Jing Hongchen: Thanks, Yan Shaozhe-pies really do fall from the sky, and old man Kong is coughing up gold (4k5)

"I only said that offhand back then. You really couldn't get by in the Douluo Three Kingdoms anymore?"

In the headmaster's office at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Jing Hongchen sat on the sofa, staring in astonishment at Yu Tianjun, who was calmly drinking tea despite having smuggled himself into a foreign country.

"I was doing pretty well. Maybe not rolling in wealth, but things were certainly sailing along. Then I went out Soul Hunting, admiring my Soul Ring and putting my Soul Bone to use, and suddenly the Shrek Inspection Corps robbed me..."

Yu Tianjun set down the tea that had soothed his throat and smacked his lips. He stretched deeply into the Heavenly Silkworm Silk sofa, letting go of days of exhaustion as he slowly told his story.

"Your words became a prophecy. I couldn't get by in the Three Kingdoms anymore, so I came to Mingdu to work for you and avenge my grievances."

"But I'm not here to teach theory. Fighting is more my specialty. Just think of me as a Bounty Hunter offering his services. I'll help you win two tournament championships."

Jing Hongchen caught the key details in his words, and his smile broadened. "If I remember correctly, you're not even eleven yet. You went Soul Hunting and became a Soul Ancestor? Your Soul Power doesn't look unstable from taking pills."

"I refine pesticide to help with cultivation. It works better than pills."

Yu Tianjun took out the King's Glory Pesticide he carried with him and introduced it enthusiastically.

An eerie silence settled over the room. Jing Hongchen's face visibly twitched.

"...Are you serious?"

"Very."

Yu Tianjun's gaze was clear as a stream. "My Martial Soul is special. I can refine heavenly treasures that other people can't use."

Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes. "Then what is your Martial Soul?"

"Ultimate Dark Qilin. An ultimate attribute and a divine beast bloodline."

Yu Tianjun supplied those three key terms, then added, "It should be the strongest beast Martial Soul in the world today."

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Jing Hongchen choked on his tea. Patting his chest, he stared with wide, round eyes. "It's not that I don't believe you. I'd just like to broaden my horizons. May I?"

"Sure."

Yu Tianjun snapped his fingers lightly, and Qilin's Sovereign Domain Field blossomed beneath his feet.

Four Soul Rings—yellow, purple, purple, and black—appeared in succession. Behind the sofa, the Dark Qilin raised its head amid rolling waves of Soul Power, breathing vast, powerful currents of dark purple air.

"An Innate Domain, Soul Rings beyond the usual limits..."

Jing Hongchen swallowed. He couldn't tell whether the Ultimate Darkness attribute was genuine, but the things already before his eyes couldn't be faked.

Having revealed so much, Yu Tianjun probably had no reason to boast.

So I sat at home, and good fortune came from abroad?

Why does this feel so unreal...

He pinched his thigh. It hurt, but Jing Hongchen's grin gradually stretched toward his ears.

It's real! Pies really do fall from the sky?

"Snap."

The Martial Soul and domain dissipated, and everything returned to normal. Yu Tianjun lounged casually on the sofa. "I have zero foundation in Soul Tools. Is there a special admission channel?"

"Yes!"

At lightning speed, Jing Hongchen produced a special admission form kept ready for applicants with connections and beckoned him over. "Sign here, and you'll be a specially admitted student."

Yu Tianjun reminded him, "When I say revenge, I mean destroying Shrek, step by step."

"I've shown my sincerity. Isn't it time you showed what you're capable of?"

Jing Hongchen set down the form and struggled to steady his excitement. "I'm very capable. What kind of support do you need?"

"And I'm no fool. Your Martial Soul is powerful, but it can't see the light of day. Reveal that Ultimate Darkness, and trouble will easily come knocking."

Yu Tianjun offered a solution. "I can fight using the five elements and transform it into a Five-Element Qilin. It's a little weaker, but it can still sweep aside all opposition."

The next instant, the Five-Element Qilin made its dazzling entrance. Watching the Qilin Martial Soul's aura change abruptly, Jing Hongchen's eyes went from stunned to deeply envious, then finally to ecstatic.

"What a heaven-blessed gift."

"Don't be envious. I only just escaped Yan Shaozhe with my life. If my second uncle hadn't fought desperately to protect me, I'd have died ten times over. I really have to thank Red Dust Protection this time. It helped enormously."

"Then that truly is my honor. Tell me your needs—or rather, your conditions?"

Jing Hongchen folded his hands on the desk, his smiling eyes narrowing into two slits.

Yu Tianjun considered it. "Guaranteed personal safety. That's the foundation."

"Of course."

"I need heavenly treasures or rarities of the highest possible grade with darkness and light attributes, along with treasures that let me comprehend other elements. No upper limit."

Jing Hongchen raised an eyebrow. "A rather steep condition, but two tournament championships are worth that price."

"Radiant Virtue Hall has some treasures in its collection. If they aren't enough, I'll apply to the imperial treasury. That will take some time. Can you understand that?"

"I can."

"Then welcome to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Yu Tianjun."

Jing Hongchen handed him the admission form, then suddenly said, "Your name is probably already on a watch list in the Original Three Kingdoms. You'll need to change it."

After a little thought, Yu Tianjun said, "Let's change the order. Jun Tianyu. I don't consider myself a saint, but whether I look to heaven or bow toward earth, my conscience is clear. I can still bear a gentleman's name."

"A fine name. Shall I show you around the academy now?"

Looking at "Jun Tianyu" in the student signature field, Jing Hongchen rubbed his hands eagerly.

Yu Tianjun shook his head. "Meeting the other students might be more worthwhile."

"You brought others?"

Jing Hongchen involuntarily leaned forward. His instincts told him that anyone Yu Tianjun brought would certainly have something special about them.

Yu Tianjun said calmly, "Two. They're both highly talented. Naturally, they have conditions too."

"I just don't know whether you'll dare take them."

"The usual rule: first swear on your Martial Soul and Soul Tools. Even if you don't dare admit them, you must guarantee their safety and never disclose their information in any form."

"If you do admit them, you must still maintain strict secrecy and take every precaution against Evil Soul Masters."

"All right, all right, I agree to everything. Just tell me."

Jing Hongchen took out fresh forms and declared with boundless confidence, "The master of Radiant Virtue Hall never fears a genius's conditions!"

"Good."

Yu Tianjun sat upright and solemnly introduced the first, enunciating every word. "The first is a successor of Spirit Hall, a legitimate descendant of the Angel Clan: Holy Angel, Ye Guyi."

"So she's a descendant of the Angel Clan... What?!"

Jing Hongchen considered himself worldly and knowledgeable, but once it sank in, he was dumbstruck.

"I know a little of the Douluo Continent's history. Wasn't the Blue Lightning Family destroyed by Spirit Hall ten thousand years ago? Doesn't this count as making a decision that defies your ancestors?"

"Why bring up something from ten thousand years ago? Trace things further back, and the Blue Lightning Family was one of the families that founded Spirit Hall."

"It was Bibi Dong who ordered the destruction of Blue Lightning back then. She also killed the previous angel pope. That crime can't be laid at the angels' feet. Besides, we're both wanderers fallen on hard times now."

Yu Tianjun took it in stride. Miss Angel hadn't dared remain in the Three Kingdoms to develop her strength, instead coming to the Sun Moon Continent to cultivate while studying Soul Tools. Ultimately, she feared Shrek—and now, so did he.

In another timeline, Ye Guyi had first appeared representing the underground Ordinary Alliance in a Soul Engineer tournament. A Holy Angel emerging from an organization dealing in pornography—what sort of twisted joke was that?

When they had met the previous night, Mr. Qilin had found that although Miss Angel was a little naïve, she possessed a focused, unpretentious sense of justice.

She considered it her duty to eradicate evil and cleanse the heavens, determined to fulfill the responsibility angels were born to bear.

Yu Tianjun greatly appreciated the beauty of that conviction. He told her his story and explained that he had a few connections in Mingdu and could get her into Radiant Virtue Hall, where she could fully exercise her talent.

Deeply moved, Miss Angel promptly emptied her wallet and bought a villa nestled between mountains and water in the southern outskirts with the two of them, inviting Mr. Qilin to live next door.

With the best Soul Engineer academy available, who needed the Ordinary Alliance? If she was going to learn, she would learn from the best in the world!

After discussing it, the two established five principles for peaceful cohabitation, reaching a consensus to shelve historical disputes and pursue development together, forming a united front against Shrek.

Now, Yu Tianjun held up two fingers and emphasized that the first requirement for a genius's growth was a guardian.

"The Holy Angel is the sternest mother Evil Soul Masters could have, and in the future I'll be their sternest father. We both need the highest level of protection, preferably a Level 9 Soul Engineer."

Jing Hongchen answered passionately, "Your ideals have persuaded me. A Level 9 Soul Engineer will be here soon. The empire will send its sturdiest shield to protect its future sharpest spears."

He was Radiant Virtue Hall's only Level 9 Soul Engineer. Hall Master Hongchen decided to head to the Worship Hall and call in help as soon as their conversation ended.

Wanting experts to protect them was good. The implication was that they were willing to accept imperial benefits and a certain degree of supervision.

Old Kong, it's time to cough up a mountain of gold for the empire!

Yu Tianjun continued, "The Holy Angel can sense Evil Soul Masters. Likewise, Evil Soul Masters may have ways of finding angel Soul Masters. I hope the academy can give her a Soul Tool to conceal her aura, preferably Level 8 or higher."

"I also need a Soul Tool to hide my aura."

Jing Hongchen didn't even blink. "A trifling matter. The academy can also provide her with unlimited light- and fire-attribute cultivation resources."

"Good."

Yu Tianjun nodded lightly and dropped his next bombshell. "The second one's request is simple. She needs a spot in next year's tournament. She wants to exchange a few moves with her old friends at Shrek."

Jing Hongchen blinked again, confusion showing in his eyes. "What do you mean, exchange a few moves with her old friends at Shrek?"

"She's my godsister, Ling Luochеn, a former member of the Shrek Seven Devils. She's always had a bad relationship with Ma Xiaotao, Yan Shaozhe's personal disciple in the Shrek Inner Court. They can't stand each other."

"She came here because of what happened to me. I don't think you have any reason not to grant her wish."

"She doesn't need a place on the main team. A spot on the second team will do."

Having dropped that bombshell, Yu Tianjun added, "Before the actual tournament, her study schedule must be flexible. The academy must not force her into any studies or work she's unwilling to do."

"The academy must provide the best ice-attribute cultivation resources and help her become a Soul Emperor before the tournament."

"You can treat her as a Bounty Hunter who takes payment to do a job. My own attitude is similar."

Boom!

Jing Hongchen suddenly felt his throat go dry. His round body leaned forward involuntarily, his belly pressing against the desk's corner as unprecedented sharpness burst from his eyes.

"So you're saying that one of the Shrek Seven Monsters, whose name has shaken the continent for ten thousand years, has defected and can join us in the tournament?"

"That's a rather ugly way to put it, but yes. If Shrek shows no benevolence, they can't blame us for showing no loyalty."

Yu Tianjun took another sip of tea and sighed softly. "Even two days ago, I never imagined things would turn out this way. Looking back now, I underestimated Shrek's desire for control."

Jing Hongchen clapped delightedly. "I'm very curious what other old acquaintances you have in the Original Three Kingdoms. The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy welcomes all geniuses with open arms."

"Don't save money on my account. I'm so poor now that all I have left are Gold Soul Coins!"

Yu Tianjun raised his eyes over his tea and stated plainly, "My elder brother and senior brother Xing Yan are quite talented. They'll certainly become Soul Emperors before the tournament after next. Our sect's current generation could easily assemble a team with an average Soul Power above rank fifty-five."

"If Shrek keeps oppressing them, they'll come here for refuge sooner or later. My senior brother Xing Yan is very interested in Soul Tools."

"I have a few friends too, but we aren't close enough for them to abandon their homes and livelihoods."

Jing Hongchen automatically ignored the last sentence and stared straight at Yu Tianjun. "Everyone in your sect seems to have a true dragon Martial Soul?"

"All kinds of true dragons. None at the level of a Light or Dark Holy Dragon, but they're still enough to trample the Sun Moon Empire's average standard."

"Hiss."

Jing Hongchen drew a deep breath and said earnestly, "Though it's very immoral of me, I'm deeply grateful to Yan Shaozhe right now.

"If we really win next year, I'll order him a splendid banquet in Star Luo City and have it sent to Shrek City, as a small token of my appreciation."

Yu Tianjun's expression shifted slightly. He said quietly, "Whatever you like. Also, if war breaks out, I'll only deal with people from Shrek Academy. Nobody else has provoked me, and I won't join the war."

"When necessary, I'll protect some people. That's my bottom line."

"To be completely frank, my original plan was for the Heavenly Dragon Sect to begin withdrawing and rebuilding the day your Sun Moon Empire launched its war. That won't work now."

"My second uncle lost an arm and a leg protecting me, destroying his future, and I narrowly escaped death myself. I'd be no man if I left this vengeance unfulfilled."

"I came here because I know just how exalted Shrek Academy's position is in the Three Great Empires. I could never avenge myself there."

"In the holy war four thousand years ago, the Three Great Empires retreated defeat after defeat. It was Shrek's Dean of that generation who changed the course of the war."

"Now the Three Great Empires both love and hate Shrek. With you looming over them, they can't possibly break with Shrek completely."

"I've come to Mingdu, but that doesn't mean I've become a madman who hates heaven and earth. I still love the people and things of my homeland."

"I could hide in the shadows and slowly grow strong enough to take revenge, but that isn't enough. I want everything, from beginning to end, from their reputation to the grounds of their academy, reduced to ashes."

"I understand completely."

Jing Hongchen nodded solemnly. Yu Tianjun's declaration was reassuring. He had opposed war and hoped for peace before, and he still did. Shrek alone was the target of his vengeance.

Nobody wanted a talented junior to be a madman stripped of humanity. Everyone's heart was made of flesh.

"Lin Jiayi!"

Jing Hongchen loudly called for the dean of studies.

"Hall Master, I'm here."

Lin Jiayi hurried in, his plump figure bustling along.

"I have urgent business outside. This is Jun Tianyu, the empire's greatest genius in a thousand years, whom I've just admitted. Take him to welcome the new students, then help them familiarize themselves with the academy. Meet all their reasonable needs. Remember: all of them."

Jing Hongchen gave his instructions.

"Yes, Hall Master!" Lin Jiayi's gaze was as resolute as though he were about to marry an imperial princess, while he secretly wondered where this Jun Tianyu had come from.

The empire's previous greatest genius in a thousand years had been the Hall Master's beloved grandson, the academy's star student, Xiao Hongchen. Had his own grandfather just stabbed him in the back?

To be fair, that face alone could blow Xiao Hongchen to smithereens.

"I'm going to find you a Level 9 Soul Engineer. Don't worry, I'll be right back."

While Lin Jiayi pondered, Jing Hongchen left those words behind. Then the toad soared into the air and burst through the window, his round body deploying a Flying Soul Tool as he headed straight for the Offering Hall.

"Hello, Director Lin. I'm Jun Tianyu. I look forward to your guidance."

Yu Tianjun stepped forward politely to greet him.

"Haha, pleased to meet you. Where are you from? The Hall Master's note... says to let you develop your interests freely and study Soul Tools as circumstances permit?"

Lin Jiayi examined Jing Hongchen's annotations, and his eyes abruptly widened. No year, no class—completely unrestricted development?

Where had this river-crossing dragon come from?

Yu Tianjun smiled. "I'm a Bounty Hunter from the Heaven Dou Empire. My established goal is to test how much substance there is to Shrek's ten thousand years of glory."

"As Hall Master Hongchen instructed, please keep those words absolutely confidential, Director Lin. Before next year's tournament begins, they must not leak in any form."

Lin Jiayi's face twitched. Testing Shrek's substance—this meant fighting Shrek Academy tooth and nail in the finals.

The Hall Master had never managed to win the championship by cultivating domestic geniuses. Had he changed his approach and brought in outside help?

"Very well. I swear on my Martial Soul and Soul Tools to keep it secret. Please lead the way..."