"Better to act today than wait for an auspicious day. Let's do it today. I'll contact that old fellow Yue Zhengen right now."
Long Yeyue reined in her aura and considered it for a moment before speaking.
"I'll leave it all to you, Elder Long."
Cai Yue'er was naturally more than happy to agree.
"Beep, beep."
The Communication Soul Tool connected quickly.
"Elder Long, what can I do for you?"
An elderly voice came through the Soul Tool.
"Nothing much. It's just that a while ago, you wanted to send your grandchild to Shrek Academy, didn't you?"
"I'm in a good mood these days, so I'm letting you know: bring him over in a couple of days."
"As the work-study student you've been longing to see him become."
Long Yeyue had expected Yue Zhengen to agree right away, but the other end fell silent for a while.
Long Yeyue frowned, a trace of displeasure entering her voice.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Was I not clear enough?"
At last, a voice came through the Soul Tool.
"My apologies, Elder Long. I just went to ask."
"That child, Zhengyu, is undergoing the Angel Inheritance."
"It's a critical moment. In a few years, I'll definitely send him to Shrek Academy."
"I'm truly sorry, Elder Long."
Before Long Yeyue could reply, Yue Zhengen ended the call.
Long Yeyue stared blankly at the Communication Soul Tool, now disconnected.
Cai Yue'er remained silent, not daring to speak.
"Good. Now anyone thinks they can turn down Shrek."
Long Yeyue spoke with a measure of anger.
"Elder Long, should we still publicize this?"
Cai Yue'er asked cautiously.
"Publicize it? Why wouldn't we?"
"Shrek is where monsters are trained. A true monster doesn't lose!"
"Contact the Dazzling Tang Sect branch of the Tang Sect immediately."
"Have them put this challenge on the front page!"
"Yes, Elder Long. I'll do it right away."
Back at the other end of the Soul Tool, where Yue Zhengen was.
"Grandpa, why did you turn Shrek down?"
"Didn't you always want me to go there as a work-study student?"
Yue Zhengyu asked, puzzled.
Yue Zhengen looked at his grandson's innocent eyes and spoke fondly. "Silly boy, how could I not want you to go?"
"You're still too young. In three or four years, once you can make your own judgments, I'll send you there."
"Oh, Grandpa. I'm going to play now!"
Yue Zhengyu didn't think about or understand what his grandfather had said.
He hopped away.
"Ah." Yue Zhengen sighed as he watched his grandson leave.
He had rejected that woman, Long Yeyue, because his network had let him learn some inside information.
The Southern Yue Family held an awkward position in the Federation.
The Angel Martial Soul passed down through the family was a true God Rank Martial Soul.
Two thousand years ago, the Sea God had severed the God Rank inheritance.
Though the Angel Martial Soul had been passed down ever since,
it seemed to have been cursed. Its inheritors couldn't break through their limits, and after reaching Super Douluo, they faced an invisible barrier at every level.
It wasn't until the Abyss Plane invaded that the barrier disappeared.
After another six thousand years of development, the Southern Yue Family had taken shape.
However, the Federation was probably wary of the Yue Family.
On one hand, it feared that the Yue Family might repeat the Spirit Hall's old playbook. The precedent was right there.
On the other, it feared the emergence of another Sea God Family.
The family Chen Xinjie belonged to.
Therefore, although the Yue Family controlled the southern armies, it had never truly entered the Federation's inner circle.
But there were no secrets that could be kept forever.
He hadn't reached his position as commander of the Southern Legion by being a pushover.
He knew a little about the Federation's intentions and the War God Temple Master's actions.
Agreeing to Shrek's request now would undoubtedly mean taking Shrek's side far too early.
"Let's wait a little longer. In three or four years, the truth will become clear."
Yue Zhengen murmured.
Shrek acted quickly.
Just two days after Xie An returned to the War God Temple, the Dazzling Tang Sect had already reported online that Shrek would participate in the new Eastsea Alliance Grand Competition.
The Shrek Academy team members would use their titles from the Youth Genius Ranking.
Netherworld Wu Siduo, Star Sword Ye Xinglan, Dark Bear Yang Nianxia, and others.
In no time, the news had shot to the top of the trending charts.
Many people commented that this so-called Eastsea Alliance was no match for Shrek—it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
The various factions were all waiting to laugh at the Federation.
"Beep, beep."
Xie An saw the Soul Guidance Communication Device call from the Federation Council Chairman and answered at once.
"My dear War God Temple Master, you've really gone too far this time."
"I just didn't expect Shrek to react so strongly," the Council Chairman said.
"I expected that. Besides, even if Shrek hadn't reported it, I would've stirred things up myself."
"Otherwise, what would be the point of all the effort I put into bringing these talents together?"
The Council Chairman didn't seem particularly reproachful. He only reminded him,
"I believe in your abilities, including your ability to coordinate the entire region."
"This test also showed us where the Tang Sect's loyalties lie."
"It's time to wake up those Dove Faction members who are still holding on to illusions."
Xie An agreed with the Council Chairman's thinking.
After giving it some thought, Xie An decided that he should remain at Eastsea Academy for a while, in case anything unexpected happened.
Heaven Dou City, Blacksmith Association.
Mu Chen looked at the newspaper in his hands and spoke to Zhen Hua in surprise.
"Tell me, wasn't that kid Tang Wulin assigned to Eastsea Academy by the War God Temple Master?"
Zhen Hua nodded in agreement as he hammered at the metal.
"Aren't you going to visit the one you wanted to take on as your final disciple?"
Zhen Hua considered this, then said, "I suppose I should go take a look."
"I was just saying. You're really going?"
"Aren't you an honorary member of the Sea God Pavilion?"
Mu Chen was genuinely surprised now.
Zhen Hua pursed his lips. "They only value me because I'm a God Craftsman."
"Compared with having a successor, what's there to cherish about being a Sea God Pavilion member?"
"Ah, no wonder you became a God Craftsman while I married my junior sister."
Mu Chen said with a sigh of admiration.
Spirit Pagoda Headquarters.
Qiangu Dongfeng pondered as he looked at the news online.
After Elder Qiangu reached the Limit, he had passed the position of Spirit Pagoda Master to Qiangu Dongfeng.
After a moment's thought, he dialed a number.
"Beep, beep."
"Ghost Emperor, have your Holy Spirit Cult test out Eastsea Academy."
A hoarse voice came from the other end of the Soul Guidance Communication Device.
"No. Go yourself if you want to."
"I don't want to tangle with that hard case, the War God Temple Master."
Qiangu Dongfeng frowned and said in a low voice,
"What? You don't want to carry out your plan?"
"With just one Level 12 God-Slaying Shell, you think you can take down Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect?"
There was a long silence over the Soul Guidance Communication Device.
"I'll send someone. But you need to get the other shell ready as soon as possible, too."
"I will."
Qiangu Dongfeng spoke softly.
Before you continue