Chapter 38: Ten Thousand Years of Glory? What Glory, My Foot!
Shrek Academy.
Zhou Yi, Wang Yan, and Mu Jin stood at the front, gazing at the gathered core disciples. Wang Yan stepped forward and began to speak.
"This time, I've called you here because there's an important matter to announce. At the start of next semester, the academy will be holding a selection tournament among the core disciples."
"Originally, the selection was only open to third-years and above. But this time, the Academy has made an exception—second-year students will also be allowed to participate. That means when you return after the holiday and advance to the second year, you will immediately face this tournament. From the selection, seven students will be chosen to carry out a special mission."
"As for what the mission is, the seven individuals who win the qualification will know once you return from your holiday."
At that moment, Mu Jin stepped out, her tone softer.
"Although you second-year students will be allowed to participate, remember, you'll be facing the upperclassmen. All you can do is give it your all so that you have no regrets."
Because Zhou Yi had once lost to Mu Jin during the freshman selection, her emotions flared when Wang Yan and Mu Jin finished speaking. She turned to glare coldly at the first-year core students.
"Hmph! I don't care what others think. But you—all of you—are my students. This selection is an opportunity, and you must seize it. At least three of you must enter the top seven. Otherwise… suffer the consequences."
With that, she turned and left with an icy expression, leaving the disciples and Wang Yan's group exchanging awkward glances.
Below the stage, Wang Dong bit down hard, silver teeth grinding.
"Stupid old hag, acting all high and mighty! I'll make sure she sees my strength!"
Beside him, Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, and Dai Huabin clenched their fists. Everyone understood—this selection would be a major event, one that could shape their futures. With the Academy making a rare exception to include second-year students, how could anyone hold back?
But without Huo Yuhao among them this time, newcomers like Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao—whose soul power was still weaker—might not even last until the end, let alone secure a place in the reserve team.
After all, Shrek's so-called "reserve team" selection had always been rather… abstract. It wasn't about talent or strength, but about connections. Chicken Leg Douluo had even given this selection a flashy name: "The Great Chaotic Melee."
Yes—an all-out, no-rules brawl inside the Soul Fighting Arena. When the dust settled, the last seven standing would qualify for the reserve team and represent Shrek in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament.
But honestly, could such a chaotic free-for-all really be called fair? Did it truly select the most talented and powerful seven?
They claimed it was to "test teamwork." Teamwork? In a battle royale where everyone gangs up in cliques and loners are instantly eliminated? Ridiculous!
Imagine this—you've fought with all your strength, your talent and power unmatched, only to find at the end that seven small groups had simply hidden and endured until the final moment. Wouldn't that make you explode with frustration?
Right now, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, and He Caitou weren't exactly close with upperclassmen like Bei Bei or Xu Sanshi. Just relying on themselves against the fifth- and sixth-year students? Ha! That would be entertaining to watch indeed.
Once the meeting ended, Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao left together. Outside, Ning Tian appeared with Wu Feng, blocking their path. She extended an invitation.
"Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao—can we talk?"
Wang Dong raised his chin arrogantly, his nose pointing skyward at a forty-five-degree angle.
"Talk about what? You want to form an alliance, don't you? Let me tell you, this young master doesn't need anyone. Xiao Xiao and I are enough to make it to the end."
Ning Tian could only shake her head helplessly. Did Wang Dong really think his disguise was flawless? His martial soul was the Radiant Butterfly Goddess—one of the most beautiful soul beasts in the world. How could such a thing possibly appear on a boy?
A girl in men's clothing, insisting on calling herself "this young master"… And the funniest part? She had even fooled poor Xiao Xiao!
"You're a little too confident," Ning Tian said evenly. "Since we don't know the format of the selection, the only advantage we have as lowerclassmen is to band together. That way, we'll have a better chance against the seniors."
She stepped closer, lowering her voice.
"To tell you the truth, I've received news—the upcoming selection may be directly connected to the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament. That's why seven participants will be chosen."
Wang Dong, who had been looking down on her moments before, suddenly calmed, and even Xiao Xiao tugged nervously at his sleeve.
"So you want to form an alliance of seven to handle whatever happens? You think the Academy will really arrange a seven-on-seven Soul Battle?"
Ning Tian only shrugged, playing innocent.
"Who knows? But being prepared early won't hurt. You know as well as I do—we don't stand much chance against the seniors alone."
After a long silence, Wang Dong finally nodded. But he added firmly,
"Fine, I'll agree. But if it comes to that, I'll be the core of the team."
"No problem," Ning Tian replied smoothly.
Wu Feng opened her mouth to protest, but Ning Tian pulled her back.
When Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao left, Wu Feng huffed in frustration.
"Why should he get to be the core of the team without doing anything? Look at him—acting like everyone owes him money!"
Ning Tian only smiled gently, unfazed.
"Isn't it better to let him shoulder the burden when we don't know what's coming?"
Wu Feng blinked. "Young Miss, you're so clever!"
Ning Tian didn't answer. In truth, she had little regard for Wang Dong. In her eyes, Wang Dong was nothing more than a slightly talented but arrogant child, limited in vision.
But if he could be used, then why not?
If Wang Dong had truly been a boy—and not so simple-minded—Ning Tian might have considered drawing closer. After all, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect might be wealthy enough to rival kingdoms, but its martial soul was limited to support-type abilities. Each generation's sect master had no choice but to find powerful allies to safeguard the sect's survival.
Yet even so, powerful enemies had recently dared to covet their sect, stealing their inherited cultivation method.
Ning Tian pushed the thought aside. If even her father and uncle couldn't find a clue, what could she do? But still—the question haunted her: 'Who will my future partner be?'
Certainly not Wu Feng… not with the way she looked at her.
Meanwhile, Dai Huabin had also received insider information from his older brother and began searching for teammates. Dai Yueheng hadn't shared this because of brotherly affection, much less because he feared his foolish younger brother's competition. The gap between them was too vast for Huabin to ever threaten his position.
No, Yueheng had revealed this for one reason only—the glory of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion.
If Huabin could also secure a place on the reserve team, then combined with Yueheng's position as a main team member, their family's influence would soar across the continent. This would only strengthen Yueheng's claim to inherit the Duke's title.
As for the others—Bei Bei was still searching for Tang Ya. Xu Sanshi shamelessly pursued Jiang Nannan. He Caitou, continued training under Fan Yu in that ridiculous "Extreme Solo Soldier" plan. Ma Xiaotao was suppressing her evil fire within the Golden Tree, awake but unable to cultivate further.
And this—this was Shrek's so-called lineup.
The day they run into that invincible evil Soul King again, one corpse explosion… tsk, tsk, tsk.
Ten thousand years of glory? Glory, my foot!
(End of Chapter)