Douluo Continent: Thunder Roar

The "Sister Lexuan" that Jiang Nannan mentioned is Zhang Lexuan, the third member of the newly established Akatsuki organization, the senior sister of Shrek Academy's inner court, the successor of the Sea God Pavilion Master, and a member of the Sea God Pavilion's council.

The story begins two years ago.

At that time, Ling Yu had just arrived in Douluo Continent and encountered Zhang Lexuan by chance deep in the Star Dou Great Forest.

The kindness shown to him, a stranger, in such a dangerous environment left a deep impression on Ling Yu.

Later, Zhang Lexuan's team was attacked by a powerful soul beast. Ling Yu summoned his spirit beast, a 50,000-year-old dark gold dinosaur, to help them resolve the crisis.

The trouble came from Xuanzi, who arrived shortly afterward.

The old man not only failed to fulfill his responsibility as a protector, but also mistook Xiong Er for an attacker and struck him with a palm strike.

Although the misunderstanding was quickly cleared up and Xiong Er was not injured, the incident still happened.

Xuanzi immediately expressed his apology and promised to give Ling Yu generous compensation.

The compensation was indeed substantial, enough to tempt the vast majority of Soul Masters.

But Ling Yu felt uncomfortable listening to this.

He could tell that Xuanzi's "sincerity" was largely due to his ability to summon Xiong Er, whose combat power was comparable to that of a Title Douluo, demonstrating astonishing "potential".

What truly chilled Ling Yu was the somewhat nonchalant arrogance of a Super Douluo when Xuanzi apologized to the young students who had also perished in the accident.

This attitude completely shut the door on Shrek Academy for Ling Yu.

He refused any compensation and had no desire to have anything to do with this seemingly prestigious college anymore.

He turned around and left immediately.

Not long ago, Zhang Lexuan, still recovering from her injuries, personally went to his Huichuntang in Lingdou City.

She didn't mention any compensation, but conveyed the deepest apologies from Elder Mu, the Sea God Pavilion Master of Shrek Academy, and then said something different.

"Ling Yu, you're right." Her face was pale, but her eyes shone with an astonishing light. "Shrek has this problem, and so do other places. Many seemingly self-evident rules are unfair upon closer inspection." She paused, looking at Ling Yu. "If you think this is wrong, then instead of watching from the outside, why not come in? Shrek is the number one academy on the continent, the source and microcosm of many rules. Here, perhaps you'll have a chance to truly do something, to change even the smallest thing."

These words made Ling Yu change his mind.

Zhang Lexuan's honesty and the determination in her eyes to change something touched him.

It's easy to be clear-headed on your own, but if you really want to shake something, you always need a fulcrum, you need like-minded people.

So, in that small clinic in Lingdou City, Ling Yu, Zhang Lexuan, and Jiang Nannan, who were deeply moved by their conversation, made a simple agreement.

They named this small alliance "Dawn of the Dawn," or simply "Dawn."

The goal is simple: to see through the unreasonable rules and then try to change them, even if only a little.

Shrek Academy became the first and most important starting point chosen by "Akatsuki".

They came here not to become part of its so-called "glory," but to start from this number one Soul Master Academy on the continent and gradually change it, and even the entire Soul Master world on the continent.

When Jiang Nannan heard that Ling Yu had been assigned to Zhou Yi's class, which was known for its "abnormal" nature, her first reaction was worry.

But Ling Yu's words immediately awakened her—Zhou Yi was just one example of a certain phenomenon within the academy that they foresaw they would encounter.

Instead of avoiding or complaining, they treated her as the first specific case that Xiao needed to observe and deal with.

That's the reason they came here.

"Yes," Jiang Nannan nodded again, this time in a lighter tone, "Our first step for 'Xiao' starts here."

She pronounced the name "Akatsuki" naturally, with a small sense of pride that belonged to her comrades.

Ling Yu smiled slightly as he looked at the renewed light in her eyes.

"Let's settle things first. The road ahead is long."

Jiang Nannan hummed in agreement and continued to clean diligently, her movements becoming lighter and more energetic than before.

Soon, the once messy dormitory became tidy. Soft and clean bedding and pillows were laid out on the bare hard bed, making it look comfortable.

Ling Yu withdrew his gaze and calmed his thoughts.

The problems within Shrek Academy, and even the many injustices existing in the entire Soul Master world of Douluo Continent, are perhaps just superficial in his eyes.

The deeper and more fundamental "injustice" may lie in the world itself—the "upper limit" that is firmly held by a few beings and that ordinary people can hardly reach even if they exhaust their entire lives.

Godhood is like a scarce resource that is monopolized. Most soul masters spend their entire lives in brilliance and splendor, but if they cannot gain the favor of certain individuals, they will ultimately be unable to escape the fate of turning into dust, and hundreds of years of hard work will vanish in the blink of an eye.

This fundamental limitation, originating from the world itself, is the greatest shackle.

"There's no longer any trace of insects in this room." Volibear's deep voice echoed in the sea of ​​consciousness, tinged with a hint of bewildered indifference. "A strange arrangement. What exactly did those insects want with that human boy, to live in this room?"

Ling Yu thought to himself, "Perhaps it's to 'meet' someone else here? This is a double dormitory room. Maybe he just wants to create some 'fateful encounters' that he 'arranges'."

He recalled Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong's first encounter in the original novel.

"A boring trick." Volibear's voice was full of undisguised disdain, as if he were commenting on a child's clumsy game. "Those who manipulate and play with the trajectory of fate will sooner or later be torn apart by fate itself. Call me again after the other kid has actually moved in."

After he finished speaking, his immense will subsided once more, like a storm temporarily receding behind thick clouds.

Even after absorbing a wisp of divine thought that Tang San had attached to the auspicious beast, Volibear's power was like a drop in the ocean, far from enough to restore much of his vitality as a demigod.

He remains weak and spends most of his time in a deep sleep.

But the wildness and pride of "Undying Thunder" never faded. Even with only a fraction of its strength left, it was always ready to completely devour any "insects" that dared to offend the storm and the majesty of the mountains in the thunder.

"Dr. Xiaoyu, it's all done." Jiang Nannan's gentle voice pulled Ling Yu back to reality.

She stood beside the neatly made bed, her hands awkwardly clasped in front of her, her cheeks slightly flushed, her golden eyes sparkling as she gazed at Ling Yu, seemingly expecting something.

When a young woman and a man are alone in a room and have just finished a somewhat intimate "household chore," a subtle, romantic expectation inevitably arises in the young woman's heart, one that she herself may not be entirely clear about.

However, Ling Yu's attention was clearly not in that direction.

He looked at the newly renovated dormitory, nodded with satisfaction, and said sincerely but very directly, "Thank you for your hard work, Sister Nan."

"By the way, Sister Nan, don't you have classes today? I remember the academy should have already started classes."

The polite yet distant address of "Sister Nan Nan" completely dispelled any hint of ambiguity.

Jiang Nannan quickly composed herself and explained, "Classes haven't officially started yet; it's free time. I thought you might not have everything you need since you just arrived, so..."

"I see," Ling Yu nodded, indicating his understanding, and then asked with concern, "How has Madam Jiang been lately? Has she been taking her medicine on time? Is she feeling unwell anywhere?"

Mentioning her mother's illness, Jiang Nannan's expression immediately became serious and focused, and the slight disappointment that had just surfaced burst like a bubble: "Mom is much better! The frequency and severity of her chest pain have decreased a lot, she can sleep soundly at night, and her complexion has improved a lot. She keeps saying she doesn't know how to thank you enough..."

As she spoke, a heartfelt gratitude appeared on her face, but then she seemed to remember something, and a deeper blush rose on her fair cheeks. Her voice lowered, tinged with embarrassment, "My mother also asked me to ask... when the next treatment is? She... she's been thinking about it."

Next treatment...

Upon hearing this, Ling Yu's mind flashed back to the last time in the back room of Huichuntang, to Jiang Wanqing's pale yet stunning beauty, and to the delicate and soft touch, the rapid heartbeat, and the soft moan that sounded like both pain and pleasure when she guided his hand to cover her chest... He could almost feel that amazing elasticity and warmth of her smooth and soft skin again at his fingertips.

His ears tingled slightly, almost imperceptibly, but his face remained calm and expressionless.

Subconsciously, I put my hand behind my back, and my fingertips curled up slightly, as if to brush away the non-existent lingering touch.

"Madam Jiang's condition requires long-term care and cannot be rushed." Ling Yu's voice was more composed than before, and his gaze shifted slightly to the trees outside the window. "The next treatment will proceed as planned, approximately one month from now. During this time, it is imperative to take medication on time, rest quietly, and avoid overexertion and emotional excitement."

He quickly steered the conversation away from the slightly awkward recollection and began to talk about his plans: "In addition, I plan to open a clinic in Shrek City, using the name 'Huichun Hall'. Firstly, it will make it convenient to continue providing follow-up treatments for patients like Madam Jiang, and secondly, I also need a quiet and independent place to study medicine and cultivate myself."

Jiang Nannan's attention was successfully diverted, and her eyes lit up: "Open a clinic? That's a great idea! Dr. Xiaoyu, your medical skills will definitely make you famous in Shrek City!"

Realizing she could help Ling Yu, she immediately forgot her shyness and disappointment and said enthusiastically, "I'm quite familiar with the city and know a few potentially suitable places, each with its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of rent and environment. If you need, I can go with you to take a look!"

Seeing her regain her energy, Ling Yu smiled slightly: "That would be perfect. Once I've finished dealing with things related to enrollment, I'll trouble you to take me to see it."

"No trouble at all!" Jiang Nannan quickly waved her hand, feeling happy to be able to do something practical for Ling Yu. "I'm ready anytime!"