"Alright, the sparring is over. The losing side, accept your punishment!" Elder Xuan said with a broad smile.
"I am a pig!" Ma Xiaotao and the others admitted defeat without hesitation this time, shouting the words with absolute conviction.
"After two rounds of sparring, you all should have a basic understanding of each other by now," Elder Xuan said with a beaming smile. "Alright, you may go back now. Pack your things. Tomorrow morning, gather at the academy gates—we're heading to Star Luo City for the competition."
"Star Luo City?" Huo Yuhao's expression shifted slightly upon hearing that, and he called out in confusion.
Elder Xuan looked at him and said, "Is there a problem? The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament is hosted in rotation by the capitals of each nation. This time it's the Star Luo Empire's turn, so naturally we're heading to Star Luo City."
"No, no problem!" Huo Yuhao quickly shook his head. "I was just a bit surprised, that's all."
"Oh right, I nearly forgot you're from the Star Luo Empire too, Huo Yuhao." Elder Xuan chuckled knowingly, then waved them off. "Alright, dismissed!"
With a flicker of light, Elder Xuan vanished from sight. After saying goodbye to the seven members of the Reserve team, Zhu Ziyang and the others also left the assessment grounds and flew toward Sea God Island. When they reached the shore of Sea God Lake, Dai Yueheng split off and headed in another direction.
Watching Dai Yueheng's departing back, Zhu Ziyang's expression shifted slightly. He could already guess what Dai Yueheng was doing—most likely warning his foolish younger brother not to mess things up again.
But that had little to do with Zhu Ziyang. Smiling, he stepped onto Sea God Island and headed straight for the Sea God Pavilion.
——
Early morning. Outside Shrek Academy.
The Shrek main team and the Reserve team gathered at the academy gates. Since they would be traveling, no one wore their academy uniforms—the Shrek uniform was far too eye-catching.
Not long after everyone assembled, Elder Xuan arrived. But what surprised everyone was that accompanying him were an elderly woman with silver hair and a middle-aged man who carried a scholarly aura. The main team members like Zhu Ziyang recognized the old woman, while Huo Yuhao and the rest of the Reserve team recognized the middle-aged man.
"Elder Lin! Elder Xuan!" Zhu Ziyang and the others greeted the old woman respectfully. Although the Reserve team didn't know her, they followed suit, since anyone who walked in front of Elder Xuan surely held extraordinary status.
"Hehehe! Hello, children!" Elder Lin's face was warm and kind as she spoke. "This old lady is just traveling with you all to Star Luo City. No need to mind me. When it comes to competition arrangements, you should still listen to Elder Xuan."
Everyone nodded in understanding, though only Zhu Ziyang truly knew why Elder Lin had come.
Elder Lin's full name was Lin Huiqun. She was a Rank 98 Super Douluo, titled Heavenly River. Her Martial Soul was the Heavenly River Umbrella, and she was the continent's number one control-type soul master. She was also Elder Mu's junior martial sister and the most senior of the Sea God Pavilion elders. The reason for her joining the journey was simple—she had been entrusted with protecting Zhu Ziyang and the other team members, while also supervising Elder Xuan.
There was no other way. The consequences of that last incident had been far too severe. Mu En could no longer entrust Zhu Ziyang's safety solely to Elder Xuan, so he had specifically invited Elder Lin.
"Yuhao, isn't that the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Pavilion?" Wang Dong whispered into Huo Yuhao's ear.
"Mhm!" Huo Yuhao recognized Elder Lin as well, but his gaze landed on the middle-aged man. "Is Teacher Wang Yan coming with us too?"
"This is Teacher Wang Yan from the outer courtyard. He'll be your lead teacher for this tournament," Elder Xuan said, still looking a bit disheveled, though thankfully not eating chicken legs or drinking wine for once. He pointed toward the middle-aged man.
"Hello, students. I'm Wang Yan. Please take care of me," Wang Yan said with a friendly smile.
"Hmm." Ma Xiaotao gave him a brief glance, then replied coolly and said nothing more.
Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but chuckle. Ma Xiaotao was clearly dissatisfied with Wang Yan's strength, feeling it was too weak. He too was surprised the academy would send an outer courtyard teacher to lead them. Were the inner courtyard teachers really all that busy?
"Let's go!" Elder Xuan commanded and took the lead.
The group followed Elder Xuan in loose formation. The main team walked in front, the Reserve team behind, all moving steadily toward Star Luo City. Elder Lin disappeared from sight, but everyone knew she was nearby.
"Ziyang, you probably know why Elder Lin is coming with us, don't you?" Ma Xiaotao walked beside him on the right, whispering close to his ear. She completely ignored the fiery glare from Jiang Nannan and continued acting however she pleased.
"Yeah." Zhu Ziyang nodded with a wry smile.
"Brother, I heard Elder Lin is Elder Mu's junior martial sister. Is that true?" Jiang Nannan clung to Zhu Ziyang's left arm, a teasing glint in her eyes as she glanced at Ma Xiaotao. Her voice was sweet as she asked the question.
"It's true." Zhu Ziyang nodded. "Elder Lin is Teacher's teacher—she's the youngest daughter of the previous Sea God Pavilion Master. Not only is she Teacher's junior martial sister, she's also Elder Xuan's martial aunt."
"No wonder Elder Xuan always looks like a mouse seeing a cat whenever he sees her." Jiang Nannan giggled as she thought of something amusing.
"That's because Elder Xuan's teacher is Elder Lin's older brother. Elder Lin is nearly fifty years older than Elder Xuan. When Elder Xuan studied in the outer courtyard, Elder Lin happened to be the dean there!" Zhu Ziyang shared these old stories he had heard from Elder Mu, causing both Jiang Nannan and Ma Xiaotao to burst into laughter.
Naturally, Elder Xuan, walking in front, could hear Zhu Ziyang's words, but he could only smile helplessly. Everything Zhu Ziyang said was true. And since Elder Lin was right behind them, he didn't dare get angry. His fear of her ran deep.
Of course, the main reason was that Elder Lin's Martial Soul directly countered his. The Heavenly River Umbrella's powerful control made it extremely difficult for his Gluttonous Divine Bull to fight back. Every encounter ended with her playing him for a fool. After enough humiliating defeats, it became a conditioned reflex—just seeing Elder Lin made his heart tremble. If she had desired the Pavilion Master seat, he wouldn't have been first in line—she would.
"Ahem!" Elder Xuan suddenly stopped and coughed before turning around. "Everyone, gather here."
Zhu Ziyang immediately stopped speaking and stepped forward with Jiang Nannan and Ma Xiaotao. The others also quickly moved closer and looked at Elder Xuan.
Elder Xuan's expression was solemn and his voice heavy. "We're still not far from the academy, so there's something I need to say now. The seven of you in the Reserve team—listen carefully. This will affect your future at the academy."
Zhu Ziyang and the other six main team members, as well as Teacher Wang Yan, had an inkling of what was coming. Huo Yuhao, Tang Ya, and the other Reserve members, however, looked confused. But seeing Elder Xuan's serious demeanor, they listened closely.
Elder Xuan began, "Shrek Academy has a history spanning over ten thousand years. Generally speaking, a Soul Sage can live two hundred years. A Titled Douluo may live up to five hundred. Every year, some outer courtyard students qualify for the inner courtyard. Yet, those who remain in the inner courtyard number fewer than one hundred. Do you know why?"
Xu Sanshi responded, "Because the seniors graduate and leave the academy?"
Elder Xuan shook his head. "Only less than twenty percent leave after graduating. What I'm talking about are those who chose to stay. Some graduate and choose to remain. Others... never graduate."
As he spoke, Elder Xuan's tone turned both sorrowful and proud. "They were all excellent children. And you, as members of the Reserve team, already have one foot in the inner courtyard. The other foot will depend on your own choice."
"I can tell you clearly, many outer courtyard students qualify to enter the inner courtyard each year, but only a select few truly make it. Because once you enter the inner courtyard, you take on a heavy responsibility—and that responsibility may cost you your life."
"All inner courtyard disciples automatically become members of another core organization within Shrek Academy—the Shrek Inspection Corps."
"The Shrek Inspection Corps?!" The entire Reserve team wore shocked and confused expressions.
Elder Xuan looked around at their reactions. "That's right. The Shrek Inspection Corps exists to eliminate evil soul masters, punish fallen ones, destroy wrongdoers, and uphold peace and justice across the continent. Every inner courtyard student is a member, called an Inspector. Elder Lin and I are both vice-commanders of the Inspection Corps. Do you understand now?"
"Mhm!" Beibei, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, and Tang Ya were all fifth-year students and quickly understood what the Inspection Corps truly was. Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao, as second-years, only half-understood but still nodded along.
"Very well. Then I must now ask for your decision." Elder Xuan's eyes sharpened. "Are you willing to give your all to uphold peace and justice on the continent, even at the cost of your life? Can you root out all evil without hesitation? Are you willing to become members of the Shrek Inspection Corps and dedicate yourselves wholly to Shrek Academy's grand cause?"
"We are Willing!" The Reserve team members responded in unison, their expressions firm and resolute.
Zhu Ziyang watched this scene calmly, without a ripple in his heart.
(End of Chapter)
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