Blue Tyrant's Visit, Yu Xiaogang's Probe

Within Myriad Manifestations Academy's reception room.

Qin Mo sat upright in the seat of honor, composed and steady. Like two guardian deities, Bing'er and Yan'er stood silently behind him on either side. Their auras were restrained, yet they still placed immense invisible pressure upon the visitors.

There were three visitors. At their head was a middle-aged man with an ordinary face, though his eyes carried a hint of stubbornness and despondency. He wore an old robe faded from countless washings. His Soul Power fluctuations were not strong, hovering around Level 30. He was none other than the theoretically "renowned" Grandmaster—Yu Xiaogang.

A man and a woman followed behind him. The man was tall and burly, with a rugged face, short hair, sharp eyes, and abundant Soul Power. He was clearly a Spirit Saint-level powerhouse, likely a teacher from Blue Tyrant Academy—or perhaps Flender in disguise. The other woman made Qin Mo take a second look. She appeared to be around thirty, exceptionally beautiful, yet her brows carried an unshakable melancholy and repression. Her figure was voluptuous, her aura blazing, and she was actually a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse! She must be the notoriously fiery-tempered Liu Erlong.

This trio made Qin Mo understand at once. It seemed Blue Tyrant Academy was now effectively under Liu Erlong's control, and Yu Xiaogang and Flender had already reunited.

"I am Yu Xiaogang, humbly serving as an adviser to Blue Tyrant Academy. This is our academy head, Liu Erlong, and this is Teacher Flender." Yu Xiaogang spoke first, his tone calm, but his gaze involuntarily assessed the absurdly young Qin Mo and the clearly formidable Ice and Fire Twin Beauties behind him. A storm had long since risen in his heart. The head of Myriad Manifestations Academy truly was unbelievably young, just as the rumors claimed—and unfathomable.

"Head Liu, Teacher Flender, Grandmaster Yu, I have long heard of you." Qin Mo nodded slightly, neither humble nor arrogant. "May I ask what brings the three of you here from so far away?"

Liu Erlong seemingly disliked speaking and merely nodded. Her eyes lingered on Qin Mo for a moment, a trace of surprise flashing through them before she looked away. Flender, meanwhile, chuckled, looking every bit the shrewd merchant. "Head Qin is young and accomplished, and Myriad Manifestations Academy is flourishing. We came mainly to exchange ideas and learn from one another, to see whether there might be an opportunity for cooperation."

Yu Xiaogang took over, adjusting his glasses as his gaze turned serious. "Head Qin, forgive my bluntness. Your academy was founded only recently, yet it has already risen to fame. You have even recruited the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the inheritor of the Nine Heart Begonia, and a genius from the Star Luo Zhu Family. It is truly astonishing. I have studied martial soul theory for many years, and I am deeply curious about your academy's educational philosophy and... especially your martial soul, Head Qin."

At last, he revealed his true purpose and steered the conversation toward martial souls. Clearly, news of Black Prison Forest had already spread, and Qin Mo's mysterious tower-shaped martial soul had greatly piqued this theoretical master's interest.

Qin Mo inwardly laughed. As expected, this was what they had come for. His expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, "Grandmaster Yu overpraises me. Myriad Manifestations Academy merely upholds the principles of education without discrimination and teaching according to aptitude, cultivating a few talents for the Spirit Master World. As for my martial soul, it is merely a somewhat unusual mutated martial soul, not worth mentioning."

Yu Xiaogang was clearly dissatisfied with that answer. He pressed on, "A mutated martial soul? As far as I know, among the known tower-shaped martial souls on the continent, the most famous is the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, a top-tier Support Type martial soul. Yet Head Qin's martial soul seems to possess both support capabilities and powerful offensive and defensive abilities. It can even... suppress evil entities? Such a mutation is unheard of. Might Head Qin enlighten me as to the direction and principles behind this mutation?"

His question was extremely direct, even somewhat presumptuous. It was filled with a desire for academic inquiry, but it also touched upon a spirit master's privacy.

A trace of awkwardness appeared on Flender's face. Liu Erlong also frowned slightly, feeling that Yu Xiaogang had been too abrupt.

Bing'er and Yan'er's gazes instantly turned cold. Their powerful auras faintly locked onto Yu Xiaogang. At a single word from Qin Mo, they would immediately escort this tactless fellow out.

Qin Mo waved a hand, signaling for Bing'er and Yan'er to remain calm. He looked at Yu Xiaogang, his eyes tranquil and undisturbed. "Grandmaster Yu, the path of martial souls is vast and profound, with countless unknown mysteries. How my martial soul mutated is my private matter; there seems to be no need for me to explain it to you. As for its principles... perhaps when your theories can explain why the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan produced a mutated martial soul incapable of breaking through Level 30, then we may discuss my martial soul."

Qin Mo's words were like a sharp needle, precisely piercing Yu Xiaogang's deepest wound! His body jolted violently, his face instantly turning deathly pale. His lips trembled, yet he could not utter a single word. He had devoted his life to researching martial soul theory, but his greatest achievement could not resolve his own defect. It was the shame and sorrow of his entire life.

"You!" Flender immediately flew into a rage. He stepped forward, unleashing the aura of a Spirit Saint, intending to stand up for his brother.

"Flender!" Liu Erlong barked, grabbing hold of him. She gave Qin Mo a deep look. Not only was this young man powerful, but his words were sharp as blades, directly tearing open Xiaogang's scar. His disposition was far from as peaceful as he appeared on the surface.

The atmosphere in the reception room immediately became tense.

Yet Qin Mo acted as though nothing had happened. He lifted his teacup and took a light sip, then said blandly, "If the three of you sincerely came to exchange educational experience, Myriad Manifestations Academy welcomes you. But if you have other motives... then please see yourselves out."

He directly issued an order to leave.

Yu Xiaogang was dazed, Flender was seething with anger, and Liu Erlong's expression was complicated. Their probing visit had not only yielded nothing, but had left them thoroughly rebuffed.

In the end, Liu Erlong took a deep breath and suppressed her displeasure. Cupping her hands, she said, "In that case, we will not impose any longer. Farewell."

With that, she pulled Yu Xiaogang and Flender along and turned to leave the reception room.

Watching their departing backs, Qin Mo's gaze deepened. The Golden Iron Triangle... it seemed the inertia of history still existed. However, whether they and the future Shrek Seven Devils would follow their original course was another matter entirely.

After all, this butterfly had already flapped its wings.