At that very moment—when the words "Rank 72, Power Attack System Soul Saint" exploded through the lobby of the Star Luo Imperial Hotel like a thunderclap—
The atmosphere, already frozen solid by Xuan Zi's nine-ring display, fell into an eerie, deathlike stillness.
It was as if the very air had been sucked dry by that terrifying revelation.
Immediately afterward, gasps erupted one after another, rising and falling across the crowd like bellows.
Rank 72… what kind of concept was that?
One had to understand that although the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament gathered geniuses from every nation, the age limit was under twenty.
Within that age group, the overwhelming majority of so-called geniuses—those who could reach around Rank 40—were already considered top-tier figures within their academies.
And yet now…
Shrek Academy had just casually thrown out a Rank 72 Soul Saint!
It was like everyone else had come to compete in a bicycle race, while Shrek had driven a fully armored heavy tank straight onto the field—with the cannon already aimed at everyone.
Despair. Shock.
These extreme emotions instantly flooded the hearts of every teacher and student from the other academies present.
But after the shock came something even stronger—
Fanatical reverence and awe.
"So this… is Shrek?"
"That's terrifying… Is this the foundation of the continent's number one academy?"
"No wonder they dare to be so arrogant. They have the capital to be arrogant!"
"Exactly! If I had that kind of strength, I'd be even more arrogant than them!"
"Sigh… it's a pity my aptitude was too poor back then. I couldn't get into Shrek. If only I had…"
Murmurs and discussions quickly spread.
Not a single person questioned whether Xuan Zi's behavior was appropriate. Instead, everyone's eyes burned with admiration and worship for Shrek Academy.
In a world where strength reigned supreme, the fear of the weak toward the strong often transformed into a blind, almost pathological reverence.
At this very moment, after witnessing Shrek's terrifying lineup, the gazes directed at the Shrek group only grew more fervent—envy nearly spilling out of their eyes.
And those gazes were precisely the "spiritual nourishment" that Xuan Zi and the others craved the most.
Feeling the near-solidified awe pouring in from all directions, Xuan Zi's face bloomed like an old chrysanthemum in full flower.
Hahaha! Incredible! Truly incredible!
Scenes like this—showing off in front of everyone—are worth experiencing a few more times!
Xuan Zi felt completely refreshed from head to toe.
Behind him, Dai Yueheng was equally brimming with pride.
As the eldest son of the Duke of White Tiger, arrogance ran in his blood. Now, seeing everyone react like this, that innate pride was fully unleashed.
"Hmph."
Xuan Zi snorted in satisfaction. But he felt it still wasn't enough.
If he was going to show off, he might as well go all the way.
He intended to take this opportunity to thoroughly display the might of Shrek Academy!
Thus, he looked once more at the staff member—who was still completely dazed—and spoke casually:
"Don't just stand there. Keep writing."
"This is only the beginning."
The staff member snapped back to his senses, nearly dropping the pen in his hand.
"Y-Yes! Yes! Please speak, sir! Please speak!"
Xuan Zi cleared his throat and continued. Each word fell like a sledgehammer, smashing mercilessly into the hearts of everyone present.
"The second—Chen Zifeng."
"Age: nineteen."
"Martial Soul: Soul-Chasing Sword."
"Soul power rank—"
"Rank 57, Power Attack System Soul King!"
"The third—Gongyang Mo."
"Age: nineteen."
"Martial Soul: Rainbow Dragon."
"Soul power rank—"
"Rank 59, Auxiliary System Tool Soul King!"
"The fourth—Dai Yueheng!"
"…"
Xuan Zi went on, reciting names as casually as if reading off a menu.
He made no attempt to conceal Shrek's strength, directly laying bare the cultivation levels and martial souls of the entire team without reservation.
With every name announced, the shock on the faces of the other academies' teachers and students deepened.
By the time Xuan Zi finished announcing the last person, everyone present was utterly speechless.
They looked as though they had just seen a ghost.
Xuan Zi smiled triumphantly.
"Let's go."
"Time to rest."
With a wave of his hand, he hoisted his wine gourd, completely ignoring the crowd that had been utterly conquered, and swaggered toward the hotel's VIP elevator.
Behind him, the members of Shrek's main team all walked with heads held high, their steps light and confident, savoring this emperor-like exit under countless gazes.
Even the reserve members—Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and the others—
Under the influence of Xuan Zi, Dai Yueheng, and the rest, found themselves subtly intoxicated by this feeling of being admired by thousands, of having their blood surge with pride.
Something called the glory of Shrek Academy quietly took root in their hearts.
…
Meanwhile—
Just as Xuan Zi was leading the Shrek group in their flamboyant display at the hotel, indulging in the pleasure of vanity—
Outside Star Luo City.
The sun was setting, its lingering glow dyed red like blood.
Golden-red afterlight bathed the towering, massive city walls, cloaking this ancient imperial city in a solemn, magnificent veil.
At the end of the wide official road, several figures slowly approached.
They did not make a grand entrance like Shrek, nor did they carry that overbearing arrogance.
Yet their steps were steady and grounded, each one seemingly resonating faintly with the pulse of the earth itself.
The young man at the front stood tall and straight like a pine.
Dressed in snow-white robes, he was outlined in a faint golden radiance under the setting sun.
His face was peerlessly handsome, but without the slightest hint of softness—rather, it carried a sharpness like an unsheathed blade.
Most striking of all were his eyes.
Deep. Calm.
Like the sea before a storm—seemingly tranquil, yet harboring a terrifying power capable of swallowing everything.
He was Liu Yuan.
After days of travel, Liu Yuan and his companions had finally arrived at the very heart where the continent's winds and storms converged—
Star Luo City.
Standing before the city gates, Liu Yuan halted and slowly raised his head.
His gaze pierced through the bustling crowd, landing on the towering city walls over a hundred zhang high, and on the Star Luo Empire's banner fluttering proudly above them.
"Star Luo City…"
He murmured softly, the corner of his lips curling into a faint, meaningful smile.
"We've traveled for so long…"
"Finally, we're here."
"Let's go."
"Enter the city—and register."
-------------Author---------------
Read 50 advanced chapter
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic
U can read 10 chapters ahead just for 5$