Can Shrek Withstand Humanity's Strongest Technology?

Spirit Pagoda

Leng Yaozhu was looking down at the files, her gold-rimmed glasses perched on her nose, her pen scratching across the pages.

There was a soft knock on the door; she didn't look up, her voice flat.

"Come in."

A middle-aged civilian official pushed open the door and entered, carrying a thick stack of compiled intelligence summaries, which he placed on the corner of the table.

He then took out another letter and handed it to Leng Yaozhu with both hands.

"Your Heavenly Phoenix, please take a look at the message regarding the child."

Leng Yaozhu's pen paused for a moment.

She put down her pen, took off her gold-rimmed glasses, rubbed her temples, leaned back in her chair, and then reached out to take the letter.

"Oh? Let me see it."

She has been dealing with the mountain of official business at the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters lately.

The Leng Family's seat in the council, the Qiangu Family's clandestine actions, and the restless smaller families within the Spirit Pagoda.

She needed to personally oversee and make decisions on every single matter.

She received the message that Bai Yuan and Gu Yuena were going to Shrek for an exchange.

But we haven't had time to look into the specifics of what happened yet.

Leng Yaozhu unfolded the letter, her gaze sweeping over the first line.

Yue Zhengyu challenged Bai Yuan, but was easily defeated.

Bai Yuan has taken the title of the First Defense of the Youth Genius Ranking, and the news has spread throughout Shrek.

Major media outlets rushed to report on it, Bai Yuan's name once again topped the trending searches.

The letter ended with a list of gifts that Bai Yuan had sent back.

Soul-guided tea, Shrek Academy's specialty cultivation resources, and some other trinkets she couldn't name.

Leng Yaozhu's lips curled into a slight smile.

The person who had been standing by the table with his hands at his sides saw her smile and quickly moved closer, his tone carrying a hint of ingratiating eagerness.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, you've found a promising talent!"

It's only a matter of time before Bai Yuan tops the Genius Ranking!

Now we can shut those old guys up in parliament!

Leng Yaozhu nodded, her smile not yet completely gone, but her voice had already regained its usual composure:

"Not bad, not bad."

"Although Shrek may not be good enough, if you can defeat all the Shrek Academy disciples and then climb to the top of the Genius Ranking, then the situation will be different."

Her gaze fell on the last line of text on the letter.

Bai Yuan also sent back a gift.

This child is thoughtful.

Leng Yaozhu folded the letter and put it in the drawer.

I stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the gray skyline outside the Spirit Pagoda.

Next time he comes back, we'll reward him properly.

Leng Yaozhu turned around, her smile mostly gone. She put her gold-rimmed glasses back on, sat back in her chair, picked up her pen, and her tone returned to its usual calm:

"Reply to them, keep working hard, and don't be arrogant."

The man muttered to himself, "Wasn't he just having a good time?"

I thought there would be some kind of reward, but his face remained expressionless.

He lowered his head, replied "Yes," and left the office.

The door closed behind her, Leng Yaozhu sat alone in the empty office.

She put down her pen, took off her glasses, leaned back in her chair, and stared at the ceiling.

That unmistakable smile once again appeared at the corners of his mouth.

This child always manages to surprise her.

Could it be that the Leng Family will truly rise again?

Qiangu Dongfeng wanted to send him to Shrek, ostensibly for exchange, but secretly for exile.

But that child managed to turn exile into a prestigious position through sheer ability.

If you send me away, I'll make a name for myself outside.

If you ever try to harm me again, you'd better think twice about the weight of public opinion.

Leng Yaozhu's lips curled up slightly.

Qiangu Dongfeng, your tricks have failed this time.

Meanwhile, in the secret chamber of the Qiangu Family.

Qiangu Dongfeng leaned back in his chair, the Soul Guidance Screen filled with reports about Bai Yuan at Shrek.

Is that little thing really that talented?

He originally thought that Bai Yuan, after going to Shrek, would be suppressed by the geniuses there and naturally become just another ordinary person.

Unexpectedly, the child was not suppressed; instead, he trampled on all the geniuses at Shrek Academy.

Qiangu Dongfeng's brows furrowed slightly.

Before long, the Spirit Pagoda will likely gain another powerful fighting force.

The Leng Family is already troublesome enough; with Bai Yuan added to the mix, how will they be able to keep their power under control in the future?

I don't know why, but I feel uneasy.

The chair he was sitting in, in particular, seemed to be a reminder that someone was eyeing his position.

Hmph, that woman Leng Yaozhu is probably overjoyed right now.

Thinking of her smug, smiling face, Qiangu Dongfeng wasn't angry at all; instead, he found her increasingly interesting.

The more Leng Yaozhu resisted him, the more charming he found her.

It's truly remarkable that a woman could establish herself in a place like the Spirit Pagoda and cultivate a disciple like Bai Yuan.

The more difficult she was to win over, the more he wanted to win her over.

Let me play with you.

Qiangu Dongfeng picked up the Soul Guidance Communicator and dialed an encrypted channel.

After a moment, a deep voice came from the other end:

"Hello?"

"Haven't you gotten through on your end yet?"

"Without."

The voice on the other end sounded somewhat impatient.

You think it's that simple?

That thing is difficult to get out.

My Qiangu Family has pulled some strings for you; as for the others, you'll have to figure it out yourself.

Otherwise, I can't guarantee your plan will succeed.

There was a moment of silence on the other end.

"OK."

He ended the call, placed the Soul Guidance Communicator on the table, and looked out the window.

Shrek's direction lies at the edge of the gray horizon.

I really look forward to that day.

I wonder if those old guys at Shrek can withstand the most powerful Soul Guidance Technology in the world?

A cold smile curved Qiangu Dongfeng's lips.

Leng Yaozhu, Bai Yuan, Shrek, Spirit Pagoda.

The winner of this game can only be him.

His laughter echoed in the secret room.

Shrek Academy

Bai Yuan sat cross-legged on the bed, his palms outstretched, Core Flame burning quietly between his fingers.

He closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into his body.

The sapling, a vibrant green, swayed gently beside the Core Flame.

But it has something more to it than yesterday.

He carefully sensed that newborn power.

The fine, hair-like roots swayed gently around the Core Flame.

On the trunk of the sapling, a faint golden line is slowly flowing.

It was a different color of light, carrying a somewhat familiar feel.

It's Li Qiankun.

Bai Yuan's pupils contracted slightly.

The counter-damage from Li Qiankun's sword strike was neutralized by the sapling the moment it entered his body.

The force rebounded from the Universe Tremor was entangled, enveloped, and absorbed by the roots of the sapling.

Finally, it transformed into a pure energy and was stored in the trunk of the sapling.

That energy had no attributes, no will.

It is simply the purest form of power that can be absorbed by anyone.

Bai Yuan stared at the golden pattern for a long time.

What he was thinking now was, if Li Qiankun found out, would he be so angry he'd vomit blood?

His counter-attack not only failed to harm Bai Yuan, but instead became a tonic for Bai Yuan.

He can absorb that energy right now.

Bai Yuan estimated that Li Qiankun would be weak for at least a few months.

It's equivalent to Bai Yuan draining a portion of his Soul Power.

There were no precious natural resources to replenish it.

It will be difficult for him to return to his peak condition in a short period of time.

Bai Yuan suppressed those distracting thoughts and let his consciousness sink back into his body.

The golden vein was still slowly flowing along the trunk of the sapling.

He tried to guide that pure energy out of the sapling and into his own body.

Nourished by this energy, the Soul Power began to slowly rise.

The bottleneck at level 40 has been broken.

He wants to find an opportunity to return to the Spirit Pagoda and upgrade his Soul Ring again.

I'll be back tomorrow!