But not everyone looked at Xu Zihuang with admiration.
In another assessment area stood a tall and upright youth at the forefront. His face was handsome yet cold, with golden hair parted down the middle and falling loosely to both sides. His deep blue eyes contained twin pupils. His figure was also taller than most of his peers.
At his sides were two stunningly beautiful girls.
On his left stood a black-haired girl born with heterochromatic eyes—one a faint blue, the other a faint yellow. When her gaze locked onto Xu Zihuang at the edge of Zone One's field, her pupils slightly contracted vertically, strangely unique.
On his right stood a pink-haired girl with a bright, radiant smile.
These two were none other than Zhu Lu and Cui Yajie, who had once crossed paths with Xu Zihuang.
And the golden-haired youth's identity was obvious.
He was Dai Huabin, direct son of the White Tiger Duke.
Before Xu Zihuang had revealed his true strength, Dai Huabin had been considered the strongest among this year's Shrek freshmen.
Though over four thousand years ago, after the war between the Sun Moon Empire and the original three empires, the White Tiger line had withered and yielded authority to the Star Crown line, which then held imperial power, the White Tiger line had once been the royal family of the Star Luo Empire. Later, the new emperor had ennobled them as hereditary dukes, destined to enjoy everlasting wealth.
From this, the White Tiger Duke's status in the Star Luo Empire could be seen—second only to the emperor himself.
As one of only two direct sons of the current White Tiger Duke, and with talent surpassing even his elder brother, Dai Huabin carried both the pride of his noble heritage and his exceptional gift. His arrogance was in no way inferior to Wang Dong's.
Dai Huabin glared fiercely at Xu Zihuang, who stood as if at the center of the world, clenching his fists tightly.
In his eyes, all this should have been his. The one basking in everyone's attention should have been him!
Having grown up with Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu knew him better than anyone. She wanted to offer comfort, yet for a moment, no words would come.
Though she loathed admitting that Yu Tianhuang's talent surpassed Dai Huabin's, those three purple soul rings left her completely powerless to argue.
Cui Yajie's charming pink eyes, on the other hand, revealed undisguised admiration for Xu Zihuang, and she even let out a soft, inexplicable laugh.
Zhu Lu's delicate brows furrowed. She naturally understood Cui Yajie's meaning, but she couldn't refute it.
"No man can compare to Dai Huabin."
Looking back on those words now, she only felt ashamed.
—
Elsewhere, before Xu Zihuang and his teammates even left the assessment area, Wang Yan was already waiting for him at the exit.
"Tuoba, Nanmen, you two head back first. I have something to discuss with Yu."
"Yes, Teacher Wang." The two replied respectfully, especially Tuoba Yu, whose eyes clearly showed envy.
After Xu Zihuang displayed such overwhelming talent and strength today, he would surely attract the academy leadership's attention.
Wang Yan's expression toward Xu Zihuang was deeply complicated. Countless questions rose in his heart, but in the end, they were replaced by a long sigh.
"Yu, you've really given me a tremendous surprise. Come with me. Someone in the Sea God Pavilion wants to meet you."
Xu Zihuang understood instantly, though outwardly he feigned puzzlement.
"Sea God Pavilion?"
"Yes. I'll explain on the way." Wang Yan nodded, then quickly led Xu Zihuang toward Sea God Lake.
"The Sea God Pavilion is the heart of Shrek Academy…"
Following behind Wang Yan, Xu Zihuang listened silently as they walked. Their pace was brisk, and soon the vast blue expanse of Sea God Lake spread before their eyes.
A small boat waited at the shore, clearly prepared for them.
"Yu, to step onto Sea God Island at your age is something many would envy." Sitting in the boat, Wang Yan sighed.
"But with your talent, entering the inner court is only a matter of time."
While conversing, Xu Zihuang studied the ever-clearer surface of the lake. As the boat drew closer to Sea God Island, he faintly sensed a thread of life force emanating from the waters.
Is it because of the Golden Tree?
After more than fifteen minutes, passing through mist, the island gradually came into view.
Sea God Island seemed no larger than two square kilometers. Its terrain was uneven, like a small mountain, with pavilions and towers built upon it. The island was peaceful, almost devoid of signs of life, like a paradise hidden from the world. Buildings nestled among tall vegetation appeared elegant and refined.
The plants here were at least a thousand years old, with some trees towering over a hundred meters. The air was fresh, and the mist veiled the view, as if they were lost within a painting.
After landing, Wang Yan did not lead Xu Zihuang onward but instead told him to wait patiently.
Feeling something, Xu Zihuang circulated his soul power. With the Golden Eye's vision, he pierced the fog atop the island's central peak.
Interwoven light and shadow revealed a three-story wooden building. The structure, about ten meters high, appeared simple and ancient, with a faint oily luster to its material.
It lacked grandeur, yet above the entrance hung a black plaque inscribed with three golden characters: Sea God Pavilion.
Suddenly, Xu Zihuang felt something strike him. His three purple soul rings surged up, and his third ring, tinged with black, lit instantly.
Brilliant golden light flashed, and intricate lines spread across the ground beneath him like runes, mirroring the patterns around his pupils when using the Golden Eye martial soul.
A strange golden halo radiated outward, warping the very space around him.
At the center of this distortion, Xu Zihuang's body wavered. His soul power drained away in an instant, leaving him gasping for breath.
Forcing himself upright, he stared at the elder who had appeared before him.
The old man's clothes were filthy, his hair a tangled mess. He looked at his grease-covered right hand in disbelief, his terrifying red eyes filled with shock.
With his level of power, to fail in catching a mere rank-thirty-something freshman?
"No… this soul skill…"
"Could it be Temporal Disorder?!"