Sovereign's Spear, A Declined Invitation
Gu Yue's response to Elder Cai's extraordinary offer was delivered with the same calm grace she had shown in manipulating five elements. She bowed slightly. "Thank you for your great kindness, Elder. However, I would prefer to continue the assessments alongside my companions."
Elder Cai's smile was understanding, though tinged with clear disappointment. "Of course, the bond of a team is precious. The offer remains, child." She leaned forward slightly, her voice softening with a hopeful, almost wistful note. "Might you reconsider the matter of a master? Who currently has the honor of guiding you? Perhaps an arrangement could be discussed…"
Gu Yue met the elder's keen gaze steadily. "My master is the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo."
The name landed in the quiet room with palpable weight. Elder Cai's hopeful expression dimmed, replaced by a resigned acceptance. "Ah. The Heavenly Phoenix. That explains the foundation… and the affiliation." She sighed, a soft sound of genuine regret. "And you are already with the Spirit Pagoda, I presume?"
"I am," Gu Yue confirmed with a nod.
"A pity. A true pity. Such a fusion of talent and foundation…" Elder Cai shook her head slowly, then gestured for Gu Yue to step back. "Very well. Next candidate."
Before withdrawing, Gu Yue bowed once more. "My score, Elder?"
Despite her personal disappointment, Elder Cai's evaluation was impartial, her voice firm with respect. "Ten points. A flawless demonstration."
Now, all attention shifted to the final member of the group. Yao Xuan stepped forward, the focus in the room tightening around him. Elder Cai's eyes, still bright with the afterimage of five-fold elemental harmony, now held a sharp, curious intensity. What could this young man, who clearly led this remarkable team, possibly showcase?
"Honored Elders." Yao Xuan's bow was respectful but carried an innate, unshakable confidence.
"Proceed," Elder Cai said, her anticipation undisguised.
"I will demonstrate a soul skill of my own creation."
With those words, he began. There was no grandiose announcement, only a gradual, awe-inspiring transformation.
Finally, the Ancestral Dragon's Decree—Spear of Subjugation materialized in his grasp, its blood-and-gold length humming with restrained annihilating intent. He chose not to activate the nascent Ancestral Dragon Domain, keeping that profound layer of his power reserved. Even so, the aura he released was staggering.
Elder Cai's eyes widened fractionally. 'This pressure… this is far beyond the Soul Venerable rank. And a self-created skill at this level of cultivation? His comprehension is monstrous.'
"Elder," Yao Xuan said, his voice pulling her from her thoughts. "This technique is quite forceful. Is this space suitable?"
In a blur of motion, Elder Cai stood before him, well within the range of his spear. A faint, eager smile touched her lips. "Direct it at me. Do not hold back."
"Then, please be careful."
Yao Xuan took a breath, centering himself. Soul power, spiritual force, blood energy, and the profound might of the Ancestral Dragon bloodline merged within him, flowing into the spear until it glowed with a condensed, dangerous nine-colored light.
"Great Wilderness Annihilation Spear—First Form: Mountains and Rivers Tremble."
He thrust. It was not a simple lunge. The spear became the focal point of a cataclysm. A dazzling, rainbow-hued spear-light tore through the air, and around it, phantom mountains shook and spectral rivers diverted their courses. The very space in the spear's path seemed to waver and blur, carrying with it an immense, crushing weight—the intent to subjugate the very world.
Elder Cai's heart leapt. 'Intent! He's forged the rudiments of a crushing, sovereign intent into the technique! This boy… his potential eclipses even the girl's!'
Faced with an attack that could vaporize a standard Soul Emperor, Elder Cai showed only serene appreciation. With a casual sweep of her sleeve, a phantom silver new moon manifested behind her. A beam of pure, condensed moonlight lanced down, meeting the annihilating spear-light head-on.
There was no explosion. The terrifying spear-light simply… stilled, its energy peacefully unraveling and dissipating under the overwhelming, gentle power of a Title Douluo.
"Excellent!" Elder Cai exclaimed, the word bursting forth with genuine delight. "Precise, powerful, and imbued with nascent intent! Young man, your performance is peerless." She took a half-step closer, her earlier regret replaced by a new, fervent hope. "Tell me, would you consent to become my personal disciple?"
Yao Xuan lowered his spear, the energy around him fading. He offered a respectful, apologetic smile. "You honor me greatly, Elder. But I must also decline. Like Gu Yue, I have the honor of being a personal disciple of the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo."
For the second time in minutes, Elder Cai's hopeful expression faltered. She looked between Yao Xuan and Gu Yue, a wave of profound, almost comical resignation washing over her. "Both of you? Of course… the Phoenix recognizes true jewels as well. What a loss. What a tremendous loss." She sighed deeply, shaking her head.
"With your permission, Elder?" Yao Xuan prompted gently.
"Yes, yes, go on," she said, waving a hand, though her eyes still lingered on them with wistful admiration. "Your score is ten. Full marks. You have set a formidable standard."
Exiting the room, the group was met by their guide, whose expression was now one of outright awe. Yao Xuan approached him. "Senior, to the next trial, please."
"R-right this way."
He led them to another vast chamber, this one resembling a high-tech workshop divided into dozens of individual cubicles. Each was equipped with a forging station, a mecha design console, a manufacturing bench, and repair tools.
"This assessment evaluates your secondary professional skills," the guide explained, his voice returning to its official tone. "Be it mecha design, manufacturing, repair, or forging. The scoring is standardized: Level 0 or 1 awards zero points; Level 2 earns three; Level 3, six; Level 4, nine; and Level 5 merits a perfect score. You must produce a piece that validates your claimed rank. The facilities are at your disposal."
He gestured toward the silent, waiting cubicles. The final trial before the heart of Shrek Academy awaited—a test not of battle, but of creation.