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Xuanzi's mouth twitched. He was truly just being polite.
Now he felt like he'd hoisted a rock only to drop it on his own foot. This wasn't just inviting a guest to the academy; it was inviting a young master!
His expression shifted for a moment, and the Gluttonous Xuanzi sighed inwardly. Words spoken are like water spilled.
If the man before him weren't the Taixu Douluo, he would have retracted the offer without a second thought, and no one would dare say a thing.
But it just had to be him! Xuanzi felt that if he dared to go back on his word, the old senior opposite him would likely teach him a lesson on how to conduct himself.
And so, he decided not to bother with it. In any case, that fellow Yan Shaozhe would be the one to manage him. At worst, Xuanzi himself could simply avoid the Outer Academy for the next six years.
"Very well! Since Senior is so generous, Shrek will not go back on its promise. We will certainly nurture your grandson with care!"
Jiang Yundong smiled faintly, stroking his crane-white beard with a satisfied expression.
"Send my regards to the Dragon God Douluo for me. I have just come out of seclusion and will go pay him a visit when I have the chance."
"Yes, this junior has taken note." Facing this powerhouse, Xuanzi nodded dejectedly in agreement.
Just when he thought they would part ways, Jiang Yundong spoke again. "It is getting late. Let's make camp here for the night. It's a good opportunity for my eldest grandson to interact with your students."
Xuanzi looked up, stunned. What was that supposed to mean?
The time of day… did that even matter to powerhouses of their level?
Then, he quickly noticed the serene, self-satisfied look on the Taixu Douluo's face.
He understood at once. He wanted to train his grandson?
Circumstances were compelling. Xuanzi had no objections and agreed once more.
Jiang Shuo, who had been listening quietly nearby, also understood immediately. His grandfather was intentionally testing him again.
More interaction was indeed beneficial, especially when facing other exceptionally talented prodigies.
On the path of cultivation, resources were one aspect, and tempering was another.
Within the Taixu Sect, almost no one of his generation dared to fight him.
Working in isolation was not a viable path. Even the three great divine ancestors had once roamed the continent. Shrek was known for gathering the world's finest talents, with major sects and clans vying to send their children there. It was indeed an excellent transitional platform.
He could use this as a springboard to polish his character, broaden his knowledge, and expand his connections for the future.
The youth nodded silently, showing he understood his grandfather's intentions.
Jiang Yundong was even more satisfied with his grandson's perceptiveness.
With a wave of his hand, a great wind instantly swept through the area.
The ground was cleared, a bonfire ignited on its own, and several fully-prepared tents flew out in an instant.
…
The bright yellow firelight reflected on the faces of the boys and girls who had just been adversaries, illuminating their awkwardness.
They had been deliberately arranged to sit across from Jiang Shuo, while their elders and team leaders had vanished into the darkness.
The youth sat cross-legged before the bonfire, his long spear stuck into the ground beside him.
Seated directly opposite him was the duke's son, Dai Yueheng, the only person from the Shrek inspection team who had tried to ease the tension earlier.
Now, Dai Yueheng intended to take on that role again.
As a top noble of the Star Luo Empire, he was naturally skilled at making conversation. He said, "Oh, we haven't asked for your name yet, little brother. Could you tell us?"
"I am Dai Yueheng, thirteen years old. The one you just fought is Ma Xiaotao, and this young lady is named Ling Luochen."
"We are all candidates for the Shrek Seven Devils, preparing for this year's Continental Soul Master Tournament."
Hearing the introduction, Ma Xiaotao snorted coldly and immediately turned her head away.
Although she was at a disadvantage in their earlier fight, she was not convinced in her heart. Even though the misunderstanding was now cleared, the frustration from her defeat was not so easily dispelled.
The other girl of the three, the one with long, ice-blue hair, actually gave Jiang Shuo a slight nod, though her expression remained aloof.
Jiang Shuo completely ignored the sore loser Ma Xiaotao and gave a slight nod to Dai Yueheng and Ling Luochen.
However, upon hearing the name "Ling Luochen," he gave the Snow Princess opposite him a longer look.
Ling Luochen. A member of the Shrek Seven Devils from the generation preceding Huo Yuhao's.
But what he remembered most vividly was not this title, but the extreme contrast between the Snow Princess's inner emotions and her public identity.
She had been desperately in love with her own younger brother. After his accidental death, this brother complex had transferred to Huo Yuhao.
Jiang Shuo's expression became subtle and strange. Even with his detached personality, he remembered such shocking gossip very clearly.
Ling Luochen noticed his peculiar gaze and looked up at the spear-wielding youth again.
A trace of confusion surfaced in her eyes. "Is there something you need? If not, please do not stare at me."
Jiang Shuo retracted his gaze, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly. "It's nothing. I just think you're rather attractive."
Ling Luochen was briefly stunned, then a flush of shame and anger rose in her heart. "You!"
"Don't think you can speak to me so rudely just because you defeated Xiaotao!"
She had seen Elder Xuan's deferential posture earlier, but her own pride wouldn't allow her to believe her status was so low that she could be teased at will.
Dai Yueheng had a headache. He had no choice but to step in again to smooth things over. "Little brother, Luochen, please, can we not argue?"
"Our elders had us sit together, even taking Senior Sister and the others away, so that we could exchange cultivation insights. Arguing is not a good choice."
Hearing this, Ma Xiaotao snorted again, glancing askance at Jiang Shuo. "Exchange insights? I don't see much need for that."
"On the contrary, it should be us—his seniors who've had systematic training—who give him a few pointers."
A rare smile touched Ling Luochen's lips as she heard this, and her cool, beautiful face showed a flicker of amusement. She unexpectedly seconded Ma Xiaotao, "That's right."
Dai Yueheng was utterly exasperated. What was it like having two teammates so obsessed with saving face?
He felt he was in a perfect position to explain it.
As a prominent noble scion on the Douluo Continent, his worldliness was far beyond that of his two female teammates. He knew very well that there were probably only a handful of powers that could make a Super Douluo bow his head.
Instead of seizing this opportunity to learn about the cultivation methods of such a major power, they were creating conflict…
Jiang Shuo raised an eyebrow upon hearing the two girls' condescending agreement.
There are always self-reassuring fools who need to show off their superiority.
His theoretical and systematic knowledge was indeed inferior to Ma Xiaotao's and Ling Luochen's; that couldn't be helped, given his age.
But those were all superficial things. Only strength—a bigger fist—was the absolute truth.
"Since you two are still not convinced, then come at me together. Let me see what great ability you have to teach me."
"There's no need to feel ashamed, because in my eyes, the two of you combined are of little use."
Jiang Shuo patted his rear, stood up, and yanked his silver spear from the ground. He pointed its tip at Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen. "Come on."
This provocative action instantly ignited the fury of Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire Phoenix.
And Ling Luochen felt as if her own pride had been stomped into the dirt.
Both girls shot to their feet with a thud, their eyes burning with rage as they stared at the young Jiang Shuo.
Yet Jiang Shuo remained completely unmoved, still pointing the spear at them with a cold, indifferent sneer. "You should know by now. Trash is always trash, no matter how old it gets."
"Whether it's status, cultivation, or talent—the two of you together aren't worth a single copper coin to me."
The series of contemptuous words struck them like a physical blow. Ma Xiaotao trembled with rage as if she were a sieve, while Ling Luochen felt the pride she held so dear being viciously trampled upon.
(End of Chapter)