Chapter 364: Shrek Prefers a Compromise
"Ten thousand year soul bones, I can give you ten. But a hundred thousand year soul bone is far too valuable. How about you give up on the hundred thousand year soul bone, and we provide you with a few extra ten thousand year ones instead?" Cai Mei'er frowned.
Even in Shrek Academy, hundred thousand year soul bones were extremely rare treasures.
"Dean Cai, please leave. I don't see any sincerity in your offer. Shrek Academy should focus on preparing for the individual elimination matches." Huo Yuhao closed his eyes as if taking a nap.
He knew from the start that Cai Mei'er wouldn't agree to a hundred thousand year soul bone.
But Shrek always preferred a compromise.
By asking for a hundred thousand year soul bone, he forced them into a position where they'd initially refuse.
But if he threatened to have Shrek Academy crushed in the individual elimination rounds, severely damaging Shrek's reputation, then they would likely cave and hand over the hundred thousand year soul bone.
For someone like Cai Mei'er, an elder of Shrek Academy, maintaining Shrek's thousand year legacy was of utmost importance.
Yes, Tang Sect could also uphold that legacy.
But if Shrek Academy itself could advance to the semi finals, it would reduce uncertainty and increase the likelihood of preserving Shrek's prestige.
Cai Mei'er hesitated.
If they could force a team battle, she was certain Shrek Academy would win.
After all, team battles were Shrek Academy's greatest strength.
But the thought of giving up a hundred thousand year soul bone made her waver.
As a high ranking elder, she did own a spare hundred thousand year soul bone soul bones were inheritance treasures.
She and Yan Shaozhe were married. Though they didn't have children yet, they would in the future.
After a long moment of consideration, she decided
To protect Shrek's glory, she would sacrifice the soul bone.
As long as Shrek wins in the team battle, nothing else matters. If Tang Sect and Shrek Academy meet in the finals, then my sacrifice today will have been worth it.
With that, Cai Mei'er looked at Huo Yuhao.
"Fine. I accept your terms."
She retrieved ten ten thousand year soul bones and one hundred thousand year soul bone from her storage soul tool, reluctantly handing them to Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao accepted them with a smile, then turned to Xiao Hongchen.
"Xiao Hongchen, go inform the referee. Tell them that Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy and Shrek Academy have reached an agreement to forgo the individual elimination matches and go straight to the team battle to determine the winner."
From his perspective as long as Tang San didn't personally interfere, the match was already won.
Xiao Hongchen nodded. "Alright."
With that, he activated his flying soul tool and left to find the referee.
From his point of view, this was great
Huo Yuhao was unrivaled.
The rest of Sun Moon's team was no pushovers either.
If they crushed Shrek in a team battle, it would be even more humiliating for them.
And best of all Shrek had given them this opportunity themselves!
Not only that, but Shrek even paid for it in soul bones!
A total loss for them.
But Cai Mei'er wasn't worried.
She truly believed that Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy would lose.
After all, Shrek's team was now fully recovered.
Thanks to the emergency assistance of the Immortal Doctor Douluo, all of their previously injured team members had completely healed.
As a consecrated figure of the Star Luo Empire, the Immortal Doctor Douluo wouldn't refuse a request from Shrek Academy.
After all, the Star Luo Royal Family still relied on Shrek Academy's powerhouses to help defend against future wars.
Cai Mei'er glanced at Huo Yuhao and sent him a voice transmission.
"Huo Yuhao, I'll take my leave now. I need to report this to the referee as well.
"But you've seen for yourself Shrek Academy's soul bone resources are unmatched.
"The doors of Shrek Academy are always open for a genius like you."
Despite Kong Deming's previous warning, she still wasn't giving up.
A genius with both an Ultimate Ice martial soul and a Body martial soul?
He was meant to be a Shrek student!
With that, Cai Mei'er flew toward the competition stage, quickly overtaking Xiao Hongchen and arriving first.
When Xiao Hongchen caught up, they jointly informed the referee that both teams had agreed to skip the individual elimination and go straight to the team battle.
The referee was stunned he didn't dare approve this decision on his own.
So, he went to Chief Referee Zheng Zhan and reported the situation.
Zheng Zhan was also stunned.
As a senior Rank 9 soul engineer, he had seen many tournaments.
But this?
This was a first.
After a brief moment of thought, he nodded.
"Alright. If both teams agree, then we will proceed directly to the team battle."
With Zheng Zhan's approval, the referee returned to the stage.
Loudly, he announced
"Since both Shrek Academy and Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy have agreed to forgo the individual elimination matches, we will proceed directly to the team battle.
"Both teams, send seven members onto the stage!"
Shock Among the Audience
The spectators were stunned.
They erupted into discussions, questioning why Shrek and Sun Moon had made such a strange decision.
After all, it was obvious that Sun Moon had a huge advantage in the individual elimination stage.
The Emperor's Doubts
High above in the VIP stands, Xu Tianran frowned.
He turned to Jing Hongchen.
"Dean Jing, was this your decision?"
Jing Hongchen shook his head.
"Not at all, Your Highness.
"This was Yuhao's decision.
"After all, he is the team captain.
"But Your Highness please trust in Yuhao.
"If he made this decision, he must have a plan."
Xu Tianran narrowed his eyes. "A strategy?"
Jing Hongchen smiled.
"Exactly.
"Your Highness knows well that Shrek Academy has always excelled in team battles.
"But what if we beat Shrek at their own specialty?
"If we crush them in a team match, it will deal a devastating blow to Shrek's morale and further enhance Sun Moon's reputation."
Xu Tianran thought for a moment.
That did make sense.
Otherwise, why would Sun Moon Academy make such an unusual decision?
"Fine. Let's see what Yuhao has planned."
Get 30% off on my Patreon and enjoy early access to new chapters.
You can also purchase the next 100 chapters of the novel directly from my Patreon page.
Hurry up! The promotion ends on February 2, 2026.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1