Mu Jin's eyes were wide with shock as she secretly glanced at Su Wen, her heart full of astonishment.
She knew well that this child was a monster.
Three years ago, when he was only in his second year, he dared to challenge Zhou Yi head-on and even crippled her limbs, turning her into a vegetative state.
But at least there was a trace to follow—that was still within her comprehension. But this scene…
A Titled Douluo? Or… a Super Douluo?
She was completely confused.
"Su Wen!" Dai Huabin's lips oozed blood, his face a mix of shock and anger. He writhed on the ground like a loach, Black Tiger Martial Soul summoned but forcefully suppressed again.
But Su Wen ignored him, turning his gaze instead to the two people behind him.
The trembling Bao Guowei and another thin young man.
And at that moment, a distinguished-looking, expensively dressed middle-aged man entered, followed by a girl in a yellow outer court uniform with an oval face, her expression nervous.
Upon seeing this, the middle-aged man's previously angry face changed to confusion. He looked at Su Wen, a flash of shock in his eyes.
"You must be Xiao Qian's guardian?" Mu Jin hurried forward.
"Yes." The middle-aged man took a deep breath, finally shifting his gaze from Su Wen.
"Teacher Mu Jin, this is…"
"This is one of our Sea God Pavilion Elders—you must have heard of the Sea God Pavilion, right? He also serves as the Deputy Dean of the Forging Department and was once my student. He happened to come by to visit me today…" Mu Jin smiled brightly.
Such a long face.
If not for the fear of showing off to the other teachers in the office, she would have introduced Su Wen from when he was six years old.
"Your student? Elder…" The man's pupils contracted sharply.
His tone became much more courteous.
His own status wasn't low—he was the head of a hidden sect in the Star Luo Empire, an eighty-first rank Soul Douluo, with his clan's influence spanning two major provinces.
This gave him the right to express dissatisfaction, but he didn't dare lose his temper…
As for Su Wen's identity, he was also shaken. Comparing him to someone in his memories from three years ago—at the last tournament, this youth had fought through the crowd single-handedly. How could that not leave a deep impression?
The once slightly immature figure now overlapped with the impressive youth before him.
Su Wen!
"That's him!" The girl pointed at Bao Guowei, who was avoiding her gaze, her large eyes glaring angrily. "He tried to pull my skirt, and the other two blocked my way!"
"Woah—"
The teachers' expressions turned odd.
As senior students, they harassed a girl in broad daylight.
When did Shrek Academy's school spirit become so crooked?
"Teacher Mu, Dean Su… You two must give us an explanation, right?!" The middle-aged man, whose anger had just subsided, flared up again, his eyes red as he pointed at Bao Guowei. Dai Huabin was lying miserably on the floor, so his ire was first aimed at Bao Guowei…
"We will!"
Mu Jin looked toward Su Wen.
He stepped forward, glanced coldly at the trio, and spoke slowly.
To put it simply, Shrek Academy's negligence of the outer court led to all sorts of troublemakers. The focus had always been on the inner court, though even that wasn't managed well…
"Dai Huabin, Bao Guowei… The three of you have shown poor conduct. You are expelled from Shrek Academy's outer court, permanently banished from Shrek City, and must compensate this girl with one million gold soul coins."
"The announcement will be posted in the most prominent place at Shrek City's gate for three days."
"Good!" The middle-aged man's face flushed red, his anger dissipating as he looked at Su Wen with increased goodwill.
He had already investigated beforehand. Bao Guowei and the other thin student had no significant background, but Dai Huabin! He was the direct second son of the White Tiger Duke, stationed at the Star Luo Empire's frontier!
Such a figure wielded immense power, commanding 200,000 troops. Even the Emperor trusted him greatly…
He couldn't afford to offend such a person.
So before coming, he didn't expect much—at best, he hoped Shrek would expel Bao Guowei and the other boy to appease his daughter. Otherwise, bottling this up would become a mental block, hindering her future cultivation.
But who would've thought this youth would impose the harshest possible punishment…
Expulsion, and a public notice.
Shrek's influence was terrifying—half the continent was under its reach. Any disturbance would catch the attention of countless powers.
Moreover, being expelled for "bad conduct" was the same as what happened to Zhou Yi. Such an expulsion meant most top academies wouldn't accept the trio…
Even with Dai Huabin's strong background, the price would be heavy.
This also showed:
Shrek Academy was willing to risk offending the White Tiger Duke to uphold justice for his daughter.
His gratitude was evident.
Looking at Su Wen, he felt even more respect—such strength, talent, and uprightness was rare indeed…
Bao Guowei and the thin youth's faces changed drastically. Dai Huabin might still have a way out due to his background, but for the two of them, it was over!
They both looked pleadingly at Dai Huabin.
Huabin, say something!!!
"I refuse! Why?!"
Dai Huabin snapped out of his brief daze. Just for harassment, he was to be expelled? And in the most "vicious" way, letting his name spread all over the continent?
"How can you label me 'of bad conduct'? Su Wen, you're just settling personal scores! I refuse! Even Dean Yan hasn't said anything—who do you think you are!" Dai Huabin's eyes were already red.
"Some things don't weigh much on the scale, but once placed, even a thousand pounds can't tip it." Su Wen glanced at Dai Huabin.
"What you've done… is far more than harassing a female student."
"In the Soul Fighting Arena, you deliberately harmed classmates. Outside Shrek's gates, you sent people to ambush your peers… One by one, shocking to the core. If we don't clean you out, how do we clean Shrek?"
"Elder Su, how bold!" The middle-aged man quickly praised.
"Heh, good, good, good!"
Dai Huabin cared deeply about face.
Ruining his reputation was worse than killing him. And now his father would surely find out…
Dai Huabin, almost crazed, glared at everyone, black mist surging around him. He looked at the frightened girl and said, "I'll remember your face. When I get home, I'll collect all your information."
Then he grinned, "Let's see if someone can always save you…"
"You dare!" The middle-aged man's eyes widened in rage, fists clenched.
A blatant threat.
But the other side was the White Tiger Duke's direct son.
With such power, if he targeted his daughter, she'd never know peace for years to come…
"Tsk, Dai Huabin, I was going to let you off." Su Wen shook his head regretfully.
"Ah!!!"
Dai Huabin's shrill scream echoed through the corridor.
Countless passing students and teachers turned to look in astonishment.
Su Wen glanced at Dai Huabin, now limp and powerless on the ground, covered in blood, foaming at the mouth, his face twisted in pain.
He then looked at Du Weiren, who'd rushed in in panic, and said softly, "Notify the White Tiger Duke's mansion to pick him up. And pass on the message…"
"If anything happens to this girl, I'll hold the Duke's house responsible. Also, deliver the compensation of one million gold soul coins within three days, or I'll come collect it myself."
"Yes, yes…" Du Weiren's throat bobbed with bitterness.
Now the Academy had truly and thoroughly offended the White Tiger Duke's house.
Du Weiren's Office.
An old man with white hair sat in a daze, mechanically asking, "If we pay the money, can he not be expelled?"
"No." Du Weiren leafed through documents without looking up.
"But I raised Bao Guowei myself. He lost his mother young, and I suffered…"
"That has nothing to do with me." Du Weiren adjusted his glasses, his eyes cold. "Pay the money, then expulsion and a public announcement. That's the Academy's decision."
"But I have no money." The old man's face was bitter. He shakily stood and left, muttering, "I have no money…"
Du Weiren watched his retreating back and shook his head.
If Bao Guowei had worked hard, getting into Shrek proved he had some talent. But unfortunately… he mixed with Dai Huabin, failed two assessments in a row, and the Academy had already shown enough mercy.
Not to mention harassing girls…
Such scum, tsk tsk.
White Tiger Duke's Mansion.
Several elegantly dressed noblewomen, in heavy or light makeup, sat in the spacious, bright hall having afternoon tea, exchanging compliments with the Duchess, Zhu Ling, seated at the center.
"We really envy the Duchess. The eldest young master went to the Northern Army and is said to have broken through to Soul Sage, gaining the Emperor's favor and being promoted to Deputy Regiment Commander. He's truly promising… The girls of the Zhu family all like him." One lady smiled flatteringly.
"Indeed, but it's a pity the Duke rose to power late. The Zhu family didn't have time to arrange a childhood sweetheart for the eldest, but it's not too late…" Another beautiful, slender woman spoke gently.
"There are many outstanding girls in the Zhu family."
The Duchess glanced at her, "So my second son isn't good enough? Why did the clan take Zhu Lu back?"
"This…" That lady's face stiffened, forcing a smile. "Zhu Lu is the clan leader's direct daughter—maybe it's a misunderstanding. I'll report to the clan leader when I return."
"Hmph, what's wrong with my second son? That girl dares look down on him, ruining Huabin's reputation. Hmph!" Zhu Ling snorted.
The atmosphere cooled instantly.
Everyone looked at each other.
Though they didn't know what happened at Shrek, Zhu Lu was a good child. If even she disliked Dai Huabin, then…
"Report!"
A servant wearing a flying soul device rushed in, causing a stir among the noblewomen.
Zhu Ling's eyes turned cold, about to scold.
But the servant interrupted in fear, "Madam, urgent news from Shrek Academy!"
"Read it!" Zhu Ling's pupils contracted, waving her hand.
"But…" The servant glanced at the noblewomen, hesitating.
The others wanted to listen, but recognized the urgency. One woman said tactfully, "Ling'er, since it's urgent, we'll leave and talk another day."
"Sister, we're all family. What can't you know? Especially a letter from Shrek Academy. Read!" Zhu Ling said coolly.
"Yes…" The servant swallowed.
"The second young master and two others harassed lower-year female students at Shrek Academy, displayed poor conduct, were expelled, and must pay one million gold soul coins as compensation…"
"T-the second young master made threats and was crippled by Dean Su, now unconscious. The Duke's mansion must send someone to bring him back." The servant stammered.
The noblewomen's expressions changed as if they'd heard shocking gossip.
Zhu Ling's face was already dark, biting out a few words.
"Shrek Academy!!"
"Elder Jing, cough, we just want the Soul Tool Department to develop faster. Currently, you're the Academy's top expert in soul tools, so we invited you…"
Xian Lin'er showed a fawning smile.
Qian Duoduo also grinned sheepishly beside her.
"So you tricked me here to make me handcraft a third-generation linked defensive soul tool core formation? Do you know how many generations and how long it took the Sun Moon Empire to create that? I might know the theory, but with Shrek's resources…" Jing Hongchen ranted at them, incredulous.
"And you said third generation…"
Jing Hongchen scratched his chin, suspicious, "Did you make the second generation?"
"Cough, making the second generation is too slow. Even if we do, it can't match the Sun Moon Empire. We want to skip the second generation and compete directly with the Sun Moon Empire's linked defensive soul tool formation." Qian Duoduo hurriedly said.
Jing Hongchen: "…"
"What about the first-generation linked defensive soul tool formation?"
"Here!"
Qian Duoduo produced a defensive soul tool like a treasure.
Jing Hongchen examined it, frowning, "Isn't this just a regular level eight defensive soul tool?"
"Yeah, it's first generation, just a bit rough…" Xian Lin'er smiled.
Jing Hongchen: "…"
Outside the Soul Tool Laboratory Building.
Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo anxiously looked up at the rooftop, holding a soul tool gun to the head of a lifeless Jing Hongchen. "Elder Jing, we actually have a first-generation sample. We were just joking with you…"
Jing Hongchen, furious: "Write a contract!!"
"Buzz…"
With a buzzing sound, Zhang Leng awoke in a dense forest, bewilderedly looking around. It was as if the world had been torn apart and reassembled. In a flash of light, he was thrown here, as for what happened before…
Zhang Leng's pupils shrank as he instantly retreated.
A pitch-black, eerily purple poisonous stinger stabbed right where he'd just been.
"Kekeke, a fine prey—just right for tonight's dinner…" Atop a nearby tree, a middle-aged man in a black robe, pale-faced, looked at him mockingly.
"Who are you?" Zhang Leng's eyes narrowed. "Wait, an Evil Soul Master!"
The next moment, a panel appeared beside him, with a line of text: "Defeat the Evil Soul Master in front of you to gain one mission point. Good luck~"
After this line, there was a smiling Su Wen emoji.
Zhang Leng's mouth twitched. Which genius came up with this…
"But, mission points…"
His eyes grew hot as he looked at the man in the tree. "I'm coming for you!"
Two blood-red curved blades reversed in hand.
His figure vanished like a ghost.
The black-robed man's face changed, a pale yellow soul ring lighting up under his feet. "Amethyst Bind!"
"Too slow!" Zhang Leng grinned. "What a weakling Evil Soul Master, much weaker than the ones I've killed before."
"Poison Sting!"
The black-robed man hadn't expected such a foe, his expression terrified as he retreated. A purple soul ring glowed, and black-purple demonic thorns rose behind him, shedding countless sharp spikes that shot at Zhang Leng.
"Still too weak…"
Zhang Leng grinned and flashed behind the Evil Soul Master, his twin blades gleaming coldly as he struck.
The Evil Soul Master froze.
And slowly toppled over.
Simultaneously, a bloody line appeared on his neck—head severed from body.
"Congratulations to Student Zhang Leng for eliminating a regular Holy Spirit Cultist, Black Grass, at the fourth branch. Opponent's strength: Level 34 Soul Elder. Battle rating: SS—decisive, ruthless, no hesitation. One should show no mercy to Evil Soul Masters—they will always be evil…"
"Reward: one point."
Reading the words on the panel and the cartoonish Su Wen emoji, Zhang Leng couldn't help but laugh.
"Who made this… too funny."
"Does the Young Pavilion Master know?"
The chibi Su Wen on the panel still wore a "professional smile" and typed: "Please choose your next step: Exit, Continue."
"Continue!" Zhang Leng answered proudly.
"A mere Holy Spirit Cult grunt isn't enough to stop me."
Half an hour later.
Zhang Leng had cleared through, killing twelve Holy Spirit Cult disciples. Each stage reset him to peak condition—spirit power and mental strength restored. Even the strongest he'd faced was just entering Soul King level.
Though Evil Soul Masters had special boosts, as an inner court Shrek prodigy, he wasn't weak. After some effort and minor injuries, he succeeded.
So far, things went smoothly.
"I've learned a lot…" Zhang Leng's joyful expression turned thoughtful.
These thirteen Evil Soul Masters all had unique, even bizarre powers.
If ordinary soul masters of the same level faced them, they'd likely be wiped out.
This systematic training, figuring out various types of Evil Soul Masters (mental corruption, poison, puppet/soul or body control, hatred, darkness element, etc.)
Each had their own weaknesses. Before, he'd never have had time for so many observations.
"This training ground is truly interesting…"
Zhang Leng couldn't help but sigh.
"Holy Spirit Cult basic training complete. Would you like to enter intermediate training? Your opponents will be Holy Spirit Cult Soul Kings and above—Saints."
"Saints? This is just basic?" Zhang Leng was stunned.
What?
This was just the beginner level?
He'd heard of Saints—they were the top fighters in each branch, basically management level, at least Soul King, often Soul Emperor or Soul Sage.
Then the advanced level… wouldn't that be Titled Douluo?!
"Enter!"
"Detected a new instance. Scan it?" Su Wen appeared with a delighted expression.
"Scan! Of course!" Zhang Leng replied confidently.
In a flash, he reappeared.
Everyone was gathered around a bonfire. Even Wang Bo and the others who'd entered the training ground with him were there, all looking at each other in surprise. It was clearly a group mission.
As everyone was confused, Teacher Wang Yan stepped up, acting just like an NPC, smiling and clapping: "Alright, everyone, time is tight and the mission is tough. We are to eliminate the Evil Soul Masters entrenched in the Bailin Mountains. They've been a cancer there for years. The Star Luo Empire's military asked us to wipe them out, for the good of the people…"
"Next…"
All the inner court disciples were silent.
"Is this an instance for you all too?" one inner court disciple whispered.
"Yes!" Everyone nodded, discussing their experience clearing the previous stages.
Wang Bo scratched his head, frowning. "Why does this all feel so familiar?"