Inner Court, Lake Heart Island.
Qian Chaoyun's Inner Court Disciple Assessment had ended, and Mu En personally granted him Inner Court Disciple status.
The Resident Elders were also quite impressed by Dai Yueheng's performance. The fact that Dai Yueheng had been defeated in that state proved the caliber of Shrek's Inner Court Disciples.
Unfortunately, he was ultimately no match for Qian Chaoyun.
The position of second among this generation's Inner Court students belonged to Qian Chaoyun.
As for who held first place, and why that person had lost to Qian Chaoyun, the Resident Elders remained silent.
Dai Yueheng's defeat had been unexpected, but it also proved one thing: the Qian Family's Sacred Angel Spirit really was stronger than the Evil-Eyed White Tiger.
Fortunately, the Academy had never expected Dai Yueheng to carry the banner. Instead, it had placed its focus on Qian Chaoyun.
To the Resident Elders, a child without parents had the strongest sense of belonging toward the Academy. That was the sort of person worth cultivating.
At this moment.
Inside the Inner Court Disciple dormitory.
Qian Chaoyun rose from his bed and opened his eyes. He could hear quite a few Inner Court students on the island discussing his battle.
"Who would've thought even Dai Yueheng lost? He's the second-ranked Inner Court student of this generation, yet Qian Chaoyun defeated him in less than two and a half years. This continent truly produces monsters without end."
"Anyone can lose. Didn't Ma Xiaotao lose too?"
"Tch, can that even be called a loss? Have you forgotten that when Ma Xiaotao goes berserk, even a Soul Sage can't hold her down? This Young Master has calculated it with his fingers—Ma Xiaotao likes Qian Chaoyun and deliberately went easy on him."
"Ah, he's too strong! Who would've thought someone like this would appear in our generation?"
"..."
Standing nearby was his old esteemed teacher, Xuan Zi.
Yan Shaozhe, Ma Xiaotao, and the Senior Disciple Sister Zhang Lexuan whom he had been thinking about were there as well.
Xuan Zi gnawed on a chicken drumstick, his grin nearly reaching his ears. He was beyond delighted.
In just a year and a half, his good disciple had won him no small amount of face.
Now, whenever he stood before the other Resident Elders, he could hold his head high.
However...
He truly had not taught Qian Chaoyun much of anything. The boy was simply too outstanding.
Unfortunately, he had only this one disciple.
It would have been wonderful if he had another one to win him face.
At that moment, Zhang Lexuan stepped up to Qian Chaoyun and said softly, "Little Junior Brother, you're amazing. I never expected you to defeat Dai Yueheng. Now you're the second-ranked Inner Court student of this generation. Senior Sister is proud of you."
"However... don't take such risks next time. It would be terrible if something happened. Fortunately, Elder Zhuang treated you in time, so neither of you suffered any serious injuries."
Warmth filled Qian Chaoyun's heart. He forced out a smile and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. I'll be more careful next time."
Beside him, Ma Xiaotao curled her lips. "Senior Disciple Sister, you weren't there to see it. Brother Chaoyun was so impressive. Even I lost, and when he fought me, I didn't see him going easy on me at all."
Qian Chaoyun said, "That's because you were too strong. I had to give it everything I had to defeat you."
Ma Xiaotao turned her head away, unwilling to pay him any attention.
He only knew how to say pleasant things. After hearing enough of them, she really could not bring herself to get angry at him.
Caught between them, Zhang Lexuan spoke helplessly. "Xiaotao, honestly. You're already a Senior Sister, yet you're still jealous. If Qian Chaoyun had used the same attitude against you that he used against Dai Yueheng in a spirit battle, you would have been unhappy too."
Ma Xiaotao pursed her lips and said nothing.
At that moment, Yan Shaozhe stroked his beard and took a Soul Bone from his Storage Soul Tool before handing it to Qian Chaoyun. "This is your reward for passing the Inner Court Disciple Assessment. After discussion among the Resident Elders, we have decided to give you a Hundred Thousand Year Light Dragon Horse Soul Bone."
"The value of this Soul Bone is beyond price even on the continent, and it happens to perfectly suit your Light Attribute."
Qian Chaoyun was somewhat stunned.
It really was... a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone.
The Academy had not played word games with him.
Was this really Shrek Academy's style? Why did it somehow feel a little unreal?
An illusion. It had to be an illusion.
This was merely the Resident Elders' way of winning him over, making him loyal to Shrek and becoming a dog for ten thousand years of glory.
Xuan Zi tossed away a chicken bone and shouted, "Kid, why aren't you accepting it already? This Soul Bone was left behind by one of Shrek's predecessors after their passing."
Qian Chaoyun hurriedly reached out to accept it. "Thank you, Resident Elders."
Yan Shaozhe smiled in satisfaction.
The more he looked at this child, the more pleasing he found him.
Ma Xiaotao, standing nearby, revealed an envious expression. This was a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, something truly priceless.
But when she thought of Qian Chaoyun's contributions to the Academy over the years, she was able to accept it gladly.
Number one on the Inner Court mission rankings: Qian Chaoyun.
After a moment of silence, Yan Shaozhe said, "Your Soul Power has already reached rank fifty-nine. You're only one spirit ring short. The Academy is organizing students to head to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain spirit rings in a few days. You should come along then."
Qian Chaoyun immediately nodded in agreement.
After that, Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi left Lake Heart Island and returned to Sea God Pavilion to report back.
At this point, only Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao remained.
Zhang Lexuan said gently, "There are still a few days before the matter of your Sixth Spirit Ring. You can rest during these days. But you haven't eaten for several days, so Senior Sister will take you to the Inner Courtyard Cafeteria."
"Alright."
Qian Chaoyun stood up, got dressed, and headed to the Inner Court cafeteria with Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao.
From the time he returned from carrying out missions until now, he had rarely given himself a break.
After completing the Inner Court missions, the burden on Qian Chaoyun's shoulders had finally eased considerably.
When they arrived at the Inner Courtyard Cafeteria, Qian Chaoyun ordered three set meals and sat with Senior Disciple Sister to eat.
While eating, Qian Chaoyun asked curiously, "Senior Sister, where is Dai Yueheng? Why haven't I heard you mention him? It seems he disappeared after the battle ended."
Ma Xiaotao held back a laugh. "What, are you going to chase after him and settle accounts just because he's afraid of you?"
Qian Chaoyun wanted to say that was not what he meant. He was merely asking about Dai Yueheng's situation.
Zhang Lexuan picked up some food with her chopsticks and said gently, "Dai Yueheng has gone into seclusion. The blow you dealt him this time was probably considerable. When he comes out next time, he may challenge you again, so you should be prepared."
"The White Tiger Duke has only two sons. Dai Yueheng definitely won't be able to swallow this grievance. You can't slack off in your cultivation either. It would be best if you fused with that Hundred Thousand Year Light Soul Bone before setting out for Soul Hunting and gained another soul skill."
"When the time comes, you and Dai Yueheng may have to compete for the position of vice captain for the second team. There is bound to be another battle."
Ma Xiaotao said irritably, "If Dai Yueheng acts like a petty man, this old woman will beat him until he's crawling around looking for his teeth and teach him what pain is."
Zhang Lexuan smiled gently.
That silly girl Xiaotao truly had all her thoughts on Qian Chaoyun.
Qian Chaoyun nodded and continued eating with his head lowered.
As for Dai Yueheng's challenge, he did not take it to heart, because he was destined to surpass others and become a true powerhouse.
A powerhouse never looked back.
Not long after.
The three finished eating and left the Inner Courtyard Cafeteria separately.
Zhang Lexuan still had matters to attend to, so she had Ma Xiaotao return to the Inner Court to cultivate with Qian Chaoyun.
On the way back.
Ma Xiaotao's beautiful eyes flickered as she said, "When I saw you fighting Dai Yueheng with your life on the line, I was so afraid something would happen to you. The gap between your strengths was simply too great."
Qian Chaoyun turned back with a smile. "But I still won in the end, and I'll keep winning in the future. If I had my Sixth Spirit Ring, he wouldn't have been my opponent from the very beginning."
At that moment, Ma Xiaotao was somewhat moved.
He was so confident. From the start, he had never considered the possibility that he would lose. No wonder he had grown so quickly.
Was this the confidence given to him by the Sacred Angel Spirit? It truly deserved to be called one of the continent's few God-Tier Martial Souls.
Not long after.
The two returned to Lake Heart Island.
It was already night, and ripples of light shimmered across the lake.
Ma Xiaotao turned around and said, "Then I should give you a reward too."
"What reward?"
Qian Chaoyun thought, If it's Whale Rubber, then forget it.
The next moment, Ma Xiaotao gently leaned against his cheek and gave him a light kiss. Then she turned away with a flushed face and said, "Don't misunderstand. This is just a little reward from your Senior Sister."
Qian Chaoyun touched his cheek. He had not expected this sort of reward.
That was far too proactive.
Just then, both of their bodies suddenly stiffened as they saw Ling Luochen approaching in the distance, carrying a pile of Healing Potion.
Ling Luochen had witnessed the scene at exactly that moment.
Clang!
Everything in her hands fell to the ground.
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