"I believe Elder Xuan would agree as well, wouldn't he?"
Ning Tian looked toward Yan Shaozhe and said, "All the students feel that if not for an accident, Shrek Academy could never have lost to the Sun–Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy! Qing Tong, Dong'er, you two must think the same, right?"
Jiang Qingtong raised an eyebrow at her, staring.
So bold? Did she forget that she herself was from the Sun–Moon Empire? And it wasn't as if they were that close, was it?
Yan Shaozhe was clearly displeased by Ning Tian's behavior, but she was the young mistress of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and besides, this challenge represented the collective will of the outer court students. He couldn't openly scold her, so he simply said,
"Enough! This matter will be decided by Elder Xuan. Disperse, all of you!"
But Ning Tian pressed further:
"Dean Yan, the Academy can't just show favoritism to people from the Sun–Moon Empire, can it?"
At those words, Yan Shaozhe's brow furrowed.
"Are you questioning the Academy?"
His tone had turned heavy. Ning Tian immediately lowered her head, hurriedly explaining:
"I wouldn't dare!"
"The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has long-standing ties with the Academy, so I will not hold you accountable for what you just said. But remember this—no one is permitted to question Shrek Academy. Do you understand?" Yan Shaozhe's voice was deep and stern.
"…Understood." Ning Tian nodded, quickly retreating back to stand among the outer court students.
A thousand years ago, sects such as the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the White Tiger Duke's Clan had enjoyed strong relations with Shrek Academy. But in the present, they were already far from being on equal footing.
Though their thousand years of heritage meant they had no need to bow and scrape before Shrek, the possibility of restoring the cooperative relationship of old was long gone.
In the eyes of Yan Shaozhe and the few other farsighted leaders of Shrek, the Academy today was already at a level that those once-great sects could no longer reach. They saw organizations like the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as little more than impoverished relatives.
After this incident with Ning Tian, Yan Shaozhe lost all mood to continue showing Jiang Shengyu's group around. He directly led them to the quarters that had been arranged for them.
Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong were assigned to live together. This was not because Jiang Qingtong had made any requests, but because Elder Xuan had deliberately arranged it. He considered that since Shengyu was Qingtong's older brother, with her by his side to influence him day and night, Shengyu's heart would turn toward the Academy sooner.
Yet, in doing so, he had unknowingly played straight into the siblings' own designs.
Yan Shaozhe then said to Jiang Qingtong and Wang Dong'er:
"I need to find Elder Xuan. From here, you two will accompany them around the Academy and help them get familiar with the grounds. If anyone provokes you, don't bother with them. And if it comes to it, just hit back. After all, the two of you are the Three Heroes of Shrek."
Hearing that title spoken aloud from Yan Shaozhe's lips, Wang Dong'er scratched her head, embarrassed.
"It's just an empty title, Dean Yan… best not to bring it up."
With everything arranged, Yan Shaozhe hurried straight toward Sea God Pavilion.
But the moment he entered, he sensed something was off. Quickening his pace, he stepped into the main hall—only to see someone standing before Elder Xuan, someone he had only recently met.
Du Bushi!
"The Body Douluo? You—how are you here…?" Yan Shaozhe was stunned.
When did he arrive?
Could a level 98 Super Douluo really move at such speed? They had only parted ways a few days ago! Even Elder Xuan might not have such speed.
Shaozhe's heart trembled.
Seeing his shock, Du Bushi snorted.
"Boy, your state of mind is lacking! That expression of yours gives everything away. And you call yourself Dean of the Martial Soul Department? If you ask me, you're not fit for the position."
"Old poison, that's too much!" Elder Xuan's brows furrowed, warning him about his words.
Du Bushi only cast him a glance and said,
"Mu En is gone. This old man will say whatever he wants!"
Elder Xuan's frown deepened.
"If you continue like this, I'll drive you out of the Pavilion! Don't think that with Elder Mu gone, you can run rampant in Shrek Academy."
"Body Douluo, you didn't come here to cause trouble for Shrek, did you?" Yan Shaozhe asked, brows knitting, after hearing their exchange.
Du Bushi waved him off.
"Hmph! I've got no time for that. I came for that silver-haired boy from the Sun–Moon Empire."
"Silver-haired boy…" Shaozhe froze. Among the exchange students from the Empire, both the Jiang siblings and the Hongchen siblings had silver hair. But judging by the circumstances, Du Bushi must be here for Jiang Shengyu?
Shaozhe's expression grew strange.
"Didn't Sect Master Du take a liking to that Huo boy? Why the sudden change of target?"
"Hah! I'm here to save your Shrek Academy. Don't be so ungrateful. You'll end up played for a fool and not even know it!" Du Bushi sneered, mocking Shaozhe's suspicion.
"Then why don't you make yourself clear?" Yan Shaozhe said darkly.
Elder Xuan stepped forward and explained:
"This old poison just told me that Jiang Shengyu has some connection with the Beast God, Di Tian."
"What?!"
Yan Shaozhe was dumbstruck. He quickly stepped forward.
"Elder Xuan, that boy is still so young—how could he possibly be connected to Di Tian?"
Du Bushi snorted.
"I didn't believe it either. But it was my disciples who reported it. Do you think they'd dare deceive me?"
Elder Xuan added:
"Though this old poison is untrustworthy in many matters, on something like this, he wouldn't lie."
"You—!" Du Bushi's brows furrowed as Elder Xuan openly slighted him, but Elder Xuan ignored his glare and turned to Yan Shaozhe.
"Shaozhe, why have you come?"
Yan Shaozhe quickly relayed what had just transpired in the outer court.
"The students are extremely dissatisfied with Jiang Shengyu's group. They believe Shrek only lost in the tournament because of unfair circumstances, so they want to challenge them."
Hearing this, Elder Xuan fell silent in thought. After a moment, his eyes brightened.
"Perfect! We'll host a tournament. That way, we can use the opportunity to test Jiang Shengyu."
"Elder Xuan, the strongest students in the outer court are only four-ring Soul Ancestors. Jiang Shengyu is already a five-ring Soul King. How could such a test even work?" Yan Shaozhe frowned.
Elder Xuan had watched the tournament himself—let alone those weaker than him, even peers of the same level would find it difficult to defeat Shengyu.
But Elder Xuan smiled.
"Of course, it won't be limited to the outer court. They're already members of the inner court now. This tournament will be open to everyone, inner and outer alike—anyone can sign up to challenge them!"
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