It had to be said that the saying, "An old man who refuses to die is a thief," was absolutely true.
Mu En had adopted this stance because he wanted the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect to keep the Holy Spirit Cult—or rather, Ye Xishui—in check.
He knew perfectly well that because of Ye Guyi, the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect was destined to clash with the Holy Spirit Cult.
That was precisely what Mu En was taking advantage of.
Mu En was fairly at ease when it came to Long Xiaoyao.
But when it came to that woman, Ye Xishui, he truly could not rest easy.
The others in Shrek Academy did not know of the Holy Spirit Cult's existence, but Mu En knew very well.
It was an understanding.
An understanding Mu En believed Ning Que would be able to see through.
Perhaps Mu En had already guessed some things when Guyi helped treat him last time. Combined with the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect's movements and direction over the years, a little investigation would give Mu En the answer: the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect also knew of the Holy Spirit Cult.
He was even certain that before Ye Guyi had fully matured, or before the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect possessed a means to truly contend against a Limit Douluo, Ning Que would not allow him to die.
Even if something happened to him and he sought Ning Que's help again, Ning Que would still find a way to keep him barely hanging on.
That would give him more time to carry out a complete reform of Shrek Academy.
"This..."
After hearing Ning Que's detailed explanation of the whole matter, Jin Heng was dumbfounded.
What kind of people were these?
How had every one of their brains been wired?
He had lived for so many years, so why did he not have a brain like that?
"Elder Jin, I asked for this Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone on Jin Sheng's behalf. Once we get it, keep it with you for now. When you find a suitable opportunity, give it to Jin Sheng."
"Do not record this Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone in the sect's records."
For a moment, Jin Heng did not know how to express his gratitude after hearing Ning Que's words.
After all, whether it was reported to the sect or not were two entirely different matters.
The head soul bone on Jin Sheng's body had been purchased by the sect. If Jin Sheng grew old one day, that head soul bone would have to be recovered, because the sect had helped buy it rather than bestowing it upon him.
If the soul bone was not recorded or reported to the sect, then after Jin Sheng passed away in the future, it could become an inherited soul bone of their branch—a completely private possession.
"Don't be so quick to feel grateful, Elder Jin. There are conditions attached. I'll need you to do some things next. Wait for my arrangements, and make certain people lose their reputations and suffer a fate worse than death!"
Ning Que spoke softly, yet his tone was filled with killing intent.
At the Sea God Pavilion meeting, he had helped Zhou Yi evade responsibility because he did not want anyone from Shrek Academy sharing the blame. That did not mean he had let Zhou Yi off.
He had plenty of ways to teach her what true despair was.
Didn't Mu En want reform? Ning Que would fully support his reforms and, while he was at it, help them remove a festering cancer.
Of course, Zhou Yi was merely an appetizer. Yan Shaozhe was the real feast.
"Just give the order, Young Master. I will give it everything I have!"
Jin Heng's voice was full of determination.
Ning Que then gave a few more instructions before returning to rest.
The next day, after Shrek Academy's deliberations, the assessment continued.
The difference was that everyone else had already been eliminated. This time, Ning Tian, Jin Sheng, Xie Huanyue, Xiao Xiao, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Tang Ya... and those who had formed teams together the day before would engage in a free-for-all.
Ning Que came to watch again.
What he had not expected was for Huo Yuhao to be eliminated first.
That was truly unexpected.
After Huo Yuhao was eliminated, he unusually walked over to Ning Que, greeted him, then sat nearby and continued watching the match.
"Interesting?"
Ning Que gave Huo Yuhao a once-over. When he noticed the bracelet now on Huo Yuhao's right hand, he found things even more interesting.
That bracelet had actually been crafted from Ten Thousand Year Warm Jade Marrow.
Ten Thousand Year Warm Jade Marrow was extraordinarily rare. Even in the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect's treasury, only a thumb-sized piece remained.
Its effects were especially unique: it could enhance spiritual power and nourish the soul.
If such a thing had appeared on someone else, Ning Que would not have found it strange.
But appearing on Huo Yuhao made it impossible not to think deeply about it.
"Could he have encountered another fortuitous opportunity?"
Ning Que knew one thing clearly: Electrolux had been a guide the Plane Consciousness prepared for Huo Yuhao. When Ning Que had gone to intercept him, he had merely tried his luck, never expecting to actually succeed.
Now that Huo Yuhao had lost his guide, would the Plane Consciousness make new arrangements?
Ning Que remembered that Electrolux had said in the original work that there was more than one fragment of his soul.
"Could the Plane Consciousness have arranged another Electrolux for Huo Yuhao, or perhaps something else..."
As Ning Que pondered this, he felt he should find an opportunity to have Guyi leave seclusion so Elder Yi could sense it out.
Several more people were eliminated one after another.
Although Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinyan possessed powerful martial souls, their strength was ultimately lacking, and they were quickly eliminated.
Next, Jin Sheng unleashed his flames at full power and, with Ning Tian's support, directly eliminated Bei Bei and Tang Ya.
Xu Sanshi should not have been eliminated, but his simp instincts flared up. To protect Jiang Nannan, he gave Wu Feng an opening and was eliminated.
That left only eight people on the field.
When Jiang Nannan saw the other seven joining forces against her, no matter how unwilling she was, she could only choose to concede.
And so, the reserve team for the Seven Devils was selected.
They were Ning Tian, Jin Sheng, Wu Feng, Xie Huanyue, Xiao Xiao, Wang Dong, and Nanmen Yun'er!
No one in Shrek Academy had expected such an outcome.
Nor could they accept it.
Not a single reserve member of the Seven Devils was a direct descendant of Shrek.
Most crucially, apart from Wang Dong, the other six were all from the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect.
Had Elder Mu not forcibly issued an order and settled the matter, the many Title Douluo of Shrek Academy would have gone mad over this alone.
"Why couldn't they have been a little more subtle?"
Though Ning Que's voice carried a hint of complaint as he watched the scene, a faint smile rested on his face.
Since Mu En wanted reform, Ning Que would give him his support while also helping the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect build some prestige.
It also counted as training for these rising youngsters.
As for having them risk their lives, that was naturally impossible.
"Seems like I don't have the qualifications to take part in the Soul Master Tournament yet?"
Ning Que suddenly realized that although he was a core disciple of the Soul Tool department, he was not an official member of the Shrek Seven Devils.
In other words, he was not qualified to participate in this tournament.
He was looking forward to seeing what outrageous stunt Shrek Academy would pull next in the face of this situation.
Just don't send him any more soul bones. He really did not want them anymore.
If he kept fleecing Shrek Academy, they would truly become enemies locked in an endless feud.
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