While the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy was busy integrating its team, other academies located thousands of miles away were also preparing for the tournament as usual.
At Shrek Academy, on Sea God Island.
"Teacher, please, just let me join the academy team for the Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament."
Ma Xiaotao looked hopefully at the sallow-faced Yan Shaozhe, pleading.
Yan Shaozhe coughed a couple of times, his breath weak, and said, "Xiaotao, it's not that I don't want you to go. Your Evil Fire still hasn't been completely controlled. You're too dangerous like this. We absolutely cannot let you go."
"But haven't you already found experts to help me suppress the Evil Fire? I feel like my current condition isn't a big problem. Teacher, I can do it."
Ma Xiaotao tried to argue further, saying, "Teacher, you know me. I've cultivated at Shrek since I was a child. Shrek is my home. To defend Shrek's millennia of glory, I will definitely defeat all of Shrek's opponents in the arena!"
She raised her fist. "No matter who it is, if they dare to stop our Shrek team from winning the championship, I'll roast them like suckling pigs!"
Yan Shaozhe smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Xiaotao, the decision that you can't participate because your Evil Fire hasn't been removed was made long ago; even if the accident with the Clear Sky Sect hadn't happened, it would be the same."
"After the accident, my teacher, your grand-teacher, proposed at the Sea God Pavilion Meeting that you be confined for five years. Except for hunting Soul Rings, you are not allowed to leave Sea God Island even a single step. This proposal received unanimous approval at the Sea God Pavilion."
Ma Xiaotao's face fell. "Ah? Teacher, aren't you going to speak up for me? I really didn't mean to hurt them that time. I just wanted to force out the protector behind them."
"I also didn't expect that just as I was about to let them go, that protector, without showing himself, heavily injured me. Later, the Clear Sky Sect even..."
A pained expression appeared on Yan Shaozhe's face. He raised a hand and said, "There's no need to talk about this. I know it's not all your fault, but what's done is done. Neither I nor the elders dare to let you go out again. That Soul Douluo teacher can only temporarily suppress your Evil Fire; he can't eradicate it."
"For the main team, with Dai Yueheng, a Soul Emperor, leading them, five inner courtyard Soul Kings, and one Soul Engineer, the team's strength is sufficient to defend the title."
Ma Xiaotao pouted when she heard this. "Dai Yueheng's strength is decent, and I probably know the other five, but why let a Soul Engineer join the team? Hasn't our team always been such that everyone else is indispensable, but Soul Engineers are optional?"
"It's because your grand-teacher wants to support the Soul Tool Department. I also have to make some concessions."
Yan Shaozhe sighed. "I really can't help you with participating. You'd only have a chance to fill in if a major accident happens to the team, but that's impossible. In every past tournament, Old Xuan has followed them to ensure their safety."
Ma Xiaotao lowered her head, turned around with a dejected expression, and left. "Teacher, I understand. I'm going to cultivate."
With Old Xuan, a Level 98 Super Douluo, protecting the main team, they were sure to go to Star Luo safely, make a killing, and return gloriously with the championship title.
For a true Shrek person like Ma Xiaotao, not being able to fight and bleed for Shrek in the arena was a very difficult feeling to bear.
...
Outer Courtyard.
Xuan Zi, the gluttonous behavior suspected to be that of a Holy Spirit Church Grand Elder Douluo, holding a chicken leg in one hand and a wine pot in the other, his clothes messy and stained with oil, lay in a very comfortable position in the Soul Duel Stage's resting area, his ears twitching as he listened to Wang Yan's report.
"Old Xuan, among our Shrek Outer Courtyard students under fifteen, there are four Four Ring Soul Ancestors: Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan from the Martial Soul Department, and He Caitou from the Soul Tool Department.
Among them, Xu Sanshi has the highest cultivation at Level 47, Bei Bei is close behind at Level 46; Jiang Nannan and He Caitou have just entered the Soul Ancestorrealm."
"As for those below Soul Ancestor, it's a bit more special. Besides Xiao Xiao from the second year, whom you've already chosen for the Reserve Team, the final two spots are still hard to confirm. The older students aren't strong enough, and there are many talented second-year students..."
"Like White Tiger Dai Huabin, Qibao Ning Tian, Pipi Elephant Xie Huanyue, the Lan Family Sisters who possess a Martial Soul Fusion Technique, Haotian Wang Dong, Twin Martial Souls Xiao Xiao, Tang Sect's Huo Yuhao... they are all top-tier talents."
Wang Yan adjusted the glasses on his nose and continued, "I personally recommend Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao from the second year."
Xuan Zi's eyelids suddenly lifted, and his voice was flat, even with a hint of disdain. "Those two? I remember they didn't achieve much in last year's New Student Competition, did they? After entering the second year, they only just crossed the thresholds of Level 30 and Level 20 respectively?"
"Little Wang, are you getting confused because Wang Dong is the Young Master of the Clear Sky Sect, and that Huo Yuhao has a Body Martial Soul? That's very unbecoming."
As he spoke, Xuan Zi's tone grew heavier.
Wang Yan wiped the sweat from his forehead and replied with a smile, "Old Xuan, of course I have my reasons for saying this. First, as you said, both children have great potential. Wang Dong is the Young Master of the Clear Sky Sect, so she must possess the Haotian Hammer Martial Soul, which means she, like Xiao Xiao, is a Twin Martial Souls genius."
The symbol of the Clear Sky Sect is the Haotian Hammer. It would be impossible for Wang Dong to be the Young Master of the Clear Sky Sect without the Haotian Hammer.
"Huo Yuhao's Body Martial Soul is also worth cultivating. His Spirit Eye Martial Soul is very precious, and after undergoing a Second Awakening, his achievements are bound to be extremely high. He is already Level 23 now, an increase of eight levels since before enrollment.
And you may have heard that Huo Yuhao set a record in the Soul Tool Department by becoming a Level 1 Soul Engineer. The Soul Tool Department has officially granted him the status of a Core Disciple."
"Most importantly, after these two children returned this semester, they actually showed signs of being able to use a Martial Soul Fusion Technique! And their Soul Power fusion compatibility is extremely high!"
Upon hearing "Martial Soul Fusion Technique," a symbol of invincibility among peers and undefeated across ranks, a faint glimmer finally flashed in Xuan Zi's eyes, but it vanished instantly.
He flicked away a chicken bone, smacking his lips. "A Martial Soul Fusion Technique doesn't explain everything. Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu also have a Martial Soul Fusion Technique. Little Wang, you should know that their Soul Power is much higher than Wang Dong's and Huo Yuhao's, and their power far surpasses theirs."
He took a gulp of wine and continued, "And even if Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao cultivate quickly, is Dai Huabin slow? Their team received my and Shaozhe's attention after winning the New Student Competition."
"At the start of the new semester, Dai Huabin's Soul Power reached Level 37. For someone under thirteen, this cultivation level is among the best in our academy's history."
"At the Treasure Appraisal, the academy invested a Ten Thousand Year Tiger King Soul Bone in him. His Soul Power has broken through again, reaching Level 38. Now that's the level of the strongest second-year student."
"Zhu Lu is also a Soul Elder. With their Soul Power levels, when they use Netherworld White Tiger, its power can rival some Soul Kings. Can Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao's Martial Soul Fusion Technique do that?"
Wang Yan was momentarily speechless. "I haven't had a real combat assessment with them yet, but the power of their Martial Soul Fusion Technique is definitely considerable. I think it's enough to threaten high-level Soul Ancestors..."
"Then say no more. As for the last two spots, I don't think it's a headache anymore. Those high-ranking Soul Elders aren't useful, so they'll go to Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu!"
Xuan Zi waved his hand, making the decision.
Wang Yan looked hesitant. "Old Xuan, wouldn't that be unfair? Should we let them have a few free-for-all matches on the Soul Duel Stage?"
Xuan Zi grunted, "According to custom, second-year students aren't usually allowed to participate in Soul Duel Stage free-for-alls. Whether this free-for-all counts or not is up to me anyway. If I like them, I like them. Who dares to say it's unfair?"
"Besides, am I wrong? Which two students could do better than Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu?"
Wang Yan thought for a moment, then tentatively said, "Old Xuan, Qibao Ning Tian's support ability is also very strong. Should we consider her too? I think the role she can play is no less than Netherworld White Tiger. The main team also has Gongyang Mo as a support."
"What do you know? Come over here, come here." Xuan Zi beckoned, and Wang Yan, not daring to delay, stepped forward and leaned in to listen.
"Today, I'll teach you that in situations like this, you need to learn to consider things from the academy's best interests."
Seeing that Wang Yan was his grand-disciple, Xuan Zi decided to get serious and teach him how to secure benefits for Shrek.
"In terms of strength, Xiao Xiao is far from qualified to compete. Why did I let her compete? It's because I value her Twin Martial Souls!
She comes from a minor family, and there's a high possibility she'll stay at Shrek in the future. If we cultivate her well, she's bound to become a Super Douluo. Why didn't I choose Ning Tian, who would be more useful? Because as a Young Master of the Nine Treasures, she can't possibly stay at the academy; there's a barrier between us and her!"
"It's the same principle with Dai Huabin. His older brother, Dai Yueheng, is the captain of the main team and much older than him. He'll return to the Star Luo Empire sooner and will surely quickly take over Dai Hao's military forces."
"Dai Huabin still has quite a few years until graduation. By the time he returns, it'll be too late. The White Tiger Duke's position won't be his. At that point, disheartened, where will he choose to go?"
"Our academy?" Wang Yan asked, eyes wide.
"Exactly!" Xuan Zi smiled with satisfaction and continued,
"Dai Huabin is a Super Douluo seed, and he has a Martial Soul Fusion Technique with Zhu Lu. Zhu Lu's cultivation doesn't need to be high; as long as she reaches Titled Douluo, their Netherworld White Tiger will be invincible against anyone below Level 96."
"The academy invested a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone in each of them. It's impossible not to give them the honor of being Shrek Seven Devils at this point."
In short, the sunk cost was too great; the Shrek higher-ups couldn't let go.
If it weren't for the influence of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion and Dai Huabin's powerful talent, they wouldn't have been willing to give Dai Huabin a top-tier Soul Bone almost for free. Even the Soul Bone given to the New Student Competition champion was carefully considered.
Dai Yueheng would prepare for graduation after the tournament. With Shrek's prestigious resume, he would join the military, and with his family background, he would quickly rise to the military's top echelons.
Considering Dai Hao's record of becoming the Western Legion Commander at twenty-three, perhaps by the time Dai Huabin graduates from Shrek, Dai Yueheng might already be the Western Legion's Deputy Commander or the Northern Legion's Commander...
With such a significant first-mover disadvantage, Dai Huabin couldn't possibly contend, no matter how hard he tried. Moreover, besides his cultivation talent, his character and temperament were inferior to the mature and steady Dai Yueheng.
But what if Dai Huabin suddenly realized he couldn't inherit the family business, and Shrek extended the warmth of a home to him...
Wouldn't that secure both him and Zhu Lu? Shrek doesn't need you to understand social graces; just being strong is enough.
Wang Yan's expression shifted dramatically, and he said with heartfelt admiration, "Old Xuan is brilliant."
No wonder Dean Yan often told him that Old Xuan wasn't muddle-headed when it came to important matters and that he shouldn't underestimate the old man's wisdom. The old man was truly cunning and shrewd in these calculations.
A dignified Sea God Pavilion elder was certainly not a useless drunkard!
"But Old Xuan, are you really not going to reconsider Wang Dong, Ning Tian, and the others? I still think it's a bit too regrettable. Why don't we let them go to the Star Luo Empire as spectators?
That way, they won't feel resentful or have conflicts with Xiao Xiao. After all, Xiao Xiao's Soul Power is indeed a bit lacking right now, she's not even a Soul Elder... right?"
Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu were members of the New Student Competition's champion team, so choosing them would leave no one unconvinced. Xiao Xiao, a genius from a top-16 team, joining the Reserve Team would make Shrek's favoritism obvious to anyone with discerning eyes.
Xuan Zi thought for a moment, then nodded and waved his hand. "Alright then, let them go watch and broaden their horizons. Any second-year core disciple who wants to go can."
Of course, they had to win over Xiao Xiao, who would be one of their own in the future, so she would willingly dedicate her life to Shrek. But they also had to consider their allies, even if the Clear Sky Sect could hardly be called an ally right now.
"You handle the rest. I'm going for a drink. Just one thing: I want to see Shrek's School Badge on the winner's podium at the tournament, as always!"
Xuan Zi swayed away, humming a tune, feeling quite pleased.
It wouldn't be difficult for the main team to defend their title, and this year's Reserve Team could be called Shrek's most talented team in a hundred years. The advantage would be theirs in the future!
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Translation by: randomtranslator.com
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