After Xuanzi announced the new rules, he handed matters over to Zhu Ziyang. As the captain of the Shrek Academy representative team, Zhu Ziyang would be responsible for handling everything related to the tournament starting today. Xuanzi and Ma Xiaotao would act as his assistants and travel with him to Mingdu.
Based on the new rules, Zhu Ziyang finalized a training schedule between the Shrek Academy team and the Tang Sect team. Although it was called "training," it was essentially combat practice. The strength of Shrek's team needed no elaboration—not just the main team; even the reserve team could likely make it into the top eight if the tournament were held now. As for the Tang Sect, although they only had eight members, even the lowest-ranked Huo Yuhao had reached Rank 54. The strongest, Beibei and Xu Sanshi, had already reached Rank 67. This team could have easily made the top four in the previous tournament.
In these sparring matches, Shrek's team usually won—especially if Jiang Nannan, Qian Lingyi, and Diwu Huan'er were on the field together. The Tang Sect simply couldn't hold up.
However, such one-sided sparring wasn't productive. So, after complaints from Tang Ya and Beibei, Zhu Ziyang adjusted Shrek's team composition, mixing main and reserve members and not allowing all three top girls to appear together. Only then did the training results begin to show.
Gradually, the number of wins and losses between both sides evened out. No more one-sided massacres.
Training was in full swing.
——
That day, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan set off from Shrek Academy early in the morning, rushing southeast across the continent. Their destination: the Moon South Archipelago.
Jiang Nannan had reached Rank 80 in soul power, but she hadn't chosen to let the Laurel Immortal Tea condense her eighth soul ring. Instead, she decided to personally subdue the Silvermoon Spirit Fish King.
They traveled swiftly with no delays and quickly arrived at the Moon South Archipelago.
By now, the Moon South Archipelago was fully under Zhang Lexuan's control. However, she wasn't currently on the archipelago. In fact, other than Xu Jianwei, everyone else had gone to the mainland. The Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Regiment under Xu Tiannan and the Moon Empress Soul Engineer Regiment under Zhang Lexuan were locked in a standoff—war could break out at any moment. That's why Lexuan, Elder Song, and Elder Zhu were all with the military.
Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan didn't bother visiting Xu Jianwei. Instead, they flew straight past the archipelago and dove into the sea territory of the Silvermoon Spirit Fish Clan.
They had barely entered the waters when they were greeted by the Silvermoon Spirit Fish King, who seemed to have expected their arrival. She called out happily, "Your Highness the Goddess, you've finally come!"
"Shuiyue, long time no see!" Jiang Nannan responded with a light laugh, landing gracefully on the water. "Looks like you foresaw my arrival?"
"Yes!" The Silvermoon Spirit Fish King nodded respectfully. "I've arranged everything within the clan. I'm ready to follow Your Highness at any time."
"That's perfect." A smile spread across Jiang Nannan's face. "I need you right now."
She looked toward Zhu Ziyang, who gave her a gentle nod. "Let's go to your clan's territory first—some quiet place. I'll help you and Nannan form the soul spirit contract."
"Please follow me!"
With a flick of her tail, the Silvermoon Spirit Fish King turned and led them into the depths of the fish clan's domain, arriving at a vividly colored coral reef. After driving off the spirit fish nearby, Jiang Nannan sat cross-legged on the reef while the Spirit Fish King leapt into her lap. Zhu Ziyang immediately began the contract ritual. Silver light radiated from both girl and fish, quickly forming a cocoon of light.
The contract would take time. Zhu Ziyang, with nothing else to do, guarded the area. To pass the time, he extended his spiritual power to observe changes among the spirit fish.
What he saw stunned him.
The Silvermoon Spirit Fish Clan had undergone a tremendous transformation since his last visit. Months ago, though they were numerous, they had very few high-level soul beasts—only the Fish King was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. There were fewer than ten over fifty thousand years, and under fifty fish above ten thousand years. All of these made up less than one percent of the total population.
Now, their numbers had doubled. There were over 150 spirit fish above ten thousand years in age, and 21 above fifty thousand years. Two had even broken through to become hundred-thousand-year soul beasts and were appointed as new fish kings.
While they couldn't dominate the seas yet, they could no longer be bullied either. Most predators wouldn't dare provoke such a large and powerful group. Only top-tier sea beasts like sharks or whales could threaten them now.
It had to be said—those dozens of dead hundred-thousand-year Demon Whales had drastically boosted the clan. Their blood and flesh were filled with powerful soul energy and bloodline force, and it made Zhu Ziyang slightly envious of how fast soul beasts could cultivate.
Unlike human soul masters who needed to meditate, soul beasts cultivated through sleep and feeding. A typical soul beast gained one day of cultivation for each day it lived. Stronger bloodlines gained more—sometimes three, five, or even more days' worth per day. That's why legends said a hundred-year Titan Giant Ape could rival a ten-thousand-year beast—those years measured age, not strength.
Aside from sleeping, soul beasts also gained power by devouring others. The strong ate the weak, digesting blood and flesh to strengthen themselves. While inefficient, this method was enhanced if one consumed heavenly treasures instead.
In short, the Spirit Fish Clan's growth owed everything to those Demon Whale corpses.
Jiang Nannan didn't take too long. Within half an hour, she emerged from the light cocoon. Her aura surged—she had reached Rank 84!
A small fish—the spirit form of the Silvermoon Spirit Fish King—rested on her shoulder, now free to float through the air without water thanks to its spirit body.
"Nannan, congrats—you're a Soul Douluo now!" Zhu Ziyang smiled warmly and pinched her soft cheek.
"Heehee!" Jiang Nannan giggled. "Brother, Shuiyue gave me a left arm bone too. I just need one more—the right arm bone—to complete the Moonlight Eight Trials. Can I choose one from the Treasury when we get back to the Academy?"
"I don't recommend fusing the arm bone just yet," Zhu Ziyang said after some thought. "You can wait until you reach Rank 89. Then, when you complete the Eight Trials, the reward will likely include soul power. That might push you directly to Title Douluo!"
"Oh—right!" Jiang Nannan's eyes lit up with joy. "Let's do that then. I'll wait until I reach Rank 89 before fusing it."
"That's the spirit." Zhu Ziyang was very pleased with her response. "But once we're back, you should still go to the Treasury and pick your right arm bone. That way it'll be ready when you need it."
"Mm, I understand!" she nodded obediently.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.