Carrying the Angel God's godhood, Zhu Ziyang left the inheritance space and returned to the Moon God Shuttle.
"Huh? Why is Nannan meditating?" he asked in surprise as he noticed Jiang Nannan sitting with eyes closed in deep concentration. He turned to Zhang Lexuan and Qian Lingyi for an explanation.
"She's refining the reward from her seventh Lunar Yin Trial," Zhang Lexuan answered.
"What?" Zhu Ziyang blinked. "So suddenly? The Silvermoon Spiritfish King hasn't even become her spirit soul yet. How could the seventh trial already be counted as complete?"
"We're not sure, and neither is Nannan," Zhang Lexuan said helplessly. "Perhaps as long as the Spiritfish King truly submits in its heart, the trial counts as fulfilled."
"That does make sense." Zhu Ziyang nodded thoughtfully. "Let's wait until she wakes up and ask her ourselves."
Before long, Jiang Nannan finished refining the reward and opened her eyes, joy and excitement shining within them.
"Well? What was the reward for the seventh trial?" Zhu Ziyang asked immediately.
"Brother, you're back!" Jiang Nannan exclaimed happily. Then she said excitedly, "The reward was ten percent divine affinity, one level of soul power, and one thousand years added to all my soul rings. Just like before."
"I see. So your soul power is now level seventy-eight. That's great," Zhu Ziyang said. After thinking a moment, he asked, "By the way, Nannan, Sister Lexuan—what are your eighth trials?"
"Let me check!" Jiang Nannan quickly reviewed hers. A moment later, her delicate face lit up in surprise. "Ah! My eighth trial is to complete a full set of soul bones. Brother, that's exactly what you predicted!"
"Really? That's actually quite easy," Zhu Ziyang said, eyes brightening. For most soul masters, completing a set of bones was nearly impossible, but for Jiang Nannan—especially without worrying about compatibility—it could be done almost instantly.
"Yes! I never imagined the eighth Lunar Yin Trial would be so simple," Nannan said with a smile.
"And you, Sister Lexuan? What about your trial?" Zhu Ziyang asked.
"Well…" Zhang Lexuan's expression turned strange. After thinking for a while, she said slowly, "My eighth trial is to become the Empress of the Sun-Moon Empire."
"What?" Zhu Ziyang was equally stunned. "In that case, the 'Empress Ascension' plan has become even more imperative. I suppose it's killing two birds with one stone."
"Sigh, exactly," Zhang Lexuan said, her tone heavy. "This is truly divine mandate."
"That means we can't complete our trials together anymore. That's a little sad," Jiang Nannan said regretfully.
"It's alright," Zhang Lexuan comforted her. "Once we return to the continent, we were going to part ways anyway. You three will prepare for the Soul Master Tournament, and I must prepare to claim the throne."
"Alright then. First, let's return to the Silvermoon Spiritfish territory, and from there, back to the Moon South Archipelago," Zhu Ziyang said.
The Moon God Shuttle soon arrived at the Spiritfish territory. Jiang Nannan made an agreement with the Spiritfish King: when she reached the Contra realm, she would return, while the King would spend this time preparing its clan.
Afterward, the group departed the Spiritfish waters, traveling east until they reached the Moon South Archipelago.
When the islands came into view, the four could not hide their joy and excitement. After a year away, they had finally returned to Douluo Continent.
On April Island, they set foot on land, emotions overflowing. Instead of rushing to the Marquis' residence to find Old Song or Xu Jianwei, they wandered through the markets for half a day before heading back.
"Ziyang, Nannan, Lexuan—you've returned?!" Old Song cried, overwhelmed with emotion as she rushed forward. But when she felt Zhu Ziyang's aura, she froze in shock. "Ziyang, you—you've reached Titled Douluo?!"
"Yes, I was lucky enough to break through," Zhu Ziyang replied with a smile.
"This… this…" Old Song stood dumbfounded for a long while before finally saying, "When I reached Titled Douluo, I was nearly forty. And you—you're only nineteen? Truly incomparable…"
"Haha, Old Song, if you keep praising me, I'll get arrogant," Zhu Ziyang said with a laugh.
"Teacher, I'm back," Jiang Nannan said softly, clinging affectionately to Old Song's arm. Her face was filled with longing.
"Good, good! You're all back safe, that's what matters," Old Song said, her surprise fading into deep relief as she looked at each of them—Zhu Ziyang, Zhang Lexuan, and Qian Lingyi.
"Old Song, tell us what's happened on the continent this past year," Zhu Ziyang asked.
"Very well, sit and I'll explain," she said.
For the next hour, Old Song recounted everything she knew—major and minor events alike—that had occurred during their absence.
First, news from the academies: since the founding of the first Tianyuan Academy in Anyang City, Shrek Academy had taken control of more than a dozen primary academies across the three kingdoms, converting them into Tianyuan Academies. Though still less than one percent of all primary academies, it signaled that Shrek's Tianyuan Plan was proceeding smoothly.
At this pace, before the three kingdoms' rulers even realized, Shrek could control up to half of all primary academies. By then, even if the kingdoms resisted, the plan would be unstoppable.
The plan was overseen by Dean Cai Meier of the Martial Soul Department. To further it, Shrek had even removed certain admission restrictions this year—for example, students above level eighteen no longer needed a city lord's recommendation to enroll.
Next, news from the Sun-Moon Empire: Crown Prince Xu Tiannan had suddenly seized control of Mingdu's garrison, placing two-fifths of the empire's military under his command. For the factions vying for the throne, this was a serious blow.
Even worse, information brought back by Huo Yuhao from his exchange at the Royal Soul Engineering Academy indicated close ties between the imperial family and the Holy Spirit Cult. Combined with investigations into Xu Tiannan, it was concluded with ninety percent certainty that he had allied with the cult. This posed a dire challenge for Zhang Lexuan in her quest for the throne.
Finally, Old Song shared neutral news: the upcoming Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament in Mingdu would see a major change in its rules. Participants would no longer be limited to academies—sects and clans could also enter.
Upon hearing this, the first thought in Zhu Ziyang's mind was Tang Sect. Could this rule change have been made specifically for them?
As Old Song spoke, Xu Jianwei entered the room.
"So, what are your plans now?" Old Song asked at last. "Will you return directly to the academy, or remain here until the tournament draws near?"
"I've already sent Wu Ming and the others back to the academy. The Empress Plan has reached its third stage. Only Elder Zhu and I remain here on the archipelago," she added.
"Old Song, Great-Aunt, we discussed this on our way back," Zhang Lexuan said. "I will remain here to carry out the final stage of the plan. Ziyang, Nannan, and Lingyi will return to the academy and prepare for the tournament."
"That's wonderful!" Xu Jianwei exclaimed with delight. "Lexuan, during your absence, our preparations have gone smoothly. We control the South Sea Fleet, and Xu Qianxuan has moved the Imperial Moon Soul Engineer Legion south. Nearly two-fifths of the empire's army is in our hands. All we need is a princess ready to ascend the throne."
"Great-Aunt, rest assured—I'm back," Zhang Lexuan said with a smile.
"Good. Then it's settled," Old Song said firmly. "Rest tonight. Tomorrow, each of us will begin our tasks. Ziyang and the others will return to the academy immediately, while Elder Zhu and I remain to support Lexuan."
"Yes," Zhu Ziyang agreed with a nod.
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