Douluo Dalu 3: Legend of the White Fox

"Didn't Xia Yi lack a slot for the Shrek Academy entrance exam?" Zhenhua asked curiously.

"Huh, seems like it!" Mu Chen was momentarily stunned. He had been so shocked by Xia Yi's successful Level Five Blacksmithing Test that he instinctively assumed someone with such talent would naturally join Shrek Academy.

Thanks to Zhenhua's reminder, he now remembered that Xia Yi didn't have a slot for the Shrek Academy entrance exam at all.

He simply couldn't join Shrek Academy.

"Alright then, keep an eye on him. If he heads toward Shrek Academy, notify me immediately. As for Xier, don't worry. If Xia Yi truly joins Shrek Academy, I will make sure Xier gets in as well," Zhenhua said in a deep voice.

"Alright!" Mu Chen nodded and added, "One more thing, senior brother—I have to tell you that just now, Xia Yi successfully passed the Level Five Blacksmithing Test."

"What!" Zhenhua was startled. He immediately asked, "Tell me exactly what happened?"

"I found it hard to believe too, but he completed a perfect Level Five Spirit Refinement, and he basically learned Spirit Refinement on his own." Mu Chen smiled bitterly. Aside from the few blacksmithing notes he had given Xia Yi as a token of gratitude for saving Mu Xi's life, Xia Yi had never been exposed to any other Spirit Refinement knowledge.

Even Mu Xi, who had taught Xia Yi blacksmithing, hadn't reached the Spirit Refinement level yet.

Although the notes he had given Xia Yi were filled with his personal blacksmithing insights, detailing every forging technique below the Heavenly Refinement level, it was still unbelievable.

Becoming a Level Five Blacksmith in just three years with only self-study and no direct guidance? Even Zhenhua found it hard to believe.

"He's at the Soul Elder stage with three rings, and if I recall correctly, his martial soul is still Three-Tails, right?" Zhenhua asked.

"That's right, still Three-Tails," Mu Chen said solemnly.

"Alright, I got it." Zhenhua nodded and hung up the soul communicator. Taking a deep breath, he muttered, "His last martial soul evolution was thanks to the Heart of the Ice God. I'm really curious to see how he plans to evolve it further."

Zhenhua didn't even need to think—Xia Yi's ice-attribute third tail was undoubtedly related to the Heart of the Ice God.

Throughout the entire continent, treasures that could rival the Heart of the Ice God were nearly nonexistent.

That was why Zhenhua found it hard to believe that Xia Yi's martial soul could continue evolving.

In truth, the reason Xia Yi insisted on going to Shrek Academy was also because of his martial soul.

Now at Three-Tails and three soul rings, the matter of evolving his martial soul had become urgent.

If he didn't find a way to evolve his martial soul soon, he might not be able to advance when his soul power reached Rank 40.

Xia Yi wasn't sure what would happen if he reached Rank 40 while still at Three-Tails.

It was highly likely that he wouldn't be able to condense his fourth soul ring—or worse, he might not be able to continue cultivating at all.

One thing was certain: it wouldn't be good.

Shrek City had the highest concentration of soul masters on the entire continent, and Shrek Academy was the number one academy in the land.

Both of Xia Yi's last two tails were tied to Shrek City.

As for his fourth tail's evolution, Xia Yi had no clues at all—so he could only come to Shrek City and try his luck.

And settle some scores while he was at it.

Besides, Shrek Academy refusing to allocate any organization's slots to him? Xia Yi strongly suspected they were trying to provoke him.

Maybe they thought the more they pushed him away, the more determined he'd be to come.

Well, in that case—he would go for sure!

No matter what they thought, he was going.

Once again, Zi Ji was driving, Gu Yue sat in the passenger seat, and Xia Yi and Wu Jin sat in the back.

As soon as he got in, Xia Yi immediately fell asleep, snoring peacefully, as if he had no concerns about the Shrek Academy entrance exam at all.

Gu Yue and Wu Jin both twitched their eyelids at the sight.

"Should I say you're carefree or just arrogant?" Gu Yue shook her head helplessly. She had originally planned to talk to Xia Yi about the exam slots, but seeing how unconcerned he was, she decided not to bother.

Meanwhile, at the Eastsea City bus station, Wu Zhangkong looked at Tang Wulin. "Get on the bus. Gu Yue and Xia Yi left early this morning in the Spirit Pagoda's car."

"Teacher Wu, is the relationship between Tang Sect and the Spirit Pagoda really that bad?" Tang Wulin couldn't help but ask.

The only reason he could think of for Gu Yue not fully integrating into Class Zero was because she was from the Spirit Pagoda, while the rest of them were associated with the Tang Sect.

"The grudges between the Spirit Pagoda and the Tang Sect are beyond your control right now. For you, the most important thing is cultivation," Wu Zhangkong said in a deep voice.

Tang Wulin nodded, then looked up at Wu Zhangkong and asked seriously, "Teacher Wu, if I were to fight Xia Yi now, what are my chances of winning?"

"This morning, when the Spirit Pagoda's car came to pick him and Gu Yue up, I could sense it—he has already broken through to the Soul Elder stage," Wu Zhangkong said, glancing at Tang Wulin without directly answering the question.

"Oh." Tang Wulin nodded, feeling a bit disappointed. The first time he had met Xia Yi, Xia Yi's soul power had been lower than his. He never expected that in just three years, Xia Yi would surpass him.

"Your Blue Silver Grass martial soul is indeed weak, but your greatest strength is your bloodline. Once we reach Shrek City, I'll take you to the auction house. Shrek City is resource-rich—you should be able to find the spiritual items you need," Wu Zhangkong said.

He had no real solution for Tang Wulin's slow cultivation speed. Tang Wulin's bloodline was extraordinary, but soul power growth was determined by innate soul power and martial soul attributes.

And those were Tang Wulin's weaknesses.

"Every year, new students at Shrek Academy participate in class leader elections. All freshmen will take part. If Xia Yi somehow obtains a slot for the entrance exam, with his talent, it won't be difficult for him to enter Shrek Academy. You will definitely face him in the elections," Wu Zhangkong said.

Back during the Skysea Alliance Tournament, Xia Yi had managed to defeat Ye Xinglan. Though luck played a part, his strength was undeniable.

At that time, Xia Yi had only been at one ring. Now, he was already at three rings.

Even Wu Zhangkong wasn't sure how strong Xia Yi had become.

"Soul Elder? So what? I've fought one before. Once I unlock my second seal, I'll definitely defeat him," Tang Wulin said firmly.

If there was anyone who refused to accept Xia Yi's strength, it was definitely him.

He didn't blame himself—he blamed Xia Yi for winning their first battle in such a dishonorable way.

For three years, he had been waiting to take revenge for himself and Na'er.

But Xia Yi never seemed interested in fighting him again.

To this day, he had only fought Xia Yi once.

Xia Yi's victories? A lucky win against Ye Xinglan and cheap tricks against him and Na'er.

Meanwhile, Tang Wulin had already managed to exchange blows with Wu Zhangkong when the latter suppressed his strength to Soul Elder level.

He firmly believed that after unlocking his second Golden Dragon seal, he would be on par with Xia Yi.

In Shrek City, inside the Spirit Pagoda, Leng Yaozhu smirked. "So you actually came. I wonder how you plan to get in without begging me."

At Shrek Academy, inside the Sea God Pavilion, Yali chuckled as she looked at Yun Ming. "I told you he'd come."

"Even if he's in Shrek City, without a slot, he won't even get through the academy gates," Yun Ming snorted.

"He'll find a way," Yali smiled confidently.

"You're not mad at him?" Yun Ming asked curiously.

"Mad? Of course not. I'm going to steal him from Leng Yaozhu!" Yali grinned proudly.

"You're still not giving up?" Yun Ming rubbed his forehead, surprised by her persistence.

"Why should I? Just because Leng Yaozhu took him as her student?" Yali shook her head and laughed. "The fact that she wants him proves how talented he is—which means I have good taste!"

"Fine, do as you wish. But I've already informed Silver Moon Douluo to tighten the screening process. Xia Yi won't get into the academy that easily," Yun Ming chuckled.

He wanted to see what Xia Yi was capable of.

Would he really be able to enter Shrek Academy without a slot?

At the entrance of the Sea God Pavilion, a silver-haired girl peeked inside, eavesdropping. Then, she quickly ran off.

"Xinglan, Xia Yi is here. He's trying to join Shrek Academy!"

Clang!

Ye Xinglan sheathed her Star God Sword. Her golden hair fluttered, and her deep blue eyes gleamed with sword intent.

"So he finally came. I've been waiting for this."

She had long since accepted her loss to Xia Yi.

But being grabbed by the ankle and slammed into the ground?

If she didn't get revenge for that, she'd never be at peace!

Deep within the Extreme North, at the headquarters of the Holy Spirit Cult, the Demon Emperor approached Cun Ying.

"How's it coming along? The thing I asked you to write?"

"Don't worry, it's ready. I can release it anytime," Cun Ying said with a sly grin.

"Good." The Demon Emperor nodded, smirking as well. Looking toward Shrek City, she murmured, "You'll thank me for this."