"Flender, Erlong, listen to this."
Yu Xiaogang said through gritted teeth,
"Someone in this city is maliciously disparaging my theories while vigorously promoting that so-called Jixia Academy.
They are clearly stepping on my reputation to climb higher! My title of 'Master' has suffered an unprecedented, grave insult today!"
Flender adjusted the crystal glasses on his nose, his expression turning rather grim as well.
"Xiaogang, this is indeed suspicious.
The tide turned completely overnight. There must be someone pulling strings behind it."
At the back of the group, Ning Rongrong blinked her lively eyes and leaned close to Xiao Wu, whispering,
"But how can we be sure Jixia Academy is behind this? It could be Spirit Hall, couldn't it?"
Xiao Wu flicked her scorpion braid and indignantly cut in,
"Rongrong, think about it. Over the past few days, Master's theories have suffered the greatest damage, while Jixia Academy has suddenly risen to fame. Isn't it obvious that they're tearing one down to praise the other?
I think those people are just jealous of Master's talent!"
Zhu Zhuqing, walking beside them with her usual cool demeanor, shook her head slightly and said calmly,
"Xiao Wu, you're jumping to conclusions. For now, the two things only coincide in timing; there is no direct evidence connecting them. If someone is using us as a weapon, it would only make us look bad."
"Zhuqing, why are you speaking up for outsiders?"
Xiao Wu pouted in dissatisfaction.
Hearing the students arguing behind him, Yu Xiaogang suddenly turned around and cut them off.
"Enough!"
Yu Xiaogang raised his voice, speaking not only for the students to hear, but also for the nearby onlookers.
"Whether the other side is behind this is not important!
If they did it, then we'll teach them a harsh lesson and seek justice! If they didn't..."
A sharp glint flashed through Yu Xiaogang's eyes.
"Then Jixia Academy has suddenly become famous and is standing at the center of attention.
If I lead our team there to challenge them and crush them in both theory and practical combat,
wouldn't stepping on them be the perfect way to prove to the world that all my theories are correct?
My reputation might even rise another level because of it, reaching a brand-new peak!"
Tang San, who had been silently following behind Yu Xiaogang, raised his head at that moment and looked firmly at his teacher.
In his heart, his teacher's dignity could not be trampled upon, and his teacher's theories were the guiding beacon that led him forward.
"Teacher is right."
Tang San said in a deep, resolute voice, "This is in the greatest interest of Shrek Academy and of you, Teacher. Since someone is questioning us, we'll use strength to make them shut up."
A trace of fighting spirit flashed through Dai Mubai's evil eyes. He rolled his neck, his bones cracking loudly.
"Besides, if we beat Jixia Academy and prove our strength, the issue of our competition slots might be resolved directly.
When that happens, all the major advanced Soul Master Academies will be fighting to offer us olive branches."
"Hehe, Boss Dai has a point!"
A lewd grin spread across Ma Hongjun's chubby face as his tiny eyes roamed over the surrounding crowd.
"Damn, by your logic, Jixia Academy must be drawing plenty of attention.
If Fatty puts on a show later and my Overlord Aura shakes the place, wouldn't loads of pretty girls throw themselves into my arms? That would be amazing! I want that fame too!"
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Ma Hongjun's appearance with a flicker of disgust in her eyes, then gazed ahead with some concern.
"What if... I mean, what if their theoretical knowledge and strength are genuinely formidable?
If we march up to their door with such fanfare, won't we be humiliated beyond measure?"
"Impossible!"
"Absolutely impossible!"
Everyone from Shrek spoke up in rebuttal.
To them, Jixia Academy was merely some obscure little academy.
They had never even heard of it. How could it possibly compare with the Shrek Seven Devils, who possessed monster-like talent?
Besides, Master's theories had been tested in practice. Who in the entire Douluo Continent could compare with him?
Yu Xiaogang straightened his back even more, clasped his hands behind him, and slightly lifted his chin, putting on the air of an unfathomable grandmaster.
"Zhuqing, your worries are unnecessary."
Yu Xiaogang said with extreme confidence, his tone carrying the bold grandeur of one surveying the world.
"I have studied Martial Soul theory for decades and read countless ancient texts. Looking across five million years of Douluo Continent history, no one has been able to rival me in theory!
My Ten Core Competitive Theories will surely become the supreme theoretical guidebook for future generations of Soul Masters, leaving a legacy for the ages!"
At this point, he paused, swept his gaze across the crowd, and uttered two words.
"Guaranteed win!"
With Master's words, the morale of the Shrek group instantly soared.
The group quickened their pace, passing through a dense forest before the view ahead suddenly opened up.
However, when they truly arrived at the rumored location of Jixia Academy, everyone froze.
There was no magnificent academy gate as they had imagined, nor were there any buildings soaring into the clouds.
Before them stretched a blue ocean.
"So much Blue Silver Grass..."
Tang San's pupils suddenly contracted. An inexplicable sense of familiarity welled up within him, along with deep shock.
It was not merely a few patches or clusters, but Blue Silver Grass that covered the mountains and plains, stretching endlessly into the distance.
It grew with extraordinary lushness, with a faint crystalline sheen flowing across every blade as they swayed in the wind.
Like blue waves, they wrapped the entire Jixia Academy within them.
"Jixia Academy is actually surrounded by countless Blue Silver Grass?"
Ning Rongrong covered her little mouth and said in surprise,
"Isn't Blue Silver Grass a useless Martial Soul? Why would they plant so much of it?"
Just as everyone stood uncertain and bewildered, a voice brimming with wildness and arrogance suddenly rang out from the depths of that sea of Blue Silver Grass, exploding beside their ears like thunder.
"Jixia Academy is restricted grounds. Do not approach without permission!!"
As the voice fell, a tall man wielding a greatsword leaped out from the grass and landed steadily before the Shrek group.
His long hair was wildly disheveled, and his eyes carried an untamed ferocity. He was Li Xin, Jixia Academy's Security Captain.
Yu Xiaogang frowned slightly and stepped forward.
Although the other man's presence was imposing, Yu Xiaogang considered himself of distinguished status and naturally would not back down.
He straightened his collar, maintained that stiff and haughty expression, and spoke in a clear voice,
"Young man, please announce my arrival. My name is Yu Xiaogang, and I have come specifically to visit your academy's Dean."
Li Xin rested the greatsword on his shoulder and tilted his head, looking Yu Xiaogang up and down before seeming too lazy to care.
"Yu Xiaogang? Ma Xiaogang? Never heard of you. The Dean has ordered that idlers are forbidden from entering."
"Leave."
"..."
Before you continue