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By the time these words were spoken, the students of Shrek Academy were all filled with despair.
However, perhaps feeling that mere speculation wasn't enough to lend her claims full credibility, Qian Renxue pointed at Oscar and another student, saying:
"Furthermore, according to my investigations, this student named Oscar doesn't seem to have any bad habits. However, your disciple Ma Hongjun has been using the stipend provided by the Spirit Hall to frequent brothels.
"While I hold no prejudice against those who enjoy visiting brothels, I truly have no need for soul masters who don't focus on their duties."
Seeing the elegant and noble Pope casually utter the word "brothel," everyone present couldn't help but twitch their lips and instinctively avert their gaze. Internally, they also felt uneasy about Ma Hongjun—after all, a man who frequents brothels could hardly be considered respectable.
However, Oscar's face lit up with joy. After all, nothing negative had been said about him, so he quickly spoke up, having always been treated as an invisible presence:
"Your Holiness, may I humbly ask for a chance, given that I have no record of misconduct? Though my talent has been impaired, I was once a food-system soul master with full innate soul power. If you can heal me, I promise to serve the Spirit Hall faithfully in the future!"
Oscar's plea gave the true commoner soul masters from Lanba Academy a glimmer of hope. They began to insist that they were innocent victims, claiming they had always been honest and upright soul masters.
But to their pleas, Qian Renxue simply shook her head and said:
"I'm sorry, young students. Even if you weren't influenced by Shrek Academy, those of you who haven't yet truly entered the world of soul masters might not realize how precious medicinal ingredients capable of healing internal injuries, restoring talent, and extending lifespan are. Thus, I cannot treat you.
"However, considering your previously clean records, you are still welcome to join the Spirit Hall."
Qian Renxue's arrangement was flawless—it punished the problematic students of Shrek while offering new opportunities to the true commoner students.
Still, Oscar and the others wore expressions of reluctance.
For Oscar, a genius like him had completely lost the chance to become the first food-system Title Douluo. As for students like Jing Ling and Jiang Zhu, they had not only lost their potential but also sacrificed a precious part of their lives.
Just as Qian Renxue was about to impose further sanctions on Shrek, Ye Wen suddenly stepped forward and spoke:
"Your Holiness, may I interrupt for a moment?"
Being interrupted irritated Qian Renxue—after all, she was currently representing the supreme authority of the Spirit Hall.
Had the Spirit Hall's prestige fallen so low that anyone could dare interrupt her so casually?
But upon recognizing Ye Wen as the speaker, Qian Renxue instantly transformed her demeanor, speaking warmly:
"What is it, Ye Wen?"
The powerful figures present noticed Qian Renxue's brief emotional shift, and their gazes toward Ye Wen grew more curious.
They didn't assume Bibi Dong harbored romantic intentions toward Ye Wen, a peerless prodigy, but they couldn't figure out what else could explain her sudden change in attitude. Ultimately, they suppressed their thoughts and continued to watch the unfolding drama.
Ye Wen cleared his throat and said, "Your Holiness, from what I gather, you don't intend to deal with the former students of Lanba Academy."
Pausing briefly, Ye Wen rephrased, "Your Holiness, do you mean you don't wish to pursue the true commoner soul masters from Lanba Academy?"
Qian Renxue nodded and replied, "Correct. I don't plan to pursue the former Lanba students—they were merely pitiful pawns deceived by remnants of the Hao Tian Sect. However, I won't show mercy to members of the Power Clan, under the Hao Tian Douluo's jurisdiction.
"Tang Hao dared to strike at the Spirit Hall's dignity directly. The Spirit Hall will not spare him either."
It was only now that Tai Long, whose mind was mostly muscle, realized—he was part of the Power Clan!
"Young Master, why didn't you take me with you when you fled!?" Tai Long screamed internally.
Just as Tai Long was about to beg for mercy again, Qian Renxue silently increased the pressure on him, pinning him to the ground and rendering him unable to speak.
None of the major factions present dared to plead for mercy. Over a decade ago, when the Hao Tian Sect first struck at the Spirit Hall's dignity, the Spirit Hall had merely chased them to force them to retreat—a gesture already considered merciful. Even the abandoned affiliated forces of the Hao Tian Sect had only faced symbolic pursuit and suppression, without being subjected to total annihilation.
But now, Tang Hao had the audacity to repeat the same offense over a decade later!
The major factions present asked themselves: if they were the Spirit Hall, there was no way they could show mercy this time. Otherwise, how could their faction maintain its standing in the world of soul masters?
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi appeared anxious, subtly glancing at Qian Daoliu. This living fossil had emerged—would he still honor the agreement made years ago to spare the Hao Tian Sect? Would they only kill Tang Hao and Tang San without implicating the entire Hao Tian Sect, or would they completely annihilate the sect this time?
At this moment, Ye Wen smiled and said, "If that's the case, may I ask Your Holiness to release those innocent individuals like Oscar? I have some ideas regarding their future. Might Your Holiness consider entrusting them to me?"
Qian Renxue was now fully convinced of Ye Wen's identity. As for Ma Hongjun—well, without resolving the flaw in his martial soul, he was just an ordinary talented soul master.
But Oscar was different. If he could reach the rank of Title Douluo, Qian Renxue believed he could earn the favor of the gods in the God Realm.
However, the now semi-crippled Oscar clearly wasn't worth her side's investment. Yet Ye Wen had stepped forward. Unless Ye Wen had already recognized Oscar's value and devised a solution, it was unlikely for someone as composed as him to act so rashly.
After all, Oscar was merely a support-type soul master. Qian Renxue hadn't planned to deal harshly with these commoner soul masters anyway. Since Ye Wen had spoken, she decided to extend a courtesy. With a warm smile, she nodded and calmly said:
"Agreed."
With that, Qian Renxue released the restraints on the innocent former Lanba Academy students, including Oscar.
Oscar, who moments ago had looked ashen-faced, now seemed rejuvenated, as did Jing Ling and Jiang Zhu. Just when they had lost all hope for their futures, a new path had unexpectedly opened before them!
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