At the entrance to a long corridor, the walls glittered with rare metals; armored guards set a solemn scene. Mu Ling handed her ID to the guard, who scanned it before the indicator turned green.
The doors opened slowly.
"Let's go."
Mu Ling took a deep breath, addressing the group of kids behind her.
Her gaze lingered on Gu Yue, Na'er, and Yuanen Yehui—her feelings complicated.
Everyone in the Pagoda knew who'd ordered the removal of the Ascension Platform. When the whole Pagoda thought they'd fall into decline, and complaints surged, that person showed up and slammed a massive gift in their faces, leaving them dizzy.
Nobody expected that solution—such a grand gesture.
To her, and to all the members, it was nothing short of a miracle.
She'd tried it during internal testing.
She'd seen how vast each world was, and how numerous—and varied—the so-called spirits were, encompassing almost every attribute they'd ever known. Over a dozen completely independent worlds!
At present, unmanned soul-guided probes and several mecha legions had already returned, securing a few safe zones and establishing teleport points.
Today, they would enter as a group.
Whir—
As the doors opened, Mu Ling watched them step through the portal.
"Is this the first batch? Just now a small mech corps went in too," the squad leader remarked in surprise.
To them, it seemed too hasty to send a batch of kids in before those worlds were fully explored and secured. But still, he couldn't help but feel envious.
This was a brand new system, replacing soul spirits. Every day, he saw others boasting after a successful contract, suddenly much stronger.
"In our eyes, it's all unknown." Mu Ling adjusted her glasses. "But to a true expert, these worlds are just toys in their hands—danger is nothing…"
"You mean?!" The captain's pupils shrank.
"For us, it's dangerous. But for certain people among these kids, it's safer than home."
"After all, these worlds were built by someone they know…"
Mu Ling gave a small smile and walked away, leaving the guards stunned.
"Such clean air…"
"Wow, what a big ancient tree! This looks like the Star Dou Great Forest from the books—tens of thousands of years ago!"
The moment they stepped out of the portal, the new class was excited.
"Wait…"
Fatty was puzzled, "Didn't they say each world had a different attribute? Like a thunder world with just thunder spirits. Why is this one a mix?"
"Yeah, the official site said so."
"Looks like… this is Gu Yue Na's Pokéball," Gu Yue mused, sucking on her lollipop. In this world, as a Dragon God, she could sense all attributes.
This was precisely because, having transitioned to Dragon God with Silver Dragon King mastering all element laws, this world from inception contained all attribute spirits—including true dragons.
"This Pokéball… sure is something." Gu Yue licked her lips with envy.
No wonder Gu Yue Na stuck so close to him. Any trash bloodline beast could become top-tier if they followed him. With a strong bloodline, results were even better—just look at Gu Yue Na.
Already become a Dragon God…
That mocking attitude—she'd do the same in Gu Yue Na's place. Truly irresistible.
"Wow, is this Mommy's spirit Pokéball?" Na'er whispered.
"Pokéball?" Yuanen Yehui was confused. Isn't this a world? What's a pokéball got to do with it? She examined the odd yellow ball in her hand, mystified.
"Let's go further in," Gu Yue said, leading the other two into the forest.
Despite her status as Silver Dragon King, even she hoped to find a pure-blood true dragon for a pet. This was what she envied most about Gu Yue Na.
She'd thought her own bloodline was powerful enough, both being dragon gods. But now—even within this Pokéball world, Gu Yue Na could create "opportunities" that left her far behind.
"Na'er."
While walking, Gu Yue whispered sheepishly, "You often bring tea to him—does he really have no interest in us both?"
"Didn't Daddy say you're only average?" Na'er glanced at Gu Yue, utterly unconcerned. "He already has Mommy and Aunt as Dragon Gods—why need you too?"
"Wouldn't that waste a Pokéball slot?"
Gu Yue: "…"
Ouch!
Right in the feels.
"Earththorn Dragon, Firewing Dragon, Golden Dragon…"
As they walked, all kinds of rare dragon-type soul beasts were everywhere. Dragons made up a third of the total.
And many bore the true dragon bloodline.
"These aren't just draining her power, but self-generating…" Gu Yue's eyes reddened with jealousy.
This meant the Pokéball world—and the benefits—were free, not draining Gu Yue Na at all.
As for where the energy came from—well, it wasn't their concern…
Boom!
Right then, a series of explosions sounded.
"Something's off—let's take a look," Gu Yue's expression hardened, focusing ahead.
It was a human aura—not from the new class, who were still in the newbie area. How did someone beat them here?
Atop an ancient tree, three little heads peeked down, spying on a group below.
"They're definitely humans—at least seven, all Soul Kings or stronger. But something feels weird… their clothing is like—primitives?" Yuanen Yehui was puzzled.
"Primitives?" Gu Yue and Na'er froze.
"Well, not in the sense of being ragged. But… they have no communicators, no equipment. Only a couple have ancient soul guides—I've only seen those in history books."
She, unlike the others, had some familiarity with modern society.
"And their uniforms…"
"They look like Shrek Academy's inner yard, but the pattern is different."
Gu Yue checked with a soul guide telescope. "Yup, it says Shrek on the badge."
"How do we get past?" Na'er hesitated.
To get where Gu Yue sensed the opportunity, this was the only way—otherwise, they'd lose half a month detouring, and there was just a month allowed before automatic teleportation out.
Everyone had a sensor bracelet; time's up, and you're forcibly ejected...
"Let's just go through them," Gu Yue frowned.
She hated backing down to Gu Yue Na, even if it was just pride.
Today, she was determined to get that true dragon!
"Xie Huan Yue, your new spirit looks great…" Wu Feng grinned, sprawled atop a massive, fire-wreathed red dragon, stroking its scales—clearly showing off.
She'd enjoyed Su Wen's internal test benefits immensely. Her sixth soul ring was now a jet-black Pokéball. After using beast taming, soul rings were replaced by same-colored Pokéballs.
"Sure does." Xie Huan Yue smiled sheepishly. As one of Su Wen's many "sisters-in-law," he just chuckled.
He sat astride a plump white dragon—Pi Pi Long. An odd defensive dragon, it was not as strong as Wu Feng's, but didn't seem weaker, either.
"I'll take the Pink Scale Dragon," Jiang Nannan chose a pink charmer. Ning Tian chose a Rainbow Dragon—her bloodline pure. Another from last year's Shrek Seven Monsters had the same.
All were Shrek inner yard disciples, all benefiting from Su Wen's "special treatment." Only after breaking through did they journey here in a team.
They were reaping immense gains.
"Eh?"
Soon, Wu Feng spotted three sneaky little figures up ahead. In a flash, she and her red dragon swooped down and landed in front of them.
"Who are you?"
Wu Feng stood atop the dragon's head, eyeing them strangely.
All three wore odd collars and uniforms—much like Sun Moon Empire students.
Had Su Wen let outsiders into his world?
Shouldn't be…
She remembered Su Wen said this world was open to Shrek only.
The others gathered round, curious—not hostile. After all, as Soul Exalts, they could be squashed by any of the present Soul Emperors.
"Federal Spirit Pagoda Academy…" Gu Yue said coldly. Since turning fully human, she couldn't use most of the Silver Dragon King's power.
"Federal, what?" Ning Tian and the others frowned—never heard of that school.
"What kind of nobody academy is that?" Wu Feng asked bluntly.
"We are not nobodies! We're way stronger than Shrek!" Yuanen Yehui scoffed, finger on her teleport charm, ready to leave.
"Oh? Better than Shrek?" Wu Feng sneered. "Shrek is the world's number one academy!"
"…?" The three were speechless.
Shrek got crushed by Su Wen and you're still so arrogant? Just as rumored.
"We'll replace you one day…" Na'er muttered. "Shrek should be dust in history."
"You!!" Wu Feng flared, ready to attack.
"Wait."
Ning Tian finally spoke, observing the three.
"Your Federal Spirit Pagoda Academy—where is it?"
"In Shrek City, right next to you…" Yuanen Yehui said.
Ning Tian's pupils shrank, as if he'd expected this. He continued, "And your principal?"
"Qiangu Dongfeng."
"His soul power?"
"You don't know? The Pagoda master himself—at least ninety-ninth level, Extreme Douluo." Yuanen Yehui replied, surprised.
"Ninety-ninth? Hah, other than Elder Mu, how could Shrek have another ninety-ninth?" Wu Feng scoffed.
"Elder Mu? Shrek only has one Extreme Douluo?" The three were stunned.
"What do you mean 'only'!" Wu Feng retorted. "Extreme Douluo…"
"Is the Sun Moon Empire still around?" Ning Tian pressed on.
"It unified the continent six thousand years ago—formed the Federation. Common knowledge. Don't you know?" Yuanen Yehui blinked.
"Last question." Ning Tian's eyes softened, smiling at the trio.
"Do you know Su Wen?"
"You know him too?!" The three gasped in surprise.
"Hey, then who are these three, Tian-jie?" Wu Feng asked as they watched the trio walk away.
"People from another timeline," Ning Tian replied calmly. "Or… another era."
...