Because of the Star Radiance Unicorn's support, Zhu Ziyang's group encountered no danger along the way. By sunset of the same day they met, they had safely reached the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest.
Once they entered this area, the danger level dropped significantly—at least there was no longer any threat to life. Thus, the Star Radiance Unicorn had completed her mission and was now ready to offer herself as Zhu Ziyang's soul ring.
The inner court disciples, completely relaxed for the first time in days, sat beneath a large tree to rest. All of them stared with curiosity and anticipation at the surreal scene in front of them. A soul beast taking the initiative to become a soul ring for a soul master—if they hadn't experienced it firsthand, they would never have believed it.
During the journey, Zhu Ziyang briefly recounted what had happened after he was knocked away, focusing on the origins and intentions of the Star Radiance Unicorn. Though the story sounded unbelievable, they couldn't deny the truth—not when a genuine 50,000-year-old Star Radiance Unicorn was right there beside them.
The concrete evidence left them shocked and envious of Zhu Ziyang's good fortune. And thanks to their bond formed through shared life-and-death trials, Zhang Lexuan also revealed that Zhu Ziyang had been accepted as Elder Mu's disciple. No one was surprised—Zhu Ziyang's talent and potential were obvious to all.
Zhu Ziyang sat cross-legged on the ground as the Star Radiance Unicorn knelt in front of him, her proud head lowered, her pure horn pointed directly at him. Behind them, the young Star Radiance Unicorn, Xingcai, watched her mother tearfully, knowing she would soon lose her forever.
"We can begin now." Zhu Ziyang's face was calm, heart steady as still water, as he addressed Luo Xingxiya.
"Yes, Lord Son of Light!" Luo Xingxiya's voice was trembling with emotion. Her body began to emit a faint golden glow that spread from her horn to her neck, wings, and down to her tail. "Please place your palm on the tip of my horn."
Zhu Ziyang was puzzled but didn't hesitate. He extended his right hand and pressed his palm to the tip of Luo Xingxiya's horn. Immediately, he felt a gentle stream of energy flow into his hand, travel up his arm, and into his heart.
As the energy entered his heart, a flicker of resolution passed through Luo Xingxiya's eyes. With a muffled groan, the bright gleam in her eyes faded, and she slowly closed them.
She had severed her heart and died voluntarily.
A jet-black soul ring, as dark as the night, appeared at the tip of her horn. It shot instantly toward Zhu Ziyang's arm. A wave of sorrow passed through his heart, but he quickly closed his eyes and began absorbing the soul ring.
The inner court disciples were stunned by what they had witnessed. They were shocked by Luo Xingxiya's decisiveness. Was this what true faith looked like? As for Xingcai, she was already kneeling on the ground, saying her silent farewell to her mother.
Golden light radiated out, slowly enveloping both Zhu Ziyang and the now lifeless Star Radiance Unicorn. The light became thick and intertwined, forming a massive cocoon. Just as the cocoon fully sealed, a stream of light shot out and landed on Xingcai's body. The moment the light touched her, she fell into a deep sleep.
"Sister Lexuan, can Ziyang really withstand the soul ring of a Star Radiance Unicorn?" Ma Xiaotao asked worriedly.
"We have to believe in him," Zhang Lexuan replied, though she herself felt anxious.
Inside the light cocoon, Zhu Ziyang was doing everything in his power to absorb the 50,000-year-old soul ring, fully focused, not daring to relax even for a moment. Though the soul ring's energy had been made gentler due to Luo Xingxiya's will, its sheer magnitude made the process incredibly difficult. It was a massive challenge to his body; even the slightest mistake could result in his body bursting from the overwhelming alien soul energy.
He had to be extremely cautious.
The Stillness Fate Ending Scythe appeared in his hand, and his first three soul rings appeared behind him. All the soul power in his body surged, welcoming the influx of energy from the new soul ring. His body's systems entered a high-speed state, and his meridians and acupuncture points began refining the new energy.
The refinement process was difficult and full of setbacks. Though the soul power was gentle, its massive volume pushed his body to its absolute limit.
His yellow soul ring behind him began to flash repeatedly. With each flash, it solidified further, gaining a crystalline luster and a pure clarity. A breath of life force began to leak from it.
Electrolux took action.
As the first soul ring was fully refined, the pressure on Zhu Ziyang eased considerably, and his absorption rate increased. He became more focused and hopeful.
Electrolux didn't stop there. After assisting with the first ring's refinement, he continued helping Zhu Ziyang refine the second soul ring. Even Electrolux's own spiritual form benefited from this—becoming a little more solid.
Zhu Ziyang had entered a positive cycle of absorption and refinement. All he needed now was time.
—
At the same time, just as Zhu Ziyang's group exited the Star Dou Forest, Xuanzi finally returned to Shrek Academy.
He didn't waste a second. Charging onto Sea God Island, he handed Zhu Lie and Long Yu over to an inner court disciple before bursting into the Sea God Pavilion like a madman.
"Elder Mu! I lost Ziyang!" he shouted as he barged in.
"What?!" Mu En had been resting when Xuanzi barged in, and the shock in his voice jolted him awake. Before he could say another word, rage exploded from him. He leapt up from his lounge chair, and the pressure from his aged body sent Xuanzi flying into the wall.
Xuanzi climbed to his feet in terror, blood trickling from his lips, but he dared not show any complaint before Mu En.
Mu En didn't bother arguing. He asked coldly, "Where?"
"The Core Zone!" Xuanzi immediately answered.
Without another word, Mu En vanished from the Sea God Pavilion, leaving Xuanzi stunned and trembling. He quickly turned to summon the other Pavilion Elders—Star Dou Forest was vast, and Mu En couldn't search it alone.
Outside the academy, Mu En soared across the sky like a golden meteor, racing toward the Star Dou Forest. He was filled with anxiety—Zhu Ziyang was Shrek Academy's future, his most prized successor. If Zhu Ziyang died in the forest, Mu En would never forgive himself.
To be honest, Mu En really wanted to slap Xuanzi and Yan Shaozhe to death.
But now wasn't the time for blame. What mattered was finding Zhu Ziyang.
'Hang in there, Ziyang!' Mu En prayed silently as he pushed his injured body to its limit. The faster he reached the forest, the better Zhu Ziyang's chances of survival.
Less than three minutes after Mu En left Shrek Academy, more than a dozen powerful figures shot out from within the school, heading toward the Star Dou Forest. Without exception, they were all Title Douluo-level powerhouses.
They were the Sea God Pavilion Elders!
Such a massive movement from the Sea God Pavilion immediately caught the attention of all major forces in Shrek City. Within an hour or two, the Star Luo Empire, Heaven Soul Empire, Dou Spirit Empire, and other great sects and clans all received the same intelligence:
Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion dispatched more than ten Title Douluo toward the Star Dou Forest. A battle with soul beasts seems imminent!
—
While Mu En and the Sea God Pavilion Elders rushed to the Star Dou Forest...
At the Lake of Life, deep within the forbidden Star Dou Forest...
"How is the auspicious beast?" A black-robed man with a stern, handsome face asked. His long black hair flowed to his feet, and two striking golden bangs hung from his forehead. Though his voice was calm, his golden eyes were anything but peaceful.
"Nothing serious—just a foul mood," replied a stunning woman. Her emerald-green eyes shimmered with compassion, her green hair flowed over her chest, and her teal gown outlined her perfect curves. Her pale arms were exposed, and a pair of wings extended from her back, with each feather as finely crafted as gemstone.
Before them, the auspicious beast lay listless by the lakeside, its three eyes dull as it stared at its own reflection, radiating an air of hopeless despair.
"Sigh!" the black-robed man eventually gave in and said, "Fine. In the future, if you want to go out, have Xiong-jun or Chi Wang accompany you. No more sneaking out on your own."
(End of Chapter)
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