Zhu Ziyang buried what had happened the night before deep in his heart, pretending it had never occurred. The next morning, he left Shrek Academy together with Jiang Nannan and set off on the journey home.
Upon reaching the Soul King realm, a soul master gains the ability to fly at low altitude—a significant milestone. After all, aside from those with flying-type martial souls, other soul masters must rely on special soul skills, soul bones, or flying soul tools to take to the air. Only by reaching the Soul King realm can one fly on their own, though only around ten meters above the ground. To gain true, free aerial movement, one must reach the Soul Sage level.
Even though it was merely low-altitude flight, it was far more convenient than walking or running. On their journey home, Zhu Ziyang flew forward proudly.
He held Jiang Nannan's slender waist close, keeping his eyes firmly on the path ahead. Jiang Nannan had her arms wrapped tightly around his body, her delicate figure pressed against his, her head resting on his shoulder, a satisfied expression on her pretty face.
After a day and night, the two passed by the Sunset Forest. Seeing the eerie, miasma-filled woods still sent a shiver down Jiang Nannan's spine. Even though a year had passed, and she had reached rank 45, the memories remained vivid. Zhu Ziyang's expression, on the other hand, was more complex—wariness, curiosity, hesitation, and deep contemplation.
Since their hasty retreat last time, Zhu Ziyang had pored over every book related to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Alongside Electrolux's conjectures, he had come to a firm conclusion: the mysterious force behind that place was most likely the Sea God—Tang San! The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well first appeared in history due to the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo. Every subsequent mention was linked to Tang San. The divine sense Electrolux had detected, and the aura of that mysterious man—all pointed toward Tang San.
Without a doubt, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had been deliberately concealed by the Sea God. As for why, there was a line in the early Tang Sect records:
"Our ancestor left an edict to protect this sacred land—no one is to disturb it!"
Whether that was true or not, Zhu Ziyang couldn't say. But Tang San's intention to monopolize such a treasure was painfully obvious. That divine sense in the clouds, the Bi-Scaled Flower cluster on the ground, and the stranger who had appeared—all were methods left behind by him!
Was it really worth the risk?
Zhu Ziyang pondered the pros and cons deeply as they passed through Heaven Dou City once more.
The two headed north and stopped at Zhangyang Village for half a day. This was Zhu Ziyang's third time awakening martial souls for the children there. Sadly, unlike the first time—when eleven children had innate soul power—none of the nine in the second group, nor the six this time, showed such talent. However, both Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan were delighted that the little girl called Nannan, full name Yang Zhenzhen, showed decent aptitude. She had already reached rank 9, and had a good chance of reaching rank 10 before turning ten years old.
Zhu Ziyang was ready to help her obtain her first soul ring. If she agreed, he might even bring her into Shrek Academy's outer court.
After leaving Zhangyang Village, they made no further stops. Three days later, they finally returned to Beihe Village, in Anyang City.
"Dad, Mom, I'm home!" Zhu Ziyang called out as he stepped through the door.
"Yangyang, you're back!" Zhu Changhe, Liang Ying, and little Zhu Ziguang—cradled in Liang Ying's arms—appeared before him, calling out joyfully.
Zhu Ziguang was now two years old and bore a striking resemblance to Zhu Ziyang. His large black eyes curiously observed his older brother. It had been two years since they last met, so of course he didn't remember Zhu Ziyang. But blood ties drew the little one to stretch his arms toward him, calling out with a milky voice, "Ziyang… big… big brother…"
—
Zhu Ziyang spent a peaceful half-month at home. Zhu Changhe and Liang Ying, who hadn't seen their eldest son in two years, showered him with love and care. Each day brought delicious meals and long, candlelit chats, as they tried to pour two years of longing into those short weeks.
When Zhu Ziyang finally left again, his Starflame Ring contained a large stack of clothes—all lovingly hand-stitched by Liang Ying over the past two years.
On the way back to Shrek Academy, Zhu Ziyang finally made a decision after two weeks of careful thought.
"Brother, are we really going into the Sunset Forest?" Jiang Nannan asked worriedly. "Just the two of us—can we really do it?"
"Don't worry. I've thought of a foolproof plan!" Zhu Ziyang replied with full confidence.
His certainty eased Jiang Nannan's anxiety. Her gaze turned resolute. "Okay. I trust you!"
They quickly arrived at the same spot where they had entered the Sunset Forest before. After preparing themselves, they stepped into the forest once again. Although a year had passed, little had changed. Familiar with the terrain, they swiftly made their way to the depths—to the cluster of Bi-Scaled Flowers.
Seeing the small path from before, Zhu Ziyang's tense heart relaxed a bit. It was the same path he had cleared using death energy the last time. The burly man who had driven them away hadn't destroyed the path—clear proof that he didn't care much about the Bi-Scaled Flower field.
"Nannan, let's begin!" Zhu Ziyang turned to Jiang Nannan.
"Okay," she nodded, then pointed in a direction. "Brother, this way."
"Good. Nannan, stay behind me and don't move around!" Zhu Ziyang said seriously. He summoned the Reaping Scythe of Quiet Judgment and pointed to his shadow, signaling Jiang Nannan to stand within it.
Jiang Nannan complied, unaware that something was hiding within that shadow.
It was a pair of dark, ghostly eyes—belonging to the Lich King, ruler of the Lich Clan from the undead demi-plane. Following Electrolux's advice, Zhu Ziyang had summoned the Lich King, whose strength rivaled that of a rank-94 Title Douluo, and had it hide in his shadow for maximum protection.
The Lich King possessed a Shadow Escape skill, allowing it to pull both Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan into the shadow realm in case of danger, greatly enhancing their safety.
Zhu Ziyang focused on the Bi-Scaled Flowers ahead. According to Electrolux, they contained no divine sense, meaning he could drain their life force freely to forge a new path.
He gripped the Reaping Scythe tightly. Death energy surged into the weapon from his body. With a gleam in his eye, he threw the scythe. It spun rapidly, forming a vortex of death, harvesting the surrounding Bi-Scaled Flowers. Their abundant life force was absorbed by the scythe and funneled back into Zhu Ziyang.
He began refining the massive life energy while simultaneously controlling the scythe to clear the deadly flowers ahead.
Some Bi-Scaled Ninefold Flowers attempted resistance. But Zhu Ziyang was far stronger than a year ago. With elemental advantage on his side, he devoured all that stood in his way. The remaining flowers, trembling in fear, folded their leaves and stayed silent.
Death energy was simply too terrifying for plant-type soul beasts.
After seven or eight hours, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan decided to take a break. At this point, they could see the end of the flower field—just over 800 meters away, where a stone cliff rose about one to two meters high. Though short, it was as sharp as if cut by a blade. No vegetation grew within five meters of it.
Seeing the cliff, both were thrilled. They understood—it marked the hidden valley shrouded in miasma, the likely location of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!
"Nannan, let's not rest—let's go all the way!" Zhu Ziyang said excitedly.
"Mmhm!" Jiang Nannan nodded eagerly.
Zhu Ziyang threw the Reaping Scythe into the flower field once more. The vortex of death reappeared, devouring another large patch of Bi-Scaled Flowers. Leaves withered, fell, and became part of the earth—nourishing the land once more.
And Zhu Ziyang, joyful as his soul ring's age increased, pressed forward step by step.
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well… was now within reach!