Dark Undercurrents in the Martial Soul Department

Xian Lin'er hesitated slightly. "Elder Xuan, Shrek and the Sun Moon Empire are, after all..."

"After all what?" Chen Xuan raised his eyelids. "It's not like we're going to war. What's wrong with inviting a few people back to teach classes and make equipment?

If that doesn't work, I'll personally speak to Mu En. At worst, we'll open an exchange program with the Sun Moon Empire Imperial Soul Engineer Academy."

He paused, then suddenly grinned.

"With Shrek's foundation, if I say we're willing to begin exchanges between the two academies, that old fellow Jing Hongchen will definitely agree without hesitation."

Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo exchanged a glance. Both saw undisguised shock in the other's eyes.

Chen Xuan paid no attention to what they were thinking and continued.

"You don't need to worry too much about finding people either.

There are quite a few top Soul Engineers in the Sun Moon Empire. Some of them have even fallen out with their own country and ended up in the underworld.

There are plenty in the Underground City. When the time comes, I'll speak to Elder Lin and invite them over in the name of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion."

Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo were both startled.

The Treasure Gathering Pavilion was no ordinary place, and Elder Lin was also a senior figure in the Sea God Pavilion.

There were only three or four people in the entire academy who could handle this matter in the Treasure Gathering Pavilion's name.

"Elder Xuan, if this can really succeed..." Qian Duoduo swallowed, excitement appearing on his round face.

"It can." Chen Xuan cut him off. "But it can't be done with words alone. Give me the list first, so I know what to arrange.

How many people you need, what level they should be, and what positions they'll be assigned after arriving—spell it all out clearly."

Xian Lin'er nodded firmly. "I'll draft a separate recruitment proposal."

Chen Xuan gave a grunt, then seemed to recall something and asked.

"By the way, where's that kid Fan Yu?"

Xian Lin'er froze for a moment before answering, "Fan Yu is still teaching the new students in the Outer Court. We didn't call him up. Why, are you looking for him, Elder Xuan?"

Chen Xuan waved a hand. "Nothing. I just thought of him. That kid is only in his twenties now, right? If I remember correctly, he's already a Level 6 Soul Engineer."

"Yes." Xian Lin'er nodded. "Although he's very young, he already has plenty of ideas when it comes to Soul Tools.

We originally wanted to make an exception and promote him to teach in the Inner Court, but the Martial Soul Department has been blocking it."

Chen Xuan snorted. "The Martial Soul Department again. Is it because they think he's too young and his Soul Power Level is too low?"

He said nothing more aloud, but his thoughts began to turn.

In the original story, Fan Yu had already been forty-six when he first appeared.

He was only in his twenties now, yet he had reached this level at such an age. His talent was genuinely impressive. After all, the gap between Shrek and the Sun Moon Empire was simply terrifying.

Although Shrek's standards for evaluating Soul Engineers could not compare to those of the Sun Moon Empire, and his level would probably need to be rated half a grade lower there, it was still remarkably rare for someone his age.

Yet a talent like him was being somewhat wasted at Shrek.

He could not even enter the Soul Tool Department's Inner Court. If this continued, forget progress—he would be ruined.

It seemed inviting a top Soul Engineer back was already an urgent matter.

He pushed those thoughts aside and said to Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo.

"Leaving a seedling like this to grind away in the Outer Court is the real waste. Once the equipment matter is settled, I'll personally arrange a position for him."

Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo both revealed delighted expressions.

Chen Xuan rose to his feet.

"All right, that's it. Draft the list quickly. In three days, we'll put it on the table at the Sea God Pavilion."

He took two steps toward the door, then turned back and added.

"Remember this: the Soul Tool Department can't forever remain the Martial Soul Department's little brother.

If you want to stand on equal footing, first come up with something that can shut everyone up."

Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo both answered in unison.

Chen Xuan strode out.

Downstairs, he looked up at the sky. The sun had already sunk toward the west, and a layer of golden-red light stained the surface of Sea God Lake.

He touched the oil-paper packet in his robe. There was one chicken drumstick left.

"Not bad. I'll save one for tonight."

With a tap of his toes, he shot away.

By the time Yan Shaozhe emerged from the Sea God Pavilion, the sky had already darkened somewhat.

He walked slowly, utterly unlike the Martial Soul Department dean who had arrived with a gentle smile and unhurried steps.

A cool breeze blew across Sea God Lake, lightly stirring the hem of his robes.

The smile on his face had completely vanished.

Chen Xuan's words were like nails, piercing his ears one sentence at a time.

The Martial Soul Department and the Soul Tool Department would walk on two legs. Soul Tool courses would become mandatory for first- through third-year Outer Court students.

All Inner Court students would be recalled for special training, graduation assessments would be intensified, and funding would be reallocated.

Every single measure was aimed at tearing down his position.

He drew a deep breath, gradually quickened his pace, and headed toward the Martial Soul Department.

The Martial Soul Department's complex was far more imposing than the Soul Tool Department's.

The main building stood five stories tall, with a plaza in front and a training ground behind. From afar, it was brightly lit, and every student coming and going held their head high.

This was the grandeur Shrek's foremost department ought to possess.

Yan Shaozhe entered the main building and went straight back to his dean's office.

When he pushed open the door, Cai Mei'er was leaning by the window with a cup of hot tea in hand. Seeing him enter, she smiled and nodded toward the table. "I saved you some food. Have a few bites first, then we'll talk."

She was the Martial Soul Department's vice dean and Yan Shaozhe's wife.

They had been together for many years, so there was no need for formalities between them.

Yan Shaozhe gave a grunt and sat down at the table. He picked up his bowl and chopsticks, but did not immediately eat. Instead, he stared blankly at the food in his bowl.

Cai Mei'er walked over, sat beside him, and studied him. "What is it? Did Mu En give you another difficult problem?"

"Not Mu En." Yan Shaozhe set down his chopsticks. "Elder Xuan."

Cai Mei'er laughed as soon as she heard that. "That explains it. The only one who can make you this angry is Elder Xuan. What did he do to you today?"

Yan Shaozhe did not answer at once. Instead, he recounted every measure Chen Xuan had decided upon at the Sea God Pavilion.

The smile on Cai Mei'er's face gradually faded. By the end, she had even forgotten to drink her tea.

"Every Outer Court student from first to third year will take Soul Tool courses, all Inner Court students will be recalled for special training, and Soul Tools will be added to graduation assessments?"

She repeated it, obvious surprise in her voice.

Yan Shaozhe gave a bitter laugh. "Otherwise, why do you think I look like this?"

Cai Mei'er fell silent for a moment before suddenly saying, "Actually, taken on their own, these measures aren't necessarily bad."

Yan Shaozhe looked up at her.

Cai Mei'er continued, "You know perfectly well what the Soul Tool Department has been like these past years.

Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo have stubbornly kept it going with their people until now.

The reason Elder Xuan was willing to stand up for them today was, in the end, because the matter with the Inquisitorial Legion was too outrageous.

Students went out on missions without even a proper defensive Soul Tool. Who wouldn't be angry?"

Yan Shaozhe said nothing, only furrowing his brows slightly.

Cai Mei'er glanced at him, knowing he had taken her words in, and softened her tone a little.