"What?! Are you sure of what you've said, Wang Yan?" Someone yelling in disbelief could be clearly heard in the Martial Soul Department's main building.
Yan Shaozhe rarely loses his composure, unless it involves his personal relationships(exes and his disciple), he would especially never raise his voice in the middle of the department.
But today was different.
Wang Yan told him about Na'er and Huo Qiu'er.
Yan Shaozhe stared intently at the papers given to him, trying to uncover all its secrets.
"....It's from Di Tian alright. The terrifying dark energy emanating from these papers, I could never mistake it. A recommendation from Di Tian, I never thought I'd ever see something like this. What is he planning? Is it a test? To test our sincerity of working with soul beasts?
Nonetheless, as long as they're righteous and pure of heart, Shrek Academy will never reject any student—no matter their race or origin. Just like one of the first generation Shrek Seven Monsters, wife of Tang San and a reincarnated human from a Soft Boned Rabbit, Xiao Wu!
With their talent and potential, they would likely become Transcendent Douluos! We must treat them well. Of course, I don't have to remind you of what to do..." Yan Shaozhe said with a low tone of voice.
Wang Yan nodded. "Yes, of course. I'll erase all the trails about their ties to the soul beast in the Great Star Dou Forest."
Their identities as soul beasts in their previous life must remain a secret. They're walking treasures! Any soul master aspiring to become an expert Titled Douluo would want their soul rings and soul bones.
Yan Shaozhe would need to keep the information contained within a small circle among the Sea God Pavilion.
While it might appear united and harmonious, humans are unpredictable —especially when it concerns benefits. Most of the elders are Titled Douluos, but some are still Soul Douluos waiting for the right final soul ring.
But with their truce with Di Tian and the Great Beasts, they've become disgruntled. They won't be able to hunt in Great Star Dou Forest, they have to find other habitats that have soul beasts of lesser age than in the former.
It was a small possibility of them going after Na'er and Huo Qiu'er.... but he couldn't afford to risk it. Not when the consequences involved everything and everyone's lives.
"Dean Yan, how is Elder Xuan right now? Has he...?" Wang Yan asked.
Yan Shaozhe shook his head. "No, unfortunately. He's still in close door cultivation, trying to breakthrough to rank 99 Limit Douluo. Patience, instructor Wang.
Elder Xuan has said that his seclusion would take a couple of years. He promised that in three years, regardless of success or failure, he will come out."
It happened on the day when Huo Yuhao and the others went on the exchange program to Sun Moon Empire, Xuan Zi felt the bottleneck in his cultivation loosen up a bit.
Without any hesitation, after giving some brief instructions and to leave Elder Song in charge temporarily, he went into retreat.
Honestly, despite how tense the situation in the continent is, it seemed it would remain peaceful for a few years. This was the perfect opportunity for Xuan Zi to have a breakthrough.
Yan Shaozhe and many others hoped he'd succeed. They needed an edge against the Evil Soul Masters and the Sun Moon Empire, but also to stand a chance against Di Tian and the other Great Beasts—just in case.
"Let's go meet these girls."
...
On the shores of Sea God's Lake leading to the outer courtyard, Wang Dong'er sighed deeply.
"I'm so bored. With the increased activity of hunting down evil soul masters and corrupted nobles for the last several months, the missions for Shrek Guardians and the Akatsuki have been cut back hard.
Without Yuhao helping me, my cultivation speed had become so sluggish. At this rate, I'd become a Soul King in a year." She mumbled, pouting.
If anyone heard her frustrations, they would've spat out blood. You call that slow?!
Wang Dong'er is still 14 years old and a rank 46 Soul Ancestor, she's gradually catching up to her seniors Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi in cultivation. At this point, she's already surpassed some of her peers and if it weren't for the anomaly that is Huo Yuhao, she would've become the generation's leading genius.
Even the last generation of Shrek Seven Monsters, led by Ma Xiaotao, most of them were Soul Kings before they were 20 years old. And Wang Dong'er is already catching up to them in just a year?
Unfortunately however, she has a fatal weakness.
If she isn't given enough motivation and enticement, she would become incredibly lazy.
This was the best example. She has nothing to do for a while, so Wang Dong'er decided to take a stroll around the outer courtyard.
[Don't be complacent.] An amused voice sounded within her spiritual sea.
[I know, AllFather. But... why can't I go through those trials again? I might be able to catch up to Yuhao if I finish those trials.]
[Hmm. Alright then, I'll give you a choice. Do you want to work hard with very risky trials with minimal rewards? Or do risky trials but be rewarded immensely?]
[....The latter.]
[Very well. But you'll have to wait when you become a Soul King before I provide you a suitable divine inheritance for you.]
[Huh? What kind of divine inheritance is it?!]
[Wait until you're a Soul King. In the meantime, be diligent and don't go anywhere near the Clear Sky Hammer Sect and meet your uncles. Or you'll never see your friends and Yuhao ever again.]
Wang Dong'er gulped and nodded grimly.
As she wandered around aimlessly, she naturally attracted attention.
She was a beautiful girl, with long blue hair and pink ends, a delicate face with fair white skin and a pair of big, light blue and pink eyes. She wore the red uniform of the inner courtyard and the skirt revealed her long flexible legs.
She was like a fairy walking amongst mortals.
"Whoa. Who's that girl?"
"A red uniform? Wait, is she a senior from the inner courtyard?!"
"Are you new students? That's Wang Dong'er, in just around two years in the academy she quickly passed the Inner Courtyard examination and became an Inner Student!"
The students weren't quiet when they gossiped, and Wang Dong'er heard every word. She preened at their words, her steps having a bit more pep.
Although she wasn't a narcissist, she wasn't one to shy away from praise and was a bit vain sometimes.
'Huh? Why do I feel a strange... sense of attraction?' Wang Dong'er stopped in her tracks.
Her head turned and gazed at the administration building.
'Right there...' She didn't hesitate and started heading towards the administration building.
.....
"...So, will you two take the inner courtyard examination?" Yan Shaozhe said.
Na'er nodded. "As long as we're provided with the best resources, and aren't treated differently from the other students—we're fine with any arrangement."
Huo Qiu'er shrugged, arms crossed. "I don't care where we start. Outer, inner—it makes no difference. As long as I get to meet Yuhao again."
Yan Shaozhe and Wang Yan were surprised.
Though considering their supposed background, they shouldn't be.
'Wait a minute... Humans and soul beasts, Yuhao, do you understand the word 'restraint'?! By the Sea God, this casanova!' Wang Yan covered his face and turned to the side, trying his best to keep calm.
"You know Yuhao?" Yan Shaozhe asked after a moment of processing the situation.
He had some understanding of Huo Yuhao's character and he didn't think too much about it.
As long as Ma Xiaotao and Huo Yuhao are together, and the former isn't complaining about the love rivals, then he wasn't going to put a word in.
Especially considering his relationship history.
Huo Qiu'er held her head high, smirking. "Of course! We're eternal partners, companions! I know him the best in the entire world!"
"Wait a minute!"
At that moment, Wang Dong'er came into the room by aggressively kicking the door down.
They all stared.
Wang Dong'er didn't care and pointed at Huo Qiu'er. "What did you just say? Eugh, that's rich coming from someone who appeared out of nowhere. Dean Yan, teacher Wang, are you sure these two aren't dangerous people after Yuhao?"
Huo Qiu'er snapped out of her surprise. Her eyes narrowing like a predator being challenged. "Who are you calling dangerous!? I wouldn't even think of harming a single strand of hair on him. And who exactly are you?"
Na'er raised a hand and said, "I don't know and care about Huo Yuhao. I'm just here to accompany Qiu'er—"
Wang Dong'er walked up towards them, uncaring about Na'er's words, and said. "For your information, I'm Huo Yuhao's best friend. I've known him the longest and been by his side through everything.
I don't know who you think you are, but if you think you can just drop into his life and start claiming him, you've got another thing coming!
Qiu'er scoffed, her eyes turning a bit red. "Best friend? Please. Do you really know all about him? About his deepest secrets? I doubt it."
Wang Dong'er's eyes narrowed, her soul power beginning to stir. "You wanna try me?"
"Hmph. You better clench your teeth."
Huo Qiu'er and Wang Dong'er glared at each other, lightning shooting out of their eyes.
If they had calmed down a little bit, they would've noticed the strange connection of their aura and the reaction their respective soul power had towards the other.
If Huo Qiu'er used her third eye, she would've noticed her karma thread connecting with Wang Dong'er's.
Though their circumstances differed, their fate and destiny would keep on unraveling.
It would only change, upon the choice made from the Child of Destiny.
Yan Shaozhe rubbed his temples as their soul powers started to build. Then a lightbulb flickered to life atop his head.
"Wang Dong'er, you haven't done a mission for a while now, right?"
Wang Dong'er flinched and looked away from Huo Qiu'er. "W-Well, there haven't been any new missions posted up..."
"Understandable. Which is why I'm putting up a new mission, it's low risk and it would help you mark off a requirement for your graduation exam."
"What's the mission?" Wang Dong'er excitedly asked.
Yan Shaozhe smiled.
"I want you to spar against these two; Huo Qiu'er and Na'er."
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(AN: *Finally edited it.)