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"Hey, the matter with Xiaoxiao really isn't my fault… Recently, evil soul masters have been appearing near the academy. These beasts seem to have gained influence in the Sun Moon Empire. In the past, under the academy's deterrence, they rarely set foot on the Douluo Continent, but lately, for some unknown reason, they've been showing up frequently."
Inside the office.
Yan Shaozhe sighed helplessly.
"A few days ago, I discovered traces of them deep within the Star Dou Forest. Among them seemed to be some extremely powerful individuals, and they've even appeared near the academy itself. I went deep into the Star Dou Forest to investigate, and that's why I was delayed with Xiaoxiao… Who could have expected Zhou Yi to be so brutal? Sigh…"
"Evil soul masters?" Su Wen didn't dwell on Xiaoxiao, his attention caught by the term Yan Shaozhe had just used.
In the original story, the Holy Spirit Cult remained almost invisible in the early stages. The only one who made a name for himself was the Messenger of Death, and he was an independent agent. It wasn't until the second All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, after everyone arrived in Mingdu, that this terrifying organization gradually came to light.
"Yes, indeed. You should be aware of the reputation of our Shrek Supervisory Corps, right?" Yan Shaozhe clasped one hand behind his back, his expression proud. "The mere mention of our name is enough to make those evil soul masters tremble in fear."
"…"
Su Wen's expression grew odd.
According to the original setting, the Supervisory Corps did possess a certain deterrent force. Led by Mu En, it was filled with experts, and every mission supposedly aimed to collect the heads of evil soul masters. Logically, its members should have been decisive, cunning individuals forged in the crucible of battle, as shrewd as foxes.
But in reality?
A single cave and a single Soul King were enough to nearly annihilate an elite squad from the Supervisory Corps—a squad that included Dai Yaoheng and Ma Xiaotao, veterans of dozens of missions who were on the verge of meeting their graduation requirements.
They were certainly decisive, but charging headfirst into enemy territory without knowing their strength… Perhaps they had underestimated their foe? Or were the external factors simply too overwhelming? (The number one Soul King in the original story was absurdly overpowered.)
He supposed it could just barely be explained away.
Su Wen shook his head and offered no comment.
Yan Shaozhe raised his brows. "What, you don't believe me? Don't be fooled by the smiles of those senior sisters in the Inner Court. When facing an enemy, hmph, especially your Sister Xiaotao, she—"
"Please, say no more."
Su Wen's mouth twitched.
If you had used Dai Yaoheng or Zhang Lexuan as an example, I might have bought it. But Sister Xiaotao…
"By the way, Dean, what are the rewards for the top three this time?" Su Wen asked flatly, changing the subject.
"First place will receive a soul bone. The other reward is for all three top finishers—Elder Xuan himself will personally assist each of you in acquiring the 'most' suitable soul ring when you next advance." Yan Shaozhe replied without a second thought, revealing the rewards to Su Wen ahead of time.
"Elder Xuan?!" Su Wen's face stiffened.
On second thought, I'd rather not have that reward!
"Heh~" Yan Shaozhe chuckled, his eyes narrowed.
…
"Boom!"
With a dull thud, Huo Yuhao was sent flying by Dai Huabin's White Tiger Transformation. He crashed onto the arena floor, his face pale. He curled up like a shrimp as cold sweat streamed down his forehead, his eyes burning with hatred as he stared at Dai Huabin—his half-brother, the one who had indirectly caused his mother's death.
"Tch. And here I thought you were something special. Trash is still trash. You really think changing your name and getting a lucky break into Shrek makes you worthy of competing with me?" Dai Huabin sneered. He slowly walked forward, planted his foot on Huo Yuhao's head, and ground his face into the stage.
No matter how the slender youth struggled, the shoe remained pressed firmly against his cheek.
"Brother Tianmeng, I want to kill him!" Huo Yuhao roared in his mind.
He wasn't enraged by the humiliation, but by the agonizing powerlessness of having his mortal enemy right in front of him.
"Alright!"
Tianmeng Iceworm nodded, his gaze locking onto Dai Huabin as a cold light flashed in his eyes.
"Yuhao, use Spiritual Impact in a moment. I will lend you my origin power to boost it. We can stun him for several seconds. When that happens, use the White Tiger Dagger. But remember… do not aim for a vital spot! You cannot be expelled from Shrek Academy right now! Otherwise, neither of us can handle the pursuit of the Duchess."
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One! Do it, Yuhao!"
Huo Yuhao felt a torrent of pure spiritual energy surge within his Sea of Spirit, completely under his command. Spiritual Impact!
A white soul ring pulsed out from under him.
Dai Huabin, standing on top of him, suddenly went rigid. He lost his balance and stumbled to the ground.
Huo Yuhao sprang up like a leopard. The White Tiger Dagger in his hand flashed as he drove it straight into Dai Huabin's kidney.
"Puchi!"
Not far away, Zhu Lu's eyes widened in horror. "Huabin!" she screamed, darting forward like a black shadow.
But she was too late.
Dai Huabin lay on the ground, his eyes vacant. Huo Yuhao twisted the dagger in his abdomen. Blood gushed from the wound, faintly revealing the intestines within, and a crimson pool spread across the arena. Only then did an enraged Zhu Lu arrive. She landed a vicious kick on Huo Yuhao's waist, sending him flying out of the arena like a discarded sack.
"Whoa—!"
After several seconds of stunned silence, the crowd erupted in an uproar.
Even the referee was dumbfounded, intervening far too late.
Just moments ago, he had been annoyed by Dai Huabin's bullying and was about to step in. But in a flash, the tables had turned. This seemingly frail boy had somehow defeated Dai Huabin, a Soul Elder!
"A spiritual-type skill? But at this intensity… that shouldn't be possible." Yan Shaozhe frowned, lost in thought.
"Aaargh!"
As if on a delay, Dai Huabin's roar of agony finally came. He clutched his side with one hand and pointed at Huo Yuhao with the other, his eyes bloodshot as he gasped for air like a bull. He looked ready to devour him whole.
"You animal! Animal! I'll tear you to pieces!"
"The match is over," the referee stated, giving him an indifferent glance.
"I don't accept it!" Dai Huabin snarled, knowing he couldn't attack Huo Yuhao for now, which only fueled his rage.
"Get off the stage."
A calm voice suddenly cut through the noise, making the three on the stage freeze.
"A loss is a loss. Throwing a tantrum of impotent rage because you couldn't gain the upper hand is a disgrace to Class Two." Su Wen said as he, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng walked onto the stage. He gave Dai Huabin a dismissive glance.
Though he wasn't a big fan of Huo Yuhao, he had even less respect for Dai Huabin, a true villain in the original story. It wasn't just his endless scheming; it was the two-faced hypocrisy he showed toward his own family.
"You… Hmph!" Dai Huabin ground his teeth.
The same person who had been roaring at the referee moments ago instantly deflated before Su Wen. He allowed Zhu Lu to help him off the stage and toward the infirmary.
"What is everyone looking at? Continue the matches!" Du Weilun shouted.
The arena fell silent, but all the freshmen's eyes were still fixed on Su Wen.
Su Wen raised an eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me? Didn't you hear Director Du?"
"Whoosh~"
The chatter and noise immediately returned.
Du Weilun's mouth twitched.
Good heavens, he thought, why does it feel like I, the Director of the Martial Soul Department, am being made into a figurehead?
(End of Chapter)