Talent That Could Not Be Suppressed

Talent That Could Not Be Suppressed

As the number one academy on the continent, Shrek Academy recruited students once every three years. Applicants had to be under twelve years old, possess Soul Power above rank fifteen, have a recommendation from an academy, and pass ten rounds of assessment.

Of course, those were the admission requirements for the Outer Courtyard.

If someone accidentally missed admission to the Outer Courtyard, there was a high chance they would have no further connection with Shrek Academy—unless they met the enrollment requirements for the Inner Courtyard and directly took its entrance examination.

However, rules were dead, while people were alive.

If someone displayed exceptionally outstanding talent, Shrek Academy could make an exception. Just like Huo Yuhao ten thousand years ago, when they learned that he possessed Ultimate Ice, they immediately convened a Sea God Pavilion meeting.

Herta's talent was enough to move any faction. Shrek Academy would absolutely not turn away a student like her; they might even come to her door and invite her personally!

More importantly, although Shrek had an enormous reputation across the Douluo Continent, it was still, at its core, merely an academy. It did not prevent its students from joining other factions.

For example, the Tang Sect, which shared an extraordinary relationship with Shrek. Many students were both Shrek students and members of the Tang Sect.

In Wu Zhangkong's view, Herta had already joined the Spirit Pagoda. As long as the Spirit Pagoda's people were not idiots, they would never let her go. But even if she had become a member of the Spirit Pagoda, that only meant Herta could not join the Tang Sect. Joining Shrek Academy would not be affected.

Wu Zhangkong was certain that if he wrote a letter to the elders of the Sea God Pavilion, they would absolutely find a way to make an exception and keep Herta at Shrek. They would even bring her directly into the Inner Courtyard. After all, they would not feel at ease leaving a genius like her in the Outer Courtyard.

Yet Wu Zhangkong had not done so, or rather, he did not intend to do so for the time being. Of course, this was not Wu Zhangkong's own decision, but the request of another person—Herta's mother, Yuan Bao'er.

After coming into contact with Herta on the first day, Wu Zhangkong visited her family in his capacity as a teacher from Eastsea Academy. Mu Chen was busy with official business, so Wu Zhangkong did not see him. However, he did meet Yuan Bao'er, the mistress of the household.

After speaking with Yuan Bao'er, Wu Zhangkong learned of Herta's background. She had come from the slums and had been helpless and alone since childhood before eventually being adopted by the couple.

In the end, Yuan Bao'er asked Wu Zhangkong for one thing.

"I know that, with little Herta's talent, she will surely grow to heights no one can reach in the future. But before then, I hope she can have a complete childhood like an ordinary child."

"Don't let the way she behaves so obediently in front of me fool you. I believe she truly sees me as her mother. But in her eyes, I always feel as if there is a flame quietly burning."

"Yes, that one! From this mother's perspective, perhaps because of her bad experiences as a child, she has an abnormal obsession with becoming stronger."

"So after she leaves me, she will definitely undergo obvious changes. Teacher Wu, please, let that child spend a complete childhood at the academy!"

The worried expression of a mother left Wu Zhangkong silent. In the end, however, he agreed to Yuan Bao'er's request and would do his best to let Herta grow up at Eastsea Academy like an ordinary child.

Thus, Wu Zhangkong's one-on-one lessons were held only once a week. Usually, Herta could still play around the academy with Mu Xi and Ouyang Zixin.

Naturally, Herta could not possibly be unaware of Yuan Bao'er's intentions. She understood that this mother truly regarded her as a child, but reason told Herta that if she wanted to protect the things that truly belonged to her, she had to become stronger...

But at least for now, enjoying this rare peace and the affection of family was also a rare experience for Yao Lan, whose parents had both died when he was young.

Thus, influenced by Yao Lan, Herta silently accepted it as well.

But would all of this truly work?

Even if Herta herself unconsciously went along with Yuan Bao'er and Wu Zhangkong's arrangements, her talent simply would not allow such a thing to happen.

An open area on the training field.

Herta once again sparred with Wu Zhangkong. This was already their third spar, and Herta still wielded that familiar massive hammer, with almost no change at all.

Wu Zhangkong, on the other hand, no longer held the Wooden Sword he had used before. It had been replaced by a sky-blue longsword...

This was Wu Zhangkong's Martial Soul, the Skyfrost Sword!

It was only his third spar with Herta, and just over two weeks had passed, yet Wu Zhangkong had no choice but to use his Martial Soul. Even his Soul Power had risen from rank twenty-eight to rank fifty, while Herta was only rank twenty-nine...

In other words, Herta was sparring against Wu Zhangkong across two major rank gaps, yet she had remained in the upper hand throughout their spar!

First Soul Skill, Frost Mark!

An icy-blue sword aura shot toward Herta. Just looking at it was enough to feel the immense Soul Power contained within.

Yet Herta merely glanced at it. After shifting slightly aside, she directly tapped the sword aura's weak point with the hammer's handle, effortlessly neutralizing the attack.

This sight made Wu Zhangkong's gaze grow even more solemn. He had not been certain before, but now he could confirm it: no matter what kind of move it was, once it had been used before Herta a second time, she would break it without hesitation!

Even some simple moves had a high chance of being directly broken by Herta the very first time she saw them!

I still underestimated her!

He had only taught three lessons, yet Herta refreshed Wu Zhangkong's understanding of her every single time. Fortunately, the main teaching plan did not need much adjustment. Herta's self-learning ability had already allowed her to grasp high school-level knowledge in an extremely short time.

Wu Zhangkong felt that if he kept teaching her, would there not be less for Herta to learn once she went to Shrek Academy? What if she ended up looking down on Shrek Academy?

That was why he adjusted the subsequent lessons toward actual combat. Knowledge from books was easy to learn, but whether one could apply that knowledge in battle was another matter entirely.

Thus, Wu Zhangkong removed the restrictions on his Martial Soul and Soul Skills and began taking his battle with Herta seriously. Yet in the end, he still could not gain the slightest advantage over her. Even when he used combat techniques honed over many years, or some sword techniques he had created himself, Herta handled them with ease.

Therefore, all he could do was raise his Soul Power for their sparring. Yet even then, Herta could defend perfectly and occasionally give him a surprise.

She has seen through me!

Wu Zhangkong narrowed his eyes. Though he had not known this student for long, Herta had clearly understood all of his techniques. No matter what Wu Zhangkong did, even if it was a feint, Herta could see through it and counter it directly.

"That will be all for today's spar. Your friends have come to find you as well. Go with them!"

Watching Herta leave with Mu Xi and Ouyang Zixin, Wu Zhangkong felt that the teaching plan he had originally thought needed no adjustment had to be revised once again.

He had never encountered a student like this before!

He had only taught three lessons, yet he, the teacher, had to revise the teaching plan three times!

If it had been any other student, when had Wu Zhangkong ever been this accommodating?

Only a genius like Herta could leave Wu Zhangkong at a loss!

Yuan Bao'er's expression as she had made her request gradually surfaced in his mind. Wu Zhangkong could not help clutching his head again. His head truly hurt.

"Ah! With my meager strength, I fear it will be difficult to fulfill your request!"

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