Chapter 207

Xue Lingyun thought to himself, Ben Ti Sect was basically Shrek in sect form—both fiercely protective of their own and arrogant as hell.

But if both declined, Shrek would have a much easier time rising again. Shrek's admissions standards focused only on talent, with few restrictions on martial soul types, so it could draw in talented people from every level—gifted commoners, promising youths from small sects, even descendants of fallen clans. As long as they met the requirements, they could enter. After spending time at Shrek, even if they graduated and left, they would still acknowledge it as their alma mater. If the academy ever needed support in resources or prestige, it would at least have a card to play. Ben Ti Sect, on the other hand, could only recruit disciples with Body Martial Souls. Soul masters with Body Martial Souls were already rare across the continent, and even fewer could survive Ben Ti Sect's standards and still be willing to join. Coupled with the high mortality rate of cultivating its secret arts, Ben Ti Sect's disciples had dwindled with every generation. Once it declined, it would be difficult for it to recover.

Ma Xiaotao continued, "The academy records state that Ben Ti Sect actually emerged several more times afterward. Every so often, people from the sect would be active in different places, but they never caused much of a stir. But there is one thing. Once you hear it, you'll understand just how strong Ben Ti Sect really is."

Her voice lowered. "That time, they sent nearly forty people into the Star Dou Great Forest. Altogether, they hunted seven Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts. That incident triggered a beast tide in the Star Dou Great Forest—large numbers of soul beasts rushed out of the forest and attacked the surrounding villages and