Ring, ring...
Xiao Zi was woken by a ringing sound. The newly risen sun shone into his room, giving him the illusion that a lifetime had passed.
After taking the ten-thousand-year whale glue and the Soul Ascension Pill, his physique had improved dramatically. He felt none of the discomfort of overexertion, only a refreshing ease tinged with something slick?
That strange sensation defied words. Memories of yesterday flashed through his mind like an electric current coursing through his body, leaving Xiao Zi scorched outside and tender within.
He sank his awareness into the Sea of Consciousness. Qian Renxue remained fast asleep, and not a ripple disturbed the sea's surface. Only the angel goddess's flushed cheeks silently hinted at last night's absurd escapades.
Rather than rashly disturb her, Xiao Zi quietly withdrew from the Sea of Consciousness and looked toward the source of the ringing... his smart Communication Watch.
His soul power had broken through to level thirty, and sure enough, Babata had sent a message asking whether he wanted to travel to Swallowed Star for the assessment and unlock the equipment Luo Feng had left behind. Deeply tempted but declining all the same, Xiao Zi marked every message as read and closed the smart interface.
Tempting as it was, his immediate priority remained following the plot. If he remembered correctly, Shrek's selection tournament was about to begin.
From his previous experience, Xiao Zi knew a trip to Swallowed Star could not be completed overnight and might well delay matters. This breakthrough to level thirty involved a major opportunity, so he would have to request an extended leave.
He stretched his limbs, feeling the surging soul power within him, then tidied up his dormitory and went to class.
The weather remained clear, and lessons were underway in every class. Everyone faced different pressures. New students had their own assessments, while students in other years had Upgrade Assessments and all sorts of demanding coursework.
Since Dai Huabin had requested leave for him in advance, Mu Jin, who was teaching, did not give Xiao Zi a hard time and allowed him inside.
After deliberately glancing at a certain someone, Mu Jin returned to business. "In three days, the Outer Court will hold a core disciple selection tournament. Originally, it had nothing to do with the second years, but the academy suddenly notified us that we would be participating, so all of you must prepare!"
Someone asked curiously, "Teacher, what is this selection tournament for?"
Mu Jin said, "Don't worry. Not everyone has to participate. A few outstanding students will be chosen from each class's core disciples. Including the Soul Tool Department, there will be about thirty in total. Seven of those students will then be selected for a secret mission. Don't ask what it is. Only the winners will be entitled to know..."
Their homeroom teacher did not seem to attach much importance to it, so everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Some even grumbled inwardly about the academy's endless assessments. Their Upgrade Assessment had only just ended, and now there was another exam for core disciples!
"I'll notify those participating later. Just wait for the message... Li Lezi, come to my office!"
"Yes." Under the others' curious or puzzled gazes, Xiao Zi followed Mu Jin out of the classroom.
After closing the door, he put on an obedient air. "Teacher Mu, what did you want to see me about?"
Mu Jin's tone was eager and expectant. "The Dean and I both have high hopes for you in this core disciple selection tournament. We hope you can make the top seven!"
Xiao Zi looked a little surprised, and this time it was genuine. "Will I be punished if I don't make the top seven?"
Mu Jin shook his head. "No, but why would you think that for no reason? Don't lose your nerve before the battle even begins. I have faith in you!"
The Golden Horned Beast had swallowed a thousand-year soul beast in a single gulp in the Soul Beast Arena, leaving its keeper, Gong Changlong, utterly heartbroken. Others, however, had perked up like hunters spotting their quarry, including Yan Shaozhe and Mu Jin. They believed that Li Lezi's talent might allow him to pass the selection tournament.
The problem was that a certain someone's soul power was still a little low. He had not even reached level thirty during the Upgrade Assessment, so he received less attention than Huo Yuhao with his twin martial souls.
Xiao Zi remembered Zhou Yi's exact words to Huo Yuhao in the original story-
"Others can fail to make the top seven, but if you don't make it, you'll bear the consequences."
Comparing the two, the academy's higher-ups were far more noncommittal about him than they were confident in Huo Yuhao.
Still, Xiao Zi did not care. He already had a plan.
This so-called Outer Court core disciple selection tournament was actually intended to select talent for the upcoming Soul Master Tournament. Given the Outer Court disciples' strength, they obviously would not be on the starting roster. They would serve as substitutes, ready to shine in the next tournament.
All the selected reserves would train together with the starting team, honing their combat techniques while getting to know their fellow substitutes and forging the team spirit of the next generation of the "Shrek Seven Devils."
Knowing the plot well, Xiao Zi understood that this process would be dull and tedious. On their way to the tournament, they would also undertake an Inspection Corps mission and encounter the Death Messenger, that "strongest Soul King." With an assist from Xuan Zi, the Holy Spirit Cult's supreme elder, their prospects would be perilous and unpredictable.
As a mortal enemy of Tang San up in the heavens, Xiao Zi had no affection whatsoever for Shrek Academy, his representative in the mortal world. Naturally, he would never truly risk his life for it.
What he really cared about was that Shrek placed immense importance on the academy's ten-thousand-year glory and would not tolerate even the slightest mishap in the tournament. All its energy would be focused there, and its oversight of the academy would ease accordingly.
His arrival had altered the timeline. His homeroom teacher, Mu Jin, was not as twisted as that old spinster Zhou Yi. He paid more attention to his students' circumstances and approved leave whenever they had a legitimate reason. Including this occasion to absorb whale rubber and take the Soul Ascension Pill, Xiao Zi had already had several leave requests approved, without needing to worry about being expelled.
As for this selection tournament, even Yan Shaozhe's interest could not sway his decision. With his current level-thirty soul power, he only needed to appear serious and find a chance to get eliminated when the time came.
As long as he gave them nothing to hold against him, no one could find fault with him. Then he would have a long stretch of free time.
"I can still go have a look at Star Luo City, where the tournament is being held. The Starlight Auction House has a Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife. I can buy it while I'm there!" Xiao Zi planned his future.
Directly under the Star Luo Imperial Family, the Starlight Auction House possessed countless treasures. Besides uncanny objects like the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife, it also had other rare treasures that could increase one's strength, and even bought secondhand goods.
Xiao Zi coveted the gold of life in the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife. It would be perfect for nourishing his Sea of Consciousness and replenishing his spiritual power.
Only after speaking with Mu Jin for a long while did Xiao Zi take his leave. As soon as he stepped outside, he encountered Dai Huabin. As a soul slave, Dai Huabin had sensibly waited outside without disturbing them. Upon seeing his master, he stepped forward and respectfully inquired.
At the sight of him, inspiration flashed through Xiao Zi's mind, and a brilliant idea rose from the depths of his heart.
"This tournament will select the next generation of the Shrek Seven Devils from the Outer Court's core disciples. They'll also serve as substitutes in this year's Soul Master Tournament. I have something to do and can't go. To avoid arousing suspicion among Shrek's higher-ups, you'll take my place!"
Dai Huabin agreed meekly, not daring to question him in the slightest. "Understood. Is there anything you need me to do?"
Xiao Zi thought for a moment. "Your relationship with Huo Yuhao is terrible. Your very existence serves to stir up trouble, so there's no need to do anything deliberately. If you encounter anything you can't resolve there, contact me through the smart Communication Watch, or ask the Inner Court disciple Ma Xiaotao for help. For my sake, she'll definitely help you..."