Of course, this doesn't mean that hard work isn't important.
Effort is certainly important.
But if you can't see reality, all your efforts will be in vain.
She suddenly remembered what her father had told her before she left home, " Rongrong, you've been spoiled since you were little, you don't know your place. Go out and see what truly outstanding people are like. Then decide what kind of person you want to become."
At the time, she thought her father was nagging.
Now she seems to understand a little.
Zhu Zhuqing noticed her silence and gently touched her arm. "What's wrong?"
Ning Rongrong shook her head and lowered her voice, "It's nothing. I just feel... I should go back to my sect after the competition."
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at her but didn't say anything.
Actually, she wanted to leave too.
She came to Shrek Academy to see how the prince who ran away from his arranged marriage was doing, but what happened?
Not only do they loaf around and wait to die, but they also do nothing all day long and act like monsters.
If Dai Mubai were truly a monster, he wouldn't have fled Star Luo City in the first place.
I had no idea there were people more capable than me.
Dai Mubai...
She didn't want to comment.
But the longer you stay in Shrek's atmosphere, the more oppressive it feels.
Everyone lives in their own world, believing they are the protagonist of their own destiny.
But does the real protagonist really need to rely on motivational platitudes to prove themselves?
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of estrangement in each other's eyes.
Although they were still in the group, their hearts had already flown away.
At nine o'clock in the morning, the opening ceremony bell rang.
The Soul Fighting Arena, with a capacity of 30,000, was packed to capacity, and the host's voice resounded throughout the arena via Soul Tool:
"The opening ceremony of the Continental Elite Tournament for Advanced Soul Master Academy, Heaven Dou Division, is now beginning!"
Cheers erupted like a tidal wave, deafeningly loud.
In the VIP section, Xue Ye slowly entered, followed by Qian Renxue, disguised as the Crown Prince.
The entire audience stood and bowed.
Xue Ye nodded slightly, but her gaze fell on the spot beside her.
He paused, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
The teacher still didn't come this year.
It's been a long time since I've seen my teacher on such an occasion.
Since Xie Ru resigned from his position as prime minister and went into seclusion in the Back Mountain of the Heaven Dou Academy, he has never appeared in public again.
Every year, the invitation to the competition arrives as scheduled, but the only reply I always receive is "No need."
He didn't actually have high hopes this year.
Qian Renxue stood half a step behind him, her face respectful and proper, but her eyes revealed deep contemplation.
Will Xie Ru come?
Having infiltrated the Heaven Dou Empire for so many years, her biggest regret was failing to win over this person.
Former prime minister, emperor's tutor, and Titled Douluo with Sword Dao.
Such a person, if he could be used by the Spirit Hall, would be a tremendous asset...
Moreover, she discovered that Xie Ru had no political stance whatsoever.
Or rather, his only stance is that of the people.
Unfortunately, he never easily gives face to anyone.
Even when she disguised herself as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and tried every means to get close to him over the years, the reply she always received was, " Your Crown Prince is too kind, but I am an old man from the mountains and am not used to social niceties."
Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes slightly.
Zhou Qiubai, Yang Guyun, Chen Xuan...
Chen Xuan is his junior apprentice, and those two have been getting very close to him lately.
Since these three are coming today, Xie Ru should also be here, right?
At that moment, the entire venue suddenly fell silent.
This silence was not a sudden stillness, but rather like the receding tide; the clamor of 30,000 people vanished in just three breaths.
A figure slowly walked towards the entrance to the VIP seating area.
A plain-colored scholar's robe paired with dark-colored casual clothes, and cloth shoes lightly touching the ground.
He had no guards with him, and walked away alone with great composure.
However, not a single one of the 30,000 people in the audience dared to utter a sound.
Those young students, those arrogant Soul Master, were about to ask, "Who is this?" when they were slapped down by their elders.
"Shut up!"
"That's Dean Xie!"
Thank you everyone...
Whispers swept by like the wind, but soon returned to silence.
Because that person's steps were so steady, so steady that no one dared to be presumptuous in front of him.
All those present who considered themselves scholars, including civil and military officials, bowed to Xie Ru.
A heartfelt respect, untainted by any ulterior motives.
"We have paid our respects to Master Xie."
Regardless of whether Xie Ru was their teacher or not, all those who considered themselves scholars, even Yu Xiaogang, bowed in unison at this moment.
After all, if you want to make a living in the literary world, you can't jump out at this moment.
Last time, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy was only able to hold their own because they had few people and no one paid much attention to Yu Xiaogang, this clown. If he were to jump out now, Yu Xiaogang wouldn't even know how he died.
Xue Ye turned around, his gaze fixed on the approaching figure. He straightened his clothes, took a few steps forward, and bowed respectfully. "Student Xue Ye greets his esteemed teacher."
The entire audience erupted in uproar.
Did the emperor personally perform the ceremony?
Claiming to be a student?
Those who were unaware of Xie Ru's identity stared wide-eyed at the scene in disbelief.
Xie Ru walked up to Xue Ye and raised his hand in a gesture of support. "Your Majesty, you are now the emperor, and an emperor should act like an emperor."
Xue Ye shook his head, his tone respectful. "Propriety must not be disregarded. Teachers are not only mentors to students, but also the Sea God of the empire. It is only natural for students to pay homage to their teachers as students do."
Xie Ru looked at him, said nothing more, and simply nodded slightly.
On Xue Ye, she stepped aside to lead the way, saying, "Teacher, please take a seat."
Xie Ru slowly walked towards the highest point of the VIP seating area.
As he passed the seats of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he paused slightly, his gaze meeting Chen Xin's.
Chen Xin immediately stood up and clasped his hands in a salute.
Xie Ru nodded in return.
After he sat down, Xue Ye sat down beside him.
Qian Renxue, standing behind Xue Ye, couldn't help but glance at Xie Ru.
The person she had tried to win over for years but had never succeeded in was now sitting just three meters away.
It was still the same face, the same expression.
In the stands, Chen Xin sat down again, her gaze still fixed on Xie Ru's direction.
Ning Fengzhi asked in a low voice, " Uncle Sword, are you itching to use your hands?"
Chen Xin, remained silent for a moment, and said, "It is reverence."
Ning Fengzhi raised an eyebrow. "You were defeated by him, yet you still hold him in awe?"
Chen Xin glanced at him. "Having been defeated by him, I realized just how big the gap is. Over the years, I've been thinking about how long I could last if we fought again."
"How long?"
"I don't know." Chen Xin withdrew her gaze. "But I know I still can't win."
Ning Fengzhi silent.
Chen Xin is hailed as the foremost swordsman in the Douluo Continent Sword Dao, a level 96 Titled Douluo, just one step away from level 97.
But he said himself that he couldn't beat someone at level 94.
"My grandfather told me that when he was prime minister, he was worth a thousand soldiers..."
"Nonsense, Titled Douluo!"
The three education commissioners, Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin, who were sitting in front of the students, also stood up and respectfully bowed in Xie Ru's direction.
" Dean Xie."