How to Lure Yang Jian Away?

Led by Ma Xiaotao, Yang Jian soon met a middle-aged man in white. His handsome features exuded an air of scholarly elegance, and his presence was suffused with a light-attribute aura similar to that of the Golden Tree.

Dean of the Martial Soul Department at Shrek Academy, Yan Shaozhe, a rank 95 Super Douluo.

Yang Jian couldn't help but glance down at Little White in his arms, whose cowlick remained stubbornly upright. If Little White's current image was that of a puppy, then Yan Shaozhe was an old dog.

With this kind of classic, scholarly good looks, it was no wonder he could have captivated thousands of young girls back in the day.

As Yang Jian observed Yan Shaozhe, Yan Shaozhe was also sizing up the young man before him. Having already learned from Bai Yu about the heaven-defying nature of Yang Jian's martial soul, he now had only one thought: to keep Yang Jian at Shrek Academy at all costs.

A Title Douluo possessing nine Ultimate Fire attributes!

What kind of concept was that?

With nine Ultimate Fire attributes, he would likely have the strength to contend even against a Limit Douluo, wouldn't he?

Furthermore, if Yang Jian did not perish prematurely, his future as a rank 99 Limit Douluo was practically a certainty.

If such a genius student could be kept at Shrek Academy and eventually become the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, it would be enough to ensure the prosperity and glory of Shrek Academy for hundreds of years to come!

Even after his teachers passed away, Yang Jian would be able to shoulder the burden of Shrek Academy!

The only trouble was Yang Jian's identity.

As a newly appointed Title Douluo of the Star Luo Empire Offering Hall, Bai Yu's intentions likely represented those of the Star Luo Empire Offering Hall, or even the Star Luo Empire royal family.

It was unlikely they would allow such a genius to remain at Shrek Academy.

What was even more troublesome was that Yang Jian had not been cultivated by Shrek Academy from the start.

Having grown up in the Star Luo Empire Offering Hall since childhood, Yang Jian possessed vast resources that were in no way inferior to those of Shrek Academy. Just looking at how he ate Xuanqing Pill like candy, it was clear that the Offering Hall was grooming Yang Jian as their future successor.

Under these circumstances, Yan Shaozhe truly couldn't think of any way to entice Yang Jian to stay at Shrek Academy.

The "big picture" promises he usually excelled at?

Hundred-thousand-year soul rings, soul bones, and the like... whatever Shrek Academy could provide, the Star Luo Empire Offering Hall could provide just as well, perhaps even better.

After all, no matter how much Shrek Academy valued Yang Jian, they couldn't pour all their resources into one person. But the Star Luo Empire Offering Hall could truly go all out, mobilizing all their Title Douluo to hunt down the soul beasts needed for Yang Jian's soul rings.

Compared to the Star Luo Empire Offering Hall, Shrek Academy really didn't seem to have much of an advantage...

Could it be, perhaps, a honey trap?

Thinking of the rumors he'd heard about the Star Luo Empire royal family planning to marry a princess to Yang Jian, and then looking at the appearance of Elder Ye's great-granddaughter, Ye Qingyuan, Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

When it came to a honey trap, he was already too late!

After racking his brains without finding a better solution, Yan Shaozhe wore a gentle smile as he looked up at Yang Jian.

"Yang Jian, Xiaotao has already told me about your requirements. As it happens, I have some leads regarding what you need."

Hearing this, Yang Jian's heart stirred slightly, yet he kept his expression neutral, staring straight at Yan Shaozhe without being affected in the slightest.

Seeing this, Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but sigh softly to himself.

Exceptional talent, excellent temperament, calm and composed.

The more he looked, the more impressed he became!

"Years ago, while traveling the continent, I discovered a soul beast with the bloodline of an ancient deity—a phoenix form with the Ultimate Fire attribute. At the time, its cultivation was around twenty thousand years. I had originally intended to secure this soul beast as a fifth or sixth soul ring for Xiaotao. Unfortunately, when I took Xiaotao to find the phoenix, we couldn't track it down."

"Back then, I thought it was a pity and assumed the soul beast had perished. I never imagined it hadn't died, but had instead left the Star Dou Great Forest and headed for the Sunset Forest."

"Currently, this phoenix remains deep within the Sunset Forest, lingering there as if something in the forest is attracting it. I have already dispatched two Title Douluo from Shrek Academy to lock onto the beast's trail. Once there is any news, they will immediately pinpoint its location and report back."

A twenty-thousand-year fire phoenix?

Sunset Forest?

Yang Jian's heart skipped a beat.

He had a rough guess as to why this fire phoenix would leave the Star Dou Great Forest and travel thousands of miles to the Sunset Forest.

He couldn't think of any reason other than the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well located within the Sunset Forest.

It couldn't be that this fire phoenix had "killing intent perception" and had sensed in advance that Yan Shaozhe intended to kill it for Ma Xiaotao's soul ring, prompting it to flee early, could it?

However...

The attribute was correct, and the species of the soul beast was top-tier, though the cultivation level was indeed a bit lacking.

Seeing Yang Jian frown slightly, Yan Shaozhe spoke softly again: "Of course, this fire phoenix's cultivation is still a bit short of your ideal, so I have already mobilized Shrek Academy's intelligence network to search for a soul beast that perfectly meets your requirements. At the same time, I will issue a long-term mission within the Shrek Inspectorate to help you find such a beast."

"Although I am not sure what your exact Soul Power Level is, I can guarantee that I will find the most suitable soul beast for you before you break through to level forty."

"What do you think?"

Yan Shaozhe rarely made a losing deal.

At least in his eyes, Yang Jian was worth mobilizing such power; he was worth the investment.

Although he hadn't yet figured out how to keep Yang Jian at Shrek Academy, he could at least build up some goodwill in the meantime.

As for what happened later... he would cross that bridge when he came to it.

Hearing this, Yang Jian breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

If there were better options regarding the age of the beast, he certainly wouldn't mind. But if they truly couldn't be found, that twenty-thousand-year fire phoenix would serve as his backup.

An Ultimate Fire soul ring with a slightly lower age is still better than one with sufficient age that lacks the Ultimate Fire attribute.

"Then many thanks, Dean Yan Shaozhe. As for Senior Sister Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire... I have no further issues."

"I can suppress the Evil Fire for Senior Sister Ma Xiaotao at any time."

The reason he hadn't followed Ma Xiaotao immediately before was to avoid a free ride. Now that Yan Shaozhe had shown his sincerity, he naturally wouldn't decline any further.

It was just a matter of convenience.

Coincidentally, he also wanted to gain some benefits in the process of suppressing the Evil Fire.