Great Five-Element Divine Light, Dorm Supervisor Kong Deming, and Yan Shaozhe's Equal Treatment (Happy Birthday to Shiyu Xinghun)

"Qilin, come cultivate in the Metal World with me."

Outside the treatment room, early that morning, Xiao Hongchen broke with his usual habits and extended an invitation to Yu Tianjun as he came out.

Yu Tianjun raised an eyebrow. "Do you need to go into the treatment room for a checkup too?"

Soul Masters rarely fell ill. Had Xiao Hongchen taken the wrong medicine?

"Come on, Qilin. Can't you give me a little face?"

Three black lines creased Xiao Hongchen's forehead. I know I used to be a little unreliable, but could you stop looking at me like I'm a lunatic?

"Sure. The self-created soul skill I've been researching for months is almost complete anyway. I'll finish it in the Five-Element World."

Yu Tianjun agreed.

"Researching a self-created soul skill? For real?"

Xiao Hongchen wore a suspicious expression that said, "Don't fool me just because I haven't read much."

Sun Moon's geniuses studied soul tools intensively from childhood. Self-created soul skills were a very unfamiliar concept to them.

"You don't understand the world of a Soul Master genius. Take your time learning."

Yu Tianjun spoke casually. The Five-Element Qilin had countless ingenious applications. In later generations, Tong Yu's family developed the Great Five-Element Divine Light, perfectly unified, vast and mighty, capable of annihilating all energy.

Tang Yuge of the fourth-generation Shrek Seven Monsters used it to sweep through Soul Kings of her own rank and clash head-on with Soul Saints without falling behind. Its only flaw was its enormous consumption.

He did not know Tong Yu's family's secret method, but the Five-Element Foundation evolved from his innate Ultimate Darkness was even more robust. He had been researching it since enrolling, and success was now imminent.

"The Three-Legged Golden Toad is a divine beast too. Don't get too cocky."

Xiao Hongchen tried to intimidate him, only to see Yu Tianjun's carefree back as he strode away.

"Your future lies in soul tools. Once you've chosen your path, walk it properly. If you can deeply integrate your martial soul with soul tools, that could be a road fit for a king."

"(ˉ▽￣~) Tch~~ Like I need you to tell me about my future."

Xiao Hongchen hurried after him, muttering with his hands behind his back, "Don't say I didn't warn you. My Three-Legged Golden Toad gulps down metallic energy like flowing water. Nobody ever dared approach my cultivation area before, because I could suck an entire area dry."

"I heard you often get arrested in the Metal World. Those people must have approached you, right?"

One breezy remark from Yu Tianjun turned Xiao Hongchen's face as red as the brilliant morning clouds.

"Those were special circumstances! Special circumstances, understand?"

Yu Tianjun glanced sideways. "Special circumstances that get you arrested twice a month on average? I heard a lot of the academy's bizarre rules were introduced because of you. Like the ban on impersonating the Dean to declare an academy-wide holiday?"

"Just tell me that wasn't heroic!"

Xiao Hongchen held his head higher than the sky. That was his proudest achievement in life. Although his grandfather had strung him up and whipped him afterward, he had won the love of the student body.

Yu Tianjun quietly reminded him, "The problem is, didn't the Dean suppress you right after you issued the holiday order, and make all the cheering students write self-criticisms?"

"Don't sweat the details. I even hired ghostwriters specifically for those self-criticisms. Just tell me I didn't contribute to Mingdu's economy! Shame the old man doesn't understand me."

Xiao Hongchen gazed into the sky as though staring at some being of unimaginable terror.

Yu Tianjun silently looked away. Adolescents with delusions of grandeur were quite common at this age.

"Let me warn you too. I absorb elements very intensely. You might not be able to refine more than me."

Xiao Hongchen laughed. "Ha! Impossible! Absorb all the energy you want. Our academy's metal-attribute Mimicry Cultivation Environment is built around a Level 9 Elemental Energy Converter.

"It burns metal to supply metal-element energy. Its converter is one level higher than those in the other environments."

"Do you understand that the Three-Legged Golden Toad is a metal-attribute divine beast? It can absorb metallic energy to increase its strength rapidly."

Absorbing external substances to accelerate cultivation was not a talent exclusive to the Dark Qilin. The Three-Legged Golden Toad could do it too.

"Then I can rest easy."

Yu Tianjun looked thoughtful. Since Xiao Hongchen was confident, he would experiment freely with the Great Five-Element Divine Light.

He took out a silver Dragon Scale, something Jing Hongchen had given him after he enrolled. It could help him comprehend the elements.

A while later...

"No~~~! Don't go, metal-element energy! Qilin, you can't do this..."

A piercing shriek erupted from Xiao Hongchen in the Metal World's Mimicry Training Ground.

Within the brilliantly colored metal-element training ground, the Five-Element Qilin raised its head and swallowed like a whale. In mere moments, hundreds of cubic meters of elemental energy were devoured completely.

The phantom Three-Legged Golden Toad behind Xiao Hongchen had its mouth wide open, a humanlike look of confusion appearing on its face.

I, the Three-Legged Golden Toad, a metal-attribute divine beast, actually lost to a Five-Element Qilin in a scramble for energy?

"The flavor's a little worse than Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear. Come on, Xiao. Next stop."

Yu Tianjun stood and patted the frozen-faced Xiao Hongchen on the shoulder, urging his study companion to fulfill his duties as a guide.

"Another stop? Where are you going?"

"Among the five elements, metal generates water. Obviously, the Water World's Mimicry Training Ground. Hurry up."

"Fine. Today, I'm going to see exactly where your limits are."

Xiao Hongchen sprang to his feet with a clatter. He had promised Meng to keep an eye on Qilin, and he would see it through. Now he was very interested in Qilin's limits.

If he fills up elsewhere, he won't come back to the Metal World, right?

"This is the Water World's Mimicry Training Ground."

"Barely acceptable."

"This is the Wood World's Mimicry Training Ground."

"Feels pretty average."

"This is the Fire World's Mimicry Training Ground."

"Not bad. Its intensity is second only to the Metal World."

"This is the Earth World's Mimicry Training Ground."

"Earth is solid and bears all things. This will do."

After sweeping through all five elemental training grounds, Yu Tianjun tried to evolve the Great Five-Element Divine Light in the Earth World's Mimicry Training Ground.

Blue-green, red, yellow, white, and black currents streamed from his body, condensing and gathering before expanding again into five perfectly rounded spheres of elemental light.

"What a dangerous aura. Better back away, back away..."

Xiao Hongchen sensed a danger akin to Fixed Soul Cannon Shells from Yu Tianjun's elemental spheres and hurried backward to avoid being caught in the blast.

As he retreated, he bumped into a burly man.

"Vice Dean Liao?"

Xiao Hongchen turned and saw Liao Mengkai. His interest surged, and he sought the elder's experience. "Can you tell what Qilin's doing?"

Liao Mengkai shook his head. "All I know is that he's been cultivating this ability since enrolling. His elemental control has improved by the day."

"He's attempting to achieve perfectly unified Five-Element Fusion."

A steady voice rang out nearby. Lightning flashed, and Yu Yuanjue appeared. His brows, gnarled like lean pine branches, furrowed slightly, and his aged eyes narrowed to slits. "The five elements can construct all things. Once completely fused, their power surpasses light, darkness, and space, and can grind away all energy."

Thought flickered in Liao Mengkai's eyes. He said quietly, "I think I understand. He's trying to maintain a balance. This is a comprehensive ordering of his own abilities, integrating them into a single, self-contained whole."

Yu Yuanjue said, "There isn't much guidance I can offer him in this area. Does the Sun Moon Empire have any soul engineering masters proficient in this?"

Liao Mengkai stroked his beard. "Level 9 Soul Engineers generally specialize in only one field. Unless..."

"On a whim these past few days, I developed a little trinket. See whether it might be useful."

A kindly, aged voice drifted over without warning. Yu Yuanjue looked behind him in astonishment.

Who was this newcomer? How could he give off no aura whatsoever?

A tall old man in a Bright Yellow Robe approached with a smile and offered a pair of Five-Colored Stone Gloves.

The old man did not look at Yu Yuanjue. His gaze rested on Liao Mengkai.

"Teacher, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

Liao Mengkai jogged toward Kong Deming with brisk little steps, wearing a perfectly measured, polite smile. He leaned forward thirty degrees and clasped the old man's one hand with both of his own, receiving the five-colored gloves in the posture of two dragons cradling a pearl.

"How many times have I told you? Address me by my position at work. I'm now the dorm supervisor of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy."

"Yes, Dorm Supervisor... huh?"

Liao Mengkai froze. Master Kong had come to work as a dorm supervisor because he had nothing better to do? Did that make any sense?

Wouldn't that put all three of his disciples above Master Kong?

"Does this vice dean have an objection?" Kong Deming's eyes smiled.

Liao Mengkai immediately shivered. "No. I was just wondering whether I should discuss arranging a welcoming ceremony for you with those two old fellows."

"Good. No need for a welcoming ceremony."

Kong Deming spoke casually. His gaze swept over the not particularly important Xiao Hongchen before settling on Yu Tianjun, and he offered his assessment:

"I'm not skilled in Soul Master cultivation. I can only analyze the energy changes involved to a limited extent. But this principle of energy balance could be used to develop a fine soul tool."

"Perhaps Wang Yiheng's Blazing Heavenly Net could serve as a reference for Qilin? Tell Wang Yiheng to come by the next time he returns to Mingdu to report. It might benefit him too."

"Yes."

Liao Mengkai agreed repeatedly, while Xiao Hongchen listened in embarrassment.

Wang Yiheng... wasn't that the commander of the Evil Lord Soul Engineer Corps, one of the empire's five Hand of National Protection soul engineer legions, the man titled Mad Bull Douluo?

The Blazing Heavenly Net was Wang Yiheng's proud original creation, consisting of three hundred and sixty-five Heavenly Net Beads. Every bead was under his control, and he himself served as the formation's core.

On the public rankings of Level 9 Soul Tools, it ranked somewhere between tenth and twelfth.

This old fellow could summon Wang Yiheng back with a single sentence... He had to be the empire's foremost Soul Engineer Grandfather always talked about, the powerful head of the Worship Hall—Grandpa Grand Preceptor himself.

"Hello, Grandpa Grand Preceptor. I'm Xiao Hongchen. My grandfather, Jing Hongchen, often says you're the teacher they respect most."

With such a mighty figure right before him, Xiao Hongchen ran over and bowed, hoping to receive some affection.

Kong Deming glanced at Xiao Hongchen and nodded lightly. "Jing Hongchen's grandson. Your talent is good. I believe you can surpass your grandfather's record."

Xiao Hongchen smiled obediently. "Yes, Grandpa Grand Preceptor... Oh, you're even giving me a present? How could I possibly accept?"

Kong Deming flicked his sleeve and tossed out a soul tool.

Xiao Hongchen caught it in a fluster, his eyes lighting up the instant it touched his hands.

With the practiced eye of a veteran thief, he judged at first glance that it was a high-end piece above Level 7.

"A little toy, nothing worth mentioning. Cultivate diligently, both of you. Don't tell Qilin I came."

After casually giving away a soul tool, Kong Deming left those unruffled words behind and drifted away.

Xiao Hongchen watched him leave, his expression reverent. To this Grandpa Grand Preceptor, even ordinary Level 9 Soul Tools were probably little different from toys.

Tsk, Qilin really is lucky, attracting the attention of a master like that.

"The Sun Moon Empire has experts as plentiful as clouds. This is a powerhouse on Elder Long's level."

Yu Yuanjue secretly wiped away some sweat. Kong Deming was not even a Super Douluo, yet he seemed capable of matching Long Xiaoyao.

Had the strength of top Soul Engineers already reached this point?

Then he reconsidered. With someone like this watching over Yu Tianjun, Yu Yuanjue's heart eased a little. He no longer needed to worry about Tianjun's safety.

Shrek Outer Court, the dean's office.

In a rare occurrence, Yan Shaozhe was sitting there, handling a student complaint.

He sat calmly, his hands folded and his body leaning back, the faces of a young man and woman reflected in his eyes.

"Teacher Li and Director Du told me you insisted on reporting this to me and demanding an explanation. Go on, then. What explanation do you want?"

"An apology, obviously! We were strolling around the academy when that Inner Court senior rushed out and attacked us. We nearly died! Shouldn't she apologize?"

Ning Rongrong's tone was aggressive, her expression ugly.

After she woke up that day, a middle-aged man in white had tossed over two bottles and said indifferently, "Forget everything you saw. This is compensation. Say a word and you'll be expelled. I trust you're smart enough."

Ning Rongrong had never seen anyone so shameless. Not even the people of Spirit Hall or the Destruction God King had dared treat her this way.

Compensation? You think your pills can compensate for my life? Take a look at who I am! Even after reincarnating, I'm still the young sect master of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!

A Soul Ascension Pill that provides the equivalent of advancing from level thirty to thirty-one, which a Soul Master can only take once in their life—that's your compensation?

Take a guess whether the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect can afford to buy me one!

Ning Tian's soul handled the tedious process of soul power cultivation. Ning Tian worked much harder than that lazy dog Wang Dong and had taken a Soul Ascension Pill long ago.

Yan Shaozhe's gaze moved to Tang San beside her. "And you? Are you here for an apology too?"

Tang San had given up hope the moment he heard that voice. This was the very old bastard who had ordered them to keep quiet or be expelled.

But unless he vented his anger and said what needed saying, he could not get past it!

Tang San felt that this old bastard was probably a remnant of Slaughter City. Stiffening his neck, he said, "Yes, Dean. We came from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to study with the reverence of pilgrims. We never imagined something like this would happen.

"I believe Shrek Academy, which upholds fair treatment for every student, ought to give us an explanation."

Yan Shaozhe's lips curved upward. "You're dissatisfied with the academy's compensation?"

Ning Rongrong said grimly, "Dean, is this a matter of satisfaction? Is Shrek brushing us off because it looks down on our talent, or because it looks down on our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"

"You have talent, and you come from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. That is why you're able to meet me. This already demonstrates the importance we place on you."

Yan Shaozhe spoke indifferently, then looked at Tang San again. "You're asking me for fairness. I can tell you right now that the Inner Court and Outer Court are entirely different worlds. You two Outer Court disciples aren't qualified to stand on equal footing with Inner Court disciples."

"Especially since that Inner Court disciple is the most talented person in the Inner Court."

"If you want fairness, work your way up to becoming Inner Court disciples, then challenge her in the future. I imagine she won't mind accepting a challenge from her juniors."

Ning Rongrong snapped, "You've gone too far! This is an insult to our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!"

"Someone once spoke to me like that too, but it was meaningless."

Recalling the Dark Qilin, who had also counted as a descendant of the Upper Three Sects, Yan Shaozhe's expression faded. "Go back. You wanted to see me, and now you have. Take the Soul Ascension Pills or leave them."

That attitude made Tang San's three corpse spirits leap in fury and smoke pour from his seven orifices. Lowering his voice, he said, "Can I take this as you using your power to bully us? I heard the person who attacked us is your student!"

"If that's how you want to see it... fine."

Yan Shaozhe smiled. "Let me put it this way. Your sect's Titled Douluo is no match for me. But I'm not looking down on you. Even if the victim were the Clear Sky Sect's young sect master, I would handle it exactly the same way."

"You now have two choices. Leave, or stay here and grow stronger, step by step. Become core disciples, then Inner Court disciples, until you can challenge my disciple and me. If that day comes, I'll be delighted to accept your challenge."

"As for now, you're not qualified to negotiate with me. I only recognize strength."

"Fine. We'll remember this. We choose the second path! Take your things back!"

Tang San threw out two little bottles and called the grim-faced Ning Rongrong to leave. Before departing, Ning Rongrong made sure to glare fiercely at the old bastard.

Yan Shaozhe remained composed throughout, just as he had when regarding Yu Tianjun in Death Canyon before his martial soul was exposed.

When it came to throwing his weight around, Yan Shaozhe insisted on equal treatment. Whichever of the Upper Three Sects from ten thousand years ago you belonged to, he would bully you without discussion.

Beside him, Du Weilun said quietly, "Dean, isn't this going a little too far? Never mind Ning Tian, but Chen San has twin martial souls and innate full soul power."

"Jade must be carved before it becomes a fine vessel."

Yan Shaozhe said confidently, "Chen San has innate full soul power, yet he isn't among this year's three Soul Elders. That shows he hasn't been concentrating on cultivation."

"The Nine Treasures Sect Master specifically asked in his letter that I make him realize the importance of diligent cultivation. This is only a little misunderstanding. It will resolve itself in time."

"Don't forget, our ancestor Ning Rongrong of the First-Generation Seven Monsters tempered her character at Shrek. Only then did she go on to become the Nine-Colored Goddess."

Du Weilun immediately looked awestruck. "So that's how it is! What insight, Dean!"

Yan Shaozhe looked pleased with himself. Having headed the Martial Soul Department for decades, he had seen students like Chen San as numerous as hairs on an ox. He believed that, forged in Shrek's furnace, Chen San would one day become the academy's pride.

The instant Tang San stepped outside, he already regarded Yan Shaozhe as the vilest scoundrel he had ever met—a man who had pushed his courting of death to the limit.

"Don't let me find an opening, or I'll sell you to the Sun Moon Empire for sure!"