Mu En's words this time couldn't have suited Xuanzi more.
He was more excited than anyone. If his body hadn't fully recovered, he would have laughed wildly at the sky.
But even so...
He completely ignored the pain in his body and spirit and sprang up from his chair.
Bracing both hands on the table, he leaned forward and stared at Mu En expectantly.
"Elder Mu, what do you plan to do?"
"That little brat is simply asking for death."
For some reason, whenever Xuanzi saw that brat named Gu An, a nameless fury welled up inside him.
It had been that way from the very first glance. No matter what Gu An did, every little thing made him furious.
Lin Huiqun spoke with some concern. "Elder Mu, can you guarantee success?"
"Even if we join forces and can beat that woman, Shrek Academy will still be destroyed for the most part."
Xuanzi opened his mouth, wanting to argue.
But he didn't know how to refute her.
Because he himself was a living example.
He hadn't even lasted a single round—not even one—before that woman's attack took him down.
He had been left kneeling on the ground, blood streaming from his seven orifices, howling without end.
After all, he, Xuanzi, was a Level 98 Super Douluo, an Elder of the Sea God Pavilion, and the strongest person in Shrek Academy after Mu En.
If he had been beaten this badly with a single move, who could claim that everyone joining forces would really be able to defeat that woman?
The others also understood why Elder Mu En had chosen to back down.
It wasn't cowardice. They really couldn't win. They were simply following their instincts.
Mu En was quite satisfied with their reactions.
Fortunately, not everyone was as impulsive as Xuanzi. At least a few of them had kept their heads and thought things through.
Mu En raised a hand and spoke with confidence.
"Normally speaking, even if that little fellow is a genius, he's nothing to worry about."
"The same goes for Wang Dong. Don't forget where Wang Dong comes from."
"Besides, he might have another Martial Soul."
Just hearing that much put the others in the room at ease.
They all knew a little about Wang Dong's background. Someone sent over by that sect couldn't possibly be mediocre.
Indeed, no matter how they looked at it, Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao couldn't possibly lose.
Huo Yuhao was a One-Ring support Soul Master, so even if he couldn't provide much combat support, he could still serve as a meat shield.
All he had to do was take one of Gu An's attacks and give Wang Dong a chance to strike. That would be enough.
At this point, Huo Yuhao hadn't yet revealed his true talent to the academy's upper ranks.
Aside from Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao, no one else knew the true power of the four Soul Skills from his Million-Year Soul Ring.
So, for the Elders of the Sea God Pavilion to remember his name and consider him a meat shield was already an honor.
Mu En sighed.
He wasn't as excited as the others. Instead, his expression grew even more solemn.
"But that Limit Douluo didn't try to stop any of this, from beginning to end."
"That gives me a vague sense that something is wrong."
"That's why I stopped the Soul Fighting from starting immediately."
He lifted his head and swept his gaze across every face in the room.
"No matter what, this time, we Shrek Academy must not lose."
The others were all fired up, their faces showing their excitement.
They racked their brains for a way to guarantee victory.
Xian Lin'er seemed to think of something. She abruptly stood up from her seat.
"Elder Mu, equip that boy named Huo Yuhao with Soul Tools."
"He's a spiritual-type Soul Master. His spiritual power is far greater than that of Soul Masters at the same level, so he should pick up Soul Tools quickly."
"He'd only need to use a Soul Tool at the right moment. That might inflict serious damage on that boy named Gu An."
At that, several teachers from the Martial Soul Department reflexively prepared to object.
The rivalry between the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Tool Department had never stopped at Shrek Academy.
If they relied on Soul Tools to save the day in a situation like this, where would that leave the Martial Soul Department's pride?
But Mu En's eyes lit up.
He raised a hand and stopped the Martial Soul Department teachers who were about to speak.
Though he was old, he wasn't some antiquated fossil.
He knew full well how powerful the Soul Tools of the Sun Moon Empire, on the other continent, were.
Shrek Academy truly couldn't compare with the Sun Moon Empire when it came to Soul Tools.
But dealing with some unheard-of Spirit Transmission Academy should be a piece of cake.
As long as there was no connection between Spirit Transmission Academy and the Sun Moon Empire, using Soul Tools might really inflict quite a bit of damage on Gu An.
Mu En made the decision on the spot.
"Xian Lin'er, take Huo Yuhao to the Soul Tool Department with Qian Duoduo and teach him how to use Soul Tools."
"Get him to learn as quickly as possible!"
As for whether it would waste too much time...
They had been injured during the Soul Fighting.
Wasn't it perfectly normal for them to need more time to recover?
Besides, a first-grade Soul Tool was enough to injure a One-Ring Soul Master.
If Gu An was injured on the Soul Fighting Platform, even that red-haired Limit Douluo wouldn't have a thing to say.
However...
Mu En knew perfectly well that killing him was out of the question.
With a Limit Douluo standing right there, no one would dare to actually kill him.
At most, they could win back a little face for Shrek Academy, then taunt him thoroughly and return every bit of the humiliation they'd just suffered.
For now, both sides had tacitly agreed not to turn this Soul Fighting into a fight to the death.
On the other side, Huo Yuhao heard what Qian Duoduo and Xian Lin'er said.
He agreed without a word, without a second's hesitation.
"I'll learn."
As long as it let him hurt Gu An, he would do anything.
His enemy was right in front of him. Was he supposed to just stand by and watch, unable to do anything, like a useless husband who couldn't even vent his anger?!
Of course not.
Soul Tools would let him take revenge with his own hands.
He had to avenge Brother Sky Dream!
Time slowly passed.
Gu An, waiting outside, didn't care where he was.
Shrek Academy? The number-one academy on the continent? Someone else's territory?
It was his now!
He was already bossing Mu Jin and Wang Yan around as if it were second nature.
"You there, go bring over a more comfortable chair. These seats in the stands are too hard."
"Got any fruit? Grapes. Sweet ones. I don't want sour ones."
"Bring me an umbrella too. The sun's shining over here."
"Got any pastries? Just bring a few kinds. I'm not picky."
"..."
Mu Jin and Wang Yan stood there with expressions like they'd swallowed a fly.
But after exchanging a glance, they still held their noses and obediently... ordered the other students to go fetch everything.
Students: ???
Once everything had been brought over, Gu An reclined in Leng Yaozhu's arms, his head resting on her lap.
Xiao Xiao sat beside them, picked up a grape with her little hand, and offered it to Gu An with an expectant look.
Gu An opened his mouth. The grape went in, burst between his teeth, and sweet juice flooded his mouth.
Decadent.
Far too decadent.
But it really did feel good!
If not for Great Buddha Tang, he would've loved to sink into this life of luxury.
Tang San, you've done so many evil things! You really deserve to die!
Some students on the stands, too curious to leave, stared at the scene from afar, their eyes practically popping out.
Leng Yaozhu's breathtaking face was right above Gu An.
Looking up, there was no way out; looking down, there was each other.
Who wouldn't want to lie in such a perfect spot?
All they could do was envy him from afar, wishing they could rush over and take his place.
Gu An spoke lazily. "So, are you Shrek people going to fight or not?"
"If you're not, just admit defeat. How long have I been waiting already?"
Wang Yan and Mu Jin hurriedly put on smiles and explained.
"Almost. They'll be here any moment."
Their smiles were the kind that never reached their eyes.
The next second, Leng Yaozhu lowered her head and spoke gently.
"Indeed, they're here."