Chapter 26

A friendly match with Shrek Academy!

Luo Yang became interested.

Yuanen Yehui also perked up.

The reputation of Shrek Academy was known to all.

"To promote exchange and mutual learning, the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy hold a joint friendly match every year, with both sides sending a certain number of young students to participate."

Leng Yaozhu explained, but then sighed softly, a trace of helplessness and unwillingness flashing across her brow.

"However... in recent years, the final winner of the annual competition has almost always been Shrek Academy."

"The young generation that we at the Spirit Pagoda painstakingly cultivate has instead become the best 'whetstone' and 'touchstone' for their Shrek students."

"Shrek's ten-thousand-year heritage, teaching system, and ability to gather the continent's top geniuses are, after all... a cut above our Spirit Pagoda."

This was a fact, and also a hidden pain in the hearts of the Spirit Pagoda's top brass.

In terms of high-level combat power, the Spirit Pagoda might not be lacking, but in the cultivation of the younger generation and overall heritage, there was still a gap compared to Shrek, which had been operating for ten thousand years.

"What is the final reward for the competition?" Luo Yang was more concerned about this.

Since it was an important annual event, the rewards must be generous.

Mentioning the rewards, the slight gloom on Leng Yaozhu's face dissipated, and a mysterious smile reappeared.

"The winning students will receive the qualification to enter a special secret realm for cultivation."

She lowered her voice slightly.

"This secret realm is extremely ancient, having existed for at least twenty thousand years. Its internal environment is unique, and no matter what level of spirit master enters, they can gain tremendous benefits!"

"For spirit masters at your stage, it is an excellent opportunity to solidify your foundation, accelerate your cultivation, and even trigger a transformation!"

A secret realm?! Existing for over twenty thousand years?!

Luo Yang's heart skipped a beat, and a name almost blurted out.

Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well!

That was it! In the Douluo series, the description of an "ancient secret realm" that has "existed for over twenty thousand years" and provides "tremendous benefits to all levels of spirit masters" fit perfectly.

The most famous one was the natural treasure basin formed by the fall of the two great Ice and Fire Dragon Kings—the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well!

It gathered countless rare treasures and immortal herbs; it was a true holy land for cultivation!

If the reward was truly a chance to enter the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well... then he was determined to win this competition!

Whether it was to rapidly increase his own strength or to obtain the immortal herb resources that might be there, it was worth his all-out effort!

"Does this secret realm... have many rare flowers and herbs?" Luo Yang asked tentatively.

Leng Yaozhu looked at him with some surprise, not expecting him to guess this, but she still nodded: "That's right, that is its magical aspect. Why, interested?"

"Of course!"

Luo Yang said decisively.

"For this friendly match, my junior sister and I will definitely bring back the victory for the Spirit Pagoda!"

Although Yuanen Yehui did not know much about the secret realm, seeing Luo Yang attach such importance to it and hearing Leng Yaozhu's description, her fighting spirit was ignited.

She nodded firmly, her voice cold yet resolute: "I will give it my all."

"Good! That's the spirit I wanted to see!"

Leng Yaozhu looked at the newly accepted disciples before her with satisfaction.

"In the coming days, I will personally formulate a special training plan for you to prepare for the battle! The little ones from Shrek Academy... this year, it's our Spirit Pagoda's turn to give you a 'surprise'!"

Meanwhile, at Shrek Academy, the Outer Court of the Spirit Department, Dean's Office.

The office was spacious and bright, with portraits of past Shrek sages hanging on the walls.

At this moment, the Dean of the Outer Court of the Spirit Department, an elegant and solemn old woman, was sitting behind a large desk, her gaze sweeping over the few boys and girls standing before her.

These children were not old; the eldest looked no more than twelve or thirteen, and the youngest might only be eight or nine, but each of them had a solid aura and bright eyes.

Clearly, they were elite students carefully selected and the best of this generation in the Shrek Outer Court.

"In a few days, it will be the annual friendly match with the Spirit Pagoda." Cai Yue'er's voice was steady and full of authority.

"You few are the representatives selected by the academy after comprehensive consideration. This battle concerns not only your personal honor but also the ten-thousand-year reputation of Shrek Academy."

"I want you to win cleanly and beautifully! Let those guys from the Spirit Pagoda see clearly once again who is the true leader of spirit master education on the continent!"

"Don't worry, Elder Cai!" A tall, handsome blue-haired boy with a hint of arrogance between his brows immediately responded loudly.

Yu Longheng, the descendant of this generation of the Blue Lightning Overlord Dragon family.

"It's just dealing with those 'young masters and misses' from the Spirit Pagoda who rely on resources to pile up their levels. I will show them what real combat is and teach them a lesson!"

A girl in a luxurious pink dress next to him also chimed in with a giggle, nudging a cold-faced girl beside her who had been keeping her eyes closed to rest: "Exactly, exactly. Xing Lan, don't you agree? How could we at Shrek possibly lose to the Spirit Pagoda!"

The girl called "Xing Lan" slowly opened her eyes, revealing a pair of cold and sharp pupils like icy stars.

She merely glanced at the young girl who had spoken with an expressionless face, offering no reaction before closing her eyes once more, as if everything around her was irrelevant and only the path of the sword existed in her heart.

Everyone was long accustomed to her cold demeanor.

There was also a chubby boy with a round figure who had been silently munching on a meat bun, Xu Lizhi, who looked up upon hearing this and chimed in naively: "But... Elder Cai, what if... what if we lose?"

The office fell instantly silent.

Yu Longheng glared at him in annoyance: "Fatty Xu! Can you stop being such a jinx! You're just boosting others' morale and crushing our own spirit!"

The girl in the pink dress also chided him: "Exactly! Lizhi, why are you always thinking about losing!"

Cai Yue'er looked at these youngsters, each with their distinct personalities yet exceptional talent, and a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

She had absolute confidence in the foundation of Shrek and the strength of her students.

The Spirit Pagoda? The results of the competitions in recent years had already made everything clear.

"Alright, having confidence is a good thing, but you must not underestimate your opponents," Cai Yue'er cautioned in closing. "Go down and prepare well, adjust your state of mind. You are dismissed."

"Yes, Elder Cai!" everyone replied in unison before exiting the dean's office.

Walking back to the dorms, the group of youths continued their discussion.

"The Spirit Pagoda has been defeated by us year after year; there certainly won't be any surprises this year," Yu Longheng said, full of confidence. "In my opinion, they probably can't even find a decent opponent on their side."

Xu Lizhi took another bite of his bun and muttered vaguely: "But the books say that arrogant troops are bound to lose... and, what if the Spirit Pagoda really has someone incredibly powerful this year..."

"Xu! Li! Zhi!" A vein throbbed on Yu Longheng's forehead. "Can you stop with the 'what ifs'! Do you believe I'll throw you into the Sea God Lake to sober you up right now!"

The more he spoke, the angrier he became, and he simply patted his chest to make a vow.

"I, Yu Longheng, will put it on the line today! If we, Shrek, lose this friendly match, I... I will drink the Sea God Lake dry on the spot! Not a single drop left!"

Everyone: "..."

The girl in the pink dress covered her forehead: "Longheng, that's a bit too extreme..."

Ye Xinglan, who had been silent the whole time, opened her eyes slightly and cast a glance at Yu Longheng.

That look seemed to say: Idiot.

Xu Lizhi shrank his neck, not daring to speak further, only muttering softly: "The Sea God Lake is so big... can you really drink it all..."