First there was Xuan Zi, Grand Elder of the Holy Spirit Cult; now there was Dai Huabin, the undercover agent among the Shrek Seven Devils.
It had to be said that Shrek truly was a breeding ground for talent. Each generation surpassed the last, with the waves behind smashing the waves ahead dead onto the beach!
Speaking of Xuan Zi, as the actual mastermind behind the Grand Melee, he could hardly escape blame for the current situation-just like the previous time he had led a team out and gotten them all wiped out.
Fortunately, the Grand Elder himself remained consistent. The lesson he had drawn from past cases was to never mend his ways, no matter how often he was taught, and dare to do it again next time!
Admitting that the split among the Shrek Seven Devils was his fault was absolutely impossible. Neither his status nor his heart would allow it. Yet he could not delay the team's training and affect the soul master tournament, either. Caught between the two, the Grand Elder once again exercised his world-shaking wisdom, hoping to mend the pen after losing the sheep.
His solution was... to keep expanding the roster.
As everyone knew, each of the four great empires could send two teams to the tournament. Although the roster was already full, Shrek threw fair play out the window to preserve its ten-thousand-year glory and kept stuffing more people among the reserves-reserves for the reserves, so to speak.
If Huo Yuhao and Dai Huabin proved as incompatible as fire and water, reaching the point of no return, these people could take the field and replace one of them.
In the eyes of the Holy Spirit Cult's Grand Elder, this solution was perfect. It would keep the Shrek Seven Devils from breaking up while giving the eliminated students another chance, such as those two who had both been knocked out over romantic jealousy.
The first was Xu Sanshi. His family background and soul power needed no introduction, and he checked in every day, rain or shine, to pay his attentions (harass her). His devotion moved heaven and earth (or so the Grand Elder thought). He was also the Outer Court's best defender, making him suitable in every respect.
The second was Li Lezi. Although the academy did not value him as highly as Huo Yuhao, his soul power had reached rank thirty at twelve years old. He was also well liked, so he would not cause the same problems as Dai Huabin and could quickly fit into the group.
The third was Zhu Lu. She and Dai Huabin had used their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Hell White Tiger, during the freshman assessment a year ago, successfully earning her a pass to Core Disciple status-a cut above Huo Yuhao's temporary trial membership.
In all honesty, Xuan Zi preferred the first two and looked down on Zhu Lu, whose talent ranked at the bottom.
But then he reconsidered. What if Xu Sanshi and Li Lezi saw Jiang Nannan and started fighting over the same woman again? How would he clean up that mess?
He knew very well that the secret relationship between Ma Xiaotao and Li Lezi was far more than a simple transaction to resolve her evil fire.
The Dean's disciple had quite an explosive temper. If she flew into a crown-toppling rage for her handsome beloved, wouldn't she beat Xu Sanshi within an inch of his life? What if someone died?
As long as he was not out hunting soul beasts, the Grand Elder's IQ seized the high ground again, his world-shaking wisdom flowing freely. He settled on Zhu Lu as the reserve, painfully parting with his favorites and abandoning the first two.
To prove himself right, Xuan Zi scrambled madly for justifications. He had done all this for the sake of the Shrek Seven Devils, especially Dai Huabin, who possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
If Xu Sanshi joined, he would band together with the other six. All seven would ostracize Dai Huabin, and training would only produce the opposite of the intended result.
Meanwhile, Li Lezi was Dai Huabin's lackey, so there was no need to wonder whose side he would take. Six against two was still an obvious disadvantage and would do nothing for team unity.
And so, by exercising his world-shaking wisdom, the Grand Elder reduced the three planned reserves to one. He even thought he had made the right decision, averting a tragedy where blood would flow in rivers.
But when addressing the public, Xuan Zi's reasoning remained impeccably high-minded. Zhu Lu had successfully reached the Final Round and placed eighth in the Grand Melee selection trial, just behind the Shrek Seven Devils. There was nothing wrong with making her a reserve.
Once the results were announced, many students felt either envy or jealousy, thinking Zhu Lu was incredibly lucky to get a revival match even after being eliminated.
When the news reached Xiao Zi, he let out a long breath of relief and expressed his respect with heartfelt sincerity, thanking the Holy Spirit Cult's Grand Elder for sparing his life.
Had he been selected, not only would he have had no time to visit Swallowed Star, but his position would have been beneath even the reserve team members, reducing him to third-string status.
I was a mighty Supreme God King in my previous life. In this life, I'm temporarily enduring things for the sake of revenge. Keeping a low profile doesn't mean accepting humiliation. I'd rather be expelled than swallow this indignity!
The chance to become a reserve for the new Shrek Seven Devils slipped past them. A certain lovesick bootlicker surnamed Xu beat his chest and stamped his feet, while Xiao Zi secretly rejoiced. Seizing the opportunity, he sought out his homeroom teacher, Mu Jin, and made his request.
"Mr. Mu, the Grand Melee selection trial is over. I don't think there'll be anything else coming up, so I'd like to take some leave and go out to clear my head."
He looked thoroughly downcast, his exquisite acting pitched just right to convince the kindhearted Mu Jin, who spoke up against the injustice done to his student. "Lezi, I don't understand Xuan Zi's decision either. There were clearly better ways to resolve the dispute, yet he chose the worst one. A temporary setback isn't a big deal. You need to set your sights further ahead!"
The other man had said everything he had wanted to say, saving him the effort of putting on an elaborate performance. Xiao Zi remained downcast, pressing his lips tightly together in a show of stubbornness. "I understand Xuan Zi's decision. It's all right..."
Mu Jin felt even guiltier. Without saying anything more, he personally approved the leave slip. "Things outside aren't like they are in the academy. Make sure you stay safe, and return to the academy before the tournament begins..."
The director of studies' office.
Zhou Yi was chatting with Du Weilun when she unexpectedly spotted a familiar face. Enemies' eyes blazed especially red upon meeting, and she immediately opened fire. "What wind blew you here, Mr. Mu? Don't tell me you've come to tattle because every student in Class Two failed to make the cut?"
Mu Jin was furious, but he swallowed it to ensure the leave request went smoothly and handed the file to the director for review.
His restraint only made her push harder. Zhou Yi skimmed it and immediately challenged him. "Li Lezi is taking leave for this long, only coming back for the soul master tournament? Does the academy even allow that?"
It was not just her. Du Weilun was equally puzzled. "Ms. Zhou is right. The new Shrek Seven Devils have been settled, but that doesn't mean there are no opportunities left. Xuan Zi told me that he thinks very highly of Li Lezi and will have an important role for him in the near future!"
"What?!" Zhou Yi adjusted her glasses. Thinking of his relationship with Dai Huabin, she instinctively wanted to expel him and clear away an obstacle for Huo Yuhao and the others.
Mu Jin shook his head. "I appreciate Xuan Zi's kindness, but Lezi has been depressed since losing the match. I'm afraid something might happen if he keeps bottling it up, which is why I want to let him go out and clear his head. Ms. Zhou, you'll soon be leading the team to Star Luo City for the soul master tournament. Rather than studying ways to expel students, why not do some actual work?"
Expelling students was precisely how she improved the advancement rate, and no one understood that better than Zhou Yi. Mu Jin's words played right into her hands.
After observing him carefully, she concluded that he was not lying. He merely wanted Li Lezi to go out and relax, easing the emotional blow he had suffered.
If his resolve crumbles this easily, how could he ever accomplish anything great?
Even as Zhou Yi sneered inwardly, she lowered her guard. Taking the convenient way out offered by Mu Jin's words, she said goodbye to Du Weilun and returned to Class One to arrange the specifics for the soul master tournament.