Slap—!
The moment they stepped out of the dormitory building's cafeteria, Xu Mochen suddenly turned around and delivered a heavy slap across Wang Shaojie's face.
Despite Wang Shaojie's burly and imposing frame, that single slap sent him flying more than ten meters away. He stumbled and crashed onto the ground.
At this moment, where was the slightest trace of the smug triumph Wang Shaojie had shown earlier? Clutching his swollen cheek with his right hand, he looked at Xu Mochen with a face full of fear and grievance.
Although he was a member of the imperial family, he was merely from a branch lineage. Xu Mochen, on the other hand, was of direct imperial descent.
If it weren't for his slight connection to Xu Mochen, someone of his status wouldn't even have the qualifications to mobilise the Imperial Disciplinary Team.
Moreover, judging from Xu Mochen's abrupt change in attitude, he faintly realized he had likely provoked a massive problem.
Xu Mochen stared coldly at Wang Shaojie.
"That token the kid showed just now is the personal keepsake of the Hongchen Clan's patriarch. I don't need to remind you of the Hongchen Clan's status within the empire, do I?"
The Hongchen Clan did not rise to prominence only under Jing Hongchen's generation; it was an ancient family that had stood tall in the Sun Moon Empire for thousands of years. Within the Sun Moon Empire, the Hongchen Clan was equivalent to the White Tiger Duke lineage in the Star Luo Empire. Every generation's patriarch of the Hongchen Clan inherited the hereditary ducal title.
The current patriarch of the Hongchen Clan, Jing Hongchen, even controlled the Illustrious Virtue Hall.
Every prince with a realistic chance of ascending the throne—which one wasn't desperately trying to win him over?
Whether it was the current Crown Prince, Xu Tianran, or the Third Prince whom Xu Mochen served.
The reason Xu Mochen was so furious was not because he had been humiliated by Yu Tianhuang, but because he feared that today's incident would affect how the Master of Illustrious Virtue Hall, Jing Hongchen, viewed him—and by extension, the Third Prince behind him.
The Illustrious Virtue Hall Master's allegiance alone was enough to completely alter the current political landscape.
"After today, you will voluntarily apply to withdraw from the academy. You'd better pray this matter doesn't reach the ears of His Highness the Third Prince." Having said that, Xu Mochen left with the members of the Imperial Disciplinary Team.
Only Wang Shaojie was left kneeling on the spot, his face deathly pale, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.
Though he usually acted arrogantly and domineeringly, having grown up surrounded by information, he still knew a fair amount about the internal affairs of the imperial family.
The one currently most likely to ascend the throne was naturally Crown Prince Xu Tianran, and the only one who could rival him was the Third Prince. With the ageing emperor's health deteriorating day by day, this was the most sensitive period of the struggle for succession.
If the Third Prince decided to pursue this matter, the backers behind Wang Shaojie definitely wouldn't be able to protect him.
Carrying such unease in his heart, Wang Shaojie forced himself to stand and limped toward the direction of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy's academic affairs office.
At the same time, shock and bewilderment filled his heart.
Why did Yu Tianhuang possess the token that symbolised the authority and status of the Hongchen Clan's patriarch?
He was certain that even the current generation's Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen siblings could not yet touch something of that level.
From this alone, one could see just how highly Jing Hongchen valued Xu Zihuang
Jing Hongchen's original words had been: if Yu Tianhuang was willing to join their Hongchen Clan, he would not need to return that token.
The underlying meaning was that the entire Hongchen Clan would become his backing.
And considering what Jing Hongchen had suddenly called out to Xu Zihuang afterwards, Jing Hongchen was very willing to marry Meng Hongchen to him. It was even possible that any children born from their union could become the future patriarch of the Hongchen Clan.
In the Sun Moon Empire's lineage, the overall quantity and quality of inherited powerful martial souls were far inferior to those of the three original empires on the Douluo Continent.
Improving the innate talent of descendants by marrying top-tier martial soul masters was a very common practice. For example, several powerful martial souls controlled by the Sun Moon Empire's imperial family had all been brought under their control through political marriages.
As time passed, those martial souls gradually became exclusive to the imperial family.
In stark contrast to Wang Shaojie's miserable end, the atmosphere on Xu Zihuang's side was lively.
Watching Xu Zihuang return to his seat and once again slowly savour the charcoal-roasted silver wolf meat, Ke Ke asked curiously,
"What was that token you showed earlier? It actually made the Imperial Disciplinary Team back down. Those guys are no pushovers."
As she spoke, Ke Ke put on a thoughtful expression and began guessing on her own.
"Let me guess—was it because you're actually some prince of the imperial family sent to Shrek Academy as a spy? That would explain everything."
Not everyone possessed Xu Zihuang's astonishing strength; from so far away, neither Ke Ke nor Ju Zi had clearly seen the token's appearance.
"Ke Ke, don't talk nonsense," Ju Zi frowned and stopped the outspoken Ke Ke.
Matters concerning the imperial family were far too sensitive; they were not something ordinary people like them could casually discuss. She knew this better than anyone.
She sincerely hoped Ke Ke would never have any entanglement with the imperial family. Unlike herself, who was already somewhat unable to control her own fate.
"I was just saying it casually," Ke Ke pouted and muttered softly.
But what Ke Ke didn't know was that her words had sent waves through Xu Zihuang's normally calm heart.
Yet on the surface, he merely smiled without speaking, his expression unchanged.
Amidst everyone's conversation, four to five jin of roasted meat disappeared into the stomachs of the three.
Ke Ke rubbed her slightly bloated belly without caring about her image, her big eyes filled with satisfaction and regret.
"That was so good! The silver wolf meat really is amazing. It's just a shame I can't eat any more."
"Senior Sister Ke Ke, you and Senior Sister Ju Zi can pack the remaining meat from this silver wolf leg to take back and enjoy slowly later," Xu Zihuang said with a faint smile after sipping some freshly squeezed fruit juice.
"Eh?"
Ke Ke said a little embarrassedly, "Maybe we shouldn't…"
She was a straightforward girl who always spoke her mind; she wasn't putting on false politeness.
Having Yu Tianhuang treat them to a meal was one thing, but taking leftovers home felt a bit unseemly.
Xu Zihuang pointed toward the window not far away. A middle-aged chef, around fifty years old, was slicing meat from another charcoal-roasted silver wolf leg and packing it into food boxes.
"Senior Sister Ke Ke, please don't be polite. One person can't finish this much roasted meat anyway. I'm also planning to pack some to bring back for the teachers and classmates from Shrek Academy."
"Alright then," Ke Ke hesitated for a moment before smiling brightly, her attitude toward Xu Zihuang clearly becoming much warmer.
Yu Tianhuang's personality really suited her taste.
"If you ever need anything at Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy in the future, just come find me. Big sis has got your back."
Ju Zi, who had been somewhat quiet earlier, suddenly let out a laugh.
"Got his back? Can you even beat him?"
"Who knows?" Ke Ke confidently flexed her rather small pink fist.
"His soul ring configuration is freakish, sure. But once we keep our distance, we soul engineers have the advantage. By the way, Yu Tianhuang, how old are you this year? You look only a year or two younger than Ju Zi and me."
Xu Zihuang smiled. "I'll be fifteen in half a year."
The cafeteria instantly fell deathly silent. Ju Zi and Ke Ke stared at each other in disbelief.
"You're not even fifteen yet?! A Soul King under fifteen, and with twin martial souls? Do you even have any humanity left?! Are all of you from Shrek Academy monsters like this?"
"Not really. At the moment, my talent should be the best in Shrek Academy," Xu Zihuang calmly replied. There was no boast in his tone; he was merely stating a fact.
Yet even so, it still left Ju Zi and Ke Ke utterly shocked. For some reason, a sentence suddenly appeared in both their minds:
True geniuses are bestowed with supreme glory from the moment they are born, while ordinary people spend their entire lives merely trying to approach that light.
On the other side, Jing Ziyan's reaction was about the same as Ju Zi and Ke Ke's. Although Ji Juechen's expression didn't change much, the intense battle intent in his heart caused the black heavenly meteorite iron sword in his hand to tremble slightly.
The arrival of the chef carrying eleven food boxes interrupted Ju Zi and Ke Ke's thoughts.
"Please pack the remaining roasted meat for these two senior sisters."
Xu Zihuang accepted the food boxes, nodded slightly to the chef in thanks, and then bid farewell to Ju Zi and Ke Ke.
"Senior sisters, I'll head back to the dormitory first. You two should rest early as well."
Ke Ke stared blankly at Xu Zihuang's departing back. "I can't believe that guy is only fourteen."
Ju Zi also stood there in a daze.
Fourteen years old… then six years ago, he was only eight.
Eight years old…
Not long after Xu Zihuang left, Ji Juechen silently followed after him, completely ignoring Jing Ziyan, who was sitting across from him.
Jing Ziyan felt a burst of anger and resentment, cursing under her breath as her gaze turned faintly bitter.
"What a blockhead."
…
Returning to the top floor of the dormitory building, Xu Zihuang first found He Caitou, who had just finished the day's studies. Together, they distributed the packed silver wolf meat to Ye Xiaosheng and the others, earning everyone's unanimous favour.
Even Ye Xiaosheng took the initiative to speak a few words with Xu Zihuang and He Caitou.
They were all from Shrek Academy; when away from home, they should naturally help each other. Moreover, Yu Tianhuang and He Caitou's talents were so outstanding—there was no need for him to make trouble for himself.
Now that the two were extending goodwill, he naturally accepted it graciously.
After distributing portions to Ye Xiaosheng's group, He Caitou took the last food box to find Fan Yu.
Xu Zihuang prepared to return to his room to meditate and cultivate. But the instant he opened the door, he silently paused, turned, and looked toward the end of the hallway.
From the dark corner of the corridor, Ji Juechen slowly walked out, holding his black heavenly meteorite iron sword. His expression was stiff, yet his aura was incomparably sharp.
"Ji Juechen." Ji Juechen raised his heavenly meteorite iron sword, its tip pointing straight at Xu Zihuang, directly revealing his intent.
"Your will is very strong. I saw in you what I have always pursued. Please let me experience it. Thank you."
His abrupt behaviour was undoubtedly offensive, but Xu Zihuang knew full well that this was simply Ji Juechen's personality.
"As you wish."
He answered with action. A clash of wills with Ji Juechen's sword intent should bring him some gains.
Xu Zihuang silently walked toward Ji Juechen. With every step he took, another layer of golden light appeared on his body. By the time the distance between them was less than ten meters, even his eyes—which had not released the Golden Eyes martial soul—had completely turned brilliant gold. The golden light was concentrated and did not scatter.
The powerful sword intent released from Ji Juechen's heavenly meteorite iron, like a soaring black dragon, was instantly crushed by Xu Zihuang's will.
In the eyes of both men, an illusory scene seemed to appear.
In the void, a black dragon roared and surged, its presence overwhelming, yet beneath the boundless majesty of a golden-eyed youth's phantom, it shattered, turning into countless fragments of black light that scattered across the sky.
The clouds parted, and under the illumination of the golden sun, the golden-eyed youth gained an additional aura of solemn dignity.
Sweat poured down Ji Juechen's forehead, flowing along his cheeks. The right hand gripping his sword hilt unconsciously loosened.
But there was no dejection in his eyes—only burning fervour.
Xu Zihuang turned and drifted away.
Ji Juechen's will was not bad, but it was still far from his own.
In terms of talent, destiny, and comprehension, Ji Juechen was simply too far behind him. Just as Ju Zi and Ke Ke had thought earlier, true geniuses are bestowed with supreme glory from the moment they are born.
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