Chapter 74: The Prodigy Hidden in Plain Sight (Patreon)

The grand hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect fell silent as two wounded operatives were carried inside. Their clothes were torn, faces pale, and bodies limp—barely clinging to consciousness.

At the head of the chamber sat Sect Master Ning Fengzhi, his calm demeanor shadowed by a deep frown. Just below him, Sword Douluo Chen Xin stood in quiet vigilance. The two operatives had been assigned to secretly protect Ning Rongrong—yet here they were, nearly broken.

"Can they still talk?" Ning Fengzhi asked, his voice low.

One of the operatives managed a hoarse, stuttering reply. "R-Report... S-Sect Master... w-we c-can... speak..."

A healing elder stepped forward, his tone grim. "Their bodies are paralyzed. A powerful paralytic toxin is still in their systems. I've tried everything I can, but I can't neutralize it. If we wait for it to wear off naturally... it could take two or three years."

Ning Fengzhi’s eyes narrowed. "Who did this? They're both Spirit Kings."

The elder answered carefully. "According to reports, the attacker is a young student from Shrek Academy. He uses both an avian-type and a plant-type Martial Soul."

Chen Xin's expression sharpened. "Twin Martial Souls?"

Ning Fengzhi stood suddenly. "Do we know his name or background?"

"His name is Lu Feng. Twelve years old, already a Rank 34 Spirit Elder. Beyond that, we haven’t uncovered much."

“Lu Feng…” Ning Fengzhi repeated slowly. "That name sounds familiar… Wait. Wasn’t the boy who awakened the divine-level Starfrost Tree Martial Soul in Star Luo City also named Lu Feng? And that was a plant-type, too..."

His voice trailed off before he drew in a sharp breath, excitement flickering in his eyes. “Could it be...?”

He stopped himself from saying more, but repeated softly, “Good... Good... Good.”

Because if this Lu Feng—a boy with a god-tier Martial Soul—was truly hiding in a place as low-profile as Shrek Academy, the fewer people who knew, the better. Especially for Ning Rongrong’s sake.

Ever since the Star Luo Empire announced the rise of their monstrous genius, both Emperor Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi had felt pressure mounting—worried the balance of power was shifting.

Even though relations between the Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire had improved thanks to the Spirit Hall, their rivalry remained. Old wounds ran deep.

That’s why Crown Prince Xue Qinghe had personally led a diplomatic mission to Star Luo. Officially, it was about state relations. In truth, he was sent to investigate the prodigy and report back.

But even after his entire trip, he hadn’t laid eyes on Lu Feng once. Now, he was on his way home empty-handed.

Not even Spirit Hall had managed to find Lu Feng. Their agents were still searching.

Who would’ve thought Star Luo had already smuggled him into Shrek Academy—hidden away in the remote countryside beyond Suotuo City?

A genius hidden in plain sight.

And a brilliant move at that.

Not only did it keep Lu Feng out of enemy reach, but Shrek Academy was also a perfect place to nurture talent. Ning Fengzhi would never have let his daughter attend such a backwater school—unless he had orchestrated it from the start.

He hadn’t just sent two operatives, either. He had eyes everywhere.

So, by the time news reached him that Ning Rongrong was safe—and that she had even grown closer to Lu Feng—he already knew.

A Twin Martial Soul user, skilled in both control and offense… Even without a divine-level Martial Soul, Lu Feng was a perfect match for his daughter.

His thoughts settled. “Take them away. Let them rest. And no one speaks a word of this outside the sect. I’ll handle it myself. All agents are to stand down until further notice.”

“Understood!” The operatives were quietly carried away.

Council Hall – Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect

A trade elder stepped forward. “Sect Master, one more thing. The Pan-Continental Merchant Alliance has completely cut ties with the Clear Sky Sect. Now, they’ve come to us for help—asking to buy food and cultivation resources. But we abandoned trade routes to their region long ago. It's dangerous, and there's barely any profit. Worse, if we help them, the Alliance might retaliate.”

Sword Douluo slammed the table. “Are we supposed to fear a merchant guild now?”

Ning Fengzhi gave a tight smile. “Uncle Jian, once we wouldn’t have. But things have changed. The Alliance isn’t just a trading group anymore. With the rise of the Peerless Douluo…”

He didn’t need to finish. Chen Xin’s expression shifted. The whole world still remembered the fight between Peerless Douluo and Clear Sky Douluo two months ago. The result had shocked everyone.

Even with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo fighting together, not even they could stop that monster.

After a long pause, Ning Fengzhi turned to the elder. “Send them full food rations. No one should go hungry. As for cultivation resources—give them half of what they asked for. The Upper Three Sects must remain united. Once the Crown Prince returns, I’ll handle the Merchant Alliance personally. I’ll speak to Liu Erlong myself.”

His strategy was clear.

Liu Erlong might not yield to him alone—but if the Crown Prince was by his side? With his celebrity status within the Alliance and royal backing, she’d have to at least pretend to cooperate.

Still, the elder looked hesitant. “Sect Master, transporting supplies to their mountain stronghold will cost ten times the normal price. Some of the cultivation materials are heavy and rare—logistics could drive the cost up fiftyfold...”

Ning Fengzhi sighed, rubbing his temples. “Charge them the base cost. We don’t need to profit, but we can’t afford a loss either.”

The Alliance had shaken the empire’s economy—offering imported goods from Star Luo and Gengxin City, like luxury foods and high-tier weapons, at unbeatable prices. Since they even brought Poison Douluo into their ranks as an honorary elder, Ning Fengzhi had lost his leverage.

Thank the heavens we didn’t push them into open war, he thought grimly. He had no desire to see the Divine Blade Douluo rain down “justice from afar.”

But if Lu Feng became Ning Rongrong’s husband… then the future might finally tilt in their favor.

Nightfall – Outskirts of Shrek Academy

“Teacher... I’m out of spirit power. Mind if I… borrow some?”

Lu Feng lay sprawled on the forest floor, clothes scorched, body aching—but his eyes shone with excitement.

Under Liu Erlong’s brutal training, his strength had skyrocketed. What began as him unable to dodge a single strike had grown into a powerful dance of speed, control, and tactics.

He used Dragon Shadow Steps to evade, Golden Pupil of Truth to anticipate, and his Dragon God Spirit Bone to absorb hits and regenerate at insane speed.

By evening, he wasn’t just defending—he was striking back. The plants of the forest lent him strength, vines tangling Liu Erlong’s limbs mid-attack, catching even the Violent Dragon Douluo off guard.

Her heart raced—not just from exertion, but shock. How could a boy this young already match me like this?

She had started with 30% of her power. Then 50%. Then 80%. And even then, she was barely keeping him down.

Now, both teacher and student were exhausted. Sweat soaked her robes, and her breathing was heavy.

She raised a hand. “That’s enough. I’m worn out. If you drain any more of my spirit power, I’ll collapse. That parasitic effect of yours is cheating.”

Lu Feng smirked. His techniques didn’t just bind and weaken—Root Bindings drained her energy, his second skill leeched vitality, and his third reduced her stats sharply. Combined with Golden-Winged Roc flight and his armor, he could keep up—even outmaneuver.

“Tired already? So... is it kiss time?”

Liu Erlong gave him a sideways look. “Not like this. We both stink. Bathe, eat, rest—then we’ll see.”

He raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue. The Great Spirit Arena hadn’t exactly been romantic either—but he knew better than to push his luck.

“Fair enough. Though I don’t think I can even stand right now... maybe I’ll nap here—”

Before he could finish, she hoisted him over her shoulder with ease.

“No naps. I’ll carry you. But don’t get any ideas.”

Her tone was flat, but the warning in her eyes was sharp.