Another reason was Xuan Ziwenâs own problems. He had only just started learning how to develop Tang Sectâs hidden weapons. The contents involved were different from the formation arrays of soul tools that he had researched before. He needed time to adapt and experiment. It was naturally a good thing to start with something as simple as the Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannon.
As a result, Xuan Ziwen set two goals for himself. First, he wanted to complete the Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannon and combine it with his Sealed Milk Bottle. Second, he wanted to design and produce more economical low-level stationary soul cannon shells, a crucial matter.
Huo Yuhao directly told him that the Zhuge Divine Crossbow Cannons would be more popular if cheaper and more powerful cannon shells were produced. When that happened, he would have more money to carry out other activities!
---
In the Sparring Arena, there was a fight going on. The two parties involved were Jing Ziyan and Xu Sanshi.
Xu Sanshi was standing in the center of the Sparring Arena. He flipped the Shield of the Xuanwu Turtle into the air, which resisted Jing Ziyanâs attack. No matter how magical Jing Ziyanâs fog was, she couldnât force him from his spot.
Huo Yuhao slapped his hand to his forehead and said, âThey really canât take a break! Itâs so early in the morning, but they are already fighting.â
Bei Bei smiled, âThis is a good thing. Itâs a form of motivation for everyone. If you donât want to lose, youâll have to work hard. Am I wrong?â
Those who were watching the fight werenât just the ordinary disciples. Wang Dongâer and Ji Juechen were present, too.
Ji Juechen was watching the fight quietly, the Judgment Sword behind his back. He was still using his original sheath for it, which looked slightly unsuitable.
Bei Bei and Huo Yuhao walked over. Ji Juechen looked at Huo Yuhao, and his eyes brightened. However, Huo Yuhao immediately said before he even opened his mouth, âDonât find me for anything. I didnât sleep last night; I was discussing soul tools with Teacher Xuan. My mind isnât in the right state now, and my fighting strength is at a low point. Even if you defeat me in this state, I donât think itâs honorable for you, right? Howâs my third senior?â
Ji Juechen replied without any hesitation, âImpressive!â
Xu Sanshi and Jing Ziyan both had six rings. As an agility-type soul master, she didnât stand a chance against the defense-type Xu Sanshi. The sparring had been going on for more than ten minutes already. Xu Sanshi hadnât moved a single inch, and only defended against Jing Ziyanâs attacks. If this continued, Jing Ziyanâs smoke power was bound to run out.
Ji Juechen appeared to be in good spirits, a passionate gaze in his eyes at this moment. After coming to Shrek City, he became more and more satisfied with his decision. If he had never come to Shrek City, he would never known how strong soul masters could become. They were at the same level, but Ji Juechen knew that Huo Yuhaoâs seniors werenât easy to deal with. Using Xu Sanshi as an example, he had no confidence of breaking through the Black Turtle defense using his sword intent. Furthermore, he could also tell that Xu Sanshi was holding back slightly. Of course, Jing Ziyan was holding back, too. But overall, Xu Sanshi still had an advantage over her.
Huo Yuhao chuckled and replied, âOf course heâs impressive. My eldest senior is also very impressive. He even mentioned that we should all help to improve one another in the future.â
Bei Bei glared at him. Rascal, he sold me out the moment we arrived. He smiled before saying to Ji Juechen, âBrother Ji, your sheath isnât very suitable. Iâll get the Soul Tool Hall to make you a new one when we return.â
Ji Juechen nodded and said, âThanks. I would like to challenge you.â
Bei Bei knew that he couldnât escape. He naturally wouldnât shrink away from the challenge, either. Even though Ji Juechen had lost to Wang Qiuâer yesterday, Bei Bei could tell how strong he was. With his sharp eyes, he could also tell that Wang Qiuâer didnât win the fight easily, either. Just like Wang Qiuâer had mentioned, the outcome might be completely different if Ji Juechen had changed his sword.
âAlright, letâs wait for them to finish fighting,â Bei Bei agreed readily. He was also getting a little itchy.
Xu Sanshi was very cooperative. As he stood in his spot, he shouted suddenly, âSister Jing, Iâm exhausted. Letâs stop now, okay? Itâs not easy being your sandbag! Have you had your fill?â
The purple fog consolidated and revealed Jing Ziyanâs figure. She was panting heavily, and perspiration had already formed on her forehead. On the contrary, Xu Sanshi appeared to be very calm, and didnât look tired at all.
Jing Ziyan snapped, âYou are such a dishonest fellow. Why arenât you attacking?â
Perhaps it was because Jiang Nannan was not present, and thus Xu Sanshi couldnât help but flirt a little when he saw a lady.
âHey, Sister Jing, how am I dishonest? People call me an honest, reliable guy. Iâm holding a shield. How am I supposed to retaliate? Iâm getting whacked so pitifully by you. Iâm conceding defeat.â
Jing Ziyan rolled her eyes at him and retracted her martial soul. She said, âAlright, letâs end it for today. Iâll challenge you again when we return.â
Xu Sanshi chortled and replied, âGreat! Iâll be ready to fight you anytime.â
In fact, Jing Ziyan had put a lot of pressure on him. After sparring with Huo Yuhao, Ji Juechen wasnât the only who had improved. Jing Ziyanâs martial soul was already very strange. Furthermore, her actual fighting abilities were getting stronger and stronger. Her attacks were quite incisive.
Xu Sanshi only defended and didnât attack. It wasnât that he couldnât, but rather because he knew that he would give her an opportunity to exploit if he did so. In that way, it would be difficult to predict the victor. This was only sparring, and not a life-and-death battle. Thatâs why he decided to defend all the way and created the stalemate.
Jing Ziyan and Xu Sanshi stepped down. Ji Juechen drew his Judgment Sword, âBei Bei, itâs our turn.â
Bei Bei smiled and gestured for him to enter the arena first. The two of them walked towards the center of the arena.
Xu Sanshi smiled, âPlease be gentle. Donât destroy the place any further. Brother Ji, do your best. Destroy him.â
Jing Ziyan revealed a weird look in her eyes and asked confusedly, âWhy are you cheering Juechen on, and not Bei Bei?â
Xu Sanshi retracted his smile and appeared melancholic. âI have an enmity with him, thus I canât cheer him on. I canât wait for Brother Ji to give him a good whacking.â
Jing Ziyan snapped, âI donât understand the messy relationships between guys.â
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dongâer laughed as they stood at one side.
Wang Dongâer said softly, âYuhao, go and rest. Didnât you stay awake the entire night?â She knew that Huo Yuhao hadnât slept at all. Otherwise, he would have found her to cultivate together.
However, she hadnât gone and disrupted him, either. She prepared breakfast for him at the canteen when she woke up. When Mo Xuan came to find him earlier, Huo Yuhao had already consumed his breakfast.
Huo Yuhao replied, âIâll rest when this fight finishes, but youâll need to accompany me.â
âAlright.â Wang Dongâer understood that he wanted to cultivate with her.
However, someone objected immediately. Xu Sanshi twisted his head and said in shock, âDongâer, you agreed?â
Wang Dongâer was stunned, and asked, âWhy canât I agree?â
Xu Sanshi appeared depressed as he said, âWhy? The Heavens, you are really unfair towards me...â
Not only was Jing Ziyan confused by his words, but even Huo Yuhao and Wang Dongâer were completely lost. They didnât know what he was doing.
Jing Ziyan asked doubtfully, âWhatâs wrong?â
Xu Sanshi was both sad and furious as he replied, âWe are both dating, but why is Nannan so cold towards me? Yuhao is younger than me, and heâs not as developed as me. Heâs also not as handsome as me! However, Dongâer agreed to his advances in broad daylight. Iâm pitiful. Itâs difficult for me to even hold Nannanâs hand.â
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dongâer were instantly annoyed. Wang Dongâer said furiously, âThird senior, your thinking is too dirty. Iâm returning with Yuhao to cultivate later. We have twin martial souls, thus itâs much easier for us if we cultivate together.â
Xu Sanshi appeared as if he understood what she meant, and replied, âI understand, I understand. Ah, the sun shines brightly outside while the two of you draw the curtains and lay under the blanket in the room. Why donât I have such a good life?â
Wang Dongâer wanted to explain further, but Huo Yuhao pulled her away. For such a matter, it would become more and more ambiguous the more they tried to explain themselves. Xu Sanshi was obviously mocking them. The best thing to do was to ignore him.
Jing Ziyan looked at Xu Sanshi deeply, and didnât say anything.
Xu Sanshi was puzzled as he looked at the three of them, as he realized no one was bothering with him anymore. Huo Yuhao was holding Wang Dongâerâs hand as he turned towards the arena. Only Jing Ziyan was watching him with a burning gaze in her eyes.
Xu Sanshi was confused as he asked, âWhat are you looking at me for? Sister Jing, Iâm already taken, even though I have to admit that you are pretty. No matter how harsh Nannan is towards me, my feelings for her are real. Youâve come too late. We canât be together in this lifetime. Letâs see whether we are destined to be together in other lifetimes.â
Jing Ziyan sighed suddenly and gave a regretful look. She shook her head and turned her gaze towards the arena.
Xu Sanshi was stunned, and asked, âWhy are you sighing? Whatâs wrong with me? Do you think itâs a pity that I already have a girlfriend?â
Jing Ziyan turned her attention towards him again and said seriously, âWhen I sparred with you earlier, I still thought that you were quite strong, and that you have a bright future. However, I realized thereâs something wrong with a part of your body after everything that youâve just said.â
As she spoke, she lifted her finger to point at Xu Sanshiâs forehead.
Xu Sanshi replied furiously, âWhat, whatâs wrong with my brain?â