Joining Canghui / Attacking the Rabbit
So what if he can't stay? Shrek is in his current state; there's no way he can help me beat Dai Weisi.
What's the point of waiting or not?
Thinking of this, Zhu Zhuqing's words echoed in my ears.
He wanted to leave Shrek Academy to find a powerful team to join, but at that time he hesitated and did not leave.
Because he didn't know where else he could go after leaving Shrek Academy.
His biological mother was of low status and could not provide him with much help. There were not many ministers and nobles who tried to win him over; they were all from the Star Luo Empire.
In the Heaven Dou Empire, Dai Mubai's status as a prince of an enemy nation is quite awkward...
With his abilities, he could certainly join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, but his identity is too sensitive. Would his father and the Star Luo Empire suspect that he promised the Heaven Dou Empire benefits or had leverage over it in order to gain their support?
Even if he defeats Dai Weisi in the future, he will be questioned and criticized for being a traitor to the country. Even if he wins and ascends the throne, there will be many troubles.
But Dai Mubai couldn't care less about that now; he wanted to win, he wanted to leave this damned Shrek Academy.
actually...
When Dai Mubai was defeated by the Heaven Dou First Team, other thoughts had already begun to sprout in his mind, though he himself was unaware of them.
Having figured things out, Dai Mubai ignored the pale-faced Yu Xiaogang and went to find Zhu Zhuyue.
Without Tang San and Flender, Dai Mubai wouldn't even glance at a useless Soul Grandmaster.
·························
Zhu Zhuyue's empty eyes lit up after hearing Dai Mubai's decision to leave Shrek!
He immediately stood up, intending to pull Dai Mubai away.
As we walked, I couldn't help but ask, "Which academy should we join next?"
Chapter 184 Joining Canghui
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy." Dai Mubai's voice was a little soft, but Zhu Zhuyue still heard it clearly.
She really wanted to ask, "Is this appropriate?"
However, considering the strength of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team, he silently swallowed those words.
However, Zhu Zhuyue raised another question, "The Heaven Dou Royal Academy's team is so strong, would they be willing to accept both of us?"
"Besides, they've trained for so long, their teamwork is excellent, and their relationship should be good. Can we really join them?" Teams that have already gelled together don't easily make changes to their roster.
"Don't worry about that. In order to defeat the Heaven Dou Royal Team in the upcoming Advanced Soul Master Tournament, Father specially redistributed the members of Team One and Team Two. The current Star Luo First Team is very strong. If Heaven Dou Empire doesn't want to lose, they will definitely challenge them. This is our chance."
Dai Mubai recalled the intelligence he had read before, "The real strength of the Heaven Dou First Team and Heaven Dou Second Team lies in their captains; the other members are generally weak. With our combined strength and the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, entering shouldn't be too much of a problem."
Zhu Zhuyue was still somewhat uneasy, "But what about our identities..."
Before he could finish speaking, Dai Mubai interrupted him, "Leave this to me."
···························
However, on his way out, Dai Mubai encountered Tang San, who had come specifically to see him.
The two fought.
To be precise, it was Tang San who avenged his master by teaching Dai Mubai a lesson.
Zhu Zhuyue originally wanted to go up and help, but she was entangled by Xiao Wu, who had come with Tang San.
In the end, it was Flender who intervened, and the matter was finally resolved.
Flender did not stop Dai Mubai from leaving.
Yu Xiaogang wanted to stop them, but he had just been humiliated by Dai Mubai, and his disciple Tang San had just avenged him. It would be too shameful for him to try to stop them now.
Thus, Dai Mubai parted ways with the Shrek Academy.
····························
The white jade archway of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy gleamed with a cold, hard luster in the sunlight, like an invisible threshold, keeping Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuyue outside.
"I'm sorry, Dai Mubai." The elderly man in charge of reception stroked his white beard, his tone polite but carrying an undeniable distance, "The spots for the Royal Team One have already been decided, and they are all exceptionally talented Soul Master. There are simply no extra positions available."
Dai Mubai clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white from the force.
"I don't need special treatment," he took a deep breath, suppressing the dryness in his throat. "With my Soul Power Level and combat experience, don't I even deserve a try? My fiancée and I even have Martial Soul Fusion Skill ..."
The old man shook his head slightly, a barely perceptible scrutiny flashing in his eyes, but his tone remained polite and aloof, characteristic of nobility. "Student Dai's strength is beyond doubt, but the selection of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy team is not only based on strength, but also on background and stability. The conflicts in the Star Luo Empire have not yet subsided, and it is not appropriate for the academy to get involved."
These words were like a soft knife, precisely stabbing Dai Mubai in his most sensitive spot. He understood; the so-called "no quota" was just an excuse. The real reason was that they were unwilling to accept an "exile" burdened with the grudges of the Star Luo Royal Family family.
"What about the second team?" Zhu Zhuyue's clear, cold voice suddenly rang out. She stepped forward, looking directly at the old man. "The selection criteria for the second team are relatively lenient; we are willing to start from the basics."
Dai Mubai turned his head sharply to look at her, his throat tightening. He had once been the captain of Shrek, a strongman who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Tang San, but now he had to put aside all his pride for a spot in the second team.
The old man hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "Although the standards for the second team are lower than those for the first team, they are still the academy's reserve force. Mr. Dai's talent is indeed suitable, but... given the relationship with the Star Luo Empire, the academy has to be cautious."
"Caution?" Dai Mubai finally couldn't help but chuckle, his laughter laced with undisguised sarcasm. "In the end, you're just afraid of getting into trouble, aren't you?"
The old man did not refute, but remained politely silent, a silence that was more hurtful than any rejection.
Dai Mubai stopped looking at him, turned around and left with Zhu Zhuyue.
Once outside the grounds of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Zhu Zhuyue asked softly, "Where to next?"
Dai Mubai stopped and stared blankly at the rows of buildings in the distance. He had thought that with his strength, he could always find a place to stay in Heaven Dou City, but reality had dealt him a harsh blow.
"Let's go to the Exotic Beast Academy." After a long silence, he said softly, his voice carrying an almost weary sense of resignation. "I saw their recruitment notice yesterday when I passed by. Although they're not as famous as the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, at least... they only look at Soul Power and the compatibility of Martial Soul, they don't ask about background."
It was an academy specializing in practical combat with Beast Martial Soul, renowned for training Soul Hunting hunters and beast breeders. Its strength was far inferior to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, and it was even considered somewhat "unreputable." In the past, he wouldn't have given it a second glance. But now, this "no questions asked" approach had become his only option.
Zhu Zhuyue had no objection, she simply nodded slightly.
He knew that choosing the Exotic Beast Academy might mean moving further away from the right to inherit the Star Luo Empire, but at least for now, he needed a place where he could temporarily gain a foothold, even if that place was far less dazzling than he had once hoped for.
Shortly after the two left, the old man went to the First Prince's residence.
He bowed respectfully and then recounted in detail what had just happened. Standing before him was none other than Xue Qinghe, the owner of this mansion...
·······························
Three years have passed in the blink of an eye.
Because of the intense competition driven by the Star Luo Royal Academy and Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the team members of various advanced Soul Master Academy have also changed.
Shrek Academy, lacking sufficient team members, chose to join other academies to supplement their teams and thus secured a spot in the competition.
Because of their conflict with Heaven Dou First Team, they did not go to Heaven Dou City, but instead joined Canghui Academy, which was also located in Suotuo City.
Unlike Shrek Academy, Canghui Academy, though not very famous, is a formal advanced Soul Master Academy with the qualifications to participate in the Advanced Soul Master Tournament.
Although Canghui Academy and Shrek Academy are located in the same city, they still have many conflicts and frictions.
The teachers and students of the Shrek Academy would bully the teachers and students of the Canghui Academy from time to time. Since the Dean of the Canghui Academy could not defeat Flender and Zhao Wuji, he could kill Shrek graduates behind their backs without being easily discovered, and occasionally some would slip through the net.
However, Dean Shi Nian was a ruthless man. Given the deep-seated hatred between the two academies, he was tempted when he saw the Soul Power Level of the Shrek Academy students.
The Dean of the Canghui Academy, Shi Nian, is an extreme and biased person who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
This academy merger will not only allow him to absorb Shrek Academy and avoid future enrollment conflicts, but the addition of these talented students will also increase the chances of the Canghui Academy passing the preliminary rounds.
(pa: Actually, I don't quite understand. In the original novel, Canghui Academy is located in Suotuo City of the Balak Kingdom. According to the preliminary round rules, it's impossible for him to go to the Heaven Dou Empire City to participate in the preliminary round and encounter Shrek Academy. He should participate in the Balak Kingdom's preliminary round to compete for a spot in the kingdom's finals. Why did he go to Heaven Dou City?)
I'm unsure whether to send them to the Heaven Dou Empire Region preliminaries as per the original story, or to have them participate in the Balak Kingdom preliminaries according to their respective regions.
So, Shi Nian hesitation, Shi Nian agreed to the Shrek Academy's merger, but only on the condition that he would listen to her.
After the conversation, Flender's face darkened.
Shrek Academy was his life's work, and it truly pained him to hand it over like this!
However, Yu Xiaogang disagreed. He understood things more clearly than Flender: it was still uncertain who would annex whom!
Canghui only had one Soul Saint Dean at that Shi Nian, Shrek had three Soul Saint, among whom Zhao Wuji was a powerful Power Attack System.
This is just the beginning of some questionable actions...
Chapter 185 Taking Action Against the Rabbit
Inside the Heavenly Heaven Dou Royal Academy Heaven Dou City.
Princess Xue Ke stood before the ethereal young man, dressed in pristine white robes, his silver hair flowing, and a long sword in his hand. Her cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation and shyness, and her voice trembled slightly as she uttered the confession she had kept hidden in her heart for so long.
Li Bai listened quietly, his eyes filled with apology, and gently shook his head, rejecting her with tenderness but firmness.
At that moment, Xue Ke felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, and all her joy shattered instantly. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but it got stuck in her throat, and tears welled up in her eyes. Watching Li Bai's departing figure, she could no longer hold back, and tears streamed down her face.
Xue Ke returned to the palace dejectedly, the scene of being rejected replaying in her mind, making her feel more and more wronged and sad. She went straight to Xue Qinghe's palace, and along the way, the palace maids and eunuchs, seeing that she looked strange, all gave way.
Upon arriving at Xue Qinghe's palace, Xue Ke pushed open the door and entered. Xue Qinghe was handling some official business when he saw Xue Ke rush in with tears streaming down her face. He quickly put down his work, stood up to greet her, and asked with concern, "Xiao Ke, what happened? Who bullied you?"
Xue Ke suddenly threw herself into Xue Qinghe's arms and burst into tears, sobbing, "Brother, that Li Bai, he rejected me again! I like him so much, but he doesn't like me at all, waaaah..." Xue Qinghe gently patted Xue Ke's back, offering insincere comfort, but also feeling helpless about his sister's infatuation, and said, "Don't cry, Xiao Ke. It's his fault for not liking us. Brother will find you someone better."
Xue Ke cried even harder, "I only love Brother Li Bai, and in my heart, no one is better than Brother Li Bai..."
The eldest prince Xue Qinghe, tried to comfort his sister with words, but he never agreed to match her with Li Bai as Xue Ke wished.
In Heaven Dou City, everyone knows that the Drunken Sword Immortal Li Bai and the First Prince Xue Qinghe have an extremely good relationship.
Countless people, after being turned away by Li Bai, came to him hoping Xue Qinghe could help them get together with Li Bai.
Xue Qinghe is not only the eldest prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, but also Li Bai's acknowledged close friend. With his help, getting close to Li Bai would be quite easy.
Xue Qinghe had considered trying to bring Xue Ke and Li Bai together to make their relationship closer, but he dismissed the idea in less than a second.
The person who introduced Li Bai and Xue Qinghe was Xue Qinghe's teacher, Ning Fengzhi, the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Xue Qinghe was well aware of Li Bai's status and importance in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He was not only a disciple of Sword Douluo Chen Xin, but also the fiancé that Ning Fengzhi was grooming for his daughter Ning Rongrong.
Li Bai, this unparalleled genius, was destined to be firmly bound to the great ship of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!
He is the next pillar of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, following Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
If Xue Qinghe dares to interfere in Li Bai's marriage, even if he is Ning Fengzhi's disciple, he will definitely not have an easy time, and may even break ties with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
For these reasons, even if Xue Qinghe wanted to bring Xue Ke and Li Bai together, he only thought about it and didn't dare to actually do it.
Xue Ke grew up in the royal family and naturally knew her future fate: to marry into a powerful noble family to support the weakened Heaven Dou Royal Family.