu Ziyang nodded. What else could he say? He could only follow obediently.
—
Three days later.
The trio arrived in the Giant Forest Province of the Star Luo Empire.
As the name implied, the province was home to vast forests—specifically the Star Dou Forest within Star Luo territory. From this point on, they had left the traditional influence zone of Shrek Academy.
What did that mean?
Four thousand years ago, Shrek Academy began awakening martial souls for all children within a 100-kilometer radius free of charge. This clearly threatened the interests of the nobility, so the nobles pressured the imperial courts, who in turn pressured the academy. Though Shrek claimed to serve the people, it was still an institution of the upper class. Under combined pressure from both nobility and royalty, the headmaster of the time ultimately compromised—promising that the academy would only awaken martial souls within a 100-kilometer zone and not beyond it. He then resigned amidst heavy internal opposition.
With this promise, the nervous and threatened nobility and royals backed off.
Though the headmaster stepped down, from that time forward, the hundred-kilometer zone became an unspoken exclusive territory of Shrek Academy. While cities, land, and taxes still belonged to the three great empires, all martial soul awakenings within that area were controlled by the academy.
As a result, most soul masters from that region were Shrek-affiliated. Those with talent joined the academy; those without stayed in Shrek City.
Compared to other regions of the continent, the commoners in Shrek's exclusive zone were undoubtedly fortunate.
After entering the Giant Forest Province, Zhu Ziyang noticed that Elder Song deliberately left the main road and led them down a small path—clearly not heading for any major city but toward the wilderness.
This intrigued Zhu Ziyang, and he began to guess her true objective.
Before he could figure it out, Elder Song revealed it herself.
"Ziyang, Nannan, do you see that village up ahead?" Elder Song pointed toward a small village.
"We see it," they nodded.
It looked a lot like Zhangyang Village. Zhu Ziyang suddenly realized what Elder Song intended.
"We're going there. I'm going to teach you how to perform martial soul awakening for children," Elder Song said with a smile.
As expected! Zhu Ziyang felt an indescribable joy in his heart. It was complicated, hard to put into words, but he knew one thing for certain—this seemingly unnecessary detour was absolutely worth it.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Memebers on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.