"We're not far from the Academy yet, and there are some things I need to say upfront."
Xuan Zi's demeanor gradually became serious, as if bathed in a sacred glow.
"Our Shrek Academy has a history of over ten thousand years. Generally speaking, a powerful Soul Master can live for at least two hundred years, or even longer. And almost every year, students pass the assessment and enter the Inner Courtyard.
But currently, there are fewer than a hundred Inner Courtyard disciples remaining in the Academy. Do you know why this is?"
Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei both knew why, but they didn't speak up to play along, and the atmosphere became silent for a moment.
Jiang Nannan promptly diffused Xuan Zi's awkwardness: "Because the seniors all left after graduating, didn't they?"
Xuan Zi shook his head, following her lead: "You've got part of it right, but I'm talking about the other part—the disciples who weren't able to truly graduate from the Inner Courtyard."
"They were all good children. Although they couldn't truly graduate, their names will always be on the Academy's roster. They took the Academy's ideals as their own. It wasn't that they lacked the ability to graduate, but rather that they died fighting for the Academy's ideals—"
Xu Sanshi's mouth twitched uncontrollably as he listened, thinking, If my dad hadn't clarified some things for me at home, I might truly be clueless right now.
What does the Academy's ideals have to do with us students who came to study here? Is it even worth a single Gold Soul Coin? It sounds nice to say they died for ideals, but frankly, it's just tricking students into sacrificing themselves while they drink and feast at home.
Old man, with all your drinking and feasting, if you just walked around the continent, you could kill who knows how many Evil Soul Masters.
Though that might sound like moral blackmail, who told you to establish a Supervision Group that can enforce laws across the Three Kingdoms?
And you, old man, are even the deputy head of the Supervision Group!
While Xu Sanshi was furiously grumbling internally, Xuan Zi's sorrowful voice continued to drone on:
"Many Outer Courtyard students actually have the strength to enter the Inner Courtyard, but quite a few choose to leave after graduating from the Outer Courtyard."
"Because entering Shrek's Inner Courtyard doesn't just mean learning more and having better teachers. It also means shouldering a heavy responsibility. Those students who didn't choose to enter the Inner Courtyard simply felt they couldn't bear that responsibility. They left after swearing to secrecy."
"The Academy respects any student's choice, but what I want to say is that all students who choose to pursue further studies in the Inner Courtyard are heroes. Not heroes of the Academy, but heroes of the Douluo Continent."
Creating a tragic and solemn atmosphere, Xuan Zi's gaze swept over the more or less childish faces of the seven members of the Reserve Team, and he said in a deep voice:
"It's undeniable that from the moment you became reserve disciples, one of your feet was already in the Inner Courtyard. But precisely because of this, I must confirm before truly taking you away from the Academy whether you are willing to bear that responsibility that belongs to the Inner Courtyard."
"If you are unwilling, you can return to the Academy now. No one will blame you. You will still study and graduate smoothly from the Outer Courtyard.
And I want to tell you, in fact, the Inner Courtyard doesn't teach much more than the Outer Courtyard. The reason Inner Courtyard disciples are powerful is precisely related to that responsibility. If you choose to go back, you must also keep it a secret, just like those students who chose to leave after graduating from the Outer Courtyard. Can you do that?"
Regardless of their inner thoughts, the seven members of the Reserve Team all responded with a resounding "Yes!"
Seeing this, Xuan Zi nodded, greatly pleased, and began to recount the conflicts on the Douluo Continent, the origins of Shrek's Inner Courtyard, and the existence of the Shrek Supervision Group.
"...The Supervision Group means a huge test, and there's no reward. Now, you can tell me your choice."
After his passionate speech, Xuan Zi's solemn tone gradually relaxed.
At this moment, Dai Yueheng, as the captain of the main team, once again stepped forward without hesitation, describing the satisfaction and pride he and the others felt when exercising enforcement authority that superseded the Three Great Empires and conducting cross-continental law enforcement operations.
In his words, he expressed high recognition for the Shrek Supervision Group, and his expression showed pride and a special glow, as if he were bathed in glory.
Xuan Zi looked at Dai Yueheng with satisfaction. This is a good student from our Inner Courtyard. Only with someone like him becoming the new White Tiger Duke can we truly rest assured.
"Alright, now you need to give me an answer: join or withdraw."
"Join!" Six perfectly synchronized voices rang out simultaneously.
"Withdraw." A very small, yet firm voice quietly sounded.
Xuan Zi smiled happily: "Excellent, I haven't misjudged you, none of you are cowards—wait!
Xu Sanshi, what did you just say?!"
The powerful pressure of a Level 98 Super Douluo suddenly descended upon the small Xu Sanshi. The benevolent Xuan Zi of the previous moment underwent a drastic change in demeanor, his white eyebrows bristling, his gaze cold as an icy blade, scrutinizing Xu Sanshi, this already-designated member of the Seven Devils.
I, this old man, was just talking! You brat actually dared to withdraw?!
You joined the Reserve Team and now you want to leave? Do you think being one of our Shrek Seven Devils is something you can be or not be as you please?!
Bei Bei quickly stepped in front of Xu Sanshi, pinched Xu Sanshi's mouth, and chuckled apologetically to Xuan Zi:
"Old Xuan, you misheard. Sanshi here got his brain scrambled fighting with me last night. He definitely misspoke, misspoke."
At the same time, Bei Bei desperately winked at Xu Sanshi: Brother, can't you tell the difference between situations?
In this kind of situation, how could you possibly refuse?
Refusing Old Xuan, a Level 98 Super Douluo, to his face? You're asking for death!
The seven members of the main team, the five members of the Reserve Team, plus Wang Yan—thirteen pairs of eyes stared intently at Xu Sanshi, each with a different expression.
However, Xu Sanshi remained unmoved. His voice even grew a little louder as he looked directly into Xuan Zi's eyes and replied:
"I apologize, Old Xuan. My family has other arrangements for my future cultivation. I was planning to graduate from the Outer Courtyard and leave after this Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament. I wasn't aware that participating would require such a choice beforehand."
Xuan Zi's expression instantly became very ugly. His face turned ashen as he growled, word by word:
"Xu Sanshi, do you still remember that you are a designated member of the Shrek Seven Devils? After receiving the Academy's support and nurturing, you're just going to walk away now?!"
Xu Sanshi's expression was firm as he said, "My father also spoke to me about this. All the resources I've consumed during my years of cultivation at Shrek Academy will be converted into cash and returned to Shrek."
"If I've let down your expectations of me, all I can say is I'm sorry. But you just said that
we are free to come and go as we please. I believe this should be my right."
Saying this, Xu Sanshi ignored Bei Bei's attempts to restrain him, bowed to Xuan Zi, and then slipped a Gold Soul Card into Bei Bei's hand, his meaning clear.
Xuan Zi's face turned completely dark, a deep, cold smile spreading across it.
"Oh, right, I forgot you come from an extraordinary background. Your father is the head of the Xuan Ming Family, has he perhaps become a Titled Douluo yet?"
Xu Sanshi chuckled and said, "He just became a Titled Douluo a few years ago. His cultivation is far inferior to yours, Old Xuan, but if he calls me back, I can't exactly refuse, can I?"
"You might know that our Xu Family's Martial Soul has some special characteristics. Recently, they seem to have cooked up something new and want me to graduate and come home. If you don't like me, Old Xuan, I'll go back to the academy, pack my things, and get out right now. I promise not to bother you."
This was a lie. The real reason was that Xu Fu had obtained the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum from Xiao Changfeng and, unwilling to consume it himself, intended to give it to Xu Sanshi. Additionally, Xiao Changfeng had brought back many medicinal herbs, and they were preparing to refine pills. However, the changes after consuming immortal-grade herbs were too significant, and it would be troublesome if Shrek Academy investigated.
Another reason was that several core figures of the Xuanming Sect had been frightened by the ghost stories of Xu Sanshi being invited into the Tang Sect. They were afraid that when Xu Sanshi returned next time, he would no longer be named Xu but Tang, so they had to bring him home and keep an eye on him to feel at ease.
Xuan Zi gasped for breath, infuriated by Xu Sanshi's brazen attitude. Yet, constrained by the presence of two generations of the Shrek Seven Devils, he couldn't lash out, feeling a suffocating tightness in his chest. After all, he had just said, "You can return to the academy now, no one will blame you." He couldn't just go back on his word with so many people watching.
Seeing this, Dai Yueheng stepped forward, laughing to ease the tension, and said to Xu Sanshi, "Junior, you're being foolish. Our Shrek Academy is the top academy on the continent. What Martial Soul can't we research?"
"I understand the limitations of your family background, but what can compare to the guidance we receive at our academy? The academy teachers aren't just Titled Douluo; sometimes, even the Super Douluo Elders are generous with their guidance."
Xu Sanshi's eyes shifted upon hearing this, as if he was deep in thought.
Dai Yueheng was about to smile and smooth things over again, but he didn't expect the next sentence Xu Sanshi uttered to completely freeze the smile on his face.
"But Senior, we have Super Douluo in my family too. My grandfather is one. And our Xuanming Sect's Martial Soul research is a secret that has never been studied by other forces."
"Didn't Old Xuan just say it? The Inner Courtyard doesn't teach much more than the Outer Courtyard. Your powerful strength comes from actual combat. So, with all due respect, my family can also arrange enough opponents for me."
Dai Yueheng: "…"
You have Super Douluo in your family, and your grandfather is one? How easily he says that! And even if Old Xuan said there aren't many truly good things in the Inner Courtyard, you can't just blurt it out so casually! What are those of us who risked our lives to almost complete the Supervision Group mission supposed to think? Was all that sacrificing our lives for nothing?!
Xu Sanshi ignored him and continued to list his Xuan Ming Family lineage, his words designed to shock: "Also, my family has more Super Douluo than just my grandfather. Someone from my great-grandfather's generation is still alive, and my great-great-grandfather is still in robust health—"
These words made all the Shrek Seven Devils, except Bei Bei, twitch their mouths. Dai Yueheng twitched especially hard, his teeth grinding. He felt like a clown.
Great-grandfather is one thing, but great-great-grandfather? Is your Xuan Ming Family a family of longevity? How many years must those old fossils have lived? How terrifying is their cultivation? Could they be on the same level as Old Xuan? Oh, right, his Martial Soul is Profound Tortoise. Turtles are long-lived creatures, so Soul Masters must also be affected and become long-lived…
"Cough, cough, everyone, this is actually an accident. I didn't mean to, really—"
Seeming to realize that the family power he had inadvertently revealed was a bit too overwhelming, Xu Sanshi coughed twice to avoid awkwardness, then patted his chest and vowed, "I swear on my Martial Soul that I won't reveal what I heard today. But honestly, the Supervision Group isn't a secret; everyone outside knows about it."
"Furthermore, I want to tell you all that I, Xu Sanshi, am not afraid of death. If I encounter an Evil Soul Master I can handle in the future, just send a letter, and I will definitely come to help. If I can't defeat them, then forget it. I don't want to die in vain. It's better to improve my strength before I go fight those Evil Soul Masters—"
"Enough!!"
Xuan Zi's hair stood on end with rage. He roared, cutting Xu Sanshi off, his eyes red as he furiously pointed at him. "Xu Sanshi, have you truly thought this through? You don't want to enter the Inner Courtyard, are you going to be a coward?!"
Xu Sanshi shook his head and said earnestly, "Old Xuan, I said I'm not afraid of death. I just want to choose a different path of cultivation. I'll never hesitate to kill Evil Soul Masters."
"If you are still willing to let me go on this journey, I will never refuse, and I won't take a single step back on the battlefield. Isn't it better for everyone to part on good terms?"
Xuan Zi was about to explode again, but Wang Yan quickly stepped in front of him, swiftly shouting the words "Clear Sky Sect" to calm Xuan Zi. Then he waved at Xu Sanshi, "Alright! Let's do that then. You'll come with us, and you'll graduate from the Outer Courtyard after the competition."
Old Xuan had made too many promises himself and had no backup plan for this unexpected situation. There was no other way but to let Xu Sanshi participate in the competition. He was the highest-Soul Power student in the Reserve Team. Only a fool would exchange a Soul Elder for a high-level Soul Ancestor.
"Hmph! I'm in a bad mood, so I'll leave first. You all come and meet me in the Ming Dou Mountain Range!" Choosing his next words, which burned with anger, Xuan Zi snorted and shot into the sky.
Shao Zhe was absolutely right to stop you from becoming an internal candidate for the Shrek Seven Devils back then, Xu Sanshi, you really are an ungrateful wretch!
A moment later, an innocent voice sounded from the spot.
"I think what Senior Sanshi said makes sense. Why is Old Xuan so angry?"
Wang Yan looked over, and his vision immediately went dark. The one who spoke was none other than Xiao Xiao, the student they had the highest hopes for!
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Translation by: randomtranslator.com
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