This question was like a bombshell, causing everyone present to look shocked.
Tang Wulin's pupils contracted sharply. The peak of the Spirit Abyss Realm? Wasn't that stronger than an average Title Douluo?
He recalled the sensation from earlier—the overwhelming dominance at the spiritual level—and even now, it sent chills down his spine. If not for Cai Yue'er's defense, they would have likely been controlled as well.
Only now did Tang Wulin realize that Gu La's greatest strength was his mental power. The immense power of his ultimate attributes had masked his extraordinary spiritual talent.
Gu La's smile slowly faded, though he had anticipated this. The spiritual power of the Divine Origin Realm was indeed outrageously strong. He bit his lip discreetly, already planning to find an opportunity to break through.
"There's no need to deny it," Yun Ming continued, his voice matter-of-fact as if stating the most obvious truth. "To simultaneously control over sixty soul masters—even with the aid of soul skills—requires an immense foundation of spiritual power."
The cafeteria fell into a deathly silence.
"True to your reputation as the master of Sea God Pavilion—it seems nothing escapes your notice."
His gaze suddenly sharpened, like a sword unsheathed, as his Spirit Abyss Realm-level spiritual power erupted, shattering all the surrounding glass. "That's right, my spiritual power has indeed reached the peak of the Spirit Abyss Realm."
Gu La understood that Yun Ming was expressing his dissatisfaction by exposing some of his trump cards. If he persisted further, who knew what Yun Ming might do?
This admission hit everyone like a sledgehammer. Yue Zhengyu's face turned pale—he had dared to provoke someone whose spiritual power rivaled that of a Title Douluo? His legs involuntarily went limp, and he had to steady himself by gripping the nearby table.
Cai Yue'er had suspected as much, but even she found it hard to believe. Without personally experiencing it and hearing Yun Ming's words, she could never have imagined that a four-ring Soul Ancestor's spiritual power could rival her own.
Yun Ming gave a slight nod, seemingly unfazed by Gu La's display of spiritual power. "Then tell me—what is the purpose of Spirit Pagoda sending you to Shrek Academy?"
Gu La's expression turned sly, knowing that Yun Ming needed to justify things to the Sea God Pavilion—but what did that have to do with him?
He tilted his head, as if pondering an interesting question. "Pavilion Master, you're wrong to suspect me. I entered the academy through proper assessments. What ulterior motive could I possibly have?"
His tone was flippant, but his eyes never left Yun Ming's face, observing every subtle change in his expression.
Did Yun Ming really think he'd back down? Yun Ming cared about Shrek Academy, but Gu La didn't.
"Is that so?" Yun Ming's gaze suddenly shifted to Tang Wulin, catching everyone off guard. "Tang Wulin, what do you think?"
Tang Wulin was taken aback. He hadn't expected the master of Sea God Pavilion to acknowledge an outer academy student like him.
He felt all eyes on him, his throat tightening involuntarily. After a moment's hesitation, he finally spoke. "Although Gu La's actions were… somewhat extreme, I believe he harbors no ill intentions toward the academy."
"Oh?" Yun Ming seemed intrigued by this response, his eyebrows raising slightly. "And why do you say that?"
Tang Wulin took a deep breath, his Golden Dragon King bloodline allowing him to face Yun Ming's oppressive aura with relative composure. "If he truly had malicious intent, he could have let those students kill each other instead of merely… creating chaos."
More importantly, over the past four years, Gu La's actions had shown that he wasn't a bad person with ulterior motives. Tang Wulin trusted his judgment.
Yun Ming wore a thoughtful expression. "Interesting."
Indeed, Yun Ming faced pressure within Sea God Pavilion because of Gu La, but that wasn't the reason he targeted him. Exposing Gu La's spiritual power level was simply meant to discourage others from provoking him.
Yun Ming turned his piercing gaze back to Gu La. "Gu La, I'll give you two choices."
"I'm all ears," Gu La said with a slight bow, his posture respectful, though his eyes remained unconvinced.
"First, leave Shrek Academy and return to Spirit Pagoda."
Gu La rolled his eyes. He still had information related to Ya Li and Shrek Academy—there was no way he believed he'd be expelled.
"And the second?"
"The second." Yun Ming's gaze deepened. "Leave Spirit Pagoda and join Shrek Academy. If you agree, I will treat you as a member of Sea God Pavilion and provide you with the best resources."
This proposal stunned everyone. Gu La's eyes widened in disbelief. "Me? Join Shrek Academy?"
"Precisely." Yun Ming nodded. "Your talent shouldn't be wasted. Shrek Academy needs someone like you."
A suspected reincarnated god—Yun Ming—had the audacity to recruit him, and Yun Ming was confident he could make Gu La genuinely join Shrek Academy.
Gu La fell into deep thought. After a moment, he raised his head, his eyes flickering with complex emotions. "And if I refuse?"
Yun Ming didn't answer, but the mounting pressure in the air said it all.
Gu La suddenly smiled. "Alright, I'll choose the… third option."
His gaze swept across the crowd. "I'm already a core disciple of Spirit Pagoda—I can't leave. If Pavilion Master wants me to join, perhaps you should discuss it with my teacher."
The onlookers were incredulous. The master of Sea God Pavilion, the strongest person on the continent, had personally invited Gu La to join Shrek Academy—and he had refused.
Yun Ming seemed to have anticipated this response. "Fine. Tomorrow, you can inform your teacher ahead of time. I'll visit them with Ya Li."
Cai Yue'er wanted to say something but was silenced by a glance from Yun Ming.
"Now," Yun Ming turned to leave, "everyone, go back. Yue Zhengyu's punishment remains unchanged. The rest of you, write a self-reflection and submit it. Dismissed."
As Yun Ming and Cai Yue'er departed, the oppressive atmosphere in the cafeteria finally eased. Yue Zhengyu was the first to break the silence. "Gu La, why did you refuse Atlas Douluo?"
"Why should I accept?" Gu La waved dismissively. "If it weren't for your meddling, today's mess wouldn't have happened."
Yue Zhengyu's face turned livid, but remembering Gu La's spiritual power, he ultimately didn't dare act.
Yuanen Yehui gave Gu La a deep look before turning to leave. Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan stood to the side, feeling as though their classmate of four years had become a stranger.
Fortunately, Gu La still acknowledged them—they were all people he could be friends with. Though they had their flaws, who didn't?
"What, don't recognize me anymore?" Gu La waved his hand in front of them.
Xie Xie's gaze was complicated, but he soon regained his usual carefree demeanor. "No… I just realized how much of a frog in a well I've been."
With his twin martial souls, he hadn't put in enough effort to cultivate, resulting in being scolded by Tang Wulin early in intermediate school. Since then, he had watched Tang Wulin catch up and surpass him. Newcomers like Gu La and Gu Yue also had greater talent than him, but none of this had made him feel as inferior as Gu La's revelation of his spiritual power level.
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