Trouble again—it's aimed at me.
Lin Fan couldn't help but wonder if his system intended to make him the permanent babysitter of Shrek Academy, especially for Tang San.
All of their experiences… were gradually becoming his.
First, it was Shi Nian. Then it was the Canghui Academy incident. Now, Salas was also giving him trouble.
"You reap what you sow."
"Hmph! He's not a Soul Ancestor, and certainly not a Soul Elder. Yet he was able to withstand spiritual backlash and absorb a ten-thousand-year spirit ring?" Salas said with a grim expression.
"You expect me to believe that a Soul King's spiritual power could manage that and not know what happened on the field?"
"If this isn't explained clearly, I will treat it as a deliberate act of maiming during the competition, a violation of tournament rules, and disqualify him."
Salas rose and slammed down with greater weight behind his accusation.
"Dean, why is it that someone has to endure spiritual shock to absorb a ten-thousand-year spirit ring?" Tailong asked Flender with a puzzled look.
"Uh… we'll talk about that later," Flender mumbled, caught off guard.
Ning Fengzhi then spoke gently,
"Lin Xuan, what Bishop Salas said… how do you explain it? After all, reaching the level of Soul King does involve a major leap in spiritual strength."
"Even if your teammates were knocked unconscious immediately, you should've been able to endure in the illusion for a few minutes, no?"
Flender understood that this wouldn't be easy to talk their way out of—especially with Ning Fengzhi and Salas present.
He adjusted his glasses and turned to Lin Fan.
"Lin Xuan, I know you've never truly felt like part of our academy…"
"But still, you're representing Shrek Academy. As long as justice is on our side, we will always stand with you."
"So, speak freely. Explain it."
Lin Fan stepped forward to the round table and said plainly:
"Canghui simply weren't good enough. Their so-called seven-man fusion technique backfired and left them all brain-dead."
"Who's to blame for that? So… what else is there to explain?"
His gaze turned cold as he stared down at Salas.
Salas sneered in return.
"Fine. Then, Shrek Academy will remain in the tournament. But your qualification as a competitor is hereby revoked."
Flender immediately stood up.
"Committee members, Lin Xuan explained himself clearly. Canghui's technique failed—it's their fault. Why should he be disqualified?"
"Hmph," Salas scoffed.
"Who knows what happened in the arena? I believe this person is far too dangerous. For the safety of all other teams, I must revoke his right to compete."
"That is my authority as a member of the organizing committee.
It is settled. Hmph."
With that, Salas moved past Lin Fan, intending to leave the room.
"Damn…" Ning Rongrong and the others exchanged worried glances.
If Lin Fan was disqualified, there was no way Shrek would make it out of the qualifiers. They had already lost three matches, and they still had to face Godwind, Thunderclap, and Blazing Fire academies.
Lin Fan let out a cold laugh.
"Heh… I was trying to keep a low profile, but now…"
"Salas—take a look at this."
Salas, incensed that a mere Soul King dared call him by name, turned around furiously—only to freeze when he saw what Lin Fan was holding.
A lavish token, etched with a dragon, a sword, and a hammer. But most prominently, in the center: a figure with wings.
Salas's eyes widened in disbelief.
"How do you… How do you have the Pope's Decree?!"
"Bold of you to question me!" Lin Fan snapped.
"This decree is equal to the Pope herself. As a Platinum Bishop of Spirit Hall, you should kneel upon seeing it."
"Unless… you no longer serve Spirit Hall."
Salas's expression froze. Reluctantly, he dropped to one knee.
"Salas greets the bearer of the Pope's Decree…"
"Good. Now, do you still want to revoke my qualification?" Lin Fan asked coldly.
"N-No… Let this matter be. There's no need to investigate further," Salas replied at once.
"Then leave," Lin Fan said, storing the token away.
Salas got up, took his men, and left the meeting room.
"Whoa! Lin Xuan, what is that token?! Even Salas, who was just acting so arrogant, changed his tune in an instant!" Ning Rongrong exclaimed.
"You… you're part of Spirit Hall?" Flender asked warily.
"Where did you get the Pope's Decree?" Ning Fengzhi asked, stepping forward.
Lin Fan answered without even blinking:
"Oh, it's from my uncle, Lin Fan. He gave it to me for self-protection. I didn't expect it to be so effective in front of Spirit Hall officials."
In truth, a year ago, Bibi Dong had come to Heaven Dou City and handed Lin Fan the decree before leaving.
She had said: "When the finals of the Continental Elite Tournament come, bring this token to Spirit City and see me."
Originally, Lin Fan didn't want to use it, but with Salas pestering him nonstop and unable to reveal his identity, he had no choice.
"Swordshadow Douluo is your uncle?!" Flender and the others froze.
Even Zhu Zhuqing stared at him in shock.
"Ohhh! So Lin Fan is your uncle? Lin Fan and Lin Xuan both have sword martial souls. No wonder," Ning Fengzhi finally smiled in understanding.
"But your uncle didn't tell you how he got that decree?" he asked curiously.
"No idea," Lin Fan shrugged.
"He's always been mysterious. I've only heard rumors that he and the Pope have a… special relationship."
"So I don't know."
"The reason I came to train at Shrek Academy was because of my uncle's suggestion," he added, making it up on the spot.
"Haha, worthy of being Brother Lin's nephew. Talented and composed," Ning Fengzhi nodded.
"By the way, where is your uncle? I was hoping to thank him in Heaven Dou City."
"He's in seclusion—trying to break through to Rank 96," Lin Fan said.
"No wonder. We had agreed to meet again here, but since he's busy, I wish you the best. Rest up and keep winning," Ning Fengzhi said, departing with Bone Douluo.
Zhu Zhuqing cautiously stepped forward.
"You're Swordshadow Douluo's nephew?"
"What, don't I look the part?" Lin Fan replied indifferently, then turned and left the room.
"…Uh." Zhu Zhuqing was left speechless.
Lin Xuan is way too cold. Totally unlike the gentle Swordshadow Douluo," Ning Rongrong muttered.
"Well, since the crisis is over, let's head back, too," Flender said.
Back in the royal viewing box, Ning Fengzhi explained Shrek's situation to Emperor Xue Ye.
"Just as I suspected—Lin Fan's nephew. But how would Lin Fan have a Pope's Decree? Could it be that the woman gave it to him before she left?"
Qian Renxue, listening quietly in disguise, pondered in silence.
Flender later informed Yu Xiaogang and the others about Lin Xuan's identity.
"Lin Xuan, why didn't you say anything before?" Yu Xiaogang asked, frowning.
"Hmph. Why would I tell you? I'm not someone who relies on connections," Lin Fan said coldly.
"Besides, my uncle explicitly told me not to reveal our relationship unless necessary."
"If that damn Salas hadn't tried to disqualify me, I wouldn't have revealed it either."
With that, Lin Fan left the group without another word and returned to his dorm.