Another Kind of Genius

A week later, the Shrek group entered Spirit City.

"Woah... this place is massive," Ming Yong breathed.

"Our Tang Sect is still more formidable," Bai Shanxin countered.

"Fuji¹副基 - name meaning "Secondary Base" City, is about the same size as this," Gu Xingyun added. "As the capital of Guang Kingdom, it's the biggest city in the kingdom, but pales in comparison to Star Dou City."

"Vast Sea City is about this size as well," Ru Shenqi commented. "Since it's the only port city in Heaven Dou Empire, many of Heaven Dou Empire's ocean spirit masters live there."

Yu Xiaogang nodded. "I have not had the fortune of visiting Vast Sea City, but Xiao San and the others said it was large, but still smaller than Heaven Dou City."

"I would agree."

Soon, a spirit master in purple robes approached them. By the crest on his robe, they could tell he was a Bishop of Spirit Empire.

"Welcome, Shrek Academy. Come, follow me."

They were led over to Spirit Empire's Supreme Pontiff Palace, where the Finals Round would take place. Inside, they were given quarters in the west wing. As the girls were settling in, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Shu Jiaxiang asked.

"I am Holy Emperor Warrior Zhang Ping²Zhang Ping is a character exclusive to the Soul Land donghua (anime). She was originally part of the Spirit Hall Academy Team which fought the Shrek Seven Devils during their Advanced Spirit Master Grand Competition. Since I needed a female member of Spirit Empire, I chose to use her. Her Majesty, the Supreme Pontiff, wishes to meet one of you named Xiao Nuhuang."

The girls froze. They looked to Ru Shenqi. She lowered her head.

Spirit Empire won't let me off, will they?

"I'll go," she condensed her voice to tell only the others in the room. "Once I've gone, go find Grandmaster."

They nodded, and she walked towards the door. Opening it, she came face-to-face with woman in her early thirties but who only looked twenty. Zhang Ping had grey hair and light brown eyes.

She looked down at the dark brown haired girl with golden eyes. "Are you Xiao Nuhuang?"

Ru Shenqi nodded.

"Follow me."

She trailed behind the Holy Emperor Warrior and followed her to the throne room. Zhang Ping opened the doors and entered. Ru Shenqi followed, looking up at the figure on the throne. Her eyes widened.

She hadn't seen Hu Liena since she was seven. To meet her again, the woman who had sent her to Slaughter City, felt odd.

If only you weren't the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Empire.

Ru Shenqi stepped forward. "Xiao Nuhuang greets Supreme Pontiff."

Hu Liena gazed down at the little girl. She sensed a very familiar cold aura radiating from her.

"Xiao Nuhuang, your killing intent, where does it come from?"

Ru Shenqi glanced at Zhang Ping. Seeing the hesitation, Hu Liena dismissed the Holy Emperor Warrior. Once they were alone, Ru Shenqi met her former mentor's gaze.

"Holy Maiden sent a seven year old girl to Slaughter City. It was Slaughter City where this killing intent originates from."

Hu Liena's eyes widened. "Y- you're that little girl?"

Ru Shenqi nodded and released her Death God Domain. As she did so, she released her spirit. Her golden eyes flash silver-white. Remembering Yu Xiaogang's words, but knowing the woman in front of her knew the truth, she willed four rings to appear. Her first four spirit rings descended while she held the other three red ones back.

"Impressive, already a Spirit Ancestor at twelve years old, right?"

Ru Shenqi recalled her rings and nodded. "Supreme Pontiff has a good memory. Xiao Nuhuang is twelve now."

Hu Liena suddenly frowned. She had forgotten the little girl's name but couldn't forget her spirit ring configuration.

Just then, two people burst into the throne room. They were none other than Xie Yue and Yan.

When Xie Yue's eyes fell on the little girl, he gasped.

"Y- you!"

Ru Shenqi turned around to face him. "Ambassador Xie, are you looking to get beat again?!"

"Nana!" he cried. "This is that girl I was telling you about!"

Hu Liena scoffed coldly. "You were shocked about her black ring that gave an invisible shield. Ch! I hunted that spirit beast for her!"

Xie Yue's jaw dropped. "She's the girl you sent to Slaughter City?"

Even Yan was surprised.

"Show them your rings, Xiao Nuhuang."

She released her first four. When Xie Yue and Yan saw they were all black, they choked.

"WHAT IS THIS?!"

"Xiao Nuhuang is my mentee. Although she does not belong to Spirit Empire, she has an honorary status within Spirit Empire as my first mentee. She will be treated with respect as such."

It's actually quite handy knowing the Supreme Pontiff. If she can grant me protection from Spirit Empire... then wouldn't that be good?

"I am lucky to have been mentored by Supreme Pontiff. I will not forget how Supreme Pontiff helped hunt my third spirit ring."

After having gained strength from each of her century millennium spirit rings, her previous skills had strengthened. Her shields could act exactly like Xiao Wu's Invincible Golden Body. Her camouflage skill had become even more vivid, and her disorienting skill had become stronger.

Hu Liena nodded, pleased. "You've done well. It's a pity you will not join Spirit Empire."

"Xiao Nuhuang is happy in Heaven Dou Empire. I have friends and a family there."

Xie Yue suddenly remembered something. "How do you have Elder Ru Zuanshi's sun bracelet?"

Ru Shenqi froze. She knew the danger of telling the Golden Generation about her mother. But how was she going to talk her way out of this situation?

"Ah..."

"Golden Dragon Luo San Pao!"

The Golden Iron Triangle rushed up, saving her just in time. They made their formation, and Luo San Pao appeared.

The Golden Generation's faces soured. They really didn't want to deal with two Spirit Douluos and a Spirit King who had a spirit fusion skill with spirit harmonization over ninety percent.

Ru Shenqi ran over to them and hid behind their protection.

Yu Xiaogang said coolly, "Supreme Pontiff, excuse us. We're taking our student back now."

Choosing to not engage in a fight, she waved them away. "Go."

The three left with Ru Shenqi. Once they were gone, Yan turned to her.

"Nana, why did you let them go?"

"We're Spirit Saints. They're Spirit Douluos and a Spirit King with a legendary spirit fusion ability. Let's not destroy Supreme Pontiff Palace, alright?"

The other two bowed their heads. "Yes, Supreme Pontiff."

Hu Liena's eyes narrowed. I can sense a much stronger power on that girl than just four decade millennium spirit rings. What is her spirit rank now?

<><><>

Back in Shrek's quarters, Ru Shenqi was facing a scolding from Yu Xiaogang.

"What were you thinking?!"

"I didn't want that Holy Emperor Warrior barging in on us. Plus, Supreme Pontiff Hu Liena already knows about my first three rings!"

"That doesn't mean you should reveal anything else to Spirit Empire! Now, they've connected you with the girl she sent to Slaughter City. Did you even think that might be dangerous?!"

Ru Shenqi hung her head. "What was I supposed to do? She's, after all, a eighty ninth ranked Spirit Douluo. Even if I fought her, I don't know how easily I'd win."

"If you show your true rings in the finals, what will they think?!"

She murmured, "I'll just pretend to be a Spirit Ancestor."

"You need your fifth, sixth, and seventh spirit skills to be able to defeat seven highly-trained Spirit Kings. But now... Spirit Empire will know that you're not only associated with Ru Zuanshi, but also your spirit ring configuration!"

"How can I fight three Spirit Kings?!"

"You fought the Shrek Seven Devils!"

"But without my God power, I cannot restrain them enough!"

Yu Xiaogang sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Liu Erlong held onto his arm, reassuringly. Flender remained quiet. On the other side of the door, the Shrek Seven Tyrants, Xu Tian, Gong Xi, and Han Niansui were eavesdropping.

"And now... we've got a problem on our hands. Let's just hope Spirit Empire leaves us alone during the Finals Round. Otherwise, I worry your life will be at stake. Constantly."

"Supreme Pontiff said that I should be treated as her honorary mentee within Spirit Empire. Will their spirit masters really go against their Supreme Pontiff?"

Flender asked, "What did you say? Hu Liena vouched for you?"

Ru Shenqi nodded.

"Xiaogang," Liu Erlong began. "With Hu Liena's protection..."

"She's just as changing as Bibi Dong. She might retract her statement tomorrow. We cannot hold onto hope that Hu Liena will protect her."

"Then what should we do?"

"Tomorrow, the Finals Round begins. We might compete tomorrow. We'll have to see and play it by ear. Caution is a ship that sails for ten thousand years³Oscar says this quote when the Shrek Seven Devils head to Sea God Island. I've put it here now for homage to the original light novel."

<><><>

The next day rolled around, and Shrek's team followed the Golden Iron Triangle to the courtyard arena within Supreme Pontiff Palace. Unlike last time, Hu Liena allowed non-competing spectators inside to watch the Finals Round.

All of the teams stood in the courtyard, in single lines, looking up at the balcony where three figures stood. Hu Liena holding the Supreme Pontiff staff was the tip of this triangle. To the back right, Yan stood tall. Next to him on Hu Liena's other side was Xie Yue. The Golden Generation represented the future and the continuing strength of Spirit Empire, post-Bibi Dong.

"Welcome, everyone, to Spirit City!" Hu Liena's voice rang out. "All of you have made it to the Finals Round, which is a great feat for all of you academies. I hope you can learn from each other in this last round and show the Continent the potential of the new generation!"

Xie Yue added, "Today will mark the start of the Finals. Each academy's opponents have already been decided for this first elimination. Today... the last victors, Shrek Academy, will fight Xing Luo Empire's Imperial Academy Team. Spirit masters may have one hour to get ready and prepare. Be back here when the time is up."

Taking his dismissal, every team bowed and departed from the courtyard. The Shrek group returned to their quarters.

"Xingyun, do you know anything about Xing Luo Empire's team?" Fang Youyou asked.

"Very little. All I know is that their leader is a prince from the Xing Luo Royal Family. He is the son of Royal Prince Dai Weisi and Royal Princess Zhu Zhuyun."

"An Evil Eyed White Tiger?!" the others cried.

They all saw how powerful Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing was when they had come back to Heaven Dou City. How couldn't their nephew be powerful as well?

Gu Xingyun nodded slowly. "I don't know about their other team members though."

Ru Shenqi sighed, "We'll see what their spirits are. With Xing Luo Empire's reputation, they might be mostly beast spirit masters. In that case, Yong and I must do our best to restrain them. Power and force will not do well against those of the same attributes."

The others nodded. They knew that although they were Spirit Kings and higher, they still couldn't underestimate the enemy.

The Golden Iron Triangle entered with Xu Tian, Han Niansui, and Gong Xi.

"You seven Tyrants," Flender began. "This will be a tough battle. Xing Luo Imperial Academy's team is all beast spirit masters of the Spirit Ancestor level. Although you monsters are stronger, beast spirit masters are powerful."

Gu Xingyun, Liao Suyin, Bai Shanxin, Shu Jiaxiang, Ming Yong, and Fang Youyou looked towards Ru Shenqi, their soul and the heart of their team.

"We trust you, Xiao Shen. Lead us to a victory."