Xuan Zi asked again:
"Shengyu, what is your second martial soul?"
Then, before Jiang Shengyu could reply, he added:
"Don't misunderstand. We aren't trying to pry into your martial soul. But since you're studying in the Martial Soul Department, if we know what it is, we can create a better teaching plan for you."
Teaching plan?
Shrek Academy actually had teaching plans? Weren't their so-called geniuses just raised free-range?
Jiang Shengyu thought so to himself, then answered Xuan Zi:
"It's fire."
"Fire?"
Everyone was stunned when they heard this. Xuan Zi frowned and pressed:
"Just fire? Not some fire-attribute beast martial soul or weapon martial soul?"
Jiang Shengyu nodded.
"That's right. Pure fire."
"A pure elemental martial soul, then!" Xuan Zi sighed in admiration, then turned to Elder Song.
"That pairs quite well with Ling Luochen's martial soul. Hers is also a pure elemental one—ice. Unfortunately, her martial soul never reached the level of Ultimate Ice."
As he was speaking, Yan Shaozhe finally arrived, somewhat late.
When he approached, Xuan Zi repeated the earlier conversation to him. Upon hearing that Jiang Shengyu possessed twin martial souls, and that the second was pure Ultimate Fire, Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but be reminded of Ma Xiaotao, the disciple upon whom he had placed such high hopes—yet whose fate was still uncertain.
Xuan Zi, however, said to him:
"Shaozhe, I'm entrusting Shengyu to you and Meier. The two of you must teach him well, understood?"
Yan Shaozhe cast a complicated glance at Jiang Shengyu, then cupped his hands respectfully toward Xuan Zi.
"Yes, Elder Xuan."
Seeing his emotions written plainly on his face, Elder Song could only shake her head helplessly. After the meeting dispersed, she privately sought out Xuan Zi.
"Elder Xuan," she said, "I think Shaozhe isn't really fit to continue serving as dean of the Martial Soul Department."
Xuan Zi was surprised.
"But aside from you and me, Shaozhe has the highest cultivation in the entire Academy! If he doesn't serve as dean, then who should?"
At present, Shrek Academy had only three Super Douluo: Xuan Zi at level ninety-eight, Elder Song at rank ninety-seven, and Yan Shaozhe at level ninety-five. Beyond them, the rest were merely ordinary Titled Douluo.
Yan Shaozhe was the only one of the younger generation who could be presented as Shrek's face. Hadn't all of Shrek Academy's recent dealings with the various empires been handled by him? Surely they couldn't have Xuan Zi and Elder Song—both of the old guard—running around everywhere! Otherwise, Shrek's lack of successors would be a laughingstock.
"I'm only saying he should step down temporarily," Elder Song clarified. "Have Meier act as interim dean. Once Shaozhe's emotions settle, then he can resume his post."
Xuan Zi fell silent, sinking into thought. Only after a long while did he nod slowly.
"You're right. We'll do as you say. I'll find a time to speak with Shaozhe and Meier."
Outside the Sea God's Pavilion, Jiang Shengyu saw Poison Undying about to leave. He suddenly called out:
"Your Majesty of the Body Sect, don't be in such a rush to go! Let's have a chat."
Poison Undying glanced back at him and snorted.
"I have nothing to discuss with you."
"But I do!" Jiang Shengyu grinned, jogging forward to stand before him. Compared to Shrek's people, Jiang Shengyu actually held a better impression of Poison Undying. At the very least, Poison Undying's conduct was far more straightforward and upright than Shrek's.
Frowning, Poison Undying asked:
"Brat, what do you want to talk about?"
"Why, about those four matters, of course!" Jiang Shengyu replied cheerfully.
At these words, Poison Undying's expression darkened.
"I made it clear before—if it's anything that harms the Body Sect, I will never agree to it!"
"See? You old-timers always assume the worst of others," Jiang Shengyu said with a helpless sigh, spreading his hands.
Poison Undying's eyelids twitched.
"Just what are you trying to say?"
"It's simple. I've already thought of the first matter, and it won't be difficult for you." Jiang Shengyu smiled and revealed his request.
"I want you, senior, to go to the Sun Moon Empire and teach Yuhao the cultivation methods of the Body Martial Soul."
Poison Undying stared at him in surprise.
"Brat, are you serious?"
Jiang Shengyu nodded firmly.
"Of course I'm serious."
"You're not worried I might abduct him into the Body Sect?" Poison Undying pressed. Teaching Huo Yuhao the Body Sect's secret cultivation methods—this was nearly all benefit and no loss for him and the sect.
"If you can really abduct Yuhao out of Mingdu—the most heavily guarded city in the empire—while he carries several ninth-rank soul tools for protection, then I'll salute you with a thumbs-up." Jiang Shengyu grinned and gave him one.
Poison Undying fell silent. Having witnessed the might of ninth-level soul tools, he knew that by Jiang Shengyu's reasoning, he indeed had no way of taking Huo Yuhao away.
After a moment's thought, he asked again:
"Why do you suddenly want me to teach him?"
"Why, I'm doing this for your sake, of course!" Jiang Shengyu put on a sincere expression. "Isn't the Body Sect lacking successors? If you teach Yuhao, then the inheritance will continue!"
Poison Undying snorted coldly.
"Scheming brat! You don't want me to take him away, but you want me to hand over the Body Sect's secrets to him?"
"If Yuhao refuses to go with you, what can I do about it? If you've got the ability, convince him yourself," Jiang Shengyu said with a shrug, as though powerless.
Of course, in the end, it remained to be seen who would convince whom. Jiang Shengyu was merely setting things in motion. Whether the Body Martial Soul's methods remained within the Sun Moon Empire and the Soul Hall would depend on Huo Yuhao's choices later.
Poison Undying scrutinized him and asked:
"If I do persuade him to join the Body Sect, will you acknowledge the result?"
"As long as it's his own choice, of course I'll acknowledge it!" Jiang Shengyu nodded.
His firm tone left no room for doubt.
Poison Undying gave him a long look, and for the first time found himself viewing the boy with some respect. After pondering for a while, he agreed to Jiang Shengyu's request—but he added:
"However, that kid probably won't trust me right now. Do you have anything that can serve as proof, to put his mind at ease?"
Jiang Shengyu calmly drew a jade token from his waist. On its front was carved a crescent moon shrouded in drifting clouds; on the back were the two characters for Tian Yue ("Heavenly Moon").
"This is my token," Jiang Shengyu said. "With it, senior, you can move freely within the Sun Moon Empire. When Yuhao sees it, he'll believe you."
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