Heaven Soul Empire, Falan City, Falan Advanced Soul Master Academy.
A young man and woman appeared at the academy gates. The man was handsome, the woman beautiful, and both radiated a unique aura—clearly no ordinary people.
The academy's gatekeeper was a worldly-wise old man. Seeing the pair approach, he immediately greeted them with a respectful smile and said, "Honored Soul Masters, how may I assist you?"
"Hello, Grandpa. We're looking for Yang Zhenzhen from the third year. Could you please inform her?" the young woman said, her face adorned with a gentle smile. That smile was so radiant that even the gatekeeper, whose head seemed the only thing above ground, couldn't help but be dazed.
"Y-Yes! Not a problem, not at all!" the old man stammered, then turned and scurried into the academy.
But before he could deliver the message, a delicate-looking girl, about fourteen or fifteen, came running from within the academy. Her face was filled with excitement and joy, and upon seeing the young pair at the gates, she shouted gleefully, "Sister Nannan! Brother Ziyang!"
Indeed, this young man and woman were none other than Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan. After Jiang Nannan had fused with her second soul spirit and acquired her eighth soul ring, the two had returned to the continent without delay, heading north. Originally, they planned to return directly to the academy, but as they approached, Jiang Nannan was suddenly struck by a whim and thought of her little sister with whom she shared a bond. So the two diverted to Falan City.
"Zhenzhen, long time no see!" Jiang Nannan smiled as she watched the girl run toward them.
Yang Zhenzhen, nicknamed Nannan, was now fifteen. It had already been nine years since she met Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan.
"Thirty-rank Soul Elder. Zhenzhen, you're doing great!" Zhu Ziyang immediately saw through Yang Zhenzhen's cultivation level and couldn't help but praise her. This girl, like Jiang Nannan, was proud and hardworking.
Back when she was twelve, Jiang Nannan had tried to recommend her to Shrek Academy. Anyone else would've gratefully accepted, but Yang Zhenzhen didn't. Even though her soul power had reached rank 19 and met Shrek Academy's standards, she firmly refused Jiang Nannan's kindness and chose instead to attend Falan City Advanced Soul Master Academy.
When Zhu Ziyang asked why, she gave two reasons: one, she didn't want to be too far from home because her grandmother depended on her; and two, she preferred to be a "chicken's head" rather than a "phoenix's tail."
"She's a girl with a strong will. She might go farther in the future." That had been Zhu Ziyang's evaluation after hearing her reasoning.
And reality proved her right. At Falan Academy, she received even more resources than she might have at Shrek. In just three years, her cultivation had reached rank 30—just one ring away from becoming a full Soul Elder.
At her age, this level of strength might be ordinary at Shrek, but at a typical advanced academy like Falan, she was undoubtedly a genius.
"Hehe, maybe it's because I work harder than most, so my soul power rises faster," Yang Zhenzhen said, scratching her head sheepishly before asking in confusion, "By the way, Sister Nannan, Brother Ziyang, what brings you to Falan City?"
"Your Sister Nannan wanted to see you," Zhu Ziyang chuckled, lightly patting Jiang Nannan on the shoulder.
"That's right. What? Aren't you happy to see us?" Jiang Nannan asked with mock indignation, though she was smiling.
"No, not at all!" Yang Zhenzhen quickly waved her hands. "I was just surprised!"
"Alright, we'll stop teasing you," Jiang Nannan laughed and took Yang Zhenzhen's hand. "Now that we're here, we'll take you to get your third soul ring."
"Really? That's amazing!" Yang Zhenzhen's eyes lit up. "I'll just go inform my teachers. They were going to take me anyway."
"Go ahead. We'll wait here," Jiang Nannan patted her shoulder.
Yang Zhenzhen ran back into the academy excitedly, while Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan remained at the entrance.
"Brother, you're not mad I made this decision on my own, are you?" Jiang Nannan blinked at him playfully.
"How could I be?" Zhu Ziyang smiled, ruffling her hair. "We're one and the same now, aren't we?"
"Hehe, I knew you'd say that," Jiang Nannan giggled, blushing at a sudden thought.
Yang Zhenzhen didn't keep them waiting long. Just a few minutes later, she returned, accompanied by a middle-aged woman in her early forties. The woman looked somewhat suspicious and displeased—clearly her teacher or advisor.
"Sister Nannan, Brother Ziyang, this is my teacher, Ms. Pang Yan," Yang Zhenzhen said apologetically. "She heard I was going to hunt for my third soul ring and was worried, so she came to check things out."
"No problem, it's totally understandable," Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan didn't mind at all. On the contrary, they appreciated the teacher's responsibility.
"You two are Zhenzhen's older siblings?" Teacher Pang looked over Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan, visibly surprised. As a Soul King, she couldn't see through their cultivation at all. Recalling what Yang Zhenzhen had told her, she trusted their identities a little more. "Students from Shrek Academy?"
"Yes, teacher. We are indeed students of Shrek Academy," Zhu Ziyang replied with a smile.
"I see." Teacher Pang nodded, then smiled. "So, you want to take Zhenzhen to obtain her third soul ring?"
"That's right," Jiang Nannan replied. "Any advice?"
"Oh, I wouldn't dare." Teacher Pang shook her head. "I was just worried. But now that I've seen you two, I'm at ease. I trust your strength as elite students from Shrek."
"Thank you," Zhu Ziyang nodded politely. "May we take Zhenzhen with us now?"
"Of course!" Teacher Pang nodded repeatedly.
With that settled, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan prepared to leave with Yang Zhenzhen. As they were departing, they heard Teacher Pang call out behind them, "Zhenzhen, I'll save that spot for you—don't take too long!"
"Got it!" Yang Zhenzhen shouted back. It turned out Teacher Pang was worried they might take Yang Zhenzhen away to Shrek Academy permanently.
"What spot?" Jiang Nannan asked curiously.
"Our academy is forming a team to compete in this year's Soul Master Tournament," Yang Zhenzhen replied, a hint of pride flashing across her face. "I'm the only third-year in the team! The other thirteen are all sixth-years!"
"I see. That's definitely something to be proud of," Jiang Nannan smiled, then shot Zhu Ziyang a discreet glance, noticing a trace of helplessness in his eyes.
After all, participating in the Soul Master Tournament was indeed something to be proud of—even if just as a backup or cannon fodder. It was still valuable experience.
"By the way, Sister Nannan, do you know how Brother Han Li is doing? I haven't seen him in four or five years," Yang Zhenzhen suddenly asked.
"Han Li, huh? He's doing quite well," Zhu Ziyang's mind conjured up an image of the quiet boy. Han Li, who possessed the Coiling Dragon Staff martial soul, was innately rank eight—the highest in Zhangyang Village—and also the oldest, at eight years old.
He'd been brought into Shrek Academy by Cai Meier as a registered disciple and was recently promoted to direct disciple, making him Zhu Ziyang's junior. Now seventeen, he'd already reached rank 49 and had hopes of breaking through to Soul King before turning eighteen. Compared to Cai Meier's other disciples, he was far superior.
However, since Han Li didn't study in the outer court, he wasn't involved in the recent pre-selection for the team.
Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan explained Han Li's progress to Yang Zhenzhen. She was surprised but didn't show any envy or jealousy, which raised Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan's impression of her even further.
Soon, the three of them arrived at their destination—the Star Dou Forest.
(End of Chapter)
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