News of Shrek's defeat seemed to sprout wings, flying across the entire continent in just a few hours.
In streets and alleys, taverns and teahouses, screens large and small played that unbelievable exhibition match on repeat.
A boy barely ten years old had used six arms and five weapons to pin the haughty Shrek team to the ground and grind them into the dirt.
The sight was simply too shocking.
The Skysea Alliance, long suppressed until it could barely lift its head, could finally hold its head high.
And overnight, the name "Body Sect," alongside Lu Guan's, made headlines in every major media outlet and dominated every trending list.
A luxurious penthouse suite in the Tianhai Grand Hotel.
The superb soundproofing shut out all the noise outside.
Lu Guan showered, changed into clean, dry clothes, and flopped onto the soft leather sofa.
He had just closed his eyes, ready to review today's battle.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door, the rhythm heavy and somewhat urgent.
Lu Guan raised an eyebrow.
Who would come at this hour?
He stood, shuffled over in his slippers, and pulled the door open.
Two people stood outside: Ye Xinglan and a silver-haired man.
Ye Xinglan looked terrible, her face utterly drained of color.
Her right hand was wrapped in thick bandages, the result of the backlash from the damage to her Stargod Sword.
Yet she stood ramrod straight, like a sword that would sooner break than bend.
Seeing the door open, the silver-haired man was about to speak, but Ye Xinglan beat him to it.
"Lu Guan!"
"I will surpass you, then crush you!"
She forced every word out with conviction.
No one her age had ever beaten her this badly, nor had anyone shattered her proud union of sword and wielder in a single blow.
He had even damaged her Martial Soul!
She had always pursued the pinnacle of swordsmanship, but that crushing defeat had shaken the very foundation of her resolve.
So she had to say those words today, to reclaim her martial heart!
She would make defeating Lu Guan her goal!
Lu Guan looked at her, a little surprised. This girl was that reckless?
Those who heard my name would behold me like a frog in a well gazing at the moon above; those who knew my strength would behold me like a speck of a mayfly looking up at the vast blue heavens.
Ye Xinglan had been taken down in one move, yet she still wanted to challenge me?
Her nerve was positively plump.
"Suit yourself. Anything else?"
Before Ye Xinglan could answer, the silver-haired man stepped forward, placing himself in front of her.
"Hello, Lu Guan. I'm Shen Yi, the teacher accompanying Shrek's team."
Lu Guan leaned against the doorframe without replying, waiting for him to continue.
Shen Yi drew a deep breath and offered terms he believed were impossible to refuse.
"On behalf of Shrek Academy, I formally invite you to join the Inner Court!"
"As long as you agree, you'll become a core disciple of the Inner Court immediately. You can study alongside Xinglan and the others. Shrek will provide you with the finest cultivation resources on the continent, and the elders of Sea God’s Pavilion will personally instruct you. Even your future Battle Armor will be custom-made for you by top Blacksmiths and designers."
To Shen Yi, this was a temptation no ten-year-old boy could possibly resist.
This was the Shrek Inner Court! The holy land of every Soul Master on the continent!
A place countless geniuses could not enter even after fighting tooth and nail was now throwing its doors wide open to him.
After hearing him out, Lu Guan suddenly grinned.
He thought of Wu Changkong. These two fellow disciples really were alike.
Lu Guan laughed aloud, his shoulders shaking.
Shen Yi's brows knitted tightly. "What are you laughing at?"
Lu Guan stopped smiling and straightened. "Teacher Shen, you people at Shrek really are impressive."
"Can't beat me, so you try to recruit me?"
"Once I join Shrek, everyone on the continent will say, 'Look, that genius who defeated Shrek is now one of them, too.'"
"In the end, Shrek still wins."
Lu Guan gave him a thumbs-up.
"Brilliant."
"You're working that abacus so loudly I could hear it from inside my room."
Shen Yi's expression turned ugly. He had never expected a ten-year-old child to see things so clearly and expose Shrek's intentions with one piercing remark.
"Lu Guan! Don't spurn a favor!"
Shen Yi raised his voice.
"The Body Sect did have its glory, but that's all history now! What can the Body Sect give you today? Following Mu Ye will only bury your talent! Joining Shrek is your only correct choice!"
"You don't need to worry about that." Lu Guan reached for the door handle.
"Go back and tell those elders of your Sea God’s Pavilion, or whatever it's called, that the Body Sect isn't finished yet."
"And keep your hands off us."
Shen Yi panicked and reached out to stop the door. "Think it over-"
Bang!
Lu Guan gave him no chance and slammed the door shut.
Outside, Shen Yi stood rooted to the spot, his face livid and his outstretched hand frozen in midair.
Ye Xinglan looked at the closed door, then turned toward the elevator, her retreating figure radiating resolve.
After sending Shen Yi and Ye Xinglan away, Lu Guan leaned back on the spacious sofa and closed his eyes in thought.
Defeating Shrek was only the first step.
The name "Body Sect" had lain silent for far too long.
So long that many had forgotten just how imperious the sect had once been.
Now, the first shot had been fired, and the entire continent had heard its echo.
But that was not enough.
A single exhibition match against Shrek still lacked sufficient weight.
Defeating Yu Chenxiao proved, at most, that he possessed exceptional talent on the path of a Soul Master.
But the Douluo Continent had never lacked geniuses, and those who died before reaching their potential were beyond counting.
What could truly make the various powers wary, or even prompt them to court him, was value!
Lu Guan took a piece of star iron out of his Soul Tool.
The Blacksmith competition.
He now had a certain degree of confidence in achieving Spirit Forging!
A ten-year-old Spirit Forging Master!
If word got out, it would send an earthquake through the entire continent's forging world.
Once he displayed it at the forging contest of the Skysea Alliance Grand Competition, he alone could thrust the Body Sect into the eye of the storm and put it before the entire continent!
The contest would begin soon, and Lu Guan was ready!
Knock, knock, knock.
A sudden knock came at the door.
Lu Guan raised an eyebrow. Who now?
He stood, walked over, and opened the door.
A tall figure stood outside.
Yu Chenxiao.
He had changed into simple casual clothes. His face was still somewhat pale, and his right arm was wrapped in thick bandages and secured with a splint.
But he seemed reasonably spirited overall, without the berserk, out-of-control air he had displayed in the arena.
Lu Guan leaned against the doorframe and looked him up and down.
The medical resources provided by the Skysea Alliance were pretty good. After a beating like that, he could get out of bed and walk around in just half a day.
Lu Guan smiled, his tone casual. "What, Shrek still hasn't given up? Or have your injuries healed, and you're here for revenge?"
"Shrek?" Yu Chenxiao looked puzzled, but did not dwell on it. "I was outmatched. A loss is a loss. My Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan isn't so petty that we can't take a defeat."
He looked at Lu Guan with a respectful air. "Aren't you going to invite me in?"
Lu Guan stepped aside and pointed at the sofa inside. "Sit wherever you like."
Yu Chenxiao entered the room. His gaze swept over the piece of star iron on the table, gleaming with an unusual luster, and something flickered in his eyes.
He pulled over a chair and sat opposite Lu Guan.
"Let's get straight to the point." Lu Guan poured a glass of water and pushed it over. "What brings you here?"
Yu Chenxiao did not touch the water. He looked straight at Lu Guan.
Looking at the boy before him, Yu Chenxiao was somewhat astonished. He was only ten, yet he was so mature.
But that was not the important part. What mattered was that, while temporarily studying at Shrek, he had participated in this exhibition match and encountered a genius like Lu Guan!
And this genius had caught his Family's attention, prompting them to investigate him.
That investigation had revealed Lu Guan's godlike talent for forging, catching his Family's attention!
So the Family had sent him here.
"I came to discuss a deal with you."
"A deal?"
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