In the Tianyuan Pavilion, before the meeting began, Zhu Ziyang sought out Xuanzi and obtained more detailed information about the black-robed figure who had blocked their path.
According to Xuanzi, the black-robed man's power was overwhelming—his aura was deep, steady, and suffocating. Xuanzi specifically emphasized that the feeling of powerlessness the black-robed man gave him even exceeded that of Mu En!
Zhu Ziyang was nearly certain now: the mysterious black-robed figure was none other than the Titan Giant Ape. For some reason, his thoughts drifted back to the sturdy man they'd encountered during their first visit to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Somehow, he felt that man and the Titan Giant Ape were connected—perhaps even the same person.
After the inquiry, Zhu Ziyang left Xuanzi's room, instructing him to stop worrying about the academy's affairs and focus solely on recovering from his injuries. Though Xuanzi appeared fine outwardly, his internal organs had shifted; if not for his profound cultivation, he would've collapsed already.
Leaving Xuanzi's room, Zhu Ziyang appeared directly in the Tianyuan Pavilion's grand hall. By this time, Elder Lin, Elder Zhuang, Yan Shaozhe, Cai Meier, and Ma Xiaotao were already seated. Why was Sister Xiaotao present? Because despite not yet reaching the rank of Super Douluo, her Ultimate Fire martial soul allowed her to fight at that level, granting her the qualifications to attend the Tianyuan Pavilion meeting.
This meeting had only two simple agendas.
First, to fully accelerate the Cloudsky Project, aiming to establish a Tianyuan Academy in every city and town across the original Douluo Continent within the next five to ten years.
Second, to discuss the Empress Advent Plan. Presently, it was only one step away from success. There was no need to debate whether that final step would be taken—it was inevitable. What truly needed discussion was: when would the Sun Moon Empire under Zhang Lexuan unify the continent?
Only a unified continent aligned with Shrek Academy's ultimate transformation strategy.
The meeting ended quickly, and its members gradually departed, leaving only Zhu Ziyang sitting motionless in thought.
There were still several critical matters he hadn't brought up.
Foremost was the development of Shrek Academy's soul tool technology. He still held a Class 9 stationary soul cannon shell, but with both Deans of the Soul Tool Department absent, this matter had to be postponed.
Next was the soul spirit system. Zhu Ziyang wished to promote it—but the stakes were immense. It also involved the soul beast race. Whether they would endorse soul spirits was still unknown and required direct negotiation. The key lay with Diwu Huan'er. Judging by her attitude, she supported soul spirits. With this "fated daughter of the soul beast race" endorsing it, Zhu Ziyang believed promotion wouldn't be a problem.
He also had deep reflections on the modern soul master world—its relationship with the secular world and other foundational questions. But he hadn't raised them for two reasons: one, he only had rough ideas, not yet complete; and two, power. His vision for the soul master world's reform would make even Super Douluo insufficient. Only gods could make people willingly comply.
As these thoughts churned, he suddenly looked up, smiled, and murmured, "He's here."
Just then, a voice came from outside the Tianyuan Pavilion.
"Senior Brother, are you in?"
"Come in."
Huo Yuhao stepped into the Pavilion, walking straight to Zhu Ziyang, his face filled with hope and urgency. "Senior Brother, what happened to Xiao Xiao's soul?"
"Her soul vanished from her body. That's the root cause of her coma and steadily fading vitality," Zhu Ziyang explained. "And the reason her soul disappeared is related to the Yin Yang Love Querying Valley."
"The Yin Yang Love Querying Valley?!" Huo Yuhao's expression twisted in pain. That place had left a traumatic impression. "You mean… it took Xiao Xiao's soul?"
"Something like that." Zhu Ziyang's eyes glimmered. "To be precise, the god residing in the valley either captured her soul—or, another possibility: her soul shattered there and dissipated into the world."
"T-That…" Huo Yuhao paled. "Senior Brother, was it the Goddess of Love who did it? Why would she?"
He deliberately ignored the second possibility. Though unclear on its exact implications, the phrase "soul shattering" sounded far worse than being taken.
"Hah." Zhu Ziyang sneered. "The Goddess of Love has long perished. She couldn't have taken Xiao Xiao's soul. The one responsible must be a god who usurped the Yin Yang Love Querying Valley!"
"You know who it is, don't you?" Huo Yuhao's eyes lit with desperate hope. "Please! Tell me!"
"Yuhao, with your current strength, even if you knew—what could you do?" Zhu Ziyang didn't answer. He asked instead.
"I…" Huo Yuhao was stunned. A bitter smile replaced his hope. "You're right. I'm just a Soul King. What can I do against a god…"
"That's why you have only one choice—become a god!" Zhu Ziyang gripped his shoulder, eyes burning. "Only by becoming a god can you save Xiao Xiao. Otherwise, she'll die—because of you!"
"Become a god?" Huo Yuhao's eyes swirled with uncertainty. It was a familiar but distant goal. Yet when he saw Zhu Ziyang's firm gaze and heard his words, that confusion vanished. For the first time, he stood up, resolute. "Yes! I will become a god! I must!"
"Good." Zhu Ziyang nodded, satisfied. "With your talent, reaching the rank of Ultimate Douluo is no issue. Once you do, you'll have hundreds of years to seek divine inheritances. Your top priority now is to increase your strength. Understand?"
"I understand!" Huo Yuhao's face burned with determination. "I'll train with everything I have!"
"Good fire in you." Zhu Ziyang patted him on the shoulder. "Go on. In a few days, I'll take you to a place that can help you."
"I'll be ready, Senior Brother!"
As Huo Yuhao turned to leave, Zhu Ziyang added, "Yuhao—think carefully on your teacher's dying words. The answer you seek lies within."
Huo Yuhao paused, nodded, and departed.
Zhu Ziyang watched his leaving figure with no trace of emotion. He had no doubt Huo Yuhao would become a god. This was the chosen one, the very person the Sea God Tang San had poured so much effort into. Would the Divine Realm's gods ignore such a candidate? Would the Sea God invest so much and let him fail?
Impossible.
From every angle, Huo Yuhao becoming a god was a near certainty. The only question was how smoothly it would go. Zhu Ziyang's role was to guide him—steer him where he wanted him to go.
"Ziyang, do you really have that much faith in Yuhao?" came a golden voice. A golden silhouette appeared beside Zhu Ziyang, looking toward Yuhao's departure, full of doubt.
"Teacher, it's not me who believes in him—it's the Sea God." Zhu Ziyang's form of address revealed the figure's identity—
Dragon God Douluo, Mu En!
Mu En hadn't truly died. His body had returned to the world, but his soul had merged with the Golden Tree. This was the tradition of all Sea God Pavilion Masters in Shrek Academy. Their spirits lived on to guard the Academy—but at the cost of their chance at reincarnation or rebirth.
No matter what, the Sea God Pavilion Masters' love for Shrek was beyond doubt.
"Sigh. I really don't understand. How did that one become like this? Why torment us mortals?" Mu En sighed. Then, he handed something to Zhu Ziyang.
It was a blue-gold jade. As Zhu Ziyang took it, a mighty, ocean-like force burst from within.
Divine Power!
Zhu Ziyang was shocked. Mu En smiled calmly. "You guessed right. This jade contains a trace of divine power. Four thousand years ago, after the original Douluo Federation defeated the Sun Moon Empire, the Sea God descended a blessing upon the Golden Tree. It had three strands of divine power—two were already used during beast tides to repel Di Tian. This is the last."
"With you around, the Academy doesn't need it anymore. Take it. Maybe you'll gain insights into the difference between soul power and divine power."
"I see…" Zhu Ziyang's smile turned playful. "So the Sea God did once protect the Academy. Then why has he turned into this? Is this his true nature? Or something deeper? Tch… I'm more curious than ever."
"Haha! I'm curious too," Mu En laughed. "But I won't get to see the answer. It's up to you now, Ziyang."
"No problem, Teacher. When I reach the Divine Realm, I'll find out—and I'll let you all know first."
Master and disciple laughed together, filling the Pavilion with warmth.
---
Meanwhile… in the Divine Realm.
In the Sea God Temple, Tang San's mood was foul. He'd burned so many cards, yet none of his plans had succeeded. His divine image—strategic, wise, and unstoppable—had taken a huge hit.
Now, he was reviewing his failures.
First, he violated Divine Law and restored Da Ming's strength, ordering him to kill Zhu Ziyang and the Fire God's heir to eliminate the variables. But Da Ming failed—killed by mortals! What a disgrace!
Of course, he wouldn't blame Da Ming. It was all the Fire God's fault—leaving divine weapons for mortals to use! A crime worthy of death. He'd remember that!
Second, he intervened in the Yin Yang Love Querying Valley, trying to match Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong'er by removing the third wheel. Yet the Goddess of Love interfered and ruined everything! Just one step short of implanting love in Yuhao's heart!
Thankfully, he was clever enough. The Sea God smirked and stretched out his palm—there lay a curled, feminine soul.
Hatred flashed in his eyes. That wretched Goddess of Love dared oppose him even after death? She'd never return to the Divine Realm now. A mere First-Class God challenging him? Punishment was due.
Then he opened his other hand—another soul lay there. His expression softened, and he murmured, "Xiao Qi, just a little longer. Father has chosen the perfect partner for you…"
---
Elsewhere in the Divine Realm…
"I really didn't expect Tang San to be this shameless!" the Fire God ranted. The Water God beside him gently tried to soothe him.
"Come on now. We've all known what kind of person the Sea God is for years." The Water God smiled. "Besides, Ma Xiaotao is doing great! Honestly, even I'm a little smitten—but she's not fit for my divine position."
"If I hadn't left a failsafe, that beast might've really harmed her!" The Fire God clung to the Water God like a child. "Ah Shui, why is my luck so awful? Every disciple I choose runs into trouble!"
"First, Ma Hongjun—I even opened the back door for him, and he still failed. Then Ji Dong, my favorite, got snatched by Lord Evil. And now Ma Xiaotao—attacked by the Sea God!"
"Why is my life so hard?!"
"There, there," the Water God hugged him gently. "It's all in the past. Ma Xiaotao's already completed the eighth trial. With that Death God's inheritor helping her, she'll surely complete the ninth. Then we'll finally break free from this cage of a Divine Realm and find true freedom!"
"Mm-hmm!" The Fire God's face lit up with hope.
(End of Chapter)
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