Word Count: 2,850 Words
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"This suggestion is truly excellent!"
"Indeed! Indeed!"
"Shaozhe has thought this through so thoroughly. We old codgers can't compare!"
"Then it's decided!"
Yan Shaozhe's plan seemed completely reliable, prompting the elders to clap and laugh heartily. In their eyes, Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year glory outweighed everything else.
"Elder Xuan, there's no need to blame yourself so much," Yan Shaozhe consoled. "Everyone knows that your Taotie Bull Martial Spirit compels you to devour large amounts of food over extended periods. This was just an accident and won't affect the bigger picture."
The heavy shame on Elder Xuan's face eased considerably upon hearing this. Compared to the previous tragedy in the Star Dou Forest, where multiple Inner Courtyard students had perished in the jaws of a 100,000-year spirit beast, this time's price of three lightly injured and three severely injured students was not enough to break his spirit.
"Xuan Zi, why are you still standing there? Hurry up and bring Chen Zifeng, Dugu Lin, and the other two. If you dawdle any longer, they won't make it to the first round of eliminations!" Elder Song urged.
"Ah yes, yes, yes, I'll go right away!"
Elder Xuan nodded repeatedly. Earth-yellow spirit power spread over his body as he prepared to dash out of the Sea God Pavilion and bring the four Inner Courtyard Spirit Kings to Star Luo City for emergency support.
"Stop right there."
A calm yet authoritative voice rang out. Though spoken evenly, these three words made Elder Xuan halt abruptly in his tracks. He cast a glance at the figure on the recliner, then edged another step toward the door and muttered:
"Elder Mu, time is critical. I—"
"I told you to stop. Did you not hear me?"
Elder Mu's tone intensified slightly. An aura as imposing as a towering mountain emanated from his frail, elderly body.
Elder Xuan trembled violently. He couldn't recall whether it had been eighty or a hundred years since Elder Mu had last displayed such intense emotion.
It was in moments like this that Elder Mu truly embodied his title as the Dragon God Douluo who had ruled the Douluo Continent for a hundred years. Usually, he seemed like a kindly old man with a gentle temper and tolerant heart, which led the elders to unconsciously overstep their boundaries.
No matter how unwilling he was, Elder Xuan did not dare defy Elder Mu. He turned around and plopped back into his seat. Sensing Elder Mu's genuine anger, the other elders sat up straight and corrected their postures, like primary school students falling silent when their teacher grew angry. They kept their mouths tightly closed, not daring to make the slightest sound.
Seldom did Elder Mu's gentle gaze reveal such chilliness. He said, "I am old and won't last more than a couple of years. The future of Shrek Academy depends on your dedicated efforts, so I've been turning a blind eye to certain matters. But what foolishness have you all been stirring up!"
His sharp gaze swept through the circle of Sea God Pavilion elders. These white-haired old men and women seemed to return to their youth, shrinking before their teacher like quails. Elder Mu gave a cold snort and said in a somber tone:
"Last time, when you swapped out members of the Reserve Team, I told myself it was an internal matter of the academy. Losing the Reserve Team spot can be remedied in five years at the Shrek Seven Monsters Challenge. If the children have the strength, they can reclaim what is rightfully theirs.
But now it concerns the lives of our Inner Courtyard students!
Why were they injured? How can we prevent such tragedies from happening? You're not thinking about these matters at all, but instead you're concerned about that so-called... ten-thousand-year glory!
Look at yourselves in the mirror! Which of you even has half the bearing of an elder? I almost want to drag you down to the underworld with me so Shrek Academy can regain its integrity!"
Elder Mu's expression was half wrath, half disappointment. The Inner Courtyard of Shrek Academy had less than a hundred students. Their academic workload was already heavy, and on top of that, they had to carry out surveillance assignments of extremely high risk.
The Death God Envoy, a mere Spirit King, had nearly wiped out the Shrek Seven Monsters, whose talent ranked among the very top even within the Inner Courtyard. If they had faced an Evil Spirit Emperor or Evil Spirit Saint instead, wouldn't the Inner Courtyard students have been completely annihilated?!
The dead could not be brought back to life. The loss of each Inner Courtyard student dealt a massive blow to Shrek Academy. The most pressing matter was finding ways to ensure the survival rate of Inner Courtyard students. Yet everyone was discussing how to win the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament championship. Elder Mu felt as though his anger had cost him half a year of his remaining lifespan.
"Xuan Zi, you tell me, why are the students who have been painstakingly cultivated by Shrek Academy's Inner and Outer Courtyards for eight or nine years either severely injured or lightly wounded, while Ling Bai is completely unscathed!" Elder Mu called on Elder Xuan to answer.
"The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan equipped him with a Class 8 Spirit Barrier!"
Elder Xuan slapped his thigh and blurted out, "The destructive power of the corpse explosion was comparable to a full-strength attack from a Spirit Saint. A Class 8 Spirit Barrier can release a shield equivalent to an 8-ringed defense-type Spirit Douluo. Naturally, that lad was perfectly safe."
"Equipping a 5-ringed Spirit Master with a Class 8 Spirit Barrier? The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has gone mad..." Elder Song shook his head with a bitter smile.
"That's not all, Elder Song. A few months ago, when I went to Heaven Dou City to attend the Heavenly Soul Empire's annual auction event, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan also bought the finale item—the peak Class 8 spiritual defense Spirit Guidance Device 'Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance.' It was already in Ling Bai's hands when the school year started," Qian Duoduo added.
The elders were dumbfounded upon hearing this. The Seraphim was a God-level Martial Spirit with powerful attributes, explosive attack power, and unrivaled aerial combat abilities. Its weakness—if it could be called that—was that its defensive power couldn't match top-level defense-type Martial Spirits, and its spiritual power wasn't as strong as true spiritual-type Martial Spirits. Now, with a Class 8 Spirit Barrier and the Thousand Illusion Charming Appearance, they could only say one thing:
Kid, you're invincible!
Elder Mu let out a sigh. "The Seraphim is the only God-level Martial Spirit to appear in this era. Even so, Ling Bai and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan still used Spirit Guidance Devices to remedy any remaining shortcomings, creating a flawless Seraphim.
Among the thousands of students in Shrek Academy's Inner and Outer Courtyards, plus us old folks, who dares say their Martial Spirit is stronger than Ling Bai's? Shouldn't we be the ones using Spirit Guidance Devices to enhance our strengths and offset our weaknesses?
We can't equip every student with a Class 8 Spirit Barrier, but Class 6 and Class 5 are certainly achievable. If we had provided the Shrek Seven Monsters with Class 5 Spirit Barriers for self-defense, Yao Haoxuan, Gongyang Mo, and Xi Xi definitely wouldn't have been so severely injured! Ma Xiaotao and the other two might have emerged unscathed like Ling Bai!"
"Teacher, Shrek Academy is the number one Spirit Master Academy on the continent. Using Spirit Guidance Devices in battle seems somewhat... improper. The pride in the hearts of the Martial Spirit Department students also doesn't allow them to use Spirit Guidance Devices."
Yan Shaozhe stood up to raise an objection. Shrek Academy had always prided itself on upholding tradition. From Big Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan down to the freshmen who had just passed the examination, all Inner Courtyard Martial Spirit Department students rejected Spirit Guidance Devices. The Martial Spirit Department and Spirit Guidance Devices were like oil and water.
He roughly understood that Elder Mu undoubtedly wanted to implement reforms today, using Ling Bai and the Death God Envoy as catalysts to propose that Martial Spirit Department students accept Spirit Guidance Devices.
"Yes, yes, Shaozhe is right!"
"Elder Mu, is it not ridiculous for elite students in the Martial Spirit Department of the continent's number one Spirit Master Academy to learn Spirit Guidance Devices?"
"Without Spirit Guidance Devices, we've still won the championship of every Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament for ten thousand years!"
"Think about it carefully. The Death God Envoy was just a mere Spirit King, and our current Seven Monsters suffered such heavy injuries partly because they underestimated him. We can add an extra Spirit Master Theory class each week to remind them that even a lion uses all its strength to catch a rabbit. Then accidents won't happen again!"
Many among the elders shook their heads in protest. In their hearts, Martial Spirits and Spirit Guidance Devices should be completely opposing forces. How could the merging of Spirit Masters and Spirit Guidance Masters be acceptable!
Elder Mu spoke resolutely, "No need to say more. Today, I am issuing an order using my authority as the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion. After this meeting concludes, all Inner Courtyard students will add one Spirit Guidance Master class per week. They need not learn how to craft Spirit Guidance Devices, but they must learn to operate standard ones.
Then, each student must have a custom-made flying-type Spirit Guidance Device and defensive Spirit Guidance Device at their own spirit power rank. Anyone who still objects may pack up and leave the academy."
"Ah, this..."
When Elder Mu took a hard stance, the other elders, including Elder Xuan, instantly deflated. They opened their mouths several times to speak but stopped themselves. In the end, they had no choice but to nod.
"Understood, Teacher!"
Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo were overjoyed. The Spirit Guidance Department had longed for this day like fields thirsting for rain! Meanwhile, Yan Shaozhe and Cai Mei'er, Deans of the Martial Spirit Department, frowned deeply. Their precious students would be tainted by filthy things like Spirit Guidance Devices!
"Shaozhe, you are my eldest disciple, and your teacher places great hopes in you. Remember that the development of Spirit Guidance Devices is irreversible. The merging of Spirit Masters and Spirit Guidance Masters is the general trend. I have two requirements for you.
First, preserve credibility. Rules are rules, and unwritten rules are also rules. Breaking them rashly unsettles the students and undermines their trust in Shrek Academy. You thought swapping the Reserve Team was flawlessly done, but fairness lives in people's hearts. That is a hidden danger you must address.
Second, agree to the exchange application from the Sun Moon Imperial Academy. Send outstanding students from the Spirit Guidance Department to see what the most advanced Spirit Guidance Master Academy on the Douluo Continent is like, and what kinds of Spirit Guidance Devices they use. Broaden their horizons and increase their knowledge by learning the Sun Moon Empire's Spirit Guidance technology. Always remaining in Shrek Academy like a frog at the bottom of a well will only lead to stagnation."
"...Understood."
Though reluctant, Yan Shaozhe had no choice but to agree. Everything he had done was meant for Shrek Academy's future development.
"Elder Mu, about the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament..." Elder Lin cautiously inquired.
"Yes, yes, we mustn't lose our ten-thousand-year glory!"
The elders immediately perked up when the topic arose.
Elder Mu gave a light chuckle. "Ten-thousand-year glory... Don't you think we've been held hostage by that glory over the years?
I won't allow any more students to be sent as reinforcements. Since you're so fond of swapping people, let's see what that Reserve Team you protected unlawfully can accomplish. You must eventually bear the consequences of your mistakes.
Xuan Zi, you've been derelict in your duties twice already. If another accident occurs, I absolutely won't spare you.
Now get out!"
...
Star Luo City.
As the capital of the Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City was known as the 'Undefeated Imperial Capital.' It was also the political, cultural, and economic center of the Star Luo Empire.
This year's Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament was being held at Star Luo Plaza in front of the imperial palace. Across from Star Luo Plaza stood a magnificent high-rise known as the Star Emperor Hotel.
By imperial decree, this building—previously reserved exclusively for the imperial family—had been given over to host participating academies of Spirit Masters and Spirit Guidance Masters from across the continent.
Shrek Academy, having monopolized the championship for ten thousand years, was assigned rooms on the top floor of the Star Emperor Hotel. Each person had a private suite, and they shared a spacious meeting room for team discussions and tactical planning.
Ling Bai arrived without alerting anyone. He simply presented his Shrek Academy badge at the front desk. Under the astonished gaze of the young female receptionist—whose eyes seemed to say, 'The continent's number one academy actually plays around like this?'—he walked in with a stunning beauty under each arm and the burly Dai Yueheng slung over his back. He placed each person on their respective bed. Looking at the three students who were racing against time to heal their internal injuries, he exhaled deeply.
"Finally settled."
Traveling at full speed from the Ming Dou Mountain Range all the way to Star Luo City with his angelic wings had worn him to the bone. If not for the need to safely conceal his identity, he might have summoned the Death Abyss Bone Dragon to carry all four of them.
Click—
Ling Bai locked the door from inside. The Star Emperor Hotel provided certain 'special services' at no charge. The students who came to participate in the tournament were all young and full of vigor, most prone to losing control of their lower bodies and misfiring their guns.
Martial Spirits were inherited through bloodlines, and the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament gathered the continent's most talented bloodlines. The Star Luo imperial family had quietly decreed: 'Whoever conceives a child with a top-level Martial Spirit will receive princely rewards.' Consequently, the beautiful girls were bolder, more uninhibited, more charming, and more coquettish than one another. Dai Yueheng had mentioned that last time, a young lady had broken into his room at night, nearly causing him to pounce like a starving tiger. He had specifically reminded Ling Bai to safeguard his essence.
Ling Bai entered a meditative state. While recovering his physical strength and spirit power, he immersed himself in his Spiritual Sea. The scene that met him there was:
By the edge of the Lake of Life, a translucent fishing line dangled into the water at its center. Electrolux was leisurely fishing, as though time itself were at a peaceful standstill.
Not far away, snowflakes drifted through the air as the Snow Empress carved an ice house with ice blades. Two ice sculptures stood guard in front—a plump, silly-looking Ice Bear and a fierce giant with a ghastly face. An ice scorpion with a five-segmented tail lay on the roof.
"You two... seem quite leisurely," Ling Bai said with a wry smile.
"I've taught you all the Necromancy I know. How much you comprehend is up to you. This old man has nothing left to do, so why shouldn't I enjoy some leisure time?"
Electrolux gave the fishing rod a tug, and immediately a small gray fish was pulled up.
The Snow Empress agreed. "After guarding the Extreme North for 700,000 years and finally passing on my burden, of course I want to enjoy life a little."
"Degenerate, too degenerate!" Ling Bai lamented with a pained heart.
He was exhausting himself in the outside world, building up chips for the future, while these two—a generation's Necromancer Sacred Law God and the Ruler of Ice and Snow—were simply lazing about!
"Come see how this looks."
The Snow Empress completed the last stroke on the Ice Empress's tail hook and beckoned Ling Bai to admire her masterpiece.
"Ice Empress, Ice Devil Titan, Ice Bear King... you're really bored, aren't you? Let me teach you a two-player game instead."
"What game?" the Snow Empress asked curiously.
"Chess. It's fun and intellectually stimulating."
"Sounds interesting."
Seeing the Snow Empress take the bait, a glimmer of amusement flashed briefly in Ling Bai's eyes before he resumed a serious expression. "Among humans, playing chess usually involves a wager."
"Really?"
The Snow Empress's sky-blue eyes narrowed slightly. She strongly suspected Ling Bai was setting a trap for her.
"I swear on the honor of Sea God Tang San," Ling Bai declared with absolute solemnity.
"Wait, what does the Sea God have to do with you?" The Snow Empress frowned slightly, puzzled as to why Ling Bai didn't swear by the Angel God but dragged in the Sea God's name instead.
"Tsk, never mind that."