Douluo Dalu 3: Legend of the White Fox

Na'er was personally escorted back to Eastsea Academy by Gu Yue and Xia Yi.

With Bi Ji's help, the injuries on Nana's body caused by Xia Yi's "abuse" were now completely healed. Following Xia Yi's instructions, Bi Ji only left two superficial wounds on Nana's head. However, the psychological blow she had suffered was severe, and she remained unconscious as Gu Yue carried her on her back to the academy.

At the same time, Tang Wulin had regained consciousness. His eyes and throat were fully healed, and he no longer felt any pain in his lower body. As for the sequelae that the Holy Spirit Douluo had mentioned, he wasn't feeling any effects just yet.

"Na'er!" When Tang Wulin saw Gu Yue carrying Nana on her back, his eyes widened in astonishment. Nana had been missing for so long, and he never expected to see her here at Eastsea Academy, much less being carried by Gu Yue.

Tang Wulin immediately stepped forward, intending to take Na'er from Gu Yue, but Gu Yue took a step back, putting some distance between them and refusing to hand Na'er over.

Tang Wulin froze for a moment. He had never believed that Gu Yue would collude with others to harm him. He also had never expected Gu Yue to refuse him like this, leaving him at a loss for what to do.

"You two know each other?" Holy Spirit Douluo Yali patted Tang Wulin's shoulder and looked at him with curiosity.

"Na'er is my younger sister," Tang Wulin said solemnly.

"I see." Yali nodded, finally understanding why Nana had insisted on coming to Eastsea Academy with her.

"What happened to Na'er?" Yali's gaze quickly shifted to the wounds on Nana's head. Her expression turned cold, and there was even a flash of killing intent in her eyes.

Due to her own circumstances, Yali and Yun Ming had never been able to have children, a fact that had left Yali feeling deeply guilty toward Yun Ming. After Yun Ming accepted Nana as his final disciple, Yali had treated Nana as her own daughter, pouring all her maternal affection and feelings of guilt toward Yun Ming into her.

She never expected that the first time she brought Nana out, Nana would end up injured.

Though Yali was a support-type titled Douluo, her combat prowess was formidable. If anyone dared to harm Nana, she wouldn't hesitate to seek justice for her, even if it meant facing an Ultimate Douluo.

"You know her?" Yali reached out to take Na'er from Gu Yue's back, but Xia Yi, who had been standing next to Gu Yue, stepped forward first and scooped Na'er up.

"Her name is Na'er, right? She broke into my house earlier and tried to kill me. If I weren't strong enough, I might already be dead. Frankly, even if I had killed her in self-defense, it would've been justified. But I'm a kind person and spared her life. Still, I deserve an explanation for what happened, don't I?" Xia Yi said coolly, directing his words at Yali.

Di Tian had already informed Xia Yi of Yali's identity—the wife of Yun Ming, the current Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion.

But Xia Yi wasn't afraid. For an academy as prestigious as Shrek, reputation was paramount. With so many witnesses present, Xia Yi didn't believe Yali would risk Shrek Academy's honor by acting unreasonably.

"So that's what happened? You must be Xia Yi." Yali turned her curious gaze to Xia Yi. She already knew Na'er had gone to avenge Tang Wulin, but she was intrigued as to how Xia Yi had managed to defeat Na'er.

From his aura, Xia Yi was indeed as weak as Wu Zhangkong had described—a mere ten-rank Soul Scholar.

With her twin thousand-year soul rings, the Silver Dragon Spear, and Yun Ming's comprehensive guidance, Nana was a prodigy. Even among three-ring Soul Elders, few could best her in battle.

Yali couldn't help but glance at Gu Yue. Since Xia Yi had appeared alongside Gu Yue, the only explanation was that the two had teamed up to defeat Nana.

"That's right, I'm Xia Yi," Xia Yi confirmed with a nod, his voice cold. "Nana broke into my home and tried to assassinate me. I demand an explanation today."

Yali nodded, appreciating Xia Yi's logic. At the same time, she was genuinely grateful that he hadn't killed Nana in a fit of rage. Smiling faintly, she said, "You're absolutely right. How about this? On Na'er's behalf, I apologize to you. Additionally, in my capacity as the Holy Spirit Douluo, I will grant you a direct admission slot to Shrek Academy. Once you graduate from Eastsea Academy, you can join Shrek Academy without needing to take the entrance exams. How does that sound?"

As soon as Yali said this, everyone present was stunned, including Wu Zhangkong. He hadn't expected Nana's status in Shrek Academy to be so high that it would prompt Yali to personally apologize and even break the academy's 20,000-year-old rules.

However, Xia Yi scoffed and said, "Not good enough! I nearly died at her hands. What's a mere apology worth? As for the Shrek Academy admission slot, I may not even want to go there. Even if I did, I could pass the entrance exams on my own abilities. That slot is meaningless to me."

Hearing Xia Yi refuse the Holy Spirit Douluo's offer, Xie Xie, standing beside Wu Zhangkong, couldn't hold back any longer. "Na'er is Wulin's younger sister. It's only natural for her to seek revenge after you attacked her brother, isn't it?"

"That's true," Xia Yi replied coldly. "But if she tries to kill me, it's only natural for me to kill her in return. Shall I end her life now?"

"You're making a valid point. Then, tell me, what do you want?" Yali wasn't angry; rather, her interest in Xia Yi grew.

Ordinary Soul Masters would have been ecstatic at the prospect of a guaranteed spot at Shrek Academy. Yet Xia Yi had calmly refused, leaving Yali to wonder if he didn't understand what Shrek Academy represented or if he was simply supremely confident in his own abilities.

"Wait!" Xia Yi was about to speak when Gu Yue interrupted him. Turning to Xia Yi, she said sternly, "I suggest you think carefully. Shrek Academy's entrance exams are extremely rigorous. Intelligence alone won't get you through. If you want to become a mecha or battle armor master, Shrek Academy is your best option. If you miss this chance, you might not get another."

Shrek Academy's assessments placed a strong emphasis on talent—a quality Xia Yi was undeniably lacking. Gu Yue genuinely didn't want him to pass up this opportunity.

"Oh? I didn't expect a student from Eastsea Academy to have such insight," Yali remarked, giving Gu Yue an appraising look. In truth, Yali had extended this opportunity because she saw Xia Yi's limited talent but found him intriguing.

"No need to consider. I want something from you," Xia Yi said firmly.

"Fine. What do you want?" Yali asked.

"I don't know," Xia Yi replied, shaking his head. Staring at Yali, he continued, "I feel a certain aura from you that strongly attracts me, but I don't know what it is."

From the moment he entered Eastsea Academy, Xia Yi had sensed a faint presence that stirred a deep desire within him. That feeling intensified when he met Yali.

"If you don't know, how can I give it to you?" Yali asked, her voice steady.

"How about you open your storage soul device and let me take a look?" Xia Yi suggested tentatively.

"That's out of the question. At most, I can show you a few rare treasures to choose from—but you'll have to hand over Nana first," Yali countered.

"Deal!" Xia Yi agreed without hesitation. Though he didn't know what it was about Yali's belongings that attracted him, the feeling was too strong to ignore.

Before handing over Nana, Xia Yi entered his Spirit Possession state. As a yellow soul ring emerged around him, he lightly brushed his hands over Nana's head wounds, and they instantly disappeared.

"You're a support-type Soul Master? And your martial soul is a fox? How did you do that?" Yali's eyes lit up. With her sharp insight, she could tell Nana's wounds hadn't healed but had simply vanished—a feat beyond even her own abilities.

"This is my soul skill—a support-type ability. It's pretty useless in combat," Xia Yi replied with a dejected look, intentionally showcasing his Starshift ability for Yali.

Back when Bi Ji first discovered this ability, she had spent three days and nights studying it without understanding its principles. She'd even called it a god-tier technique.

If it could captivate a peak support-type Soul Master like Bi Ji, it would undoubtedly intrigue Yali as well.

(End of Chapter)