Douluo Continent: The Eternal Order of the Azure Sky.

"Xiao Tao, your surveillance mission is complete, and your strength is probably now on par with mine. What are your plans after graduation?"

"I plan to complete the inner academy's assessment first, and then leave the academy to gain experience elsewhere for a while. Before, I always acted as an academy student. There are some things and some truths that you can't see or understand while sitting in the academy."

Ma Xiaotao blinked. "Of course, there are some people who, if they stayed in the academy all the time, we probably wouldn't see them again."

Zhang Lexuan awkwardly avoided her eager gaze. Not long ago, certain overlapping memories slowly unfolded, causing her skin, which had recently become even more supple under the nourishment of the essence, to quickly turn red.

She coughed lightly:

"I also need to lead the team to participate in the next competition. Originally, the academy intended to support the Tang Sect and planned to form two teams, with the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy forming separate teams to participate."

"But now that Tianxu has returned, the Sun Moon Empire's fighting power will inevitably become stronger than ever before. In order to consolidate our strength and prevent a repeat of the last All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament, the academy's higher-ups have made a preliminary decision to send only one Shrek Academy team to the competition."

"Oh?" Ma Xiaotao raised an eyebrow. "Then... what about after the competition? What are your plans, Senior Sister?"

Zhang Lexuan looked at her and suddenly chuckled softly, "After the competition, perhaps we can go together?"

As they looked at each other, a tacit understanding was naturally revealed. Their destination was already crystal clear in each other's hearts.

"Sister Lexuan!"

Just as the two were lost in thought and the atmosphere was delicate, the tea room door was suddenly pushed open, and a voice calling out with obvious surprise came from inside.

A young man dressed in an elegant robe stepped in. He was handsome with gentle features and long black hair that was simply draped over his shoulders. Compared to his peers, he naturally exuded a refined and scholarly air. This was Bei Bei.

In recent years, apart from spending ten days every month searching for Tang Ya's whereabouts, he has devoted almost all his energy to the development of the Tang Clan.

Since Tang Ya's disappearance, the only motivation that has kept him going is watching the Tang Clan gradually rebuild and grow stronger under his leadership.

Only in this way can the heart-wrenching pain and loss be slightly alleviated.

Even so, perhaps because the path left by Moon was a good fit for him, or perhaps because his talent was fully unleashed in this state of unrequited love, his soul power level has reached a full level of sixty-three.

Like Xu Sanshi, he is ranked first in the Tang Sect, and his strength is undoubtedly the strongest.

When Bei Bei heard the news that Kong Tianxu, Zhang Lexuan, and the others had returned safely, he was still overseeing the final mass production and refinement of the Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannon at the Tang Sect. His first thought was to go see his junior brother, Huo Yuhao.

But he hadn't gone far when Zhang Lexuan's disappointed look and words from the Xu Sanshi incident resurfaced, instantly bringing him to his senses.

After much hesitation, Beibei decided to go to the Sea God Pavilion first.

That guy wasn't there after all. Without him interfering this time, Sister Lexuan's attitude towards me should be much more lenient, right?

I will definitely try my best to mend the gap between me and Sister Lexuan in the future, and help Sister Lexuan return to her original self.

Beibei thought excitedly, her smile growing even more genuine and warm: "It's so good that you're alright. For the past year, everyone in the inner courtyard has seemed to have lost their backbone, and I've been very sad about it too..."

This was indeed his heartfelt emotion at that moment. And this time, Zhang Lexuan was indeed much more amiable towards him.

She looked up at him with a smile in her beautiful eyes: "Thank you, Beibei. I'm sorry to have worried everyone."

Zhang Lexuan's response was equally sincere and polite, perfectly in line with her usual style of dealing with people.

However, Beibei's palms, slightly sweaty, unconsciously opened and then slowly clenched.

No, that's not right.

She was very polite, very sincere, and gentle, just as Zhang Lexuan had always been.

But Sister Lexuan shouldn't have reacted to me like that!

Is she still angry with me? It seems that over the years, I have indeed neglected Sister Lexuan's feelings too much and hurt her deeply.

Beibei sighed inwardly, but her smile grew even brighter and more radiant.

"Sister Lexuan, the best news is that you're back safe and sound! I've ordered some of your favorite dishes from Yuanqing Restaurant. You absolutely have to come over tonight. So much has happened this past year, and I want to tell you all about it."

"You've been wasting money again, Beibei." Hearing this obviously casual remark, Beibei's smile immediately became even brighter.

At that moment, Zhang Lexuan suddenly took out a jade-green hairpin. Before Bei Bei could even examine its design, Zhang Lexuan had already carefully put it on. Her next words struck him like a thunderbolt, leaving him frozen in place:

“Beibei, you’ve grown up and can stand on your own now. And I… am not the same as before. So, thank you for your kindness.”

After speaking, Zhang Lexuan gracefully stood up, slowly poured the remaining cold tea from her cup into the tea tray, and then gently inverted the empty cup rim down onto the table. She then greeted Ma Xiaotao.

"There are still some matters to be dealt with regarding the archiving of the inspection mission. Elder Su is still waiting for me. Beibei, Xiaotao, you two are busy, I'll take my leave first."

The white robe fell down, concealing Zhang Lexuan's graceful figure. Under Ma Xiaotao's strange gaze, she slowly walked to the door and her figure intersected with Beibei's.

“Beibei,” she suddenly said.

"Huh?!" A glimmer of hope suddenly appeared in Beibei's despondent eyes as she nervously raised her head, waiting for a possible turning point.

Or, a trial.

“I remember telling you this before.” Zhang Lexuan’s voice changed from the initial joy to a miraculously stern tone that wasn’t annoying. “When you’re in the academy, you have to call her Senior Sister.”

Behind every change of mood, there is absolute calm.

The person before her could no longer stir even the slightest ripple in her heart.

Looking at the emerald green hairpin that complemented Zhang Lexuan's hair, Beibei's face turned completely pale.

In the Douluo Continent, which originally belonged to the Three Kingdoms period, anyone with this hairstyle was undoubtedly a married woman, their life already settled. He finally lost his beloved sister, Le Xuan.

Zhang Lexuan didn't look back even once.

Like the moon reflected in water.

Guarding the outermost heavens.

"Junior Brother Bei, your cultivation has improved quite a bit recently. It's a good opportunity to meet you today, how about we have a little spar?" Ma Xiaotao's voice came from behind.

"Come and fight!" Amidst the sorrowful cry, Beibei suddenly turned around.

The blazing and domineering phoenix flames roared up, enveloping his entire body and instantly evaporating the tears that were about to spill from his eyes.

-----------------

Mingde Hall, the central soul guidance training ground.

Unlike the quaint and ancient-style Soul Arena of Shrek Academy, the Trial Grounds of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy is the most magnificent building on the ground floor of the entire academy. Its architectural style is more similar to Shrek's Colosseum, only much larger.

Normally, this training ground is used for student assessments, internal competitions, and testing of various large-scale soul tools. Between the spectator seats and the central testing ground, there is a linked defense system consisting of multiple defensive soul tools.

This defensive system alone fully demonstrates the advanced nature of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy in terms of soul tools. Only one soul master with sufficient cultivation is needed to control the entire defensive system.

Of course, this is on the premise that the Soul Master has enough Soul Power.

At this moment, the training ground, which usually hosts multiple activities at the same time, only had two people. The circular grandstand, which could accommodate 10,000 people, was more than half full, bustling with noise, and students were still arriving.

All eyes were focused on the two figures facing off inside the giant soul-guided protective shield in the center of the arena.

As soon as Kong Tianxu entered the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, his tangible spiritual power spread out completely, searching for Xu Tianzhen's location.

After his main body martial soul awakened three times, he was able to develop his abilities in greater depth. Although he couldn't achieve the precision of a spirit detection skill, simple detection was still easy for him.

As for the ubiquitous mental energy shielding soul tools within the academy…

What a joke! He's the one who developed this thing. How could he not know about the backdoor?

Kong Tianxu quickly found his way here, but looking at the scene, he was still a little confused.

Quietly releasing spatial power, Kong Tianxu subtly moved the students blocking his way to more spacious seats in the back row. Like a fish swimming silently, he glided to the front, hearing the excited chatter of the students around him.

"I heard that a senior from Mingde Hall is going to challenge Xiao Hongchen, the second most talented genius in the history of our Sun Moon Empire? How dare she? Doesn't she know that five years ago, Senior Xiao Hongchen was one of the key players in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament, breaking Shrek Academy's undefeated myth and winning the championship?"

"Yes, I heard that in the final stage of the competition, he not only commanded the team battles, but he was also present and deeply involved in the individual competitions. He can be said to be the number one contributor behind the Supreme Dragon Kong Tianxu. This senior is too presumptuous."

"Hehe, I've finished telling you all. My cousin is from Mingde Hall. Do you know who challenged Xiao Hongchen? She was one of the main players in the last competition, Xu Tianzhen, the Daughter of the Sun, and the only daughter of the current emperor, Princess Tianzhen. Senior sister, huh? She's younger than you all. You dare to mock her? Do you think your entire family is being sold wholesale?"

"I admit I was blind, but shouldn't they be good comrades? Why are they fighting each other like this?"

"Not a buddy?"

"Just because we're not brothers doesn't mean we have to fight?"

"Perhaps it's because of differing stances."

"Shut up, you lot! Don't you know the new All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament is about to begin? It's said that the tournament format will be significantly changed this time. Not only will the entry requirements be restored to those from a thousand years ago, but the name has also been changed to the All-Continent Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament. These two are vying for the captaincy of our Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy."

"Sigh, if Kong Tianxu hadn't died, there wouldn't be such a controversy..."

Kong Tianxu stopped paying attention to their conversation. He had already squeezed to the front of the stands, his gaze fixed on the center of the field, and he understood what was going on.

Today, Xu Tianzhen wore a pale yellow court-style long dress, which was well-tailored and made her already fair and delicate skin look even more radiant and elegant.

Compared to the lively, unruly, and even somewhat willful little princess of my memory, the woman before me possessed a more composed demeanor. She stood there quietly, her gaze sweeping across the room, exuding an aura of authority, as noble as an empress.

Xiao Hongchen has also grown up a lot, wearing a gorgeous white outfit with gold trim, exuding a remarkable aura.

He stared at Xu Tianzhen, who was not far away, and finally spoke:

“Innocent Princess, are you really determined to compete with me for the captaincy? I admit your strength has improved rapidly, but I'm afraid you're still no match for me.”

"The captain will always be Kong Tianxu. Now that he's not here, no one else should take his place. This is not your position."

Xu Tianzhen stood gracefully, her eyes bright as two small suns.

Xiao Hongchen's eyes were filled with complex emotions. He took a deep breath, thinking of his grandfather Jing Hongchen's earnest expectations and the pressure on his own shoulders.

“Since words cannot convince you,” Xiao Hongchen slowly raised his hand, and circles of light shone and rose around him, while cannon barrels quickly took shape as the points of light merged together.

"Then let strength prove it. Innocent Princess, when faced with an absolute difference in strength, you will realize that reality is not always as you wish."

Two yellow, two purple, and three black. Rising from beneath his feet were seven spirit rings. A full seven spirit rings! Seven spirit rings representing the level of a Soul Saint.

Chapter 253 Six Yang Domain! Transforming My Divine Body into a Golden Sun

The seven soul rings pulsed slightly, and the powerful Soul Saint-level pressure, accompanied by surging soul power fluctuations, instantly swept across half of the trial field. Immediately, gasps of surprise rose from below the stage like a tidal wave.

"Seven rings! Senior Brother Xiao Hongchen has actually reached the seventh ring Soul Saint level!"

"My God! How old is he?! He's not even twenty yet! This is absolutely breaking the fastest cultivation record in the entire Douluo Continent. He truly deserves to be the second most talented genius in the history of our Sun Moon Empire!"

At first, Xiao Hongchen held his head high with a touch of arrogance, but when he heard the last comment, the corner of his mouth twitched.

Why do these words, though clearly well-intentioned, sound so awful? I've already won the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, and I'm still the perennial runner-up…

Behind the stands, Kong Tianxu looked at the seven spirit rings and shook his head almost imperceptibly.

Xiao Hongchen ultimately chose to rely on the drug with severe side effects and the resources provided by Jing Hongchen to forcefully break through to the Soul Saint realm.

Although his soul power fluctuations at this moment are undeniable, his foundation is unstable. Not to mention that the side effects of the drug will have a huge impact on his cultivation in the next five years, Xiao Hongchen will have to spend several times more effort than normal cultivation just to consolidate this forcibly raised soul power level.

He ruined his future... It seems I didn't educate him enough back then.