DD2: Glory of the Unrivaled Angel

As the dazzling light of the Angelic Domain faded away, the figures of Ling Bai and Dugu Lin were revealed.

"What... what just happened between those two?"

Wu Ming rubbed her eyes, looking incredulous. Han Ruoruo and Chu Qingtian were equally astonished, and whispers began to ripple through the audience comprised of Inner Courtyard students.

The reason for their reaction was simple: the situation between the two was just a bit too... ambiguous.

Ling Bai was dressed only in plain white undergarments. His school uniform had mysteriously vanished.

In stark contrast stood Dugu Lin, now draped in a loose red school uniform that was clearly a size too big for her. The oversized clothing gave her the classic 'missing bottom' look, and the sunlight shining on her snow-white, shapely legs produced a dazzling effect that left people mesmerized.

"You're really strong. Let's meet again next time."

Dugu Lin blew a kiss to Ling Bai, then bounced away barefoot from the Inner Courtyard's Spirit Dueling Arena, leaving behind a bewildered audience who were intensely curious about what had transpired inside the Angelic Domain to cause such a dramatic change in her attitude.

"Dugu Lin has failed in her challenge. Ling Bai wins and earns one point!"

The referee dutifully announced the result. Ling Bai nodded in acknowledgment, then exited the stage and returned to the resting area.

On the other side, Chu Qingtian quietly leaned closer to Wu Ming and whispered in a conspiratorial tone, "Senior Sister Wu, I have a secret to tell you."

"Hmm?" Wu Ming raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

Chu Qingtian lowered his voice so that only the two of them could hear, "Yesterday, I lasted longer under Ling-ge's hand than Ling Luochen and Dugu Lin did!"

This was true, given that Ling Bai hadn't been serious at the time.

Wu Ming was silent for a moment before she finally uttered two words:

"Very awesome."

"You're flattering me, Senior Sis—eh, calm down, don't roll up your sleeves! Don't roll up your sleeves!"

Chu Qingtian initially looked smug, but then his expression changed drastically as he realized that the Inner Courtyard's 'Active Volcano' was about to erupt!

"Come on, let's head to the Spirit Dueling Arena. I want to see how thick your skin is and if it can withstand this lady's Golden Crow Primordial Fire!"

"Senior Sister, Black Badges can't fight White Badges! We have to follow the rules! Shrek's rules!"

"Cut the crap. If you win, I'll give you a hundred times the points!"

Amidst Wu Ming's furious scolding and Chu Qingtian's wailing pleas, Ling Bai returned to the stands with a bewildered expression. He pointed at the departing pair and asked Han Ruoruo:

"Elder Sister, what's.... going on with those two?"

Han Ruoruo calmly replied, "Not sure, but they seem to be getting along quite well."

Ling Bai gave her a skeptical look. Dear Elder Sister, how did you conclude that Wu Ming and Chu Qingtian are getting along well?

Chu Qingtian was about to be beaten to tears!

"Let's not worry about them."

Han Ruoruo shook her head with a smile. Her pair of deep, pool-like dark eyes focused on Ling Bai, and after scrutinizing him closely, she teased, "Little Junior Brother, you've really made a name for yourself by defeating Dugu Lin and Ling Luochen, who's slated to be one of the next Shrek Seven Monsters."

"Elder Sister is flattering me."

"This is not flattery."

Han Ruoruo said seriously, "The Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament will be held in a year. Ling Luochen and the other reserve team members from the last tournament will become the main team. However, Inner Courtyard students of eligible age have the right to challenge them. This serves as both motivation and pressure for them.

Setting aside Ma Xiaotao, who can't control her Evil Fire, you and Dugu Lin are, in my opinion, the only two students currently qualified to threaten their positions among the Shrek Seven Monsters."

"Who can say what will happen in a year?"

Ling Bai smiled noncommittally. If he wanted to, replacing any of the main team members would be a breeze.

"Are you going to continue fighting?" Han Ruoruo asked.

"No."

"Then let's go. I'll take you to see the Mimesis Training Ground."

"Mm."

The two of them left the Spirit Dueling Arena and made their way to the Mimesis Training Ground. They found a room specifically designed for light-attribute Spirit Masters. Inside the room hung a branch from the Ancient Golden Tree, and the rich light-element energy could boost Ling Bai's cultivation speed by about three times.

"Ling Bai, this is the Heaven and Earth Treasure that can help you suppress the evil god power of the Death Abyss Spider Emperor," Electrolux's voice suddenly echoed.

'So, it really is the Ancient Golden Tree...'

Electrolux added, "But this small branch is far from enough. You must find a way to get close to the main body of the Ancient Golden Tree."

"I understand, Elder Yi."

Ling Bai replied before immersing himself in meditation.

…

As the sun set, Ling Bai and Han Ruoruo concluded their training. After sharing a meal, Ling Bai escorted Han Ruoruo back to her residence and then headed toward his own lodging.

After an entire day of exploration, Ling Bai had gained a basic understanding of the Inner Courtyard of Shrek Academy. Despite its strict elimination system, the academy maintained a relatively free and open atmosphere, placing few restrictions on its students. This aspect was very much to his liking.

Ling Bai paused for a moment as a sudden gust of cold wind blew past. His golden eyes turned toward a certain massive tree by the lake, where a brownish-yellow light cluster hovered.

"Such keen perception."

A hoarse voice emanated from the brownish-yellow light cluster, and in the blink of an eye, it flashed to appear before Ling Bai.

"You seemed quite capable in battle today. How about letting this old man test you out?"

"Test me?"

The brownish-yellow light obscured Ling Bai's vision, but judging by the voice, it seemed like the speaker had something in his mouth as he spoke!

"Boy, catch this!"

As soon as the old man finished speaking, a long, slender object shot out from the brownish-yellow light, aiming straight for Ling Bai's chest.

A chicken bone?

Ling Bai recognized the object just as his Angel Sword, formed from radiant golden light, met the bone in a sweeping motion.

Boom—

The collision of sword and bone produced a massive sound akin to the explosion of a Spirit Guidance Shell. The ancient trees on Sea God Island, comparable to 100-year plant-type spirit beasts, were unable to withstand the terrifying force emanating from the two and bent away from the shockwave.

Meanwhile, the Dean Yan Shaozhe hid his figure in the air as he watched the scene unfold. The old man within the brownish-yellow light cluster was none other than Elder Xuan. They were carrying out their plan to approach Ling Bai step by step.

The chicken bone was enveloped in a spirit power as dense as the earth that prevented it from breaking under the sharp edge of the Angel Sword. Elder Xuan took a slight breath, and a surging, overwhelming power burst forth.

How strong was Taotie Douluo Elder Xuan?

He had once used sheer brute strength to pin a Titled Douluo renowned for their immense strength to the ground and grind them down mercilessly. While he wouldn't use his full strength against Ling Bai, he still unleashed an attack equivalent to the full power of a strength-type Spirit Emperor, and yet Ling Bai matched him blow for blow without falling behind in the slightest!

"A physique akin to a human-shaped spirit beast..."

Elder Xuan silently evaluated Ling Bai's physical capabilities. Although his spirit power was only at Rank 41, his physical strength was completely at the level of a Spirit Emperor!

After a brief stalemate, the Angel Sword suddenly emitted a slash of sword energy that sliced the chicken bone into pieces. Ling Bai took a few steps back and said pointedly:

"You are a senior Titled Douluo. Wouldn't it be rather dull to bully a mere Spirit Ancestor like me? Our Shrek Academy's Martial Spirit Department Dean is a Super Douluo. Why not spar with him instead?"

Elder Xuan was momentarily stunned, but then dispersed the brownish-yellow light surrounding him and burst into hearty laughter, "Hahaha, interesting! No need to hide, Shaozhe. This little monster is smart enough to guess that you're here too!"

Yan Shaozhe descended from the sky, his face showing not a trace of displeasure but rather brimming with satisfaction.

The more outstanding Ling Bai was, the more he felt that all their efforts were worthwhile.

"Ling Bai, this is Taotie Douluo Elder Xuan, a venerable elder of our Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion."

Yan Shaozhe introduced Elder Xuan. The latter temporarily put away his disheveled appearance, which usually included a chicken leg in one hand and a wine gourd in the other, and adopted the air of a high-ranking expert.

"Greetings, Elder Xuan."

Ling Bai bowed respectfully. Taotie Douluo was a Rank 98 Titled Douluo; showing respect was necessary.

"Let's not beat around the bush. Elder Xuan and I are here today to bring you a great opportunity!"

Yan Shaozhe fixed his gaze intently on Ling Bai's face, his eyes seemingly burning with fervor. This Rank 95 Bright Phoenix Douluo and Dean of Shrek Academy could hardly contain the excitement in his heart at this moment!

The fourth golden age of Shrek was within reach!

"Please, go ahead, Dean."

"Ling Bai, Taotie Douluo Elder Xuan is renowned across the continent. He is over two hundred years old and has yet to find a successor to inherit his legacy."

At this point, Yan Shaozhe slowed his speech. Elder Xuan nodded in agreement, a look of regret flashing across his face at the thought of his life's skills fading away with time.

"I specially invited Elder Xuan to consider taking you as his close-door disciple. The test just now was his way of assessing your abilities."

Elder Xuan added in a voice as resonant as a great bell, "Your talent is truly exceptional. a God-level Martial Spirit, Ultimate Attribute, innate domain, exquisite swordsmanship, and physical strength far surpassing your spirit power. You are more than qualified to be this old man's close-door disciple and inherit my mantle!"

Take him as a disciple!

This was the plan that Elder Xuan and Yan Shaozhe had devised to wrest Ling Bai away from the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!

On the Douluo Continent, blood relations were paramount, but the master-disciple bond was second only to that!

A teacher was considered akin to a father.

Taking Elder Xuan as his teacher would symbolize Ling Bai's affiliation with Shrek Academy, ensuring that he would inevitably become a part of Shrek in the future. By then, he would be destined to take over Elder Mu's position as the Sea God Pavilion Master and lead Shrek Academy into its fourth golden age!

"Ling Bai, what are you standing there for? Hurry and kneel to acknowledge your teacher!" Yan Shaozhe urged when he saw Ling Bai not reacting.

Ling Bai stood quietly in place, looking at the two Titled Douluo who wore expressions of hopeful anticipation. After a moment, he slowly and firmly shook his head:

"Thank you both, Elder Xuan and Dean Yan, for your kind intentions. I'm truly sorry, but I already have a teacher."