Chapter 155: What's the point of your sword? Elder Jin's life!
"Sister Xinglan, don't go!" Xu Lizhi said in anger as he hid in the bushes on the side.
Ye Xinglan was holding the water he had helped buy.
The golden sunlight was fragmented by the shadows, and scattered on Ye Xinglan's body. Her golden ponytail shone faintly, and her whole person exuded a sense of neatness and competence.
"Huh!" Ye Xinglan took a deep breath, looking at the tall and straight young man in the distance. A hint of determination flashed across her beautiful blue eyes. Her fair hands grasped two bottles of water and she walked towards Jiang Xiu.
Jiang Xiu looked at Ye Xinglan walking towards him, and raised his eyebrows slightly. This Ye Xinglan was really persistent.
"Jiang Xiu, are you... are you thirsty? This... this is water for you." Ye Xinglan came in front of Jiang Xiu and said in a slightly awkward tone, handing the two bottles of water to Jiang Xiu.
Xu Lizhi's heart ached even more when he saw this. He'd never seen Ye Xinglan offer anything to anyone before.
"Thanks, I'm not thirsty," Jiang Xiu said with a wave, and then he started to leave.
Testing him with just a bottle of water—what cadre couldn't handle such a test?
Ye Xinglan was startled, then quickly stepped in front of Jiang Xiu, saying sincerely, "Is...is this water not tasty? I'll buy more."
Xu Lizhi felt his nose flush at this; this was clearly his favorite drink.
"Ye Xinglan, why are you so persistent?" Jiang Xiu paused, his eyes searching the girl before him. "Is it because I'm stronger than you?"
"Yes," Ye Xinglan nodded her head emphatically. "You're very strong. Even Tang Dong and the others are no match for you. I want to learn from you."
Recalling the moment when Jiang Xiu had fought three of them alone, Ye Xinglan still felt a surge of emotion. This was the powerful footsteps she longed to achieve.
"But why should I teach you? Do I have to teach you just because you want me to?" Jiang Xiu asked calmly.
"No...it's not like that." Ye Xinglan shook his head hurriedly, "There is no such truth in the world. I just want to become stronger..."
Jiang Xiu's eyes flashed, "Then why do you become stronger?"
Hearing Jiang Xiu mention this, a burning meaning flashed in Ye Xinglan's blue eyes, "I become stronger to challenge stronger people. I want to see what the top of this continent looks like.
I will use the sword in my hand to reach the top step by step!"
"Oh? What else? Protect the glory of your Shrek Academy?" Jiang Xiu said softly.
"Well..." Ye Xinglan looked a little tangled. As far as she knew, Jiang Xiu probably didn't like Shrek Academy.
But after hesitating for a moment, Ye Xinglan still said: "The motto of Shrek Academy is to protect the peace of the continent. It has also established the Shrek Supervisory Group to punish evil and maintain the stability of the continent. So I came to Shrek Academy, in addition to becoming stronger, I also want to join in."
"Right now, the continent is in turmoil, and the Holy Spirit Cult is wreaking havoc once again. My sword must not remain silent. I must do what I must."
Ye Xinglan's voice was low at first, but gradually grew louder.
A swordsman should not be cowardly, nor should he remain aloof; this was her sword intent.
Jiang Xiu's eyes flickered, and he cast a deep glance at Ye Xinglan. The glory of Shrek Academy is remembered by every student who leaves Shrek Academy. Clearly, the power of brainwashing lies not in the superficial, but in the depths.
When Shrek Academy stands on the high ground of justice and morality, these students naturally identify with it from the bottom of their hearts.
But now, Shrek Academy is no longer an academy; it has long since betrayed its original purpose.
As one councilor noted, Shrek Academy does not participate in the Federal Council, yet its presence is everywhere.
Thus, Shrek Academy has long since become an unyielding force, yet it maintains the image of itself as merely an academy, never interfering in the affairs of the continent.
It's a classic case of wanting both. Even Shrek City's autonomy has been relinquished to Shrek Academy.
And are any of the elders in the Sea God Pavilion truly normal people?
Jiang Xiu, thinking back to Cai Yue'er and Long Yeyue's actions, couldn't help but wonder if they were fake beings sent from the Abyss.
It's a little far from being a god, but a long way from being human.
Jiang Xiu looked at Ye Xinglan and said, hintingly, "Since you're so committed to protecting the continent, you should join the Legion or the War God Temple."
"These organizations never tout their righteousness or flaunt their achievements. Unlike some other factions, they simply silently contribute to the continent."
"This..." Ye Xinglan's voice faltered, unable to utter a single rebuttal. Meanwhile, her heart felt a sharp throbbing.
"As you said, the world shouldn't be so chaotic, and neither should your sword be so narrow," Jiang Xiu whispered.
"Think clearly: is it the continent you want to protect, or the glory of Shrek Academy? Come back to me when you've made up your mind."
With that, Jiang Xiu patted Ye Xinglan's shoulder and walked past her into the distance.
"Glory... or the continent..." A struggle flickered in Ye Xinglan's eyes, and for a moment, she felt a wave of confusion.
Did she want to stand on the stage and enjoy the glory of Shrek Academy, or did she want to cherish the justice of Shrek Academy? Was this truly her original sword intention?
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. My parents were fortunate enough to sacrifice their lives for the mainland. There are many like them, and perhaps you don't even know their names."
Jiang Xiu's voice reached him from afar, causing Ye Xinglan to look up suddenly.
The sun was shining brightly, the buildings towering, and Ye Xinglan stood at the intersection of shadow and sunlight, his eyes filled with struggle.
...
by the Seagod Lake.
"The path is before you, it all depends on how you act." Jiang Xiu murmured silently, gazing at the shimmering water.
If Ye Xinglan made the wrong choice, then he would have to let go of his compulsion to help others and respect their fate.
"But Cai Yue'er probably won't cause trouble again this time," Jiang Xiu thought, stroking his chin.
After leaving Ye Xinglan, he had taken Yali's token and entered the inner courtyard of Shrek Academy.
However, he was informed that Yali was treating Cai Yue'er, and that his master had been ruthless this time, hoping to keep Cai Yue'er quiet for a while.
Yali also secretly sent him a message, telling him to come directly to the Seagod Pavilion tomorrow, as she had something important to discuss.
"Buzz buzz buzz!" Jiang Xiu's gaze deepened as he felt the faint gray tree mark on the back of his right hand. This was the mark left by the spirit of the old plane.
Since entering the inner courtyard, it had been flickering, but as if fearing something, it dared not make a sound.
"Lao Jin, wait for me, wait for me to save you," Jiang Xiu thought to himself. Tomorrow, when he saw Yali, he could use the opportunity to enter the ancient golden tree to meet Old Jin.
At this thought, Jiang Xiu felt a surge of excitement. The Seed of Life in Old Jin's hands was the key to his secret control of the Abyssal Plane. He absolutely couldn't afford to lose it!
As long as he obtained the Seed of Life, he could use it to access the source power of every layer of the Abyssal Plane. And once he activated the Seed of Life, he would gain the status of the Son of Nature on Douluo Continent.
This identity was crucial to his future plans, crucial to his ability to lure the Abyss Sage Lord into his trap.
"Lao Jin, whether or not we can evacuate Shrek Academy depends on you," Jiang Xiu whispered softly, his gaze distantly fixed on the towering ancient tree on Sea God Island.
Shrek Academy's treasury was located within the Golden Ancient Tree, and Old Jin was its spirit. After meeting him, perhaps he could reveal the rich treasures within.
He also wondered if the complete secrets of their Body Sect's Body were also within Shrek Academy's treasury.
Jiang Xiu then strolled towards the outer courtyard's teaching office. After all, he was a freshman, and after completing the entrance exams, he would report.
However, his teacher appeared to be Chen Yi, a fact Jiang Xiu was quite pleased with.
After all, he wasn't truly here to study at Shrek Academy, but to obtain the Seed of Life and discover the secrets of Body.
After Jiang Xiu left, a phantom figure atop the Golden Ancient Tree's massive canopy slowly withdrew its gaze.
"It really is you, my hope,"
Old Jin whispered slowly, but his old eyes were filled with uncontrollable excitement. He had finally met the successor chosen by the old plane spirit, and from what he saw, he actually possessed the essence of the Golden Dragon King!
He knew exactly what this meant.
Although he didn't know how Jiang Xiu had obtained it, he was shocked and excited.
"Hmm, not bad. He's a good kid, not as aggressive as the previous Plane's Son," Old Jin sighed softly.
He had actually met a descendant of the old Plane's Spirit two hundred years ago, but that descendant was far too aggressive, even attacking Shrek Academy. He was ultimately annihilated by the then-Poseidon Pavilion Master and the Spirit Pagoda Master.
Although he had a feeling the descendant wasn't dead, that thought had undoubtedly been extinguished.
"After a life of walking on thin ice, I finally see hope. I've even found a way out!" Old Jin calmed his excitement, his gaze fixed on the tree trunk.
His sight revealed an unidentified space, within which countless blue silver grass spread, guarding the Blue Silver Emperor at its center.
"Hmph! Still sleeping? I'll be here to take you!" Old Jin snorted softly. As time passed, he could clearly sense Ah Yin's intentions: she was clearly eyeing his body and life seed.
But Ah Yin was now in a deep slumber, daring not to utter a single breath, even her consciousness subsiding.
"Let me think about it. Tomorrow I'll meet Jiang Xiu for the first time. What kind of gift should I give him?"
"Wouldn't a soul bone be too cheap?"
"These herbs haven't reached the level of immortal herbs. They're a bit embarrassing..."
"Rare metals? No, no, these are even more tacky."
Muttering to himself, Old Jin slowly walked towards the treasure house of the Sea God Pavilion...
(End of this chapter)