In the quiet room, Elder Mu's figure had vanished at some point, leaving only the awakened Weina alone.
Weina sat dazed on the lustrous white Ten-Thousand-Year Mysterious Ice Bed. Though her complexion had regained much of its colour, the original evil qi of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger lingering in her heart meridians had not been dispelled. It was merely suppressed temporarily by the bed and Elder Mu's light power.
The cold, sinister aura enveloping her heart meridians sent chills through her entire body. Despite being an ice-attribute soul master herself, she was utterly unable to resist the erosion of this cold aura.
Sitting up, she gently hugged her knees with her slender arms, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"Is this really the only way…?" Biting her red lips softly, the shyness in her beautiful eyes intensified.
From her earlier conversation with that senior, she understood her condition. Given his cultivation and status at Shrek Academy, he surely wouldn't deceive her.
But still, it was far too embarrassing.
Though the final decision rested with her.
Weina appeared to be around fifteen years old, her lithe figure accentuated by a goose-yellow outfit. With her exquisite beauty, her large, expressive eyes shimmered with a gentle charm, making her seem delicate and fragile—a stark contrast to the proud and assertive Princess Xu Jiujiu of the Star Luo Empire.
Xu Jiujiu exuded a commanding presence, while Weina carried a subtle, tender warmth that evoked pity and affection.
Lost in her thoughts, the door to the quiet room suddenly opened. She instinctively looked up, and her gaze fell on a tall, striking young man.
The boy stood about 1.8 meters tall, his long black hair cascading down his back, interwoven with a few strands of enchanting purple. His flawless features held no imperfections, and his deep purple eyes, exuding a noble air, were filled with warmth. His slightly stern face was softened by a gentle smile, creating a striking yet harmonious contrast that irresistibly drew attention, especially from the opposite sex.
The newcomer was Xu Zihuang, summoned by Elder Mu.
Even Wang Dong paled in comparison to Xu Zihuang's appearance, so the impact on Princess Weina was imaginable.
Clearly surprised, Weina studied Xu Zihuang's face, taking a moment to compose herself.
It was human nature to appreciate beauty, and even a princess like her was no exception. The senior from Shrek Academy had explained that while the original evil qi of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger in her heart meridians was temporarily sealed by the Ten-Thousand-Year Mysterious Ice Bed and light power, it would continue to affect her body unless fully resolved, potentially hindering her future cultivation and development.
Resolving this evil qi required physical contact, and the only person capable of helping her was a male. That was why she had been so embarrassed earlier.
But now, seeing Xu Zihuang's exceptional appearance, the shyness in her heart was tempered by a significant reduction in her reluctance.
It didn't seem that unacceptable anymore.
Xu Zihuang met Weina's gaze directly, his eyes calm and warm, showing no deference.
In his eyes, Weina's status as a princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire held no superiority. This was not only his innate personality but also consistent with the persona of Yu Tianhuang he had crafted.
For a genius of his calibre, only top-tier powerhouses like Elder Xuan and Elder Mu commanded his respect.
"Hello, Princess Weina. Elder Mu has informed me of your condition. I can help you dispel the original evil qi of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger in your heart meridians."
The shyness in Weina's eyes faded, replaced by surprise and curiosity.
Among her peers, Xu Zihuang was the first to remain so composed despite knowing her identity as a princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire. Moreover, his familiar accent made her feel a sense of closeness.
"The accent of northern Heavenly Soul Empire—are you also from the Heavenly Soul Empire?"
The Douluo Continent was vast, and even in the relatively smaller Heavenly Soul Empire, the span from north to south was immense, resulting in a variety of accents. The northern and central-northern regions, situated inland and bordered by the Far North—a forbidden zone for humans—retained accents inherited from the Heavenly Dou Empire of ten thousand years ago, untouched by the Sun Moon, Dou Ling, or Star Luo Empires.
Though Xu Zihuang had never lived in that region, replicating his mother's accent was effortless with his remarkable memory. How could he not have prepared thoroughly before enrolling at Shrek Academy?
"My name is Yu Tianhuang, from Dragon City in the northern Heavenly Soul Empire," Xu Zihuang replied with a smile.
Hearing this, Weina's eyes widened in surprise.
"You're Yu Tianhuang?!"
Xu Zihuang's mind stirred, suspecting that the Heavenly Soul Empire's royal family had likely investigated him. His performance at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Duelling Tournament had been too dazzling. Yet, his expression remained unchanged as he nodded to Weina.
At just twelve years old, he had broken through to the Soul Ancestor realm. His soul ring configuration—three purple and one black—far exceeded conventional standards. During the tournament, he single-handedly defeated a team led by a Soul King from Qianling Advanced Soul Master Academy, achieving a one-against-seven feat. In subsequent matches, as the main control soul master of the Shrek team, he played a pivotal role, ultimately defeating the prodigious siblings Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy in the finals, securing victory. Moreover, he was a twin martial soul genius, with his second martial soul likely being the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
Weina recalled the information about Yu Tianhuang.
Xu Zihuang's guess was correct—the Heavenly Soul Empire's royal family had indeed investigated him. A genius of his calibre, hailing from their empire, was someone they would naturally seek to recruit if given the chance.
When Weina first learned of this information, she developed a strong interest in Yu Tianhuang. As a fellow twin martial soul possessor, he outshone her in every way. What she hadn't expected was that Yu Tianhuang's talent wasn't his only remarkable trait—his appearance and demeanour were equally flawless.
"Are you really only twelve?" Weina asked abruptly, eyeing Xu Zihuang's tall, slender frame, which resembled that of a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old.
Xu Zihuang didn't answer her question. Instead, he met the princess's gaze without hesitation and smiled faintly.
"Princess Weina, I believe the priority now is to dispel the original evil qi of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger in your heart meridians. The process will inevitably involve physical contact. The final decision lies with you."
"Alright, please help me."
After a moment of hesitation, her cheeks flushed, Weina nodded.
As a princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire, she wasn't as haughty as Xu Jiujiu, but she had a strong sense of the bigger picture. While some royal descendants might be idle wastrels, those raised with superior education and resources were typically exceptional.
Compared to her future cultivation and development, mere physical contact was something she could accept.
Weina lay back down on the Ten-Thousand-Year Mysterious Ice Bed, her long eyelashes trembling as she closed her eyes.
Looking at the delicate and captivating Princess Weina, a fleeting trace of emotion stirred in Xu Zihuang's heart. He was, after all, a healthy male. However, compared to romantic or possessive desires, he prioritised other things.
Yet at this moment, he deliberately amplified this trace of emotion. He knew his actions were likely being observed by Elder Mu.
If someone appeared too perfect and wasn't a natural saint, they likely had greater ambitions. Xu Zihuang was clearly the latter, so he chose to display a touch of human imperfection before Elder Mu to fully ease his suspicions.
As Xu Zihuang hesitated to act, Weina opened her misty eyes in confusion.
The moment she did, Xu Zihuang placed his right hand on the area between her left chest and flat abdomen.
The original evil qi of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger lingered in the meridians around her heart and lungs. The most efficient approach would have been to place his hand on her left chest, but that was obviously inappropriate.
Xu Zihuang settled for the next best option, placing his hand in this area, though it would require more effort. Even so, the contact caused Weina to close her eyes again in embarrassment, her body stiffening.
Soul power imbued with the ultimate thunder attribute flowed from Xu Zihuang's right hand into Weina's body. Soul masters of a certain level could perform internal vision, but only on their own bodies.
This was one reason Elder Zhuang and Yan Shaozhe hadn't confirmed that the peculiar energy in Weina's heart meridians was the original evil qi of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger.
Weina could clearly see the gray-black aura in the meridians around her heart and lungs dissipating and weakening under the touch of the black-purple soul power.
Thunder, born of the righteous qi of heaven and earth, was the natural bane of all evil.
Though both were ultimate attributes, Xu Zihuang's ultimate thunder strongly countered the ultimate evil of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger.
Weina felt the cold aura in her heart meridians evaporating, gradually melting away.
When she opened her eyes again, she saw Xu Zihuang, eyes closed, carefully sensing her condition. Only then did she notice the faint purple-golden light radiating from him.
"The tangible yet intangible level of spiritual power," Weina murmured to herself, her lips parting slightly. A hint of wonder appeared in her eyes.
Her second martial soul was the spiritual-attribute Body Martial Soul Brain, so she knew how astonishing it was for Yu Tianhuang to reach this level of spiritual power at his age.
Ninety-nine per cent of soul masters and soul beasts who used spiritual power couldn't achieve this level.
The Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm, with its million-year cultivation, was also at this tangible yet intangible level, though it had been very close to the tangible and material realm. Xu Zihuang, however, had only just stepped into the tangible yet intangible stage.
If he could break through to the tangible and material realm, materialising his spiritual power, no soul master or soul beast below the divine level on the continent could rival him spiritually.
But reaching that point was a long journey ahead.
In the first-floor hall of the Sea God Pavilion, Elder Mu, reclining on his chair, wore a faint smile on his aged face.
It was heartfelt pride in the excellence of the younger generation.
In Yu Tianhuang, he saw echoes of his younger self, though Yu Tianhuang's talent was greater, and he was more appealing to the opposite sex.
Time passed quietly, and it was nearly noon.
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed in the first-floor corridor of the Sea God Pavilion. Elder Mu, resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.
Standing before him were Xu Zihuang and Weina, whose heart meridians had been fully cleansed of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's origin evil qi.
Xu Zihuang's handsome face still carried his gentle smile, while Weina's lovely face bore two charming blushes. She instinctively touched the area Xu Zihuang had held for hours.
But in Elder Mu's presence, she didn't forget her manners. Stepping forward, she bowed, her long hair sliding forward with the motion, showing none of the airs of a princess.
"Thank you, Senior."
"You shouldn't be thanking me," Elder Mu teased with a smile, his aged eyes brightening with youthful energy as he looked at Xu Zihuang and Weina.
"Go on. Your companions are on the southern side of Sea God Island. Tianhuang, take Weina there."
"Yes, Elder Mu," Xu Zihuang replied respectfully.
The two left the Sea God Pavilion, walking side by side along the mountain path toward the southern side of Sea God Island.
Weina looked at Xu Zihuang, her voice soft but earnest. "Thank you."
"No need to be polite, Princess Weina. We're both from the Heavenly Soul Empire. Helping a fellow compatriot is only natural," Xu Zihuang said, meeting her gentle gaze with a carefree smile.
Weina paused, then gave a sweet smile.
"You told me not to be polite, so why do you keep calling me Princess Weina? Just call me Weina, as that senior did."
Yu Tianhuang's strong sense of belonging to the Heavenly Soul Empire filled her, as a princess, with joy and pride.
"Alright, Weina," Xu Zihuang agreed without hesitation.
Their conversation flowed smoothly, and Weina seemed to forget her earlier shyness. She actively asked Xu Zihuang about Dragon City, a major city in the northern frontier of the Heavenly Soul Empire that she had never visited.
The Star Dou Forest and the declining Sunset Forest had few ice-attribute soul beasts. To obtain soul rings for her first martial soul, the Snow Lotus, she would likely need to venture into the Far North.
Dragon City was the primary hub for entering the Far North.
Xu Zihuang answered her questions with ease. To perfect his disguise, he had thoroughly researched information about his supposed hometown, Dragon City.
As they talked, they soon reached the southern side of Sea God Island, where a sparse row of two-story wooden buildings stood.
Before they could approach, a tall girl, about Weina's age, flashed forward and blocked their path, exclaiming in surprise, "Weina, you're alright?"
It was Mu Xue, the aloof girl who had accompanied Weina.
"Sister Xue," Weina said emotionally, throwing her arms around Mu Xue. Though she had lost consciousness in the Star Dou Forest, her presence at Shrek Academy meant Mu Xue and the others had risked their lives to bring her out.
"Sister Xue, how are the masters who came with us?"
Mu Xue sighed.
"Of the six masters who came with us, Master Mo is gravely injured, but thanks to Shrek Academy's healing soul masters, his condition is stable. As for the other five masters—"
She paused.
"Only Bei Tang survived."
"I'm sorry, Sister Xue. It's my fault they were dragged into this," Weina said, her eyes dimming with guilt.
Mu Xue gently patted her shoulder, comforting her.
"It's not your fault. We were just unlucky to encounter the clash between the Three-Headed Crimson Demon Mastiff and the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger. Surviving at all was a stroke of fortune."
As she spoke, she released Weina and turned her gaze to Xu Zihuang. Like Weina initially, her eyes held a trace of surprise.
Xu Zihuang politely nodded to Mu Xue, then addressed Weina before turning to leave.
"Weina, you must have a lot to talk about. I won't disturb you."
He wanted to connect with Weina but had no intention of acting like Xu Sanshi, shamelessly clinging like a persistent plaster.
No one was worth such grovelling. And he was confident he had already left a deep impression on Weina.
Watching Xu Zihuang's departing figure, Mu Xue asked Weina in surprise, "Weina, who is he?"
Speaking of Yu Tianhuang, Weina's enthusiasm grew, tinged with a hint of shyness.
"He's Yu Tianhuang, the one we talked about in Tian Dou City. He's the one who dispelled the original evil qi of the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger from my body."
"He's Yu Tianhuang?"
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