Either Don't Want It, Or Want The Best

Jiang Che glanced at the school uniforms the three were wearing—first-year outer court insignias. Given that today was enrollment day, it meant they had been at the academy for less than a day.

To dare venture deep into the outer perimeter of the Star Dou Great Forest with that level of strength; in the past, this would have been called serving oneself up on a platter.

The ponytail girl was the first to react. She stowed her long spear and bowed respectfully to Jiang Che. "Thank you, Senior, for saving our lives! We are students from Class Seven, first year of the outer court. My name is Ling Shuang, and these are my classmates. We heard that a suitable century-level spirit beast was roaming the outer perimeter, so we came to take a look. We never expected to encounter a thousand-year Shadow Leopard..."

As she spoke, her face flushed red, clearly aware of her own recklessness.

Jiang Che waved a hand, saying nothing more. This kind of "newborn calf not fearing the tiger" behavior happened with every batch of freshmen. Preaching was useless; they would learn their lesson once they suffered a loss.

"Get back quickly. The scent of blood here will attract stronger spirit beasts," Jiang Che said indifferently, turning to leave.

"Senior!" the round-faced girl suddenly called out, her eyes sparkling. "Are... are you a senior from the inner court? You're so amazing! You swatted that thousand-year Shadow Leopard... no, you froze it with just a flick of your finger! What level spirit master are you? A Spirit King? Or a Spirit Emperor?"

Jiang Che paused, looked back at her, and gave a faint, inscrutable smile. "Guess."

With that, his figure flickered and vanished into the dense forest, leaving the three youths staring at each other in bewilderment.

"So cool..." the round-faced girl said, cupping her cheeks.

"Stop daydreaming and let's go!" Ling Shuang dragged her away, though in her heart, she was thinking that the aura that senior possessed was something she had only felt from the elders in her family who were above the Spirit Saint level—perhaps even stronger.

By the time Jiang Che returned to Shrek City, the sky had already begun to darken.

He did not take the main gate, instead entering the inner court via the exclusive passage to Sea God Island.

Sea God Island sat on the east side of Shrek City and was the core area of Shrek Academy. It was connected to the outer and inner courts by a long bridge, and ordinary students were strictly forbidden from setting foot there.

The island was shaded by lush trees and dotted with pavilions. The air was saturated with rich heaven and earth energy, at least thirty percent denser than the outside world. This was where the Sea God Pavilion elders and the top students of the inner court resided; it was the true foundation of Shrek Academy.

As soon as Jiang Che stepped onto the island, he saw Bei Bei squatting on the stone steps at the entrance, happily slurping a bowl of steaming meat broth.

Seeing Jiang Che, Bei Bei nearly dropped his bowl, scrambling to his feet in a panic. "Brother Che! You're back!"

"Mm." Jiang Che glanced at him, noting the oil stains on his chin. "Are you squatting at the gate just to drink soup?"

"I was waiting for you, of course!" Bei Bei chuckled, wiping his mouth. "Elder Mu told me to wait here for you. He said that as soon as you returned, you should head to the Sea God Pavilion; there are important matters to discuss."

Jiang Che raised an eyebrow. "Important matters? Did Elder Mu say what it was about?"

Bei Bei shook his head, his expression turning serious. "No, but Elder Mu has already summoned Elder Xuan, Dean Yan, and Dean Cai. It seems several other Sea God Pavilion elders are there as well."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the implication was clear: Sea God Pavilion meetings were traditionally reserved only for powerhouses of elder status and the academy's highest decision-makers.

If Jiang Che was being invited to attend, it meant Elder Mu officially viewed him as a future core pillar of Shrek.

Jiang Che understood the gravity of the situation and nodded. "Understood. I'll head over now."

After taking two steps, he looked back at Bei Bei, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "By the way, how long have you been squatting at the gate drinking that soup?"

Bei Bei froze, guiltily averting his gaze. "Not that long... just... maybe an hour."

"Remember to bring a stool next time." Jiang Che left those words behind and turned toward the Sea God Pavilion.

Bei Bei stood frozen, holding his bowl, before finally reacting. His eyes widened. "Wait... was Brother Che actually showing concern for me?"

He looked down at his legs, which had gone numb from squatting, then at the now-cold broth in his bowl. He couldn't help but chuckle, whispering to himself, "That guy... he's not always as terrifying as he seems..."

The Sea God Pavilion sat in the center of Sea God Island—a simple, heavy three-story wooden building. It lacked ornate decorations, possessing only the solemnity and majesty accumulated through the passage of time.

The doors were wide open. When Jiang Che walked in, many were already seated.

At the head of the table, Mu En remained in his frail, candle-in-the-wind state, half-reclining in his chair. His dim, yellowed eyelids were slightly lowered, appearing as if he were dozing, yet everyone knew that this Dragon God Douluo never truly let his guard down.

To Mu En's left sat a gaunt old man with white hair and sharp, eagle-like eyes. His aura was heavy and restrained; this was the man second only to Elder Mu in Shrek Academy, the 98th-rank Super Douluo Xuan Zi, known as the "Taotie Douluo," whose strength was unfathomable.

To his right sat the Dean of the Spirit Department, Yan Shaozhe, and the Dean of the Spirit Tool Department, Qian Duoduo. Further down sat several inner court elders, each a Titled Douluo of the 91st rank or higher—figures who could make the continent tremble with a mere stomp of their feet.

The moment Jiang Che entered, every gaze converged upon him.

There was scrutiny, gratification, curiosity, and undisguised admiration.

"Little Che is here." Mu En opened his eyes, a trace of a smile appearing on his aged face as he pointed to the empty seat beside him. "Sit."

That seat was originally reserved for the Vice Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion. Mu En's intention was self-evident.

Jiang Che did not decline and walked over to sit down with composure. With his strength as a Titled Douluo at twenty-two, combined with the potential of his dual Ultimate martial spirits, he sat in that chair with a clear conscience.

"Everyone," Mu En began slowly, his voice not loud, yet clearly reaching everyone's ears. "I have called you all here today for two reasons."

"First, my youngest disciple, Jiang Che, has officially broken through to become a Titled Douluo today. A Titled Douluo at twenty-two is a rarity even in the history of our Shrek."

As these words fell, although the elders had heard rumors, a flash of astonishment still crossed their eyes. They knew better than anyone what a Titled Douluo at twenty-two signified.

"Second," Mu En's gaze swept across the room, his tone becoming more solemn. "Regarding Little Che's ninth spirit ring, I wish to hear your opinions. The ninth spirit ring is of paramount importance; it concerns the path to the Ultimate realm and must be approached with the utmost caution."

Elder Xuan set down the chicken leg he had been gnawing on—indeed, he had been eating the whole time—and wiped his hands. His murky eyes looked toward Jiang Che. "Kid, for your Ultimate Ice martial spirit, the most suitable ring would naturally be a top-tier ice-attribute spirit beast. But at the hundred-thousand-year level, ice-attribute beasts are few and far between. They are either far away in the frozen north or are those old monsters in the core of the Star Dou Great Forest. What are your thoughts?"

Jiang Che was silent for a moment, a flicker of contemplation passing through his silver-blue eyes.

In truth, he already had a target in mind.

"Elder Mu," Jiang Che stood up and looked at the Limit Douluo, his tone calm yet filled with unquestionable resolve. "I want to make a trip to the Far North."

"The Far North?" Yan Shaozhe frowned. "The environment there is brutal, filled with ice-attribute spirit beasts over ten thousand years old. It is said that the core region even houses a 700,000-year-old ice-attribute king. While your Ultimate Ice does not fear the cold, with your current strength..."

"Senior Brother," Jiang Che interrupted, a confident smile tugging at his lips. "It is precisely because the king of ice resides there that I must go."

"For my ninth spirit ring, I will either have nothing, or I will have the best."

As his words fell, the entire room was stunned.

Even Elder Xuan stopped gnawing on his chicken leg. Mu En's lowered eyelids lifted slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his dim eyes. The elders looked at one another; some wore expressions of worry, while others nodded in secret approval.

That entity in the core of the Far North was a being that even a Limit Douluo would not easily provoke.