"What?"
Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe's expressions finally changed. As the Head of the Martial Soul Department and an Elder, they understood perfectly what twin spirits meant.
Shrek Academy had been established for ten thousand years, but the number of times twin spirits had appeared was no more than a handful, and all those Spirit Masters eventually became the strongest on the Douluo Continent.
"Although the probability is not high, it can indeed bring a Spirit Master a new Spirit," Xu Jiujiu repeated. "A completely new Spirit capable of attaching nine spirit rings. And even if the fusion fails, a hundred-thousand-year-level spirit ring and Spirit Bone will appear."
"Of course, these are just the Spirit Master's personal claims, which is why Jiujiu brought it here for you all to discern. If what that Spirit Master said is true, this treasure will become one of the ultimate prizes of this Soul Duel Tournament."
Everyone present knew that Shrek Academy had held the championship for many years in the Soul Duel Tournament without fail, so this treasure would ultimately fall into the Academy's hands.
While everyone's gaze was still on the Sealing God Platform, Xu Jiujiu spoke again. "There's also a small matter. Currently, Evil Soul Masters are causing trouble everywhere, and an Evil Soul Master organization like the Holy Spirit Cult has appeared. For this reason, my Star Luo Empire intends to establish the Purge Evil Alliance with the other Two Great Empires and Shrek Academy after the Soul Duel Tournament ends."
"The Purge Evil Alliance will not interfere in the internal affairs of the Empires; it is solely for dealing with Evil Soul Masters. Moreover, all Disciples who graduate from Shrek Academy can directly become members of the Purge Evil Alliance, which can be considered our expression of gratitude for what Shrek Academy has always done."
Xuan Zi looked at the Sealing God Platform before him, and after a long silence, he slowly said, "Dealing with Evil Soul Masters is already the duty of Shrek Academy. As for the whereabouts of graduating Disciples, Shrek is, after all, just an Academy and will not forcefully interfere."
Although it sounded like Xuan Zi hadn't agreed to anything, Xu Jiujiu didn't press the topic further and instead chatted about some unimportant matters.
It wasn't until dusk that Xu Jiujiu bid farewell and left Shrek Academy.
Wang Nan followed Yan Shaozhe and the others to the Academy gate once more, watching Xu Jiujiu's entourage gradually disappear from sight, which also meant his mission had finally ended. After listening to these convoluted discussions all afternoon, Wang Nan felt his head spinning.
However, for the Academy's high-level officials, the busy time was yet to come.
Yan Shaozhe did not linger at the Academy gate. He turned and ascended Sea God Island, entering the Sea God Pavilion. In the pavilion's meeting hall, nine figures were already waiting.
The night passed, and the lights in the meeting hall stayed on all night until dawn, when the Elders left one by one.
Wang Nan woke up early as usual, packed his things, and prepared to meditate and train in front of the Sea God Pavilion. However, as soon as he stepped out, he saw Xuan Zi standing in front of the dormitory building.
"Elder Xuan."
Xuan Zi nodded. "Go gather all the Disciples preparing to participate in the Soul Duel Tournament. I'll be waiting for you all at the arena."
With that, he turned and left.
Although the words were abrupt, Wang Nan could guess that it was related to Xu Jiujiu's visit yesterday.
Speaking of which, the seven of them, including Wang Nan, rarely appeared together on weekdays, but their relationship was actually quite good.
The other six had already participated in the previous Soul Duel Tournament together, and as for Wang Nan himself, apart from the aloof Ling Luochen and the taciturn Xi Xi, his relationship with the others had been decent since the Outer Courtyard.
Even Dai Yueheng, who was rarely seen in the Inner Courtyard, still harbored thoughts of recruiting Wang Nan and had frequently contacted him upon returning to the Academy.
Wang Nan first knocked on Gongyang Mo's door. With him there, it would be more convenient to notify both the boys and girls.
After relaying Xuan Zi's words, Wang Nan asked Gongyang Mo to inform the rest, while he himself went to the Soul Guidance System.
A quarter of an hour later, all seven participants of this Soul Duel Tournament had gathered on the largest arena in the Inner Courtyard.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Xuan Zi nodded and said, "You all have participated in many surveillance missions in recent years, so you must have heard of the Holy Spirit Cult. And just yesterday, news came from the Star Luo Empire that it has been confirmed the Sun Moon Empire is colluding with the Holy Spirit Cult."
At these words, everyone's expression changed except for Wang Nan.
Xuan Zi slightly raised his hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down. "Now, the conflict with the Sun Moon Empire is no longer just about Empires and territory."
"As you know, besides being a competition among young Spirit Masters, the Soul Duel Tournament is also a means for the Douluo Continent and the Sun Moon Continent to display their strength. Therefore, in this Soul Duel Tournament, you must defeat the Sun Moon Empire's Royal Soul Guidance Academy."
"Firstly, it is to show our foundation to the Sun Moon Empire. Secondly, this time the Star Luo Empire will offer a treasure as the reward for the Soul Duel Tournament champion, and this item absolutely cannot fall into the hands of the Sun Moon Empire."
Wang Nan knew that the current Huo Yuhao was not yet famous, not yet the genius disciple with twin spirits and ultimate Spirits he would become. Shrek still valued the Snow Empress's embryo highly. Moreover, the Sealing God Platform itself was a Level 9 spirit tool and had considerable research value.
"I will conduct intensive training for you all within the next half year," Xuan Zi continued, "We must ensure that we win the championship in the next Soul Duel Tournament."
...
At the same time, inside the Imperial Palace in Star Luo City, Xu Jiujiu pushed open a bright yellow door. Before her, Xu Jiawei was sitting at a table, holding some memorials and similar items.
"Jiujiu is back. How was it? What did Shrek Academy say?"
"As we expected, they didn't respond directly, but they also didn't explicitly refuse." Xu Jiujiu came to Xu Jiawei's side. "Brother, Shrek didn't even give a response, yet we're sending this item out. Isn't that a bit..."
Xu Jiawei put down the items in his hand and looked at Xu Jiujiu. "You still don't understand. Shrek Academy wants to remain neutral among the Three Great Empires, so it's impossible for them to respond directly to us. Not explicitly refusing is already the best answer."
Xu Jiawei stood up and walked to the window, his brows furrowed. "The Sun Moon Continent is almost unable to hold back. This war will break out very soon, and our Star Luo Empire alone cannot contend with the Sun Moon Empire. And the only thing that can unite our Three Great Empires against an external threat, for now, is Shrek Academy."
"Although Shrek Academy once led the Three Great Empires to defeat the Sun Moon Empire four thousand years ago, times change, and people's hearts also change. No one can guarantee that Shrek Academy four thousand years later will still be the same as it was then."
"Now the gift has been sent. Once the Purge Evil Alliance is established according to plan, and Disciples from Shrek Academy continuously join, then if war breaks out, Shrek naturally cannot stand idly by."