"Buzz…"
Just as Zhang Lexuan finished replicating the design, preparing to leave, she frantically noticed that the password which had worked correctly when she entered before now kept reporting errors, no matter how many times she entered it.
The bright red "X" on the screen kept flashing, causing Zhang Lexuan's heart to race.
"Beep beep beep…"
Fortunately, after another attempt, the red "X" disappeared and was replaced with a green checkmark.
Zhang Lexuan was drenched in cold sweat, feeling as if she had just walked through life and death.
Of course, she wasn't afraid of dying—what she feared was having the matter leak out and being caught by Mingde Hall, which would definitely bring harm to Shrek Academy because of her.
Stealing secrets, at best, would be considered espionage, and she'd be severely punished by the Sun Moon Empire without any complaints. At worst, she'd be branded a thief, and if the Sun Moon Empire made a big deal of it… Shrek's reputation would suffer significant damage.
"Buzz…"
With a mechanical vibration, the mechanical doors slowly opened.
Zhang Lexuan swiftly entered and pressed the up button.
It was only when the elevator doors closed that she finally exhaled in relief.
"Phew… fortunately, I wasn't caught."
"Cough cough, may I ask what brings you to Mingde Hall so late at night?" A voice suddenly came from behind her, causing Zhang Lexuan to stiffen in place, her throat tightening.
Before entering the elevator, she had briefly glanced inside, and it had been empty, with no traces of any soul power fluctuations.
So, she hadn't acted cautiously, even though she sensed someone behind her, she felt no soul power, almost like a ghost quietly standing behind her.
"Hiss… It seems that your ring carries a replica produced by Mingde Hall." The voice came again, leisurely, almost as if playing with her.
Zhang Lexuan's heart jolted, and the voice sounded strangely familiar.
But for a moment, she couldn't figure out who it was in Mingde Hall. Was it a young genius from their generation?
She quickly thought about how to handle the situation.
She calculated whether she could control this young soul master from Mingde Hall inside the elevator with her current abilities, and if possible, use his identity to cover her escape.
From the information she had, Mingde Hall had many soul masters, but many of their elite youths had been sent to Shrek for exchanges. The only one who might still be in Mingde Hall was the mysterious prince Xu Cheng, who was said to be a Soul King. Even though he had a mech, he wouldn't be able to use it in this confined space…
Moreover, in close quarters, traditional soul masters naturally had the upper hand. (The longer the distance, the stronger the soul master's advantage, but in close combat, soul masters excel.)
"Bang!"
Almost with the physical strength of a Title Douluo, Zhang Lexuan's slender hand shot out, seizing the person behind her by the neck like lightning.
She slammed Xu Cheng's back against the elevator wall, causing a muffled sound.
"Yushu!" Xu Cheng raised his chin, his throat moving, seemingly terrified, but his gaze stayed firmly on the exposed snow-white wrist, with a look of playful amusement in his eyes.
"Take me out, or I'll kill you!" Zhang Lexuan said in a low voice, pressing the blade against Xu Cheng's back.
"You little thief, you're quite bold… hiss, wrong, take it easy, that hurts." Xu Cheng raised both his hands in surrender.
Zhang Lexuan slightly lowered her head, pushed Xu Cheng forward, and quickly produced a short blade, pressing it lightly against his waist. "Don't even think about shouting for help, or I'll stab you."
"Wow, so vicious…" Xu Cheng winced.
This is my future happiness.
The elevator ascended.
Soon, they reached the surface.
With a "ding" sound, Xu Cheng stepped out, and Zhang Lexuan followed closely behind.
At that moment, Zhang Lexuan had already recognized Xu Cheng as the prince who appeared during the Mingde Hall test a few days ago, the one who caused Shrek Academy to fall in the top sixteen.
She didn't let her guard down, and in fact, she felt a bit regretful. It was said that his blood-red eyes could trap Title Douluo-level experts in illusions for a short time.
"Let's go!" Zhang Lexuan pressed the knife against Xu Cheng.
"Ding, level 5 card."
Xu Cheng shrugged, swiping his identity badge.
The two of them walked out, a bit too close for comfort.
With Xu Cheng around, they passed through without any obstacles, not even having to dodge the patrol team's checks.
As expected of a prince, his status was so high, Zhang Lexuan thought to herself.
"Sigh, A Cheng, you're coming back so late?" A calm voice echoed.
Hearing the familiar voice, Zhang Lexuan's fist tightened. It was none other than the head of Mingde Hall, Jing Hongchen!
She was confident she could subdue Xu Cheng, but against this super Soul Douluo, she was still far too inexperienced.
"Heh, yeah, I just went to the underground again. Old Cheng had some new developments in the research on artificial soul rings…" Xu Cheng chuckled.
"Oh? And this is…?" Jing Hongchen immediately noticed the eighth-level soul-guiding ring under Zhang Lexuan's black robe. Even though another eighth-level soul-guiding ring was used to mask the energy fluctuations, it was still easy to spot in front of him.
Seeing the somewhat "intimate" distance between the two, Jing Hongchen sensed that something was off.
The short, chubby middle-aged man smiled even more kindly, but those who knew him well could tell this was a dangerous sign.
"Oh, this is my new recruit, the Saintess from the Holy Spirit Sect, Ma Xiaotao from Shrek Academy. You know, Shrek Academy has many outstanding individuals, making it an excellent recruitment spot for us. Many from the Holy Spirit Sect came from there. She's still adapting and likes to stick with me a bit…" Xu Cheng grinned, wrapping his arm around Zhang Lexuan.
Zhang Lexuan's heart raced, but in front of Jing Hongchen, she dared not act too recklessly.
She gritted her teeth, having to pretend to be weak and docile.
Xu Cheng, on the other hand, didn't care at all, enjoying the softness in his arms and the faint fragrance.
"Hahaha, I see…" Jing Hongchen chatted for a while before laughing and leaving.
When his presence finally faded, Zhang Lexuan angrily pushed Xu Cheng's arm away, the blade now pressed against him. Her voice mixed with shame and anger, "If you dare try anything again, I'll chop off your hand!"
"Hiss… Please, I didn't even know you were a girl," Xu Cheng shrugged.
"…" Under the black robe, Zhang Lexuan's beautiful face flushed slightly, feeling awkward as their bodies had been so close together, especially with both wearing summer clothes. Even through the fabric, she could feel his warmth.
"Ma…" She wanted to ask about Ma Xiaotao but was immediately stopped by her own thoughts.
If she asked, wouldn't she be revealing her identity?
After all, the only ones who knew Ma Xiaotao had been abducted were the Sun Moon Empire, the Holy Spirit Sect, and Shrek Academy.
"Let's go! Once we're out of the city, I'll let you go." Zhang Lexuan hurriedly said.
"…"
The two of them moved quickly toward the city's edge.
Before they left, Mu En had given Zhang Lexuan a Thunderbird. If she placed the replica soul-guiding device inside, her mission would be complete.
But just as they passed a quiet, dark street, Zhang Lexuan's eyes widened, and she grabbed Xu Cheng, pulling him back.
In an instant, a column of white light crashed down in front of them, grazing Zhang Lexuan's hair.
"Quick reflexes…" A faint voice sounded.
Jing Hongchen's short, chubby figure slowly appeared in the air, a smile on his face, but it carried a chilling edge.
"You really noticed." Zhang Lexuan's eyes narrowed, and she grabbed Xu Cheng. "Let me go, or I'll kill him!"
"Then go ahead and kill him," Jing Hongchen chuckled, watching the scene like a spectator.
He had already figured out this woman's strength after the recent test. With the protection he gave Xu Cheng, even a low-level Title Douluo's full power wouldn't be enough to breach it. Besides, he didn't believe Xu Cheng didn't have some other means.
Xu Cheng blinked and mouthed to Zhang Lexuan: Go ahead, Uncle Jing, I can handle it.
Jing Hongchen nodded slightly. "Don't worry, I'll rescue you."
With a whirring sound, a massive cannon appeared behind him, and nearly a hundred eighth-level soul-guided cannons, equipped with spatial folding capabilities, unleashed their power. A series of dark steel beasts emerged, releasing an aura of destruction in the quiet night.
Xu Cheng: "…"
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
…
"Pfftt!"
Zhang Lexuan spat out a mouthful of blood, gently wiping her lips as if applying lipstick.
She kept her gaze fixed on Jing Hongchen, staying vigilant for the next round of bombardment.
She knew the enemy was likely just warming up, not really trying, as if playing with her. But she couldn't use her martial soul or soul skills.
It was impossible. Soul Douluo, the Moon Martial Soul, and the fact that she was a woman—if she escaped now, Shrek's reputation would be ruined forever.
So, she could only rely on her soul power and her near-Title Douluo-level physical strength to endure.
"Inject me with some soul power, quickly." Zhang Lexuan gripped Xu Cheng's neck, holding him close, unable to care about anything else in the heat of the moment.
Xu Cheng, lost in the warmth of her body, felt like he wasn't even the hostage anymore.
"Hmm?"
"Quickly!"
Xu Cheng, feeling the softness on his shoulder, coughed lightly. "Alright…"
He gently grasped the hand Zhang Lexuan had around his neck, and soul power surged from his body.
Zhang Lexuan immediately felt much better, but soon, something felt off. The soul power inside Xu Cheng was as scorching as the sun. That burning force stimulated her own Yin-attribute martial soul, and soon, their soul powers began to form a cycle.
Not only did her depleted soul power recover at an incredible speed, but more importantly, it felt as though their soul powers had fused completely. Being with Xu Cheng, she felt a natural sense of closeness, as if they had always been partners, family… or even a couple.
"What's happening?" Zhang Lexuan's mind went blank.
She never imagined that the person she had randomly kidnapped would…
But as she looked at Xu Cheng's confused face in her arms, she silently accepted it. He didn't know either.
Xu Cheng remained silent because this unexpected turn of events hadn't been part of his plan, nor had it been anticipated by Jing Hongchen. But now that it had happened, he thought maybe it was a good thing. At least Zhang Lexuan had discovered their soul fusion.
"You…" Zhang Lexuan didn't know what to say. As she loosened her grip on Xu Cheng, she found herself unable to stop.
"Keep circulating your soul power," Xu Cheng's voice had grown steadier.
That voice seemed to have some sort of magic power. Zhang Lexuan, the one holding him captive, followed his instructions obediently.
As their soul powers continued to merge smoothly, something began to stir.
In the eyes of the dazed Jing Hongchen, the two of them suddenly embraced, surrounded by radiant light. The golden and silver auras slowly blended together.
In the sky above, both a bright moon and a blazing sun hung in the air.
Then, they were enveloped by a golden and silver barrier.
The night was torn open.
Through that endless "scar," a giant wrapped in dark flames, with endless stars behind it, slowly appeared in Jing Hongchen's sight.
"This…" he choked.
"Heaven and Earth, Sun and Moon in Harmony!"
Xu Cheng felt his vision change, as if he were an ant staring at Jing Hongchen. He grinned. This is a perfect opportunity to test it out.
With that, he threw a punch.
…
(End of Chapter)