Douluo Continent: The Ruler of Time, Reigning Supreme

Chapter 151 Return to Dragon City
However, Yin Chen did not intend to really make things difficult for Zhang Lexuan.

"Need not."

Yin Chen shook his head, his voice not loud, but exceptionally clear and firm.

Zhang Lexuan suddenly raised her head and looked at him in surprise.

Yin Chen met her gaze, a confident smile curving his lips:

“Sister Lexuan, I appreciate your kindness, but I don’t think there’s any need to hide this from the Sea God Pavilion.”

"why?"

Zhang Lexuan blurted it out.

"Don't you understand the danger I just mentioned? The human heart cannot withstand the test."

"I see."

Yin Chen's eyes were deep, as if they could see through the world.

"Of course I understand that a 100,000-year-old soul bone is moving, let alone a 400,000-year-old one, but I have faith in Shrek Academy."

He verbally expressed his belief in Shrek Academy and seemed to highly admire it, but in reality, he was completely unmoved.

He didn't truly trust Shrek Academy; he trusted his own judgment.

Shrek Academy has stood the test of time on the continent for millennia, becoming the undisputed number one academy, not only because of its formidable strength, but also because of its prestige and vision.

To kill the goose that lays the golden eggs for a mere soul bone—if word gets out, it will be a devastating blow to Shrek Academy's reputation, built up over millennia.

Shrek Academy is the representative of the righteous faction on the continent, a sacred place in the hearts of countless soul masters, and the watchdog of the continent.

This title is Shrek Academy's biggest constraint, but also Yin Chen's greatest guarantee.

In order to maintain its prestigious reputation, Shrek Academy would not risk its interests for a 100,000-year-old soul bone, especially since he is neither a lone individual nor a commoner.

He has the Star Luo Royal Family behind him.

Hearing Yin Chen's words, Zhang Lexuan's expression softened even more, and she smiled, "Aren't you afraid that someone in the academy will become greedy?"

"Yes, I am scared, but you're here, Sister Lexuan. You wouldn't let something like this happen, would you?"

Yin Chen stared intently at Zhang Lexuan, a gaze that made her cheeks flush slightly. She turned her head away slightly, avoiding the gaze that made her heart race.

"Of course, your value is far greater than that of a 400,000-year-old soul bone."

Zhang Lexuan calmed herself down and said in a deep voice:
"A twelve-year-old level 45 Soul Master with twin martial souls, one time-based and the other extreme ice-based, a little monster with a 400,000-year-old soul ring and soul bone... Even without me, the Sea God Pavilion would not allow anyone from the academy to have designs on you."

Yes, the value of Yin Chen lies in his immeasurable future.

Unless the Shrek Academy leadership is stupid, they won't let him develop any resentment towards Shrek.

Does Shrek Academy lack 100,000-year-old soul bones? Perhaps they do, but they do have them.

A disciple with such potential is a once-in-a-millennium talent.

The significance and gains of cultivating a god-level powerhouse are incomparable to ten or one hundred 400,000-year-old soul bones.

As long as the elders of the Sea God Pavilion aren't fools, they will make the right choice.

Moreover, Yin Chen knew very well that with Dragon God Douluo Mu En's strength, as long as he used the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion Martial Soul, he wouldn't be able to hide it. Mu En would definitely be able to see that his Martial Soul was not a simple Ice Jade Scorpion.

Therefore, concealment was never part of his plan from the beginning. To become the head of the Sea God Pavilion, the more high-profile the better. He was playing dumb to fool others, but in the end, he might actually become the fool. Of course, only a few people would know about the Ice Emperor's affairs, such as the higher-ups of the Sea God Pavilion and the Star Luo Royal Family. To the outside world, it was still necessary to keep it hidden.

"Since you, Sister Lexuan, also know that the academy will value me highly, then what is there to worry about?"

Yin Chen smiled smugly.

Zhang Lexuan remained silent as she looked at the young man in front of her, who was several years younger than her. His silver hair fluttered in the wind, and his heterochromatic eyes sparkled with wisdom and confidence beyond his years.

At that moment, she suddenly felt that her previous worries seemed somewhat... unnecessary.

She even felt that the boy in front of her thought more and further than she did, and he had a clear understanding of his own value and how the academy would choose.

This mindset, this perspective—how could this be the behavior of a twelve-year-old boy?
"I understand."

After a long pause, Zhang Lexuan nodded.

Traveling south from the far north, the colors of the world seemed to follow their footsteps, gradually changing from a pure, despairing white to other hues.

Under the leaden sky, the continuous snow-capped mountains and ice fields were gradually replaced by sparse coniferous forests covered with icicles.

The snow underfoot was no longer so thick, and occasionally one could step on the frozen black soil, making a dull sound.

The air was still cold, but the chilling stillness that seemed to penetrate to the bone and freeze the soul had faded considerably.

Yin Chen and Zhang Lexuan walked side by side.

After that in-depth conversation about secrets and trust, the atmosphere between the two was no longer as heavy and awkward as it had been at the beginning, but rather more open and tacit.

Zhang Lexuan was no longer struggling with whether to keep it a secret. A huge weight was lifted from her heart, and she felt much more relaxed.

She began to act like a true senior student, discussing various matters with Yin Chen about returning to the academy, sharing some interesting anecdotes from the inner courtyard, and even inadvertently revealing her expectations for Yin Chen's future.

Yin Chen was happy to enjoy this rare peace.

He listened quietly most of the time, only occasionally interjecting a word or two.

He could sense that Zhang Lexuan's carefully maintained airs of a senior sister were gradually melting away when she was with him.

She would roll her eyes at him reproachfully for his unintentional joke, and she would also show heartache when he mentioned losing his parents at the age of six.

These subtle changes, like a stream thawing in spring, are silent yet undeniably real.

Finally, after several days of trekking, the outline of a majestic city appeared on the horizon.

"We've finally arrived in Dragon City..."

Looking at the familiar city wall, Zhang Lexuan let out a long sigh of relief, finally relaxing her tense mind after many days.

This trip to the far north was full of uncertainties and dangers, and her safe return now feels like a lifetime ago.

Yin Chen also looked up, and compared to Zhang Lexuan's relief, he felt even more relaxed.

After all, he was the one playing the game from beginning to end. Although there were some minor accidents during the process, they were not serious.

The two quickened their pace. As they drew closer, the bustling crowds and noise at the city gate washed over them like a warm tide, dispelling the last trace of chill they had brought from the far north.

Upon entering Dragon City and traversing its bustling streets, the two returned to Dragon Sleep Residence with practiced ease.

(End of this chapter)