Douluo Dalu 3: Legend of the White Fox

First, there was the challenge match between Shrek Academy and the failed candidates yesterday. Then, last night's Tianhu's Leisurely Tale. And now? Another challenge match tonight.

In just two short days, Xia Yi's name had completely resounded throughout Shrek Academy.

Many of the Super Douluo from the Sea God's Pavilion even developed an interest in taking him as a disciple.

But in the end, they all gave up on the idea.

Even Yali couldn't obtain him as a disciple—why would they bring trouble upon themselves?

After the challenge against Xia Yi ended, he ignored the strange gazes around him and left directly.

Xia Yi was feeling a little frustrated. Although he ultimately exploded with power and subdued Gu Yue…

He had still been played by her.

Even his clothes got burned.

Just look at Gu Yue—despite losing to Xia Yi, she was happier than if she had won.

She hadn't stopped smiling the entire time.

The happier she was, the more frustrated Xia Yi felt.

In truth, Gu Yue had made a big decision today when she chose to lose to Xia Yi.

Na'er cared about her dignity and the so-called honor of being the ruler of soul beasts. Gu Yue cared about it even more.

But after she truly decided to put down the burden of being the ruler of soul beasts, she finally felt what it meant to be at ease.

Yesterday, after seeing Xia Yi fight four opponents alone, Gu Yue had been contemplating how she should face Xia Yi if she lost. How should she face Di Tian and Zi Ji?

She thought about it for an entire day and night before realizing that the "dignity" of the ruler of soul beasts wasn't something determined by petty victories and losses.

On the contrary, if she had gone so far as to wield the Silver Dragon Spear just to defeat Xia Yi, causing the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy to suspect her and Na'er's identities, that would have been the true disgrace to the ruler of soul beasts.

Di Tian and the others wouldn't want to see their master from the Great Star Dou Forest consumed by childish competition with Xia Yi.

Although she lost to Xia Yi, Gu Yue felt even more confident than before.

Her entire being radiated the aura of an empress.

Anyone who didn't know better would have thought she was the one who had just mercilessly beaten Xia Yi.

Seeing Gu Yue's transformation, Xia Yi felt both frustrated and a bit relieved.

The ability to pick something up and put it down—that was truly valuable.

For Gu Yue, the identity of the ruler of soul beasts should be a source of motivation, not a burden.

After returning to the work-study students' dormitory, Gu Yue went back to her room to cultivate alone.

Even though she hadn't gone all out in today's battle, she had gained significant insights.

Xia Yi and Wu Jin also entered meditation to cultivate.

They had gained a lot from today as well.

Closing his eyes and focusing his mind—

Xia Yi realized that cultivating at Shrek Academy was even more effective than cultivating in the Great Star Dou Forest.

A dense, almost limitless flow of life energy surged toward him from all directions.

"Wake up, I need to discuss something with you."

Just as Xia Yi was fully immersed in cultivation, a cold female voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

Xia Yi was stunned at first, but he quickly realized—it was the voice of the Ice God's Heart.

"Big Sis, weren't you supposed to be in deep sleep? Also, weren't you unable to speak?" Xia Yi asked curiously.

"Who told you I couldn't speak?" the Ice God's Heart responded coldly.

"Then why did you only communicate with me through mental waves last time?" Xia Yi asked.

The Ice God's Heart fell silent for a moment and didn't explain.

Alright.

Xia Yi understood now—last time, his spirit soul simply couldn't be bothered to talk to him.

She just didn't want to deal with him.

Xia Yi wasn't upset and continued, "Answer my first question then. Weren't you in deep sleep? Why did you suddenly wake up? And also, you still haven't told me what the Ice God Order is."

"The matter of the Ice God Order can wait. First, tell me—how did you do it?" the Ice God's Heart asked.

"Do what?" Xia Yi asked.

"Hmph, don't tell me you don't know what you were just doing." The Ice God's Heart let out a cold snort, thinking Xia Yi was playing dumb.

"I really don't know what you're talking about. Wasn't I just cultivating normally? Oh, or are you talking about Absolute Zero?" Xia Yi guessed.

After all, the only thing that could have attracted the Ice God's Heart's attention was Absolute Zero, his ice-type soul skill.

"Still pretending? Don't think I don't know—you were just stealing the power of the Child of Nature." The Ice God's Heart sneered coldly.

"Child of Nature? Stealing? I don't understand what you're talking about." Xia Yi was completely confused.

"Heh, still acting. You think I won't dare to release my power into your spiritual world? Don't think I don't know—you used some special method to send a strand of your consciousness into the Child of Nature, secretly absorbing its power." The Ice God's Heart sneered.

She was convinced Xia Yi was doing it on purpose.

"Explain it clearly—what is the Child of Nature? And what's happening to me?" Xia Yi asked seriously.

He was now inclined to believe the Ice God's Heart.

Just now, the life energy surrounding him had indeed been absurdly dense.

That energy must have been what she was calling the Child of Nature's power.

"Leave your spiritual world and observe the outside world. You'll understand." The Ice God's Heart instructed.

Xia Yi nodded.

Following her suggestion, he allowed his consciousness to leave his spiritual world—

And what appeared before him was an ocean of golden liquid.

"This… this is life energy condensed into liquid, isn't it?" Xia Yi was so shocked he swallowed hard.

The life energy was overwhelmingly rich.

It was almost comparable to the Golden Essence of Life.

But then he noticed—he wasn't actually swallowing anything. His body was half-transparent.

"Don't speak—be careful not to alert the Child of Nature. If you have any questions, just think them in your mind. As your spirit soul, I can hear them." The Ice God's Heart's voice echoed only in Xia Yi's spiritual world.

Seeing Xia Yi's reaction, she was convinced—he truly had no idea what was happening.

"Alright, tell me—what exactly is going on?" Xia Yi took a deep breath and asked.

"Let's start with the Child of Nature. It's also called the Life Core—the Life Core of the entire Douluo Planet. As the name suggests, it's the source of all life energy on this world. In the past, it resided in the core of the Great Star Dou Forest, but two thousand years ago, it became the Golden Ancient Tree at Shrek Academy. I don't know the exact details of this transition. If you want to understand, you can ask the Silver Dragon King beside you. I woke you up because you were stealing the Child of Nature's power—the power of the Golden Ancient Tree."

She paused for a moment before asking, "Do you know what would happen if the Child of Nature's power was drained?"

"What would happen?" Xia Yi asked curiously.

"The entire planet's life force would dry up along with it." The Ice God's Heart said solemnly.

"So… you're here to stop me?" Xia Yi frowned.

"No." The Ice God's Heart hesitated and whispered, "I just want you to share a little with me."

"Let me check things out first." Xia Yi didn't agree immediately. If what she said was true, he couldn't selfishly drain the Golden Ancient Tree's power.

Even though Xia Yi usually acted carefree, he understood the gravity of the situation.

If the Golden Ancient Tree withered, both humans and soul beasts would suffer.

"I know what you're worried about. Don't worry—there's more power here than you can imagine. You could never steal all of it." The Ice God's Heart reassured him.

"I'll confirm it myself first." Xia Yi shook his head.

Then he asked, "What exactly are you? It's one thing to know about the Child of Nature—but you even know about the Silver Dragon King."

"I'll tell you if you agree to share some of the Child of Nature's power with me." The Ice God's Heart bargained.

"Suit yourself." Xia Yi rolled his eyes and dove headfirst into the golden ocean.

"What are you doing?!" The Ice God's Heart asked.

"I'm checking where the Golden Ancient Tree's roots are. See if I can dig it up one day." Xia Yi replied.

(End of Chapter)