I Refuse

"What are you talking about? Xiao Hongchen is only thirteen too, okay?"

"True. If you hadn't mentioned it, I would've forgotten. Although Xiao Hongchen is in Fourth Grade, he's still only thirteen."

"Then who do you think will win this fight?"

"Is that even a question? Of course Xiao Hongchen will win."

"Hey, aren't you even going to consider whether Su Yu will agree?"

"..."

"Right!"

Su Yu shook his head at Xiao Hongchen's challenge.

"You're already thirteen, while I'm only twelve. There's a whole year between us. Why should I fight you?"

Xiao Hongchen's face twitched.

A genius who had broken records was actually this petty?

"Then how about this? My sister is the same age as you. She can fight you, right?"

Xiao Hongchen pointed at Meng Hongchen beside him.

Then his expression stiffened.

At that moment, Meng Hongchen was secretly sizing Su Yu up, looking like a shy young girl.

How could Xiao Hongchen, who knew his sister so well, not understand? His sister was acting up again.

"No. You've been cultivating at the academy for over three years, while I've only just joined the academy."

Until two months ago, Su Yu had always cultivated alone.

Meanwhile, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen had trained at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy for three years.

The resources they had received were immense.

Not to mention Jing Hongchen backing them.

Su Yu could sense that both of their Soul Power had already reached the Soul Ancestor realm, and they had likely reached the High-level Soul Ancestor realm.

Accepting a challenge at a time like this would mean he had a screw loose, wouldn't it?

Though he felt he had the strength to fight them, and might have a chance to win if he went all out and used some shameless tactics.

Such a battle was meaningless in the first place.

Su Yu did not try to show off. He cleanly refused Xiao Hongchen.

"Let's go!"

Su Yu called to Little Fatty beside him and headed for the cafeteria.

Unable to witness a great battle, the students watching around them were deeply disappointed.

But no one blamed Su Yu.

After all, he had only just joined the academy. It was perfectly normal for him to refuse a challenge from a Fourth Grade senior.

The few people who insulted Su Yu for whatever reason were quickly shut down by the other students.

"Boss, why didn't you fight them?"

Qian Buduo could sense that Su Yu was powerful. It was a confidence that radiated from his very bones.

"There was no need."

Qian Buduo nodded thoughtfully.

This was somewhat different from the education he had received since childhood, yet it did not make him dislike it.

Instead, Qian Buduo felt that this was what normal should be.

Time flew by.

Two days later.

Su Yu's Transfer Application was approved without an examination.

At the same time, he received the benefits reserved for the highest-ranking Core Disciples.

At that moment, Jing Hongchen summoned Su Yu to his office, where he saw an elderly man dressed in luxurious robes.

"Su Yu, this is the Pillar of the Sea of the Sun Moon Empire, and also Old Kong, the greatest Soul Engineer in the Sun Moon Empire."

Even Jing Hongchen consciously treated himself as a junior before Kong Deming, his manner extremely respectful.

After hearing Jing Hongchen's introduction, Su Yu immediately bowed. "Greetings, Old Kong."

"No need for that. I heard you became a certified Soul Engineer in only two months?"

"Yes."

"Had you encountered Soul Tools before?"

"I used Soul Tools twice, but never studied them."

Kong Deming nodded in satisfaction.

"Su Yu." Jing Hongchen winked at Su Yu from the side.

Su Yu understood Jing Hongchen's meaning and did not hesitate.

"Greetings, Teacher."

Kong Deming stroked his beard and laughed heartily, even more satisfied.

"From now on, you are a disciple of Kong Deming. During the first week of every month, you may go to the Royal Offering Hall, where I will guide you in the crafting of Soul Tools.

For the rest of the time, if you encounter any problems at the academy, you may also go directly to Jing."

"Yes, Teacher."

Su Yu accepted the token Kong Deming handed him.

On the token, a Purple Dragon roared toward the heavens, with the sun and moon shining on either side of it.

Jing Hongchen congratulated him from the side.

Although he had failed to take this monstrous genius, Su Yu, as his disciple, Jing Hongchen did not feel regretful.

As long as Su Yu could remain independent of the Royal Power Struggle and grow peacefully, it would be a blessing for the Sun Moon Empire.

Besides, he had figured it out. If he took Su Yu in, Jing Hongchen himself would become somewhat hated.

His grandson and granddaughter were two peerless geniuses, and then there was the even more monstrous Su Yu.

The three greatest geniuses in the Sun Moon Empire would all be under his wing. How many people would that make wary of him?

Kong Deming's arrival this time had not been arranged by Jing Hongchen.

It was very likely that someone in the royal family had acted.

Kong Deming brought Su Yu to the Offering Hall.

"Your Sun Moon Empire identity was only processed two months ago. Before that, you should have been a citizen of the Star Luo Empire."

Kong Deming spoke blandly, revealing Su Yu's origins.

Su Yu showed no panic at all. Instead, he remained completely composed.

With nothing to hide, he was at ease.

"Teacher, you are perceptive. This disciple previously cultivated in Moon Gazing City, southeast of the Star Luo Empire. After breaking through Level 30, I acquired my Third Soul Ring in the Star Dou Great Forest, then came to the Sun Moon Empire."

Kong Deming raised a hand, stopping Su Yu from explaining further.

"I do not doubt you.

Ten Thousand Household Building is an interesting organization. Since you came with them, I can roughly guess their intentions."

Su Yu was speechless inwardly.

Ten Thousand Household Building was an interesting organization?

Good heavens, so Qian Tong was not an exception?

What a—

What a farsighted organization.

Kong Deming did not care about Su Yu's origins or his reasons for coming. What he cared about was Su Yu's attitude.

"What do you think of the current situation on the Douluo Continent?"

"The unification of the Sun Moon Empire is the inevitable trend."

"Oh?"

Kong Deming had Su Yu elaborate.

"The Sun Moon Empire's overall national strength has always surpassed that of the Three Great Empires originally belonging to the Douluo Continent.

The only reason it has not unified the continent yet is Shrek Academy's obstruction.

And the reason Shrek Academy possesses its current status

is nothing more than its strength.

Their strength, in turn, comes from continuously drawing talented geniuses from the Three Great Empires.

The current Douluo Continent cannot do without the Sun Moon Empire either. It even occupies nearly half the continent's land.

Shrek's partiality has also shaken its position. It long ago ceased to have a monopoly over talented students.

Now, it only relies on its reputation to continue attracting geniuses to join.

Yet it refuses to make progress, is arrogant and conceited, and looks down on Soul Tools.

As long as the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy seizes an opportunity to defeat Shrek in some aspect,

Shrek will completely begin its decline."

Su Yu's words contained no bias toward the Shrek Academy that had been embellished with countless legendary tales. Instead, he understood Shrek's flaws perfectly.

Kong Deming neither agreed nor disagreed with Su Yu's views.

He did not particularly approve, nor did he raise any doubts.

Because he had once held the same view, but now, he had fallen into confusion.

Could the Sun Moon Empire truly achieve unification?

A trace of worry flashed deep in Kong Deming's eyes.

He had absolute confidence in the Empire's strength, but what he feared was an external force.

Shrek was nothing to fear.

What he feared was the insurmountable Heaven's Scourge.

A flicker of apprehension passed deep within Kong Deming's eyes.