Although the words of Xuanzi helped dispel the doubts of most people present, they all had grown accustomed to his unreliability.
After all, he had indirectly caused the deaths of several inner disciples, and the current disappearance of a single disciple seemed insignificant in comparison.
However, Zhang Lexuan understood clearly. Just yesterday, Ma Xiaotao had approached her and inquired about the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Beast incident, and the next day, she had disappeared.
Coincidentally, the strongest force, Xuanzi, had been absent, allowing the enemy to take advantage of the situation and abduct Ma Xiaotao.
"Lexuan, the Sun Moon Empire is the stronghold of the Holy Spirit Sect! It's far too dangerous! As the successor of the Sea God Pavilion, your status is too special; you can't go!" Yan Shaozhe urged sincerely.
Seeing this, Xuanzi also quickly spoke up, "Yeah, you have no idea, those evil soul masters are a tough bunch. Even I couldn't handle them..."
Zhang Lexuan smiled faintly.
Isn't it just as dangerous at Shrek Academy? At least in the Sun Moon Empire, there will be exchange students (hostages), and the enemy wouldn't act rashly. But at Shrek Academy... Ma Xiaotao is a living example, isn't she? With inside and outside cooperation...
"Alright, Lexuan is old enough now." Mu En waved his hand. "As the future Pavilion Master, you need to have your own judgment—be decisive. Since you've made up your mind, then go and broaden your horizons."
In his heart, Zhang Lexuan had always been well-behaved, the least likely to betray. Moreover, with the exchange students from the Sun Moon Empire, the enemy would likely refrain from using brainwashing tactics and would only resort to persuasion. So Mu En trusted her deeply.
"Teacher..." Yan Shaozhe was anxious.
"This is Lexuan's decision!" Mu En glared at him, his tone firm.
"I... huh." Yan Shaozhe appeared dispirited.
His Master of the Soul Tool Department, the future Sea God Pavilion Master, going to learn about soul tools? What a joke! Wouldn't that place the Soul Tool Department above the Martial Soul Department once she takes charge?
"Teacher, how do you feel?"
Xu Cheng smiled as he asked.
"Hahahaha, I feel like I'm young again! Full of vitality!" Elder Cheng stretched his body and felt the movement of each cell, as if fresh blood was nourishing withered plants. His once lifeless body was gradually regaining life.
Xu Cheng smiled.
He looked at his teacher. With disheveled hair and attire, he had previously looked like an old man, but now, his appearance had rejuvenated by several decades, looking like a forty-year-old man, perhaps even a charming old uncle.
Indeed, powerful individuals always seem youthful.
Now that Elder Cheng had this new body, his vitality had returned. It was likely that he would continue looking like this until the final ten years of his life, when he would suddenly age rapidly. But that was still decades away...
"Not bad, not bad. With this new body, the energy's back!" Elder Cheng seemed full of enthusiasm, ready to dive back into researching soul tools.
"By the way, that... Elder Yi?" Elder Cheng hesitated and asked.
"That's me, my name is Electrolux." A voice echoed in the room. "Since we're both teachers of this kid, there's no need to stand on ceremony. You can call me a friend."
"Looking at your abilities, you must be an extraordinary powerhouse," Elder Cheng said with some apprehension.
What Electrolux had just shown him was beyond his understanding. Even now, he could still feel a faint pressure from the so-called "position" of power.
"Hahaha, just a dead man," Electrolux chuckled.
Then, the two of them began discussing research, leaving Xu Cheng behind and heading to the next laboratory.
Xu Cheng: "..."
Wait, has Elder Yi already detached from my spiritual sea?
Xu Cheng was slightly stunned, then helplessly left the room.
Outside Mingde Hall.
A very cute little girl stood quietly in the sunlight, as if waiting for something.
Her skin was as white as sheep's fat jade, and her large, watery eyes were adorable, yet there was an expression of indifference on her face, giving her a sort of "ice queen" vibe, despite being only around six years old.
"Hey, little girl, who are you looking for?" One of the gate guards couldn't help but ask with a gentle smile.
Snow Emperor: "..."
"Whose child is this? So cute!" Another guard couldn't hide his smile. "She looks like she's here to find her parents."
"Right next to us is the Mingde Hall family residence. She must be from one of those families. With her clothes, she looks like she's from some prominent family... huh? Why are you guiding me? Wait, you—"
"..."
The atmosphere fell silent.
Xu Cheng smiled as he glanced at the two guards, who were pale and failing to stand properly. Then, he turned to look at the Snow Emperor.
The little girl was about one meter tall, resembling a doll in his eyes.
"Let's go."
Xu Cheng instinctively reached out his hand, but then suddenly remembered that beneath this body was truly the Snow Emperor's soul. His eye twitched as he pretended not to notice, casually ruffling her head.
But just then, he felt his hand sink as the Snow Emperor grabbed his finger.
Xu Cheng: "..."
As the two figures disappeared at the end of the hallway, the two guards finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hey, did you see that? His Highness took her away!"
"Could she be His Highness' daughter?"
"His Highness is only fifteen years old!"
"In the royal family, it's not uncommon for children to mature early..."
"..."
Feeling the touch of her tiny hand, Xu Cheng couldn't help but sneak another glance at the Snow Emperor.
Wow, she's so cute!
No wonder those two guards couldn't resist. Such a finely sculpted, pink and delicate little thing—who could resist looking at her?
He really wanted to pinch her face that was so cute it seemed like water would drip from it.
But... that's the Snow Emperor.
Although she had lost her power, her majesty still remained.
"You... are you looking for me?" Xu Cheng asked softly.
"Yes," Snow Emperor's voice was crisp and sweet, like a young nightingale, yet with a tinge of elegance.
"Ugh... I really want to pinch," Xu Cheng muttered to himself as he stared at her cheek.
Snow Emperor suddenly looked up, gazing at Xu Cheng with a slightly confused expression. "Why... can't I use my abilities? Is it because I can't cultivate?"
This question left Xu Cheng momentarily stunned.
His brows furrowed slightly.
As the leader of the Three Great Kings of the Extreme North, how could she not cultivate?
Could there have been some issue when she was reincarnated as a human?
In the spiritual sea, both Ice Emperor and Sky Dream were also shocked.
Xu Cheng moved closer, placing his hand on Snow Emperor's small head and feeling the flow of energy in her body. After a while, his confusion deepened. There was nothing wrong with her body.
Wait.
In the midst of Ice Emperor's growing urgency, Xu Cheng suddenly had a realization. He looked at the confused Snow Emperor and asked, "Have you awakened your martial soul?"
Snow Emperor's big eyes grew even more confused. "What is awakening?"
Xu Cheng: "..."
(End of Chapter)