Chapter 50 – Shrek Doesn't Produce Talent, It Just Transports the Strong
At the same time, outside Shrek Academy—
Gathered were Grand Elder Xuan Zi of the Holy Spirit Cult, Instructor Wang Yan, the Shrek Seven Devils, and the reserve team of the Shrek Seven Devils.
Because Huo Yuhao was no longer present, the roster of the reserve team had shifted.
The spot originally belonging to Huo Yuhao was now filled by Dai Huabin. Xiao Xiao, despite teaming up with Wang Dong and Ning Tian, had ultimately been eliminated due to her weaker soul power. Her place was given to Ning Tian.
Thus, the final line-up of Shrek's tournament squad was as follows:
Main Team: Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, Gongyang Mo, Xi Xi, Yao Haoxuan, Chen Zifeng.
Reserve Team: Beibei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, Wang Dong, Dai Huabin, Ning Tian, He Caitou.
Now tell me—that's not absurd. Shrek's inner court was full of talent, yet they still let Ma Xiaotao, a walking powder keg, lead the team.
Her soul power was still at the rank sixty-seventh, her evil fire suppressed only by Mu En's light element, and even then, she was always on the verge of losing control.
But they had no other choice. In the inner court, she was the only one at the right age and cultivation level to shoulder the burden. Gambling on her was the best they could do.
In truth, Shrek was still clinging to a bit of luck.
Xuan Zi, gnawing on a chicken leg, looked at the assembled students with rare seriousness.
"Since everyone is here, I have a few things to say before we depart. Especially you youngsters in the reserve squad—listen well."
He began with the vastness of the continent and the endless strife born from conflicts between soul masters, then smoothly steered the topic toward evil soul masters.
"Six thousand years ago, the Academy split into inner and outer courts. Outsiders claim that dividing by strength was unfair to the outer court, but what they don't know is this—students of the inner court endure hardships and pressures outsiders can't imagine."
"Shrek never proclaims itself righteous, nor does it meddle in the politics of nations. But when evil soul masters plunge the continent into chaos, bringing tragedy upon countless lives, we cannot stand idly by."
"That is why inner court disciples, while enjoying greater resources, must also shoulder the responsibility of oversight. When other kingdoms cannot contain an atrocity, it falls upon the inner court to act."
"These disciples are known as Shrek Overseers—the Shrek Inspection Regiment. I serve as its deputy leader."
Xuan Zi took a swig of wine and continued.
"Carrying out these missions is not only a trial of strength but also guidance for the heart."
"Shrek has never sought merely to raise the powerful. We aim to cultivate true talent for the sake of the continent."
When he finished, only Ma Xiaotao and a few inner court members applauded enthusiastically. The reserve team members? Utterly unmoved.
Xuan Zi assumed his speech hadn't been stirring enough. With a kindly smile, he offered:
"Youngsters, if you have questions, now's the time."
It was meant as a courtesy, but to his surprise, Wang Dong actually raised his hand.
"Elder Xuan, I have a question. Four thousand years ago, during the war caused by the collision of continents, wasn't it Shrek that united with the three empires, rallying countless graduates to win?"
"Our textbooks say Shrek stood for justice, yet you just said the Academy never claims righteousness. And didn't that war involve interfering in national conflicts?"
Xuan Zi sighed heavily.
"That was a special case. At the time, the war teetered on the brink. Had Shrek not acted, the entire continent would have fallen to the Sun Moon Empire."
"We had no choice. The Sun Moon relied on soul guidance devices to seize an overwhelming advantage. Could Shrek stand by and watch millions die?"
Wang Dong muttered under his breath, "So you intervened by killing Sun Moon citizens. But aren't they lives too?"
Before the elder could react, Dai Huabin stood up. Ignoring Dai Yueheng's warning glance, he boldly spoke.
"Elder, I also have a question. If inner court disciples spend so much time on supervision missions, how do they enjoy greater resources? From what I know, only a handful of inner court students remain in the Academy. Isn't this contradictory?"
"Moreover, the resources disciples gather outside are funneled back to the Academy, often at great cost to their lives. Yet they don't seem to receive equal cultivation in return. Isn't that unfair?"
Unlike Wang Dong, Dai Huabin was like a calf unafraid of the tiger—straight to the point.
Xuan Zi was left speechless for a long moment before finally murmuring,
"They're all good children… who fought for their ideals. The Academy will remember them forever."
A perfunctory answer at best. The question of resources and fairness was brushed aside with a single "we will remember."
Dai Huabin was about to press further, but Dai Yueheng stopped him. Reluctantly, he bit his tongue.
Just when Xuan Zi thought he could end things, Ning Tian raised her hand.
"Elder, I understand how fighting missions help inner court students grow. But what about 'guidance for the heart'? That part I don't see."
Uh.
Wasn't it obvious? Facing life and death again and again forged the heart. That's Shrek's way of guiding souls.
Never mind how many die in the process—guidance is guidance, isn't it?
Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luochen, and the others were stunned. These little ones were actually this bold? Didn't they realize who they were speaking to?
Xuan Zi himself was flustered. This was exactly why the Academy avoided letting major-sect heirs enter the Sea God Pavilion.
One by one, they were sharp-tongued, already possessing firm values long before they entered Shrek. Flowery speeches couldn't sway them.
And what's worse—he was only trying to go through the motions here. Why were they making life hard for an old man like him?
If he knew the intentions of the ancestors that clearly, he'd already be Pavilion Master, not stuck here shepherding brats.
Finally, with nothing else to say, he muttered,
"Shrek doesn't produce talent. Shrek merely delivers the strong."
"Enough. We depart."
He had originally planned to ask if the reserve members wanted to join the Inspection Regiment. But now? He'd have to think twice.
Still, the mission had to be carried out. In fact, their pointed questions only strengthened his resolve.
They needed tempering. When they faced the mission of exterminating an evil soul master bandits, they'd understand what Shrek truly stood for—and appreciate his painstaking effort.
An uncut jade cannot shine. A crooked sapling must be pruned straight.
Children… prepare for your first kill.
Ma Xiaotao, as captain, let out a sigh of relief watching Elder Xuan leave. She had worried he might lash out, but thankfully, he hadn't stooped to argue with the younger students.
Even if questioned, the mission had to proceed. She laid out the details regarding the Death Hand Bandits Group and quickly set the task before anyone could object.
After all, as a current Shrek Devil and member of the Inspection Regiment, she could not afford to challenge the Academy's authority.
For them, Shrek was justice itself. After all, the inner court's creed was:
"Strength matched by responsibility, kindness walking hand in hand with the soul."
(Ha! Let me add a banner for you: Thin virtue, filthy conduct!)
—perfect!!
(Bold and unyielding! Blue Silver Entanglement!)
—
End of Chapter