After the cheerful atmosphere calmed down, Zhu Ziyang got to the point and asked,
"Yuhao, Wang Dong, did you make any enemies recently? Those six soul masters were clearly deathsworn soldiers from a noble clan."
"This…"
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong exchanged a glance, their expressions hesitant.
"Yuhao, what are you two worried about?" Bei Bei noticed their hesitation and spoke seriously, "You don't need to carry this burden alone. Just speak up—the Academy will stand behind you."
"I think… I already know who's behind it," Huo Yuhao finally sighed.
"But saying it won't help. There's no evidence, so the Academy can't take direct action. Besides, this is my personal matter. I don't want to drag the Academy into it."
"Heh…"
Zhu Ziyang's eyes flashed at Huo Yuhao's answer, but he simply smiled and said,
"If you don't want to talk, I won't pry. The Academy will handle this. It's not something we students need to worry about.
But Yuhao, you don't have to worry about that person retaliating again. Tonight's incident caused quite a stir. His clan won't dare provoke the Academy's authority anymore."
"I understand."
Huo Yuhao nodded, then smiled gently.
"Thank you, Brother Ziyang—and the senior sister in red as well."
"Alright, enough talk. Let's head back to the Academy," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile.
And so, the group returned to Shrek Academy.
Once there, Zhu Ziyang said his goodbyes and went straight to Sea God's Island, where he was summoned by Elder Mu En.
"What's your impression of tonight's events?" Mu En asked with a faint smile.
"It was a blatant test," Zhu Ziyang said coolly.
"The Academy's behavior in recent years has given people the wrong impression.
They think Shrek is just the protector of the Three Kingdoms, so they act recklessly under its shadow."
"Hahahaha! You're not wrong!"
Mu En chuckled heartily.
"That boy, Huo Yuhao, just happened to offend the younger son of the Duke of White Tiger, and was then nearly assassinated. It's hard not to connect the dots."
"Whether the duke himself gave the order, I can't say," Zhu Ziyang replied.
"But the rest of his household? That's another story.
The Dai family benefits from its ties to Shrek, but the Xu family certainly doesn't.
To them, Shrek Academy has always been a threat to their claim to the throne."
"Exactly, Ziyang! You're absolutely right!"
Mu En laughed, clearly pleased.
"Shrek's position is too lofty—just like the old Spirit Hall once was. Perhaps even more frightening. No wonder the royals and nobles are scared."
"They'll only squirm for another decade or so."
Zhu Ziyang scoffed.
"Teacher, without the Academy's help, how long do you think the Three Kingdoms could hold off the Sun-Moon Empire?"
"At most, six months."
Mu En's gaze dropped as he answered solemnly.
"In the past century, the Sun-Moon Empire's national strength has grown faster than in the previous five hundred years.
Especially in military technology—their soul tool development has far outpaced the Three Kingdoms'.
Without enough high-level soul masters, they could steamroll the continent with their army alone."
"Do you think the monarchs and nobles of the Three Kingdoms don't see this trend?" Zhu Ziyang asked.
"Oh, they see it," Mu En replied with a sneer.
"But what does that matter?
A sharp blade causes pain, but does a dull knife slicing your flesh hurt any less?
For most nobles, it doesn't matter who the emperor is—it doesn't affect their power.
But reform does.
Even if the Sun-Moon Empire unifies the continent, it'll still need locals to govern."
"That's the very reason I—and the Academy—exist."
Zhu Ziyang's tone was calm and steady.
"Hahahaha! Exactly!"
Mu En roared with laughter, beaming.
Everyone was waiting.
Waiting for the right moment to come.
Half a month later…
The official Shrek Competition Team was summoned by Xuan Zi, the Taotie Douluo.
"Elder Xuan, have you chosen the members for the reserve team?"
Ma Xiaotao asked, frowning.
She had been in closed-door training for the past two weeks, trying to break through to Soul Sage level before the Elite Tournament. Being disturbed now clearly annoyed her.
"Yes," Elder Xuan replied, unbothered by her tone.
"I've called you here to introduce both teams to each other—so you can get acquainted and familiar with each other's abilities."
"In that case, let's go," said Jiang Nannan cheerfully. She even winked playfully at Zhu Ziyang.
Zhu Ziyang immediately understood her meaning and smiled in return—there were quite a few familiar faces in the reserve team.
The seven regular team members followed Elder Xuan to the Outer Court Examination Area. After a few minutes, the reserve team began to arrive in groups.
First to arrive were Bei Bei, Tang Ya, and Xu Sanshi.
Together with Xue Weiwei, they were the most powerful students in the Outer Court—each already at the Soul Ancestor level.
Yes, following Xu Sanshi, both Bei Bei and Tang Ya had also reached the fourth soul ring.
Why Xue Weiwei wasn't selected as a reserve member remained a mystery to Zhu Ziyang.
Tang Ya ran up and hugged Jiang Nannan the moment she arrived, as if they hadn't seen each other in years—despite having met just three days prior.
The ways of girls… truly a mystery.
Next came a tall, broad-shouldered, dark-skinned boy with a shiny bald head. He had a sincere, goofy smile that contrasted sharply with his burly frame.
And finally came the inevitable trio: Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao.
As the "Children of Destiny," how could they possibly be left out of an event like this?
Once all were present, Elder Xuan nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good, everyone is here. The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament will begin in ten days.
You are the official and reserve team members for this event.
Today's meeting is not just to introduce you to one another, but also to help you get familiar with each other's abilities."
He turned to the reserve team, led by Bei Bei.
"Don't assume you're just here to observe.
On the contrary, all of you are likely to enter the arena.
When our opponents are weak, we'll let you fight instead of the main team—so we can conceal our true strength."
Bei Bei and the others were visibly excited—though some nervousness showed as well.
"Don't get ahead of yourselves," Elder Xuan said with a snort.
"Yes, you'll get to fight. But understand this: you're allowed to win, not to lose.
If any of you disgrace the Academy…
As long as I live, you'll never set foot in the Inner Court.
And one more thing—know your place.
In this tournament, you are backup only. You will obey orders. Is that clear?"
"Understood!"
Huo Yuhao's group of seven answered loudly.
Elder Xuan nodded in approval.
"Alright, then introduce yourselves to each other. Reserve team, you go first."
One by one, they stepped forward in order of age.
Bei Bei: "My name is Bei Bei, fifth year, rank 43 assault-type battle soul ancestor. Martial soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon."
The main team members—aside from Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan—showed surprise.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon was a legendary martial soul with deep roots in Shrek Academy's history.
Next was the bulky, bald teen:
"My name is He Caitou, fourth year, Level 4 Soul Engineer."
That revelation earned raised eyebrows—but nothing more.
Xu Sanshi followed, grinning:
"Xu Sanshi, fifth year, rank 44 defense-type battle soul ancestor. Martial soul: Xuanwu Shield."
Then Tang Ya:
"Tang Ya, fifth year, rank 41 support-type soul ancestor. Martial soul: Bluegold Spirit Grass."
She had ultimately chosen to pursue the support path—a natural fit for her martial soul.
Next came the trio everyone was curious about.
Xiao Xiao stepped forward:
"Hello, seniors! My name is Xiao Xiao, second year, rank 29 control-type battle soul master."
Huo Yuhao followed:
"My name is Huo Yuhao, second year, rank 26 control-type battle soul master."
Then Wang Dong:
"I'm Wang Dong, second year, rank 31 assault-type battle soul grandmaster."
The Inner Court disciples looked at the three in astonishment.
Three second-year students?
If Elder Xuan hadn't selected them himself, they would've thought it was favoritism.
But that could only mean one thing:
They had true talent.
And now, everyone was curious.
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