Douluo Continent: Little Huo Niang Taken Away by Di Tian

So, Zi Ji arranged a secluded single room for Xiong Jun and took out a disguise ball from her storage soul tool and handed it to Xiong Jun.

"You didn't just come to the Spirit Pagoda to wander around, did you?" Murasaki's lips twitched slightly.

"Those new Soul Masters are spending rare metals way too much!" Xiong Jun angrily waved his hand, pointing outside. "Our brothers over there are all working overtime and can't even get a hot meal!"

"Alright, give them a raise. I'll have them all packed up in the meantime," Zi Ji said expressionlessly.

Xiong Jun's eyes lit up instantly, as if he could see mountains of sausages and barbecue: "Really?! That's great! I, Old Xiong, love practicality!"

……

The next morning, at the most remote training ground of the Spirit Pagoda, a place so secluded that even the wind seemed to avoid it.

All around was quiet, and the air was filled with a deathly stillness before a storm.

Ji Juechen, dressed in pure white, stood proudly in the center of the arena, holding a long sword.

Opposite him, Xiong Jun walked with heavy steps.

Behind Xiong Jun followed a group of spectators.

The healing light in Biji's hand was ready to be unleashed; Ziji was ready to make her move at any moment; Wan Yao Wang and Xie Sen even brought two bags of melon seeds and two small stools.

Of course, Jing Ziyan also came along on purpose.

To prevent Ji Juechen from being slapped into a two-dimensional plane by Xiong Jun, Bi Ji is ready to treat Ji Juechen at any time.

In order to save Ji Juechen at the last second before Xiong Jun was about to kill him, Zi Ji was ready to act at any moment.

Both the Demon King and the Evil Forest were completely focused on watching how Xiong Jun would teach his disciple, and even bet on whether Ji Juechen could last three minutes.

Yesterday, after hearing Ji Juechen say that he had become a disciple of an elder of the Spirit Pagoda, Jing Ziyan felt very uneasy.

After listening to Ji Juechen's exaggerated praise of that "Teacher Xiong," she felt... it was all very unreliable.

At this moment, Xiong Jun used his large hands, capable of crushing ten-thousand-year-old soul bones, to pull out a... thread-bound ancient book that exuded a faint fragrance of ink from his bosom.

On the simple cover, two large, gold-embossed characters are prominently displayed: "Lunyu".

The entire audience gasped.

"Fighting isn't just about brute force." Xiong Jun said solemnly, as if imparting some unparalleled martial art. "We need culture and wisdom! Therefore, we must study! Knowledge is power, knowledge is the guarantee of a successful barbecue!"

He abruptly unfurled the book and began to read aloud in an extremely loud and echoing voice:

"Come on, repeat after me! A gentleman is not a vessel!"

"Yes, Master! A gentleman is not a vessel!" Although Ji Juechen was full of questions, he still forced himself to shout it out in front of his elders, his voice filled with a tragic and heroic spirit.

Meanwhile, Bi Ji, Zi Ji, Wan Yao Wang, and Jing Zi Yan, who were standing to the side, were all petrified.

Completely absorbed in his teaching enthusiasm, Xiong Jun continued to explain, nodding and swaying his head:

"This means that a powerful Soul Master can defeat enemies even without a Martial Soul! On the battlefield, even if a Martial Soul cannot be used, one must do everything in their power to survive from the enemy, whether it's feigning death, running away, or using any means necessary to survive!"

Xiong Jun continued speaking, while the onlookers, including Bi Ji, Zi Ji, Wan Yao Wang, Xie Sen, and Jing Zi Yan, all held their foreheads in unison.

Ji Juechen listened with rapt attention, and the sword in his hand trembled unconsciously.

He felt a mysterious change taking place within his soul power.

At that moment, he seemed to see Kong Wu riding a blue ox and Li Er leading a yellow ox, fighting three hundred rounds in his mind.

Ultimately, their thoughts merged into one, transforming into a golden light that pierced directly into the top of his head!

"I get it!!!"

Ji Juechen suddenly roared to the sky, plunged the sword in his hand into the ground, sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and his soul power surged wildly around him, even faintly forming a kind of ink painting-like fluctuation.

The entire room fell silent.

This kid... actually figured it out?

After a while, Ji Juechen slowly opened his eyes, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.

He stood up, bowed deeply to Xiong Jun, and spoke in a clear voice:

"Master's teachings are etched in my heart. The way of 'Lunyu' lies in benevolence and righteousness. From this day forward, my sword, Ji Juechen's sword, will no longer be a heartless sword, but... a 'sword of benevolence and righteousness'!"

As he spoke, he drew his sword with a backhand motion. The blade sliced ​​through the air without making a piercing sound, but instead produced a clear "ding-a-ling" sound, as if striking some kind of invisible bell.

"Take this! Unparalleled Benevolence and Righteousness Slash!"

Ji Juechen swung his sword, but it didn't have an earth-shattering momentum. Instead, it was like a refined scholar giving a calligraphy lesson. The sword stroke was gentle and elegant. But the moment it touched a thousand-year-old tree in front of him, he skillfully dissipated all the force and flicked it. He "gently" cut off half of the tree's branches and leaves, leaving a smooth, mirror-like cut.

Ji Juechen sheathed his sword, his face radiating righteous indignation. "The sword is inherently a weapon of destruction, but humans are the most intelligent of all beings. We wield our weapons with our spirit, and restrain our hearts with propriety. In that last strike, I used no killing intent, only skillful force. This is the true essence of 'the benevolent are invincible'! Master, I understand now. This is the true art of combat!"

The wind blows gently.

"That's great! Shall we continue learning 'Lunyu' tomorrow?" Xiong Jun changed the subject. "It's getting late, shall we go get dinner?"

Ji Juechen, however, remained serious and earnest, asking earnestly, "Master, where did you obtain that book, *Lunyu*? I would like to purchase a copy as well. From now on, I will recite it while practicing swordsmanship, determined to integrate the true meaning of *Lunyu* into my swordsmanship principles. If I can truly master it, I will simply call my swordsmanship the 'Lunyu Swordsmanship'!"

"It was given to me by Zi... Huo Ziyan." Xiong Jun was speechless for a moment and almost bit his tongue.

"Bookstores are everywhere in Shrek City; every bookstore has one," said Zi Ji.

Seeing this, Brigitte rubbed her temples helplessly, thinking to herself: It seems that the human resources department of the Spirit Pagoda not only needs to recruit people, but also needs to quickly recruit a psychologist. I also need to study human psychology works properly. What is all this about?

The Demon King and Xie Sen exchanged a glance in the corner, a look of regret at their failed bet. Who would have thought that Xiong Jun would actually give Ji Juechen a "lesson in culture"?

Jing Ziyan stood aside, looking at Ji Juechen with mixed feelings. She recalled how she had been so bewitched to fall for this iron lump.

At this moment, Ji Juechen turned around and said, "Ziyan, let's go eat together. I heard that the cafeteria has your favorite dishes today."

Xiong Jun asked casually, "Apprentice, is this your wife?"

Upon hearing this, Jing Ziyan blushed instantly and quickly lowered her head.

Ji Juechen, however, was oblivious to the situation and immediately corrected him, saying, "Ziyan is a friend now."

"Hey!" Xiong Jun's voice boomed, "If you like someone, you like them; if you don't, you don't! Since you have her in your heart, you have to do everything you can to win her over. What kind of hero are you if you keep dragging your feet!"

These words struck like a thunderbolt. Jing Ziyan abruptly raised her head, a resolute glint in her eyes.

She rushed forward, stood on tiptoe, and before Ji Juechen could react, she forcefully kissed his lips.

In that instant, time seemed to stand still.

Ji Juechen froze on the spot, his mind blank, and he even forgot to breathe.

"Ji Juechen!" Jing Ziyan took a half step back and shouted with all her might, "I like you! I've liked you for years! Do you like me or not? Give me a straight answer! I don't want to wait any longer!"

Ji Juechen finally came to his senses, and a faint blush appeared on his usually cold and aloof face.

He firmly reached out and took Jing Ziyan's hand.

"...Okay. I hope you can always be by my side. I need you, I want to be with you."

After he finished speaking, there was silence at first, then a burst of enthusiastic applause erupted.