"He said he is the principal of Shrek Academy, named Yan Shaozhe."
The disciple of Hao Tian Clan did not dare to neglect and quickly replied.
Niu Tian was startled, "What does he want?"
You must know that Hao Tian Clan and Shrek Academy were generally like wells and rivers that do not interfere with each other. The personal visit of the principal of Shrek Academy indicated that something significant was likely to happen.
"Big brother, we should meet this Yan Shaozhe. I have met him once before, and when I allowed Dong'er to participate in the Soul Master contest, I even personally promised to owe Shrek Academy a favor. Now it seems they are here to call in that favor," Titan said in a deep voice from behind Niu Tian.
Niu Tian's eyebrows raised slightly, and after a moment of flickering gaze, he said, "Well then, let's go meet this President of Shrek Academy..."
Saying this, he waved his hand, "Lead the way."
The Hao Tian Clan disciple dared not hesitate and quickly walked ahead, leading the way for Niu Tian and Titan.
Soon, everyone arrived at the side hall specifically used to entertain guests.
The sect disciple who had led the way stayed outside the hall, while Niu Tian and Titan entered the hall one after the other.
The two of them immediately spotted a handsome middle-aged man, looking restless behind a table filled with lavish fruits and delicacies.
Yan Shaozhe also saw the two men who entered.
With a dragon's stride and a tiger's vigor, they exuded an extraordinary presence.
One of them, he recognized, was the Titan with whom he had once had an encounter.
It was confirmed, these two men were indeed the Sect Masters of the Hao Tian Clan.
"Yan Shaozhe intrudes without invitation, forgive the disturbance, please excuse me, Grand Sect Masters," he said with a smile brimming on his face, his hands clasped together, expressing some apologies.
"The personal arrival of Headmaster Yan brings glory to our Hao Tian Clan," Niu Tian laughed heartily, "Let me introduce myself, I am the Sect Master Niu Tian."
"I am the Second Sect Master, Titan," said Titan with a resonant voice.
"I dare not, dare not," Yan Shaozhe quickly shook his head.
With his usual straightforwardness, Titan asked, "President Yan, I am a straightforward person and don't beat around the bush. I believe you didn't travel a thousand miles to our Hao Tian Clan just to pass by, did you?"
Uh... that's really straightforward... Yan Shaozhe was startled.
But that's good too, isn't it? It saves a lot of trouble.
With a determined bite of his teeth, he said in a deep voice, "Does the Second Sect Master still remember the words you said back at Shrek Academy?"
Titan was startled.
Is this guy really here to call in a favor?
He nodded heavily, "I, Titan, keep my name and never change my stand. A spit is a nail, and I remember what I've said. Regarding letting Dong'er participate in the Soul Master contest, I owe your academy a favor."
Headmaster Yan, if there is anything you need from me, just say the word. Even if I have to climb a mountain of swords or plunge into a sea of flames, as long as it's within my power, I will not hesitate," he affirmed.
Sigh...
After hearing these words, Yan Shaozhe inwardly heaved a sigh of relief, and a wave of joy emerged in his heart.
Indeed, he had not been let down; Titan remembered the past and was willing to keep his promise.
"President Yan, just speak directly about what you need, don't hesitate," Titan said, noticing Yan Shaozhe's changing expressions, yet not speaking a word, he emphatically reminded.
"Hahaha, I was just momentarily moved, excuse me for that, I've made the two Sect Masters laugh," Yan Shaozhe laughed, hiding his previous embarrassment.
"Our Shrek Academy and Hao Tian Clan are like branches of the same tree, that's why I'll just speak plainly.
Right now, our Shrek Academy has inadvertently fallen into troubled times. Elder Mu and Elder Xuan, the Pillar of Heavens of our academy, have passed away one after the other. The three empires have been beguiled into distancing from us, and countless evil Soul Masters covet us...so..."
Yan Shaozhe stopped, leaving his sentence unfinished.
"So, what you mean is that Shrek Academy wants to seek our Hao Tian Clan's protection, right?" Titan was straightforward as always.
However.
This statement was very grating to Yan Shaozhe's ears.
What does he mean by seeking protection?
When has Shrek Academy fallen to the point of needing others' protection?
Isn't that like slapping our face?
Yan Shaozhe's face first turned pale, then purplish as if he were a liver, with the purple growing darker and starting to blacken, eventually becoming as black as the bottom of a pot...
```
He was truly angry.
The words of Titan were like an invisible slap, smacking his face repeatedly.
"Ahem."
Niu Tian had been paying attention to Yan Shao Zhe's expression and by now had seen where Yan Shao Zhe's limit of endurance lay. "How can Titan speak like this? What kind of strength does Shrek Academy possess? Where do we need your protection? You should let President Yan finish speaking...."
His words gave Yan Shao Zhe face, and they also gave him an out.
After hearing this, Yan Shao Zhe's expression indeed relaxed significantly.
"The Grand Sect Master truly understands the greater good, so I will cut to the chase. I came to the Hao Tian Clan indeed seeking assistance, not protection. I hope the Hao Tian Clan can send powerful individuals to help Shrek Academy through this crisis, and upon success, we are willing to offer valuable gifts in gratitude."
He could accept a deal, but he absolutely couldn't accept Shrek becoming a vassal to anyone.
"Is that so..." Niu Tian drew out his voice, thought for a moment, and then asked, "How many powerful individuals does President Yan need?"
"Titled Douluo, the more the better. And it would be best to have level 98 peak powerhouses as well."
Yan Shao Zhe had already planned and, upon Niu Tian's inquiry, he unhesitatingly stated his demands.
Since he was here to seek reinforcements, he could no longer afford to consider what was embarrassing or not.
"You actually need so many strong individuals..."
Niu Tian didn't immediately agree, seeming quite troubled.
Not rejecting meant there was still room to talk... Yan Shao Zhe's thoughts stirred, and he quickly said, "As long as Sect Master Niu nods, I am willing to pay more..."
Niu Tian looked at Yan Shao Zhe in surprise, thinking to himself that the President of Shrek Academy indeed had a strong ability to read people.
However, he really couldn't bring himself to name a price.
However.
What he felt too embarrassed to say, Titan had no such scruples.
Within the sect, Titan was the one who often played the heavy.
"May I know what price President Yan is willing to offer?"
He asked in his deep, resonant voice.
Yan Shao Zhe: "..."
All talk of favors and goodwill is nonsense.
At critical moments, only cold, hard golden soul coins were the most tangible.
He pondered for a moment, slowly extended a finger, and said in a deep voice, "Our Shrek Academy is willing to pay a billion golden soul coins a year. May I know what kind of help this could get us?"
To know, the annual tax revenue of an empire was around this figure. Shrek Academy was truly bleeding for this.
Niu Tian was also tempted.
Even though their Hao Tian Clan wasn't lacking money, they also didn't mind having more of it.
Moreover, even if it was just to show presence, it wasn't tiring work. There was one thing their Hao Tian Clan didn't lack for sure, and that was powerful individuals, especially Titan, this typical warmonger who would pester him for a fight at any opportunity.
Over time, he did begin to feel a bit overwhelmed.
If he could find a different place for Titan to cause trouble and also earn a hefty fee, it truly seemed like an excellent option.
It was indeed killing two birds with one stone.
When he looked at Titan, he found this guy also looking back at him with eager anticipation.
He understood.
Titan was very much interested as well.
If that was the case, there was no reason to hesitate.
"Since Headmaster Yan is so sincere, then I will agree to this matter. Our Hao Tian Clan will send five Titled Douluo Elders ranging from level 95 to level 91 to return with you to Shrek Academy..."
"What? Sect Master Niu, are you..." Yan Shao Zhe began to protest but hesitated.
He really wanted to ask, do you take me for a fool?
Are five Titled Douluo below level 95 worth a billion a year?
With that money, I might as well buy level 8 or 9 Fixed Soul Guidance Cannons.
What he needed were peak powerhouses...
Do you understand what 'peak' means?
Niu Tian saw through Yan Shao Zhe's thoughts, waved his hand, and said, "President Yan, calm yourself, I haven't finished speaking yet.
In addition to the five Titled Douluo Elders, my second brother Titan will also accompany you."
Niu Tian had another reason for not taking action himself, he had once sworn an oath not to step away from the Hao Tian Clan.
Yan Shao Zhe looked towards Titan, just him?
```
```
"What's with that look? You think I'm beneath you?"
Titan saw the doubt in Yan Shao Zhe's eyes and asked displeasedly.
Uh oh.
Yan Shao Zhe's expression changed, suddenly feeling conflicted.
When faced with such a question, neither answering 'yes' nor 'no' seemed right.
Hmph.
Looking down on others like some superior being.
Inwardly snorting, Titan then released his own Soul Power aura.
As a roaring giant ape phantom appeared behind him, nine Soul Rings also emerged beneath his feet.
Black, black, black, black, black, black, black, red, red...
Seven black and two red!
Yan Shao Zhe's pupils shrank suddenly.
Setting aside other factors, the Soul Ring configuration alone was enough to shock him.
Across the whole Soul Land, this was an extremely rare sight.
Back then, wasn't Xuan Zi, who was also level 98, badly beaten by Poison Not Dead because he had two fewer hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings?
This Second sect Master of the Hao Tian Clan had a Soul Ring setup that was much stronger than Xuan Zi's.
As for Cultivation Level...
Yan Shao Zhe felt that Titan was putting quite a bit of pressure on him.
Although he wasn't as overwhelming as his deceased teacher, Dragon God Douluo Mu En, if compared with Xuan Zi, Titan was definitely stronger.
"Hao Tian Clan truly deserves to be the Number One Sect in the world, still possessing such formidable strength!"
Yan Shao Zhe couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
This was not flattery; he was genuinely impressed by Hao Tian Clan's strength.
He used to think that Shrek Academy was the pinnacle of existence in the Soul Land.
Now, it seemed he had been too narrow-minded.
After all, Shrek previously only had one crippled Title Douluo of the Ninety-Ninth Rank and one level 98 Title Douluo with questionable intelligence. But what about Hao Tian Clan?
A Second Sect Master with fighting capability no less than Xuan Zi's, and a mysterious and unfathomable Grand Sect Master.
He believed that Niu Tian, as Grand Sect Master, definitely wouldn't be weaker than the Second Sect Master, Titan.
That was because Titan's genuine respect for Niu Tian didn't seem feigned.
Hmph, won't shed a tear until they see the coffin... Titan snorted coldly, then added, "Since President Yan acknowledges my strength, then settle this year's fees, and I along with the Elders of Hao Tian Clan can set off immediately."
He didn't want to waste words and preferred to talk about money directly.
Yan Shao Zhe nodded, "Of course that's not a problem."
Saying this, he took out a thick stack of Black Cards from his Spatial Soul Guidance Device.
He had already prepared for this before coming.
He had even prepared extra, fearing that Hao Tian Clan might jack up the price. To his surprise, Hao Tian Clan was quite reasonable.
After receiving the Black Cards from Yan Shao Zhe, Niu Tian nodded, "President Yan, please rest for a moment. We will set off this afternoon, on schedule."
Yan Shao Zhe didn't immediately depart the great hall, his face showing some hesitation.
"President Yan, do you have something else you want to say?"
Seeing Yan Shao Zhe's hesitating manner, Niu Tian could not help but ask.
Yan Shao Zhe nodded, "I wonder if your Sect's Wang Dong has returned?"
"What do you want with Dong'er?" Titan's brow furrowed as he asked sternly.
Even without speaking, an invisible pressure emanated from him, exerting no small amount of pressure on Yan Shao Zhe.
"Second Sect Master, please don't misunderstand. I feel that there might be some misunderstandings between Wang Dong and students from Shrek, and I want to verify if it aligns with my guesses," Yan Shao Zhe quickly explained.
Titan said, "What misunderstandings? Wang Dong is the future heir of our Hao Tian Clan, why should he explain anything to anyone?"
Yan Shao Zhe: "..."
Quite domineering.
Is this the style of Hao Tian Clan?
If it weren't for the fact that Shrek Academy now was without a pillar of support, he would have insisted on asking why Wang Dong had betrayed them.
Seeing Yan Shao Zhe fall silent, Titan asked in a deep voice, "President Yan, why aren't you speaking? Are you dissatisfied with my answer?"
"Big brother, I feel that even if we go to Shrek Academy, we may not be well-received. Why don't we just return the money to President Yan and not get involved in this murky business," he said.
Upon hearing this, Niu Tian seemed to be lost in thought.
Yan Shao Zhe's heart skipped a beat.
"Wait a moment."
"I understand now."
"There must be some misunderstanding in this matter; Wang Dong is a child with both integrity and talent, how could he possibly stir up trouble?" Yan Shao Zhe quickly corrected his attitude.
No doubt, in order to recruit help for Shrek Academy, he had completely tossed aside any consideration for his pride.
Niu Tian felt that things were about right and ordered, "Titan, you take President Yan to rest, and then notify the five Elders to leave the sect with you."
No sooner had Titan led Yan Shao Zhe out of the hall than a disciple from Hao Tian Clan hurried to Niu Tian's side.
"Could it be that the Young Master has encountered some problem?"
Without needing the disciple to speak, Niu Tian guessed what had happened.
He couldn't help but rub his brows with a helpless look, thinking what trouble had come up this time.
"Yes, that's right."
The disciple from Hao Tian Clan's heart trembled a little, answering nervously.
Niu Tian adjusted his emotions and said softly, "Tell me, what did she do this time? I can take it."
He was very tolerant when it came to Wang Dong'er.
"Young Sect Master, she has left the sect again."
"What? She left again?"
Niu Tian's eyes widened in surprise.
He really hadn't expected this outcome.
"Yes, after the Young Master returned to her residence, she packed up her things and left..."
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