Chapter 87: A Swap of Identities—Tang God King, How Will You Stop This?
What kind of game was this supposed to be?
She wanted his photo? For what? Surely she wasn't planning to curse him!
Still, it wasn't a big deal. Jiang Chen casually picked up his phone and took a quick selfie—though the frame also captured the Snow Empress beside him, her eyes closed, as well as Huo Yun'er and Gu Yue behind them.
Na'er: …
At that moment, she really wanted to curse him.
Then she sighed and set that thought aside. So this was her role now—gathering intelligence for him?
Still, she owed him a favor… so she told him everything she knew about Shrek Academy's recent movements.
Yun Ming: ?
Since Shrek Academy's relocation to the Star Luo Empire, they had done three major things.
First, the Sea God Pavilion's master, Yun Ming, had taken Princess Dai Lingyu as his direct disciple—cementing an alliance with the Star Luo royal family. Though the empire had shifted to a federated system, the Dai family still held the true power, blending monarchy and federation into one.
That princess, Dai Lingyu—also known as Dai Yun'er—possessed twin martial souls: the Ghost Spirit Cat and the Spirit Eye.
Second, the Douluo Federation, eager to ease tensions with Shrek, exchanged the remains of the Golden Tree for the Sea God Pavilion's favor. At the same time, they transplanted the spirit of the Tenth Ferocious Beast, the Blue Silver Emperor Xiao Lan, into the Golden Tree's remains.
It was a literal swap—a "masking of the prince with a civet cat." In other words, a deception meant to give Shrek their "ancestor" back.
After all, Blue Silver Emperor or not—it looked the same. Close enough, right?
According to what Jiang Chen had learned from A-Yin herself, the natural core of the Douluo Plane was very different from that of the Longma Star System. Unlike Dragon Heaven Yang, which possessed its own consciousness, the Douluo Plane's core had its will suppressed by the Divine Realm, preventing sentience from ever forming.
Its one attempt at self-preservation had been through the destiny child of the Peerless Tang Sect era—but even that had failed.
After taking control of the Douluo Divine Realm, Tang God King had gained mastery over all spatial regions under its jurisdiction.
That was why he had made his mother, A-Yin, the natural core of Douluo Continent—and his father, Tang Hao, its planar core.
The design was simple: the Golden Tree would serve as the vessel for nature's core, and his mother's soul would merge with it, becoming one with the world itself.
But then Jiang Chen had taken A-Yin away.
Naturally, he wouldn't let the natural core go to waste. So he replaced her with another Blue Silver Emperor.
Not much difference anyway.
And thus, the newly reborn Golden Tree was worshiped once again at Shrek Academy's heart.
Thirdly, the Douluo Federation's bombardment of Shrek had caused extreme resentment among loyalist soul masters.
Since they couldn't engage in open conflict, Shrek opted for a subtler strategy.
They secretly dispatched elite outer disciples across the Federation's major city divisions to participate in various tournaments.
Including the upcoming Tianhai Grand Tournament.
In other words—this time, Shrek Academy students were coming.
Their goal: to slap the Federation's face in front of the world, to prove once again that Shrek Academy was the true power of the continent.
This World Will Bow: So… that means you're coming too?
Na'er: Do you want me to?
This World Will Bow: Of course!
Jiang Chen almost laughed aloud. He'd missed her terribly. And with Gu Yue still injured, Na'er showing up would be perfect timing—one more pawn walking right into his hands.
Wait.
"Hold up… why am I thinking about Gu Yue again?"
"Could it be she's cursed me by scolding me every day?"
"No way. Impossible!"
He turned his head toward her with a mischievous grin. "Gu Yue, insult me. Say something mean."
The small silver dragon on the couch slowly opened her eyes, glaring ice-cold daggers at him.
"Scram."
Jiang Chen smiled contentedly. "Ah, that's better."
Meanwhile, across the sea in the Star Luo Federation, Na'er stared at the last message from "This World Will Bow" for a long while.
Then, gathering her skirt in hand, she stormed into the new Sea God Pavilion.
"Master, I want to participate in the Tianhai Tournament!"
Tianhai City, much like Eastsea, was a metropolis of gleaming towers and sprawling harbors, its maritime trade booming endlessly. But its architecture stood taller, nearly piercing the clouds.
The students arrived to a warm reception from the city's organizing staff and were taken to a luxurious hotel.
Snow Empress and Xu Xiaoyan shared a room; Gu Yue and Huo Yun'er shared another.
Jiang Chen shared his room with Tang Wulin.
Not long after they settled in, someone knocked on their door.
It was his senior sister, Mu Xi, elegant as ever.
"Come on," she said with a bright smile. "I'll introduce you to some of the top young blacksmiths here."
Jiang Chen stepped out immediately, leaving Tang Wulin staring in confusion.
"Brother Jiang Chen, you're going too?"
Jiang Chen flicked out a medal from his pocket. "Sorry, I'm a blacksmith too."
He'd quietly earned certification while accompanying Huo Yun'er for her examinations—rank two.
Mu Xi glanced at him with curiosity but not surprise.
After all, she knew his identity—something even Tang Wulin didn't.
A child born of a human and soul beast... a pitiable existence.
Her compassionate eyes softened as she looked at him, though Jiang Chen found it confusing and slightly awkward.
What was that look supposed to mean?
Moments later, Huo Yun'er rushed out from Gu Yue's room—with Gu Yue trailing right behind her.
"You too?" Jiang Chen asked.
Gu Yue took out her own badge—a rank-three blacksmith insignia.
"Even higher than me, huh?" he chuckled.
She didn't reply. Her gaze flickered briefly toward Tang Wulin, cold and distant, before turning away.
"Someone's still bitter," Jiang Chen muttered with a grin.
Mu Xi exhaled softly—monsters, all of them. Eastsea Academy really was full of talent: one rank-four blacksmith, three rank-threes, and one rank-two.
At such young ages, their potential truly defied reason.
Arriving at a meeting room filled with blacksmiths, Jiang Chen noticed each wore their respective badges—shimmering insignias denoting their levels.
Eastsea City's team was led by Master Cen Yue.
Among them was a seventeen-year-old youth, Zheng Tianlin, wearing a rank-three badge, and a man in his twenties, Tang Wenhao, bearing a rank-four insignia.
Both were proud disciples of Master Yue Shan, and both determined to secure victory in this year's competition.
"Everyone's here, so I'll begin," said Cen Yue firmly. "You all know our Eastsea branch hasn't achieved great results in a while. The only exception has been our blacksmith's guild—last time, we took third in the youth division and first in the adult division."
"This time, we aim for more. We'll win all the championships!"
Then, turning toward Tang Wulin, he added, "Tang Wulin, enter the adult category this year. I believe in your strength."
(END CHAPTER)
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