The bright moon, stealthily creeping in through the window, scattered like silver flakes across the floor, glistening softly.
In the soft bed, Ya Li was entangled with Yun Ming in a rather ungraceful sleeping posture.
Yun Ming had long grown accustomed to his beloved wife's behavior, but tonight he clearly didn't sleep as soundly.
Invisible Golden Ancient Tree energy, mixed with Old Jin's divine soul force, merged with the moonlight and silently seeped into Yun Ming's mental force sea.
This wisp of divine soul force held no hostility, and coupled with Yun Ming's divine force mental force not being at its peak due to World suppression, he didn't detect any issues.
With his Titled Douluo cultivation, he could go without sleep for a lifetime, and even whether he dreamt or not depended entirely on his mood.
In his sleep, Yun Ming's brows clearly twitched a few times.
It was a hazy, thick fog World.
Yun Ming suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze cold as he swept across the silent surroundings.
"Brother Ming."
A voice filled with genuine emotion, yet tinged with solemnity, came from all directions.
Yun Ming's pupils constricted, and he subconsciously blurted out, "Teacher?"
"Brother Ming"—only his most respected teacher would call him that, but with his teacher's passing, he hadn't heard it in decades.
"Brother Ming... be careful... Lan..."
The World of dense fog seemed to encounter some interference, and the voice became intermittent.
Yun Ming couldn't help but shout, "Teacher!"
Vaguely, as a 'Huang' character fell, Yun Ming's dream suddenly shattered on the bed, and he woke up, his chest heaving violently.
The strong mental force fluctuations caused the sleeping Ya Li to wake up as well.
Her eyes still hazy with sleep, she asked, "What's wrong, Brother Ming?"
The tranquil night and the cold moonlight seemed to whisper.
Yun Ming looked down at his beloved wife's exquisite face and said in a deep voice, "I dreamt of Teacher."
The sleepiness in Ya Li's eyes faded.
She still remembered how, after Teacher passed away and chose to merge with the Golden Ancient Tree, her husband knelt for half a month without rising.
Yun Ming had been raised by Heavens Chosen Douluo since childhood; their bond was incredibly strong.
Ya Li pressed her soft, delicate body tightly against Yun Ming, just about to comfort her husband, when she suddenly heard his voice, deep and serious, say, "Teacher seemed to be warning me about something."
Ya Li's movements paused, and her pure, green-golden eyes looked at him in surprise.
Yun Ming stopped speaking, his expression shifting between light and dark.
Lan, Huang, be careful.
What was Teacher trying to remind him of?
At this level of cultivation, it was impossible to have such a dream for no reason.
Therefore, Teacher was truly trying to tell him something in his dream.
...
On the speeding Spirit Guide train, Yuanen Yehui silently gazed at the constantly changing scenery outside the window.
Her home was in a second-tier city called Shangling City, located in the central-eastern part of the continent, just east of the Star Dou Great Forest.
It was surrounded by mountains, with excellent natural resources.
As terrestrial Spirit Beasts were almost extinct and the danger in the wilderness decreased, tourism undoubtedly flourished, and people from surrounding areas, including Shrek City, enjoyed coming here for holidays and recreation.
After passing through several mountain tunnels, the Spirit Guide train stopped at the station.
Yuanen Yehui followed the bustling crowd to the platform.
Looking at the familiar mountains in the distance, she tightly clenched her fists, skillfully left the train station, and then transferred to a ride-sharing car, heading towards the western suburbs.
Because it was so remote, she gave the driver an extra tip after getting out of the car.
Watching the departing ride-sharing car, Yuanen Yehui took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping over the stretches of mountain forest.
There was a small road that cars could take, but she chose to walk.
Walking along the winding, rugged path, she occasionally saw houses by the roadside, and the sound of dogs barking was incessant.
Every house, every place she passed, held the most beautiful memories of her childhood.
A ripple of emotion gradually appeared in Yuanen Yehui's eyes.
She had returned this time to confirm some things.
"Who are you!"
As she passed a house corner, several women chatting in the shade of a tree saw Yuanen Yehui, still dressed in men's clothes, and immediately questioned her.
The women's faces were all somewhat wary, and their bodies subtly emitted spirit power fluctuations.
Although not strong, it proved that they were all Spirit Masters.
The entire mountain village consisted of Yuan En Family members, and they were not very welcoming to outsiders.
Yuanen Yehui stopped, pursed her lips, and said to the woman who spoke, "Fifth Aunt, I am Yuanen Yehui."
Her voice was calm enough, but it seemed to detonate a bomb in the ears of the women.
With a whoosh, they suddenly stood up, staring intently at her.
"Why are you back?"
A woman next to Fifth Aunt immediately looked displeased, almost scolding her.
Yuanen Yehui's face hardened.
"I want to see the Patriarch.
Once I've seen him, I'll leave and won't disturb anyone."
Stopping her sisters who were about to erupt, Fifth Aunt sighed deeply.
"You shouldn't have come back.
The fact that you were able to leave back then was because the Patriarch overruled all objections; otherwise, your Spirit would have been crippled, and you would never have been allowed to leave the family."
Yuanen Yehui increasingly understood why the clansmen had collectively glared at her before.
It truly might have been because her mother's Spirit attracted the Demon Plane.
She clenched her fists and lowered her head, saying, "Fifth Aunt, please let me see the Patriarch."
The women's faces shifted between light and dark.
Fifth Aunt looked deeply at Yuanen Yehui.
Her husband had lost an arm in that demon raid.
She hated Yehui, and carried a trace of hatred for Yehui's child as well, but… with a sigh, she took out her phone and called the Patriarch, Yuan En Zhentian.
"What is it?"
The call connected quickly, and a vigorous voice came through.
"Patriarch."
Fifth Aunt whispered, "Yuanen Yehui has returned."
The other end of the phone suddenly fell silent.
In less than two seconds.
A terrifying fluctuation descended from the sky.
As the yellow light receded, an old man, two meters tall and exceptionally robust, appeared before Yuanen Yehui.
He looked at Yuanen Yehui with complex eyes.
"Why have you returned?"
"Patriarch."
Yuanen Yehui felt a moment of gratitude towards Fifth Aunt and respectfully faced the old man.
"You should call me Grandpa."
Yuan En Zhentian reminded her.
Yuanen Yehui's delicate body trembled.
After witnessing her mother's corpse with her own eyes, she no longer acknowledged that she had a grandfather.
"Forget it."
Yuan En Zhentian didn't insist, waving his hand to signal Fifth Aunt and the others to leave.
The Patriarch's authority was sufficient.
The women cast cold glances at Yuanen Yehui and chose to leave.
"Speak, why have you returned?"
Yuan En Zhentian asked, then suddenly his expression changed.
"Could it be that you've been wronged at Shrek Academy?"
"No."
Yuanen Yehui didn't care how wronged she was working several jobs.
Her mother had taught her from a young age that she should never accept anything she didn't earn through her own efforts.
Therefore, when Yun Ming and Ya Li wanted to help her, she subtly refused.
To be honest, Yuanen Yehui herself understood that she was too stubborn, getting herself into a blind alley.
This was the impact of the drastic family changes.
She didn't refuse social interaction, but it could only be superficial.
"Then you..."
Yuan En Zhentian hadn't finished speaking when he saw a dark energy, purplish-red in color, surge from his granddaughter's body.
The energy was extremely pure, flowing like a fine stream, slowly rippling outwards.
Amidst the circulating dark light, it even revealed a strange crystalline quality, as if countless star fragments were floating in a deep pool.
Most importantly, while the coldness and evil possessed by the Fallen Angel Spirit were still present, the negative emotional fluctuations they caused were completely gone, as if the impurities in metal had been refined by a blacksmith.
Yuan En Zhentian's pupils constricted slightly.
"Your Spirit!"
Yuanen Yehui recalled Nan Liujing's handsome face in her mind, a smile touching her lips as she explained, "I met a friend, and with his help, my Fallen Angel Spirit can be considered to have evolved."
"Friend?"
Yuan En Zhentian was startled.
Yuanen Yehui said, "Because he helped me, he accidentally became tainted with demon bloodline.
It was precisely because of this that we gradually got to know each other, and later, in my conversations with him, I learned many secrets about the Fallen Angel Spirit."
Yuan En Zhentian's heart sank, and he said in a deep voice, "So you've returned this time to find out why your mother committed suicide and why the clansmen hate you?"
He had always been unwilling to tell his granddaughter the truth, fearing she wouldn't be able to bear it.
"Yes."
Yuanen Yehui nodded solemnly.
"If the family truly suffered heavy casualties because of my mother, I am willing to repay it with the rest of my life."
"Alas."
Yuan En Zhentian shook his head.
He understood that this matter could not be kept secret any longer.
He immediately grabbed Yuanen Yehui's shoulder with a large hand, and with a flash of his figure, he swiftly brought her to the mountainside, where an ancient, powerful-looking building stood.
This was the Yuan En Family's ancestral home, and on the house in the central courtyard, a plaque hung, inscribed with the words 'Ancestral Hall'.
Yuanen Yehui had been to the Ancestral Hall before, and when she realized her grandfather had brought her here, she subconsciously looked towards the Spirit tablets on the table in front.
With just one glance, she understood everything.
On the Spirit tablets were the names of dozens of her familiar relatives; their faces seemed still vivid in her mind, yet they were separated by Heaven.
Yuan En Zhentian said in a deep voice, "Your friend told you about the Fallen Angel, so you must know that once a nine-ring breakthrough occurs, the Spirit possessor uncontrollably attracts the Demon Plane."
Yuanen Yehui nodded, her face solemn.
Yuan En Zhentian said, "Initially, we were unaware of this secret, so when your mother broke through to nine rings, disaster descended.
A demon gate was unconsciously opened by her, and countless demons came in swarms to our World.
Those demons greedily wanted to devour everything."
"Because it happened so suddenly, neither I nor the clansmen initially noticed the problem, until your second aunt, who was visiting from out of town, returned and encountered a demon raid.
The battle fluctuations attracted the attention of the clansmen, and upon arriving at the battle scene, your second uncle personally witnessed your second aunt being pierced through the chest by a demon comparable to a Titled Douluo."
Yuanen Yehui's pupils trembled.
"Alas."
The old man sighed, "The demons were too formidable.
Even with my leadership and fierce resistance, we continuously lost clansmen.
Left with no choice, I contacted Sky Bearing Douluo.
He arrived with the experts from Shrek Academy, repelling the demon army and destroying the demon gate."
"It was precisely because Sky Bearing Douluo informed us that we learned what the Fallen Angel Spirit represented.
Although your mother was also a victim, dozens of clansmen were indeed sacrificed because of her.
Ultimately, to quell the public outrage, your mother chose to commit suicide, and your father tried to commit suicide to follow her.
Under duress, Sky Bearing Douluo and I together crippled his cultivation and sealed his Spirit."
"This is the whole process.
I originally didn't want to tell you any of this."
Yuan En Zhentian saw the tears welling up in his granddaughter's eyes.
"I'm sorry!"
Yuanen Yehui, with tears in her eyes, knelt before all the Spirit tablets.
"Silly child."
Yuan En Zhentian raised his hand, and a gentle spirit power lifted her, saying sternly, "You are not wrong, and your mother is not wrong.
The ones who are wrong are those scoundrels from the Demon Plane."
Just then, hurried footsteps approached.
Before long, a group of people gathered inside the Ancestral Hall.
Yuanen Yehui wiped her tears and looked.
There was her second uncle, his face a mixture of gloom and complexity, and other uncles.
As expected, their gazes towards her were not friendly.
"Father."
Yuane Tianshang looked at the old man with a deep voice.
Yuan En Zhentian said indifferently, "Why have you all come?"
No one responded.
The old man snorted, "All of you are so aggressive; I thought you were going to overthrow Heaven."
"Little Yuanen's return home was permitted by this old man.
Anyone who dares to say an extra word will be dealt with by family law."
A terrifying aura, almost crushing space, spread out, and everyone's hearts were suddenly startled.
"Grandpa."
Yuanen Yehui suddenly called out.
The old man's eyelids trembled slightly, and the released pressure receded like a tide.
It had been years since he had heard his granddaughter call him Grandpa.
Of the entire Patriarch's lineage, the eldest, Yuane Tiandang, had already been imprisoned.
He only had Yuanen Yehui as a child.
As for the second, Yuane Tianshang, although he was married, he had no children.
So Yuan En Zhentian only had this one direct grandchild.
"I want to talk to all the uncles."
Yuanen Yehui said in a deep voice.
Hesitating, the old man ultimately did not refuse, but his eyes signaled to the second generation to be mindful of their boundaries.
Facing everyone's gaze, Yuanen Yehui said in a deep voice, "I know that all of you uncles dislike me because of my mother, but I hope everyone can listen to something I have to say."
No one responded, only looking at her with complex expressions.
Yuanen Yehui said, "I have a friend who became tainted with the Fallen Angel bloodline because he helped me.
But unlike my superficial understanding of the Fallen Angel, his teacher is the Sky Phoenix Douluo of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, who possesses a method to completely eliminate demons after they are attracted."
Hearing this, the old man and everyone else's expressions changed.
Yuanen Yehui sincerely said, "I harmed him, yet he not only didn't blame me, but instead sincerely invited me to join the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, even willing to help me resolve the problem of the Fallen Angel Spirit attracting demons in the future.
I say all this not to ask for your help behind the scenes, uncles.
I just want to say that as long as I don't perish early in the future, after joining the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, I am willing to do everything, even sacrifice my life, to earn merit and bring more resources to the family.
I only hope that one day, Second Uncle and all of you uncles can let go of your hatred for my mother.
And that her Spirit tablet can be placed in the Ancestral Hall for offerings!"
After speaking, she immediately knelt and kowtowed once to everyone, then kowtowed three times to her grandfather, before rising and leaving.
The vast Ancestral Hall was silent, with only Yuanen Yehui's receding footsteps intermittently echoing.
Leaving the ancestral home, Yuanen Yehui looked up at the clear blue sky, and the shackles in her heart seemed to open.
Her disguised, delicate face revealed a smile.
For the rest of her life, she would only do two things.
Vindicate her mother.
Swear to follow Nan Liujing to her death!
The family had to call Qingtian Mianxia to resolve the crisis; the demons' power exceeded her expectations.
Since Nan Liujing could help her, how could she not follow him wholeheartedly?
"Are you planning to return to Shrek Academy or the Spirit Transfer Pagoda?"
The old man appeared behind Yuanen Yehui in a flash.
Yuanen Yehui replied without turning her head, "For now, I'll stay at Shrek Academy."
"Don't you want to see your father?"
The old man asked in a deep voice.
Yuanen Yehui shook her head.
"I'll come back to see Father when I possess sufficient strength."
Ignoring the other group of clansmen gathered at the ancestral home, Yuanen Yehui left alone, under the complex gazes of the crowd.
It wasn't that no one harbored resentment towards the Fallen Angel Spirit and wanted to stop her, but with the old man present, no one dared to say anything.
"A disciple of Sky Phoenix Douluo, the Spirit Transfer Pagoda."
Watching his granddaughter's receding figure, the old man stood with his hands behind his back, muttering to himself, "This old man is rather curious about your friend."
Months later.
Inside the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, Nan Liujing, Gu Yue, Leng Yaozhu, and Xia Zheng Leng stood to one side, their gazes fixed on a tall figure not far away.
Qiangu Qingfeng held his left hand behind his back, his right hand gripping the Purgatory Halberd. Purple-black halos continuously spewed from the halberd's tip, engraving and shaping a piece of metal that intertwined with deep blue, blood red, and dark silver light.
This was the first Two-Word Battle Armor component for Nan Liujing, located on his right hand armor and forearm.
The entire process of creating Battle Armor required personal involvement. Nan Liujing wasn't particularly keen on mecha manufacturing, but the metal itself was forged by him using four top-tier metals, named Heavenly Thunder Fused Gold, with an astonishing fusion rate of ninety-nine percent, thus ensuring its compatibility.
Originally, Nan Liujing's initial plan was to create a Thousand Refinements Spirit Forging One-Word Battle Armor, similar to Tang Wulin in the original timeline. However, with the integration of a layer of Golden Dragon King Bloodline, coupled with Thunder Tempering, and his cultivation breakthroughs over the past few months, his ambition naturally changed.
Currently, his cultivation had reached level forty-three. At eleven and a half years old, his physique was even comparable to many Spirit Masters with Spirit Emperor cultivation. Because of this, after re-discussing with Leng Yaozhu and Qiangu Qingfeng, they decided to change the Battle Armor production to a Two-Word level.
As a Rank 9 Mecha Manufacturer, Qiangu Qingfeng's engraving and shaping speed were astonishingly fast. Each stroke of the halberd's tip would permanently etch a beautiful line onto the metal, a truly flowing execution.
The core formation designed by Leng Yaozhu for her beloved disciple was top-tier, not only considering his Spirit but also taking into account Nan Liujing's mastery of Ultimate Thunder and his high comprehension of other elements.
In other words, this Battle Armor could not only unleash Ultimate Thunder more thoroughly, but its defensive aspects could also effectively increase resistance to various elemental attacks, achieving a perfect balance of offense and defense.
Gradually, as profound light emerged and surged in mid-air, the appearance of a Battle Armor component began to take shape.
In the air, the thunder elements seemed to be drawn in, becoming increasingly violent. An astonishing pressure gradually spread, making the vast hall feel as if it were caught in a thunderstorm, with occasional flashes of lightning and rumbling thunder, like the arrival of the apocalypse.
Typically, for Two-Word Battle Armor, the vast majority of Battle Armor Masters either simply used ordinary Spirit Forging metal or combined two metals. Three types were rare; even Dance Changkong's Battle Armor only had a mere six components that met this standard. As for four types, unless one was a direct descendant of Shrek Academy like Lan Muzi, they couldn't obtain it, and a fusion rate of ninety would be considered extremely lucky.
Metal quality, metal fusion rate, core formation design, manufacturing process, etc., all affect the strength of the Battle Armor's enhancement for its owner.
"Liu Jing."
Suddenly, Qiangu Qingfeng let out a soft cry.
Nan Liujing's mind was already focused on the metal. He quickly acted, drawing his left hand across his right palm, and a drop of fresh blood splattered onto the metal.
At that moment, the last line of the core formation was completed, and with that, the Battle Armor was finished!
Upon receiving the blood, the Battle Armor, interlaced with three colors of light, suddenly bloomed with an even more dazzling radiance. The metal was crafted by Nan Liujing himself, and its affinity was almost off the charts.
As soon as the metal absorbed the fresh blood, Nan Liujing felt a strong sense of cheer and joy resounding in his spiritual sea.
Under everyone's gaze, the light cluster formed by the Battle Armor actively sought him out.
Nan Liujing's lips curved into a smile, and he extended his right hand, merging it into the light cluster.
The next moment, thunderous rumbling, like a drumbeat, erupted. Deep blue, blood red, and dark silver light spread from Nan Liujing's right hand to his right forearm, rendering his body extraordinarily magnificent.
Nan Liujing looked down and could feel something completely integrating with his meridians, flesh, and even his spirit power. The pulsation frequency and circulation gradually became one.
"Coagulate!"
With a low shout, all the light dissipated.
A magnificent Battle Armor, like a work of art, appeared before everyone's eyes.
The entire Battle Armor was predominantly dark silver, accented with blood red and deep blue, appearing like transparent crystal. A luminous fissure extended from the back of the hand to the forearm, as if liquid lightning flowed within, seemingly containing a simmering thunderstorm. And the core formation in the palm, with its two intertwined halos, was the profundity of thunder merged with darkness.
"Boom!"
As the thought crossed his mind, Nan Liujing suddenly unleashed a punch forward. Violent lightning surged out, secretly concealing a wisp of dark ripple, like a life-devouring dark blade, poised to strike.
Where it landed, a long-lasting thunder-scarred area formed, and the air was filled with violent residual power.
Qiangu Qingfeng used his Spirit as a tool for engraving the core formation, which indirectly imbued the Battle Armor with his Spirit's attributes. This allowed Nan Liujing not only to unleash terrifying thunder attacks but also to additionally release an abyss that devoured light.
"How does it feel?" Qiangu Qingfeng asked with a smile.
"I'm already impatient for the complete Battle Armor."
Nan Liujing felt the surging power and attribute amplification. Compared to Spirit Bones, which could also amplify Spirit Masters, the metal required for Battle Armor was not as scarce.
Xia Zheng Leng teased, "That's simple. Just make your Grandfather work more overtime."
Qiangu Qingfeng's mouth twitched. After all, it was his descendant; overtime was overtime.
Leng Yaozhu asked, "Which two characters do you plan to name your Battle Armor?"
Everyone looked on curiously. Nan Liujing fell silent for a moment.
Since the final battle would be against Tang San, to pull the once high and mighty god down, why not call it 'Gods'...? No, that's too chuunibyou.
Then, 'dirge of the gods'?
With thunder as the guide, play a lament belonging to the gods!
It's still pretty chuunibyou, actually.
Nan Liujing's gaze drifted, and he said, "Just 'God's'!"
"God's?"
At these words, the three powerhouses, including Gu Yue, were startled.
"God's Nan Liujing." Gu Yue softly murmured, surprised, "I thought you, Senior Brother, would name it Thunder Soul."
Nan Liujing shook his head, "My goal is to become the next person to achieve godhood on the Douluo Continent after Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao. So, 'God's' is both the name of my Battle Armor and my ultimate pursuit."
Gu Yue's beautiful eyes shimmered with a special light.
Leng Yaozhu smiled, "Originally, my expectation for you was to become a quasi-god in the future. I didn't expect your ambition to be even higher than I imagined."
Qiangu Qingfeng sighed, "It's a pity that the God Realm no longer exists; otherwise, since ancient times, at least a handful of people could have ascended."
Xia Zheng Leng, however, had a proud expression, giving his great-grandson a thumbs-up: "Ambition must be high; that's the kind of man our old Xia family produces!"
Putting his arm around his wife's shoulders, Qiangu Qingfeng smiled, "I remember Shrek Academy is holding its Inner Courtyard Grand Competition this afternoon. Liu Jing, take Yue'er to visit. This girl spends all her time in the research institute; she's practically molding."
"Alright." Nan Liujing replied with a smile.
Leng Yaozhu's eyes were filled with immense satisfaction. Her eldest disciple had extraordinary cultivation talent, and her second disciple had astonishing wisdom, receiving consistent praise within the Pagoda for her soul spirit research.
She patted Gu Yue's shoulder, "Rest when you need to. Have fun with your Senior Brother."
"Yes, Teacher."
Gu Yue's small face flushed. She was too eager to improve.
So, after entering the research institute, in just a few months, she managed to reduce the production cost of ten-year artificial soul spirits to forty percent of the original, and the soul spirits were even more stable. Now, she had already begun to challenge the hundred-year soul spirits.
Actually, she could have started directly with ten-thousand-year artificial soul spirits, but that would have been too outrageous, so she chose to progress step by step.
"Liu Jing, tell them that if they can enter the top ten, I'll let them participate in the Federal Grand Competition in Mingdu." Leng Yaozhu then said to Nan Liujing.
"Alright." Nan Liujing nodded. Months ago, he had informed Leng Yaozhu about Ma Xue, Lei Qianjie, and many wild-type students' intentions to join the Sky Phoenix lineage, but he hadn't received a response until now. This finally gave them an answer.
And the Federal Grand Competition was in half a month.
...
Inner Courtyard, Douluo Arena!
This was a stadium-like building, surrounded by seating for thousands of spectators. In the center, a two-hundred-meter-long and two-hundred-meter-wide competition stage was illuminated by sunlight filtering through the stadium's dome, emitting a soft, shimmering glow.
On the main platform, a group of Sea God Pavilion elders gathered, numbering over twenty-five. These individuals were at least Titled Douluo and Three-Word Battle Armor Masters.
Yun Ming and Ya Li were chatting with Zang Xin.
In addition, many high-ranking members of the Tang Sect, Inner Courtyard instructors, and Inner Courtyard reserve students were also present.
There were over a hundred reserve students with the same status as Ye Xinglan, meaning the total number of Inner Courtyard students was over two hundred.
Lively chatter rose and fell in the stands, as the reserve students conversed.
"Who are you supporting?"
"Let's not even mention the direct lineage students; the top three are basically guaranteed. For the top five, I feel that Senior Yu Han霜 and Senior Lei Qianjie both have a chance. They are Spirit Saint powerhouses."
"I'm supporting Senior Ma Xue to break into the top five. It's said that she broke through to Spirit Saint last month. Her Fire Phoenix Spirit is inherited from the ancient Phoenix Douluo Ma Hongjun; her explosive power is incredibly fierce."
"Hey, speaking of Senior Ma Xue, let me tell you, Senior Yan Rong also recently broke through to Spirit Saint. Her Heavenly Fire Lion Spirit is no worse than the Fire Phoenix, and the two have a particularly bad relationship. If they meet, the fight will definitely be exciting."
"Two Inner Courtyard volcanoes, quite a spectacle."
The vast Douluo Arena continued to fill with people.
What caught the attention of the students, more or less, were the two young girls guarding the entrance.
The silver-haired girl stood quietly, her demeanor like a freshly bloomed green lotus, yet her exquisite and mischievous face was adorned with a sweet smile, making people feel as comfortable as the warm winter sun.
The golden-haired girl had a slender and upright figure, like a sharp sword. Her long hair was tied into a ponytail with a red ribbon, and her eyebrows were long and narrow, her heroic Spirit overshadowing any commonness, yet unable to conceal her perfectly exquisite features.
"Brother!"
Suddenly, Naer, known as the Inner Courtyard's little goddess, joyfully waved her fair, tender arms.
Passing students subconsciously looked over, their expressions subtly changing.
They saw Nan Liujing slowly approaching with Gu Yue.
In the Inner Courtyard, who didn't know that the metal crafted by this master was of the highest quality? It was precisely because of him that the wild-type students made rapid progress in the Battle Armor field. Conversely, the collateral-line students, who had previously suppressed them, faced greater competition and insufficient metal, and their performance in this Grand Competition was likely to be much worse.
Besides metal, what made Nan Liujing even more talked about was the ongoing, vigorous reform in the Outer Courtyard. Various reward systems were showering down, dazzling the Outer Courtyard students and making those Outer Courtyard disciples who had entered the Inner Courtyard early quite envious.
It was like just after you graduated, the school dorms installed air conditioning.
Wouldn't you be envious?
Nan Liujing was a hero-like figure in the Outer Courtyard, though no one knew why the immense academy would seek his participation in the reforms.
"Sorry for the wait." Nan Liujing habitually reached out and rubbed Naer's small head, who also wore a look of enjoyment.
Ye Xinglan's aloof and beautiful face melted like ice, revealing a gentle smile. "It's almost time; let's go in." She then nodded at Gu Yue.
Gu Yue's cherry lips were slightly pursed, and she nodded with a smile.
With three beauties by his side, he was truly the envy of others.
Upon entering the spectator stands, students and instructors immediately turned their gaze towards Nan Liujing. A beautiful young girl walked up, smiling, "Classmate Liu Jing."
Ning Yun, the one from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
"Senior Sister Ning." Nan Liujing returned a slight smile.
Ning Yun smiled, "Why don't you sit with me and Jiutian?"
Only then did Nan Liujing notice Yu Jiutian sitting on the other side, with empty seats around him.
"Sure."
After sitting down, Yu Jiutian politely nodded to Nan Liujing as a greeting.
The few girls had no shortage of topics and quickly started chatting, but one detail went unnoticed by everyone: from beginning to end, Gu Yue never spoke a single word alone with Naer.
"Who do you think will win?" Yu Jiutian looked at the hundred or so official Inner Courtyard students standing on the competition stage.
Nan Liujing's gaze moved between Ma Xue and Lei Qianjie. "Anyone can win."
Yu Jiutian chuckled, "I, however, support my cousin Yu Han霜. Although he doesn't have the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit, his Ice Dragon Spirit is by no means weaker. If it weren't for the academy not participating in the Federal Grand Competition, his name would be exceptionally famous across the continent."
"That's a shame." Nan Liujing's tone was very flat. It wasn't that he discriminated against Yu Jiutian for not being a beauty; it was mainly that he noticed Zang Xin looking at him.
He had originally planned to gain benefits from the Tang Sect, but then a series of events occurred, and it seemed he wouldn't be able to get the benefits from the Tang Sect's Hero Hall.
After all, the news of his apprenticeship to Sky Phoenix Douluo had already spread.
Oh, no. There was another gaze on him, very cold.
A cold smile appeared on Nan Liujing's lips, and the corner of his eye glanced at the hunched old woman, who was none other than Long Yueming.
Having been slapped twice by the Ancestor, he wondered if she had learned her lesson.
At this moment, on the competition stage, Ma Xue saw Nan Liujing and immediately tugged at Lei Qianjie's clothes.
The two looked over, and Nan Liujing's lips moved slightly, as if saying something.
Their eyes suddenly brightened.
"Quiet!"
A gentle voice sounded.
The entire Douluo Arena instantly fell silent. Everyone collectively looked towards the main platform with reverence.
Yun Ming's gaze swept over the crowd, and he smiled faintly, "The Inner Courtyard Grand Competition is held every two years, on par in importance with the Sea God's Fate Blind Date Event. And for this Grand Competition, in addition to the generous rewards, after the competition ends, I will make an announcement."
"Alright, no more idle talk. All Inner Courtyard students, according to yesterday's draw, will enter the competition stage in order."
As his voice fell, Ya Li descended from the main platform. She raised her fair hand, and pure life elements flowed, making the competition stage seem to transform into an ancient forest.
She was the referee.
Inner Courtyard students were at least One-Word Battle Armor Masters. Once they put on their Battle Armor, their cultivation was comparable to a Spirit Saint. If they weren't careful, someone could be severely injured.
The Inner Courtyard students, led by Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng, quickly left the competition stage, leaving only two people. Their draw numbers were both 'one', and coincidentally, their cultivation was both Spirit King.
Nan Liujing suddenly laughed out loud.
These two were none other than Nan Xiaxia and Yan Jin, whom he had defeated.
Don't let their apparent unity when they came to trouble him earlier fool you; once the fight started, it was a 'punch for a punch' scenario.
The Rouge Dragon Spirit was clearly stronger than the Blazing Sun Hammer Spirit. Yan Jin could resist at first, but after three minutes, he couldn't keep up. He became weak and wanted to use his Battle Armor, but a One-Word Battle Armor needed to be donned piece by piece.
There was no invincible time like when Balala the Fairies transform and dance. Nan Xiaxia seized the opportunity and knocked his 'buddy' down.
Amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd, Nan Xiaxia left the arena as the victor, advancing to the next round.
Within the expanded spirit power shield, fierce battles continued without end.
The competition stage was shattered and repaired repeatedly, then shattered again.
Relying on their Battle Armors, the students were often able to unleash combat power far exceeding their current cultivation, and the intense sparks erupting between the Battle Armors, combined with dazzling Spirit Abilities, constantly kept the Great Spirit Arena filled with cheers.
Even with Nan Liujing's discerning eye, he couldn't find many flaws.
"The second match, Xie Mingfei wins!"
"The fourth match, Xu Mier wins!"
"The seventh match, Ding Xiaoling wins!"
"The tenth match, Lei Qianjie wins!"
"Yu Hanshuang, Ma Xue, Lan Muzi, Tang Yinmeng, Yan Rong…" One by one, names were called out by Holy Spirit Douluo Yali.
It wasn't until the sky turned red and dusk arrived that the first round of the Inner Courtyard Grand Competition officially concluded.
A total of one hundred and two Inner Courtyard students participated, and fifty-one advanced to the second round.
Dozens of people stood on the competition stage, Yun Ming and Ya Li stood side by side, with a lottery tube in front of them, still using numbers to determine the opponents.
The second round of drawing lots began immediately, and as exclamations sounded, some weaker students, seeing that they had drawn seniors far stronger than themselves, instantly lost their dreams and became like salted fish.
"Senior Brother, there seems to be a problem with this drawing." Gu Yue leaned close to Nan Liujing, whispering to him privately using spirit power transmission.
Such an intimate action instantly caught the attention of Ye Xinglan and Naer.
Nan Liujing chuckled, "The weaker students almost uniformly drew very strong Inner Courtyard students. This is intentionally done to ensure strong students advance to the final battle."
There were ten Shrek students whose cultivation was at the Spirit Saint level. If nothing unexpected happened, Nan Liujing estimated they would be the final top ten.
"The drawing is complete." Yun Ming's voice rang out, "Tomorrow morning at eight, the second round of the Grand Competition begins. You may all disperse."
From the Sea God Pavilion elders down to the reserve students, all left the Douluo Arena in an orderly fashion.
The students were all discussing the details of the battles.
As they chatted, someone brought up the Federal Grand Competition, wanting to decide a winner. Some students believed that Shrek students would easily dominate the Federal Grand Competition, while some reserve students held opposing views, thinking that there were many astonishing geniuses in the Federal Grand Competition.
In short, everyone had their own say.
The academy's higher-ups praised and criticized the students individually. As for the Federal Grand Competition, they didn't care.
"Jiutian and I are leaving first." Ning Yun and Yu Jiutian simply gestured before following the main group and departing.
Ye Xinglan stretched lazily, showcasing her graceful figure perfectly. She chuckled, "What do we do next?"
Before Gu Yue could speak, Naer quickly grabbed Nan Liujing's arm, giggling, "I want to go to the movies with Big Brother."
Ye Xinglan was startled, and a ripple of unknown emotion appeared in Gu Yue's deep, beautiful eyes. She suddenly said, "What movie? Can we go together?"
Ye Xinglan reacted, then showed a hint of anticipation. She had never been to a movie theater with her childhood friend before.
Naer instantly bristled, glaring at Gu Yue.
You hateful woman, how dare you disturb my two-person World!
She somewhat regretted saying they were going to see a movie. She should have made up another reason.
She was getting anxious. Gu Yue saw it and felt as refreshed as drinking an iced cola on a hot summer day. Her red lips slightly pursed, and she smiled gently, "Senior Brother, can we go together?"
"Yes." Nan Liujing found it hard to refuse. At most, he would make time to accompany Naer alone next time.
Naer snorted inwardly. Since it was like this, there was nothing more she could say.
Ye Xinglan said, "Oh, right, A-Jing, what's the name of the movie you and Naer are going to see? I'll buy the tickets."
"It's called…" Nan Liujing subconsciously started to answer, but Naer's pretty face flushed. She reached out a fair, tender hand and covered her brother's loose mouth, chuckling awkwardly, "We haven't decided what to watch yet."
Nan Liujing realized, coughed lightly, "Right, we haven't decided yet."
Gu Yue looked suspicious, took out her phone to search. There weren't many movies recently released, mainly because it wasn't peak season. Currently, the highest-grossing movie was one called "What to Do If My Sister Loves Me Too Much 2."
Speaking of which, Gu Yue still remembered that the first movie was filmed at East Sea Academy. It was said that the second movie was filmed at Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, which, as one of the top academies on the continent, had a great reputation, and also made this movie a huge hit.
No!
The Silver Dragon jolted!
Gu Yue suddenly became alert.
Naer just blushed, didn't she?
Naer, with a telepathic connection, noticed Gu Yue's pupils constrict, instantly realizing the other party had detected something. She quickly changed the subject, "Sister Xinglan, what do you want to watch? Big Brother will treat."
Ye Xinglan hadn't watched many movies and said blankly, "Anything is fine with me."
Gu Yue's gaze returned to her phone, and her beautiful eyes suddenly brightened. She smiled sweetly and said, "I got it. Let's go watch this movie."
She turned her phone screen towards everyone.
The three looked over.
Naer subconsciously read aloud, "My Senior Brother Is Too Steady?"
The Silver Dragon jolted again, and the silver-haired girl bristled once more!
Naer bit her red lips with her silver teeth, glaring fiercely at Gu Yue.
Woman, you did that on purpose, didn't you?
This movie tells the story of a senior brother and junior sister from the same sect who, after numerous trials, finally found happiness together.
Gu Yue's eyes were filled with a smile.
Ye Xinglan was relatively slow to react and didn't feel anything wrong, immediately expressing her approval.
Nan Liujing hesitated to speak. He'd bet a bag of spicy strips that Gu Yue was deliberately trying to annoy Naer.
After buying the tickets, the four immediately headed to the movie theater, which wasn't far, located within the inner city.
In the vast Douluo Arena, Yun Ming and Zang Xin had not left. The latter said faintly, "Have you thought it through?"
Yun Ming looked at Naer, who was walking with Nan Liujing's arm linked in hers, and shook his head helplessly, "It's time to return."
Zang Xin scratched his head, "Originally, our biggest rivals were the Spirit Transfer Pagoda and the War God Hall. Now, with your Shrek Academy, it's troublesome."
Ya Li covered her mouth and chuckled softly, "The geniuses in your Tang Sect are no less than our Inner Courtyard disciples. That disciple of the Douluo Arena named Xu Zihuang is only eighteen years old and already has six rings of cultivation. If nothing unexpected happens, he will definitely become a Titled Douluo before he is thirty-five. In that case, he will at least have the potential of an Ultimate Douluo in the future."
"Besides, the students we send will participate in the youth and adult group competitions. Your Tang Sect focuses on the youth group, so you won't encounter each other."
Zang Xin smiled gently, "You're right. However, the Spirit Transfer Pagoda and the War God Hall are also producing many geniuses now. It will be difficult for Zihuang to get first place in the youth group individual competition."
Xu Zihuang was a descendant of He Caitou and Xiao Xiao from ten thousand years ago.
Yun Ming suddenly asked, "What do you and Old Cao think of Nan Liujing?"
Zang Xin was surprised by the change of topic. After a moment of silence, he sighed, "After discussing with Old Cao, our original intention was to take him to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to select Immortal Herbs. Even if he ultimately didn't want to join our Tang Sect, it wouldn't matter; at least this friendship would be forged. But then he became Leng Yaozhu's disciple."
"Even if Old Cao and I were willing, others in the sect would not agree to let a disciple of a Spirit Transfer Pagoda high-ranking official go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."
"You know how powerful Immortal Herbs are. The first generation of the Shrek Seven Devils from ancient times all ascended to Divinity by relying on Immortal Herbs."
"You are taking the old path of the Tang Sect from before the Spirit Ice Douluo era." Yun Ming listened, then said faintly, "You and I have known each other for decades. If you trust me, go all in."
"All in?" Zang Xin was startled.
Yun Ming said, "With the current public opinion, I'm reforming the academy's system internally, and externally expressing a tendency to cooperate with the Federation. Federal officials have already taken up residence in Shrek City, which barely managed to stabilize the Federation's restless heart. But the Tang Sect cannot. They are aware of your connections with the other two continents, and sooner or later, this fire will burn on your heads."
Zang Xin's face showed a deep, thoughtful expression. Selling military weapons privately was an act of treason, he knew that.
The Federation had only refrained from action due to the Tang Sect's powerful strength, and its close ties with Shrek Academy.
"Then what does 'all in' mean?" Zang Xin chose to ask for the reason.
Yun Ming looked into his eyes and said word by word, "Invest in young geniuses who can dominate the next era, and future Divine Craftsmen, regardless of their background. In short, help them first."
Zang Xin's eyes rippled. How could he not know Nan Liujing's talent? In the Tang Sect's Hall of Heroes, he had completed a challenge no one had ever completed before, actually defeating the high-difficulty Tang San, whose data was crazily stacked.
Yun Ming said faintly, "I have a premonition that the Divinities, which have been extinct for ten thousand years, will return again."
Zang Xin's expression was startled, "How so?"
Yun Ming shook his head and closed his eyes.
It had been years since he last felt that special power of heavenly tribulation, but since it had existed, it wouldn't disappear for no reason. He thought that one day in the future, it would reappear.
...
The cinema was not large, with at most fifty seats, but unfortunately, the occupancy rate was less than half.
Ye Xinglan seemed oblivious and didn't contend, sitting to Nan Liujing's left. Naer and Gu Yue secretly competed, eventually choosing rock-paper-scissors to decide who would sit to Nan Liujing's right.
Heh.
Gu Yue withdrew her hand that had thrown paper. A satisfied expression appeared on her serene and beautiful face, and she smoothly took her seat.
Naer became the loser, sitting blankly to Gu Yue's right.
Clearly… I was here first!
Gu Yue thought she had achieved a victory in suppressing Naer, unaware that as the movie began, a soft little hand stealthily moved up from Nan Liujing's left side.
A soft, warm sensation came from his palm. Nan Liujing, who was concentrating on the screen, felt his heart stirred. He looked down and saw Ye Xinglan actively holding his hand, her slender fingers gradually tightening.
Nan Liujing's handsome face flickered with the screen's light. He gently squeezed her hand, indicating his attitude.
As the first girl he had intimate contact with, Ye Xinglan indeed held a special place in his heart.
Their fingers intertwined, and the heroic, beautiful girl with a hint of a smile on her red lips, almost imperceptible.
As a swordsman, how keen was Ye Xinglan's perception?
She had long since seen that Gu Yue had special feelings for her Senior Brother, and Naer had special feelings for her adopted brother.
The contention without contention is the greatest contention! This was Ye Xinglan's long-planned strategic approach. She believed that Nan Liujing's feelings for her were sincere. Rather than contending and causing him headaches, it was better to always observe quietly and offer tenderness when necessary.
Just like a swordsman aiming for a fatal blow!
Everything seemed to return to peace, but suddenly, Nan Liujing's body stiffened.
Gu Yue watched the cheerful and occasionally ambiguous plot of the junior sister and senior brother in the movie. Noticing how intently Nan Liujing was watching, she immediately came up with a plan, feeling it was a good opportunity for a live performance. She actively leaned over.
The girl's warm, soft body exuded a faint, elegant body fragrance, like clear rain on distant mountains, bringing peace to one's heart.
The movie set the atmosphere, and then with a real-life experience, I refuse to believe you won't be moved.
Gu Yue thought with immense confidence.
Hmph, brilliant wisdom is indeed useful.
Nan Liujing's body stiffened slightly. The corner of his eye caught a glimpse of the girl's fair, snow-white, serene, and delicate face, and the hint of an inexplicable smile on her lips.
Giving herself away, huh?
His other large hand moved decisively and skillfully, then, as Gu Yue's delicate body trembled and her beautiful eyes widened in surprise, it landed on her round, smooth, and extremely elastic thighs.
The contact of his five fingers and palm with the skin of the girl's thigh brought a tingling sensation. Gu Yue's snow-white neck, including her earlobes, flushed red.
It was then that she remembered a problem: this Senior Brother of hers was no lamb, but a fierce tiger. He would devour any meat delivered to his door.
But she couldn't escape, after all, she had delivered herself.
As Gu Yue was in this stalemate, her thigh suddenly relaxed, and the warm hand moved away.
Just as she sighed in relief, the hand that was still intertwined with his fingers appeared in her field of vision. Gu Yue froze, and an unprecedented jealousy appeared on her face.
Under the flickering screen light, laughter continued in the theater. Naer's purple eyes held a hint of playful mockery.
Who was it that said she would never fall into human emotions?
It was Gu Yue.
And who was it today that willingly lowered herself to pursue feelings with a human?
Oh, it was still Gu Yue.
Tsk tsk tsk.
I told you human emotions are deep water, but you didn't believe me. Now you're slowly getting trapped yourself. It'll be hard to get out now.
...
The next morning, still in the Douluo Arena, and still with as many spectators, there were sixty-one Inner Courtyard students. Lan Muzi was generally recognized as having a bye.
The battle for the top thirty seats was no less intense than yesterday.
And when the morning matches ended, the list of thirty people was released. All of them were Two-Word Battle Armor Masters. Among them, the number of direct descendants was the fewest, but their individual combat strength was the most formidable. The wild-type was second, with each Two-Word Battle Armor forged from three metals, clearly having different strengths.
On the other hand, the collateral branch students, who had been second-best for ten thousand years, were inversely suppressed by the wild-type students in this Grand Competition, causing some Shrek higher-ups from affiliated forces to feel utterly dismayed.
In the afternoon, the round of sixteen to eight concluded.
The students who ultimately entered the top eight were, as Nan Liujing had initially guessed, all Spirit Saint students.
Another drawing of lots took place. The top eight students looked at each other, each taking out a small ball.
Lei Qianjie held up his small ball, "Number one!"
"Number one!"
Exclamations erupted from the audience. The eliminated Inner Courtyard students looked at each other, their expressions particularly interesting.
Because the one who also held up the number one ball was Ice Dragon Yu Hanshuang.
Just as Feng Wuyu and Elder Zhuo were known as the Shrek Twin Dragons, Yu Hanshuang and Lei Qianjie were also known as the Inner Courtyard Twin Dragons.
Their sparring, and each being the chief of their respective factions, would surely be exciting.
Lei Qianjie and Yu Hanshuang's gazes collided in mid-air, invisibly igniting a fiery spark.
"Number two!"
Soon, Ma Xue got her small ball.
"Number two." Another slightly excited female voice sounded, it was none other than Yan Rong, who had argued with Ma Xue at the Forging Master Association.
Exclamations rose again.
This… two drawing results, two pairs of rivals who considered each other their biggest opponents. Are you sure there was no foul play involved?
Even if there was, the one standing in front of the lottery tube was Yun Ming.
The Sea God Pavilion Master had the final say.
The next morning, the Shrek Academy Douluo Arena was packed with spectators. Eight Inner Courtyard students stood in a line on the competition stage. Although the matches hadn't started yet, the air was already tense.
On the main platform, the academy's high-ranking officials and Tang Sect's high-ranking officials were whispering to each other.
Yun Ming stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the eight students: "Inner Courtyard Grand Competition, prepare to begin."
Upon hearing this, the other six left the competition stage to Lei Qianjie and Yu Han霜.
A humming sound echoed as deep yellow spirit power shields rose from both sides of the competition stage, quickly turning transparent. Ya Li stood in the center.
"Brother, who do you think will win between them?" Naer's mouth was full, like a squirrel eating.
For Naer, today was worth celebrating because the annoying Gu Yue wasn't around, so she bought hundreds of eggplant boxes as snacks, though that was just an appetizer.
Ye Xinglan, Ning Yun, and Yu Jiutian instinctively looked over.
Nan Liujing's gaze lingered on the two, "Most likely a draw."
Yu Jiutian, supporting his cousin, couldn't help but ask, "How do you figure?"
Nan Liujing shook his head and smiled, "It's not something I can explain in a sentence or two, but their aura, their eyes, and their spirit power fluctuations tell me everything."
Yu Jiutian was about to say something when he suddenly heard Ya Li's voice, "Match begin!"
Instantly, hundreds of eyes turned to the competition stage.
Yu Han霜 was on the right, Lei Qianjie on the left. Both were in perfect sync, simultaneously summoning their battle armor.
Yu Han霜's battle armor was named Ice Dragon, appearing entirely ice-white. The armor was covered with intricate ice crystal dragon patterns, and a bone-chilling cold aura lingered around it.
Lei Qianjie's battle armor was named Thunder Prison, deep purple, and appeared significantly thicker from a distance. The smooth surface of the armor also flowed with violent electric arcs.
Their eyes were as sharp as the ice of the extreme north. With the help of their battle armor, their cultivation instantly reached the peak of Spirit Douluo, and the terrifying spirit power fluctuations caused the surrounding air to visibly distort.
The reason it was the peak of Spirit Douluo and not forcibly raised to Titled Douluo was that Titled Douluo was a hurdle. Unless it was a Spirit Saint with three-word battle armor, the maximum increase was only this much.
The saying that battle armor conservatively increases twenty ranks could be believed when cultivation was low, but once one broke through seven rings, the difficulty of further advancement increased dramatically. In that case, the quality of the battle armor would have a greater impact on the Spirit Master, which is why top-tier blacksmiths were so popular.
"Roar."
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A prolonged dragon's roar echoed. Yu Han霜 attacked first, seven spirit rings—three purple and four black—emanating astonishing pressure from beneath his feet. His second spirit ring lit up.
Second Spirit Ability, Ice Dragon's Breath!
An ice-white glow spread from his throat. He opened his mouth and sprayed, and the ice elements in the World were drawn in by the dragon's roar, converging into a vortex. Then, a beam of extremely cold freezing air howled out. Wherever it passed, ice crystals condensed, shimmering with transparent refracted light under the sunlight.
Lei Qianjie's eyes were calm. His spirit rings, identical in configuration to his opponent's, circulated. His second spirit ring flashed, and a mass of deep purple lightning formed a barrier around his body. Flowing thunder plasma intertwined, like an impenetrable high wall, directly withstanding the torrent of freezing air.
Frost and electric plasma collided, suddenly exploding into rising ice mist and electric arcs, like a grand ice-thunder fireworks display. Areas not protected by the barrier had already become a frozen wasteland.
"Your last battle before graduation, you'd better satisfy me!" Lei Qianjie's powerful body shook, lightning snakes danced around him, and he charged forward fiercely, his third spirit ring lighting up.
Third Spirit Ability, Thunder Dragon's Might!
Deep purple lightning streaked out, spanning nearly two hundred meters, instantly closing in on Yu Han霜. His right fist was entwined with a solidified thunder dragon head, and a ferocious Thunder Prison Dragon phantom roared behind him, carrying immense power as it descended with a crash.
The force of the punch arrived first, the violent thunder pressure causing a humming sound around Yu Han霜's body. An attack on the body before the mind!
Yu Han霜's will was firm, and his reaction was incredibly fast. His fifth spirit ring quietly lit up.
An ice-white brilliant light bloomed, condensing majestic freezing air. A crystal-clear ice mirror materialized, suspended in front of Yu Han霜. The smooth mirror surface reflected Lei Qianjie's figure.
Fifth Spirit Ability, Ice Mirror Reversal!
A strange scene appeared. Inside the ice mirror, a shadow in Yu Han霜's likeness formed, also unleashing a punch with astonishing momentum, as if replicating Lei Qianjie's movements and aura.
Reality and illusion, the two punches met, erupting in terrifying impact waves. The competition stage, previously frozen solid, had its incredibly hard ice layer pulverized into dust. The strong wind, carrying cold air, blew against the spirit power shield, forming a thin, brittle ice crystal shell.
Lei Qianjie's deep purple, heavy battle armor was tinged with a layer of deep purple frost. As electric arcs exploded, the frost receded, and he retreated rapidly, leaving a hundred-meter long empty space in the middle.
Crack!
Moments later, the ice mirror shattered into pieces, finally exploding. Yu Han霜's body reappeared, covered in a layer of ice-white electric arcs.
"Let's get serious, otherwise, a prolonged battle is just a waste of time." Lei Qianjie clenched his right fist tightly, electric snakes swirling. The fighting intent in his eyes surged.
"Exactly my thought." Yu Han霜's eyes were profound.
Lei Qianjie grinned, a deep black light enveloping his body, and his seventh spirit ring suddenly bloomed.
The surging spirit power within his body helped his body rapidly expand. Under the gaze of hundreds of eyes, he transformed into a twenty-meter-long purple giant dragon. Dark electric arcs flowed through the gaps in its dragon scales. As its wings spread, the sky turned a deep purple, thunderclouds gathered, and deafening thunder roared like a beating drum, echoing continuously.
Yu Han霜 did not back down, also releasing his Spirit Avatar.
A twenty-meter-long ice dragon emerged, different from the Thunder Prison Dragon's true form. Its dragon wings had three pairs each, appearing from a distance as if assembled from ice crystals, reflecting transparent light under the sun. As its dragon wings flapped, bone-chilling cold air drifted, and the sky continuously condensed, as if plunging into the extreme northern abyss.
Soon, the two giant dragons erupted into a fierce battle in the air.
"Roar!!"
The two giant dragons simultaneously let out soul-shaking roars. Ice and thunder intertwined beneath the dome, creating a destructive tableau. Each claw strike twisted space, causing cracks to spread, and each breath plowed elemental chasms in the sky that remained forever.
Blinding and violent energy turbulence swept in all directions, making the spirit power shield appear as hazy and helpless as a lighthouse encountering a tsunami. It continuously emitted groaning warnings of impending collapse, and spiderweb-like cracks visibly spread wildly across the transparent barrier.
Ya Li slightly raised her jade hand, and the spirit power shield's energy surged. The cracks quickly healed and became even sturdier.
The audience in the stands was already excited, cheers constantly erupting, cheering on the Inner Courtyard's Twin Dragons.
"One move to decide the victor!"
The Thunder Prison Dragon roared to the sky, deep purple light bursting from its eyes. Its first to sixth spirit rings merged, and its aura instantly surged. Under the churning thunderclouds, purple lightning poured down like heavy rain, intertwining in the air to form a sky-obscuring thunder prison.
The Ice Dragon exhaled cold air, its entire body becoming almost translucent. Apart from its seventh spirit ring, its other six spirit rings quietly merged into its flesh and blood. With the surging spirit power within its body, it materialized six hexagonal magic arrays with ice frost patterns around its body.
Within each magic array, an ice dragon extended its head, and then they all simultaneously spewed out extremely cold dragon's breath towards the Thunder Prison Dragon.
When the Abyss Dragon's Breath and the World-Ending Thunder Prison, the two most powerful Spirit Abilities mastered by the two individuals, collided, they presented the audience with an exceptionally exquisite and magnificent feast of Spirit light.
Deadly cold and scorching lightning merged, outlining a dazzling light curtain in the sky, almost obscuring the figures of the two giant dragons.
As everyone waited nervously, moments later, the rampant Spirit light gradually receded. Hundreds of eyes widened, awaiting the outcome.
Through the haze, two figures stood on the shattered competition stage.
Both Yu Han霜 and Lei Qianjie's battle armor were covered in cracks, their bodies drenched in blood.
"..." The entire venue remained silent. Everyone could see that both were extremely weak, with no strength left to fight. Yet, neither had fallen, making it difficult to determine the victor.
Green-gold light, like spring rain, fell and scattered upon their bodies, and their strong vitality quickly stabilized their auras.
Ya Li smiled and announced the result: "I declare, a draw!"
Whoosh.
Cheers immediately erupted, mostly from the provisional students. The Inner Courtyard students watching, however, regretfully shook their heads.
Lei Qianjie was about to graduate, and they still hadn't seen which of the Twin Dragons was stronger.
"We'll find another opportunity in the future!"
"Alright."
With the word "draw" announced, Lei Qianjie and Yu Han霜 exchanged glances, enduring the severe pain in their bodies, bowed to the elders on the main platform, and then, with the help of their respective collateral colleagues, walked off the competition stage.
"It really was a draw," Yu Jiutian said, surprised.
Nan Liujing's expression was very calm. "Compared to the Twin Dragons' duel, I'm more looking forward to the next match."
On the competition stage, even before the fight began, the atmosphere was already solidified to the extreme.
Ma Xue, in her red battle attire, was as enchanting as a rose. In terms of beauty, she already made many Inner Courtyard students yearn for her. Every Sea God's Fate event, someone would confess to her, but unfortunately, it had never succeeded.
Yan Rong stared coldly at the woman whose Spirit attribute matched hers, whose cultivation matched hers, but whose beauty far surpassed hers. A surge of anger ignited in her chest.
From the Sea God Pavilion elders down to the provisional students, everyone knew that these two Inner Courtyard volcanoes didn't get along. This was going to be a sight to behold.
Ya Li glanced at both of them, then announced, "Match begin!"
Clang!
Roar!
Phoenix cries and lion roars sounded one after another. Blazing flames erupted, and battle armor attached to both women.
Ma Xue's two-word battle armor was crimson gold, with phoenix feather-like patterns adorning the armor. A pair of phoenix wings on her back, from a distance, looked like pure flames condensed, with hot dark light flowing along the edges. The battle armor was form-fitting, quite conforming to her curvaceous figure.
Yan Rong's battle armor, on the other hand, was dark red, with lion head shoulder pads that were wild and heavy. Its beast eyes were cold and intimidating. Her gauntlets were particularly unique, clearly designed to enhance sharpness.
Battles between women were often fiercer than those between men.
With their battle armor summoned, both women almost simultaneously released their Seventh Spirit Ability, Spirit Avatar.
The Flame Lion and the Fire Phoenix immediately began to contend in the center of the competition stage. The explosive shockwaves caused ripples to spread through the spirit power shield, and the terrifying high temperatures made the interior appear with a scorched red hue, as if after an apocalypse.
The distorted scene made it impossible for the audience to see what was happening inside, only occasionally hearing sharp phoenix cries and hoarse lion roars.
At the Spirit Douluo level of combat, the Douluo Arena was clearly not large enough. Even Lei Qianjie and Yu Han霜 were suppressing the size of their Spirit True Bodies, afraid of exceeding the boundaries.
Yun Ming's gaze penetrated the scorched red, looking at the competition stage that had already turned into a lava zone. He said in a low voice, "It seems that the Inner Courtyard Grand Competition will have to be held in a different place from now on. This place is too small; the students can't fully display their abilities."
Zang Xin smiled and said, "If you ask me, why not let your Inner Courtyard students go to our Tang Sect's Hall of Heroes to fight? There's a special space there, which can ensure that students can fight to the death without any reservations, and also guarantee that their physical bodies won't be harmed."
Yun Ming gently shook his head: "While that would indeed allow people to fight without holding back, it's precisely because they know beforehand that no matter how they fight, their physical bodies won't be harmed, that students will lose their judgment and this will affect their combat style in the real World."
Zang Xin was startled: "That's true."
"So boring!"
Naer looked at the competition stage, which was completely obscured, and tried to feed her brother eggplant slices, looking bored.
Nan Liujing, of course, accepted his sister's loving feeding. His lips occasionally touched her delicate, fair fingers. Naer seemed to be deliberately teasing him, inadvertently putting her finger into Nan Liujing's mouth as if it were a toothbrush. If Nan Liujing hadn't reacted quickly, her finger would probably have gone down his throat.
"If you gag and throw up, you clean it up." Nan Liujing playfully tapped his sister's head.
Naer pretended to be hurt and said aggrievedly, "No, I've tried putting my finger down my throat before, and I've never gagged."
Nan Liujing's pupils immediately constricted in shock.
"Phoenix Heaven-Soaring Rift!"
Suddenly, a delicate shout came from within the competition stage, instantly drawing gasps from the other spectators who also couldn't see the battle on the stage.
Above the sky, the flaming phoenix split into nine streaks of light, each like a phoenix feather blade, tearing through space and descending upon the ground.
Following a dazzling explosion of fire, the previous intense lion's roar completely vanished.
A green-gold downpour fell from the sky, nourishing the scorching, dry earth. As the extreme heat receded, the competition stage, which had already solidified into lava, appeared before everyone's eyes.
Ma Xue's tall and full figure stood, her Battle Armor covered in cracks. In contrast, not far away, Yan Rong lay on the dark red ground, her shoulder lion head already broken, and her Battle Armor had changed from its original lustrous shine to a dull, lifeless state.
She lost!
Everyone immediately understood that Ma Xue had the last laugh in this duel.
"Old Ma is awesome!"
The wild-type students immediately cheered.
In contrast, the collateral-type students looked displeased.
Ma Xue gasped for breath, her spirit power nearly ninety percent depleted. She never expected that Yan Rong had two Spirit Bones enhancing her. If not for the superior quality of her Battle Armor, it would have been truly uncertain who would win.
"I announce, Ma Xue is victorious!" Ya Li immediately announced the result after healing the unconscious Yan Rong.
Raising her arm, Ma Xue nodded in the direction of Nan Liujing, a hint of gratitude in her gesture.
Nan Liujing smiled faintly. With the guidance of a teacher of the Heavenly Phoenix Spirit, her Fire Phoenix Spirit would surely become a top-tier powerhouse in the future.
The competition stage was repaired, and the competition continued.
Towards noon, the final results were announced. As people had speculated, Lan Muzi, Tang Yinmeng, and Ding Xiaoling won the top three places.
Everyone stood up as Yun Ming personally announced the competition rewards. Various rewards elicited envious shouts from the crowd.
Over a hundred Inner Courtyard students stood on the competition stage. They originally thought that after the rewards were announced, this year's Inner Courtyard Grand Competition would conclude. However, unexpectedly, Yun Ming's tone changed, and he solemnly stated, "Now, I have another matter to announce."
Everyone looked on in confusion.
Yun Ming smiled and said, "In less than half a month, it will be the Sun Moon Federation Grand Competition. After discussions at the Sea God Pavilion meeting and joint deliberation with the Federation, the Academy will return to the Federal Grand Competition, starting from this year's competition!"
Hiss!
These words stirred up a thousand waves, immediately causing intense discussion among the students.
It was known that Shrek Academy had withdrawn from the Federal Grand Competition for several millennia, or rather, the Academy had never participated in the Federal Grand Competition.
The last All-Continent Elite Spirit Master Competition they participated in was the one just before the Sun Moon Empire reformed into a Federation and unified the continent.
Speaking of which, that competition was also quite boring. After all, the major Empires were about to be destroyed, and they barely had time to flee, so they weren't in the mood to send powerful Spirit Master geniuses to participate.
Nan Liujing raised an eyebrow. He never expected Yun Ming to consider letting the Academy return to the Grand Competition.
Yun Ming smiled and said, "Since this is our first return, the Academy will only participate in the youth group and adult group of the Federal Grand Competition, with individual and seven-on-seven events."
"The participant list is as follows."
Ya Li, as the dean of the Inner Courtyard, immediately took over, and student names were called out one by one.
It started with the youth group under fifteen, with candidates selected from the reserve students. Yu Jiutian was also chosen, and after a moment of stunned, he became excited.
This was much better than participating in the Tianhai Alliance Great Competition.
Facing the envious gazes of their classmates, the selected students' faces flushed.
This was the Academy's first return to the Federal Grand Competition. If they achieved good results, wouldn't the rewards be overwhelming?
Lose? Sorry, that was never considered.
Shrek Academy had maintained its Elite Competition record for too many years. Although they hadn't participated for many years, the students still believed that Shrek could dominate.
"Next is the adult group, requiring participants to be under twenty-eight." Ya Li's voice was gentle, "Lei Qianjie, Ma Xue, Yu Han霜, You Bingqing, Yu Luyao..."
Seven names were read out one by one.
Yan Rong's face immediately darkened when she didn't hear her name. This was even more difficult to accept than losing to Ma Xue.
"If anyone believes the selection of candidates is inappropriate, you may step forward and explain." Ya Li said.
No one stepped forward to say 'I c