Wuhun City, Frost Escort Agency.
It had already been a month since the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. Ever since Ailan's Frost team was defeated by the Wuhun Hall Academy team, he had been staying at the Frost Escort Agency.
On the surface, he was said to be unable to accept his younger brother's strength, so he shut himself away. Today, however, he finally stepped out of his room and went to the training grounds.
Luo Ying looked at Ailan, and could not help but feel a bit of heartache. By now she was already considered a mid-level figure in the Sword Sect, and she had heard about many things.
Ailan had lost to his younger brother, and it was an overwhelming defeat at that, as he was crushed by Oscar. For anyone, this would be hard to accept, and even more so for someone as proud and talented as Ailan.
Luo Ying watched Ailan vent his frustration on the training field with all his strength, and she could not help worrying about the Soul King who was sparring with him.
Ailan might not be as strong as Oscar, but he was far from weak. At level fifty-five, he was more than capable of dealing with a low-level Soul Emperor. And this was him after a whole month of bottled-up frustration, so it was clear what kind of terrifying onslaught his opponent was enduring.
After a long while, when Ailan finally finished venting, his opponent was nearly too exhausted to stand. Only then did Luo Ying approach Ailan and softly say, "The Saintess of Wuhun Hall has come to see you five times this past month. Now that you have finally come out, you should go see her."
Ailan was stunned for a moment, then nodded. "I know."
Just as Ailan was about to leave, Luo Ying handed him a sealed letter. "This arrived from the sect half a month ago. You were shut away, so I did not give it to you."
Ailan took the letter, opened it, and after reading it, his expression shifted slightly. He did not say much.
Afterward, Ailan washed up and carefully groomed himself before heading to Wuhun Hall. With Hu Liena's token, he was quickly led to her residence.
Hu Liena had been out, but as soon as the servants informed her that Ailan had come, she rushed back.
Seeing Ailan, the weight on her heart was finally lifted. "This past month… are you all right now?"
Ailan followed Hu Liena into the room and sat down, took the honey drink she handed him, and smiled faintly, shaking his head. "I am fine. I really am no match for him, but I will not give up just like this."
Hearing this, Hu Liena sighed, took a letter from her soul tool, and handed it to Ailan. "I understand what you mean, but this time you have no choice but to give up."
Ailan frowned, put down the honey drink before even tasting it, and accepted the letter.
After reading its contents, Ailan's previously calm face turned dark.
Hu Liena sighed. "This letter was sent from Heaven Dou City half a month ago. After leaving the academy, Oscar will begin managing Sword Sect affairs. His position is already unshakable."
Ailan was silent for a long time before speaking in a low voice. "Are they in such a hurry? The Sect Master is still at his peak, yet they want him to take over the sect already? What about me? I have been cultivating relentlessly, dedicating everything to the sect. Why…"
Ailan then took out the letter Luo Ying had given him. Hu Liena read it, and her expression also shifted repeatedly.
Hu Liena said angrily, "They are determined to keep you tied down. What so-called training? They just want you to act as Oscar's vanguard once he takes over!"
Ailan looked at the angry Hu Liena and took her hand. "This is how the clan works. That position can only be held by one person."
"The sect knows my talent. If I cannot sit in that position, then naturally I must become its sharpest sword. The Sword Sect has just re-emerged, and now is the time to expand its influence."
Hu Liena of course understood this logic, but she was unwilling. Everyone knew about her and Ailan, but the Sword Sect would never publicly announce the future Sect Master's marriage with the Saintess of Wuhun Hall.
This meant that Ailan was perfect as the sharp sword of the sect, and if he married Hu Liena, it would strengthen ties with Wuhun Hall without costing the sect much.
It was like a political marriage between two great clans,one side giving a legitimate daughter, the other side giving a secondary son.
Bibi Dong originally intended to bind the Sword Sect through Ailan and Hu Liena's relationship. Now that Ailan had no chance to fight for the sect master's seat, binding the Sword Sect had become much more difficult.
They might still become allies, but no one would dominate the other. Wuhun Hall would no longer have the upper hand.
After a long pause, Hu Liena said quietly, "If,and I mean if,Wuhun Hall could find a way to help you take that position, would you be willing?"
Ailan suddenly looked up at Hu Liena. Anyone with a brain could tell what she meant.
There was only one way to push Ailan to the top,remove Oscar. Otherwise, why would the Sword Sect pass over Ailan, who was in love with the Wuhun Hall Saintess?
This showed that the Sword Sect did not want to be controlled by Wuhun Hall. At most, they would remain allies.
But Bibi Dong's ambition was far too great. She did not just want the Sword Sect,she wanted the entire continent. There was no way she would allow things to go beyond her control.
What Hu Liena was implying was clear. They would help Ailan seize power, but the price for that help went without saying. There was no such thing as a free lunch.
After thinking for a moment, Ailan slowly said, "Whatever the sect decides, that is my fate. I was born in the sect. The sect nurtured me. Without it, there would be no me."
"Nana, I understand what you mean, but I cannot do anything that would harm the sect. Otherwise, what would that make me?"
Hu Liena already knew this was what Ailan would say, but she still tightened her grip on his hands. "I knew you would say that, but you are not alone anymore. You have me."
"For me, would you still refuse to take a chance?"
Hu Liena was confident not just in her charm but in the many years she and Ailan had spent together. She believed they were already in sync.
Hearing this, Ailan hesitated, his eyes showing struggle. "But… if I could betray even my sect, what kind of man would I be?"
Hu Liena seemed to know what he would say and comforted him softly. "I would never ask you to do that. You are simply fighting for the position that should be yours. The Sword Sect will still be the Sword Sect."
"It is just that when the time comes, you will be the Sect Master, and I will be the Pope of Wuhun Hall."
Hearing this, Ailan's eyes widened. "You mean…"
Before Ailan could finish, Hu Liena said, "Yes. I will not marry into the Sword Sect, but though we are not husband and wife, we can still be closer than husband and wife."
"I have already spoken to my teacher. When the time comes, I will give you two children. One will take your surname and join the Sword Sect, the other will take mine and stay in Wuhun Hall."
Hearing this, Ailan could hardly believe it. Was this still the same Hu Liena he thought he knew?
If things really turned out as she said, then within fifty years, what difference would there be between the Sword Sect and Wuhun Hall?
Ailan had already told Hu Liena the general strength of the Sword Sect. They had at least five Title Douluo…
If this power also joined Wuhun Hall, not only would they unify the continent faster, but their rule would be absolutely stable.
"Nana, you…" Ailan's face showed disbelief.
Hu Liena sat beside him, leaning on his shoulder. "Yue, with our identities, we are destined to do what must be done. Since that is the case, why not maximize the benefits?"
Ailan fell silent again. After a long while, he said slowly, "Give me some time to think about it."
Hearing this, Hu Liena knew he was at least tempted, so she did not press the matter. Instead, she said softly, "In two months, I will be leaving."
Ailan was pulled from his thoughts. "Where?"
"The Death Canyon," Hu Liena replied. "You probably noticed that those three spirit bones were prepared for us by my teacher, but we failed to keep them. Teacher said that my brother, Yan, and I will train in the Death Canyon for a year… life or death as fate decides."
Ailan looked at her. "Just the three of you? Living there for a whole year?"
Hu Liena nodded. "We lost three top-quality spirit bones. This punishment is already lenient."
After looking at her for a while, Ailan said, "I will come find you when I can."
Hu Liena smiled faintly. "You should focus on solving your own problems first. Reaching the Soul Sage level within five years will not be easy. They want you to devote yourself completely to cultivation."
Thinking of the contents of the letter, Ailan frowned. He was now level fifty-five. To reach Soul Sage in five years meant at least fourteen levels of improvement, nearly three levels per year. Even for a genius, such speed after level fifty was extremely difficult.
To meet this goal, Ailan might not have time for anything else in the next five years.
To Hu Liena, this was clearly the Sword Sect's excuse to keep Ailan from interfering with sect affairs, while Oscar faced no such restriction and could take over directly.
Ailan shook his head helplessly. "This is the Sect Master's decision. I have no way to oppose it."
After a pause, he said quietly, "But I will seriously consider what you said earlier. If I have news, you will be the first to know."
"If I am going to train in seclusion, the Sect Master cannot possibly forbid me from seeing the woman I love."
Hearing this, Hu Liena's smile became radiant and even more alluring.
With the serious matters settled, Ailan and Hu Liena began chatting about daily life, mostly teasing and flirting with each other…
…
Heaven Dou City, Shrek Academy.
Oscar had not expected Hu Liena to be so level-headed and strategic. Although this was undoubtedly influenced by Bibi Dong, Oscar was not worried at all. After all, how could they know that Ailan was actually Oscar?
Their plotting was no longer a secret to Oscar, and now he could make use of Ailan's identity to play an undercover game.
In the Dean's office, only Oscar, Dugu Yan, Flender, Liu Erlong, and Zhao Wuji remained.
After the tournament ended, they stayed at the academy for half a month. The academy held a graduation ceremony, and Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun were already on their way to the Star Luo Empire.
Ning Rongrong had returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Tang San had taken Xiao Wu to travel the continent in search of his father.
Tai Long, Jing Ling, Huang Yuan, and Jiang Zhu had become the new senior students of the academy, preparing with all their might to win two consecutive championships in the next tournament five years later.
Only Oscar and Dugu Yan remained at the academy, since they were both incarnations.
Flender said, "Since you are incarnations, why not stay at the academy? Little Ao, you are not only a genius but also a perfect teacher."
Oscar and Dugu Yan looked at each other and saw helplessness in each other's eyes.
Oscar shook his head. "Dean, it has been ten years. Haven't you exploited me enough?"
Flender just laughed. "It only consumes a bit of your spirit power. After all, I have been your dean for ten years. Have some pity on an old man."
Oscar had joined Shrek at the age of six, and now he was sixteen. Ten years had flown by.
Oscar said, "Dean, I have already passed on everything I should. There is not much point in me staying any longer. You have been slacking off for ten years. It is time you got moving. You cannot keep letting Old Zhao do all the work."
Hearing this, Zhao Wuji nodded in agreement. "You profiteer!"
Oscar continued, "This incarnation has its own things to do. I will still appear on the continent, but I cannot stay at the academy. Otherwise, Wuhun Hall will become suspicious."
Flender grew thoughtful, but Liu Erlong slapped him. "Little Ao is right. You have been wasting public resources in your office. It is time for you to shine again."
With Liu Erlong speaking up, Flender dared not argue. The she-dragon was not someone who could be easily fooled.
Seeing that playing the old-man card would not work, Flender became serious. "In that case, go do what you need to do. If anything happens, let us know. We old folks still have some strength left."
Liu Erlong smiled. "Little Ao, Yan Yan, make sure to visit the academy often. Five years is too long."
Dugu Yan nodded. "Do not worry, Teacher Erlong. We will come back whenever we can."
Zhao Wuji patted Oscar's shoulder. "Kid, once you are out there, make sure to make us Shrek teachers proud."
Oscar smiled. "Do not worry, Old Zhao. Whenever someone asks, I will say you taught me well."
Hearing this, everyone laughed. Zhao Wuji had devoted years of hard work to the academy, and Shrek had long become his home.
After some final words, as Oscar and Dugu Yan were about to leave, Flender said seriously, "The academy is now famous, and from now on, it can supply endless talent to the Sword Sect every year. Kid, the world is yours now. I look forward to the day you provide for us old folks."
Oscar bowed deeply to Flender. "I have no parents. You teachers are my parents. I will always remember your kindness in raising and teaching me."
As Oscar and Dugu Yan left, Flender and Zhao Wuji felt like crying.
Watching a child grow up and achieve so much gave them a feeling similar to being parents.
Liu Erlong felt the same way. Though she had not been with the Shrek Monsters as long as the others, she had still poured her heart into them.
That night, Shao Xin, Li Yusong, and Lu Qibin joined them after finishing their work.
Shao Xin's round face was full of reluctance. "Little Ao has been hardworking since childhood. He ate plenty of my sugar beans, and I have not even had time to give him a proper send-off."
Li Yusong added, "That kid started training with a stick at the age of six, and now he is already a grown man."
Lu Qibin said, "He is the most talented student I have ever seen. He learned everything I knew by the age of eight, and then went on to create so many theories. Ten years have passed just like that…"
Oscar had received more care from these elders than anyone else. They had practically raised him as their own since he was six. Now that he was grown and leaving to make his own way, they could not help feeling sad.
Liu Erlong watched the men drink and reminisce, not finding it sentimental at all. Instead, she felt a bit envious,they had gotten themselves a treasure of a "son."
Flender smiled. "Hongjun is not bad either. He is my final disciple."
Zhao Wuji nodded. "Yeah, back then he was a chubby little kid following behind Little Ao like a shadow. Hard to believe he is an adult now…"
Li Yusong sighed. "It will not be long before they surpass us old men…"
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