Target: Star Dou Great Forest

Li Xiaoyao sensed a mysterious energy emanating from the Blazing Heaven Earth Cover—an energy that even Chronos craved. His face remained calm and unreadable, but wild joy had already surged through his heart.

The Blazing Heaven Earth Cover truly was a token of a Deity's inheritance.

There was no other explanation for an energy that could catch Chronos's eye besides divine power.

Li Xiaoyao quietly put away the Blazing Heaven Earth Cover.

"Mm! It's enough that the item has been returned to its rightful owner!"

"Flender, if you can offer terms that satisfy me, my family has plenty of Martial Arts Manuals suitable for Ma Hongjun!"

After thinking for a moment, Li Xiaoyao added another sentence.

"The so-called Martial Arts Manuals are actually all sorts of Meditation Methods and Self-Created Soul Skills."

Li Xiaoyao's words made Flender's eyes light up, but when he thought of his empty hands, he could only give a helpless, bitter smile.

"Little Friend Xiaoyao, I appreciate your kindness!"

"Since your family was able to uncover these little-known events from so many years ago, you must also know that I'm penniless right now. I truly have nothing that could catch your eye."

Flender looked at the Blazing Heaven Earth Cover Li Xiaoyao had just put away, his gaze complicated—filled both with concern for Ma Hongjun's future and helplessness before reality.

If he had money, he would have sought out Li Xiaoyao long ago to purchase a way to resolve the Evil Fire. Why would he let Ma Hongjun continue cultivating while risking backlash from it?

But Shrek Academy was poor as dirt. Even their meal expenses had to be carefully budgeted. Those Martial Arts Manuals that could suppress Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire, as well as the Immortal Herbs and Ancient Exotic Beast Inner Cores that could resolve it, were simply unattainable dreams to him.

After considering it, Flender still chose to appeal to their emotions.

"Little Friend Xiaoyao, to be honest!"

"I worry day and night about the hidden danger of Hongjun's Evil Fire, but I truly cannot produce equivalent bargaining chips."

"If Little Friend Xiaoyao is willing to make an exception, then in the future, as long as there is anything I can do, just say the word. I, Flender, will never refuse."

Flender sighed, his tone full of powerlessness.

Li Xiaoyao shook his head. Flender's tactic did not move him; instead, he pointed out the key point Flender had overlooked.

"Dean Flender, since I said this, I naturally have my reasons."

"You may indeed be penniless right now, but that doesn't mean you possess nothing that interests me."

Li Xiaoyao's words piqued not only Flender's curiosity, but also drew probing looks from everyone else.

Could a cheapskate like Flender really have some hidden private stash?

Under everyone's curious gazes—

Li Xiaoyao slowly spoke.

"Dean Flender, though you may be penniless, you still have the many years of friendship shared by the Golden Iron Triangle!"

"As far as I know, after your Golden Iron Triangle went separate ways, Liu Erlong, the Killing Horn among you, founded an academy called Blue Tyrant Advanced Soul Master Academy in Heaven Dou City, where every inch of land is worth a fortune."

"My demand is not high. As long as you can persuade Liu Erlong to transfer Blue Tyrant Academy to me, I will take out a Martial Arts Manual from my family's inheritance that can suppress Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire while also allowing Yu Xiaogang to break through Level 30."

After a pause, Li Xiaoyao continued.

"Besides, as far as I know, Shrek Academy is not a legitimate Advanced Soul Master Academy. It is neither registered with the Balak Kingdom nor qualified to participate in the All-Continent Advanced Elite Soul Master Competition two years from now."

"If nothing unexpected happens, then to resolve the issue of eligibility for the Soul Master Competition, Dean Flender, you should be planning to go to Heaven Dou City and seek Liu Erlong's help."

Li Xiaoyao's words brought realization to everyone.

That was right! Shrek Academy was not a legitimate Advanced Soul Master Academy. If they did not resolve this issue, they would not be qualified to take part in the All-Continent Elite Soul Master Competition two years later.

Among them, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing cared most deeply about this matter.

The Continental Elite Soul Master Competition two years from now was their only chance to openly challenge Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun. It was also the key to breaking free from the Star Luo Empire's brutal rules of competition and escaping their fated deaths.

If they missed this All-Continent Elite Soul Master Competition, they would never again have such a legitimate stage.

"Dean Flender, if Shrek Academy cannot even obtain eligibility to compete, then Zhuqing's and my future..."

Dai Mubai trailed off. He clenched his fists tightly, urgency flashing through his eyes as he looked at Flender with barely concealed anxiety.

"Mubai, don't worry!"

"I'll resolve the issue of the competition slots for the All-Continent Elite Soul Master Competition two years from now. You just focus on cultivating properly!"

Flender offered Dai Mubai a word of reassurance.

He had specifically looked into Zhu Zhuqing's private meeting with Li Xiaoyao afterward, so he naturally understood her concerns and thoughts.

After soothing Dai Mubai, Flender turned to Li Xiaoyao and spoke uncertainly.

"Little Friend Xiaoyao, I will consider your suggestion!"

"But Blue Tyrant Academy is Sister Erlong's life's work. I cannot decide to transfer it on my own. Her temper is fiery, and the entanglement between her and Xiaogang back then is difficult to explain in a few words. We'll need to discuss the specifics after reaching Heaven Dou City."

Li Xiaoyao nodded, unsurprised.

Blue Tyrant Soul Master Academy had been founded by Liu Erlong. Flender would at least care about saving face. If Yu Xiaogang had been present, he likely would not have needed to think twice before agreeing to transfer Blue Tyrant Academy to him.

As for Liu Erlong's thoughts and opinions?

Yu Xiaogang did not care, nor did he pay them any mind.

As for Liu Erlong herself?

She probably would not care either.

As long as it let Yu Xiaogang break through Level 30, what was a mere Blue Tyrant Academy worth?

As for the Martial Arts Manual he planned to give away, it was naturally the Bixie Sword Manual he had mentioned before.

He was very curious. Between breaking through Level 30 and becoming a eunuch, he wanted to see which one Yu Xiaogang would choose.

"Alright!"

"I won't say any more."

"We'll talk about what comes later when it comes!"

Li Xiaoyao let the matter drop.

Then he brought up the most important matter of the day.

"Headmaster Flender, Teacher Zhao, you had everyone gather in the square because you planned to head to the nearby Star Dou Great Forest to help Oscar obtain his third Soul Ring, right?"

"Just so happens Sister Rongrong has also broken through Level 30. Let's head to the Star Dou Great Forest together, and while we're at it, I'll help Sister Rongrong find a suitable Soul Ring."

The moment they heard that Ning Rongrong had broken through Level 30, Flender and Zhao Wuji were utterly stunned.

"Young friend Xiaoyao, brat Li, you're saying Ning Rongrong has broken through Level 30? How is that possible? Wasn't she still Level 26 a few days ago?"

Good heavens, truly good heavens.

Ning Rongrong had gone off to fool around with Li Xiaoyao for a few days, and she had so easily gained four levels of Soul Power?

Seeing Flender and Zhao Wuji's shock, Ning Rongrong's face was brimming with delight.

In the end, Dai Mubai stepped in to explain—