Douluo Dalu 2: Reincarnated as the Auspicious Beast

Shrek Academy, Martial Soul Department Dean's Office.

The spacious room was not extravagantly decorated, but every detail exuded elegance. An elderly man in white sat behind a golden-brown wooden desk, reading a letter.

A girl in red sat on the chair opposite, her legs crossed.

Her strikingly beautiful face carried an air of defiance, and her pink crystal-like eyes radiated an inexplicable sense of enchantment. However, her expression at the moment was laced with discontent, and her full, crimson lips were pressed into a tight line.

"Xiao Tao, have you given it more thought?" After a long pause, the elder set down the letter and asked.

"Not really," Ma Xiaotao replied bluntly, her tone far from polite.

The elder sighed deeply. "Xu Sanshi's Black Tortoise Shield Martial Soul carries an exceptionally pure bloodline of an ancient divine beast. It's one of the most supreme water-attribute Martial Souls. His Black Tortoise Water is as strong as your Phoenix Evil Fire, both merely a sliver away from the limit. Cultivating together would benefit both of you. You're of similar age… You won't find a more compatible match than him."

In truth, the Sea God Pavilion had a bigger agenda—Xu Sanshi's lineage and background.

Xu Sanshi was the heir to the Mystical Underworld Sect of the Dou Ling Empire and carried royal blood from the empire. Though the Mystical Underworld Sect was a hidden force, its influence within Dou Ling Empire was considerable.

If Ma Xiaotao, a future Shrek high council member, were to marry him, Shrek Academy could secure more resources from the Dou Ling Empire—perhaps even integrate the Mystical Underworld Sect into its fold.

Additionally, Ma Xiaotao wouldn't have to struggle against her Evil Fire, allowing her to fully unleash her potential as a Phoenix Soul Master near the ultimate level of fire.

At her current pace, unrestrained by suppression, she might reach the Title Douluo level by the age of thirty.

More importantly, the Black Tortoise Shield Martial Soul, with its inherent righteous energy, might neutralize the evil in her Phoenix Martial Soul. Together, they had a high chance of producing offspring with a pure Phoenix Martial Soul of ultimate fire.

Such a child could secure Shrek's prominence for the next five centuries!

When the Mystical Underworld Sect hinted at an interest in marriage, the Sea God Pavilion immediately decided to have Yan Shaozhe work on convincing Ma Xiaotao.

However, Ma Xiaotao was straightforward and unyielding. Any discussion of political benefits would only provoke her further.

"I don't like him." Predictably, Ma Xiaotao's expression darkened with impatience. She had heard this spiel too many times.

"You've trained together so many times, spent so much time in close proximity—are you really not attracted to Xu Sanshi at all? I think the boy's quite handsome," Yan Shaozhe teased, raising an eyebrow.

A flicker of anger crossed Ma Xiaotao's face, but she quickly suppressed it. Though she had a fiery temper, she wouldn't dare lose it with her teacher. "We haven't had any 'close interactions.' It's just ordinary training, and I really don't like him! Xu Sanshi himself told me he already has someone he likes."

"Honestly, it's not ideal for me to say this, but if you're concerned that you wouldn't be his first love, it's really not a big deal."

Yan Shaozhe, like a nagging parent, continued earnestly, "Experienced men know how to be considerate. Besides, the Mystical Underworld Sect has promised that the woman he likes won't be an issue anymore. The Academy's position is that you two should get engaged first. You're not interested in anyone else, so feelings can grow over time."

"…" Ma Xiaotao took a deep breath.

A surge of destructive rage bubbled up inside her. She wanted to scream, to burn the office to the ground. Yet she held it in and said through gritted teeth, "Even if I don't like anyone else, have you considered Xu Sanshi's opinion in all this?"

"If you agree, the Mystical Underworld Sect will make him comply. It's not a problem," Yan Shaozhe said dismissively. "Even the current Sea God Pavilion Master, Elder Mu, entered a union for the sake of alliances. He and his wife ended up quite happy. As long as the interests align, emotions don't matter. Don't you want to cultivate without constraints?"

Although he cared deeply for his disciple, whom he saw as his own daughter, safeguarding Shrek's honor and interests was the responsibility of every Shrek member.

When the interests of the faction were at stake, personal desires had to take a back seat.

"I do want to cultivate freely, but I will never marry someone I don't love just for the sake of my Martial Soul." Ma Xiaotao stood, arms crossed, adopting a defensive stance filled with hostility.

"…Sigh, this child." Yan Shaozhe sighed, waving her off like shooing a fly. "Xiao Tao, don't be so stubborn. Think it over carefully. A Soul Master's prime cultivation years are short… Making an early decision benefits everyone."

Ma Xiaotao snorted coldly, rose to her feet, and strode toward the door. Her fiery red hair swayed like flowing flames—or dancing blood.

"Wait," Yan Shaozhe called out again.

"I won't change my mind," Ma Xiaotao said impatiently.

"That's not it," Yan Shaozhe shook his head. "Have you seen Jiang Lan today?"

"I have. Why?"

"Where did she go?" Yan Shaozhe's tone turned serious.

"She went to the Battle Arena to watch a duel."

"Bring her back," Yan Shaozhe instructed coldly. "From now on, keep an eye on her. Unless absolutely necessary, she's not allowed outside."

"Why?" Ma Xiaotao, already in a foul mood, frowned and snapped back. "Jiang Lan's an adult. She works hard in her training. Why restrict her? Rest and relaxation are part of cultivation."

"Jiang Lan's situation is unique," Yan Shaozhe said, furrowing his brows. "Letting her wander freely is bad for everyone."

"Fine, fine, stop nagging. I'll bring her back and watch over her," Ma Xiaotao said irritably.

It was obvious from her tone that she had no intention of following through.

With that, she slammed the door behind her, leaving Yan Shaozhe to mutter in frustration.

"She's such a handful. I don't even dare to tell her the truth… If we can't keep Jiang Lan under control once our generation passes, it'll spell disaster. After all, she's Shrek's most dangerous weapon…"

His murmurs were muffled behind the door, unheard by Ma Xiaotao.

In the corridor, a tall young man in black was waiting outside the door.

He had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, a straight nose and square mouth, and his face looked serious when he wasn't smiling.

But when he walked forward with a smirk, he looked very annoying.

"Sister Xiaotao, what did the dean say... ouch!"

Ma Xiaotao punched him directly in the stomach.

She didn't hold back, and even Xu Sanshi, with his thick skin and tough flesh, was in a lot of pain. But he dared not complain, after all, his family had brought trouble to the other party first, and it was only natural for Ma Xiaotao to be angry

Ma Xiaotao raised her hand again, and Xu Sanshi shrank his neck, thinking that the other party was going to give him another slap.

But Ma Xiaotao just patted his shoulder, "From now on, we're on the same side."

"Of course," Xu Sanshi nodded quickly, he still had the girl he liked in his heart, and he definitely didn't want to get married.

He thought for a moment and then said, "After all, I've also caused trouble for Sister Xiaotao, so let me treat you to a meal as an apology. There's a new restaurant that opened near the south gate of Shrek City... I'll call my buddies too."

"Not bad, you're quite considerate," Ma Xiaotao

nodded in approval. "Mind if I bring Jiang Lan along?"

"Not at all. It'd be great if Senior Jiang joined us."

"Let's head to the Battle Arena and pick her up first." Ma Xiaotao's tone was casual. "By the way, I haven't asked you—what's the girl you like like?"

"Very beautiful," Xu Sanshi said, giving a thumbs-up. "Gentle and proactive."

"Oh? Prettier than me?" Ma Xiaotao's tone turned dangerous.

"Well, uh…" Xu Sanshi scratched his head. "Even if you ask, to me, my beloved is the prettiest."

"Hmph." Ma Xiaotao smiled slightly. "Not bad. Stick with that story. No matter who asks, say the same thing."

At Shrek Academy's Battle Arena.

Though it was just a duel between two first-year students, the arena had already drawn a crowd of 500–600 people.

Alongside the curious first-years who had witnessed the earlier commotion, there were also many upperclassmen in attendance.

When Wang Rui and Huo Yuqing arrived, they wondered how an unremarkable match between two first-years could attract so many older students.

The answer became clear as soon as Wang Dong and An Wen entered the arena, accompanied by their referee.

The crowd wasn't there for the fight but for the referee.

The referee was a tall, striking young woman.

She stood around 175 cm tall, with a curvaceous figure and flowing purple hair that reached her knees, tied in a loose three-strand braid.

Her complexion was pale as snow, and her features were exquisitely delicate. Yet her expression was stiff and lifeless. Her purple eyes looked like transparent glass beads, utterly empty.

A small tear mole adorned the corner of her right eye, but her lack of emotion rendered it unalluring, instead amplifying the lifelessness of her delicate face.

She wore a blood-red Shrek uniform, indicating she was an inner-court student. Paired with her purple eyes, hair, and platform sandals, the clashing colors were painful to look at.

No girl who cared about her image would dare walk out in such a combination, yet she appeared utterly oblivious.

She resembled a finely crafted machine or a lifelike ceramic doll. Even her steps were precisely equidistant.

"A classic 'Three-No' girl…" Wang Rui muttered, squinting at her. For some reason, he felt as though she might pull a blade from her collar at any moment.

…Probably just his imagination.

Did such a senior even exist in the original story? None of the intelligence gathered by the scouts mentioned her… Though, the scouts didn't dare set foot on Sea God Island and only operated in the outer court and Shrek City.

Suddenly, Wang Rui sensed something off. The Eye of Fate on his forehead opened, gazing at the purple-haired girl in the arena.

The doll-like girl had only a few strands of causality around her, with no hint of fate's mist.

But how could that be?