What Was Shrek's Glory Worth?

Xuan Zi stood outside a forest at Shrek Academy, facing two rows of people.

On one side stood the seven members of the Official Team: Ma Xiaotao at the front, followed by Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, Gong Yang Mo, Chen Zifeng, Xixi, and Yao Haoxuan.

On the other side stood the newly selected Reserve Team: Beibei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao.

Chi Hong and Huo Yuhao stood at the far edge, neither of them officially on a team.

Xuan Zi stood with his back to the assembled students, his expression solemn.

"You need to understand that students of Shrek Academy's Inner Court aren't just students. They also bear the duty of watching over the continent. What does that mean? It means keeping an eye on the world and protecting its people. Evil Soul Masters are the greatest threat on this continent. They sacrifice people and consume infants to cultivate their souls. If you run into that kind of scum on the road, kill them. Don't hesitate."

"So I'll ask you now: does anyone not want to join the Inspection Team?"

Chi Hong was the first to raise his hand.

"I don't."

Xuan Zi looked over, his eye twitching.

Chi Hong asked in all seriousness:

"Is there a reward for joining the Inspection Team and completing missions? Money, for example?"

Xuan Zi's mouth twitched.

"This is an honorable mission and Shrek Academy's responsibility, yet you're thinking about rewards? How greedy!"

Chi Hong lowered his hand.

"Then I'm not joining."

Xuan Zi glared at him.

"Do you know how many people want to join the Inspection Team but can't?"

"Then let them join." Chi Hong looked completely unconcerned. "I'm just an ordinary Summoning Soul Master. I can handle a tournament, but risking my life against Evil Soul Masters? No thanks. I've only got one life. I need to make it last."

Huo Yuhao raised his hand firmly too.

"I don't want to join either."

He had figured it out: as long as he followed Chi Hong, he couldn't go wrong.

Xuan Zi snorted but didn't press them. He turned to the others.

"What about you?"

Beibei spoke first. "We're willing to join, eliminate Evil Soul Masters, and protect the peace."

The others nodded one after another.

Dai Huabin glanced at Chi Hong with a faint sneer.

Dai Yueheng stepped out from the Official Team and brought Dai Huabin before Chi Hong, wearing a mild, apologetic expression.

"Chi Hong, my brother was in the wrong before. I've brought him to apologize."

Dai Huabin looked unhappy, but with his older brother pressing him, he reluctantly lowered his head.

Chi Hong waved it off and grinned.

"It's fine. Your brother looks like a real man. Next time, I'll send two Soul Beasts after him. If he gets away, I'll forgive him. If he doesn't, well, that'll be a shame."

Dai Yueheng's eye twitched. He said nothing more and led Dai Huabin away.

After they set out, Chi Hong jumped onto Charizard's back and flew ahead of the group.

Charizard spread his wings, flames trailing from the tip of his tail in a red streak. It was quite a sight.

The others from Shrek flew as hard as they could, but not one of them could keep up. All they got was Charizard's exhaust.

Dai Huabin, carried by his older brother, scowled.

"What a show-off."

They reached the military camp and settled in for the night. The next day, the Official Team would head out on an inspection mission to wipe out some Evil Soul Masters.

Ma Xiaotao quietly came to Chi Hong's door, hoping he could help her with her evil fire.

She was about to speak when Ling Luochen slipped over from the other side and knocked first.

"Chi Hong, I'd like to discuss ice soul skills with you."

She had fought Chi Hong a few days earlier, only to be completely suppressed by Charizard's Ultimate Fire. At the same time, the Ultimate Ice within Chi Hong had drawn her interest.

Ma Xiaotao glared at her. "I was here first."

Ling Luochen glared back.

"You're here to vent your fire. I'm here to train. Have you ever considered which of us has a proper reason to be here, you shameless woman?"

"Who are you calling shameless?"

"Whoever gets worked up about it."

They stood face-to-face, and the tension rose at once.

Chi Hong opened the door and rubbed his forehead. Seeing them both there, he warned them:

"Be careful on the Evil Soul Master mission. Don't let your guard down just because your opponent is only a Soul King. I looked into it. Evil Soul Masters use some sickening methods: eating infants, detonating corpses, poison. They'll use every dirty trick there is."

Ma Xiaotao gave a dismissive snort.

"What's there to fear from a Soul King?"

Dai Yueheng came over at some point and smiled.

"Perhaps Chi Hong hasn't met many Soul Kings and thinks they're all as strong as we are."

His words were polite, but his meaning was clear.

You think Soul Kings are dangerous because you're too weak.

Dai Huabin held Zhu Lu close and scoffed.

"What a coward. He's afraid of a mere Soul King."

Chi Hong said evenly:

"Xiaotao."

Ma Xiaotao's temper flared. She smacked Dai Huabin on the back of the head.

"Looking for a beating? Who said you could speak?"

Dai Yueheng tried to stop her. "Ma Xiaotao, calm down."

But even he nearly got hit.

In the end, Dai Yueheng could only drag away a bruised and battered Dai Huabin.

A while later, Chi Hong spotted Xuan Zi passing by and called out to him.

"Old man, you'd better keep a close eye on them. Evil Soul Masters are more ruthless than you think. If a student gets hurt, you won't be able to dodge the blame as captain of the Inspection Team."

Xuan Zi shook his head.

"You're far too timid, boy. What could a mere Soul King do with me there? No wonder you refused to become an Inspector. You're afraid of dying."

Chi Hong shook his head helplessly. He had warned him as clearly as he could.

Early the next morning, the seven members of the Official Team set out on their mission.

Ma Xiaotao led the way, with the Reserve Team following.

By afternoon, terrible news arrived.

The Official Team had been attacked.

This time, though, no one had died.

Ma Xiaotao had been more careful. She had taken the brunt of the attack at the front, while Ling Luochen had used ice to contain the corpse explosions.

Their injuries were still severe.

All seven had been seriously wounded. Xuan Zi needed to take the four worst-hit back to Shrek for treatment that very night.

Every member of the seven-person Reserve Team was shaken, weighed down by immense fear and stress.

Wang Yan looked at the team he had left and felt close to falling apart.

Xuan Zi had entrusted him with leading the team and safeguarding Shrek's glory. Now he had to enter the tournament with the Reserve Team.

There was one bright spot, at least.

Wang Yan's eyes brightened slightly as he looked at Chi Hong.

He still had this exceptionally strong student.

Wang Yan asked:

"Chi Hong, are you confident you can lead this team in the tournament?"

Chi Hong paused.

"Of course... not. You know I'm only twelve years old. How could I possibly handle a task this difficult?"

"You'd better give it to..." Chi Hong's finger circled before pointing at Dai Huabin. "The White Tiger Duke's son here. Put him in the arena, have him bribe the Star Luo Empire's referees into making a few crooked calls, and he's sure to win the championship."

Wang Yan stared at him speechlessly.

"Chi Hong, stop joking. We need you! Shrek needs you! Don't you want to preserve Shrek's glory? Please do your part for Shrek's sake."

Chi Hong's eyes lit up.

"Oh? So Shrek's glory is worth a lot, then?"

Wang Yan's mouth twitched. He had a bad feeling about this.

Chi Hong smiled faintly.

"I can lead the team, but you'll have to pay me more."

"Teacher Wang Yan, you wouldn't want Shrek's glory to be lost on your watch, would you?"