A 'Heart-Stirring' Story

Among the Soul Masters on the field, aside from Beibei and Xu Sanshi, everyone else had been carried off before suffering severe injuries because of Xuan Zi.

The pressure from this battle had been immense, and both Beibei and Xu Sanshi were now bruised and battered, their bodies covered in wounds inflicted by various offensive Soul Skills.

Most of Beibei's injuries were merely superficial, though he looked rather miserable.

Xu Sanshi, however, had been much less fortunate. Having faced the Hell White Tiger's assault head-on, even though he was a powerful Defense Type Soul Ancestor himself, he was already on the verge of critical injury.

"Hiss, hiss, hiss." At Xuan Zi's signal, a healing-type Soul Emperor instructor began treating Xu Sanshi.

Xu Sanshi grimaced and twitched in pain, but his seemingly serious injuries were quickly stabilized. He would only need some rest and recuperation afterward.

Xuan Zi swept his gaze over everyone present. In his eyes, Huo Yuhao and the others had practically been dead weight in this Selection Tournament battle, but he had no intention of going back on his word.

After taking a bite of his chicken leg and a swig of wine from his gourd, Xuan Zi said, "Other than the final seven who remained standing, everyone else has been eliminated. Go back on your own later."

The students who had been carried off the field fell silent. Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu also regained consciousness with the teachers' help.

Dai Huabin clenched his teeth. This Selection Tournament should have been a perfect opportunity for Zhu Lu and him to display their strength, but it was all his fault—this damned Huo Yuhao's fault.

Dai Huabin stared fixedly at Huo Yuhao. After looking over the silent crowd, Xuan Zi continued, "Perhaps some of you think this is unfair. You may even be unconvinced."

"You may think this kind of free-for-all was somewhat childish. In a free-for-all, those among you with greater strength had to bear more pressure, and some of you were even eliminated early as a result, losing your qualifications."

"But I'm telling you: you are wrong. Your mistake lies in truly believing that every battle must begin under fair and just conditions, and that victory alone is what Soul Masters seek."

"Battle is battle. You need to understand that on a real battlefield, combat is not children playing house in an academy. You cannot decide the number of enemies you face, nor the circumstances you will encounter."

"And in such situations, the choices you make and how you make use of your own advantages are what truly demonstrate a Soul Master's combat literacy. The only thing you can decide is yourself."

"Regardless of the outcome or your strength, Beibei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, Wang Dong, Ning Tian, Xiao Xiao, and Huo Yuhao were the seven who stood until the end. Therefore, they are the unquestionable victors."

"During this free-for-all, every one of your combat qualities, personal strength, and even your ability to make judgments based on the situation was fully displayed before my eyes."

"I only hope that you remember this clearly. If anyone still thinks this battle was not fair enough to them, then I can only say that your mentality is unsuited for the Inner Court. You are not qualified to become an Inner Court Disciple."

Xuan Zi's calm voice, infused with powerful Spiritual Power, rang clearly in everyone's ears.

At the same time, his Spiritual Power guided their emotions, gradually calming them and influencing their thoughts.

Although Xuan Zi's Martial Soul had nothing to do with the Spiritual Attribute, he was still a Super Douluo approaching the ultimate level. Guiding these young students with his Spiritual Power was no difficulty for him.

Of course, Huo Yuhao's Spiritual Sea had two great figures stationed within it, so he was naturally a different matter altogether.

"You should know that this kind of free-for-all assessment is commonplace in the Inner Court. If you do not even possess this level of adaptability, then you have no right to become an Inner Court Disciple."

Then, Xuan Zi finally returned to the main subject and began extolling his glorious deeds once more.

"Do you know what kind of situation Inner Court Disciples faced during their most perilous moment?"

"Back then, twelve Inner Court Disciples became separated from their teachers and directly faced a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. After that battle, eight of the twelve Inner Court Disciples had fallen."

"But the four who survived all became pillars of the Inner Court. One of them even obtained that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast's Soul Ring and Soul Bone, laying the foundation for their future path of cultivation."

Listening to Xuan Zi's glorious tale, Huo Yuhao could not help feeling speechless. Honestly, he truly could not understand it. With Zhang Lexuan's talent, she could absolutely have become one of Shrek Academy's most important pillars.

The students who had followed her were likewise fully qualified to become her core team. Yet such a lineup had gone out to hunt Soul Rings and somehow still been slaughtered by a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast until more than half were dead. It was utterly absurd.

As Xuan Zi recounted this glorious deed, the others' expressions also turned sorrowful. Clearly, they had all been affected by Xuan Zi's Spiritual Power.

Huo Yuhao quickly lowered his head as well, putting on an expression as though he had been deeply moved.

"So do not think that simply studying at the academy means all will be well. Even within the academy, you must be prepared to face life-and-death crises at any time."

"Becoming an Inner Court Disciple is not merely an honor. It is also a beginning, a gate that leads directly toward life and death. Once you become an Inner Court Disciple, you will bear the mark of Shrek Academy."

"As Inner Court Disciples, as true members of Shrek Academy, the first thing every student must do after entering the Inner Court is sign a life-and-death waiver."

"To pursue the ultimate path of a Soul Master, only by disregarding life and death can one accomplish what others cannot."

What followed was a thoroughly 'moving' round of manipulation. Xuan Zi twisted the matter of using Inner Court Disciples as tools to secure Shrek Academy's position into something supremely honorable.

For a time, Xuan Zi's Spiritual Power planted a seed within the hearts of these adolescents under fifteen, whose reasoning had not yet fully matured—a seed of yearning for Shrek's glory and the Inner Court of Shrek Academy.

This seed would cause irreparable effects on students with more ordinary personalities and less resolute minds. As it took root and sprouted beneath Shrek Academy's warped educational system, it would greatly influence the paths they took afterward.

Even if they never entered the Inner Court, they would still stop at nothing for the so-called "Shrek Academy" and offer up everything they had without regard for the consequences in pursuit of so-called "glory."

Once Xuan Zi finished speaking, he took a drink of wine, and a faint glimmer of tears appeared in the corners of his eyes.

Through the Eye of Truth's analysis, Huo Yuhao was certain that although Xuan Zi had used Spiritual Power to interfere with the other students, those beliefs were also deeply rooted within Xuan Zi himself. That speech had moved Xuan Zi greatly as well.

...How terrifying.

Soon, the other teachers and students left the Soul Fighting Area with faint sorrow lingering in their hearts.

In the end, only Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, Beibei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, and Xuan Zi remained in the Soul Fighting Area.

Looking at the final seven, Xuan Zi had already returned to his usual demeanor. He calmly said, "You all know about the title of the Shrek Seven Monsters, correct?"

"Within our academy gates stand the statues of the academy's founders and the first generation of Shrek Seven Monsters."

Although they all already knew this history, no one interrupted Xuan Zi's reminiscence.

After a long, tedious account that had been embellished by countless generations until it was utterly unrecognizable, Xuan Zi finally got to the point.

"Every five years, the academy selects a new generation of Shrek Seven Monsters. They will represent the academy in the five-year Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament."

At those words, everyone except Huo Yuhao felt a faint excitement in their hearts. Huo Yuhao, however, was pondering whether he should save a few more Inner Court Disciples when they encountered the Death God's Emissary.

After all, with their current strength, winning this edition of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament was not exactly a fantasy, but he would definitely need to reveal quite a few trump cards. Otherwise, their strength simply would not be enough.

And if they lost, the resources he could obtain from Shrek Academy in the future would undoubtedly be greatly reduced. It would also interfere with the delicate balance of the entire continent.

In that case, perhaps he should alter the situation slightly and guide several Inner Court Disciples who were supposed to die or withdraw into surviving. That might better suit Huo Yuhao's strategy of keeping a low profile.

"Today's Selection Tournament was meant to choose the Reserve Team members for the next generation of Shrek Seven Monsters. The Reserve Team will serve as substitutes for the main competitors. Although the chances of you taking the field are minuscule, you will be able to travel with them and watch the matches."

Minuscule? More like a ninety percent chance, right?

"This will be extremely valuable experience for you. However, the Reserve Team positions are not fixed. Over the next five years, you will be evaluated at any time. Only those with sufficient strength will ultimately be able to represent the academy in battle, and you will undergo multiple assessments along the way."

"And if you wish to truly represent the academy, the first thing you must do is ensure that you can enter the Inner Court."

Only for you to wipe us out in one go afterward? Huo Yuhao inwardly mocked.

Xuan Zi concluded, "All right. Your status as Reserve Team members is an academy secret. None of you may reveal it, or you will be stripped of your qualifications."

"From now on, you will cultivate with me one day every week. There is one month left before this edition of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament. I will bring you along to cultivate with this generation's Seven Monsters."

"I hope you seize this hard-won opportunity and improve yourselves as much as possible."

"All right, that is all. You may disperse." Xuan Zi's gaze finally settled on Huo Yuhao. Although he regarded Huo Yuhao differently because of Mu En, he disliked Huo Yuhao's fighting style. Moreover, the Body Sect, as the strongest force of Body Martial Souls, was an enemy of Shrek Academy. In truth, he did not approve of Huo Yuhao.

"Yes, Elder Xuan," everyone replied respectfully before leaving the Soul Fighting Area.

Once outside, Beibei smiled faintly at everyone and said, "Since we have all been selected as this generation's Shrek Seven Monsters Reserve Team, then as the new generation of Shrek Seven Monsters, we should have an order of ranking."

"How about we follow the example of the first generation of Shrek Seven Monsters and rank ourselves by age?"

Everyone nodded at once. Huo Yuhao felt it did not matter at all. It was just a title, after all. He only wanted to get it over with and return early to study his Soul Skills.

They were soon ranked according to age. Beibei was the oldest, followed by Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan. Ning Tian was a few months older than Xiao Xiao, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong.

"Senior Brother, if there is nothing else, I'll head back first."

Beibei nodded. Meanwhile, Xu Sanshi was still using his blackened panda eyes to signal Beibei toward Jiang Nannan at the side.

As for what happened afterward, Huo Yuhao could not be bothered to interfere. He briskly left, while Xiao Xiao did not follow him, seemingly having developed some interest in the Tang Sect. Ning Tian and Wang Dong, however, caught up to Huo Yuhao.

"Thank you for this Selection Tournament." After walking some distance, Ning Tian spoke softly.

"One matter is one matter. It was just a transaction," Huo Yuhao replied flatly. "If you truly want to thank me, why not invest a little more in me?"

"After all, as someone born into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, you probably predicted this Selection Tournament even before we did. You likely tried to recruit me during the Treasure Appraisal Fair so you could add another chance of success at a time like this."

Ning Tian smiled faintly without denying it. She merely handed Huo Yuhao a black card. "This is a black card from our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. It can be used at banks throughout the continent."

"There are also one hundred and thirty thousand Gold Soul Coins in it. This is all the cash I can produce right now. Over the next five years, I hope Sixth Junior Brother will take good care of me."

Ning Tian blinked at Huo Yuhao, looking exceptionally charming and cute. Then, with her hands behind her back, she parted ways with Huo Yuhao and the others.

"Wow, that wicked rich woman." Wang Dong curled her lips. She had not interrupted Huo Yuhao and Ning Tian's conversation, but now she said somewhat sourly, "It's just a black card. I have one too!"

After putting away the black card, Huo Yuhao now had roughly two hundred and fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins in cash when combined with the money he had previously kept. That was more than enough to purchase the Spirit Devouring Blade.

What was more, he could use the remaining money to acquire some combat Soul Tools to bolster his strength and research, or purchase medicinal herbs and Soul Beast body materials. Either option would be quite good.

"Ahem, all right, stop talking. I'm in a good mood today, so how about I treat you at the cafeteria?" Huo Yuhao cut off Wang Dong.

Wang Dong immediately grabbed Huo Yuhao and pulled him toward the cafeteria. "Come on, come on, I want to eat—"