The Open and Covert Struggle Between Shrek Academy and Suotuo Advanced Soul Master Academy
Night fell over Shrek Academy's square. Eight figures stood in neat formation, all spirited and smartly dressed, ready for their evening class.
Oscar's gaze was fixed on the entrance to the square, lingering indignation hidden in his eyes.
He muttered inwardly:
I nearly ran myself half to death finishing those sixty kilometers, and suffered so much to complete your lousy task. If you can't give me a proper explanation, I'm damn well ignoring you next time!
Ning Rongrong held her chin slightly raised, her little face brimming with undisguised pride. Like a little peacock that had won a battle, she stole glances toward where Flender would soon appear, while the little figure inside her mind planted her hands on her hips and clamored:
Flender, you old bastard, you were deliberately making things hard for me, weren't you? You were so sure I couldn't finish the task, weren't you? Hehe, not only did this young lady finish it, I did a beautiful job! Choke on that! Come up with some new tricks if you've got the nerve!
Lin Kong, however, looked calm, without a ripple in his expression, as though he had not been the one who had run the entire distance alongside them and lent a hand during the day.
A moment later, Flender appeared at the edge of the square and walked slowly toward them. His gaze swept across the eight children before finally lingering on Lin Kong a little longer, his eyes complicated.
No one knew that Flender was currently simmering with an inexplicable anger.
Ever since first meeting Lin Kong, he had felt as though this brat had been leading him around by the nose—first he had backed him up to settle his trouble with Suotuo City Great Soul Arena, then he had to help keep his soaring Soul Power a secret. He had thought taking him as a student would at least give him some leverage, but look what happened: the brat had spoiled his "good work" again during today's physical training!
The more Flender thought about it, the more annoyed he became. Finally, he could not help speaking, his tone carrying a hint of gritted teeth. "Lin Kong, you really like running, don't you?"
At those words, the square grew a little quieter.
Apart from Oscar and Ning Rongrong, everyone turned in unison to look at Lin Kong, then glanced curiously at the sour-faced Flender. There was clearly some gossip here!
Seeing this, Oscar felt a little more confident. He stepped forward, puffed out his chest, and declared loudly, "Reporting to the dean! Ning Rongrong and I successfully completed today's physical training! Awaiting your instructions!"
His "awaiting your instructions" rang out forcefully, but anyone could hear the questioning note in his voice-the unspoken meaning was clearly: Go on, tell us. What exactly was the point of making us run those twenty laps?
At any other academy, why would the dean care what the students thought? But this was Shrek. With so few people, their bonds carried greater weight. Teachers and students had never been bound by a cold hierarchy of superiors and inferiors; theirs was more a tacit understanding between teachers who were also friends.
Behind his back, Flender quietly clenched his hands, then slowly relaxed them. Striving to maintain his bearing as dean, he softened his tone somewhat, ignored Oscar's "questioning" outright, and turned to Ning Rongrong beside him. "Ning Rongrong, you did well today."
Ning Rongrong immediately lifted her chin and answered proudly, "Of course I did!"
"I originally thought," Flender said at an unhurried pace, his voice reaching everyone's ears clearly, "that faced with this seemingly impossible task, you would shrink back, think about skipping class, or even ask Oscar to cover for you and pull the wool over everyone's eyes. But you didn't. You persevered. Good. Very good indeed."
"..."
The pride on Ning Rongrong's face froze. Then heat suddenly rushed into her cheeks, and her snowy little face turned scarlet at a visible speed, even the roots of her ears taking on a faint blush.
She was so embarrassed that she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
She really had considered everything Flender mentioned, and had even come close to acting on it! If Lin Kong had not appeared in time and brought her to her senses, she probably would have slipped back to Suotuo City to shop long ago. Why would she still be standing here listening to a lecture?
Ning Rongrong hurriedly lowered her head, her feelings somewhat complicated. There was embarrassment at having her little schemes exposed in public, but also a little pride at having corrected herself midway and persevered to the end.
That was simply how she was. If she really did something wrong and someone pointed it out, she would certainly smash the already cracked pot and give up all restraint-I'm the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I can do whatever I want! If anyone dared solemnly point out her faults, she would dare bristle under the shelter of her sect's prestige and run roughshod without restraint!
Flender glanced at Ning Rongrong, who had lowered her head in embarrassment, and said nothing more. Instead, he turned toward Oscar, his tone growing more solemn. "Oscar, you also did very well today. But remember, when you're thinking of someone else in the future, first think carefully about which choice is truly good for her."
His implication pointed out what was wrong with Oscar's earlier intention to cover for Ning Rongrong-you only thought of helping her avoid punishment, but never considered what dangers she might encounter if she left alone as a support-type Soul Master.
Oscar shuddered. The indignation on his face vanished, replaced by sudden understanding. He hurriedly straightened his back and answered respectfully, "Yes, Dean!"
Flender looked at Lin Kong. "As for you... you like running, don't you? Good, good. I'll remember that."
Lin Kong showed no reaction.
Oscar and Ning Rongrong instinctively worried for him. After all, Flender had marked him down precisely because he had helped the two of them.
Flender took a deep breath and adjusted his composure. "Next comes your first lesson since joining Shrek Academy. Follow me. We're heading to Suotuo City Great Soul Arena."
Suotuo City Great Soul Arena, in a top-tier VIP room.
De'enlai controlled the Great Soul Arena. He looked like a merchant, but was actually a Soul Saint expert who concealed his strength. Across from him sat Majila, the dean of Suotuo Advanced Soul Master Academy, likewise a Soul Saint.
"Lin Kong. This is all the information on him." De'enlai pushed a stack of files across the table with a soft rustle.
Majila picked up the files, his eyes swiftly scanning their contents. A moment later, he abruptly closed them and let out a low exclamation. "Four consecutive days, forty consecutive victories! Hiss-this really is a promising talent you only encounter once in a century!"
De'enlai raised his teacup and took a sip of warm tea, his tone carrying admiration he could barely conceal. "He's more than just promising. Over these four days, Lin Kong has fought Soul Masters of practically every attribute and type except fire. Forty matches, every one a hard-fought battle, and not a single defeat!"
Such a dazzling record was enough to make any Soul Master take notice.
In just a few days, Lin Kong had made a name for himself in Suotuo City Great Soul Arena as "Black Prison Asura." Now, everyone in the arena knew that name. Countless spectators went wild for him, while gamblers regarded him as their sure-win "magic treasure." Every match Black Prison Asura fought was the arena's hottest main event.
Naturally, Majila had heard the name too.
Many teachers and students at Suotuo Advanced Soul Master Academy habitually came to the Soul Fighting Arena to hone themselves. When they learned that Black Prison Asura, who was sweeping through the arena, was actually a boy of only twelve with rank twenty-one Soul Power, they immediately passed the news to Dean Majila.
That was precisely why Majila had come in person.
"You said that when he first came to register, that fellow Flender was with him?" Majila put down the files and raised his eyes to De'enlai, his tone seeking confirmation.
De'enlai nodded. "That's right. From the look of things, this child probably joined Shrek Academy long ago. Dean Majila, I'm afraid you've come a step too late."
Majila waved a hand, however, showing little disappointment. Instead, a meaningful smile appeared on his face. "I'm actually not too concerned about this Lin Kong. He's still young. Though his Soul Power has risen quickly, he definitely won't be ready for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament four years from now. The one I'm truly watching is that Dai Mubai from Shrek. That boy has considerable talent. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he'll certainly have broken through to the Soul Ancestor realm by the tournament."
Hearing this, De'enlai nodded in firm agreement. Then, as though recalling something, he changed the subject and added, "Speaking of which, barring anything unexpected, Flender will bring those children from Shrek over tonight. Every year, on the evening of the first day of school, he has a habit of bringing the new students to the arena to broaden their horizons."
"Oh?" Majila's eyes brightened slightly. His fingertips tapped lightly against the table, making soft, rhythmic sounds. After a moment's contemplation, he suddenly looked up at De'enlai, the corners of his mouth lifting in a faintly provocative curve. "In that case, I'll join the fun too. I'll send someone to fight this Lin Kong. As for the stakes, let's make it one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins. Oh, and the person I'm sending is a fire-attribute Soul Master."
He paused. Seeing De'enlai's expression change slightly, he added leisurely, "If you don't think the stakes are high enough, we can raise them until you're satisfied."
"What?" De'enlai's face darkened. His fingers tightened abruptly around his teacup, his knuckles turning slightly white.
How could he fail to understand Majila's intentions?
Lin Kong was now the golden signboard of Suotuo City Great Soul Arena, a legend he had deliberately built up. To preserve this undefeated myth, he had even specifically avoided all fire-attribute Soul Masters—after all, Plant-type Martial Souls naturally feared fire. That was common knowledge.
Yet Majila insisted on sending a fire-attribute Soul Master into battle. He was clearly aiming to shatter Lin Kong's undefeated record, to step on this legend and deal Shrek an intimidating opening blow!
Had it been any other faction, De'enlai could simply have ignored them, or even refused outright. But the other party was Majila, a Soul Saint expert on the same level as himself, and also the dean of Suotuo Advanced Soul Master Academy-he could not disregard this man.