Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, a week had passed since the start of the semester.
Shrek Academy, personal dormitory.
Fang Yang sat cross-legged, eyes tightly closed, spiritual fluctuations circulating around him.
A small, entirely black cat paced lightly beside him.
Those vertical pupils burning with ghostly flames curiously surveyed the surroundings, its tiny ears twitching slightly from time to time.
At this moment, Fang Yang was cultivating the soul cultivation method—the Emperor Soul Art.
Generally speaking, cultivation methods were extremely difficult; sometimes even if given the method, one might not necessarily learn it.
The Emperor Soul Art was not only a Heaven Tier high-grade soul cultivation method but also came from the supreme inheritance of the Hun (Soul) Clan—its preciousness was evident.
(T/N: I couldn't find any information on this technique on the BTTH Hun Clan wiki. If anyone has more info, please comment and lmk!)
According to normal reasoning, cultivating the Emperor Soul Art required possessing Soul Clan bloodline and condensing the clan mark to begin.
For some unknown reason, Fang Yang was not restricted by this limitation when cultivating.
This soul cultivation method was incomparably complex, with its circulation pathways crisscrossing in intricate patterns.
With the assistance of the Heavenly Flame Bead, his comprehension far exceeded ordinary people, and his understanding of the method advanced by leaps and bounds daily.
As the Emperor Soul Art circulated, Fang Yang could feel his soul—or rather, his spiritual power—being tempered and purified bit by bit.
The process was like being forged through thousands of hammer strikes; every circulation made his spiritual power more solid and pure.
Of course, this was only one of the cultivation methods of the Emperor Soul Art.
The Emperor Soul Art could also cultivate by devouring large amounts of spiritual power without producing side effects.
The black cat sensed something and stopped its pacing.
It quietly crouched before Fang Yang, its deep eyes watching the spiritual fluctuations circulating around him, its tail swaying gently.
After who knew how long, Fang Yang slowly opened his eyes, spiritual power surging in his pupils.
He lightly exhaled a breath of turbid air and couldn't help but praise in a low voice: "As expected of the supreme inheritance of the Soul Clan, one of the Eight Ancient Clans—it truly lives up to its reputation."
This week of cultivation had produced a qualitative leap in his spiritual power.
Now, not only could he unleash spiritual attacks to heavily damage opponents' souls, but he had also mastered soul searching, soul control, and other techniques.
Seeing Fang Yang finish cultivating, the black cat immediately affectionately nuzzled his arm, emitting a soft purring sound.
Fang Yang smiled slightly, lifting Little Black into his arms and gently stroking its soft, smooth fur.
Little Black comfortably narrowed its eyes, letting out a satisfied whimper.
Just then, with a creak, the room door was gently pushed open.
Gu Yue slowly walked in.
She had gathered her black hair behind her head, tying it into a neat ponytail, and wore a white long dress, spotless and pure.
As she grew older, the young girl became increasingly graceful and elegant.
Gu Yue didn't possess that kind of stunning, eye-catching beauty, but she had an indescribable unique temperament that would inevitably give people a sense of nobility and coldness.
"Gu Yue..."
Seeing Gu Yue before him, Fang Yang couldn't help but be stunned—she was truly beautiful like this...
As the saying goes, action speaks louder than words.
Fang Yang gently set down Little Black and slowly walked toward Gu Yue. He lightly wrapped his arm around her slender waist and lowered his head to kiss her.
Gu Yue was slightly startled at first, then relaxed. Her long eyelashes trembled gently as she slowly closed her eyes.
Her hands unconsciously rested on his shoulders, responding to this sudden kiss.
After a long while, Fang Yang reluctantly released her, but still held her in his embrace, their foreheads touching as he called softly: "Yue'er..."
Gu Yue's cheeks carried a faint blush, those usually cold eyes now rippling with watery light, carrying a hint of shyness: "The moment you arrive, you do this..."
Fang Yang laughed softly, "Who made my Gu Yue so beautiful that I couldn't control myself?"
Little Black tilted its head to the side, watching the two, seemingly dissatisfied that its master had suddenly ignored it. It let out a light meow, causing the two to smile at each other.
"Alright, let me go." Gu Yue gently pushed him.
Fang Yang complied and slowly released her.
At this moment, the spirit guidance communicator rang.
Fang Yang answered the call, and Liu Yang's steady voice came from the other end: "Fang Yang, I have something to discuss with you. Please come to the Spirit Pagoda."
"Understood, Senior Liu Yang." Fang Yang responded.
After ending the call, Gu Yue asked softly: "Fang Yang, what is it?"
"Senior Liu is looking for me about something; he wants me to go to the Spirit Pagoda." Fang Yang explained.
Gu Yue nodded lightly: "Mhm, I was just thinking of visiting my teacher."
Fang Yang spoke: "Then let's go together."
"Alright." Gu Yue nodded slightly.
And so, Fang Yang took Gu Yue's hand and walked out of the dormitory.
Little Black lay on Fang Yang's shoulder, its eyes curiously surveying the scenery along the way.
The two people and one cat left Shrek Academy, heading toward the Spirit Pagoda headquarters.
...
Spirit Pagoda headquarters, Heavenly Spirit Pagoda.
After completing identity registration, Fang Yang and Gu Yue entered the Heavenly Spirit Pagoda.
In the magnificent Spirit Pagoda hall, Su Tao was already waiting.
"Fang Yang." Su Tao waved to signal them.
Fang Yang, seeing this, took Gu Yue's hand and walked forward.
Su Tao spoke: "Let's go."
"Um, I..." Gu Yue hesitated slightly.
"It's fine, you can both come." Su Tao said warmly.
Gu Yue looked at Fang Yang, and seeing him nod in agreement, said nothing more.
And so, everyone arrived before a dedicated elevator.
Su Tao took out a special card and lightly swiped it at the sensor area; the elevator door slid open silently.
The three entered the elevator, and the door slowly closed.
The elevator ascended smoothly, and about a minute later, the door slowly opened again.
They had arrived at the top floor of the Spirit Pagoda headquarters, the Heavenly Spirit Pagoda.
"Follow me." Su Tao led Fang Yang and Gu Yue forward.
Before long, they arrived outside a room.
Fang Yang, holding Gu Yue's hand, followed Su Tao into the room. The room was simply and elegantly furnished, permeated with a faint scholarly fragrance.
"Fang Yang, you've come."
Liu Yang sat in the center of the room, his gaze calmly looking over. Then he turned to Gu Yue: "Silver Dragon King, nice to meet you for the first time."
He raised his hand to indicate the two should sit.
Fang Yang respectfully saluted: "Senior Liu Yang."
"Hello."
Gu Yue responded politely and sat down in the guest seat together with Fang Yang.
Little Black obediently lay on Fang Yang's shoulder, its deep eyes curiously surveying the surroundings.
"There's no need for formalities."
Liu Yang waved his hand slightly, his gaze turning to Su Tao.
Su Tao understood, nodded lightly, and then slowly stepped back to stand quietly aside.
"You're heading to the Star Luo Continent next, correct?" Liu Yang asked.
Fang Yang's heart stirred slightly: "Yes, will there be people from the Spirit Pagoda going as well?"
"Indeed."
Liu Yang nodded, "Qiangu Zhangting will go, and I've arranged for people like Qian Zhenzang to accompany him."
"The Qiangu Family somehow obtained news of Dragon Valley and plans to use the exchange student program to the Star Luo Continent as cover to go there."
He paused briefly before adding, "Additionally, the Tang Sect has also arranged personnel to go to Dragon Valley."
"Understood, thank you for the information, Senior Liu Yang." Upon hearing this, a flash of sharp light passed through Fang Yang's eyes.
Dragon Valley was of great importance; it seemed this trip to the Star Luo Continent was destined to be anything but peaceful.
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