By dusk, the special exams for all four grades had concluded.
Thanks to Chen Junting's strategy, second-year students lured five Inner Court seniors into an ambush and defeated them all, securing 27 points—a 100% completion rate. Every student who'd passed the individual exam was promoted, sparking jubilant celebrations.
The other three grades? Not so lucky.
Humiliated Inner Court seniors went all-out, refusing to repeat their earlier blunder. Their ruthless efficiency crushed the remaining grades' completion rates.
Even Tang Ya was eliminated.
Chen Junting's group only learned this at dinner, during a gathering with Bei Bei's crew.
"Senior Bei Bei," Chen Junting asked, eyeing Bei Bei's dejected expression, "what's your plan now?"
"I don't know," Bei Bei admitted, forcing a smile. After the results, Xiao Ya had announced her intention to leave Shrek City—return to Tian Dou City, visit the Tang Court's ruins, and earn money to rebuild the sect.
He disagreed—but what could he do?
If needed, he'd even drop out to join her.
Chen Junting poured him wine, sipping his own juice. From the corner of his eye, he saw Ning Tian and the girls comforting Tang Ya—who, like Bei Bei, was so distraught she'd abandoned her beloved grilled fish.
'If I recall correctly,' Chen Junting thought, 'this is when Tang Ya gets kidnapped and turned into an evil soul master. Though it's six months early now, her current state makes her even more vulnerable—she might immediately pursue a devouring cultivation path after withdrawing.'
"Senior Bei Bei, you need to address the root cause," Chen Junting advised.
Bei Bei's eyes were clear despite his drunken posture. "The Tang Court…"
"Wrong. Power," Chen Junting corrected. "Every sect needs strength. Without it, they're just moonlight on water—illusions. Sister Tang Ya knows this well."
How could she not?
Her parents' deaths had taught her that lesson in blood.
"Power… power…" Bei Bei's smile turned bitter. If only Xiao Ya's Blue Silver Grass martial soul weren't so weak, he could've trained her to Title Douluo. But without immortal herbs, he saw no path.
His gaze drifted to Chen Junting.
Perhaps only the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Court has such herbs…
Noticing the look, Chen Junting remained impassive. He'd offered advice as a friend—but immortal herbs weren't for trade. Not unless they brought the Golden Ancient Tree's most vital branch.
Bei Bei felt a pang of disappointment but no resentment. Of course they wouldn't trade such treasures.
Then—inspiration struck.
He recalled Chen Junting mentioning last year: Blue Silver Grass should pursue the path of life force.
"Maybe I should talk Xiao Ya out of this," he murmured. "But how do I keep her here?"
As Bei Bei fretted, Chen Junting suggested a solution—one guaranteed to work if Jiang Nannan agreed.
---
Inner Court – Sea God Lake
The lake shimmered under twilight, ripples dancing in the breeze. Yan Shaozhe stood in white robes, gaze fixed on the water.
Behind him, six Inner Court students—led by Dai Yueheng—stood in shame, their crimson uniforms stripped of pride. Their eyes darted to each other, then all settled on Dai Yueheng.
Traitors! Bad company!
Dai Yueheng sighed inwardly, then stepped forward.
"Headmaster."
Yan Shaozhe turned, eyes blazing.
"Aren't you ashamed!? As future main team members, six of you were eliminated by second-years—one even trapped! What were you thinking!?"
His words struck like hammers. Yao Haoxuan almost protested—he hadn't been eliminated—but remembered: If not for the time limit and the Headmaster's intervention, I'd have been the seventh.
Yan Shaozhe's fury cooled slightly. "I wanted you to mentor potential reserve team members. Instead, where were your tactics? Your coordination!? Nowhere!"
After the scolding, he demanded, "Share your takeaways from this exam."
Expecting praise for specific juniors, he was stunned when Gong Yang Mo and Xi Xi declared:
"We must take soul engineering seriously."
"What did you say!?" Yan Shaozhe gaped. Had his own students betrayed him?
---
Meanwhile – Soul Engineering Department
"Hahahaha!" Qian Duoduo roared with laughter after hearing Wang Lian's report. "Old Yan! Serves you right! Nearly half your martial soul students fell to soul engineering devices. How will you suppress us now!?"
Qian Duoduo believed true strength lay in dual mastery—like Xian Lin'er, both a formidable soul engineer and soul master. But the academy undervalued soul engineering, and the Martial Soul Department's oppression stifled progress.
Today's results were vindication.
Even if the second-years tricked them, soul engineering's role was undeniable.
"I must find Lin'er!" Qian Duoduo leapt up, determined to sway the Sea God Pavilion's policies toward soul engineering. As he rushed out, he tossed Wang Lian a parting remark: "The academy will reimburse your soul engineering device costs."
He didn't dwell on how Soul Ancestors and Soul Masters wielded such advanced devices. Likely a Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Court breakthrough. With proper resources, Shrek could replicate it—their research wasn't inferior.
But first—Sea God Pavilion's support!
---
Days Later – Dawn, Dorm 161
With no morning classes, Chen Junting meditated in his room. Suddenly—
Knock knock knock.
He opened his eyes, flicked a finger. Soul power unlatched the door. "Enter."
A stunning young lady—seventeen or eighteen, dressed provocatively yet elegantly—stood at the threshold. She bowed deeply. "I'm not from the academy, Sir Chen. I represent Treasure Pavilion and cordially invite you to tonight's Treasure Viewing Gala." She presented a gilded red invitation with perfect etiquette.
"Ah, the Gala," Chen Junting mused, swinging off his bed. As he took the invite, his eyes gleamed. "Thank you for your trouble."
"Shall I brief you on the event?" she offered.
Chen Junting waved her off. She smiled, curtsied, and swayed out—closing the door behind her.
Alone again, Chen Junting returned to bed, studying the invitation.
What treasures will Shrek Academy unveil tonight?
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