"Yaozhu, if Shrek Academy lost the title of the number one person under heaven, do you think it would affect their reputation?"
Leng Hanyuan chuckled softly.
Hearing this, Leng Yaozhu's beautiful eyes lit up.
With Yun Ming, the Sky-Propping Douluo, bearing the title of the continent's number one person, Shrek Academy's prestige had grown ever more flourishing over the years.
Otherwise, it would not have become a thorn in the side of the Spirit Pagoda, the War God Temple, and the Federal Council.
If they could strip Yun Ming of his title as the continent's number one person, it would undoubtedly deal a tremendous blow to Shrek Academy's reputation as a whole.
However...
"Brother Hanyuan, Yun Ming's strength may be somewhat troublesome."
"He isn't someone that old fellow Qiangu Dieting can compare to."
Leng Yaozhu naturally believed in her ancestor.
Yet Yun Ming's absolute strength, as he had displayed before, was still vividly etched in her mind.
Although Leng Hanyuan could suppress Qiangu Dieting, that did not mean he could suppress Yun Ming.
The two were simply not on the same level.
Moreover, her ancestor had suffered at the hands of an entire set of Four-Word Battle Armor.
"It's fine. I know what I'm doing."
Leng Hanyuan waved a hand, signaling Leng Yaozhu not to worry.
His tone was calm, as though he were merely stating a simple fact.
"I can handle him."
Upon hearing that,
Leng Yaozhu said no more.
She always had an inexplicable trust in Leng Hanyuan's words.
"Let's go. You've come all this way, so you must be tired. Come eat with us."
Leng Hanyuan stretched lazily.
He looked utterly relaxed, without the slightest concern over his upcoming spar with Yun Ming.
Watching Leng Hanyuan and the other two leave,
the pain atop Xie Xie's head had already faded, and his face was filled with excitement.
"Big news! This is absolutely huge news!"
Xie Xie clenched his fists.
"Teacher Leng is actually going to spar with that person from Shrek Academy!"
Seeing how excited he was, Tang Wulin scratched the back of his head in confusion and asked,
"That person from Shrek Academy?"
"Yun Ming?"
"Is he strong?"
"Obviously." Xie Xie rolled his eyes.
"That Sky-Propping Douluo Tower Master Leng mentioned is the current Master of Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion and the universally acknowledged number one person on the continent."
"Even the master of the Spirit Pagoda and the hall master of the War God Temple have to bow their heads before him."
"Do you think he's strong or not?"
"Oh."
Tang Wulin nodded, seeming to understand.
Then he added,
"But I think Teacher Leng is stronger."
Xie Xie slapped his forehead.
He finally understood.
Tang Wulin had completely become Teacher Leng's shape now—a hopeless, brainless little fanboy.
There was absolutely no point in analyzing such things with him.
So, he simply shut his mouth.
Still, he remained excited that he had learned such earth-shaking news so far in advance.
After receiving Leng Hanyuan's reply, Leng Yaozhu swiftly gave Shrek Academy an answer.
"Pavilion Master, the Phoenix Family has replied."
Zhuo Shi spoke.
His expression was not particularly pleasant at the moment.
He looked somewhat grave and somewhat puzzled.
As though he were contemplating something.
"What is it? Why are you dragging this out?"
Light and Dark Douluo Long Yeyue said impatiently.
Facing this senior elder, whose seniority ranked among the highest in all of Sea God Pavilion, Zhuo Shi did not dare get angry and could only smile apologetically.
"It's like this."
"The Phoenix Family has replied and agreed to the sparring invitation between the Pavilion Master and Leng Hanyuan."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"Why are you making that face?"
Feng Wuyu rolled his eyes and mocked him.
"What do you know?" Zhuo Shi did not indulge him and immediately rolled his eyes back.
"There's definitely more to it. You old bastard, can't you let someone finish speaking?"
"You!"
Hearing this, Feng Wuyu immediately slapped the table, rose to his feet, and began glaring furiously.
"Enough, stop arguing."
Seeing that the two seemed ready to have a loud quarrel during the Sea God Pavilion meeting, Ya Li, seated in the vice seat, spoke up.
Her gentle voice seemed to possess a magical power that soothed people's hearts, and the emotions of the highly agitated Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu abruptly calmed.
They sat back down in their seats, obedient as elementary schoolchildren disciplined by their kindergarten teacher.
"Zhuo Shi, continue."
"Mm." Zhuo Shi nodded and went on.
"However, the Phoenix Family has put forward a condition."
"They hope that this spar between Leng Hanyuan and the Pavilion Master will be broadcast live throughout the entire Federation, held under the watchful eyes of all Soul Masters across the continent."
"They say they hope to use this method to let more young Soul Masters recognize the peak combat power of today's Soul Master world and inspire their drive to improve."
No one present took the latter part of those words seriously.
They all knew it was merely high-sounding formal rhetoric.
What they cared about was the Phoenix Family's request.
"A live broadcast across the entire continent?"
Feng Wuyu frowned.
"What is the Phoenix Family plotting?"
"There is only one possibility."
An elder suddenly spoke.
"They hope to use this method to strike at Shrek Academy's reputation."
"After all, I truly cannot think of any other reason for the Phoenix Family to do this."
"After all, if the Pavilion Master loses, it will clearly deal a tremendous blow to Shrek Academy's prestige."
"I just can't understand it. Could the Phoenix Family really be so confident?"
"Leng Hanyuan, who emerged out of nowhere, has been at the height of his fame lately."
"Many have even speculated whether his strength might make him the number one person of this era."
"This has also greatly boosted the Phoenix Family's reputation."
"But if he loses, this unstoppable rise will surely come to an abrupt halt. At a time like this, there would be no reason to make such a request without confidence."
His analysis was very clear.
A continent-wide live broadcast of the spar was a double-edged sword.
The victor could undoubtedly elevate their faction's prestige to new heights.
But the loser would undoubtedly be knocked completely down from the clouds.
This was truly a massive gamble!
His words also voiced the thoughts of every elder.
They believed in Yun Ming's strength, since everyone had witnessed it firsthand.
Yet the Phoenix Family's response could not help but leave them feeling somewhat uncertain.
"So, do we agree or not?"
Zhuo Shi raised his eyes toward the handsome young man seated in the main seat.
Yun Ming pressed his lips together.
"Everyone, I do not know Leng Hanyuan's true capabilities, so I cannot make overly confident claims."
"The only thing I can guarantee is that I will do my utmost."
"As for whether we should agree, this concerns all of Shrek Academy. It would be best for everyone to decide through a vote."
"Those in favor of agreeing, raise your hands."
Swish, swish, swish.
Nearly seventy percent of the arms rose.
Clearly, aside from a few particularly cautious elders, the rest had tremendous faith in Yun Ming's strength.
Seeing this, a warm current of trust flowed through Yun Ming's heart, though the responsibility also brought him a few more traces of tension.
"Since that is the case..."
"Then reply to the Phoenix Family."
"We accept this condition."
Before you continue