"Body Sect… we must strengthen our ties with them."
Weina thought firmly in her heart.
As one of the three original empires, the Heavenly Soul Empire ranked second in overall national strength. Upward, it could not compare to the Star Luo Empire, but downward, it easily surpassed the Dou Ling Empire.
Originally, there were only two nations on the Douluo Continent: the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire. But due to many uncontrollable factors, the Heaven Dou Empire split in two, becoming today's Heavenly Soul Empire and Dou Ling Empire.
The Heaven Dou Empire had never been able to match the warlike Star Luo Empire, and after splitting in two, it fell even further behind.
However, in recent years, the Heavenly Soul Empire had established ties with the transcendent Body Sect, and life had been improving steadily.
But deep down, Weina knew clearly—it was the Heavenly Soul Empire that needed the Body Sect, not the other way around.
And the key link between the Heavenly Soul Empire and the Body Sect… was her.
Though a member of the Heavenly Soul royal family, Weina possessed extraordinary talent: not only was she one in ten thousand with twin martial souls, but one of her martial souls was a Body Martial Soul—the Brain.
The brain, as one of the most vital parts of the human body, was considered top-tier among Body Martial Souls, which naturally hit right in the Body Sect's sweet spot.
The Body Sect had invited her several times to cultivate within the sect, but her imperial father had refused each time, citing her young age.
But now, the Body Sect had brought back from the outside a genius youth whose martial soul was also of the body—this gave the Heavenly Soul Emperor a sense of urgency. Just moments ago, he had come to speak with Weina.
Though gentle in temperament, Weina, raised in the royal palace since childhood, already understood certain truths deep in her heart.
Some things had to be fought for by oneself.
No one will be kind to you for no reason; sometimes, what seems free is actually the most expensive of all.
"Sigh, I had planned to wait until my cultivation broke through rank 30, gain a spirit ring, and then go to the Body Sect… but plans can't keep up with changes."
Weina let out a soft sigh, a trace of worry flashing through her eyes.
"I wonder if this Jiang Jue that everyone is talking about… is someone easy to get along with…"
"Twelve years old and already nearing the Soul King level—truly terrifying."
Within just two days, the events of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament had spread far and wide. Aside from Shrek Academy's front-page scandals, the most talked-about subject was the Sun Moon Empire's genius youth—Jiang Jue.
In the match against Shrek Academy, he had shone brilliantly—defeating a Soul Emperor while still a Soul Sect. This was crossing two entire ranks of cultivation.
He had even briefly become the classic example of "other people's child" in countless parents' lectures.
"Worries… worries upon my heart."
"But, what must be done, must still be done. This is my responsibility."
Something suddenly came to her mind, and a sharp light flickered in Weina's eyes.
"Perhaps I could establish a good relationship with this Jiang Jue. When he grows powerful, he might look after the Heavenly Soul Empire somewhat."
"But how should I go about it…"
At that moment, a gentle breeze stirred, and the snow lotuses on the cold pool swayed gracefully, dancing like fluttering butterflies.
…
Shrek Academy.
Outside the Sea God Pavilion.
"Sigh, I'm worrying myself to death."
"Why didn't I keep my temper in check back then!"
Wearing a greasy white robe, Xuanzi stared at the rippling waters of the Sea God Lake before him, slapping his own head in frustration.
During the match, when he saw Ma Xiaotao being suppressed by Jiang Jue, a sudden surge of rage rose in his heart, and he lashed out directly—never expecting the disaster it would bring.
"Tap, tap, tap!"
A man in white as well walked up behind Xuanzi. His eyes held a bit of helplessness, but seeing Xuanzi so dejected, he paused before finally speaking to comfort him.
"Elder Xuan, perhaps… it wasn't entirely your fault this time…"
The man deliberately paused mid-sentence.
"Shaozhe, don't bother comforting me. Even you don't believe your own words, do you?"
Standing behind Xuanzi, Yan Shaozhe gave an awkward smile.
If he didn't tell the truth, the old man didn't want to listen; if he did tell the truth, the old man wouldn't be happy either.Really troublesome.
"Elder Mu has already convened the Sea God Pavilion meeting. He sent me to call you over."
Yan Shaozhe didn't waste words, directly stating his purpose.
"I know. Let's go."
Looking at the bright and beautiful weather, his mood, however, was anything but bright.
Xuanzi patted the dust off his robes, stood up, took a swig of wine to steady his nerves, and headed toward the Sea God Pavilion.
Silence!Deathly silence!
Yan Shaozhe followed behind Xuanzi into the Sea God Pavilion and instantly sensed the wrongness in the atmosphere. Without hesitation, he quietly slipped away, taking a seat beside Cai Mei'er.
As the saying goes: "Better my fellow than myself."
Now that his master, Elder Mu, was clearly angry, if he stayed by Elder Xuan's side, he would obviously be caught in the crossfire.
"Xuanzi, you're here. Sit down first."
An aged voice came from the main seat at the long table, though there was a clear trace of weariness in its tone.
Mu En had never imagined that the "little mishap" Elder Xuan mentioned that day was this. The moment he returned to the competition area, it felt as if the sky were falling.
Though Shrek Academy had a glory of ten thousand years, revered by most soul masters across the continent, there were just as many waiting eagerly to see them fall from their pedestal.
And what Xuanzi had done was essentially handing those people a knife with which to stab them.
That night, back at Shrek Academy, Mu En spent the whole night thinking about why Xuanzi could be so unreliable.
In the end, it wasn't that Mu En figured it out—dawn simply came…
"This time, calling the Sea God Pavilion meeting, I believe you all know the reason."
Upon hearing Mu En's words, all the elders seated along the table turned their gazes toward Xuanzi. Xuanzi silently lowered his head.
"Therefore, I have decided to expel Xuanzi from Shrek Academy."
As Mu En's words fell, the elders instantly stirred, hurriedly pleading for Xuanzi.
Though what Xuanzi had done was wrong, setting aside the facts—was the Star Luo Empire or the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy blameless?
"Teacher, this must not happen!"
"Without Elder Xuan, how can we intimidate those petty villains coveting Shrek?"
Yan Shaozhe was startled and quickly spoke up.
As one half of Shrek Academy's "Crouching Dragon and Young Phoenix" duo, Yan Shaozhe naturally couldn't stand by and watch Xuanzi be expelled.
A rank ninety-eight Super Douluo—this would be a tremendous loss for Shrek Academy.
"Elder Xuan has shed blood and tears for Shrek."
"That's right, Elder Mu, please reconsider…"
Others also chimed in one after another.
Looking at the elders before him, Mu En shook his head slightly and sighed in his heart.
"I can no longer see the future of Shrek Academy."
"Vast heavens, why are you so cruel to me!"
"Yuhao, Yuhao, grow up quickly."
When Xuanzi heard Mu En's words, his body trembled, and his heart felt like ruins.
"No! Elder Mu, please, no!"
He had spent his entire life at Shrek Academy—if he were truly expelled, where could he even go? His heart already belonged to Shrek.
"Listen to me—I said I would expel Xuanzi from Shrek Academy. I never said I would expel him from the Sea God Pavilion."
"…"
All the elders were stunned.
(End of Chapter)