Chapitre 55: Where to Go from Here
Chen Xuan sighed, feeling that if he wasn't mistaken, it was his own fault that things had turned out this way.
In the original timeline, the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, the Netherworld White Tiger, wasn't completely restricted, and this situation didn't occur. It was clearly aimed at him.
If he was right, Yu Xiaogang's real intention was to sideline him. However, he couldn't be too obvious in front of the students. The best way to handle it was to come up with a reason to shift the focus elsewhere.
Chen Xuan had previously had conflicts with the Master.
If only he were suspended alone, no matter how good the reason, the students would connect the dots. However, by including Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, the attention could be diverted.
"I hope I'm overthinking this," Chen Xuan wished it were just his paranoia.
It seemed excessive for Yu Xiaogang to sideline him just because of their previous minor conflict.
Being over fifty years old, Yu Xiaogang shouldn't be this petty, right?
Chen Xuan was baffled, with many things not adding up. But reality was as it was, and there was no way to argue with it.
Could there be another reason?
Chen Xuan looked at Yu Xiaogang sitting on the sofa and then at Tang San, who was discussing tactics. Gradually, he began to connect the two.
Soon, a bold thought appeared in his mind.
Could it be that Yu Xiaogang wanted to cultivate Tang San into the most outstanding and brilliant member of Shrek Academy? To make him the most remarkable figure in the Heaven Dou Division, shining brightly, drawing all eyes, the best among the best, a genius among monsters?
Chen Xuan felt this was close to the truth, and perhaps this was indeed the case.
Currently, the only known fourth-ring spirit masters with ten-thousand-year rings on the continent were himself and Tang San. As long as he was sidelined, Tang San would be the only one with a ten-thousand-year spirit ring.
Apart from him, the only remaining competitive edge for Shrek was the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Netherworld White Tiger.
If both were lost, the competition would become Tang San's stage, with no rivals, gradually becoming the most outstanding and dazzling presence.
"If what I think is true, Yu Xiaogang, you're really unscrupulous," Chen Xuan felt the truth was nearly certain.
Yu Xiaogang had stayed at the twenty-ninth level for half his life, and his ten core theories on Martial Souls were ridiculed and belittled by the world as nonsense.
The Master saw himself as a learned scholar who valued his reputation and needed someone to prove his theories.
That person would be Tang San.
Only if Tang San shone on the stage, becoming the most outstanding and powerful among all the competitors, could his ten core theories be proven, earning the respect and admiration of the world and showing all those who mocked him that Yu Xiaogang was not a fool but a wise scholar.
Realizing this, Chen Xuan understood that staying at Shrek would probably mean he would have few opportunities to appear on stage.
"But where can I go now?"
At this moment, the Shrek Academy match began against their old rivals, the Canghui Academy.
Tang San and Dai Mubai walked out of the VIP room to participate in the competition.
Yu Xiaogang and Flandre also left for the stands to watch the match.
The lounge, which had been somewhat crowded, now became empty, leaving only Chen Xuan and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Ah, every time I see Dai Mubai and the others showing off on stage, I get so frustrated. Why doesn't the Master let me go on stage?" Ma Hongjun complained, lying on the sofa with a look of despair.
He had consumed the celestial herb and had all impurities of the Evil Fire Phoenix removed. He was now a top-level Martial Soul.
Ma Hongjun was very confident that if given the chance, he would undoubtedly dominate and defeat opponents effortlessly.
Ning Rongrong smiled and said, "Fatty, don't worry. You'll get your chance in the finals."
"Unfortunately, the finals will be closed-door, with almost no audience," Chen Xuan said, somewhat intentionally.
Now that he understood Yu Xiaogang's dark intentions, he couldn't help but wonder if the suspension of these two was really just to hide their strength.
The reappearance of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda after hundreds of years on the continent would undoubtedly cause a stir if the world knew.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's Martial Soul, though very powerful, limits the soul master's highest soul power to the seventy-ninth level.
However, Ning Rongrong, the only current holder of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, might break the restrictions of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and advance to Soul Douluo or even Title Douluo.
And Ma Hongjun wasn't far behind, with his top-level Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul.
If the top Phoenix and Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda appeared on the stage together, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass would be overshadowed by their brilliance.
"Ah?" Ning Rongrong blinked, puzzled, not understanding Chen Xuan's implied meaning.
Ma Hongjun, with his plump head and ears, also looked confused.
Zhu Zhuqing remained composed, gazing at Chen Xuan for a long time with eyes as bright as purple gems, deep and beautiful, as if seeing through his heart.
"If you don't understand, just consider that I didn't say anything," Chen Xuan said, waving his hand and preparing to leave.
It was enough to hint at things; there was no need to state them outright.
Ning Rongrong furrowed her brows, contemplating a certain possibility.
Ma Hongjun thought Chen Xuan was being cryptic and wondered why he spoke in such an indirect manner.
"I'm going back now. See you," Chen Xuan said without further explanation, heading for the door.
As he passed by Zhu Zhuqing, he whispered an apology.
Zhu Zhuqing's face was cold and beautiful, her eyes showing no sign of emotion.
Her demeanor was always aloof. Even if she heard Chen Xuan's inexplicable apology, she wouldn't respond.
Chen Xuan walked down the street, deep in thought about his future.
Yu Xiaogang held a high position at Shrek Academy, with significant power. Continuing there might lead to retaliation and exclusion.
Chen Xuan never expected that the minor conflict from the past would lead Yu Xiaogang, despite his age, to act childishly, playing mind games and scheming against him.
Shrek Academy was dominated by Yu Xiaogang's faction, with Liu Erlong as his lover and Flandre as his close friend.
In this realistic situation, Chen Xuan admitted that he couldn't compete with Yu Xiaogang, as Shrek was his domain.
"Where else can I go?"
He had considered leaving but was unsure of his next destination.
The Continental Soul Master Competition had begun, and new participants couldn't join. The list was already fixed.
Chen Xuan was in a dilemma, feeling stuck. If he wanted to participate in the competition, he would have to stay at Shrek, as joining another academy was no longer an option.
One reason he hadn't left was Xiao Wu.
Uh… and also, Zhang Zhu.
At Shrek Academy, Xiao Wu wouldn't be in danger. Chen Xuan needed to confirm how she was doing and whether she might become a mother.
After all, that night was intense and wild, and it was hard to say if she was affected.
If nothing unexpected happened, Chen Xuan could leave without worries.
If she had become a mother, Chen Xuan didn't know what to do.
"I'll wait for another month and a half," he finally decided.
Since Yu Xiaogang didn't want him to compete, he wouldn't force it, and he could use the extra time to study ninjutsu.
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