Shrek City, Shrek Academy.
The one-month holiday had ended. Shrek Academy's students returned to complete their assessments and continue their studies. Everything seemed unchanged from before.
Until one morning half a month later, when brilliant sunshine illuminated cloudless blue skies. Under the gentle spring breeze, the four deans led by Zhang Lexuan gathered all Inner Court students before Shrek Academy's main gate. Even the Hongchen siblings, exchange students, stood among them.
"What's Shrek up to?"
Xiao Hongchen gazed ahead suspiciously, a trace of gravity hidden deep in his eyes. "Shrek's four deans are renowned figures on the continent. Who could have such prestige to warrant them all greeting at Shrek's gates?"
"Who cares who it is."
Meng Hongchen stared at the serious-faced Wang Dong, hands cupping her cheeks with a lovesick expression. "Ah! Wang Dong is so handsome!"
Accustomed to this, Xiao Hongchen rolled his eyes in exasperation and stopped paying attention. After spending so long at Shrek, he knew his sister was wasting her affection on someone oblivious. Since she wasn't in danger and his advice would only be rejected, he might as well pretend not to see. Out of sight, out of mind.
But that ardent gaze made Wang Dong feel like needles were pricking his back.
After months of this, he'd become hypersensitive.
His previously upright posture grew fidgety.
"Junior sister, what's wrong with you?"
Since Wang Dong had revealed her true gender to Huo Yuhao, she no longer hid it from close friends like Bei Bei. In private, they began using feminine terms like "junior sister."
"Isn't it obvious?"
Before Wang Dong could explain, Wu Feng answered Bei Bei's question by gesturing behind her. "I'd bet my life it's that Meng Hongchen again."
Wu Feng then teased Wang Dong, "Miss Wang Dong'er, why don't you just confess to your admirer? Otherwise, people might think you're some heartless flirt!"
"Shut up! Your dog mouth can't spit out ivory!"
"Alright, our guest has arrived!"
Just then, Chen Junting's soft chiding stopped the commotion.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he saw a golden-haired man leading a neatly arranged group approaching the academy gates. It was Dai Yueheng, who had graduated months ago.
This time, he represented the White Tiger Duke Manor.
"Didn't expect to return so soon."
Gazing at the gate plaque he'd left mere months ago, Dai Yueheng first sighed with emotion, then quickly separated from the White Tiger Duke Manor entourage to approach the four deans. "Deans, my father must guard the border and cannot come. Yueheng represents the White Tiger Duke Manor for this meeting."
"Good, good."
Yan Shaozhe scanned this graduated Inner Court disciple. In just months apart, he now carried a blood-and-iron aura.
The border battlefield truly was a place that tempered people.
"Since you represent the White Tiger Duke Manor, no need for formalities. And as guests, it's improper to keep you waiting here."
Without being prompted, Zhang Lexuan had Dai Huabin guide the White Tiger Duke Manor group into the academy.
As time passed, forces from the original three Douluo nations arrived one after another. Star Luo Imperial Family, Tian Ling Imperial Family, Heaven's Dragon Sect, Mystic Tortoise Sect...
Every major power with Titled Douluos had gathered here.
The representatives meeting Shrek weren't just princesses or young masters—they were elders or even sect masters themselves.
These honored guests were then led into the academy by students to take their seats.
Witnessing this scene, many gradually guessed the reason. Realizing this was likely stirred by the soul spirit matter.
But many also felt concern.
Like the Hongchen siblings. Seeing so many powerful figures from the three Douluo nations, pressure rose in their hearts. Especially when they guessed these forces might have gathered to promote soul spirits—that pressure grew even heavier.
As time passed, until nearly dusk.
"We from the Body Sect have arrived!"
The sky seemed to thunder. Even knowing this guest had come in peace, Yan Shaozhe and the other three deans still wore solemn expressions.
Elder Xuan's yellow figure shot out from Shrek Academy at this moment. Facing the Body Sect's grand display, he showed no courtesy, munching a chicken leg while loudly grumbling.
"Old Poison! Stop showing off! Everyone else arrived long ago, and Elder Mu has waited quite some time for you!"
These words instantly subdued the spectacle in the sky.
Du Busi descended with two Body Sect elders, landing halfway to the ground. Just as he intended to fly directly to Sea God Island, Elder Xuan blocked his path.
Du Busi's eyes flashed angrily. "Xuan Zi, what do you want? Don't forget—I came today as a guest!"
Xuan Zi waved dismissively, pointing at the gate below. "Poison old monster, if you're a guest, enter through the front door." He then teased, "Or can't you walk properly anymore?"
"Hmph—"
Du Busi snorted coldly, too lazy to argue with Xuan Zi. Landing on the ground, he entered Shrek Academy properly for the first time under Yan Shaozhe's fourfold welcome.
But when he reached Chen Junting, he suddenly stopped under the Hongchen siblings' hate-filled gazes.
Sweeping a glance at them, a playful smile spread across his face. Then publicly, he produced a massive Starlight Sapphire storage soul guide device. To the Hongchen siblings' shock, he tossed it straight to Chen Junting.
"Boy, this is my ransom. Tell your sect master to release my disciples immediately. Otherwise, I'll lead the entire Body Sect to attack your Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
Hearing this, Chen Junting swept his spiritual power through the device.
He was stunned by its contents—a giant humanoid soul guide device stood inside, surrounded by numerous instruments and data documents, all Mingde Hall's intellectual achievements. He'd thought he'd missed his chance, never expecting the Body Sect actually seized this item!?
Other soul guide devices were ignored instinctively.
After the failed raid on Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the Body Sect swiftly attacked Mingde Hall. But unlike the original timeline, this time the Body Sect went all out, essentially looting the entire Mingde Hall—leaving nothing in their laboratories.
Though Du Busi had gained respect for soul guide devices after the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect incident, he only valued fixed-mount soul guide cannonballs. So he kept the stolen ninth-grade fixed-mount cannonballs for himself, while selling research materials to Star Luo Empire, providing some to Tian Ling Empire, and giving the highest-ranked items to Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect as ransom.
Of course, Du Busi wasn't being kind.
By openly handing this giant storage soul guide device to Chen Junting, he intended to redirect trouble.
Indeed, the Hongchen siblings' hatred vanished instantly as they both turned their gazes to Chen Junting.
Clearly, they'd learned of their grandfather's situation.
However, Chen Junting calmly stored the device. "Elder Du, rest assured—I'll inform the sect master." His confident demeanor showed no fear of Mingde Hall.
And indeed, that was the reality.
After all, Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was deep within Tian Ling Empire territory—hard to reach. And given the Sun Moon Empire's situation, unless one of Kong Deming, Long Xiaoyao, or Ye Xishui acted personally, they couldn't touch Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
But those three wouldn't act so rashly. Otherwise, in the original story, would Du Busi still be alive until his death in battle?
"Kid, you're pretty interesting."
With that, Du Busi entered the academy without looking back.
As for the Hongchen siblings, Du Busi's imposing aura had stunned them into silence the moment they looked at Chen Junting. After all, Du Busi wasn't known for mercy—he'd shown them exceptional kindness by not killing these two brats.
Yan Shaozhe and the others, including Elder Xuan, then approached Chen Junting. Elder Xuan spoke first.
"That Old Poison has ill intentions."
He stopped eating his chicken leg, offering pointed advice.
"Elder Xuan, I know."
At this moment, Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo stared hungrily at the Starlight Sapphire storage device. Eventually, Xian Lin'er couldn't contain herself and proposed joint research.
As for the result... Chen Junting played the diplomatic game, stating this major matter required the sect master's decision.
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