Tang San's divine sense was temporarily entrusted to Gu Yuena. As the Silver Dragon King, she was by far the most suitable person in the academy to keep it—no contest.
In the next few days,
Aside from circulating his cultivation method, fusing martial souls with Wang Dong'er, Su Wen simply waited quietly for the appointed day to arrive.
The All-Continent Soul Master Tournament—
In the original story, the plot around it rose and fell in thrilling waves. Su Wen was genuinely a bit sentimental. This time, no matter who led the team, it would've been impossible to lose—except it had to be Xuan Zi, who hard-reversed a sure-win situation… In a way, isn't that also a kind of "ability"?
Half a month arrived as scheduled.
Morning.
At dawn, Su Wen pulled the drowsy Wang Dong'er up from his arms. The two had cultivated all night again. Without that wisp of Tang San's divine sense in his spiritual sea, Su Wen felt light all over; that faint sense of unnaturalness from before dissipated.
No kidding—if you put a camera on top of a girl's head and still cultivate with a straight face… being able to do that, he had to admire himself for being ruthless.
Su Wen woke Wang Dong'er and went to wash up.
She, in her girl form, was wearing a little camisole, white tender feet in slippers, crystal toes and slender pale arches exposed, brushing her teeth in a daze, nodding off now and then like a pecking chick.
Knock knock knock~
There came a knocking at the door.
The girl opened it on reflex.
"Wang Dong, are you guys rea…dy… ah?!!"
Xiao Xiao's jade-green eyes flew wide like round gems, and she cried out in shock.
"Who are you?!!"
"I'm Wang Dong, you…" Wang Dong'er still had the toothbrush in her mouth, rubbed her eyes and spoke casually. But then she snapped back to herself. Her slender hand clenched tight, and her ten round toes suddenly curled hard.
This is bad!!!
No—looks like she's about to be exposed!
"If I say I'm Wang Dong's older sister, Wang Dong'er, would you believe me?" Wang Dong'er's throat bobbed.
But seeing Xiao Xiao's face growing more and more shocked, she sighed helplessly.
Bang!
The dorm door shut at once, leaving a bewildered Xiao Xiao outside.
"I'm dead, I'm dead… Why can girls enter the boys' dorm?!!!" Wang Dong'er raked her messy hair, eyes filled with utter despair.
"Who said only girls can enter the boys' dorms?" Su Wen smiled with narrowed eyes.
The academy rules mainly guard against male (or female) pervs, peeping, and the like.
Officially, it's not allowed.
Old Mu's great-grandson Bei Bei has a word to say.
Come on—truth is the academy won't police it that strictly. Unless someone reports it or something nasty happens, then they'll investigate. Otherwise, if it's consensual, it's better than sneaking into the woods, right?
"Alright, think about how to explain it." Su Wen smiled, stroking the girl's light-blue long hair like petting a cat.
A few minutes later.
Inside the dorm.
"Xiao Xiao, you'll forgive me, right?" Wang Dong'er, in slippers, tugged Xiao Xiao to sit on the bed, holding the girl's arm, her face guilty.
"But you aren't…" Xiao Xiao looked stunned.
"I've been crossdressing as a boy." Wang Dong'er poked her fingers together, gently bit her red lip and said cautiously, "If we can't be lovers, we can still be besties. That's why I kept rejecting you before. I really didn't dare reveal my identity—this involves the Clear Sky Sect's secrets."
"…" Xiao Xiao felt a bit hopeless.
Handsome guy turning into sis… that's impossible to select.
"Then you two…" She parted her lips, looking at Su Wen, who was calmly washing up and tidying his clothes.
"We sleep separately!" Wang Dong'er blurted, but it sounded a bit like the thief crying "stop thief."
"You can even sleep together?!!" Xiao Xiao goggled.
"No, wait!"
Detective Xiao Xiao scanned the room.
"Last night, your bed was perfectly tidy, no sign it was used, but Su Wen's bed has two different scents. That means you slept in his bed last night. So there's only one truth…" Xiao Xiao narrowed her eyes; the petite loli's gaze fixed on Wang Dong'er.
The latter guiltily looked away, humming a little tune, cold sweat streaming down her back.
Is she going to be found out?
"Su Wen went out last night, and you slept in the wrong bed. Case closed!" Xiao Xiao spread her hands; her emerald eyes glinted with wisdom.
Wang Dong'er: "…"
"Hahaha, you guessed even that right—your… deductive power is just too strong!" Wang Dong'er laughed awkwardly.
"So shall we go grab breakfast and chat while we eat? Wow, your size is bigger than mine… let me give it a squeeze. What do you mean that's not a compliment? That being bigger than me isn't something to be proud of?!!"
The two girls left bickering.
Though upon leaving, Wang Dong'er switched to boy's clothes at Su Wen's reminder.
Obviously, Wang Dong'er wasn't ready to reveal her identity completely yet. After all, crossdressing and entering the boys' dorm might invite moral censure and gossip; her heart wasn't strong enough to ignore rumor and slander.
But once they advanced to the inner court, everyone would be in the same small circle as familiar faces; even if her female identity was exposed then, it wouldn't matter.
"Last step before the tournament… pick up the custom weapons!"
Su Wen grinned.
…
As soon as he entered,
A bronze long pole shot straight at Su Wen. His eyes narrowed. Gale's nearly six-meter-tall burly figure blocked in front. He reached out to catch the bronze "iron pillar" blasting toward them.
His toes gripped the ground; the terrifying force shook him back several meters, leaving two deep gouges in the dirt, and his back stopped just a hair's breadth from Su Wen, barely intercepting it.
"Roar!!!"
Gale's pupils locked on the room inside, letting out a heart-shaking roar.
"Well now, not bad reflexes—I thought you'd eat dirt." A dusty gray figure walked out of the room with a grin. It was Old Du. The old man's head was full of white hair; his upper body was bare. Sweat beaded on his bronze skin, shining with another luster under sunlight. At nearly two meters tall, he exuded a tower-like intimidation just by standing there.
"Old Du, I accept your mercy." Su Wen smacked his lips.
The old man had obviously held back. Otherwise, that simple strike would have knocked him and Gale right out of Shrek Academy…
He's a Super Douluo after all; you think he's playing around?
Even so, this showed how precise his control of force was. He was, after all, a blacksmith—after a lifetime of craftsmanship, his hands' skill was terrifying.
"What a fine white ape!"
In a blink, the old man was at his side, pinching Gale's leg muscles, tsk-tsking: "I'd heard about you from Shaozhe and the others—beast mastery, tsk tsk… the marvels of martial souls—I've never heard of anything like this."
"Now you've seen it," Su Wen smiled, though his expression hesitated a bit. "But why did you call it a white ape?"
"Heh, you don't understand." Old Du stroked his white beard, eyes narrowed in a smile. "Baboons and apes are fundamentally different. The former are just animals, but apes are closer to humans… Humans are born spirits. This implies a certain evolutionary pattern for soul beasts—toward dragons, or toward humans. I praised it as a 'white ape' because I sensed this wind baboon's extraordinariness. It's gradually shedding bestiality and advancing toward the ape line."
Su Wen was astonished.
Truly a big shot.
Well-traveled and insightful.
He spotted Gale's extraordinariness at a glance. Most others would take Gale as a mutated martial soul at first sight—only this man… could see evolution.
He'd been dormant in Shrek City for years; even what he'd heard about Su Wen was mostly hearsay, as he was practically invisible. He even disliked his identity as a Sea God Pavilion elder; every time there was a Pavilion meeting, even Old Mu couldn't make him show up.
Obviously, he hadn't known beforehand that Su Wen's pet could evolve—he deduced it upon seeing Gale today.
Already remarkable.
Moreover, Gale's next evolution is "Gale Demon Ape," indeed evolving toward "ape."
"Since it's an ape, then I forged the right weapon."
Old Du clasped his hands behind his back, looking up at Gale with satisfaction. "Try it."
"Roar!"
Gale nodded.
He swung the bronze long pole for a moment, then seemed puzzled and shook his head.
"Not suitable?" Su Wen was surprised.
"Heh, the treasure I forged needs to recognize a master…" Old Du said leisurely. "White ape, bite your finger and drop blood on the base of the staff."
"Roar!"
Within moments, Gale's look turned joyous.
The blood soaked into the butt end and quickly vanished. Layered patterns gleamed; a ray of light shot into Gale's forehead. When he swung again, the previous sluggishness was gone, replaced by a natural harmony.
Given its thickness, it should actually be called a "pillar." Even with Gale's body, he had to clasp it under his forearm to swing it, not grip it one-handed.
"I've named this staff Flowing Cloud Staff. As your wind baboon advances, it will change—specifically, it will gradually become thinner, though the length won't change. When the day comes you can clasp it in one hand, that means you've reached the 'Immortal Ape' realm." Old Du sighed with hands behind his back.
"If it reaches that level, even most pure dragon bloodlines won't compare. Kid, your luck is good—this wind baboon you picked has a very high…"
"Talent?" Su Wen looked confused.
"Or comprehension," Old Du didn't care to nitpick. "These are mysterious things. No one can clearly say what 'talent' is."
"Apes are more spiritual, but I've never seen one reach the apex—no such existences even among ferocious beasts. On the other hand, among baboons, there's no lack of ten-thousand-year-level powerhouses. I just regret that when they reach ten thousand years, they evolve in the wrong direction and lose the last wisp of immortal aura. Luckily, this little guy found it back. If it truly succeeds… it could be the progenitor of the Immortal Apes—hahaha."
Su Wen nodded in realization.
He gained some insight.
Next moment—
Boom!
Gale swung the bronze long "pillar" with half an arm and smashed it into the courtyard. Clang-clatter—dust flew; scattered tools were flung up. Su Wen's mouth twitched watching this.
"Pay for damages," Old Du said without changing expression.
Su Wen: "…"
…
Outside Shrek Academy.
Sixteen people assembled.
Seven starters, seven subs, plus Wang Yan and Xuan Zi leading.
There was no small talk when they met. Xuan Zi still sucked on his wine gourd, hair messy like a beggar, gnawing a chicken chunk like an old rascal.
"Move out!"
At Xuan Zi's order, the group set off.
But even with Xuan Zi's slow pace, differences showed. As a support-type soul master and a young lady of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Tian was pampered and had hardly trekked on foot. Soon she was sweating, collapsed and unable to move.
Su Wen carried her on his back; only then did she sway happily, her joy visible to the naked eye.
The others were somewhat better,
But only somewhat.
Aside from Su Wen, Gu Yuena, and Mu Qiu'er, even Jiang Nannan was sweating. A Soul Ancestor is a Soul Ancestor, but matching Soul Kings or Soul Emperors in speed… is hard.
Seeing this, Xuan Zi curled his lip. "Alright, rest here for a bit."
"I want to wash my feet…" Ning Tian whispered in his ear, her white earlobes faintly red.
"Okay." Su Wen nodded.
They went to a brook.
He set the girl down on a rock. She swiftly took off shoes and socks, set them aside, and dipped her delicate feet into the burbling stream, finally relaxing and gently rubbing.
Su Wen was unreserved; he watched quietly.
Not just her ankles—her clothes were soaked through. In the whole team, her physique was the worst; even Wang Dong'er was several times stronger. But the girl was still tough.
"Sigh, didn't you bring a cooling-type soul tool?" Su Wen asked, surprised.
"…"
Ning Tian froze, stammered that she forgot to buy one, then shot Su Wen a resentful glance.
"Since we're here, you might as well wash up."
White tender feet stepping in the brook, the girl walked upstream.
"No peeking~"
She made a face at Su Wen.
"…"
Su Wen shrugged.
Before long, Ning Tian came back refreshed in clean clothes. She'd probably ordered a whole box of outer court uniforms; the edges were the same pale gold.
She picked up her shoes and socks, cheeks flushed—either shy about the sweat-soaked socks or from panting after running back.
They returned to the group.
"Just right that you're back. Everyone gather to me," Xuan Zi tossed a chicken bone and wiped greasy hands on his clothes.
When everyone gathered, he laced his hands behind him and said leisurely, "Do you know about the Shrek Inspection Team?"
Seeing the outer-court students shake their heads, he grinned and pointed to Ma Xiaotao and the other inner-court students: "They're members. Actually, entering the inner court makes you one by default. It involves an academy secret—eliminating evil soul masters. The inner-court graduation requires at least thirty missions, and most of those are purging evil soul masters. You surely know how brutal they are—so terrifying they make children stop crying."
"And as the reserve team for this tournament, you're the main force for the next one—the future Shrek Seven Devils…" He looked around. "You're guaranteed inner-court entrants. If you want to quit now, the academy won't blame you. Joining the Inspection Team is mandatory for inner court."
"Decide now."
Bei Bei already knew and was calm. Jiang Nannan hesitated, then nodded slowly.
Ning Tian bit her lip and nodded as well.
She hadn't planned to join—hadn't even planned to participate in the Battle Royale. As the only seedling of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's generation and the one with the highest talent, dying fighting evil soul masters would be a huge loss…
But Su Wen was going.
If she refused, she'd miss the chance to be with him.
After thinking it over, she chose to join.
"Ning Tian, step forward!"
Xuan Zi frowned.
"Huh?" The girl stood, confused.
"If you're unwilling, you don't have to join. Shrek Academy never forces anyone. I can go back and swap personnel right now."
"I, I…" Ning Tian opened and closed her mouth, head drooping.
Even Chen Zifeng and Yao Haoxuan glanced at her with indifference.
That made it harder to breathe—more aggrieving.
"I'm willing."
"Louder!" Xuan Zi barked.
"I…"
"Are you taking the Inspection Team as some glorious cause?" Su Wen raised a brow, took Ning Tian's hand, and looked at the startled Xuan Zi.
Everyone froze.
"Elder Xuan, how many missions have you completed this year?" Su Wen asked, annoyed.
"…" Xuan Zi fell silent.
"You use inner-court students' lives to prop up the so-called bright banner of eliminating evil soul masters. Let me ask you—how many inner-court teachers are there in that cemetery? How many elders? What exactly are you proud of! Another student died today—is that Shrek's badge and honor to present to the world?"
Su Wen got angrier as he spoke.
"Su Wen!" Xuan Zi stared. He hadn't expected this kid to argue back.
"If you don't want to enter the inner court then…" he frowned, but cut himself off. Su Wen stood there smiling, not at all afraid of the "threat," because there was no way he wouldn't enter the inner court… If Su Wen didn't enroll because of him, Old Mu would beat him.
The inner-court students looked at each other, dumbfounded.
With Xuan Zi's framing, they'd become impatient with Ning Tian, since they themselves were inner-court members and Inspection Team, and naturally defended that honor.
Ning Tian's hesitant joining felt like an insult.
But once Su Wen spoke, they traded looks and simply ate melon seeds mentally.
Even if he was going at Elder Xuan, they kept to the sidelines and didn't meddle.
Su Wen was too special.
The Sea God Pavilion's heir skipping a generation.
Terrifying, unknown talent.
In a way, though he was weaker than Xuan Zi, his importance to the academy was undeniable; in another sense, in a few decades, he could surpass Xuan Zi.
Even if his words rubbed them wrong, they stayed silent.
If it were anyone else, they wouldn't need Elder Xuan to act—they'd beat the person themselves. But Su Wen?
Two big shots they couldn't afford to offend—so no random side-taking.