Zhu Ziyang returned alone from the Star Dou Great Forest to Shrek Academy. Why didn't Diwu Huan'er come with him?
The reason was simple—Di Tian was unwilling to let the Auspicious Beast, who carried the fate of the soul beast race, leave the Star Dou Great Forest again. At the same time, Zhu Ziyang also needed someone to serve as a liaison between him and the soul beasts, so Diwu Huan'er stayed behind.
Of course, this arrangement was only temporary. Once Shrek Academy began constructing the soul spirit system, Diwu Huan'er would no longer need to remain in the forest. At that time, even if Di Tian opposed it, he wouldn't be able to stop her.
Upon returning to Shrek Academy, Zhu Ziyang did not see Jiang Nannan, Qian Lingyi, or Ma Xiaotao, as they were all in seclusion. After returning to the academy, the three of them had taken only a short one- or two-day rest before entering the underground world beneath the Golden Ancient Tree to cultivate.
Each of them had their own goals. Ma Xiaotao, naturally, was aiming to break through to Rank 95 Super Douluo. Jiang Nannan, now at Rank 86, aimed to reach the Title Douluo realm before she turned twenty-two—she had about a year left. As for Qian Lingyi, she still needed to reach the Soul Douluo realm. Among Zhu Ziyang's five closest female companions, her cultivation was the weakest. But it wasn't her fault; after all, the others had divine trials to assist them, while she had to rely solely on her own cultivation.
Still, even without divine trials, Qian Lingyi had reached Rank 79 through her own talent and fortuitous encounters. It was likely she'd break through to Soul Douluo within a month. A twenty-year-old Soul Douluo—undoubtedly one of the top geniuses in the history of soul masters.
A few days later, beside Sea God Lake, Zhu Ziyang was playing with Xingcai and two now-walking Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear cubs, while waiting for someone.
"Senior Brother, I'm here." The person he was waiting for soon arrived—it was Huo Yuhao. Compared to their last meeting, Huo Yuhao now looked rather haggard.
"Mm. Come on, I'll take you somewhere," Zhu Ziyang said gently, patting his shoulder. Then he flew out of the academy.
Huo Yuhao immediately followed at full speed.
The two left Shrek Academy one after another. Because Zhu Ziyang intentionally slowed down, Huo Yuhao quickly caught up. After all, Zhu Ziyang was a Rank 97 Super Douluo, while Huo Yuhao was merely a high-rank Soul King. The difference in speed was vast.
"Senior Brother, where are we going?" Huo Yuhao asked, panting heavily as he tried his best to keep up.
"A sacred place. Your opportunity lies there," Zhu Ziyang replied calmly.
"Oh." Huo Yuhao didn't ask further but showed a dark expression and asked, "Senior Brother… the god who attacked Xiao Xiao… was it the Sea God?"
"Oh? Tell me your thoughts," Zhu Ziyang said, his expression unchanged.
"It was because of Teacher," Huo Yuhao said. He wasn't foolish—on the contrary, he was very clever. After returning from the Tianyuan Pavilion that day, he had been reflecting on Zhu Ziyang's and Elder Mu's words. In the end, he caught the hidden meaning in Elder Mu's message. "Teacher left behind three final words. One for you, Senior Brother, one for the Soul Tool Department, and one that seemed vague and strange."
"But I think renaming the Sea God Pavilion to the Tianyuan Pavilion before his death was no coincidence. The most likely explanation is… Teacher sensed that the Sea God had sinister intentions!"
"Mm." Zhu Ziyang looked at Huo Yuhao approvingly. This kid was sharp—he figured it out quickly. He nodded and asked, "If it really was the Sea God, what would you do?"
"It was the Sea God!" Huo Yuhao now confirmed his suspicions from Zhu Ziyang's reaction. A trace of hatred flashed in his eyes. "Senior Brother, why would the Sea God target Xiao Xiao?"
"Why?" Zhu Ziyang said flatly, "It's very simple. Because she's your lover."
"Because she's my lover?" Huo Yuhao's body trembled, then he showed a confused expression. "Just because she's my lover? But why?"
"Because you are trying to create a god," Zhu Ziyang said in a very calm voice. "And the Sea God will never allow you to succeed."
"!!" Huo Yuhao froze. He stopped in his tracks and stared at Zhu Ziyang, stunned, unable to form words. "S-Senior Brother, y-you know about Tianmeng?"
"Mm." Zhu Ziyang didn't even turn his head. "Don't stop. Keep moving."
"Oh, okay!" Huo Yuhao quickly followed and asked, "Senior Brother, when did you find out?"
"Heh. That's not important. What matters is that your and that big bug's plan is solid. But with the Sea God around, your chances of success are slim—nearly impossible," Zhu Ziyang replied.
"Why? Just because we want to become gods, the Sea God has to strike at me?" Huo Yuhao couldn't understand. "We haven't even glimpsed godhood yet, but the Sea God already struck at me and Xiao Xiao? Isn't that too tyrannical, too domineering?"
His face was now filled with resentment, anger, and resistance—the normal reaction of someone being suppressed and enslaved.
"This world is ultimately one where strength rules." Zhu Ziyang turned and patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder. "If you want to break free from being at the mercy of others, you must gain power equal to theirs. So, Little Junior Brother, keep going. Your future has only one path—to become a god. Unless you're willing to watch Xiao Xiao die."
"Senior Brother, I will become a god!" Huo Yuhao's eyes burned with determination. He shouted, "I will reach the Divine Realm and take Xiao Xiao back from the Sea God!"
"Good! That's the spirit!" Zhu Ziyang gave him a thumbs-up with a smile. "Little Junior Brother, you're not alone. We'll fight side by side."
"Mm!" Huo Yuhao nodded gratefully. At that moment, he had no idea just what Zhu Ziyang's promise truly meant.
The two soon arrived at their destination: the Sunset Forest.
That's right—Zhu Ziyang had brought Huo Yuhao to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. As one of the Sea God Tang San's backup plans left in the mortal world, Zhu Ziyang very much wanted to know what book had been left for the Fragrant Silk Immortal. Of course, the most important reason was to destroy the Sea God's backup plan. This kind of sacred place did not belong to the gods—it belonged to the Douluo Continent. The Sea God had no right to lay claim to it like a cuckoo occupying another's nest.
"What is this place?" The two arrived at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Huo Yuhao was utterly stunned as he gazed at the surrounding spiritual herbs and medicinal energy.
"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well—a paradise for plants." Zhu Ziyang led him to a spot between the two springs, where a large pink flower was swaying in the breeze.
"You again?! Why are you back?!" The Fragrant Silk Immortal instantly sensed Zhu Ziyang's presence and shrieked in panic.
"I'm here to collect some herbs. I also brought someone for you." Zhu Ziyang spoke calmly. In his heart, this Fragrant Silk Immortal had to be cleared out. As the Sea God's most loyal servant in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, she had no right to remain here.
"Huh?" The Fragrant Silk Immortal was caught off guard. Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao had already been pushed in front of her.
"Huo Yuhao, heir of Tang Sect. He's probably the one you've been waiting for," Zhu Ziyang said.
"Really?" the Fragrant Silk Immortal's voice suddenly filled with excitement. Her large petals waved toward Huo Yuhao. "Are you truly from Tang Sect?"
"Y-Yes." Huo Yuhao was a bit confused. He didn't understand why Zhu Ziyang had brought him here, nor why a giant flower could talk. Still, he nodded. Even though the Sea God now made him uncomfortable with the identity of Tang Sect, the Sea God was the Sea God, and Tang Sect was Tang Sect.
The current Sea God was no longer worthy of being venerated by Tang Sect!
Besides, Tang San's Tang Sect had long since perished. The Tang Sect now belonged to them. The two could no longer be equated. Just look at Sect Master Tang Ya. Still… maybe they should consider changing the name? He could ask Teacher Tang Ya later.
Huo Yuhao got lost in thought, but he and the Fragrant Silk Immortal had already started the traditional question-answer exchange to receive the book left by Tang San.
Meanwhile, Zhu Ziyang began collecting herbs. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well contained all kinds of spiritual herbs and rare medicines in great quantity. Everything he needed was there—and the quality was top-notch. A smile never left his face as he picked.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members 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.