Another Kind of Genius

Ru Shenqi finally released her spirit rings. Red after red ring descended until her icy blue ones appeared one by one. The crowd choked.

"WHAT IS THIS SPIRIT RING CONFIGURATION?!"

"THERE'S SEVENTEEN SPIRIT RINGS!!!"

She waited for the others to attack. When they did, she launched her seventh spirit skill, protecting herself with her Clear Crystal Armor.

"Fourth spirit skill, Clear Crystal Time."

Slowing time, she made sure that she could accurately guess her former classmates' moves. Their momentum was slowed by eighty percent. Unresolved hatred burned in the three girls' eyes. But she didn't care at all.

I am a God-King, the Goddess of Souls. My past does not define me. From now on, nothing is holding me back from doing what I want and being who I want to be.

Ru Shenqi summoned the Golden Scepter to her hand. The Power of the Ocean surged from her, causing the pool to slosh and grow rough. Seeing this, the Five Terrors stilled. The audience went wild.

"T- this! This is-!"

"This girl! She can only be a prodigy of her generation!"

"The Power of the Ocean! It's really the Power of the Ocean wielded by the Head Flamen of Haishen Island!!"

Ru Shenqi waved her scepter once, causing the waves to knock her opponents out of bounds. The unresolved anger was apparent, but she just looked up at Wenwen.

"They've been knocked out of bounds. This match is over."

Turning, she started to leave. Suddenly, Ai Yonggan screeched.

"It isn't fair!! Why do you always get favored?! How could you be the Head Flamen?! You're not even an Ocean spirit master!!"

Ru Shenqi turned her head slightly and answered coldly, "Because my mother, Bo Zuanshi, is the distant cousin of the previous Head Flamen, Bo Saixi."

Then, she retreated from the Main Stage. Her friends instantly surrounded her, forming a protective barrier as they attempted to leave the Great Spirit Arena. They made their way over to the docks where a group of Demon Spirit Great White Sharks were waiting for them. Xiao Bai poked her head up out of the water.

"Master Ru Shenqi, esteemed Sacred Pillar heirs, let us escort you to Haishen Island."

All five friends nodded and hopped onto the backs of the sharks. On their way, they stopped by Purple Pearl Island, bringing the good news of Spirit Empire's defeat.

The Head Flamen walked with Purple Pearl and Ji Xiang along the sandy beach. "Don't worry, no one from Spirit Empire will be able to attack Purple Pearl Island or Haishen Island ever again."

"Master Ru Shenqi, we cannot thank you enough."

"I promised that I'd protect the Ocean spirit masters. I hope I've lived up that promise."

Ji Xiang nodded reassuringly. "Our waters will be much safer now. And the people in Vast Sea City will be much happier. You've done a great thing. For everyone."

She sighed heavily. "Now, I just hope that there will come a successor to my position before I am required to return to the Douluo Divine Realm."

"I'm sure there will come a person. Miss Ning Rongrong was granted an heirship, but then you appeared. Surely, someone will come after you," Purple Pearl said.

Ru Shenqi stopped walking and turned to face them. "Thank you for your kind words and your support. If you ever need anything, don't be afraid to ask. Xiao Bai and her clan know you are friends of mine and Lord Sea God."

They bowed respectfully. "Many thanks, Head Flamen."

With that, she bid them farewell and returned to her friends. The Demon Spirit Great White Sharks brought the five disciples of the Tang Sect to Haishen Island.

As they approached, the Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians appeared on the beach to greet them. Once they stepped off, the seven seniors bowed.

"Welcome home, Head Flamen!"

"Thank you all. I'm honored to be serving the Lord Sea God with all of you."

Sea Witch Douluo floated over to her on a bubble. "Master Ru Shenqi, this way."

The five friends were escorted to Haishen Hall by Sea Witch Douluo, Sea Ghost Douluo, Seahorse Douluo, Sea Star Douluo, Sea Fantasy Douluo, Sea Lance Douluo, and Sea Dragon Douluo. When they stood outside of the doors, Ru Shenqi turned towards her friends.

"Youyou, Jiaxiang, Shanxin."

"Xiao Shen, what is it?"

"The Douluo Divine Realm thanks you all for helping bring peace to the Douluo Continent. As such, these wisps of soul fire are the Gods' gifts of gratitude." She waved her hand, and three wisps of soul fire came to rest in front of each of them. "Absorb them, and the divine power granted to you will form your ninth spirit rings."

The three's eyes widened. But then, Shu Jiaxiang looked down sadly.

"Jiaxiang, what is it?" Gu Xingyun asked.

"If only Suyin was here, then she'd not have to worry about hunting for a ninth spirit ring."

A small chuckle escaped from Ru Shenqi's lips. "Don't fret. Before we parted in Spirit City, I already gave Suyin her wisp of soul fire. She should be a true Titled Douluo now. Jade Poison Douluo."

Relief filled the Shadow Cheetah's face. "That's good."

The Little God summoned her Golden Scepter. "The Power of Haishen Hall will protect you all as you cultivate. Please, these small flames have immense power. Try to hold on for as long as you can to garner the best results."

Fang Youyou, Shu Jiaxiang, and Bai Shanxin nodded. "En."

Then, they sat down and began to absorb their wisps of soul fire. Meanwhile, Gu Xingyun turned towards the Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians.

"I have a question for you, Seniors."

"Hmm?"

"Seeing as Senior Ning Rongrong was granted Red level authority here and was still able to marry Senior Oscar, I wonder if Xiao Shen and I could one day get married as well?"

Ru Shenqi blushed furiously. "Xingyun..."

The Seven Children of the Sea God looked amongst themselves. Finally, Ou Ya smiled and said, "I don't see why not. Senior Bo Saixi waited so painfully long for her beloved. It'd be cruel of us to keep the two of you apart."

Happiness filled the God of Storms' features. He turned towards the Goddess of Souls.

""Xiao Shen, will you-?"

But, she held up a hand. "Can you wait for the others to finish absorbing their ninth spirit rings? They'll be so mad if they didn't get to witness you propose to me."

He laughed heartily and agreed.

<><><>

A few days later, Fang Youyou, Bai Shanxin, and Shu Jiaxiang finally finished absorbing their ninth spirit rings. The three stood up only to see their two friends waiting for them. All Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians had had to return to their posts.

"Xiao Shen, thank you."

"What ranks are you all at?"

"I'm a ninety second ranked Auxiliary System Spirit Master! The likes hasn't been seen since Senior Oscar!"

"I'm a ninety third ranked Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master."

"I'm a ninety third ranked Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master."

Gu Xingyun and Ru Shenqi clapped their friends on the back. "Well done."

Then, the God of Storms tried again. He turned towards his loved one. Snapping his fingers, a beautiful white gold ring with a stunning mother-of-pearl on it appeared in between his right thumb and index finger. Seeing this, the three other gasped.

"Xiao Shen, it was my great honor to have met you in Slaughter City, and I was smart enough to follow you back to Shrek Academy. Those couple of years were some of the best of my life. And I feel I must apologize for just about everything following. I was jealous and blind-sided. It caused you pain and even death. If you're willing to give me another chance, I promise to respect you and love you for the rest of my life. I hope, in the future, we can ascend to the Douluo Divine Realm together. But first, Xiao Shen, will you marry me?"

"Say yes! Say yes already!" Fang Youyou, Bai Shanxin, and Shu Jiaxiang cried.

She laughed and nodded. Holding out her hand, she said, "Yes. Of course I'll marry you. Everything was my own choice. I did what I thought was right to save the Continent. Don't blame yourself for that. I love you and want to be with you for the rest of time."

He slide the ring onto her right ring finger and picked her up, spinning her around while their friends cheered. Even the Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians clapped enthusiastically.

When her feet touched the ground again, he leaned in. Their lips brushed against each other.

"Don't regret it," Gu Xingyun murmured.

Ru Shenqi replied, "Never."

<><><>

Five years later...

Ru Shenqi sat on her throne in Haishen Hall, playing a tune on her black jade flute. Gu Xingyun stood off to her right while the rest of the Shrek Seven Tyrants stood on her left. Bai Shanxin and Fang Youyou leaned their heads against each other. Shu Jiaxiang laughed her new boyfriend. Liao Suyin and Xun Yunji held hands, and Ming Yong was explaining the events of their Sea God's Challenges to his new girlfriend. Seeing her family so happy, Ru Shenqi felt at ease.

Just then, the Shrek Seven Devils and the Golden Iron Triangle entered, escorted by the Seven Sea Douluos. She smiled and stood.

"Everyone, it's the anniversary of our victory against Spirit Empire. And seeing as our Lord Sea God is here himself, I don't believe it would be blasphemous to hold a celebration in Haishen Hall today. So please, enjoy yourselves and let's promise to protect the world, forever!"

All in attendance cheered and clapped.

As people made their rounds to talk to each other, Gu Xingyun whispered in his wife's ear, "Xiao Shen, these people in front of you are your family. Now and forever. We will never abandon or betray you. We all love you, genius among geniuses or not. You're our Little God. Without you, Spirit Empire might still be wreaking havoc all over the Continent."

She nodded. "Sect Leader has some ideas. Plans to implement for the future of Douluo Continent. I'm thinking about whether or not they'd be beneficial for Haishen Island."

"Whatever you choose."

"Xingyun..."

"Hmm?"

She turned towards him and gave him a quick peck on the lips. Looking deep into his eyes, she said, "I couldn't ask for better friends, teachers, and Seniors. You all are the best family I could've ever hoped to gain."

Her friends, Seniors, and teachers all heard her words. The couple turned towards the rest.

All of the Shrek Seven Tyrants suddenly cried out with joy on their faces, "Shrek Academy! Forever!"

The End