Participating in the Soul Fighting Tournament?

After class that day, Lin Chen and Zhou Mingxing went to find Xiao Xiao.

Lin Chen handed her a round orb and said, "This is a level-six defensive Soul Tool Mingxing and I bought together. When you're out and about, safety comes first."

Xiao Xiao was deeply moved by her two companions' concern for her safety. Fortunately, Lin Xiaolei was there to comfort her.

"Xiao Xiao, this is for you too." Lin Xiaolei handed her a Soul Tool as well.

"This is an offensive Soul Tool called the Myriad Things Cauldron. It is as heavy as if it carried ten thousand objects. Since you use a cauldron, it suits you perfectly."

"Wow, Leilei!" Xiao Xiao threw herself into Lin Xiaolei's arms, burying her face in her chest and crying. In the end, Lin Xiaolei had to wipe her tears and snot away herself.

The next day, Chicken Leg Douluo Xuan Zi led two generations of Shrek Seven Monsters to Star Luo City for the Soul Fighting Tournament. More accurately, he was taking the Shrek Seven Monsters and seven cannon fodder to compete. Oh, and Wang Yan too.

Meanwhile, Lin Chen continued living his leisurely little life in the Outer Court.

Two weeks passed in the blink of an eye.

That morning, Zhou Yi was teaching theoretical knowledge to the students in the Class One classroom, but Lin Chen was absentminded.

Should I develop the Seven Kill Sword toward the lightning attribute? Lin Chen wondered. During class, he had recalled Sword Douluo's words from years ago: "Seven Kill Thunder Rises, One Sword Breaks the Sky." That was what prompted his later deliberation.

Moreover, the lightning attribute had a certain restraining effect on Evil Soul Masters. Thunder Force contained the righteous energy of heaven and earth, making it especially effective against Evil Soul Masters capable of commanding beast souls in battle. (This was mentioned in the original work.)

Forget it. I'll ask Teacher Wang for his opinion when he gets back.

Lin Chen spent the entire lesson lost in thought.

"Ring! Ring!" The dismissal bell rang as expected. The Class One students left with their friends, either heading to eat or to spar.

Naturally, Lin Chen was no exception. As usual, he walked toward the Cafeteria with Zhou Mingxing and Lin Xiaolei.

That was how Shrek Academy worked. Starting from the Freshman Competition, the members of every team would become inseparable companions in the future. Of course, there were also a few loners, but they were exceptions.

At the very least, Lin Chen was not like that. Though he did not speak much, he was not someone who disliked being part of a group.

Just as the three of them were picking out food, Zhou Yi came to find Lin Chen.

"Lin Chen, come with me to the office." Zhou Yi was brief and to the point.

Lin Chen nodded. Though he was puzzled, he still had to show his teacher some respect.

When they arrived at the entrance to Zhou Yi's office, she did not go inside. Instead, she bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Xuan Zi, I've brought him."

"Come in." A deep, powerful voice came from within.

Xuan Zi? Chicken Leg Douluo? What was he doing here?

Did you fail to lead the team properly and come looking for me because of it?

Completely bewildered, Lin Chen entered the office.

"You're Lin Chen?" Xuan Zi spoke first, his gaze roaming over Lin Chen as though trying to see straight through him.

"Lin Chen, he is a rank ninety-eight Title Douluo. He is extremely powerful, and the bloodline within his Martial Soul has yet to be fully awakened. If it were fully awakened, he should be able to reach rank ninety-nine." Qian Renxue spoke within Lin Chen's Sea of Consciousness.

"Got it, Sister Renxue." Lin Chen replied within his Sea of Consciousness before addressing the outside world. "Yes. This student greets Xuan Zi."

"Not bad. You've attained such cultivation at such a young age. Come with me. Someone wants to see you."

Without waiting for Lin Chen to react, Xuan Zi waved a hand. His immense Soul Power directly swept Lin Chen up, and when Lin Chen came to his senses again, he had already arrived on Sea God Island.

"Let's go."

Led by Xuan Zi, Lin Chen arrived at Sea God Pavilion.

The moment he entered Sea God Pavilion, Lin Chen felt as if he had stepped into a fantastical world. Bright, sacred energy enveloped his entire body, elevating both his Soul Power and Spiritual Power.

Tang San certainly has taste. Still, it can't be denied that in this world, his strength is already at the absolute ceiling. Lin Chen grumbled inwardly.

"This is Sea God Pavilion, the highest authority of all Shrek Academy. Every major matter concerning the academy's development is decided here. Ordinarily, a second-year student like you would not be qualified to enter, but Mu En made an exception and allowed you in. Be grateful, kid," Xuan Zi said as they walked.

Lin Chen shrugged, thinking, It would've been better not to come. Nothing but trouble.

Xuan Zi stopped before a room, knocked on the door, and said respectfully, "Mu En, I've brought him."

"Come in!" An elderly voice came from inside the room.

Lin Chen knew it was time for him to put on a performance again.

Upon entering, he saw a white-haired old man reclining in a lounge chair, smiling as he watched Lin Chen.

Xuan Zi did not linger. After tossing Lin Chen into the room, he left.

Lin Chen instantly became an Oscar-winning actor, his face full of shock as he said, "Y-you-you... aren't you the old grandpa beneath the Dormitory?" After saying that, he staggered back several steps and collapsed onto the floor, leaving Qian Renxue in his Sea of Consciousness speechless.

Even with Mu En's cultivation, he could not see through Lin Chen's acting. Smiling, he replied, "It's me! Feeling the vigorous vitality of you young people, like the rising sun, can help this old man live a few more years."

Lin Chen rose to his feet, lowered his head slightly, and said respectfully, "This student, Lin Chen, greets Mu En."

"Get up!" Mu En waved a hand, and dense yet gentle Soul Power lifted Lin Chen's entire body.

"I called you here because something unexpected happened. The main Shrek Seven Monsters were attacked by Evil Soul Masters, resulting in one death and three injuries. The main team can no longer participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, so you have been sent as a substitute member."

"Don't worry, young man. Your purpose this time is to gain experience. As long as you gain something from it, that will be enough. You do not necessarily have to win the championship," Mu En said calmly.

"Mu En, why me? Is it only because Sister Lexuan wrote my letter of recommendation?" Lin Chen asked in confusion.

Mu En did not deny it and continued, "Earning Lexuan's favor is only one reason. Besides, you do not belong to any faction yet, do you? I hope Shrek will be your first choice."

Lin Chen did not answer. At a time like this, silence was the best choice.

"You do not need to give me an answer so quickly. If you enter the Inner Court, that will be your answer. Even if you do not join Shrek in the future, treat this trip to Star Luo City as an academy training experience."

"Mu En, this student is not an ungrateful person. Although I cannot give you a definite answer right now, I can promise that I will never do anything against the academy in the future!"

"Good child! Actually, I have one more question unrelated to what we discussed just now. Do you like Lexuan?"