Inside Shrek Academy's team conference room, Wang Yan was visibly more confident after learning that Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi had been selected as the next generation of Shrek's Seven Devils. This unexpected surprise boosted his optimism for the upcoming battles.
However, he had one more topic to address, so the meeting wasn't over yet.
"There's something important I need to share," Wang Yan began. "Even though we haven't had the chance to observe the other academies' matches in person, I've come to a clear conclusion: this year's tournament is drastically different from all the previous ones. The major change is that pure soul master academies are becoming exceedingly rare. Almost all of them are now moving toward a fusion between soul masters and soul engineers."
"Fusion of soul masters and soul engineers?" Ma Xiaotao frowned. "Is that really necessary?"
"It's more than necessary—it's inevitable," Wang Yan replied firmly. "Think about the explosion incident. If all of you had been equipped with defensive-type soul tools, the damage would've been far less severe—perhaps even nonexistent."
Ma Xiaotao's brows furrowed even more. Both she and her teacher, Yan Shaozhe, held the belief that soul tools were merely superficial tricks—not worthy of the same status as the pure cultivation path of a soul master. So hearing this from Wang Yan—a teacher from the Martial Soul Department—felt like betrayal.
"This may be hard to accept for some of you," Wang Yan continued, his tone serious. "But it's the undeniable truth. The fusion of soul masters and soul engineers is an unstoppable trend. It started over fifty years ago and has now reached the point of full exposure in this tournament."
"Based on my observations from the first phase, out of 133 participating academies, more than 80%—over 100 schools—have begun using soul tools. And I'm not just talking about soul engineering academies. These are traditional soul master schools whose students now use soul tools as standard equipment. Pure soul masters are nearly extinct."
"They've forgotten the pride of being a soul master!" Xu Sanshi muttered thoughtfully. "Isn't a soul master's strength supposed to come solely from their own cultivation? How can an external device like a soul tool be trusted over one's own ability?"
"That's a valid point," Wang Yan nodded. "And I can tell you that Xu Sanshi's opinion is shared by most of Shrek Academy's senior leadership. It's precisely because of this mindset that the Soul Engineering Department has always struggled to develop. But after observing this year's tournament, I must say—we can no longer afford to resist change."
"This is a turning point. And if we don't adapt now, we'll fall behind."
"This is the tide of the era: those who go with it will thrive, those who oppose it will perish.
Once we return to the academy, I'll submit a formal proposal to update our training policy."
Ma Xiaotao looked increasingly irritated. "So… what's your point in telling us all this?"
Wang Yan was briefly caught off guard by her tone, but quickly composed himself and smiled wryly. "I want to ask: other than Yuhao and Caitou, who here currently carries a combat-type soul tool?"
"I've got a Level 7 Soul Shield on me," said Zhu Ziyang calmly.
"I carry a Level 3 Flash Cannon," added Tang Ya with a cheeky grin.
"Oh?" Wang Yan raised his brows, surprised. He hadn't expected any of the others outside the soul engineers to be equipped.
"Ziyang, Xiao Ya—you two don't reject soul tools?"
Ziyang replied calmly, "To me, being a soul master or a soul engineer is just a path to strength. If soul tools can make me stronger, I have no reason to reject them."
"I'm impressed, Ziyang," Wang Yan said sincerely. "With your talent as a soul master, I assumed you'd avoid soul tools altogether. But your thinking aligns perfectly with the cutting-edge dual cultivation model that's sweeping the continent!"
He turned to Tang Ya. "And you?"
"Heh, well… I used to hate soul tools," Tang Ya admitted. "As you all know, the Tang Sect's decline was directly tied to the rise of soul tools. But if I want to revive the Tang Sect, I need to understand why soul tools overtook hidden weapons in the first place. So I started learning about them myself."
"Ahh, that makes sense!" Wang Yan nodded, then addressed the group. "I know many of you dislike soul tools, but I strongly recommend that each of you own at least one—preferably a defensive type. If all our opponents are using them and we aren't, we're putting ourselves at a disadvantage."
"That's why tonight, we're attending a soul tool auction. Xiaotao, Nannan—I won't force you to participate. But for the seven members of the pre-selection team—attendance is mandatory!"
"Yes, sir!" Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and the others responded in unison, regardless of their personal opinions.
Ma Xiaotao looked visibly displeased. Jiang Nannan quietly turned to Zhu Ziyang and asked, "Brother… should we go?"
"Of course we should," Ziyang replied. "Why wouldn't we?"
That evening, Wang Yan led the group to the entrance of a bustling auction house.
There were only nine of them—Ma Xiaotao had opted out, and to everyone's surprise, so had Wang Dong.
Ziyang, in particular, was caught off guard. Given everything he'd observed recently, he was nearly certain that Wang Dong was Huo Yuhao's fated partner. But to think that the fated companion of a future soul engineering titan like Yuhao would reject soul tools? It was almost ironic.
So much for a "like-minded, harmonious partner"… he thought dryly.
"Yuhao, why didn't Wang Dong come?" Tang Ya asked curiously.
"He said he just… really dislikes soul tools," Yuhao replied, sounding helpless. "He doesn't know why—just that they make him feel uneasy deep down."
"That makes sense," Bei Bei offered. "After all, he's from the Clear Sky School, one of the most powerful hidden sects—and probably the most hostile toward soul tools. Just look at Sanshi."
Xu Sanshi's face immediately darkened. "Tch! I'm going to buy at least ten soul tools tonight just to slap that smug smile off your face, Bei Bei!"
"Is that so? Bring it on, you hypocrite!" Bei Bei shot back, grinning.
Their banter lightened the atmosphere as the group entered the auction house.
Though it appeared modest on the outside, the interior was impressively grand. According to Wang Yan, this was actually the largest auction house in Star Luo City.
He led them straight to Auction Hall #12—where a soul tool exclusive auction was being held. All items were Level 6 or below, ideal for Soul Kings and those under that rank.
As the auction began, wave after wave of soul tools were presented. Wang Yan made swift purchases, buying over a dozen items without so much as blinking. His generosity made the students gape—so much money!
The item that most intrigued Zhu Ziyang was the final one: a Level 4 soul tool called a "Milk Bottle". It could store soul power and accelerate recovery—extremely useful for long battles. Although Ziyang already had a soul core, who would ever complain about faster recovery?
Unfortunately, there was only one Milk Bottle, and it was meant for shared team use.
Then came the final item of the night—and with it, an unexpected incident. When Huo Yuhao used his Spiritual Detection to examine it, he suffered a sharp mental backlash. Luckily, he withdrew his spirit power in time.
Once the item was revealed, both Wang Yan and He Caitou immediately understood why: it was a Soul Engraving Knife—specifically, the infamous Soul-Eater Engraving Blade!
Wang Yan's enthusiasm instantly vanished.
Those unfamiliar with the blade were confused until He Caitou explained: the Soul-Eater Engraving Blade was notorious for devouring its user's soul power.
It was no surprise, then, that Wang Yan gave up on bidding. As expected, the cursed blade failed to sell and was withdrawn from auction.
With the event over, the group returned to the hotel.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 early chapters available on Patreon: [email protected]/facficmax10