Long-Term Meal Ticket at the Golden Ancient Tree

As the Soul Tool's voice faded, a message entered Zhou Sichen's ears. "Sichen, come to the referees' lounge on the second floor."

Recognizing Dean Qian Duoduo's voice, Zhou Sichen said to Chen Zifeng, "Let's put off today's soul duel. I have something to take care of."

Chen Zifeng froze slightly, then nodded frantically. He couldn't have wished for anything better!

Zhou Sichen then withdrew his Martial Soul. His three Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings vanished into his body as he stepped down from the Soul Dueling Platform and headed through a side passage to the referees' lounge on the second floor.

Normally, a Soul Douluo teacher with an earth attribute would be stationed there. If the Soul Arena was damaged, that teacher would come out to repair it. Under ordinary circumstances, he would not show himself.

When Zhou Sichen reached the referees' lounge, he gently knocked on the door. Qian Duoduo's voice came from inside. "Come in."

Zhou Sichen pushed open the door. Inside was a large office furnished with several desks and sofas. A row of Soul Tool microphones sat on the main desk, connected to the arena. Dean Qian had presumably used one of them just now.

There were also several Cushions for meditation and cultivation, along with some decorative flowers and plants, making the room appear quite simple.

A row of one-way Soul Tool Glass gave a clear view of everything happening in the arena. Qian Duoduo and a rough-faced middle-aged man sat before the glass, watching the activity below.

Zhou Sichen's sudden departure naturally left the Inner Court students somewhat confused, but the soul duels had not stopped. At that moment, two Inner Court students had already stepped onto the stage to duel.

When Qian Duoduo saw Zhou Sichen enter, he pushed up his glasses and said with a chuckle, "Sichen, come sit."

"Greetings, Dean Qian, Teacher Zhou." Zhou Sichen did not stand on ceremony. After a slight bow, he walked over and sat on the sofa opposite them.

Teacher Zhou was the earth-attribute Soul Douluo responsible for repairing damaged venues.

Once seated, Zhou Sichen asked directly, "Dean Qian, what was that notice about just now?"

A smile spread across Qian Duoduo's shrewd face. "Sichen, don't blame us for making this decision without consulting you. Your Martial Soul is simply too special. You can completely control your Contracted Soul Beasts, so wouldn't they make the best teachers?"

"Though the little ones in the Inner Court are stronger than those in the Outer Court, they rarely get the chance to face powerful Soul Beasts head-on. If your Contracted Soul Beasts could help them practice, it would greatly benefit them in the future."

Zhou Sichen nodded slightly. He had actually guessed as much. But if that was the case, wouldn't his Contracted Soul Beasts be studied inside and out by them?

So long as one was powerful enough, there was no need to fear any consequences. But Zhou Sichen's strength was improving too quickly. Before these Inner Court students could even adapt, he would likely have undergone another massive leap in power...

Qian Duoduo naturally understood this as well and continued, "You don't need to worry about exposing your trump cards. With the strength of these little ones, they can't even handle your current Ten Thousand Year Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear."

"Moreover, the academy will provide corresponding compensation and resources. We won't let you waste your time and energy."

Zhou Sichen smiled faintly. Mu En and the others already knew that his Contracted Soul Beasts could cultivate and recover on their own.

Qian Duoduo continued, "You only need to leave one Contracted Soul Beast in the Soul Dueling Arena each month, rotating them out. With you controlling them, they won't cause any deaths."

Injuries in soul duels were normal, especially when fighting Soul Beasts—and such overwhelmingly powerful ones at that.

As long as no one died, injuries would better help these Inner Court youngsters improve their strength.

And this truly would not affect Zhou Sichen much. Though he would lose the cultivation speed provided by one Contracted Soul Beast, Soul Beasts cultivated slowly to begin with. As long as the academy offered resources of sufficient value as compensation, it would be fine.

Even if Zhou Sichen were no longer at the academy, should he encounter danger outside, he could remotely recall his Contracted Soul Beasts through the Book of Contracts Martial Soul. He had not hidden this from Xuan Zi and the others.

After all, Zhou Sichen had considered that he definitely would not remain at Shrek forever. He would eventually travel the continent to gain experience.

At that time, he could leave a Contracted Soul Beast at Shrek. If Zhou Sichen recalled it, it would indicate that he had encountered a life-or-death crisis.

It could serve as a remote distress signal, allowing Shrek's upper echelons to know at any time whether he was safe.

Of course, that was all for the future. For now, they were merely some of Zhou Sichen's thoughts.

But since Dean Qian had raised the matter, Zhou Sichen had no reason to refuse.

His Contracted Soul Beasts could temper the Inner Court students, while also learning about more Martial Souls and all kinds of abilities through those students. Both sides would gain something from it.

Besides, Shrek was nurturing him so generously. If he gave nothing in return, those people might start having other thoughts.

It was not a major matter anyway. After a moment of silence, Zhou Sichen nodded in agreement. "This student accepts. Dean Qian, rest assured. I'll help Shrek properly train this group of Inner Court geniuses."

"Hahaha." Having received an affirmative answer, Qian Duoduo laughed heartily. "Good, good, good. Those words are enough."

Afterward, Qian Duoduo continued, "There is one more matter that requires your help."

Zhou Sichen looked at Qian Duoduo in confusion. Was he starting to take charge at Shrek Academy already? Why were so many matters being dumped on him?

Xuan Zi said gently, "You know about the Beast Arena, don't you?"

The moment Zhou Sichen heard the words Beast Arena, he understood.

They wanted his Contracted Soul Beasts to help tame those wild and unruly Soul Beasts?

After all, Soul Beasts were not as intelligent as humans. In general, the weak submitted to the strong. If the Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear went to the Beast Arena, then unless there was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast there, the Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear would be the absolute ruler.

The Darkgold Dreadclaw Bear could command the Soul Beasts, and it in turn obeyed Zhou Sichen.

That would greatly reduce the pressure and difficulty of the work for those responsible for the Beast Arena.

Zhou Sichen nodded slightly. "You want me to help tame the Soul Beasts in the Beast Arena?"

"That's right!" Qian Duoduo laughed. "Ever since Old Gong heard about you, he's been thinking about you every moment of the day."

"I know this will cost you some time and effort, but the academy will compensate you. Mu En has already decided that from now on, you may cultivate beneath the Golden Tree once every week, with no restrictions whatsoever."

At those words, Zhou Sichen's eyelids twitched violently. He paid no attention at all to who Qian Duoduo meant by Old Gong.

What he cared about was being able to cultivate beneath the Golden Tree once a week.

What did that mean?

Even in the original novel, no one had been able to cultivate beneath the Golden Tree so frequently, right?

After all, the Golden Tree's energy was limited. No matter how much milk a mother had, she could not withstand a child drinking without restraint!

If he could cultivate beneath the Golden Tree long-term, Zhou Sichen's rate of improvement would increase enormously.

Moreover, Zhou Sichen had come specifically for the Golden Ancient Tree. If he could remain in long-term contact with the Golden Ancient Tree...

A smile appeared on Zhou Sichen's face. "Contributing to the academy is the duty of every student. I will forever remember the academy's nurturing."

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