Chapter 97: Ruthless Discipline, The Competition Opens
"Fal... Fallen Heaven..."
Princess Xu Jiujiu's voice was filled with terror, her speech broken and stuttering, unable even to complete a sentence.
"Shh."
Lin Xuan extended a finger, gently pressing it against her rosy lips that were trembling slightly from fear, the smile on his face becoming increasingly radiant.
"I just came out for a stroll and don't want others to know my identity. For now, you can call me by my name."
He paused for a moment before saying slowly,
"Zenin Naosheng."
Zenin Naosheng? Is this the real name of the Fallen Heaven Douluo?
Upon second thought, Princess Xu Jiujiu dismissed the idea. She didn't believe an Evil Soul Master Titled Douluo would casually reveal his true name to others.
He must be toying with her, just like that night when he held her aloft in the night sky and said with a smile, "Let's play a game too."
It was only then that Tai Long, standing nearby, finally managed to regain some semblance of reason from his terror. He stole a cautious glance at Lin Xuan and immediately prepared to make a move.
He didn't hope to escape with Princess Xu Jiujiu; he only needed to attract the attention of the imperial Titled Douluo experts within the city.
Regardless, this was Star Luo City, and with the competition approaching, academies from all over had arrived, especially Shrek Academy.
As long as he caused a large enough commotion to expose Fallen Heaven Douluo's identity as an Evil Soul Master, he didn't believe Xuan Zi wouldn't show up!
He only needed to do one thing: risk his life to put some distance between Princess Xu Jiujiu and the Fallen Heaven Douluo.
However, Lin Xuan had long since seen through his thoughts.
"If I were you, I wouldn't have a single extra thought right now."
Lin Xuan glanced at Tai Long and said indifferently, "The few Titled Douluo of your Star Luo Empire can't do anything to this seat. As for that old fellow Xuan Zi..."
"Heh, you can cause as much trouble as you like. If Xuan Zi can actually show up, I'll give you my life today."
Tai Long's body stiffened again, and his raised hands were quietly pulled back. Princess Xu Jiujiu's beautiful eyes widened, her pupils trembling with shock.
Lin Xuan's words just now were brief, but anyone could discern three meanings from them.
First, the Titled Douluo of the Star Luo Empire might be able to fight him together, but they definitely couldn't keep him here.
Second, his cultivation was close to Xuan Zi's, and the two even knew each other.
Third, Xuan Zi was not in Star Luo City right now.
Retracting his gaze from Tai Long, who no longer dared to move, Lin Xuan looked back at the pale-faced Princess Xu Jiujiu in front of him with a half-smile.
"Your Highness seems very surprised? That's not right. Didn't you just go to the Star Emperor Hotel to find Xuan Zi?"
Hearing this, Princess Xu Jiujiu's face turned even paler.
The Fallen Heaven Douluo has been monitoring me! Since when? Just now? Or even earlier?
Just thinking about a Titled Douluo watching her from the shadows sent shivers down her spine.
No! That's not right! The key point is, does he know what I was trying to do?!
While Princess Xu Jiujiu was thinking in a state of panic, Lin Xuan's voice rang out again.
"Let me guess why you went to see Xuan Zi."
Lin Xuan tilted his head slightly, putting on a look of serious contemplation.
"Hmm... if I'm not mistaken, it's because none of your imperial Titled Douluo discovered the soul I hid in your body. Someone guessed I was bluffing and lying to you, but you didn't dare to gamble."
"So you thought about using the Soul Master Competition as a cover to have Xuan Zi, with his level ninety-eight cultivation, check you thoroughly. Princess, am I right?"
Princess Xu Jiujiu was completely dumbfounded. Everything Lin Xuan said was perfectly accurate. She even began to suspect if the soul inside her could monitor her thoughts.
Beside her, Tai Long was now terrified beyond measure, his white beard trembling incessantly.
Looking at their reactions, Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes.
He had guessed correctly; Princess Xu Jiujiu was indeed being dishonest, actually wanting to ask Xuan Zi to deal with him.
Unfortunately, Xuan Zi likely wouldn't be able to make it to Star Luo City. Even if he did, having just been set up by an Evil Soul Master, it was hard to say if Xuan Zi would trouble himself for the Star Luo Empire's request.
"Your Highness, it seems my guess was correct."
Lin Xuan withdrew his thoughts, his gaze falling back on Princess Xu Jiujiu's pale face.
Her current appearance was truly pitiable.
A few strands of her blonde hair were ruffled by the night breeze, sticking to her sweat-beaded forehead. Her eyes, usually gentle, were now full of panic and helplessness, like a sika deer cornered by a wolf.
Princess Xu Jiujiu's voice was raspy as she asked, "What... what do you want to do now? Are you going to... kill me?"
Lin Xuan was slightly taken aback, then shook his head gently and smiled,
"How could I bear to kill you?"
Then he raised his hand, gently brushing away the tear track on Princess Xu Jiujiu's face.
Princess Xu Jiujiu's heart skipped a beat. Lin Xuan withdrew his hand and looked away from her face, surveying the brightly lit streets with interest.
The aroma of roasted chestnuts mixed with the scent of grilled meat wafted through the night air. A street performer's fire hoop traced a brilliant arc in the sky, and the laughter of children echoed around.
"I've been in Star Luo City for so long, but I haven't had a good look around yet."
"Your Highness," he turned his head, looking at her with a half-smile, "as a local, aren't you going to show me the way?"
Princess Xu Jiujiu:???
She blinked blankly, teardrops still hanging from her lashes.
What is wrong with this person? His train of thought... is it always this erratic? Or is it that... the mental state of Evil Soul Masters... is just not normal?
"What?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone sounding dissatisfied. "Is Your Highness unwilling?"
"No, no..."
Princess Xu Jiujiu shook her head hurriedly. "I'm willing... I'm willing..."
Lin Xuan nodded in satisfaction, then frowned again.
"But with that expression of yours, you look as miserable as if someone had a knife to your throat. If passersby see us, they'll think I'm forcing you to do something."
Princess Xu Jiujiu:...
Are you kidding me?! Aren't you exactly forcing me?
No! This wasn't just force; it was blatant threat.
But for some reason, after this bizarre conversation, the boundless fear in Princess Xu Jiujiu's heart actually subsided slightly.
She took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Is... is this okay?"
Lin Xuan studied her seriously for two seconds before nodding.
"Barely a passing grade."
He then looked away and stepped naturally into the crowd ahead.
"Keep up."
Princess Xu Jiujiu stared blankly at his figure before instinctively following.
Tai Long followed behind with a deathly pale face, praying fervently in his heart that no blind fool would cross that devil.
...
Inside the Spiritual Sea, it was currently dead silent.
The recently awakened Ice Empress stared blankly at the outside world. The great devil Lin was leisurely strolling among the night market stalls, occasionally picking up a delicate small object to examine, and sometimes whispering to the blonde girl beside him.
The girl's face was pale and her smile stiff, yet she was still trying her best to respond.
She was like a little white rabbit being held by the scruff of the neck by a predator, trembling but not daring to struggle.
Ice Empress remained silent for a long time. God knows she had only taken a nap, and the genius she had staked her life and family on had turned into this.
After a moment, she took a deep breath and looked at the nearby Tianmeng Ice Silkworm.
"Are you sure... he's a good person???"
The fawning smile on Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's face suddenly froze.
"Well, about that..."
He quickly glanced out of the corner of his eye at Lin Xuan, who was picking up a pair of hand-woven red string bracelets and asking Princess Xu Jiujiu for the price.
He gave an awkward smile.
"Geniuses always have unusual personalities. This is quite reasonable."
...
"This craftsmanship... is far worse than that shop in the west market of Shrek City."
In front of a shop, Lin Xuan slipped a red string bracelet with a peace knot onto his wrist, held it up to the light for a moment, and said casually to Princess Xu Jiujiu,
"What do you think?"
Princess Xu Jiujiu was stunned for a moment before realizing Lin Xuan was asking her. She nodded and said cautiously,
"It... it is a bit lacking."
Lin Xuan gave a non-committal hum and said nothing more. The two then walked side-by-side down the brightly lit street.
The calls of vendors, the playfulness of children, and the cheers for performers merged into a sea of noise. Tai Long's hunched figure followed ten paces behind, like a piece of wood.
After walking a bit further down the street, Lin Xuan suddenly stopped in front of a stall surrounded by people. He looked at the words on the sign and said with a hint of surprise,
"Riddle guessing? Star Luo City has this too?"
Princess Xu Jiujiu was taken aback and replied, "Yes... they do. It's held during some major festivals every year."
Lin Xuan didn't look back, merely watching the lantern rack filled with colorful slips of paper with interest.
"Can you do it?"
"...A little."
"Then you guess." Lin Xuan stepped aside to make room for her, the smile on his face fading slightly, appearing less deliberate.
Princess Xu Jiujiu stared blankly at his profile. The lantern light danced on his silver-white hair, casting a soft silhouette on his overly handsome face.
At this moment, he didn't seem like the Fallen Heaven Douluo who had killed three Soul Saints with a wave of his hand and crushed a Soul Douluo; he just looked like a young tourist from a foreign land.
Princess Xu Jiujiu stepped forward and took down a colorful slip hanging under a lantern, unfolding it to see the writing by the light.
"Two trees but not a forest, a heart beneath a field..."
"Is it... Yearning?"
The stall owner, who had already noticed this striking young couple, was momentarily stunned before smiling,
"Young lady has a good eye! This lantern is yours."
Princess Xu Jiujiu was dazed and instinctively took the lantern. The shade was painted with light ink orchids, glowing with a gentle warmth under the candlelight.
Lin Xuan took the lantern from her hand, examined it for a moment, and then handed it back to her.
"For you."
Princess Xu Jiujiu gripped the lantern handle, her knuckles turning slightly white, and whispered,
"Th-thank you."
They continued walking forward. Princess Xu Jiujiu carried the lantern, the warm yellow light creating a small, soft glow at her feet, tinting her skirt with a faint golden hue.
Lin Xuan walked by her side at a leisurely pace, taking in everything around them with interest.
Princess Xu Jiujiu stole a glance at Lin Xuan and suddenly realized that nearly two hours had passed since they met.
In these two hours, the Fallen Heaven Douluo had not only refrained from threatening her but hadn't even mentioned anything related to Evil Soul Masters.
He just walked through the night market, looked at lanterns, bought bracelets, and asked curious questions about foreign customs like an ordinary person.
By now, her hand holding the lantern seemed to have stopped trembling.
"That's enough walking for now."
Lin Xuan suddenly stopped. He had teased Princess Xu Jiujiu enough; it would be boring to continue.
He then turned to Princess Xu Jiujiu beside him and gave a slight smile,
"Your Highness, you may leave. We shall meet again."
With that, Lin Xuan turned and walked straight into the crowd, leaving only a faint silhouette.
"Okay... until next time..."
Princess Xu Jiujiu stared blankly at Lin Xuan as he disappeared into the crowd, murmuring softly. She hadn't expected him to actually let her go like this.
She lowered her head and said no more, just quietly looking at the lantern and the ink orchids painted on it.
Ten paces away, Tai Long's hunched figure was like a stone statue weathered for a thousand years. He was a bit afraid now, not of Lin Xuan, but of the expression on Princess Xu Jiujiu's face, which sent a chill down his spine.
That was not the expression one should have when afraid...
...
In the following days, Lin Xuan did not leave the Star Emperor Hotel again. He was either cultivating or attending meetings to discuss tactical arrangements for the competition.
During this time, news arrived from Shrek Academy. There was only one piece of news, but it was a bombshell.
—For this competition, the academy would not be sending any more reinforcement students.
In other words, for most of the upcoming matches, they would have to rely solely on the seven members of the preparatory team.
Upon hearing this, everyone except Lin Xuan felt as if the sky had fallen.
The original 'Galactic Warship' consisting of two Soul Emperors and five Soul Kings had instantly turned into a small, broken boat with five Soul Sects and two Soul Elders due to the Death God Messenger incident.
Forget winning the championship; even making it to the semi-finals would require explosive luck with the brackets.
A few days later, at dawn, the warm sunlight pierced through the horizon, and golden morning clouds draped over the ancient and magnificent city of the Star Luo Empire.
Although the day had just broken, all the residents of Star Luo City had already awakened and were gathering on the streets, excitedly heading towards the city center.
There was an extremely vast square there called Star Luo Square, which was also the venue for this competition.
And now, it was the day the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition officially began.
The Star Luo Square, selected as the match venue, already had four stands several tens of meters high. Tens of thousands of spectators had all entered, and as far as the eye could see, there were moving heads—a massive, dense crowd.
As the champions of the previous Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition, the Shrek Academy team was naturally arranged to appear first, and their rest area was also naturally placed in the first row.
Then, under the orderly arrangement of the surrounding guards, all one hundred and thirty-three academy teams for this competition entered the arena, and the lively atmosphere reached its peak at that moment.
However, unlike the majority of the audience immersed in the festive atmosphere, any team with some strength instinctively looked towards Shrek Academy.
After all, as the top favorite to win, Shrek Academy had been the focus of all teams for thousands of years.
This look was significant. After carefully observing all the members of the Shrek Academy team, everyone couldn't help but feel puzzled.
The number of people in Shrek Academy's team this time was wrong. Previously, there were at least ten or more, but this time they had barely scraped together a single team. Moreover, among the seven, except for that big dark fellow, the others all looked quite young and didn't seem like Inner Court disciples.
Was Shrek Academy intentionally hiding its strength by sending such a lineup?
Almost everyone thought so. After all, the title of the number one academy on the continent was too resonant. You could say it was good or bad, but you simply couldn't say it was weak.
At this time, the Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei, wearing a bright yellow robe, arrived at the high observation platform with the Empress and civil and military officials. He watched his subjects with a gentle yet majestic gaze and began his pre-match speech.
"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition is a grand ceremony held every five years on the Douluo Continent. I am very pleased that it is the Star Luo Empire's turn to host this competition."
"On behalf of the Star Luo Empire, I welcome all the academies that have come from afar. I hope you will show your proper style during this month-long competition."
"I declare the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition open!"
Under the impassioned declaration of the Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei, the curtain of this continental grand ceremony was officially raised.
Representatives from various academies went on stage one after another to draw their opponents for the first round of the knockout stage, secretly praying in their hearts not to encounter Shrek Academy or the various royal academies.
After the competition's referee group confirmed the matchups, they announced through a voice-amplifying spirit tool:
"The first match of the knockout stage: Shrek Academy, the number one academy on the continent that has swept every championship in the ten thousand years of this competition, against the Qianling Advanced Soul Master Academy of the Dou Ling Empire. Will the contestants from both sides please take the stage!"
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