"Ah, my dorm might be on fire. I need to go check on it." Chen Zifeng turned his head and bolted away in a flash.
Ma Xiaotao: "…"
"Senior Sister, you have to be careful when choosing a husband!" Ma Xiaotao said, exasperated.
"I have been very careful." Zhang Lexuan, nestled in Xu Cheng's embrace, nodded solemnly as she recalled the moment they performed their Martial Soul Fusion Technique.
They were like water and milk blending together—an inseparable, perfect match.
A determined glint flashed across her beautiful face.
"So what are you planning to do in the future? Not going back?" Ma Xiaotao leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, causing her ample curves to shift slightly. However, not many were lucky enough to appreciate the view.
"…" Zhang Lexuan fell silent at the question.
The academy had raised her, and now she was choosing Xu Cheng as her partner—how could she explain this to the academy? What would happen to this relationship when the three-year exchange program ended?
"For the rest of my life, I will never marry another." She spoke softly.
Ma Xiaotao sucked in a breath of cold air. "You two… can hold back?"
Cough, cough, cough! Xu Cheng shot Ma Xiaotao an annoyed look. The latter rubbed her nose defiantly, crossing one leg over the other, clearly still full of curiosity.
As she spent more time around Xu Cheng, her opinion of him had gradually shifted, making their interactions more relaxed.
Zhang Lexuan gazed at Xu Cheng with luminous eyes, filled with reluctance and a hint of shyness.
She snuggled closer into his arms, the earlier awkwardness of meeting familiar faces completely replaced by a deep, flowing tenderness.
Xu Cheng: I'm doomed.
Tonight was definitely not going to be peaceful.
"I will handle this matter." Xu Cheng sipped his tea calmly.
"You'll handle it? And just how are you going to handle it?" Ma Xiaotao snorted. "As a prince and future emperor, no one will say anything if you have multiple wives. But if you're just playing with our Senior Sister, using her and then discarding her, I won't let you off!"
"In your eyes, am I just some scumbag?" Xu Cheng's lips twitched.
"There's not much difference." Ma Xiaotao gave him a sidelong glance.
Xu Cheng could only shake his head helplessly.
Feeling the soft body pressing ever closer to his side and noticing Zhang Lexuan's slightly dimmed expression, he spoke lightly, "I have my ways—I won't make things difficult for Lexuan."
"You… Sigh, I hope you can handle it well." Ma Xiaotao let out a soft sigh.
This was, after all, a doomed romance.
Two heirs of opposing forces, both standing at the peak of the continent—how did they end up entangled with each other?
When Zhang Lexuan returned to the academy after three years, the next time they met, it was likely to be on the battlefield. Given Xu Cheng's ambition to unify the continent, their political stances were fundamentally opposed.
"Enough about me. Xiaotao, how have things been in the Holy Spirit Cult?" Zhang Lexuan asked with a gentle smile.
For a moment, Ma Xiaotao was dazed.
At that moment, this Senior Sister of hers exuded a kind of warmth—like that of a gentle and virtuous wife.
Coming back to her senses, she shrugged indifferently. "It was fine, I guess. When I was first captured and taken to the underground dungeons of the Sun Moon Empire, some old man tried to persuade me to surrender multiple times. I refused, so he got angry and tried to inject me with a brainwashing serum. Luckily… he arrived just in time, so I was able to pretend to be unconscious and deceive everyone."
"And Elder Xuan…?" Zhang Lexuan hesitated.
"I don't know." Ma Xiaotao stirred her coffee lightly, resting her cheek on one hand as she stared blankly at the cars passing outside the window.
"I only remember that before I lost consciousness, I was surrounded by a group of people in black robes. The leader was incredibly powerful—even Elder Xuan likely wouldn't be his match. Then I blacked out. By the time I woke up, I was already imprisoned in the underground dungeons."
"It was Zhong Liwu, the leader of the Holy Spirit Cult. He personally led that operation," Xu Cheng said calmly.
"Shouldn't you be addressing him as 'Holy Spirit Cult Master'… Holy Son of the Holy Spirit Cult?" Ma Xiaotao arched an eyebrow, turning to look at Xu Cheng.
"And shouldn't you be addressing yourself as 'Holy Spirit Cult Saintess'?" Xu Cheng replied with a chuckle.
"This is boring." Ma Xiaotao glanced at him with interest.
With all the recent discoveries, it was becoming clear that Xu Cheng and that elusive cult master had some major conflicts.
"Besides, Senior Sister, the person who knows the answer to your question is sitting right beside you. Why not just ask him directly?"
"It's not—"
Xu Cheng smirked.
"Elder Xuan is not an elder of the Holy Spirit Cult."
However, the two women remained skeptical despite his answer.
Xu Cheng simply shrugged. I've told you the truth. Whether you believe it or not is up to you…
—
"Ding!!!"
Just as the three were chatting, a sharp alarm rang across the sky.
While the two women looked confused, Xu Cheng's expression darkened instantly.
This was the highest alert signal from Mingde Hall—whenever it rang, it meant powerful enemies were invading.
The Body Sect?
No, that didn't make sense—he had already intercepted the batch of tunneling soul devices they purchased. Besides, they had no reason to attack, as there was no Snow Empress embryo like in the original story.
The next moment—
Two overwhelming auras erupted.
Both at least Rank 98 or above, carrying a deep, unmistakable aura of soul beasts.
"Hundred-thousand-year-old transformed soul beasts…"
Xu Cheng's mind worked rapidly. That could only mean—
As if to confirm his suspicions, a deep, commanding voice rang out:
"We, the Clear Sky Sect, have come here today for one purpose—to take our sect's Holy Maiden. We have no intention of becoming enemies with the Sun Moon Empire. Please, step aside."
Da Ming and Er Ming!
—
Elsewhere—
"Big Father, Second Father, is all of this really related to Tang San?" Wang Dong's eyes were brimming with tears as she stared at her captors. "Am I really just a pawn? Were my parents killed by Tang San?"
"I…" Er Ming felt a lump in his throat and couldn't bring himself to speak.
With a long sigh, he turned his head away.
Seeing their silence, Wang Dong felt as if her heart was being torn apart.
She had thought that unlocking the restrictions on her soul device would make her a free bird, but in just a few days, her Big Father and Second Father had come all this way to forcibly take her away.
This only further proved Xu Cheng's theory.
She had always believed she was a pampered princess of the Clear Sky Sect, adored and indulged, but it was all an illusion—a fragile bubble ready to burst.
If even the people closest to her couldn't be trusted, then what was the point of living in this world?
Like a lifeless doll, Wang Dong'er's eyes were empty as she let them carry her away.
—
Meanwhile, the alarms blared loudly.
Thousands of soul engineers swarmed in, surrounding the area completely.
Even the Titan Giant Ape's gravity domain only caused brief disarray before an elderly man with white hair arrived.
With a slight movement, he activated a soul device—Anti-Gravity Field—instantly negating the majority of the effects.
Da Ming and Er Ming's expressions grew increasingly grim.
They hadn't expected that during their years of seclusion, the Sun Moon Empire's soul tools had advanced this far…
"Big brother, let's fight our way out!" Titan urged anxiously. "The waters of this Sun-Moon Empire are deeper than we thought. If we drag this out any longer, I fear unforeseen complications..."
The white-haired elder's strange and peculiar soul tool made him somewhat apprehensive, but only slightly.
What truly made him uneasy were the hidden, faintly discernible auras lurking in the depths.
Even as a Rank 98 Super Douluo, alongside his big brother, a Rank 99 Limit Douluo, he couldn't shake the chill creeping up his spine...
"I will offer my final words of persuasion: I bear no grudges against any of you. My purpose here is merely to retrieve the Holy Maiden of my sect. I have no intention of interfering in the Sun-Moon Empire's affairs. If I have offended in any way, I apologize. I ask only that you let us leave." The Azure Bull Python spoke calmly.
"Hall Master, we..." Lin Jiayi felt the soul power fluctuations from the two figures before him growing increasingly terrifying. Swallowing nervously, he looked at the short and stout elder standing before him.
Jing Hongchen ignored him, his eyes narrowing as he turned to the white-haired elder. "Elder Cheng, have you contacted His Highness?"
"Ah Cheng is nearby. He will arrive soon." Elder Cheng leisurely clasped his hands behind his back, seemingly unfazed by the overwhelming pressure emanating from the opposing duo, his gaze fixed on them with an air of indifference.
Then, his eyes shifted to Wang Dong, whom Titan was carrying, and he nodded slightly.
Electrolux had mentioned that Wang Dong's origins were not simple. Not long ago, a seal had been lifted from him, and now these people had come searching in such haste. Clearly, whatever lay behind that seal was deeply significant.
"So, they're unwilling to let go... Perhaps they already know something..." the Azure Bull Python murmured.
There was no command to retreat.
All around, they were completely surrounded by the Fire Phoenix Legion, the Royal Soul Engineering Legion, and the Evil Monarch Legion. Thousands of troops densely encircled the area, leaving no gaps.
If they wanted to leave, they would have to fight their way out...
"Azure Bull Python, Titan Giant Ape—how lively it is with the two of you here."
A voice echoed leisurely through the sky.
As the words fell, the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineering Legion—clad in crimson armor—knelt on one knee in unison, their gazes upon Xu Cheng filled with fervor and devotion. This was Xu Cheng's true loyalist force.
The Evil Monarch Soul Engineering Legion, having benefited from his influence, was less devoted but still showed their respect. The highest-ranking officer present, a battalion commander, also knelt on one knee.
Meanwhile, the commander of the Royal Soul Engineering Legion, Xu Jiangnian, remained composed, simply cupping his fists and giving a slight bow in greeting, offering no further words.
Xu Cheng returned a faint smile in acknowledgment.
"You may act indifferent now, but once you learn of Zhang Lexuan's true lineage, you'll have to pay dearly, dear brother-in-law..." His mind played with the thought. "Acting detached, feigning loyalty to the emperor alone? Hmph..."
But for now, the priority was dealing with Tang San's two loyal beasts.
"Who are you?" The Azure Bull Python's expression turned serious.
Although the Clear Sky Sect had been in seclusion for a long time, leaving them largely ignorant of the outside world, judging by the forces assembled, it was clear that this young man was no ordinary figure.
What made him even warier was that despite the youth's relaxed and casual demeanor—his strength appearing only around the Soul Emperor level—the moment those blood-red eyes locked onto him, an indescribable sensation arose in his heart.
—As if he were staring at the true mastermind behind everything.
Shaking his head, he dismissed the ridiculous thought.
A mere fifteen-year-old, still youthful and inexperienced, how could he possibly be the one pulling the strings from behind the scenes? Even as a Divine Envoy carrying out Tang San's will in the mortal world, the Azure Bull Python himself was but a mere chess piece on the grand board of fate...
"You recognize us?" The Azure Bull Python asked flatly.
His tone remained composed, yet his thoughts churned in confusion.
Ten thousand years ago, they had indeed been famous, even recorded in historical texts. However, just before Tang San's ascension, they had mysteriously vanished. After their resurrection in the Divine Realm and subsequent descent to the mortal world, they had been living in seclusion within the Clear Sky Sect, known to only a handful of individuals.
So how did this youth immediately call out their identities?
"Azure Bull Python, Titan Giant Ape—ten thousand years ago, you dominated the core of the Star Dou Forest as its most fearsome beasts. Yet, for some reason, shortly before the God-King Tang San ascended, you abruptly disappeared. Now, you reappear, claiming allegiance to the Clear Sky Sect. It seems, gentlemen, that you both have an inseparable connection to that divine figure from millennia past." Xu Cheng stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his smile tinged with amusement.
Truly remarkable.
The Azure Bull Python's heart was shaken.
With just a few words, Xu Cheng had already come dangerously close to the truth...
This youth—he's a monster!
"So this is... my fathers' true identities?!" Wang Dong's eyes shut in despair.
The one who had placed a forbidden seal on her was Tang San.
These two, her so-called fathers, had an undeniable link to Tang San.
Then, what secret lay hidden within the erased fragments of her memory?
"Azure Bull Python... Titan Giant Ape?"
Ma Xiaotao's beautiful eyes widened.
It was them!
These two beings had already been supreme rulers of the Star Dou Forest ten thousand years ago. Now, having taken human form, they maintained a connection to the divine realm...
So, what would Xu Cheng do now?
She cast a complicated glance at him. After all, this involved a god.
Would anyone be willing to offend a deity over a student they had only recently come to know?
"Since you know who I am, then you must understand—if I wish to leave today, no one can stop me." The Azure Bull Python's tone deepened.
Hearing this, the surrounding crowd could only look at Wang Dong with pity.
Though they didn't know exactly what had happened, her broken demeanor made it clear—she didn't want to leave.
But this was an internal affair of their sect. It wasn't something they could interfere with.
Moreover, Xu Cheng had no reason to antagonize the Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape, nor the forces backing them.
"Senior Sister..." Xiao Xiao's tear-filled eyes turned toward Zhang Lexuan.
Although she had only recently discovered Wang Dong was actually a girl, the bond they had built remained unshaken. What had started as admiration had transformed into an inseparable sisterhood.
Recalling all the moments Wang Dong had helped her, Xiao Xiao knew that even if Zhang Lexuan couldn't change the situation... she still had to try.
"Teacher Fan Yu, did they notify the academy before coming?" Zhang Lexuan asked seriously, looking at Fan Yu.
"They did..." Fan Yu shrugged. "These two may seem reckless, but they're actually quite meticulous. I received a notice from the academy this morning—if Wang Dong tries to use Shrek Academy's name, refuse outright. No need to bring trouble to the academy."
"..." Zhang Lexuan sighed softly.
First, this was a sect's private matter. Regardless of the outcome, they had no right to intervene.
Second, even if Wang Dong tried to seek sanctuary under the academy's name, the other party had already anticipated and countered it.
Xiao Xiao's heart ached as she looked at her devastated friend, resenting her own weakness.
"Are you still refusing to step aside?"
The Azure Bull Python's gaze sharpened. A vast, mountainous soul power erupted from his body like a storm, forcing countless soul engineers backward, disrupting their formation.
"My patience is limited as well."
All eyes turned to Xu Cheng.
What happened next depended entirely on his next words.
"This child truly loves soul tools..." Xu Cheng murmured, as if to himself. "Spending far more time than others researching them, participating in experiments, actively engaging in class discussions—even though she wasn't allowed to touch physical soul tools, she still poured herself into theoretical studies, fully devoted."
"Wang Dong." Xu Cheng looked at the despondent girl.
"What are you planning?!" The Azure Bull Python sensed something amiss, his pupils contracting.
The sky fell into silence.
The next moment, an action that shocked everyone unfolded.
Xu Cheng smiled gently, like a breeze passing by, and asked—
"Would you like to become my disciple?"
Countless people watched this scene in shock.
Under normal circumstances, accepting a disciple wouldn't mean much.
But for Xu Cheng to bring this up at this particular moment—this was his declaration of stance.
Once the master-disciple relationship was established, Xu Cheng's intervention would be entirely justified.
"…"
Wang Dong's hollow gaze lifted.
That figure still stood tall, proud yet calm, as if untouched by the mundane world—like an immortal. He looked at her with a gentle smile, offering her a glimmer of hope when she was at her most desperate.
"Uuuhh… uuhhh…"
Wang Dong finally couldn't hold back her tears.
She hadn't cried when she learned she was merely a tool of a certain God-King.
She hadn't cried when she was captured by the person she trusted most.
But in this moment, she truly couldn't stop herself.
"Master!!!"
The girl cupped her hands around her mouth and cried out loudly.
Her voice echoed through the surroundings.
"Good." Xu Cheng smiled.
Then, the smile faded.
A crimson aura surged from his body like a tide, slowly condensing into a massive crimson eye behind him. As the scarlet pupil gradually opened, the very air grew thick and heavy.
Yet, this did not seem to be an offensive ability.
The Azure Bull Python was about to question it when he noticed a faint blood-red eye mark appearing on Wang Dong's forehead.
"What have you done?!" The Titan Giant Ape roared.
Wang Dong couldn't be harmed—she was a crucial part of Tang Wutong's fusion. If anything happened to her, Xiao Wu would hate them to death…
"Nothing much, just a simple mark." Xu Cheng smiled. "After all, if a real fight breaks out, I'm not the main combatant."
"Old Kong, Uncle Ye."
As he spoke, a group of high-level soul engineers, led by Kong Deming, arrived. Kong Deming glanced at Xu Cheng with a complicated expression, as if he had something to say but chose to remain silent.
Meanwhile, Ye Cheng stood beside them, his eight black wings gently flapping as a dark aura radiated from him. Dressed in all black with a cold expression, he gave Xu Cheng a slight nod.
"Not enough!" The Azure Bull Python's expression grew even more serious, and he let out a low growl.
"If you want to stop us, just these few people aren't enough!"
An opponent at the level of an Ultimate Douluo, along with two others near Rank 98 Super Douluo, might not be enough to defeat him, but they could certainly delay him.
His power had already reached the pinnacle of the mortal world. With the blessings of a divine official and his deep cultivation foundation, he might not be a match for Di Tian, but among Ultimate Douluos, few could rival him.
"I never said I intended to keep you two here," Xu Cheng shook his head with a smile.
As confusion filled everyone's eyes, he spoke calmly, "Two options. First, you leave her behind and go."
"I choose the second," the Azure Bull Python sneered.
Xu Cheng raised a second finger. "Or… you kill her and leave."
The Azure Bull Python's smile gradually froze.
The corners of his mouth twitched, and he stared at Xu Cheng with a solemn expression.
"That mark—you can't erase or hide it. It will always reveal Wang Dong's location. Unless you go to the God Realm, I will ensure that the Haotian Sect never knows peace. And as for you two, do you think you can escape pursuit from these powerhouses? If you do manage to run, I'll just add a few more to the chase." (Ye Xishui, Long Xiaoyao, Zhongli Wu—though they have conflicts, they wouldn't refuse the chance to hunt you two down for some treasures…)
"I will not stop until you are either eliminated… or Wang Dong is retrieved."
Xu Cheng's voice was calm, as if he were merely stating a fact.
"What if I refuse to let her go?" The Azure Bull Python gritted his teeth.
"Then… we fight to the death."
Xu Cheng looked up toward the sky.
(End of Chapter)