Douluo Continent: The Eternal Dawn

Chapter 114 Tang Wutong under the statue of Tang San and Xiao Wu
A full week has passed since the outer academy went on holiday, and the entire Shrek Academy appears unusually deserted.

Although Zhang Lexuan is now the vice dean in charge of the outer academy, as the senior student of the inner academy, she occasionally needs to assist Cai Meier in overseeing the teaching work of the inner academy. During this holiday, she is busier than usual.

After all, inner court disciples are different from outer court students; even during holidays, they rarely leave the academy. Apart from going out to carry out inspector missions, they spend most of their time cultivating on Seagod Island.

Some inner court disciples without family ties often choose to become members of Shrek Academy.

The best among these people almost all became senior members of the Sea God Pavilion throughout the ages.

After breaking through to the eighth-ring Soul Douluo realm and possessing a 100,000-year-old Soul Ring and Soul Bone, Zhang Lexuan was already regarded as a prospective elder of the Sea God Pavilion, and even a prospective successor to the Sea God Pavilion Master.

Ye Xixuan's current cultivation level is still far from reaching that level, so he naturally shouldn't take on this responsibility too early like his senior sister Zhang Lexuan. For him, the most urgent task at present is to improve his cultivation level as soon as possible, and then share Zhang Lexuan's burdens when he has truly grown up.

Because of her family's connections, Tang Wutong has been living openly and brazenly in the Sea God Pavilion these days, no longer bothering to act at all.

As a result, Ye Xixuan would inevitably come into contact with Tang Wutong when he meditated and cultivated in the Sea God Pavilion at night, but there was nothing he could do about it.

We can't exactly ask Elder Mu to kick Tang Wutong out of the Sea God Pavilion, can we?

To avoid Tang Wutong's entanglement, Ye Xixuan then plunged headlong into the outer academy's Soul Guidance Department, beginning to study the inscription of core magic arrays and the creation of higher-level melee soul tools.

Having broken through to the fourth-ring Soul Master realm, he now has sufficient soul power as support, and his mental strength has also been further enhanced. He can now easily complete the inscription of a level five core magic array.

If he can use the level 5 melee soul tool created by his first soul skill, Shadow Condensation, in actual combat, his combat power will surely leap forward again.

The weather today is really not good. A fine drizzle falls steadily, bringing a chill to this deep winter season. Although it's not even evening yet, the sky outside the window is already completely dark. The continuous drizzle is accompanied by a howling wind, and all the flowers, plants, and trees within sight are swaying in the wind and rain.

Unaware of this, Ye Xixuan, who was inside the closed soul guidance laboratory, was focused on creating a strangely shaped soul guidance device.

Floating in the palms of his hands was a black shield shaped like seven petals. It looked to be only the size of a palm, small and exquisite, with intricate and obscure patterns imprinted on it, like a bewitching dark flower, stretching out its elegant and captivating posture.

This is a defensive soul tool, which also falls under the category of melee soul tools.

At this moment, Ye Xixuan finally completed the inscription of all the core magic arrays, stood up and let out a long sigh of relief. He firmly grasped it with his right hand, and with the infusion of his soul power, the dark flower instantly bloomed, expanding several times in the air to form a huge petal-shaped barrier.

Each petal corresponds to a layer of dark barrier, and the seven layers stacked together seem to form a barrier that divides space.

The burly He Caitou stood behind Ye Xixuan. Upon seeing this scene, a flush of excitement rose on his dark skin.

"A level 5 peak defensive soul tool, with a defensive effect at least comparable to a level 6 soul tool shield?! Xi Xuan, how did you manage to do that?!"

“Brother, this is because I integrated into the core magic array involving spatial power.” Ye Xixuan turned around and smiled in response. After his soul power was interrupted, the petal-shaped shield in his hand immediately returned to its original form and then quietly merged into the dark void.

The fourth soul skill, Dark Night Sky, and the soul bone of the Three-Life Wolf Ape's left leg have fundamentally improved his control over the second soul skill, Shadow Domain. Now, every soul tool he creates through the Condensation of Shadows can be stored in the Shadow Domain space and can be stored indefinitely until it is needed.

In the past few days, Ye Xixuan has already made several similar melee soul tools. If he continues to accumulate them day by day, the Shadow Domain Space will be like an inexhaustible treasure trove.

He Caitou recently obtained his fourth spirit ring while accompanying Fan Yu to the Star Dou Great Forest and just returned today. Witnessing Ye Xixuan's ability for the first time left him with a sense of disbelief.

"This is spatial power?! No wonder you can create defensive soul tools of this quality. The core magic array involving spatial power is a field that only high-level soul masters of level seven or above can possibly explore. I think even if the teacher were to make it himself, he probably wouldn't be able to do anything like this." Although this was the first time He Caitou had seen Ye Xixuan display such abilities, it was by no means the first time he had been amazed by Ye Xixuan's talent in soul tools.

"Xi Xuan, you are absolutely the most talented Soul Master I have ever seen, you could even be called exceptionally gifted. Your talent should not be wasted! Are you really not going to reconsider your teacher's Ultimate Solo Soldier Plan?"

He Caitou looked at Ye Xixuan with anticipation. This was indeed his heartfelt thought, but it also contained some of his own selfish motives.

With Ye Xixuan's talent in cultivation and soul tools, and with his full cooperation, he has a more than 90% chance of perfectly implementing the academy's ultimate solo plan. At that time, he might be able to use Ye Xixuan's power to complete his revenge.

Hearing He Caitou's naive words, Ye Xixuan smiled helplessly.

"Brother He, do you want me to use my weaknesses to attack their strengths?"

"What do you mean?" He Caitou touched his bald head in confusion.

Ye Xixuan stretched his body slightly, then calmly asked He Caitou, "Brother He, let me ask you, what are the respective advantages of Shrek Academy and Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy?"

“Although Shrek Academy is hailed as the number one academy on the continent, in fact only its Martial Soul Department is truly the number one on the continent. The reason why the academy has a transcendent status on the continent is actually because the Martial Soul Department has cultivated those top experts of the Sea God Pavilion.” He Caitou muttered to himself subconsciously.

"The Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy can only barely compete with our academy because of its more advanced soul guide technology."

"So, Brother He, don't you know the answer in your heart?" Ye Xixuan chuckled and shook his head, passing by He Caitou.

"I don't believe that the strength of just the two of us can bridge the gap in soul guidance technology between our original Douluo Continent and the Sun Moon Empire. However, I do believe that I can become the strongest in the world in the future and influence the continent's格局 (geju, a term referring to the overall situation or landscape) with my own strength. Isn't that more in line with the concept of ultimate individual combat? In the end, soul guidance devices are just tools to me; strength is the fundamental thing."

There were some even harsher things that Ye Xixuan didn't actually say aloud.

If a Soul Master truly possesses the most outstanding talent for cultivating Martial Souls, how many people would ultimately choose to become a Soul Master?
It's only because he can't accept that he's a person lacking talent that he uses soul tools as a pretext to maintain his ridiculous dignity.

He Caitou's praise of soul tools was mainly because his martial soul lacked combat capabilities, leaving him with no other choice but to compromise.

In the thousands of years of the Sun Moon Empire, only one Kong Deming has ever emerged. Moreover, Kong Deming's ability to achieve such success is also inseparable from his talent of twin martial souls.

Is it really worth it to completely cut off one's future in cultivation in exchange for that so-called level 10 soul tool?
Watching Ye Xixuan's retreating figure, He Caitou silently clenched his fists, then dejectedly let them go.

The tool Ye Xixuan spoke of was his only hope for revenge. His resentment towards Ye Xixuan's denigration of soul tools ultimately stemmed from his lack of choice; he was merely deceiving himself.

Stepping out of the Soul Guidance Laboratory, Ye Xixuan realized it was raining outside.

Rainwater washed the ground, giving the air a fresh, earthy smell, and golden-red leaves fluttered and fell in the wind and rain.

Looking at the bleak and desolate winter rain scene, Ye Xixuan felt his physical and mental fatigue instantly ease.

In the past, Tang Ya would always pick him up personally during holidays. But for the time being, he wouldn't be able to enjoy that treatment. He Caitou followed closely behind, leaning against the metal door.

Ye Xixuan glanced sideways and saw He Caitou with a lit cigar in his mouth, then casually handed one to Ye Xixuan.

"Xi Xuan, want one?"

"Okay." Noticing the hint of loneliness in He Caitou's expression, Ye Xixuan nodded gently and accepted it.

"Brother He, it seems you also have a story to tell."

"If there's a chance in the future, I can tell you about my past experiences." He Caitou exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. Ye Xixuan's talent had long made him want to befriend him.

As he spoke, somehow He Caitou managed to light Ye Xixuan's cigar with a flame that appeared on his right hand.

Ye Xixuan took a puff, and the rich aroma of tobacco immediately filled his seven orifices, bringing an indescribable sense of comfort throughout his body.

"Cough, cough, cough, cough..." But in the next instant, he coughed violently because he saw that persistent ghost again.

Tang Wutong walked along the main road of the Soul Guidance System experimental area, holding an antique-style oil-paper umbrella, her beauty like that of someone from a painting. Golden and red fallen leaves danced in the cold wind and drizzle, as if frozen in time, with everything around her becoming her backdrop.

Today, Tang Wutong styled her long, wavy, light blue hair into a high bun with a butterfly hair clip, revealing her snow-white neck. Her pristine white dress accentuated her flawless face, making her appear like a goddess of light descending to earth. Following Ye Xixuan's preferences, she even wore white lace stockings that barely covered her ankles, and the ribbons used to bind her were tied into bows.

Under He Caitou's surprised gaze, Tang Wutong, holding an oil-paper umbrella, quickly walked up to Ye Xixuan and then snatched the black cigar from Ye Xixuan's hand with a reproachful look.

When did you learn to smoke?

"What are you going to do now?" Perhaps because he was used to Tang Wutong's persistent pestering, Ye Xixuan's reaction was not as strong as before. He just pouted in annoyance.

"I came to see you, what else could I have come for?" Tang Wutong saw Ye Xixuan's helpless reaction as a sign that his attitude towards her had changed, and she immediately puffed out her chest proudly.

"I didn't expect you to be hiding here during the day these past few days. This big, dark guy is old and ugly; he doesn't look like a good person at all. Stay away from him in the future."

He Caitou, who was innocently caught in the crossfire, stared wide-eyed, thinking, "This girl is so pretty, how come she's so aggressive?"
Ye Xixuan ignored Tang Wutong and walked into the rainy night alone.

"Damn it! You said you wouldn't deliberately avoid me anymore!" Tang Wutong angrily threw the burning black cigar in her hand to the ground, then glared fiercely at He Caitou before hurriedly catching up with Ye Xixuan.

She pressed her body close to Ye Xixuan's head, holding the oil-paper umbrella over his head, and then pressed her delicate body against him.

Ye Xixuan stopped in his tracks, and Tang Wutong also stopped, huffing and puffing, "You broke your promise!"

"How am I going back on my word?" Ye Xixuan shrugged helplessly.

"I just said I wouldn't deliberately keep my distance from you anymore, but it's not appropriate for you to be so clingy. What if what you did just now caused Brother He to misunderstand?"

"So what if it's a misunderstanding? Do you think I'm not good enough for you? If word gets out, people will only envy you, okay?" Tang Wutong snorted with a mysterious confidence, then said with a slight blush on her pretty face.

"Besides, you made me take off my socks that day, are you trying to deny it?"

"It's just taking off socks, not a skirt. Don't talk like I did something to you." Ye Xixuan immediately took a step back warily.

"You?!" Tang Wutong pressed closer, her teeth clenched tightly around her red lips, filled with shame and indignation. Completely unaware that she was about to fall deeper and deeper into the abyss, she was consumed by resentment.

"What else do you want from me?! If I really do that, will you stop rejecting me?"

"Huh?" Ye Xixuan stared in disbelief at the Tang princess before him, his heart filled with immense shock.

As the two continued their struggle, the winter rain gradually stopped.

Ye Xixuan lowered his eyes, a thoughtful and contemplative look appearing deep within them. He then raised his head to look at the statue of the original Shrek Seven Devils not far away, and said softly with a deep gaze.

"Do you really want to go this far?"

"Yes!" Tang Wutong put away her oil-paper umbrella as if in a fit of pique. Noticing Ye Xixuan's earlier actions, she grabbed him and quickly walked towards the statue of the original Shrek Seven Devils.

"Anyway, I've already said I like you, the kind of love where it has to be you. What's wrong with you seeing me beforehand!"

The night after the rain was still dark and gloomy.

Among the original Shrek Seven Devils, Tang San was the most handsome, with long blue hair flowing down his back, and vines coiling around his statue. A faint smile played on his lips, and his lifelike gaze was fixed on a female statue opposite him with a scorpion braid.

Tang Wutong stood between the statues of Tang San and Xiao Wu, bent her supple waist, and slowly lifted her skirt from her calves, her gaze shyly meeting that of Ye Xixuan in front of her.

When she lifted her skirt to above her knees, close to the upper thigh, Ye Xixuan finally realized what was happening. Looking at the statues of Tang Shenwang and Xiao Wu on either side, he suddenly panicked, feeling as if he had fallen into a trap.

"and many more!"

"No!" Tang Wutong trembled slightly, her red lips pressed tightly together, her eyes filled with resentment, but even more so with a resolute determination.

"You're not going to renege on your debt this time!"

"No, I keep my word!" Ye Xixuan was truly panicked this time.

Tang Wutong hesitated slightly upon hearing Ye Xixuan's words before tentatively asking, "Will you accompany me to the inner courtyard disciples' treasure appreciation event tonight?"

"Row!"

(End of this chapter)