Zhu Ziyang returned from the Divine Inheritance Realm carrying the Angel God Position and reappeared inside the Moon God Shuttle.
"Huh? Why is Nannan meditating?" Zhu Ziyang was surprised to see Jiang Nannan sitting in silent meditation, and he asked Zhang Lexuan and Qian Lingyi.
"She's refining the reward from the seventh Moonlight Trial," Zhang Lexuan explained.
"Huh?" Zhu Ziyang was startled. "How come? Didn't the Silvermoon Spirit Fish King still not become Nannan's soul spirit? How could the seventh trial be counted as completed?"
"I'm not sure either, and neither is Nannan," Zhang Lexuan said with a helpless shrug. "Maybe, as long as the Silvermoon Spirit Fish King submits in spirit, it's considered complete."
"That's possible." Zhu Ziyang nodded thoughtfully. "We'll ask her the details once she wakes up."
Jiang Nannan soon finished refining the trial reward and opened her eyes, joy and excitement gleaming in her gaze.
"How was it? What was the reward for the seventh trial?" Zhu Ziyang immediately asked.
"Ah! Brother, you're back!" Jiang Nannan was delighted to hear his voice and cheerfully replied, "The reward was ten percent divine affinity, one level of soul power, and a thousand years added to all soul rings—same as before."
"I see. That puts your cultivation at level 78. Not bad." Zhu Ziyang nodded. "By the way, Nannan, Sister Lexuan, what's your eighth trial?"
"Let me check!" Jiang Nannan quickly inspected the content and her pretty face revealed surprise. "Ah! My eighth trial is to complete my soul bone set. Just like you said before, Brother!"
"Oh? That's quite easy." Zhu Ziyang's eyes lit up. For most soul masters, completing a soul bone set was extremely difficult, but for Jiang Nannan, as long as compatibility wasn't an issue, it could be done immediately.
"Mm! I didn't expect the Moonlight Eight Trials to be this simple." Jiang Nannan giggled.
"Sister Lexuan, what about yours?" Zhu Ziyang asked next.
"My trial… how do I put it?" Zhang Lexuan's expression became a bit odd. After thinking a moment, she said slowly, "My eighth trial is to become the Empress of the Sun-Moon Empire."
"Huh?" Zhu Ziyang also pulled a strange face. "So that means the 'Empress Ascends' plan just gained another reason it must succeed? Well, that's what you call killing many birds with one stone!"
"Sigh, who says it isn't?" Zhang Lexuan sighed as well. "Now it truly is divine right to rule."
"That means Sister Lexuan and I can't complete our trials together anymore… That's kind of sad," Jiang Nannan said regretfully.
"It's fine. Once we return to the continent, we'd have to split up anyway. You all will prepare for the Soul Master Tournament, and I have to start working on claiming the throne," Zhang Lexuan comforted her.
"Alright then. Let's return to the Silvermoon Spirit Fish Clan first, then head back to the Moon South Archipelago," Zhu Ziyang said.
The Moon God Shuttle quickly arrived at the Spirit Fish Clan's territory. Jiang Nannan and the Silvermoon Spirit Fish King agreed that once she reached the Soul Douluo level, she would return to make the bond, while the King would use the time to arrange the clan's internal affairs.
After that, they left the spirit fish domain. The Moon God Shuttle sped eastward and before long, they reached the Moon South Archipelago.
As the archipelago came into view, all four people aboard the shuttle showed excitement and joy. After a year away, they had finally returned to the Moon South Archipelago—and the Douluo Continent.
On April Island, the four stepped ashore, overwhelmed by emotions. They didn't rush to the Marquis' residence to find Elder Song or Xu Jianwei. Instead, they wandered through the island market for half a day before returning to the Moon South Marquis Residence.
"Ziyang, Nannan, Lexuan—you're all back?!" Elder Song was thrilled to see them. She rushed over, but was quickly stunned by Zhu Ziyang's aura. Shocked, she said, "Ziyang… you, you broke through to Titled Douluo?"
"Mm. Got lucky," Zhu Ziyang replied with a smile.
"This…" Elder Song was speechless. After a long pause, she said, "Truly humbling. I didn't become a Titled Douluo until I was nearly forty. Ziyang, you're only nineteen, right? Sigh, incomparable indeed!"
"Haha, Elder Song, don't praise me too much—I might start floating." Zhu Ziyang laughed.
"Teacher, I'm back." Jiang Nannan ran to Elder Song and hugged her arm, showing affection and nostalgia.
"Mm! Good to have you back. All of you!" Elder Song finally recovered from her shock and looked at each of them with deep affection and pride.
"Elder Song, can you tell us what's been happening on the continent over the past year?" Zhu Ziyang asked.
"Of course. Sit down, I'll explain slowly," Elder Song said.
Over the next hour, she told them everything she knew about what had happened during their year away.
First, from the Academy side: Since the founding of the First Tianyuan Academy in Anyang City, over ten elementary soul master academies within the three Douluo nations had come under Shrek Academy's control and were reorganized as Tianyuan Academies. Though these didn't yet represent one percent of all elementary schools, the momentum of the Tianyuan Plan was clear.
At this pace, before the governments of the three nations reacted, Shrek Academy would likely control at least fifty percent of elementary schools. By then, even countermeasures wouldn't stop the plan.
The Tianyuan Plan's chief overseer was Martial Soul Department Dean Cai Meier. To support it, Shrek had also loosened admission requirements: soul masters above level 18 could enroll without a mayor's recommendation letter.
Next, from the Sun-Moon Empire: The crown prince, Xu Tianran, suddenly launched a coup and seized control of the capital's garrison, taking over two-fifths of the Empire's military. This was extremely bad news for any faction with royal ambitions.
Even worse—according to intelligence from Huo Yuhao, currently studying abroad at the Royal Soul Engineering Academy—the imperial family had close ties with the Holy Spirit Sect. Shrek's intelligence division confirmed that Xu Tianran had likely allied with them. This posed a grave threat to Zhang Lexuan's claim to the throne.
Lastly, Elder Song gave them a neutral piece of news: the upcoming All-Continent Elite Soul Master Tournament, to be held in the Sun-Moon Empire's capital, would now allow sects and organizations to participate—not just academies.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ziyang's first thought was of the Tang Sect. This rule change seemed tailor-made for them.
As Elder Song spoke, Xu Jianwei entered.
"So, what are your plans now? Return to the Academy, or keep traveling the continent until the tournament?" Elder Song asked. "Wu Ming and the others have already been sent back. The Empress plan is in its third phase. Only Elder Zhu and I remain here on Moon South."
"Elder Song, Grand-aunt, we've already discussed it on the way," Zhang Lexuan said. "I'll stay and help you execute the final step of the plan. Ziyang, Nannan, and Yiyi will return to the Academy to prepare for the tournament."
"That's wonderful!" Xu Jianwei was delighted. "Lexuan, while you were away, our Moon Lineage made great preparations. Not only is the Southern Navy under our control, even the Imperial Moon Soul Engineer Legion was relocated nearby. We now control two-fifths of the Empire's army—all we need is a princess who can lead them and ascend the throne!"
"Grand-aunt, don't worry—I'm back!" Zhang Lexuan replied with joy.
"Good! Then it's settled," said Elder Song. "Rest tonight. Tomorrow, begin your separate paths. Ziyang and the others will leave the Empire and return to the Academy. Elder Zhu and I will support Lexuan."
"Yes!" Zhu Ziyang nodded without hesitation.
(End of Chapter)
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