The day before Jing Shaoyu's eighteenth birthday, Yun Ming returned to Shrek Academy.
"Ming-ge, how did it go? Did you find any leads?" Ya Li asked with a hint of worry and anticipation in her eyes.
"Not much progress," Yun Ming shook his head helplessly. "I've already asked A Yue to keep an eye out. He has more contact with the upper echelons of the Federation in Mingdu than we do and knows more about those three twelfth-rank Fixed Soul Guided Cannon Shells. If there's any movement, he'll notify us immediately."
Although Jin Lao's words had been vague, as someone standing at the very top of the Federation, Yun Ming had immediately identified the Soul Guidance Cannon Shell capable of leveling Shrek Academy in a single strike.
"Mmm." Ya Li nodded, then said in a low voice, "Ming-ge, is it possible Jin Lao's premonition is wrong? Would Federation powerhouses really collude with Evil Soul Masters to attack the Academy? They have no reason to do so!"
"It's hard to say for certain," Yun Ming said gravely. "Jin Lao wouldn't speak without cause. Moreover, I've been feeling uneasy myself. There must be villains secretly plotting against the Academy—we can't afford to be careless."
"Ah!" Ya Li sighed. "These are truly troubled times. If someone within the Federation is really conspiring with Evil Soul Masters to steal twelfth-rank Fixed Soul Guided Cannon Shells, it would be a disaster for the entire Federation! Let's hope no one would be so foolish."
Yun Ming nodded thoughtfully. "That's true in principle, but we can't control everyone's thoughts. After all, the human heart is the most unpredictable thing. Take when the Federation decided to exhaust resources to manufacture those three twelfth-rank Fixed Soul Guided Cannon Shells—didn't both Tang Sect and Spirit Transfer Pagoda oppose it at the time?"
"I believe the Sea God Pavilion of that generation supported it?" Ya Li said with a strange expression.
"Yes," Yun Ming said with a bitter smile. "That Pavilion Master actually wanted to use this method to suppress Spirit Transfer Pagoda and Tang Sect. At that time, their technological advancements were too rapid and terrifying, making the Academy feel it was losing control. So when the Federation proposed developing twelfth-rank Fixed Soul Guided Cannon Shells, the Sea God Pavilion immediately threw its support behind the idea."
"Indeed, after the twelfth-rank Fixed Soul Guided Cannon Shells were developed, both Tang Sect and Spirit Transfer Pagoda's technologies stagnated. But if that Pavilion Master knew these three shells would become a sword hanging over the Academy's head today, I wonder if he'd lament reaping what he sowed."
"I think that Pavilion Master might have considered this outcome," Ya Li analyzed. "After all, those three twelfth-rank shells were developed simultaneously. If the goal was truly just to suppress Tang Sect and Spirit Transfer Pagoda, wouldn't one have sufficed? Yet they made three outright—likely to give the Federation a means of maintaining balance."
"Three shells, three major organizations. Heh." Yun Ming gave a helpless smile. "We've been far too negligent about these twelfth-rank Fixed Soul Guided Cannon Shells before. Fortunately, there's still time. If we waited until they actually detonated, it would be too late to do anything."
"Yes." Ya Li nodded in agreement, then said, "Should we warn Tang Sect and Spirit Transfer Pagoda then? If that twelfth-rank Fixed Soul Guided Cannon Shell really gets stolen, all three of our organizations could be potential targets."
"Tang Sect is fine. As for Spirit Transfer Pagoda," Yun Ming pondered, "we can inform Leng Yaozhu. As for Qiangu Dongfeng, I don't trust that man."
Yun Ming's dislike for Qiangu Dongfeng was no secret. In fact, most members of the Sea God Pavilion shared this sentiment toward the Qiangu family. It was under the leadership of their former patriarch, Qiangu Dieting, that Spirit Transfer Pagoda began slipping from Shrek Academy's control—though Shrek Academy itself bore significant responsibility for this.
However, Shrek Academy's leadership wouldn't see it that way. To them, the Qiangu family's ambitions had simply grown too large. Wanting independence from Shrek Academy's control was unacceptable in their eyes. After all, even Tang Sect, despite being tightly controlled by the academy, had never rebelled. How dare Spirit Transfer Pagoda try to break away over minor grievances, wasting all the resources Shrek Academy had invested in its early development? Truly ungrateful!
To this, the former Spirit Transfer Pagoda Master Qiangu Dieting could only protest helplessly: "Though I had grievances with the academy, I'm still a Shrek member at heart!"
"Alright," Ya Li chose not to comment on the historical conflicts between Spirit Transfer Pagoda and the older generation of Sea God Pavilion members. Having little understanding of Qiangu Dongfeng as a person, she simply ignored the matter and said directly, "Tomorrow is A'Yu's eighteenth birthday. Tian Feng will probably come—we can tell her then."
"Shaoyu is already eighteen? How time flies!" Hearing this, the gloom on Yun Ming's face vanished, replaced by genuine delight. "In just a few more years, I can finally retire!"
"Yes," Ya Li replied proudly. "Just a few days ago, during a spar with Muzi where neither used their Battle Armor, Muzi couldn't even defeat him!"
"Really?!" Yun Ming was genuinely surprised. He knew Jing Shaoyu was strong, but hadn't realized he'd reached this level. Lan Muzi was a junior he'd always held in high regard. If Jing Shaoyu could already rival Lan Muzi, then he could truly retire without worries.
"Of course," Ya Li said with a smile. "A'Yu has already reached sixty-fifth rank in Soul Power. After Sea God's Fate, we'll send them to Devil Island again. Becoming a Soul Douluo before twenty won't be a problem at all."
"Is that so? Hahaha!" Yun Ming's eyes lit up as he laughed heartily. "It seems my retirement is truly within sight now!"
"Ming-ge, after A'Yu takes over as Pavilion Master, let's travel to Star Luo Continent and Heaven Dou Continent, alright?" Ya Li began envisioning their retirement, smiling as she linked arms with Yun Ming. "I've never visited those two new continents."
"Mm, whatever you say!" Yun Ming nodded indulgently.
Meanwhile, at Shrek City's soul guidance train station, Jing Shaoyu stood waiting outside with Gu Yue, Na'er, and five other girls.
"Mom! Auntie!" Spotting Jing Ziyuan and Lin Xin amidst the crowd, Jing Shaoyu immediately called out and ran toward them, followed closely by Gu Yue and the others.
Jing Ziyuan and Lin Xin noticed Jing Shaoyu too, greeting him with bright smiles.
They had naturally come to celebrate Jing Shaoyu's birthday. Originally, according to Jing Shaoyu's plan, he would have returned to East Sea City himself, but Jing Ziyuan expressed a desire to visit Shrek City, so Jing Shaoyu couldn't very well object.
He affectionately wrapped an arm around Jing Ziyuan's shoulders and cheerfully introduced the girls to her. Aside from Gu Yue, Na'er, and Xu Xiaoyan, the others were meeting Jing Ziyuan for the first time, so they were all a little nervous.
"Mom, Auntie, this is Wu Siduo."
"Auntie, hello! You can call me Duoduo—that's what my elders call me." Wu Siduo was poised and graceful, after all, she came from a prominent family. Though usually cold and aloof, she knew how to conduct herself in social situations.
"Alright, Duoduo." Jing Ziyuan smiled warmly at Wu Siduo, nodding repeatedly.
"This is Ye Xinglan."
"Auntie, hello. My name is Ye Xinglan—you can call me Xinglan." Ye Xinglan's smile was stiff, her expression tense under Jing Ziyuan's scrutinizing gaze, making it hard for her to relax.
"Haha, hello, Xinglan." Jing Ziyuan could clearly sense Ye Xinglan's nervousness, so she responded with a gentle, reassuring smile.
"This is Mo Hentian."
"Auntie, hello. I'm Mo Hentian—everyone calls me Xiao Mo." Mo Hentian's reaction was nothing out of the ordinary, just the typical demeanor one would have when meeting an elder.
Jing Ziyuan's reaction, however, was quite amusing. Her attention was completely drawn to Mo Hentian's chest, her eyes flashing with unmistakable surprise before she chuckled and replied, "Hello, Xiao Mo."
"Mom, Auntie, let's head to the academy first to drop off our luggage, then I'll take you around Shrek City." Jing Shaoyu deliberately ignored Lan Fozi as he spoke to Jing Ziyuan and Lin Xin.
Lan Fozi was displeased by this and loudly interjected, "Wait a minute, Captain! You haven't introduced me yet!"
Gu Yue and Na'er remained expressionless, Xu Xiaoyan looked resigned, Ye Xinglan and Wu Siduo exchanged knowing smiles, while Mo Hentian was still lost in thought over Jing Shaoyu's mother's reaction. Jing Shaoyu feigned surprise and replied, "Ah, look at me—I didn't even notice you there. My apologies."
"Hmph!" Lan Fozi glared at Jing Shaoyu, thoroughly convinced he had done it on purpose.
In truth, Jing Shaoyu was doing it on purpose. He hadn't wanted to bring her along in the first place—she had insisted on tagging along. Now that she had spoken up, Jing Ziyuan and Lin Xin were bound to misunderstand. Sighing inwardly, he said, "Mom, Auntie, this is Lan Fozi, a junior who recently joined our team."
"Recently? It's been almost two years!" Lan Fozi immediately retorted before turning a bright smile toward Jing Ziyuan and Lin Xin. "Hello, aunties! My name is Lan Fozi—you can just call me Fozi."
From the moment Jing Ziyuan and Lin Xin appeared, Lan Fozi had been observing them closely. She had been curious about what kind of humans could have raised someone like Jing Shaoyu. But upon meeting them, she was sorely disappointed. Lin Xin was completely ordinary, and while Jing Ziyuan had a faint trace of vitality within her, there was nothing particularly special about her either.
How could this be? Lan Fozi was baffled.
"Oh, hello, Fozi." Jing Ziyuan could tell her son didn't seem particularly interested in this lively girl, so her response was noticeably less enthusiastic.
Lan Fozi didn't mind at all, nodding with a smile as her deep blue eyes remained fixed on Jing Ziyuan, trying to discern something different about her. Jing Shaoyu noticed Lan Fozi's behavior and inwardly scoffed—this silly fish, was she trying to uncover his origins through his adoptive mother? How could that be possible?
Jing Shaoyu paid no heed, cheerfully leading Jing Ziyuan and Lin Xin toward Shrek Academy, completely unaware that Lan Fozi, lagging at the back of the group, had abruptly halted with unnatural stiffness, her pupils contracting sharply as her mind trembled unsteadily.
"It hurts... How could this be?" She lowered her head, letting out a pained groan. Her vision was filled with a dazzling green light.
After adoptive mother Jing Ziyuan arrived at the academy, Yun Ming and Ya Li personally met with her. The two were deeply grateful to Jing Ziyuan, while she herself was overwhelmed by the honor—after all, they were two Limit Douluos, and regardless of anything else, they were more than twice her age.
The next day was Jing Shaoyu's eighteenth birthday.
He didn't hold any grand celebration—there was no need for such extravagance—so he simply shared a meal with close friends and family. The elders present were only Jing Ziyuan, Leng Yaozhu, Yun Ming, Ya Li, and Lin Xin. The rest were just Gu Yue, Na'er, Xu Xiaoyan, Wu Siduo, Ye Xinglan, Mo Hentian, and Lan Fozi.
After his birthday, Jing Shaoyu officially became an adult, making him eligible to participate in an upcoming major academy event. However, that event was still a month or two away, so there was no rush.
Jing Ziyuan and Lin Xin had planned to return to Eastsea City after celebrating Jing Shaoyu's birthday, but at Ya Li's insistence, they decided to stay a while longer. Jing Shaoyu didn't object—though Shrek City was dangerous, that wasn't a concern for now.
After all, the next three months would host the most prestigious event in Shrek Academy's Inner Academy: Sea God's Fate. This period, while the most relaxed for the academy, was also when attendance was at its peak, ensuring maximum security.
Moreover, Jing Shaoyu remembered that the Holy Spirit Church's attack on Shrek Academy occurred after Tang Wulin returned from Devil Island—a full year or two after Sea God's Fate had concluded.
That day, in the Seven Monsters' activity room.
"Brother Shaoyu, have you heard? Luo Guixing and the other six all passed the Inner Academy entrance exam!" Xu Xiaoyan gossiped excitedly.
"Really?" Wu Siduo expressed skepticism. "I don't doubt Luo Guixing and Xu Yu Cheng making it in, but Tang Wulin? I'm suspicious. Isn't his Martial Soul Blue Silver Grass? Since when could a Blue Silver Grass cultivate so quickly?"
"Duoduo, aren't you close with Zheng Yiran? Didn't she tell you?" Xu Xiaoyan asked in surprise.
Wu Siduo rolled her eyes. "Yiran and I are close, but we haven't seen much of each other this past year. Was I supposed to specifically ask her why Tang Wulin got into the Inner Academy?"
"Oh, that makes sense." Xu Xiaoyan found Wu Siduo's words quite reasonable, so she rubbed her head and explained, "Here's the thing. It's said that Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul underwent a second awakening and evolved into the Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul. Moreover, because of his unique Golden Dragon Bloodline, he was specially approved to enter the Inner Academy even though his Soul Power hasn't reached the level of a Soul King yet."
"So that's how it is." Everyone suddenly understood. If that were the case, it would indeed make perfect sense.
"Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul! Sister Xiaoyan, is that really true?" Lan Fozi seemed both shocked and excited upon hearing the words "Blue Silver Emperor," grabbing Xu Xiaoyan's arm as she asked.
Xu Xiaoyan didn't mind and simply nodded. "That's the news I heard from the senior sister, but I don't know the specifics. You can ask Xiao Mo when she arrives. I remember Elder Feng is in charge of the Inner Academy assessments."
The "senior sister" Xu Xiaoyan referred to was naturally Tang Yinmeng. Over the past two years since entering the Inner Academy, this girl had fully utilized her social skills, befriending all the female disciples in the Inner Academy as sisters. This had left Ye Xinglan and Wu Siduo on edge for quite some time.
"Oh, alright." Lan Fozi nodded somewhat disappointedly.
Just as they were talking, Mo Hentian arrived and brought the most accurate news for everyone.
The Outer Academy was about to begin a new round of admissions, and the second-year students would naturally advance to the third year. The seven class committee members of the third year—Luo Guixing, Xu Yu Cheng, Yang Nianxia, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Xu Lizhi, and Zheng Yiran—had also chosen to participate in the Inner Academy assessment and successfully passed. With this, their batch now had fourteen Inner Academy disciples, becoming the largest group in recent years.
Shen Yi was already grinning from ear to ear.
Mo Hentian's news was even more detailed. Tang Wulin's Martial Soul had indeed undergone a second awakening into the Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul, achieved with the help of Mu Ye, the sect master of the Body Sect. His current Soul Power was only at the 49th rank, but considering his peers had already reached the Soul King level and his possession of a unique True Dragon Bloodline, Zhuo Shi proposed allowing him special admission into the Inner Academy.
As for this news, Jing Shaoyu didn't feel much of a stir in his heart. After all, this wasn't something particularly surprising. As the son of the Tang Godking, Tang Wulin entering the Inner Academy through special admission was already somewhat embarrassing.
Would his father be furious if he found out?
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