After a pause, Jing Hongchen added, "Therefore, Elder Kong and I unanimously agree that you should go to Shrek Academy to study. After all, in the history of Shrek, there have been several owners of Ultimate Spirits, and if you could see their insights and experiences, it would be very beneficial to your future growth."
"And rest assured, the resources you need while training at Shrek Academy will be provided to you in full by the Academy. Moreover, if there's anything special you need, we'll also try to meet your needs."
After listening to Jing Hongchen's words, Qin Xiao felt very moved.
Of course, he was not moved because Jing Hongchen was right.
With his cultivation level, who in the entire Soul Land could offer him guidance?
Even people from the Divine Realm coming down wouldn't qualify.
The reason he was moved was that this old fellow Jing Hongchen really had his best interests at heart.
At the same time, an idea sprung up in Qin Xiao's mind, 'Although Shrek Academy has nothing worthy for me to learn, I am now quite interested in having a look. And maybe do something while I'm at it...'
Times had changed.
With the seal on the Seed of Destruction broken, he could now use some of its destructive power.
This energy was of a much higher level compared to Soul Power and Divine Power.
Strictly speaking, it belonged to the Divine King Level of power.
Although he could only use a very small part of it, it was enough to disrupt Tang San's scrutiny, at least preventing him from discovering that he himself was the Child of Destiny.
This way, he wouldn't attract undue attention from Tang God-King.
Beyond that, there was another reason, as Jing Hongchen said, the various resources were ample, and he could receive even more support according to his needs...
Since he could freeload more resources, then he had no choice but to go.
A moment later, Qin Xiao slowly nodded, pretending to make up his mind, "One must enter the tiger's lair to catch its cub. Principal, I think you're right."
"Grandpa, I want to go too!"
The moment Qin Xiao said he was going to Shrek Academy, Meng Hongchen immediately raised her hand.
"Since everyone is going, I want to go too!" Xiao Hongchen said, unwilling to be left behind.
Jing Hongchen, however, slowly shook his head, "Meng can go, but you had better not."
"Yay!" Meng Hongchen jumped up and down like a victor, extremely happy.
Xiao Hongchen, struck by lightning, had a dumbfounded face and mournfully asked, "Grandpa, why can my sister go, but I can't?"
"That's discrimination, you favor girls over boys!"
"I'm not convinced, I'm going to report you to the Education Committee!"
"Ow, why are you hitting me..."
"Grandpa, I was wrong, please don't hit me..."
After a series of pitiful wails, Jing Hongchen rubbed his wrist and said, "If I say you can't go, you can't go. I am fully capable of teaching you, and besides, you have more important things to do here."
With a bruised and swollen face, Xiao Hongchen weakly asked, "What things?"
"Focus on improving your cultivation level, and strive to reach the level where you can absorb a 100,000-Year Soul Beast Embryo as soon as possible."
Jing Hongchen had high hopes for Xiao Hongchen.
"So that's it."
Xiao Hongchen suddenly realized and then said with a bit of resentment, "Then you should have just told me directly, why did you have to beat me up..."
Jing Hongchen snorted coldly, "Hmph, I've been thinking it's about time to discipline you, you've been asking for it for a while."
Xiao Hongchen said dejectedly, "Am I just an eyesore to you?"
This time, Jing Hongchen ignored him and turned to earnestly tell Meng Hongchen, "The reason I called both you and your brother here is not just for this matter, but also for something very important I must instruct you about, and that is Qin Xiao's Twin Spirits. Only the two of you must know. Under no circumstances should anyone else find out.
Especially you, Meng, since you will be going with Qin Xiao to Shrek Academy as exchange students, you must keep this matter absolutely confidential, otherwise Qin Xiao's life safety cannot be guaranteed."
Upon hearing this, Meng Hongchen instantly paled with fear.
She understood that Jing Hongchen was not being alarmist.
She pursed her lips, nodded solemnly, and then gave Qin Xiao another look, saying earnestly, "Don't worry, no matter what, I won't reveal Uncle Qin's Twin Martial Souls."
Qin Xiao smiled slightly.
Jing Hongchen spoke gravely, "Good. Since there are no issues, then go and prepare well. I have already replied to Shrek Academy, and in a week's time, you, along with a few other exchange students, will be led by Old Ma to Shrek City."
Everyone had no objections to this and subsequently left the office.
...
"Qin Xiao, wait a minute."
On the academy's drill ground, Xiao Hongchen's voice came from behind Qin Xiao.
"What's up?" After turning around, Qin Xiao asked Xiao Hongchen with a puzzled look.
"Have you improved your cultivation level again?"
"Hm? You can tell?"
Qin Xiao was somewhat surprised. Was this kid's judgment that good now?
"I knew it!"
Xiao Hongchen stamped his foot, "I can't tell whether your cultivation level has improved, but I have this intuition that somehow tells me..."
Qin Xiao: "..."
Well, this kid is into metaphysics now?
He's really progressing.
At this time, Xiao Hongchen asked again, "What level are you at now?"
Qin Xiao answered openly, "43rd level."
Before the Soul Master competition, he had reached the 41st level. Merging with the Ice Jade Scorpion Left Arm Bone, he broke through to the 42nd level, and after coming back, having been cleansed and purified by the destructive power, his absorption of medicinal effects greatly increased. In just a few days, his cultivation level had made another leap forward, reaching the 43rd level.
Already at 43rd level?
WTF, what kind of monster is this!
Watching him, wasn't he about to catch up with me?
Xiao Hongchen walked around Qin Xiao twice, saying with bewilderment, "I just don't get it. I've consumed the same elixirs as you. Most of the treasures you used to enhance your cultivation level, I've used them as well. Under the same dosage, I'm only at around the 30th level, but you're already in the 40s? And you've spent half the time I have..."
Could it be that the diminishing returns of frequently taken elixirs don't apply to you?
Most of Qin Xiao's cultivation resources were provided by Jing Hongchen, and he could easily find out with just a little probing.
But the more real it was, the harder it was for him to accept this outcome.
We had a deal that I, Xiao Hongchen, would be the foremost of the young generation in the Sun-Moon Empire.
But ever since Qin Xiao appeared, his certainty had been shaken.
Moreover, it's well-known that the effects of elixirs gradually decrease with frequent use. Even in their Hongchen Clan, the elixirs provided to the younger members were of few impurities and excellent quality, yet this phenomenon still occurred.
What was outrageous was that he seemed to have never noticed this issue with Qin Xiao.
Having understood Xiao Hongchen's confusion, Qin Xiao chuckled and said, "Hehe, could it be because I have extraordinary talent? Like the legendary geniuses?"
There was no way he could give a real answer to that.
Furthermore, every time he would unravel a layer of the Seed of Destruction's seal, he would gain the purifying effect once again, expelling the excess impurities from his body.
Which means his body's tolerance to medication would frequently be reset.
Xiao Hongchen fell silent.
He thought there might be some truth to what Qin Xiao said.
When things can't be explained, contemplating them from a metaphysical point of view isn't wrong.
...
Two days later.
A pitch-black crow landed at the entrance of Shrek Academy.
Yan Shaozhe personally took the letter brought by the crow and delivered it to the Sea God's Pavilion.
"Teacher, the Imperial Sun Moon Soul Academy has replied."
"Open it and see."
Inside the Sea God's Pavilion, Mu En's voice echoed.
"Yes."
Yan Shaozhe opened the letter and carefully read it word by word, and after a long moment, he spoke in a grave tone, "Teacher, the Imperial Sun Moon Soul Academy has agreed to your proposal. They've consented to send 10 exchange students each for mutual learning and exchange."
The voice of Mu En rose again, "Soul tools... are the trend of the future. We should not resist but rather try to embrace them. This is good news..."
"If I could see a major breakthrough in the soul guidance department of Shrek Academy before I completely vanish, even in death, I would rest in peace."
Mu En had changed from before. He now held great expectations for soul tools.
Shrek Academy was not lacking in powerful Soul Masters. If they could also equip these powerful Soul Masters with powerful soul tools, then Shrek's strength would undoubtedly reach new heights.
Not to mention, if each of the Titled Douluos of Shrek Academy had a few level 9 soul tools, wouldn't their combat power soar?
Moreover, the path ahead was already destined to be inseparable from soul tools.
"Teacher, I still don't understand why you have suddenly changed your attitude towards soul tools so drastically."
Yan Shaozhe asked in silence, puzzled.
You have to know, from his childhood to adulthood, he was taught that the combat power of a Soul Master who mastered the Soul Martial Path far surpassed that of a Soul Master."
Even Mu En used to share this attitude.
After growing up, this idea had become deeply ingrained.
Even if he wanted to change, it would not be something that could be achieved overnight.
Not just him, ninety-nine percent of Soul Masters at Shrek thought the same way.
As for the remaining one percent of Soul Masters, they were from the Soul Guidance Department.
Mu En spoke with deep feeling, "I once thought the same as you, but during this time, I've had a change of heart. If each Soul Master compensates for their own weaknesses with suitable soul tools, soul tools may never have been as weak as we thought. At the same time, I also hope that you all do not hold any prejudice against soul tools. Whether it is Soul Rings, soul bones, or soul tools, they are all just tools in our hands as Soul Masters. Their existence won't replace the orthodox Soul Master; it will only make us stronger and go further."
After listening to Mu En's words, Yan Shaozhe nodded firmly, "Teacher, I understand what you're saying, and I will try to accept it. It's just that I need some time."
"Good."
Mu En's voice sounded relieved, then he asked, "So, what are your thoughts on the candidates for the exchange students from Shrek?"
"The ten people for the exchange..." Yan Shaozhe replied without hesitation, "I think there isn't much to choose from, right? Since we are sending people to learn about soul tools, we just need to dispatch the Soul Masters from our academy's Soul Guidance Department, right?"
Mu En said, "That's true. But remember to include Fan Yu, and, I heard he has a disciple called He Caitou? Although his current level is not high, he's exceptionally talented and ought to go out and see the world, to learn from the Imperial Sun Moon Soul Academy, which will be of great help to his future path as a Soul Master."
Yan Shaozhe nodded, "Teacher, rest assured, I will see to it that your instructions are carried out."
"I trust you with this task. By the way, have there been any news of Xuan Zi recently?"
Upon hearing Mu En suddenly mention Xuan Zi, Yan Shaozhe furrowed his brows and shook his head gravely, "There's still no news of Elder Xuan. You know about his cultivation level, and he's very familiar with Shrek's way of doing things. If he intends to hide, we simply cannot find him."
After a moment of silence, Mu En said, "I don't know why, but lately, I've been feeling restless from time to time, as if something big is going to happen. No matter, maybe I'm just overthinking it. Any news about Xiao Tao recently?"
Xuan Zi and Ma Xiaotao were undoubtedly two major concerns for Mu En, yet there had been no resolution, prompting his inquiries.
"Teacher, I've already deployed people to investigate Xiao Tao's whereabouts everywhere, but so far, there's been no news. You know how vast Soul Land is. Trying to find one person is like searching for a needle in the ocean, it can't be done overnight. Damn evil Soul Masters, I, Yan Shaozhe, swear to be irreconcilable with evil Soul Masters in this lifetime!"
After finishing, Yan Shaozhe heaved a deep sigh.
Ma Xiaotao, whom he had raised himself, was deeply cherished, and her current disappearance had left him very anxious and frustrated.
He had already utilized all the resources at his disposal to search for her, yet she remained missing.
"Xiao Tao is a child with extraordinary talent. The evil Soul Masters who kidnapped her will not harm her, so you don't need to worry about her safety. Keep searching, we will find her eventually."
"Teacher, I understand. You rest well, I will go back and arrange the matters regarding the exchange students."
"Go ahead."
After Yan Shaozhe left, Mu En also sighed deeply.
It seems Shrek is about to enter a troublesome autumn.
I hope my plans can help Shrek overcome this difficulty.
...
Elsewhere.
In the skies above a village in the Dou Spirit Empire.
Xuan Zi stood suspended in the air.
At that moment, he had transformed into a terrifying figure with the head of a sheep and the body of a man, an eye growing below his navel, standing dozens of meters tall.
It was him, manifesting his Martial Soul, transforming into the Gluttonous Sacred Bull.
Below him, nearly a hundred villagers gathered together, their expressions filled with fear.
"Soul Master, the evil Soul Master you're looking for really isn't here. He has already fled. Please, don't make things difficult for us."
With a cane in hand, an old man, the village head, stood trembling, looking up at Xuan Zi and pleading.
"Nonsense!"
Xuan Zi bellowed angrily, "Do you think I am easy to deceive? Each of you has an evil aura, and though this does not prove that you are all evil Soul Masters, it does indicate that evil Soul Masters are among you, attempting to slip past unnoticed."
Paragraph comment
Paragraph comment feature is now on the Web! Move mouse over any paragraph and click the icon to add your comment.
Also, you can always turn it off/on in Settings.
GOT IT