The Meaning of Hard Work!

Hearing Elder Ma's words, Ye Luochen fell silent for a moment.

Seeing this, Elder Ma spoke again:

"What? Do you think this old man is merely talking big, so you find it hard to believe?"

"Child, it may sound somewhat tragic, but the martial souls of us Sun Moon Empire people are generally of poor quality.

"In the eyes of the Original Three Kingdoms, we are practically no different from an inferior race. Even now, quite a few people still discriminate against us."

"No one understands better than we do just how painful it is to be born lacking."

As Ye Luochen listened to Elder Ma, a contemplative look surfaced on his face.

Although he understood that Elder Ma's words carried an intent to win him over, he knew they were not false.

The poor martial souls of the Sun Moon Empire's people were something nearly everyone across the continent knew.

Because of this, the Sun Moon Empire had very few powerhouses at the Title Douluo level, far fewer than the other three Douluo kingdoms.

Born lacking...

The pain of being born lacking!

"But!"

Elder Ma's stern shout jolted Ye Luochen from his thoughts.

"So what if our martial souls are of poor quality? Does that mean we are destined to be inferior to those from the Original Three Kingdoms?"

"Does it mean we cannot catch up?"

"Of course not!"

"We of the Sun Moon Empire understand the importance of hard work better than anyone from any other empire."

"We poured in countless efforts and the blood and sweat of countless people to create Soul Tool technology."

"Soul Tool technology powerful enough to erase the gap between our martial souls!"

As he spoke, Elder Ma's face filled with intense pride.

Not only him—the other teachers in the hall were the same. Listening to Elder Ma's words, their blood boiled with passion.

"Child, you came from the Star Luo Empire, so the following example may not be entirely appropriate for you."

Elder Ma continued.

"But you must understand that it was us Sun Moon Empire people, lacking in martial souls, who created Soul Tool technology through countless efforts."

"And beat those people from the Original Three Kingdoms with their powerful martial souls into retreat after retreat!"

"If the three kingdoms had not joined forces, and if those old immortals from Shrek had not all acted together—"

"Then this continent would have long since ceased to be called Douluo Continent. It would have been renamed Sun Moon Continent!"

"No one in this world understands better than us Sun Moon Empire people just how important acquired effort is!"

"One's innate martial soul cannot determine everything!"

Hearing Elder Ma's impassioned words, Ye Luochen found his own emotions stirred as well.

It was as though a flame that had been suppressed in his chest for far too long had begun to blaze fiercely!

That was right. If everything came down to what one was born with—

Then were people like them, born with weak martial souls, destined to be trampled beneath others' feet for their entire lives?

No!

The many instructors of Mingde Hall before him were all telling him the same thing.

No!

At his side, Elder Ma continued:

"Child, coming from Shrek to our Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy, you may feel some sense of disappointment."

"But we can guarantee that here, every bit of effort you put in will receive a fair and just return."

However, before he could continue, an unfamiliar voice suddenly rang out.

"Heh, Shrek? What is there to be disappointed about?"

Everyone turned toward the sound.

They saw a slightly plump old man who had somehow appeared within the hall, despite its layers of guarded checkpoints.

"The world says Shrek is the continent's number one academy, producing countless outstanding students every year."

"But why do they never mention that Shrek only accepts geniuses?"

"By their admission standards, as long as you cultivate steadily and do not die young, where could you not achieve something?"

As he spoke, the plump old man turned his gaze toward Ye Luochen.

"This old man has been to Shrek before, and you came from Shrek as well. You and I both know Shrek's teaching methods very well."

"How much of those students' achievements truly had anything to do with Shrek?"

"Someone like you, with thirty-eighth-rank Soul Power at fifteen—was that really something Shrek gave you?"

Although Ye Luochen did not know who the plump old man before him was, the man's words seemed to carry a naturally commanding presence.

After pondering for a moment, Ye Luochen decisively shook his head.

"Boy, that's more like it."

Seeing Ye Luochen's response, the plump old man nodded in satisfaction.

"What age is this? Their teaching still consists of running laps, yet they dare attribute their students' accomplishments to their own instruction. They really know how to flatter themselves."

"Shrek, Shrek... tsk, tsk, tsk..."

"Enough. This boy is quite good. Mingde Hall wants him."

"Lin Yuan, take him through the enrollment procedures first and arrange accommodations for him."

Hearing this, Lin Yuan replied respectfully:

"Yes, Hall Master."

Hearing Lin Yuan's words, Ye Luochen was momentarily stunned.

Hall Master?

In a place like this, someone who could be addressed that way...

Could this slightly plump old man be the master of Mingde Hall?

Seeing Ye Luochen standing there in a daze, Lin Yuan hurriedly patted him and reminded him:

"Boy, hurry up and thank the Hall Master. For the master of Mingde Hall to personally say he wants you, the entire academy—even the entire empire—will be shaken when word gets out."

Only then did Ye Luochen come to his senses and hurriedly said:

"Thank you, Hall Master! Luochen will certainly work hard in the future and will not disappoint your cultivation."

The master of Mingde Hall was a great figure who existed only in legend.

His status in the Sun Moon Empire was likely comparable to that of the elders of the Sea God Pavilion in the Original Three Kingdoms.

Yet such a great figure had actually come here in person.

Most importantly, he had acknowledged Ye Luochen!

After all, back at Shrek that day, Yan Shaozhe and the other elders had not cared about Ye Luochen in the slightest.

Their attitude had been that Shrek had never lacked a Ye Luochen. If one left, another would naturally take his place.

"Then... Hall Master, how should Ye Luochen's instruction be arranged?"

Lin Yuan asked again.

By convention, newly enrolled students were certainly meant to attend the first year normally.

But Ye Luochen's current situation clearly could not be handled by convention.

The boy had carved a first-grade Soul Tool core formation on his first try, and his spiritual power was even close to the standard of a fourth-grade Soul Engineer.

Furthermore, the master of Mingde Hall had personally spoken and granted him special approval to enter Mingde Hall.

Under such circumstances, having Ye Luochen start from the first year would definitely be inappropriate.

"His instruction..."

Jing Hongchen pondered for a moment before answering:

"Do this. Place him in Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen's class. He will attend classes with them in the mornings and come to Mingde Hall in the afternoons."

"Yes."

Lin Yuan replied respectfully.

He then left with Ye Luochen.

After the two had left, Elder Ma could not help but ask in the hall:

"Hall Master, isn't it a little too hasty to place Ye Luochen directly into Xiao Hongchen's class?"

"Although his talent is outstanding, he is still a blank slate when it comes to Soul Tools. Can he really keep up?"