Another Gamble

The problem is, how could this matter possibly be kept under wraps?

Xuan Zi had smashed more than half of the imperial palace to pieces!

"Rest assured, Shaozhe. I have already spoken with Emperor Xue Yao of the Heaven Spirit Empire; he would never dare to come and cause trouble for our Shrek Academy."

Seeing the grim look on Yan Shaozhe's face, Xuan Zi knew exactly what he was worried about.

What a trivial matter.

Since he had stepped in personally, how could he not have resolved all the trouble?

"Elder Xuan, you truly live up to your reputation!"

Hearing Xuan Zi say this, Yan Shaozhe felt a bit more at ease.

As long as the Heaven Spirit Empire didn't leak this incident to Mu En, then there would be no issue.

The problem was, with things turning out this way, would they still provide the resources that were previously offered at a ten percent discount?

Thinking of this, Yan Shaozhe felt a pang of heartache.

"No, I must find a way to make up for these resources from somewhere else."

Yan Shaozhe pondered for a moment and felt that the root of the matter lay with the White Tiger Duke Mansion.

Why should Shrek Academy have to foot the bill for the White Tiger Duke Mansion?

He had to find an opportunity to make them compensate for this loss.

Thinking of the White Tiger Duke Mansion reminded him of Dai Yueheng, and his anger flared up even more.

Ever since that piece of trash Dai Huabin was crippled by the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect, Dai Yueheng—who originally had no hope of inheriting the title of White Tiger Duke—had become the undisputed heir.

A genius whom the academy had spent so much energy and resources to cultivate had ended up serving as a stepping stone for someone else.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

"Xiao Tao, the next time you encounter Dai Yueheng during the inner court sparring matches, you can be a bit heavier with your methods."

"Don't ask why; your teacher has his reasons for making such arrangements."

Yan Shaozhe thought it over and still felt that he had to teach a lesson to an ungrateful wolf like Dai Yueheng.

Especially since he had heard that Dai Yueheng had been getting very close to Ning Que recently.

Such a bad trend naturally had to be suppressed.

He could forget about participating in the Soul Master Tournament, which represented the glory of Shrek; he could just get injured during the sparring matches and lie in bed for a while.

After making these arrangements, Yan Shaozhe finally felt a bit more comfortable.

On the other side, in the Heaven Spirit Empire.

Emperor Xue Yao looked at the ruined palace before him, his heart filled with humiliation and rage.

The royal family of a nation, humiliated like this time and time again.

Not long ago, two students had dared to directly challenge the majesty of the Emperor, pressing his face into the dirt and trampling upon it.

And now, not long after that, a Title Douluo had broken directly into the palace, using a commanding tone to demand they provide the required resources—at double the previous quantity, and at half the price as an apology.

What crime had the Heaven Spirit Empire committed?

Was the crime that they didn't immediately respond with pleasure after being insulted by you?

The resources were already being sold at a near-giveaway price; to cut the price in half again while doubling the quantity—was this not blatant robbery?

And after the robbery, they were expected to praise the masters of Shrek for robbing them well.

But what could he do?

The royal offerings had all been severely injured, and not one of them was a match for the Shrek elder.

When one's strength is inferior, one can only obediently follow orders.

The problem was, where were they supposed to find that many resources?

The resources provided previously had already faced various forms of resistance from the empire's nobles, and many times, the royal family had to pay out of their own pockets to cover the shortfall.

Now, to provide double the amount—the nobles would naturally refuse, and in the end, it would all fall upon the royal family.

Was this not forcing them to their deaths?

"This resource, I simply will not give it."

"If Shrek Academy has the ability, then come and kill this Emperor!"

Driven beyond the limits of his endurance, Xue Yao decided to stand his ground.

Not only that, he would publicize this matter far and wide.

At most, it was just death!

Back at Shrek Academy, the advancement exams officially began ten days after the start of the semester.

Those associated with the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect naturally passed with ease.

Huo Yuhao did not reveal his second martial soul as he had in the original timeline; knowing that Dai Huabin had already become a cripple, he felt quite satisfied.

He also realized that only by becoming stronger could he do what he wanted, so he spent most of his time cultivating.

Without Zhou Yi's recommendation, he did not head to the Soul Guidance Department, instead dedicating all his efforts to cultivation to improve his strength.

Coupled with the compensation from the academy after the assassination attempt and the reparations from the White Tiger Duke Mansion, the resources he obtained far exceeded those in the original story, which was why his soul power had already reached level 29 in just over a year.

At his current rate of cultivation, he even had a chance to reach level 30 before the Soul Master Tournament.

As for the advancement exams, with their strength, they could naturally complete them with ease.

Next would be a chaotic brawl, from which the reserve members of the Shrek Seven Devils would be selected.

Mu Jin had been riding high lately.

Since the start of the semester, the students in her class had all shown leaps and bounds in improvement.

She firmly believed that this time, some of her students would definitely be able to become candidates for the Seven Devils.

This would be a great honor on her teaching resume.

Therefore, she became even more attentive to these children.

"Go ahead and be smug, let's see how long you can keep it up!"

Zhou Yi looked at Mu Jin with venomous eyes.

For these past few days, she had forced herself not to go over and gloat in front of Mu Jin, all just to wait for this day.

To let this stinking woman suffer a blow at the very moment she was most proud of her life.

That would be the most satisfying revenge.

"Mu Jin, do you dare to make another bet with me?"

"Let's bet on whether any of the students you brought back can pass the assessment during the melee and become reserve members of the Seven Devils!"

Zhou Yi thought of a good way to get back at Mu Jin and stepped forward to stir up conflict once again.

"I won't bet!"

To Zhou Yi's complete surprise, Mu Jin didn't even think about it and rejected her proposal outright.

"What's the matter, Mu Jin? Are you afraid?"

"Don't dare to bet with me?"

Zhou Yi mocked her again.

"My students will definitely have someone who can become a reserve member of the Seven Devils. If you're betting that some of them will succeed, why would I bet with you on a game I know I'm bound to win?"

"Unless you bet that none of them can become reserve members of the Seven Devils!"

"Besides, what could you possibly have left to wager against me now?"

"I have no interest in ordinary trash!"

Mu Jin looked at Zhou Yi with a half-smile.

Having fought for so long, how could she not know Zhou Yi's little schemes?

"Fine, just as you said, I bet that your students won't become reserve members of the Seven Devils, and the stake will be a level 6 Invincible Barrier produced by Mingde Hall of the Sun Moon Empire."

Zhou Yi acted as if she had gone mad, displaying the posture of someone willing to risk everything just to win against Mu Jin once.

This level 6 Invincible Barrier was something she had only just obtained from her husband, Fan Yu, not long ago.

When worn by a Soul Emperor and activated, it could block an attack from a Title Douluo for 3 seconds; its value was exceptionally high.

"Very well, I will put up a genuine soul bone to bet against you."

Seeing that Zhou Yi had taken the bait, Mu Jin agreed immediately.

Both of them believed they had the upper hand over the other.

Ning Que, who had just finished his seclusion and come to watch his younger sister and the others compete, arrived just in time to hear the wager between the two.

He frowned slightly, a cold glint appearing in his eyes.

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