Chapter 476: The Body Sect, Part 5
The Body Martial Soul truly deserved its reputation as the most compatible with human Soul Masters. When Beast or Tool Souls unleash their seventh spirit skill, the Martial Soul Avatar, they often grow in size and become somewhat unwieldy, suffering from a lack of fine control. In contrast, Body Martial Souls experienced no such drawbacks, channeling power efficiently and without limitations.
Despite Huo Rui's power being restricted to the 95th level, Ye Wen had simulated her combat skills based on her true Divine level mastery. Though Huo Rui was a burst type fighter, her skill level against a group of Titled Douluo brought pure devastation. The Body Sect's initially coordinated team quickly devolved into chaos left side attackers clashed with right side ones, those above crashed down onto those below. The confusion sowed self doubt among even the strongest Body Sect fighters.
Amid the discord, Du Busi's status as their most formidable warrior made his position awkward; with so many allies around, his attacks risked harming his own. His poisonous techniques, while effective, didn't discriminate between friend and foe, and he hadn't developed antidotes for everything he wielded. Du Busi's unique resistance stemmed from the innate resilience of his Body Martial Soul.
Du Busi looked on, his expression a mix of fury and awe as he watched his sect elders outclassed by Huo Rui's virtual projection. Initially, he cursed, but gradually, his anger gave way to a kind of admiration. "Such flawless technique… every move, every strike… an art form."
Ye Wen, sensing the ideal moment for instruction, began teaching.
"Xiao Yu, watch carefully this is the true essence of fighting with a Body Martial Soul," he began. "Each Body Martial Soul has unique traits. For instance, those related to muscle groups should focus their spirit skills on strength enhancement. Take note of how foolish that man there is to dabble in toxic techniques, diminishing his own potential and compromising his humanity."
Huo Yu'er nodded attentively, absorbing each detail. Meanwhile, Du Busi, recognizing Ye Wen's criticism as a direct rebuke, could only listen in uncomfortable silence, his frustration tempered by the knowledge of Ye Wen's strength.
"See how excellently your senior sister fights?" Ye Wen continued. "But this is only a portion of her full potential. Her Martial Soul is the heart, which means she can manipulate the flow of blood throughout her body. Since physical strength relies heavily on the heart, I ensured her spirit skills focus solely on amplification. The Body Martial Soul's golden level second awakening is strong, but your senior sister, by activating all her spirit abilities, can momentarily exceed even that golden standard. That's why I would never waste time giving her nonsensical spirit rings."
Huo Yu'er's eyes lit up, realizing the implications. A series of amplification skills layered atop a golden level second awakening would mean an explosive increase in strength, exceeding fivefold. Combined with her master's self created spirit skills, offensive techniques became unnecessary.
Listening nearby, Du Busi grew silent as the implications sank in. Ye Wen's strategy for ring selection sounded viable conceptually, at least. However, getting spirit skills precisely suited to one's Martial Soul was far from guaranteed. On the contrary, many Spirit Masters settled for skills they could get, often resulting in suboptimal choices.
While it was known that extreme training could produce the strongest Soul Masters, such paths were fraught with difficulty. The Body Sect had succeeded partly by embracing this doctrine of extremity. Though Du Busi had attempted such rigorous methods, he eventually abandoned the idea, opting to cultivate a unique type of deterrence for his sect: The Poison of Extremity.
His success with his poison was undeniable. His reputation as the continent's most lethal individual remained unchallenged. With his Body Sect's notorious recklessness, few dared cross them.
Huo Rui, meanwhile, continued without attacking, evading her opponents with ease. This left the sect elders bruised and battered, their coordination unraveling as their energy flagged.
"You're telling me a team of Titled Douluo can't manage a fight like this?" Ye Wen muttered, a note of disdain in his voice. "No wonder they have you relying on toxic techniques as a fallback."
Du Busi's gaze met Ye Wen's, an uncomfortable awareness spreading over him as he realized Ye Wen had likely discerned every one of his secrets.
"Prepare yourselves," Ye Wen called out, "because I'm ending this farce now."
Before the Body Sect could react, each member was sent flying. Only Du Busi, relying on his robust physique, managed to stay grounded, his heels digging a furrow several hundred meters long before he halted.
A sharp pain lanced through his arm. "Damn it, what kind of punch was that? My arm feels like it's shattered…"
The impact zone smoked slightly, the heat from the blow leaving charred traces. Nearby, the other Titled Douluo lay sprawled on the ground, their attempts to re summon their Martial Souls failing as they gasped for air.
Du Busi's eyes narrowed as he studied Huo Rui's projection. He was certain she hadn't activated any spirit rings there had been no display of spirit power. Was this still a simulation? But, if so, why did it feel so real?
"Explain something, will you?" Du Busi asked, his voice strained. "How could that strike possess such force without using a spirit skill?"
Ye Wen looked at him with an almost pitying expression before offering a simple explanation.
"The Body Martial Soul is humanity's most compatible Martial Soul, but it's a pity you've only understood it on a surface level. Your direction of cultivation isn't entirely wrong, but…" Ye Wen paused, his voice laced with a hint of disappointment. "It's painfully crude."
Du Busi's face flushed with disbelief. "Crude? How dare you? The Body Sect may lack the heritage of the upper sects, but to call our methods crude…"
Ye Wen met his gaze evenly, ignoring the outrage. "Watch closely. I'll show you the true potential of a Body Martial Soul."
With a calm, deliberate motion, Huo Rui's projection assumed a basic stance, her form rooted in a solid horse stance. All of the Body Sect's focus zeroed in on her.
Huo Rui's entire spirit ring array glowed, her body entering the golden level second awakening. Her fist arced forward, compact with precision and power, delivering a single, perfected blow.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 477: The Body Sect, Part 6
Huo Rui's movements were perfectly visible, but to everyone's amazement, not a single sound accompanied her punches. Only Ye Wen and Du Busi understood what had happened.
"That punch… it surpassed the speed of sound…" Du Busi's thought barely registered before the earth beneath them quaked, cracking and finally dissolving into dust. Fortunately, none of the Titled Douluo present had been targeted directly; they were merely knocked back by the aftershocks, pushed tens of kilometers away but ultimately unharmed.
When they finally returned, they found only an unfathomably deep pit, a hundred meters wide, where Huo Rui's projection had vanished. Du Busi, arriving first, looked on in silent awe, soon joined by his fellow sect members, each gazing in shock at the seemingly bottomless abyss.
"What unbelievable power. Sect Master, do you think even Mu En could manage something like this?" asked Deputy Sect Master Jin Peng, swallowing hard. Extreme Douluo had always possessed earth shattering strength, but the scene before him left him genuinely shaken.
Du Busi, however, was already looking at the situation differently. With his keen perception, he understood that Huo Rui's projection had used only Body Martial Soul techniques no other enhancements had been applied. If such techniques were within their grasp, the Body Sect would truly be poised for greatness.
Ye Wen's voice interrupted his thoughts. "This is your last chance. Will you submit to me?"
The Body Sect's Titled Douluo exchanged uncertain glances, then turned as one to Du Busi, waiting for their leader's decision. Du Busi, surprisingly calm, knelt on one knee, hands clasped in respect.
"We acknowledge you as our master," he declared.
"Master!" echoed the other Titled Douluo, following his lead.
But Ye Wen's next words left them bewildered.
"I never said I'd be your sect master," he corrected. "I merely asked you to serve under me."
Confusion washed over them. Hadn't he just declared his intent to create a new era for Body Martial Souls? Shouldn't that mean becoming the sect's leader, the rightful head of the Body Sect? What could he possibly mean by rejecting the role?
Ye Wen, seeing their puzzled expressions, decided not to waste time explaining. "From now on, there is no Body Sect. You are now part of the Tianxing Sect. All former members of the Body Sect will form the Body Hall, responsible for maintaining Tianxing Sect's internal security."
The Titled Douluo were stunned. It was one thing to submit, but now they couldn't even keep the Body Sect name. Some opened their mouths to protest, but Du Busi silenced them with a firm gesture.
"Body Hall's Chief, Du Busi, greets the Master of Tianxing Sect."
Seeing this, Ye Wen nodded approvingly. The others, though still reluctant, had no choice but to follow suit. Their leader had accepted, and with Ye Wen's power so clearly displayed, they had no realistic means of resistance.
Ye Wen continued, "Du Busi, gather the rest of your members. Tianxing Sect will soon establish a new Advanced Soul Master Academy, open to all sect members for training."
Even Du Busi, who had maintained his composure throughout, couldn't help but reveal a flicker of excitement. He had finally received confirmation of what he'd been hoping for, but he still asked to be sure.
"Master, does this mean we, too, can learn the techniques your disciple demonstrated?"
"Yes." Ye Wen's simple reply brought uncontainable joy to the Body Sect members. They'd lost their name, but in exchange, they had gained access to a future of true power. They might cherish the legacy of the Body Sect, but every Soul Master knew that strength was everything. Without it, they'd be unable to hold their position as the Heavenly Soul Empire's guardian or walk proudly as Body Soul Masters.
This was a truth all too evident from their missed chances in history: despite having crossed paths with the era's leading figures, they'd been left to stagnate. Ye Wen left them with instructions for the academy's location, then departed with his disciples in tow.
As he left, he cast one final glance at the Body Sect members, fully aware of their ambitions and underlying doubts. Yet Ye Wen didn't mind; such competition and ambition were part of human nature, and after witnessing it for twenty thousand years, he understood the dynamics well. Power was what defined one's worth in this world, and only by reshaping the current order of Douluo could he fulfill his grand vision.
Though the battle had been a simple one sided display, it had captivated Ye Wen's disciples, especially Huo Yu'er. In a world where every Soul Master pursued power, seeing Huo Rui's prowess had reignited Yu'er's ambitions. Ye Wen knew she was better suited to a defensive path, and so he had passed down the flowing style of the "Rock Splitting Flow Fist" created by Huo Rui's brother, Huo Quan. Yet he could see that Yu'er yearned for the more aggressive techniques Huo Rui used.
"Master, what was that last move of Senior Sister's? It was so cool!" Huo Yu'er asked excitedly.
They were making their way toward the Heavenly Soul Empire's royal capital, and Ye Wen replied without hesitation.
"That was your Senior Sister's own creation: the 'Explosive Heart Liberation Fist,' a punch condensed to its utmost power, requiring extreme physical resilience," he said, adding, "It's something you won't be able to master. You simply aren't built for it, so don't bother trying."
"Aww…" Yu'er's face fell, her disappointment drawing laughter from the others. Even Xue Nu joined in, playfully teasing her.
Finally, the group reached their destination: the Heavenly Soul Empire's capital city. As they looked upon the sprawling metropolis, with its walls stretching endlessly into the horizon, Ye Wen's expression grew one of mild disdain.
"Honestly, who still builds cities with walls?" he muttered. "As if they could stop a Titled Douluo or a ninth level Soul Tool…"
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 478: The Emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire
In this era, the empires of the Douluo Continent remain as they were ten thousand years ago, plagued by internal power struggles rooted in outdated systems. The Sun Moon Empire, the Star Luo Empire, and the Heavenly Soul Empire all echo the divisions of the past. Even the original Heaven Dou Empire suffered from this, despite aligning itself with Tang San, underestimating the self serving nature of the sects it relied on for power.
After the God Wars, the Heaven Dou Empire lost the support of the great sects. Though they weren't overtaken as severely as the Star Luo Empire, which saw a direct loss of control, their influence diminished significantly. The remaining two of the "Three Upper Sects" excluding the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, which was annihilated were now out of their reach, protected by gods and existing above earthly concerns. This left the successor state, the Heavenly Soul Empire, in an awkward position.
Technically, Shrek Academy's lands fall under the Heavenly Soul Empire's jurisdiction, but in reality, they function as a private domain of the academy an empire within an empire. With only a Level 97 Titled Douluo as their strongest protector, the Heavenly Soul Empire lacks the power to enforce its rule over its own lands, especially in matters involving such powerful figures.
So when Ye Wen and his disciples arrived in the imperial capital, the Heavenly Soul royal family was already well prepared to welcome him. Trumpets blared, banners flew, and a grand procession awaited their entry. Ye Wen wasn't surprised. It had been three days since he subdued the Body Sect, and their unhurried journey to the capital had given the royals ample time to organize this reception.
Approaching them were a middle aged man and woman who, due to their cultivation as Soul Masters, appeared strikingly youthful. Their status and power were far from trivial without a degree of strength, they wouldn't have been able to maintain their hold on the throne in this chaotic era.
"Greetings, His Eminence of Tianxing," the man said, clasping his hands respectfully, though not bowing. Titled Douluo were no longer as rare as in ancient times, but a Supreme Douluo like Ye Wen was still considered equal to any sovereign ruler.
Ye Wen, seeing the man, immediately recognized him as Emperor Vida of the Heavenly Soul Empire, with a Snow Lotus martial soul, cultivated to Level 88 as a Soul Douluo, and his wife, who herself possessed a Body martial soul. Her lineage was one of the factors supporting the Body Sect's position as the imperial guardian.
"Greetings, Emperor Vida," Ye Wen responded.
(Author's note: Since no name for him was provided in the original novel, I'll go with 'Vida.' The princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire was called Wei Na, so let's assume he has the surname 'Vi.' A small observation while many names in Douluo Continent have a Western feel, they are still presented as part of a Chinese setting.)
Anyone with a grasp of history knows that no mountain can hold two tigers, unless they're a male and a female. Though Ye Wen's immense strength was ostensibly beneficial, it also posed a threat. He could take power if he wished, a fact that would typically be unwelcome in any established political structure. The empires had grown complacent, presuming that nobility was inherited, passed down through "pure bloodlines." They conveniently forgot or perhaps ignored that before the founding of Star Luo and Heaven Dou, "nobility" was an achievement of strength and conquest.
Still, Emperor Vida was determined to make Ye Wen feel welcome. Douluo Continent's future seemed more unpredictable by the day, and with the Heaven Dou Empire split into two states, the weakened Heavenly Soul Empire was left vulnerable. Vida's concerns weren't unfounded; in the coming conflict, the first casualty would be the weakest empire the Dou Ling Empire followed by the Heavenly Soul Empire.
Initially, the Sun Moon Empire's naval limitations had directed its aggression toward Star Luo, but eventually, they overcame their challenges at sea and then moved to eliminate all potential threats, starting with the weaker forces. The Heavenly Soul Empire's obliteration eventually forced the Sun Moon Empire to rename itself the "Heaven Dou Empire," claiming to "preserve the honor of Douluo," a ludicrous notion forced upon them by the twisted ego of Tang San.
After greeting him, Emperor Vida ushered Ye Wen to an elaborate ballroom for a welcome banquet. Though Ye Wen had lived many years, he still found such gatherings distasteful a "noble" ball was hardly more than a show. The women's attire was far more revealing than anything seen in a commoner's tavern. It was vulgar and unbecoming, a mockery of any sense of refinement. If not for the people's commitment to hygiene, Ye Wen might've left in disgust.
However, it wasn't the time to reveal his contempt. Ye Wen intended for Yu'er and the others to grow strong independently, without his constant intervention. A guardian could offer guidance, but if they did everything, their wards would never learn true resilience.
Unwilling to expose his young disciples to such a scene, Ye Wen claimed they needed rest after the journey, excusing them to retire to a private area. Emperor Vida accepted the decision; since Ye Wen planned to establish roots within his empire, there was no need to rush, he reasoned. Building rapport with such a Supreme Douluo would require patience.
Alone, Emperor Vida beamed with joy. "It's as if the heavens themselves have blessed me, Vida," he mused. "With such a Supreme Douluo here, let's see who dares to underestimate the Heavenly Soul Empire now!"
A smirk crossed his face, and a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes. "Curse that Shrek Academy. Right in my territory, they act as if I don't even exist. But wait if I can back the Tianxing Academy as a rival, it might finally bring them down a peg. Let's see if Shrek can still claim to be 'number one' then."
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 479: Princess Wei Na
At the ballroom, guests mingled and glasses clinked, but Ye Wen merely sipped his drink occasionally, only nodding briefly at those who approached him. Still, the nobles who dared to make conversation felt honored and thrilled. Such was the core rule of the Douluo Continent strength was supreme.
Though Ye Wen exchanged pleasantries, his mind was only half engaged, going through the motions. The gap between him and these nobles was vast, and if it weren't for his plans to mentor Huo Yu'er and mold her into a powerful force, he wouldn't have wasted his time here at all.
Suddenly, a figure caught Ye Wen's attention a young girl with delicate features and a cascade of light golden hair. It wasn't her beauty that struck him, but rather the rare power she possessed she was a dual martial soul user. Then again, "rare" was relative; Ye Wen already had two disciples with dual martial souls. However, it was clear that the methods of creating dual martial souls were now better understood than in Tang San's time, which could explain why they were more common in this era.
Noticing the girl's approach, Emperor Vida's eyes lit up, and he promptly introduced her to Ye Wen with great enthusiasm. "Your Eminence Tianxing, this is my daughter, Wei Na. Once your academy is built, we would be most honored if you could personally guide her in cultivation."
Princess Wei Na, around twelve or thirteen, the same age as Huo Yu'er, stepped forward with poise and grace. Despite her youth, she showed no trace of nervousness, even in front of a Supreme Douluo. With elegant politeness, she lifted her hands slightly, holding her gown at the sides, and curtsied.
"It is an honor to meet you, Your Eminence Tianxing."
"Hmm." Ye Wen nodded in acknowledgment.
After a moment's pause, a thought struck him, and he gazed at Wei Na with a pensive expression. Though Wei Na had displayed flawless manners from the start, even she blushed faintly under Ye Wen's steady, piercing gaze. Indeed, some forms of charisma could sway people of all ages, and Wei Na, a young girl in the first bloom of youth, was no exception.
Emperor Vida, perceptive as he was, sensed the shift in the atmosphere. Though he was eager to draw Ye Wen to his side, he refrained from saying anything, cautious not to risk offending him. Yet, Emperor Vida's mind was spinning with possibilities. If Ye Wen were enchanted by his daughter, he would welcome it. He knew well that Wei Na was exceptional, and if her charm could win a Supreme Douluo's support, he wouldn't hesitate for a second. Now, he waited to see how Ye Wen would respond.
"Your Majesty." Ye Wen's voice broke the silence, meeting Emperor Vida's hopeful gaze.
"Has Princess Wei Na taken on a teacher yet?"
It wasn't the answer Vida had anticipated, and he was a bit let down. However, he picked up on Ye Wen's unspoken suggestion and quickly replied.
"Not yet, Your Eminence. With her talents, I've taken care not to rush into finding her a teacher. May I ask, are you suggesting...?"
"Her dual martial souls certainly make her worthy of being my disciple, but of course, that depends on your thoughts, Your Majesty," Ye Wen replied evenly.
To Vida, it was a proposition too good to refuse. Just as he'd offered his wife's loyalty to secure the Body Sect as their protector, he saw no problem offering his daughter to solidify Ye Wen's allegiance. And if she were merely to become his student, that was an even easier decision. Vida nodded eagerly in agreement.
Though Wei Na's father had made the decision for her, she accepted it without complaint. As a royal child, she had long understood the obligations of her birth. Besides, having such an extraordinary teacher was hardly a loss she couldn't help but think how handsome he was.
The apprentice ceremony took place right there at the ball, with the explanation that Ye Wen preferred to avoid a public spectacle later. A sense of awe fell over the guests as they witnessed this unexpected turn of events. Many had been wondering how they might approach this Supreme Douluo, but their emperor had outmaneuvered them, securing Ye Wen's loyalty through Wei Na. They admired the emperor's swift decisiveness and his way of achieving results.
Afterward, Ye Wen shared his proposal with Emperor Vida for the Heavenly Soul Empire's assistance in establishing the Tianxing Advanced Soul Master Academy. Vida readily agreed, knowing it would bring them closer together.
However, a point of disagreement emerged.
"Your Eminence, you mean to admit not only the empire's nobles but commoners and even foreign students as well? I...I don't understand. Talent among the common folk is so rare. Why not focus your energy on nurturing the talented?"
Ye Wen merely nodded, though a hint of disdain arose in his heart. Vida might be competent in some ways, but his judgment faltered in critical matters. Then again, he thought, the Heavenly Soul Empire was a fragment of the former Heaven Dou Empire, whose rulers were thoroughly controlled by the aristocracy.
"Your Majesty, I understand your ambitions, but my only aim is to educate and nurture talent," Ye Wen replied smoothly. "I assume you also struggle with finding enough competent people because the empire relies so heavily on nobility. This could be a chance to change that."
Emperor Vida paused, then nodded as understanding dawned on him. He was almost embarrassed by his initial response, as Ye Wen's suggestion was both logical and appealing.
In the end, Emperor Vida agreed to Ye Wen's proposal, though he hesitated and raised one last concern.
"But, Your Eminence...what guarantee can you offer that these students won't turn against the Heavenly Soul Empire after they graduate? We could be nurturing potential threats to our own nation."
Ye Wen inwardly sighed at Vida's naivety. He had now fully seen through him the emperor was a decent figurehead with some intelligence, but his lack of political insight was glaringly obvious.
Before leaving, Ye Wen offered a final thought.
"Your Majesty, this academy is neither a government nor a sect it's merely an institution of learning. You shouldn't worry about their loyalty to the Heavenly Soul Empire; that's a matter between you and the students. If you want them to remain, then you need to win their loyalty, not me. Anyone who doesn't want to stay won't be swayed by any measure."
As he watched Ye Wen's retreating figure, Emperor Vida realized he had overstepped, yet he could only sit there, feeling a helpless bitterness and a rueful smile on his face.
The emperor pondered his repeated missteps, wondering why such an obvious question had tripped him up. Eventually, he found his answer.
"Sigh…with so much pressure, it's no wonder my mind isn't as clear as it should be. I'll have to apologize to His Eminence tomorrow."
Though the Heavenly Soul Empire was technically in the rear lines of the continent's conflicts, it was far from safe. The nobility's excesses and constant crises kept the emperor perpetually weary and frustrated, endlessly struggling to maintain order.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 480: Tianxing Academy
A month later, Tianxing Academy officially opened its doors.
At the opening ceremony, Ye Wen, a 99th level Supreme Douluo, gave a powerful speech that sent ripples across the continent. This event marked a turning point, disrupting the balance of power in which Shrek Academy and the Three Empires of the Douluo Continent had stood united against the Sun Moon Empire.
In the Sun Moon Empire's royal palace
Crown Prince Xu Tianran sat silently in his wheelchair, studying the intelligence reports in his hands. After a long pause, he sighed, "Another Supreme Douluo has appeared on the Douluo Continent… troubling."
Nearby, an elderly man responded with indifference, "It's of no concern, really. Just one more Supreme Douluo. Besides, that old man Mu En is near the end of his life. Once he's gone, things will return to what they were before. You don't actually believe that Shrek Academy will tolerate another Supreme Douluo settling right beside them, do you?"
Xu Tianran smirked and set down the report. "You're right, Dragon Elder. Shrek hypocrites, the lot of them."
With peace prevailing after the last major conflict, the presence of Ye Wen a Supreme Douluo prompted the other nations to send envoys to gather intelligence, all except Xu Tianran, who, due to his physical limitations, refrained. Yet the empire's other high ranking officials all embarked on journeys to investigate this potential new power shift. However, they returned with no new information about Ye Wen. His security was watertight, and his power beyond reach; any who dared to approach were quickly subdued by Du Busi.
Nevertheless, this diplomatic visit was not entirely in vain.
Shrek Academy, which prided itself on its "righteous" authority, had offended many empire officials over the years. Where they once had no alternative but to respect Shrek, many now viewed Tianxing Academy as a possible new ally. And in truth, Shrek's educational quality had always been secondary; what everyone sought was direct guidance from powerful experts.
Now, with Ye Wen, a Supreme Douluo, and the former Body Sect the continent's strongest sect leading the way, Tianxing Academy was steadily gaining ground on Shrek. Ye Wen had wasted no time, bringing a trump card to the table by incorporating the Six Forms technique into the curriculum.
The sect members were the most thrilled. The Six Forms may have appeared simple, but they were practical and profound, with an unmistakable clarity of purpose. Training the forms diligently could lead to extraordinary strength. And with this new program available, the major empires scrambled to send their young talents to study, despite any complaints they might have harbored about Ye Wen breaking convention. After all, self developed soul techniques were the prized treasures of any sect.
Meanwhile, Shrek was beginning to feel the consequences of their strict recommendation letter policy.
The students most eager to enroll were naturally those who had the qualifications but had been previously excluded: talented commoners. Tianxing Academy's lower fees were certainly appealing, but it was the fair admissions process that truly attracted the commoner soul masters. Before, without a city lord's recommendation, these students could only attend other advanced academies, often burdened with immense tuition debt or even harsh contracts amounting to servitude. Education in the Douluo Continent was still deeply exploitative.
Ye Wen watched the 500 incoming first year students, who would comprise Tianxing Academy's inaugural class. Most were commoners, with a small contingent of nobles. It seemed the nobility still harbored reservations, though Ye Wen was unbothered; he was already arranging the training schedules.
Back at Shrek, Ye Wen had long wanted to point out the academy's outdated methods. After all these millennia, Shrek was still clinging to Yu Xiaogang's old running drills, and in the clumsiest way possible, too. Didn't Shrek know that improperly guided physical training could lead to serious injuries?
Unconcerned about Shrek's methods, Ye Wen moved ahead with plans to implement a new, structured training regime.
Most of the commoner students had never seen anything like the specialized training equipment Ye Wen had devised and gazed in awe. The noble students tried to keep their composure, though a few of them muttered doubts about its effectiveness. But when Ye Wen's students demonstrated the training techniques, everyone fell silent.
Curiously, while Huo Yuhao had transformed into a female version, other characters from the original storyline who should have remained male, such as Xiao Xiao, were still girls. Now, with Ye Wen's disciples being all female, one might say the academy's student body leaned heavily female. In fact, Electrolux, not Ye Wen's disciple but a strong ally, had joined in the rigorous physical training, appreciating the carefully crafted regimen as a welcome return to his youthful days.
Ye Wen's group of girls quickly became known as Tianxing's Valkyries. After refining their skills with powerful herbs, each of the five young women had beauty and charisma rivaling Tang Wutong. Though rumors spread, the girls paid little mind. Each had a focused heart and clear goals.
Determined to secure his place by Ye Wen's side, Du Busi volunteered as the vice principal, though he soon retreated quietly after realizing that Ye Wen had already selected two other individuals for key roles. From that day on, the academy had a Vice Principal and a Head Instructor, both wearing masks. Their names were unknown to students, but it was common knowledge that the Vice Principal held the title of Ding, while the Head Instructor was titled Xiao; both were Titled Douluos and a married couple. The two were none other than Xiao Xiao's parents, who, after being resurrected, chose to keep a low profile for Xiao Xiao's sake. The family of four had no need for fame just their togetherness and peace.
With the safety of the academy now secured by a Supreme Douluo, Ye Wen could begin his plans to explore the world once more. For Ye Wen, only a passing traveler in this world, his primary goal was nurturing the rightful successor to restore order to the Douluo Continent.
Meanwhile, Emperor Vida entrusted Ye Wen with an important mission: to purge the realm of evil soul masters.
Though most of the remaining evil soul masters had retreated to the Holy Spirit Sect in the Sun Moon Empire, a few lone operatives still roamed, driven by their disturbing powers. Growing stronger at an alarming rate, they posed a threat even to Titled Douluos. However, against Ye Wen's overwhelming might, they would certainly be subdued. Pleased by Emperor Vida's willingness to address internal threats seriously, Ye Wen accepted the task.
(End of Chapter)
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