Shrek on the Rise

Xue Beng and the Shrek Three Swordsmen were birds of a feather. He had merely spent a few Gold Soul Coins to secretly befriend the three geniuses, without exposing anything at all. The few of them were already comrades in the same trench.

When Xue Xing had previously learned that Xue Qinghe had secretly sent people to approach the Shrek group, his heart had long since gone cold. He had thought that the perfect opportunity had completely slipped away and that his side no longer had any chance of winning.

Never had he expected the situation to take such a turn. Xue Beng had actually settled the matter in secret.

"Tomorrow, I'll personally visit the academy and finalize their admission into the Imperial Fighting Team." Xue Xing stood before the window, gazing toward the Crown Prince's Residence in the distance.

This time, it was finally their turn to hold a little initiative.

That was how struggles for imperial power worked in a fantasy world. Everything hinged on strength.

Xue Beng had pretended to be a fool because the other princes had died too miserably, and he suspected that Xue Qinghe was behind it.

But most of his playboy act was simply his true nature. His disguise had been too convincing, and over time, none of the powerful figures or talented Soul Masters in Heaven Dou City had been willing to join them voluntarily. As a result, they had never had any capable aides who could stand on their own.

As long as they could successfully recruit these two Soul Sages this time, they would no longer need to fear Xue Qinghe.

After all, throughout the entire Heaven Dou Empire, aside from Dugu Bo, the strongest figures were the three education committee members. If they could smoothly win over this batch of Shrek talent, not only could they strengthen their own side, but they might also change the three committee members' fixed impression of Xue Beng and pave the way for seizing power in the future.

This round, the advantage was mine.

The night passed in the blink of an eye.

The next morning, beneath the bright sky, Chen Ling set out for Heaven Dou Royal Academy with Xiao Wu, who had broken through Rank 40, along with Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, grandfather and granddaughter.

High in the air, Dugu Yan stood atop a Skyedge Swordfeather split off by Chen Ling. Her eyes brimmed with novelty and curiosity, fully revealing her girlish nature.

"Wow, is this really a Soul Tool?"

As soon as she spoke, the swordfeather beneath her feet swayed gently. Dugu Yan's body tilted, and she fell uncontrollably toward Chen Ling.

"Hehe, thank you, Headmaster."

Dugu Yan took the opportunity to steady herself against Chen Ling, a sly smile on her face. She did not forget to sneak a glance at Xiao Wu beside her, her gaze carrying a hint of rivalry.

Xiao Wu puffed out her cheeks and pressed herself tightly against Chen Ling from behind, her chest squashed against his back.

Thanks to the miraculous effects of the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, Xiao Wu's Soul Power had jumped ten ranks in a row. Not only had her strength soared, but her figure and appearance had also shed some of their childishness, gaining much more mature and gentle charm. She had grown increasingly graceful.

The two women competed in secret, undercurrents stirring between them, but Chen Ling had no mind for such romantic entanglements. He had been calculating the true purpose of today's trip all along.

Poach talent, recruit capable people, and expand his own power.

If he wanted to build a complete framework for his own faction, recruiting top-tier talent was the highest priority.

The first people Chen Ling had thought of were the other three of the Four Single-Attribute Clans, excluding the Strength Clan. Those three clans were ready-made opportunities.

Of course, there were other forces worth drawing in as well, such as the Shi Family brothers of the Imperial Fighting Team and Ye Lingling.

Ye Lingling's Nine-Hearted Begonia Martial Soul was the strongest healing-type Martial Soul. Its power needed no explanation, and her family also had a healing-type Soul Douluo, Ye Renxin.

As for the Shi Family brothers, their Xuanwu Turtle Martial Souls possessed top-tier defense and tremendous potential.

According to Dugu Bo, the Shi Family also had a Rank 79 Soul Sage overseeing it. Its foundation was not to be underestimated.

Chen Ling had long since made up his mind. If the opportunity was right, he would bring all of them under his command and thoroughly establish the core framework of his own faction.

Chen Ling's group headed toward the academy with their own thoughts in mind, while another grand drama had already quietly begun within Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

The Shrek group had long since settled in there and had successfully met with Xue Xing and his nephew Xue Beng.

Inside the student dormitory, Oscar watched Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun prepare to head out together for another stroll. Listlessly, he asked, "Big Brother Dai, Rongrong and Zhu Qing have been gone so long. When exactly are they coming back to the academy?"

Dai Mubai rolled his eyes at that, looking utterly unconcerned. "Who knows? Stop overthinking it. Weren't you happier than anyone when we were having fun these past few days? Why are you suddenly thinking about Ning Rongrong now?"

These days had been far too easy and comfortable. Dai Mubai's previously restrained desire for pleasure had completely rebounded, and the motivation to improve that he had only just developed had been thoroughly tossed to the back of his mind.

Now that he had settled into Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he completely relaxed. He spent every day eating, drinking, and having fun, living in utmost comfort. At worst, he could just stay and refuse to leave. There was nothing Star Luo Empire could do about him.

Of course, if he had the chance, he still wanted to fight for it. As for borrowing the power of the Heaven Dou Empire?

When the time came, Shrek's six members would take the field, along with Yu Tianheng. That would not count as relying on the power of the Heaven Dou royal family.

"Hehe, how could that be the same?" Oscar chuckled awkwardly.

Thanks to the special favor of the three education committee members, the Shrek group received the finest treatment. They moved directly into the luxurious residential area reserved for the Imperial Fighting Team, where conditions were exceptionally favorable. All that remained was for them to formally join the Imperial Fighting Team.

Just as they were chatting, a crisp knock sounded from outside the door, followed by Yu Feng's voice. "Dai Mubai, Teacher Qin wants all of us to gather at the education committee office."

No one dared delay, and they immediately set off.

At this moment, the education committee office was filled with cheerful harmony.

"So the three of you are the renowned Golden Iron Triangle. I have long admired you. Forgive my disrespect!"

Xue Xing was secretly delighted. This was truly an unexpected windfall.

He had never expected that while recruiting the Shrek group, he would also be able to bring in the Golden Iron Triangle.

The Golden Iron Triangle's Martial Soul Fusion Skill was infinitely powerful, enough to rival a Titled Douluo. With such top-tier combat power stationed on their side, and with Xue Beng having already built a good relationship with Dai Mubai's trio, the chances of successfully recruiting them instantly doubled.

Xue Xing's mind raced, and he immediately struck while the iron was hot, sincerely trying to win him over. "If Master does not mind, then from now on, the Imperial Fighting Team's training will be entirely under your charge. With your insight and wisdom, you will certainly be able to train these children into even more outstanding talents."

In order to keep Yu Xiaogang and the other two, Xue Xing spared no effort in lowering his stance and praising them. He even made a major promise: as long as the Shrek group could achieve outstanding results in the All-Continent Soul Master Tournament, the royal family would provide both funding and manpower to fully assist in rebuilding Shrek Academy.

The students below also began discussing among themselves.

After Yu Tianheng recognized Yu Xiaogang, although he found it strange that Gangzi had become like this, he still spoke up for his uncle.

"Rest assured, Master is immensely learned and talented. He will certainly do a better job than I could." Qin Ming wore a smile, and he was also extremely happy to see this. Shrek Academy was thriving.

"Thank you for Prince Xue Xing's generosity." Yu Xiaogang remained neither humble nor overbearing, finally recovering the composure and bearing he had long lacked as "Master."