After Yan Shaozhe infused Soul Power into Ma Xiaotao, a trace of vitality gradually returned to her body.
Then Yan Shaozhe frowned slightly. He discovered that a peculiar power within Ma Xiaotao was controlling and eliminating her evil fire.
"What exactly is this power? It can completely suppress Xiaotao's phoenix evil fire. Ultimate light? No, there seems to be another unknown power as well." After examining Ma Xiaotao, Yan Shaozhe's expression flickered with uncertainty and astonishment.
Before he could dwell on it, however, Tian Chen questioned him with a stern expression. "Dean, what is going on? Why was an inner court senior here, and why did she attack us?"
"Exactly! We were just walking along Sea God Lake when this lunatic came charging out!" Wang Dong roared.
Yan Shaozhe's expression grew awkward at their words.
If they had been ordinary students, he could have offered some compensation and a few smooth words to brush the matter aside.
The problem was that one was the Young Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect, while the other was an extraordinary genius with ultimate lightning.
Although the Clear Sky Sect had withdrawn from the world, it remained a towering behemoth that even the academy could not afford to provoke.
Tian Chen's background was unknown, but that did not rule out the possibility that he came from some hidden sect.
Those two facts alone told Yan Shaozhe that settling this matter today would not be simple!
Then he forced a smile uglier than a grimace. "Well... this was entirely a misunderstanding. This senior is my disciple, and it was entirely my fault for failing to keep an eye on her. I apologize to you on her behalf. I also thank you for stopping her before she could cause a disaster."
An apology?
Tian Chen had to admit that this old bastard really would throw away all dignity when his own interests were involved.
Someone whose mind was not yet mature might actually have been taken in.
Just like Huo Yuhao in the original story, who had sold himself off completely before receiving anything, even after being singled out earlier.
You want to use that trick on me? Do you think I'm that idiot Huo Yuhao from the original story, counting the money for the people who sold him? If I don't pluck a few feathers from you, old phoenix, my name isn't Tian Chen.
Yan Shaozhe was clearly trying to conceal the heart of the matter beneath a superficial apology, but Tian Chen was not someone he could easily fool.
He sneered and looked Yan Shaozhe straight in the eye, a hint of disdain in his voice. "Dean, don't you think that explanation is far too perfunctory? If we simply let today's incident slide, wouldn't that make me someone anyone could push around?"
Tian Chen continued, "Since you said you would take responsibility for this senior's actions, I won't stand on ceremony. I hope the academy can offer something tangible as compensation, such as two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones." He deliberately emphasized "Soul Bones," clearly signaling to Yan Shaozhe that he knew very well what resources the academy possessed.
When Tian Chen explicitly demanded two Soul Bones as compensation, the corner of Yan Shaozhe's mouth twitched, and he immediately refused.
Looking somewhat embarrassed, he said, "Tian Chen, your demand is far too high. The academy may have abundant resources, but treasures like Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones aren't something we can casually hand out."
Tian Chen did not look particularly disappointed by Yan Shaozhe's refusal. He had anticipated this outcome all along.
He immediately changed tactics and began bargaining. "Eighty-thousand-year Soul Bones!"
"Forty thousand years," Yan Shaozhe replied.
"Seventy thousand years."
"Fifty thousand years, and not a year more!" Yan Shaozhe said with difficulty.
"Deal!" Tian Chen agreed readily.
Yan Shaozhe suddenly realized that he had fallen into the brat's trap.
Tian Chen smiled. "Dean, you said it yourself. After all, today's incident didn't just threaten my personal safety. It could also affect the academy's reputation."
"I'm sure you don't want to see the academy's reputation damaged either."
Yan Shaozhe knitted his brows and silently weighed the advantages and disadvantages.
At last, he sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice. "Very well, Tian Chen. I'll arrange for someone to deliver the Soul Bones to you as soon as possible. But I hope you remember your promise today and don't let this matter go any further." His tone still carried authority, but he had clearly compromised.
A satisfied smile appeared on Tian Chen's face. "Rest assured, Dean. I've never liked stirring up trouble. As long as the academy treats me sincerely, I'll naturally show it respect as well." His words exuded confidence, and he was clearly pleased with his strategy.
After handing Ma Xiaotao over from his arms to Yan Shaozhe, he added, "Oh, right, Dean. I'd like one of those two Soul Bones to have a light attribute. That won't be a problem, will it?"
Yan Shaozhe nodded. Though somewhat resigned, he showed no obvious resistance.
After all, he had already agreed to give him the Soul Bones. There was no need to fuss over their attributes!
With everything settled, Yan Shaozhe flew back to Sea God Island.
Having witnessed the entire exchange, the teachers who had accompanied Yan Shaozhe secretly gave Tian Chen a thumbs-up.
This was the first time they had ever seen a new student dare to fleece the Dean of the Martial Soul Department!
After watching Yan Shaozhe and his party leave, Xiao Xiao excitedly hugged Tian Chen. "Tian Chen, you were so cool! You actually made the Dean compromise!" Her voice held admiration, along with a hint of affection.
Watching Xiao Xiao and Tian Chen's closeness, Wang Dong could not help frowning, but she still replied quietly, "Yes, but wasn't that too risky? What if Dean Yan had really gotten angry?" Her voice mingled worry with reluctance.
"Relax. Dean Yan has always served different dishes to different guests. With two geniuses like us, he'll only look for ways to build a good relationship. Besides, we were in the right." Tian Chen smiled. This was far from over. Once he took control of Shrek in the future, he would introduce fairer and more efficient educational methods, preventing teachers like Zhou Yi from subjecting students to oppressive, heartless discipline again.
Suddenly, however, Tian Chen's pupils contracted, and he fainted on the spot.
Xiao Xiao immediately caught him and asked anxiously, "Tian Chen, what's wrong? Did that fight exhaust you too much?"
Wang Dong quickly came closer as well, her brows tightly knitted with obvious concern for Tian Chen's condition. "This doesn't look like ordinary exhaustion. We need to find someone to examine him right away."
Meanwhile, within Tian Chen's Sea of Consciousness, he opened his bleary eyes, looked around, and said, "Where am I?"
"You're awake. This is your Sea of Consciousness!" an aged voice rang out.
"Who's there?" Tian Chen looked behind him and saw a gray bead slowly transforming into a human figure.
Tian Chen was startled at first. How could this be? Why had Electrolux awakened now?
Though puzzled by why Electrolux had awakened at this moment, he still feigned ignorance. "You are...?"
"My name is Electrolux. The world calls me the Undead Calamity! But now I am merely a fragment of a soul," Electrolux said.
"I remember now. You're the gray orb that entered my Sea of Consciousness back then," Tian Chen said, pretending to be surprised.
"I had just arrived in this world at the time. The gold of life in your hand drew me here, which was why I entered your Sea of Consciousness. Helping you just now could be considered repayment for that favor," Electrolux said, his gaze profound.
"Little fellow, I am extremely weak right now. Find somewhere to refine your gold of life as soon as possible, and I can grant you a tremendous opportunity." With that, Electrolux turned back into a gray orb.
The protagonist will not become a dog devoted to Shrek's glory. As for Shrek's higher-ups, if they leave him alone, he cannot be bothered with them. But if they provoke him, he will show no mercy.
Before you continue