Chapter 152: Take Back Your Hand
"Concede! Shrek Academy concedes in this match!"
Just as He Caitou was slapped twice by Xiong Jun, Wang Yan, who was off the stage, hurriedly shouted.
The opponent's lineup was completely unreasonable; there was no chance of winning in a one-on-one fight.
Even if they defeated Gu Yuena, what good would it do?
With Bei Bei, Tang Ya, and others still waiting, Shrek had no chance at all.
As the leading teacher, Wang Yan had the authority to concede on behalf of the students.
Hearing this, Xiong Jun looked displeased. It had just started to act, and it wasn't going to kill the little bald guy. Why did they concede so quickly?
Did that mean the beating it had taken earlier was for nothing?
"Shrek, I'll remember this debt!"
Xiong Jun didn't continue to attack. It casually tossed He Caitou out of the arena and said, "Who's next?"
The audience: "..."
The contestants: "..."
This Xiong Jun is so arrogant!
But it is Xiong Jun, and it does have the capital to be arrogant.
"Dean, let's concede this match. If the students get injured, it could lead to major issues in the subsequent matches."
Wang Yan earnestly confessed to Yan Shaozhe.
He could concede on behalf of He Caitou because He Caitou no longer had the ability to fight back.
But he didn't have the authority to concede for the remaining five team members.
Based on his understanding of Yan Shaozhe and these team members, even if they were all severely injured, they would still maintain Shrek Academy's reputation. The consequence of this would be forfeiting Shrek Academy's chance to advance.
In the round-robin stage, losing one match wasn't a big deal.
Hearing this, Yan Shaozhe was slightly displeased. If they conceded now, wouldn't it mean that Gu Yuena had single-handedly defeated Shrek Academy?
He couldn't accept such an outcome!
Even if they knew they couldn't win, they should at least take down one or two members of Liyue Academy to demonstrate Shrek Academy's strength.
"Wang Yan..."
Before Yan Shaozhe could finish, Wang Yan knelt straight on the ground with a loud "thud," leaving everyone at a loss.
"Dean, please don't be willful anymore!"
"We... we don't have any extra disciples for you to be willful with!"
Wang Yan said with a grave expression, his eyes sharp as knives.
Why, why are the higher-ups of the academy so willful? Don't they know the consequences?
Don't they care about the consequences?
Back then, he had warned Xuan Zi to be cautious.
Xuan Zi didn't care, and what was the result?
The Shrek Seven Monsters were almost completely wiped out!
Now, he warned Yan Shaozhe, and Yan Shaozhe still didn't care.
Wang Yan seemed to see the scene where all the Shrek students were injured, unable to continue participating and forced to withdraw.
Victory is important, but it requires strategy, knowing when to advance and retreat, and proper arrangements...
Do they still think these students are the Shrek Seven Monsters?
Just charge recklessly!
The Shrek Seven Monsters are already done for, and it's Xuan Zi's fault!
Seeing this, Yan Shaozhe trembled all over, this was out of anger!
He suspected that Wang Yan thought he was as brainless as Elder Xuan, but he had no evidence!
As the smartest person in Shrek Academy, how could he be brainless?
On second thought, Wang Yan's words did make some sense, even if they seemed to boost the enemy's morale and dampen their own.
The students were stunned. They hadn't expected Teacher Wang Yan to go this far just to prevent them from getting injured.
They did want to maintain the academy's reputation, but the "stats monster" on the stage was truly beyond their ability to handle alone.
Unless it was someone like Ma Xiaotao or Dai Yueheng, a Soul Emperor-level powerhouse, they might have a chance against Xiong Jun in its current state.
As for them, they had no chance at all.
It was a pity that Ma Xiaotao was seriously injured and unconscious, still receiving treatment at Shrek Academy.
As for Dai Yueheng... he was completely out of commission.
"Fine, fine, Wang Yan!"
Yan Shaozhe pointed at Wang Yan, snorted coldly, and stormed off.
His departure was equivalent to agreeing with Wang Yan's perspective. Staying here would make it impossible to implement Wang Yan's suggestions.
As the dean, for the sake of the academy, he could apologize to anyone, but he would never bow to the teachers.
Seeing this, Wang Yan breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Yan Shaozhe didn't stubbornly insist on his own way, it was fine.
"Let's concede this match. There's no need for unnecessary sacrifices."
"Advancing doesn't hinge on this one match."
Everyone quickly nodded, indicating they were willing to follow Wang Yan's arrangement.
"Shrek Academy concedes. The first match of the first round of the round-robin stage goes to Liyue Academy!"
As the referee's voice rang out, the cheers from the audience grew even louder.
"Liyue…"
"Gu Yuena, Gu Yuena!"
"Xiong Jun, Xiong Jun!"
People say they don't like violence, but who doesn't enjoy watching it?
Although Xiong Jun was a soul beast, it embodied the most primitive, most violent aesthetics, which was even more exciting than the dazzling soul skills used by soul masters.
Soul skills and soul tools couldn't break through Xiong Jun's defense; it didn't dodge or evade.
The most straightforward attacks could leave its opponents completely incapacitated.
This was the essence of primitive violent aesthetics!
"Xiong Jun, Xiong Jun!"
Seeing so many humans cheering and encouraging it, Xiong Jun fell into deep thought for a moment.
It was confused, perplexed.
Aren't humans and soul beasts natural enemies?
These humans seemed to support it...
"Why... is that?"
With this question in mind, Xiong Jun disappeared.
Gu Yuena didn't linger on the stage either. After tidying up the Invincible Barrier, she stepped down.
"Soul spirits have thoughts and combat experience. Their combat experience is richer than that of most humans."
"Humans and soul spirits fighting together is the best direction..."
"But to weaken the humans' own combat power, they must focus on soul spirits rather than their own strength."
"Achieving this is too difficult, too difficult."
Soul masters aren't fools. Even if they were, they would eventually realize this path is wrong.
For example, the soul engineers from the Sun Moon Empire focus on soul tools and don't put much effort into cultivating their soul power.
As a result, very few soul engineers can break through to the Super Douluo level, let alone the Limit Douluo level.
But truly powerful soul tools often require the soul engineer's soul power to cooperate. Without sufficient soul power, it's impossible to create nine-and-a-half or even ten-level soul tools.
"The road ahead is long and arduous, and I still need to work hard."
Gu Yuena hadn't given up. She had plenty of time to change these humans' minds and wasn't in a hurry.
"Congratulations, congratulations!"
"Gu Yuena, you are the first person in Shrek Academy's history to single-handedly defeat seven opponents!"
"Yes, in the ten thousand years of Shrek Academy's existence, the only time they lost was by a narrow margin."
Listening to the opponents' flattery, Gu Yuena waved her hand and said, "Their main force had an accident; otherwise, the fight wouldn't have ended so quickly."
"I've already fought in this match. The next two matches will be up to you. Unless you encounter an opponent you can't defeat, I won't interfere."
Everyone: "..."
Gu Yuena, whose soul power level was almost the lowest, said this without any sense of incongruity…
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Chapter 153: My heart finally moved
"Zhongli, the matches these past two days have been so boring!"
On the VIP seats, Paimon watched the matches and said with a hint of drowsiness.
Apart from the food and pastries, the matches these past two days were indeed quite dull.
She, Paimon, had seen "high-level matches." These childish games were making her sleepy.
Hearing this, Xu Jiawei and the others exchanged glances, but they also felt that Paimon's words made sense.
She was the Martial Soul of the Martial God. It was only natural for her to find such matches boring.
After all, whenever the Martial God made a move, wasn't it always accompanied by the shaking of the continent and the changing of the winds and clouds?
"The path of growth requires a process. They are still young, full of vitality and in the age of growth."
"From them, I see the future of the Douluo Continent."
Zhongli said without changing his expression.
"The future of the Douluo Continent?"
Paimon blinked her eyes, glanced at the scene of rookies pecking at each other on the stage, and couldn't help but twitch the corner of her eye.
Is this the future of the Douluo Continent?
Isn't the Douluo Continent doomed?
These guys, with all their elemental energy, can't even use it properly and need to rely on so-called spirit rings to activate the elemental energy within their bodies. This... this is just too weak.
On the Douluo Continent, not all spirit masters possess elemental energy.
Only those with attribute-bearing Martial Souls will generate corresponding elemental energy within their bodies.
For example, a Fire Wolf Martial Soul will generate fire elemental energy within its host.
However, spirit masters' mastery of elements is too shallow; they only know some superficial uses.
"Paimon, no one is born strong. Although they are weak now, their future is promising. Don't underestimate them."
Paimon: "..."
Anyone could say this, but when Zhongli said it, Paimon felt her intelligence was being insulted.
The Geo Archon, who reached the peak the moment he debuted, was saying that no one is born strong.
"Hmph~"
Paimon crossed her arms and said, "I don't believe it!"
"Oh?"
Zhongli wasn't annoyed. It was just some polite talk; why get upset?
The contestants on stage were from the Star Luo Empire, and this was the Star Luo Empire's home ground. It was only natural to say some nice words.
Did Paimon still want to eat delicious food?
"Humans have short lifespans, but they possess talents and intelligence that most spirit beasts lack. This is a fact."
At this moment, Snow Empress, sitting beside Zhongli, spoke.
As a spirit beast, she was reluctant to accept that humans were stronger than spirit beasts, but she had to admit that humans were an extremely special race.
What spirit beasts accumulated over a hundred years, human geniuses could achieve upon awakening.
What spirit beasts accumulated over a thousand years, human geniuses could achieve in just a few years of cultivation.
What spirit beasts accumulated over a hundred thousand years, human geniuses could achieve in just a few decades.
For spirit beasts, how unfair was this?
Fortunately, humans had short lifespans; otherwise, spirit beasts would have no chance of survival.
Even now, spirit beasts were at a critical juncture of life and death.
Humans had short lifespans, but the number of spirit masters was increasing, and so were the number of strong ones. There simply weren't enough high-level spirit beasts for spirit masters to hunt!
The Far North was still somewhat better, with the Three Great Heavenly Kings protecting it, so very few strong individuals ventured there.
The forests on the mainland, however, were in trouble.
"Sigh~"
Hearing Snow Empress say this, Paimon blinked her eyes. Of course, she knew about human talents and intelligence.
Back on the Teyvat Continent, more than one god had told her such things.
Of course, it might have been said to the Traveler.
She was just bored with the matches, not commenting on humans!
In the audience, the thoughts of two young girls were also not on the matches.
Their gazes were fixed on the audience seats, searching for something.
"Xiao Xiao, it's been several days, and Barbatos still hasn't appeared. Could it be that he really couldn't afford the ticket?"
Wang Dong'er said somewhat helplessly.
This best friend of hers was good in every way, except that she was too persistent.
Every day, she came here not to watch the matches but to look for someone.
As Xiao Xiao's best friend, she naturally had to help with the search.
"Maybe, possibly... probably."
"But there are so many people here; perhaps I didn't look carefully enough."
Xiao Xiao said with a hint of disappointment.
After so many days, there was still no sign of Barbatos.
But Barbatos didn't seem like someone who would break his word.
Wang Dong'er: "..."
This best friend was deeply poisoned!
Is this what love is?
It's really terrifying!
"We've already carefully looked at it three times..."
"Besides, with Barbatos's appearance, you could spot him at a glance in a crowd, right?"
Wang Dong'er tried to persuade her.
She felt that if this best friend continued searching like this, she would go crazy.
At such a young age, suffering the pains of love was truly pitiful.
"No, Dong'er, listen to me. I must not have looked carefully enough!"
Xiao Xiao waved her hand, saying with determination, though a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.
Could it be that Barbatos didn't want to watch the matches with her, which is why he made an excuse and refused the ticket she offered?
Thinking of this, Xiao Xiao's face showed a bitter expression. She was truly feeling a bit hurt.
Finally feeling a spark of love, but Barbatos made her lose so thoroughly.
"What, what's wrong with me?"
"Aside from being a bit short, I have a top-tier appearance, exceptional talent, and a twin Martial Soul..."
Seeing Xiao Xiao on the verge of tears, Wang Dong'er quickly said, "Xiao Xiao, let's search again. Maybe we really didn't look carefully enough."
"Of course, it's also possible that he's busy and can't find the time to watch the matches."
"Besides, there's still so much time left in the matches. He will definitely appear!"
"If he doesn't show up in the elimination rounds, he'll appear in the group stages, the semi-finals, or the finals!"
Wang Dong'er's consolation had an effect, making Xiao Xiao's eyes light up.
"Dong'er, you're right!"
"Finished, she's sinking deeper and deeper..."
Wang Dong'er twitched the corner of her eye, feeling a bit guilty.
This best friend of hers was completely in unrequited love. That Barbatos didn't like her; it was just a friendly conversation.
Yet she was like this...
Most likely, she would return empty-handed, unsuccessful.
"Fine, who told me to be your best friend?"
"Let's ask Big Dad and Second Dad to investigate Barbatos's whereabouts."
Wang Dong'er glanced at Xiao Xiao, thinking to herself.
"I also need to make it clear to Big Dad and Second Dad that Barbatos is not someone I like..."
"If Big Dad and Second Dad misunderstand and beat up Barbatos first after finding him, that would be doing a good deed with bad results."
Wang Dong'er wasn't in a relationship; her intelligence was still intact.
She had some methods to contact Niu Tian and Titan, and she didn't need to return to the Clear Sky Sect. She could just wait in Star Luo City.
After all, the Clear Sky Sect wasn't far from Star Luo City!
Ten thousand years ago, when the Douluo Continent had only two empires, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the top three sects, supported the Heaven Dou Empire.
The Clear Sky Sect, the leader of the top three sects, supported the Star Luo Empire.
As for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, to balance the two empires, they chose neutrality.
####
Chapter 154: Neuvillete
"Love is really scary..."
Looking at Xiao Xiao's current state, Wang Dong'er felt a fear of love, her body trembling involuntarily.
Love arises unknowingly and grows deeper with time.
Xiao Xiao blamed herself for not being able to find Barbatos.
This was truly terrifying!
She never considered the possibility that Barbatos might have broken his promise and didn't show up.
"Such a small person, yet her head is filled with the bitterness of love. It's so pitiful."
Wang Dong'er glanced at Xiao Xiao again, swearing to herself that she would never suffer the bitterness of love in this lifetime, absolutely not!
Love wasn't as beautiful as she had imagined.
Her father and uncle were much more carefree. After all these years, they hadn't fallen in love.
Da Ming and Er Ming: "..."
They also wanted to taste the bitterness of love, but someone simply didn't give them the chance!
Time passed, and outside Star Luo City, Wang Dong'er explained the whole situation to Niu Tian and Taitan, leaving the two of them stunned.
"Dong'er, you mean your friend is looking for that bard?"
"Yes, Father!"
"Are you sure it's not you who wants to find that Barbatos?"
"Uncle, what are you talking about? I'm still so young; I don't want to suffer the bitterness of love!"
"If it's not you, then I'm relieved."
Tai Tan let out a sigh of relief, his anxious heart finally at ease.
This was his precious daughter; how could she suffer the bitterness of love?
If he found out, he'd break the other person's legs!
"Don't worry, Dong'er. We'll help your friend find that bard, Barbatos."
Tai Tan patted his chest, speaking with a proud expression.
Although the Clear Sky Sect remained reclusive, some of its disciples still roamed the continent.
Otherwise, how would such a large sect sustain itself?
As the number one sect in the world, the Clear Sky Sect also required a significant amount of resources.
Their intelligence network on the Douluo Continent might not be as good as the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's, but it was still quite impressive.
Besides, both of them were quasi-god-level powerers. Finding someone should be a piece of cake.
"Thank you, Father and Uncle!"
Wang Dong'er said with a smile.
It was good to be able to help Xiao Xiao. Seeing her friend in such "pain," how could she bear it?
"Dong'er, you're our daughter. There's no need to say thank you..."
Niu Tian shook his head, speaking indifferently.
Since they were idle anyway, it was better to do something meaningful for their daughter.
"Big brother is right. We're family; there's no need to be so polite!"
"Hehe~"
Wang Dong'er scratched her head, nodding with a bit of embarrassment.
After chatting with Niu Tian and Tai Tan for a while, Wang Dong'er headed into the city. She still needed to comfort Xiao Xiao.
Once they found Barbatos, she would give Xiao Xiao a surprise.
As soon as she entered the city, Wang Dong'er glanced at the crowd and couldn't help but brighten up.
"This person is quite handsome, with an extraordinary aura..."
As if realizing something, Wang Dong'er quickly shook her head, casting the thought aside.
What was she thinking?
She had just vowed not to suffer the bitterness of love, but this person... was really attractive!
"Closer, he's getting closer!"
Wang Dong'er's face turned red, but the person seemed not to notice her, casually strolling around like a loiterer.
At this moment, the loiterer's heart wasn't calm either.
"It's better to use the Barbatos identity less frequently recently. I feel like that little girl Xiao Xiao is already suspicious of me..."
Zhongli thought to himself.
His Zhongli identity was already well-known throughout the Douluo Continent, making it inconvenient for him to go out, as it always caused crowded scenes.
The Barbatos alias had also been questioned, and continued use would likely expose him.
Although he wouldn't feel embarrassed, he didn't want to reveal his alias.
Therefore, this time, he had changed his alias again to experience life.
His appearance and aura were a perfect replica of the original. He didn't believe he could be recognized.
Of course, if he were to take action, there was still a risk of exposure.
"Um... hello, handsome. What's your name?"
Hearing this, Zhongli was stunned. Was he being hit on?
Turning around, Zhongli was stunned again.
Wasn't this person Wang Dong'er?
Why had she noticed him?
Wang Dong'er couldn't resist and stepped forward to ask Zhongli's name. Of course, she had no other intentions. She just felt that the person in front of her was devastatingly handsome, and it would be a pity not to know his name.
The person before her was not only handsome but also exuded a noble aristocratic aura, clearly not an ordinary person.
Moreover, beneath his indifferent expression lay a pair of compassionate eyes. It... it was truly hard not to make a young girl's heart flutter!
Liking beautiful women was a normal psychological response for men.
Liking handsome men was equally normal for women.
Just one glance could bring joy to the heart. Seeing such a person every day could add years to one's life!
"Hello, beautiful lady. You may call me by my surname, Neuvillette."
Zhongli said without changing his expression.
He had just changed his alias and immediately ran into an acquaintance. It was really hard to describe!
As for Neuvillette... apologies, the Hydro Dragon Sovereign.
Since Neuvillette wasn't on the Douluo Continent, what was wrong with borrowing his identity?
The Hydro Dragon Sovereign, Neuvillette, his real name was a secret, but his surname was Neuvillette, so people also called him Neuvillette.
"Neuvillette?"
Wang Dong'er blinked, a glimmer of curiosity flashing in her beautiful eyes.
This surname was one she hadn't heard of before.
"Hello, Neuvillette. My name is Wang Dong'er. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Hello, Miss Wang. Is there something you need help with?"
Zhongli said without changing his expression. His personality was extremely similar to Neuvillette's, but there were some subtle differences.
After all, Neuvillette was still young and lacked the steadfastness of a rock when facing certain matters.
Wang Dong'er quickly shook her head. She just wanted to know his name. As for help, she didn't need any.
She hadn't expected the handsome man in front of her to be such a kind-hearted person. That was definitely a plus!
"If Miss Wang doesn't need help, then I'll take my leave."
After saying this, Zhongli didn't dawdle. He turned and left, leaving Wang Dong'er standing there, stunned.
She... although she hadn't fully blossomed yet, she was still a little beauty, right?
Was this Neuvillette blind?
She didn't need help, and he just turned and left?
Wow, there really was such a gentleman in the world?
Wang Dong'er was puzzled, confused, and increasingly curious.
If Zhongli had chatted with her a bit more, she would have thought he had ulterior motives. But since he turned and left, Wang Dong'er couldn't make sense of it.
Sometimes, humans are just such strange creatures.
The easier something is to obtain, the less it's valued.
What you can't have is always the most alluring.
"This young lady doesn't want to suffer the bitterness of love, but that doesn't mean I can't make you suffer!"
"Hmph, how dare you ignore me, Neuvillette. I'll remember you!"
Wang Dong'er gritted her teeth, glaring fiercely at Zhongli's retreating figure before following him.