Holidays are always short. Wang Nan only stayed at home for a few days before returning to Shrek Academy.
As usual, Wang Nan sat in front of Sea God Pavilion, gradually waking from his meditation. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Mu En and Xuan Zi sitting together, talking about something.
Xuan Zi glanced at him, and seeing that he had woken up, he didn't hide anything. He continued to speak to Mu En, "Elder Mu, for this Soul Duel Tournament, I'd like to select a few second-year Disciples for the preliminary team."
Mu En, who looked even older now, always paused before speaking. "Besides that little girl with twin spirits, who else have you taken a liking to?"
"There's another Disciple named Huo Yuhao. Last year, he only displayed one Spirit, which was his eyes. After school started this year, he suddenly revealed a second Spirit, and it's Extreme Ice. Because of this, Shao Zhe even specifically went to the Soul Guidance System to ask for him."
Hearing this, Mu En's eyes opened slightly. "Twin spirits, Body Spirit, Extreme Spirit?"
"Exactly. It's just that his innate spirit power isn't high. He barely passed last year's freshman assessment and didn't even get a Core Disciple spot, which is completely unlike the talent a twin spirits user should have. After only one holiday, he's undergone such a huge change. There might be other reasons behind this."
"Where is he from?"
"According to our investigation, he should be from the Star Luo Empire, living with his mother in a village near Star Luo City."
"Then don't worry about it. Spirit Masters who become famous on the Douluo Continent all have their own opportunities. After all, Shrek is just an Academy. We shouldn't interfere too much with Disciples." Mu En shook his head slightly, not letting Xuan Zi pursue it further. "Anything else?"
"There's also a little girl who's quite interesting. Her registered Spirit is the Bright Goddess Butterfly. She also concealed her identity when entering the Academy, but our investigation revealed that she's from the Clear Sky Sect, and her second spirit ring is a thousand-year spirit ring."
"So, another twin spirits user?"
Xuan Zi nodded. "That's right. No Spirit Bone was found on her, only twin spirits. And her second Spirit must be a very powerful one for her second spirit ring to be purple."
Mu En's expression became complex, unsure if he was sighing with emotion or thinking about other things. "Alright, then let those three little ones go see the world."
"Mm." Xuan Zi nodded. "But this way, adding one Disciple from the Soul Guidance System, there are only three spots left. Beibei's side..."
"Let that child Beibei rely on himself." Mu En waved his hand lightly. "No need to give him special treatment."
Xuan Zi thought about it. There were only three fifth-year Disciples of suitable age, and Beibei's chances of being selected were still very high, so he said no more and got up to go to the Outer Courtyard to prepare for the Core Disciple selection competition.
Wang Nan didn't leave immediately after waking from his meditation. He heard Mu En and Xuan Zi's conversation clearly.
Sure enough, there aren't that many coincidences in this world. Many things are already arranged.
... Another month passed, but Ma Xiaotao still hadn't returned. But no matter what, the Soul Duel Tournament was approaching day by day, and Wang Nan and the others' training had to continue.
This morning, Wang Nan led the other five main team members to the Outer Courtyard Fighting Soul Zone.
Soon after, on the other side, Beibei, He Caitou, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, and the three little ones from the second year—Xiao Xiao, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong'er—walked in together with Xuan Zi.
Seeing the blood-red school uniforms representing Inner Courtyard Disciples, the heartbeats of Huo Yuhao and the others quickened. They had just advanced to the second year, and unlike Beibei and Xu Sanshi, this was their first time encountering Inner Courtyard Disciples.
Red-clad Inner Courtyard, these were the students representing Shrek Academy's strongest combat power.
Huo Yuhao immediately spotted Wang Nan among them, and his breathing instantly became more rapid.
The four older Disciples' expressions also changed slightly at this time, and their movements were somewhat restrained. Even Xu Sanshi, who was usually laughing and joking, became serious after seeing the Inner Courtyard Disciples.
The group arrived and stood opposite Wang Nan and the others.
Xuan Zi nodded. "The Soul Duel Tournament is about to begin in about ten days. You should all be able to guess each other's identities. That's right, you are the main and preliminary team members for this Soul Duel Tournament. Today, I've brought you together, firstly, to get to know each other, and secondly, to familiarize yourselves with each other's abilities."
Although he said that, Wang Nan knew that Xuan Zi had specifically arranged this meeting to showcase the abilities of Huo Yuhao and the other two in front of the Inner Courtyard Disciples, so that these Inner Courtyard Disciples wouldn't underestimate them due to their young age.
Xuan Zi looked at Huo Yuhao and the seven others. "Don't think that you are just spectators in this competition. On the contrary, if there are no special circumstances, you all have the possibility of appearing. When facing opponents who are not too strong, you can also participate. However, during the competition, everything must obey the orders of the main team members, do you understand?"
"Understood."
Hearing the seven's neat reply, Xuan Zi then looked at Wang Nan's side. "Alright, now for self-introductions. The Inner Courtyard Disciples are older, so let's start with your side."
Wang Nan showed a gentle smile, took half a step forward, and looked at the seven preliminary team members.
Seeing Wang Nan's expression, the preliminary team members also breathed a slight sigh of relief. This Senior Brother from the Inner Courtyard seemed very easy to get along with.
"Inner Courtyard, Wang Nan, Rank 66 attack system Battle Spirit Emperor."
All the preliminary team members' gazes focused on Wang Nan. The breath they had just exhaled was sucked back in.
This Inner Courtyard Senior Brother, who had completely restrained his aura within his body and looked very gentle, was actually a Spirit Emperor, and his spirit power rank had already surpassed most of the Outer Courtyard teachers.
"Inner Courtyard, Dai Yueheng, Rank 64 attack system Battle Spirit Emperor."
Huo Yuhao glanced at Dai Yueheng, then quickly looked away, unconsciously turning his gaze back to Wang Nan. He knew that Wang Nan would appear with Dai Yueheng, so he wouldn't be far behind, but he hadn't expected Wang Nan's cultivation to actually surpass Dai Yueheng's.
"Inner Courtyard Soul Guidance System, Ye Xiaosheng, Rank 6 Soul Master."
The one who reacted most strongly to this statement was He Caitou. As a Disciple of the Soul Guidance System, he was obviously more interested in Ye Xiaosheng.
"Inner Courtyard, Xi Xi, Rank 56 agility-attack system Battle Spirit King."
"Inner Courtyard, Ling Luochen, Rank 55 control system Battle Spirit King."
"Inner Courtyard, Gongyang Mo, Rank 59 support system Battle Spirit King."
As Gongyang Mo spoke, he once again drew attention. His delicate appearance, which might make people pity him, looked even more beautiful than some of the female Disciples.
Xu Sanshi opened his mouth, his eyes wide in disbelief. The Gongyang Mo before him reminded him of an old incident by Sea God Lake three years ago.