[Chapter 5, End]
[After Zhang Lexuan learned the truth, she was heartbroken and unwilling to live alone in the world, so she pierced her heart to follow you. After Ma Xiaotao angrily held the Shrek elders accountable, she had no choice but to assume the position of the Sea Gods Pavilion's successor. That was the responsibility you taught her and also the answer she owed to her teacher, Yan Shaozhe.]
[She erected a tombstone for you in the Sea Gods Pavilion and often came to visit. The Holy Spirit Cult was exterminated, and the Douluo Continent's forces were severely damaged. Within a few short years, they were completely unified by the Sun Moon Empire led by Xu Tianran. Shrek Academy had no choice but to give up resistance and become a completely public academy, no longer interfering in external politics.]
[The Body Sect also completely fell into a second-rate power, choosing to accept the solicitation of the Sun Moon Federation. Lang Ya and Wei Linger also came to visit your tomb several times. The former sighed at your courage and vision, while the latter looked on with regret, feeling envious as she looked at Zhang Lexuan's tomb beside yours. ]
[Finally, twenty years passed. This continent had completely stabilized; there was no war, no oppression from the old nobility, and the common people lived and worked in peace and contentment. As a ninety-seventh-rank Super Douluo, Pavilion Master of the Sea Gods Pavilion, and the number one person of Shrek Academy, Ma Xiaotao came to your tomb again. ]
[At this moment, she was already among the top three experts on the continent. These years, she had tried her best to maintain Shrek Academy. Now, with the appearance of a series of geniuses like Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei, and Jiang Nannan, and with Elder Song breaking through to the Ninety-Eighth Rank Super Douluo, there were successors. Only then did she finally stand before your tombstone again.]
Sea God Island.
In the most secretive depths, it was extremely quiet. There was a tombstone surrounded by lush green vines, completely isolating this place from the outside world. Only the area in front of the tombstone was spotlessly clean, as if someone often came to tidy it up.
Rustle, rustle, rustle...
A sound of footsteps rang out.
Looking over, it was a peerless woman draped in red with a noble and graceful appearance. Her exquisite figure was outlined by a red dress, vivid and alluring, like a ripe peach.
The woman sat down cross-legged in front of the two tombstones, disregarding her status.
Looking at the black and white portrait on it, a pair of moving, phoenix eyes curled into a smile.
"Elder Song has broken through to the Ninety-Eighth Rank, and her lifespan has been extended again... It's really good; she can still hold on for... a few decades. At over one hundred and fifty years old, it's the prime age for venturing and striving. I plan to give the position of Pavilion Master of the Sea Gods Pavilion to her." Ma Xiaotao propped up her chin, her eyes examining Lu Cheng's tomb as she muttered to herself.
"Nowadays, Shrek Academy's momentum is gone. I saw through it long ago. There is no dynasty that doesn't fall, and no kingdom that is eternal. Shrek Academy has flourished for ten thousand years; that is already quite good. The current decline is inevitable. Want me to revitalize Shrek? Keep dreaming..."
The Lu Cheng in the portrait smiled exceptionally brightly, just watching her quietly without the slightest change.
"Lu Cheng, you guys are comfortable leaving just like that, leaving a mess that keeps me busy and flustered... If there is a next life, humph."
Ma Xiaotao stared into the eyes of the black-and-white portrait of Lu Cheng.
She clenched her fair fists and spoke bitterly.
"I will definitely let you know what is called... the power of Sister Xiao Tao, humph!"
However, after saying this, she still guiltily glanced at Lu Cheng. When she was in the Holy Spirit Cult, she always liked to call herself Sister Xiao Tao. Whenever that guy heard it, she would get a hammer to the head.
But now... that guy was still smiling and looking at her.
Ma Xiaotao quieted down, her eyes a bit lonely.
"Sister Lexuan, actually, I have always envied you. Even in the last days before Lu Cheng died, I was always stuck to him, but... Forget it, if there is an afterlife."
The beauty stared at Lu Cheng with her phoenix eyes, dazed, and said, "I will definitely strike first; I will never give Sister Lexuan a chance. This life... let it be like this."
"You two are star-crossed lovers, but what about me?"
Ma Xiaotao waved her slender hand, and a scorching red fire suddenly gushed from her body, as if transforming into a lifelike Divine Fire Phoenix. A massive shadow covered the entire Sea God Island, shrouding it in shadow.
Countless elders were alarmed, looking here in surprise and confusion.
"Senior Brother, I'm coming..."
Ma Xiaotao's eyes were hazy. She opened her arms, like a firebird falling into the abyss, walking step by step towards the future in her eyes amidst the scorching sea of fire.
The pain of the raging fire burning her skin seemed not to exist.
In her eyes, there was only liberation.
The fiery red clothes on her body were burned by the scorching flames and turned into ashes, leaving only her fair and flushed body in the sea of fire.
In her eyes, the figure of another tall, young man seemed to appear. He smiled warmly and gently took Ma Xiaotao's hand.
And the beauty had a line of clear tears flowing down her cheeks as she threw herself into his arms.
...
[First simulation ended: white moonlight rating: S-level, perfect and almost flawless performance, making you the white moonlight in their hearts, full marks!!]
[Simulation rewards: martial soul Sun-Shooting Bow, martial soul blood pupils, five-level increase, martial soul stripping secret technique (scroll), jade hairpin (personal item), jade pendant (personal item), Infernal Delicate Apricot (martial soul soul)...]
[Please choose one]
"Choose one?"
Lu Cheng climbed up and looked around. It was still pitch-black night in the quiet small house. Next door, Mother Jiang and Sister Nannan should be fast asleep.
Everything was as it was before the simulation.
He sat cross-legged on the bed, propping his chin, and took a deep breath.
Although the simulation was a bit painful, it was ultimately a virtual game. In his previous life, he had played too many games that were this heartbreaking, and he had long since been tempered to be indestructible... maybe.
Lu Cheng forcibly suppressed his chaotic thoughts and focused his attention on the reward selection.
Since he could only choose one, there was naturally no doubt.
martial soul, Sun-Shooting Bow.
In the simulator, he had already seen the ferocity of its upper limit. Each arrow was enough to turn into a three-legged golden crow. The Sun-Shooting Bow and the Golden Crow's true body were even more superior than Extreme Fire.
The blood pupils were also extremely powerful. In the simulator, he had only explored less than thirty or forty percent, and he didn't even have a second martial soul awakening. If he really got it, a twin spirit, he would definitely be overjoyed.
As for the rest...
Naturally, there was no need to even look at them.
Soul Power was not needed at all. With the martial soul, everything would come. Game items like jade hairpins were unnecessary. Even if he really met the real Senior Sister, would he take it out and recognize her? Thinking about it was ridiculous. And the secret technique to strip a martial soul... this thing was truly evil, but only after he had been "stripped" himself did he know that wanting to strip someone else's martial soul was almost impossible... unless that person was really willing to be stripped; it was like a chicken rib.
Finally, Xiao Huo...
He was a bit tempted, but it was useless.
This precious simulation, he didn't know when he would have to wait for the next one. Only the martial soul was the most cost-effective choice because, to a certain extent, the martial soul itself represented all talent.
Including Soul Power Cultivation and so on.
"Sun-Shooting Bow!"
Lu Cheng said.
The next moment, warmth surged from his body, as if something were gradually being filled. His foundation and bones became obviously stronger, and his blood and meridians became increasingly powerful...
With a gentle grip of his palm, a familiar fire bow slowly appeared in his hand.
"It's real!"
Lu Cheng only revealed it for a moment before hurriedly putting it back into his body, his eyes flashing with irrepressible joy.
Holding a treasure brings punishment; he had experienced this deeply in the simulation.
This was in the territory of the Xuanming Sect. If he were discovered, although it wouldn't be a bad thing, it would be troublesome for his future plans.
But the martial soul obtained in reality was much more exciting than in the simulation. After all, the latter was just virtual, equivalent to an experience card, and would eventually pass. But the reality... was something truly obtained!
[Please continue to choose rewards: Blood Pupils (martial soul), five-level increase, martial soul stripping secret technique (scroll), jade hairpin (personal item)...]
[Please choose one]
Suddenly, another light flashed before his eyes.
Lu Cheng was slightly stunned.
Wait, what does this mean? There are two chances in total?!!
[You triggered a hidden goal. In Ma Xiaotao's heart, your white moonlight rating also reached S...]
It can be played like this?
Lu Cheng had undisguised joy in his eyes.
Two birds with one stone!
No wonder... the simulator said "them" earlier. Quite rigorous.
"The second choice... let's go with Blood Pupils!" Lu Cheng struggled for a moment but still gave up on Xiao Huo.
"Hum..."
The next moment, his pupils were instantly dyed with a layer of blood color. It had a rather demonic feeling.
At the same time, the detection range of his mental force expanded rapidly, wrapping the entire courtyard within it.
"Who is it?"
At this moment, Lu Cheng's pupils shrank suddenly, and he gave a soft shout. Within the coverage of his mental force, outside the small courtyard wall, a figure was actually... lying down?
After recovering from his alertness, Lu Cheng realized that the peeper seemed to have fallen asleep.
Lu Cheng narrowed his eyes.
After hesitating for a moment, he did not walk out of the courtyard but quietly investigated the person's situation. The breath was stable, yet long and far-reaching, and there was even a slight snoring sound, clearly indicating sleeping very soundly.
And he also recognized the identity of the visitor through his appearance.
A small steward of the Xuanming Sect's outer sect.
Seems to be called... Chen Ling.
"Heh, couldn't help it already, huh." Lu Cheng sneered in his heart.
According to his guess, the opponent's strength should be at least above Spirit Elder. It was naturally effortless for him to secretly peep at Jiang Nannan and her mother. After all, the strongest person in the courtyard, Jiang Nannan, had just enrolled and was only a Twenty-First Rank Spirit Grandmaster, making it difficult to detect his tracks.
And the purpose was naturally obvious; it was highly likely that he was aiming for Jiang Nannan, coming to inspect this future young mistress in advance.
But...
Why would a spirit elder expert sleep in the corner of the wall?
Wasn't he afraid of being discovered by passers-by, or was he trying to trick him?
Lu Cheng hesitated for a moment but still didn't act rashly.
Pretend to sleep.
His mental force kept observing Chen Ling. Several hours passed, and the sky gradually brightened. Only then did that guy get up in a daze, looking around with some confusion, his eyes flashing with a bit of bewilderment. He swore, gave himself two slaps, and then quietly retreated.
At the same time, movement came from the room next door.
Mother Jiang and Jiang Nannan got up to wash.
"Is it really such a coincidence?"
Lu Cheng was a bit dazed, but soon, the aftermath of the simulation came up, coupled with the mental force spent all night; the exhaustion made his eyelids fight, and he couldn't help but lie down in the quilt and fall into a deep sleep.
...
Shrek Academy.
Sea God Island.
In a quiet small courtyard.
Zhang Lexuan slowly opened her eyes. She looked around in a daze... This is Shrek Academy, no...
Was everything last night a dream?
But her feelings were so real.
"Lu Cheng..."
The beauty gently exhaled a breath of turbid air, attempting to disperse the dream of last night, but a line of clear tears flowed from her eyes for no reason.
"It was just a dream; forget him." Zhang Lexuan bit her red lips lightly, her fair palms clenched, and a struggle flashed across her beautiful light blue eyes.
She put on her clothes and pushed open the door.
Her snow-white hands scooped up a handful of clear water and poured it onto her beautiful face, trying to wake herself up from last night's dream. The cold feeling did indeed dispel much of the ignorance.
But when she slowly raised her head, she looked at herself in the mirror.
Her light blue eyes gradually widened.
A trace-less eye quietly appeared on her fair forehead.
"Hum..."
With her subconscious control.
That eye slowly opened, carrying a gentle and warm aura, and a massive mental force poured into her mind. All the details of last night flooded in again crazily.
"No, it's true... Brother! Where exactly are you!!!"
The beauty's red lips parted slightly, her throat rolled, and tears slid down her cheeks.
She looked at the Sea Gods' Pavilion outside the courtyard.
The tall, ancient golden tree, which was peaceful and serene in the past, was now exceptionally dark and gloomy.
"Is it me from another world?"
"Brother, I will definitely find you!"
On the other side.
Ma Xiaotao was also tearful, feeling the evolution of her martial soul, Divine Fire Phoenix, which almost eliminated the drawbacks of the evil fire she once had. She no longer needed to suppress the evil fire, nor did she need to suffer the pain of heartburn.
But... she seemed to never see that guy again.
Xiao Huo in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well woke up suddenly and looked left and right.
"I... didn't die?! Just a dream?"
The surroundings were still the familiar valley, the familiar environment, but the figure she had been following was gone.
"It feels… different than usual."
Xiao Huo's eyes were a bit dim.
Notes:
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