"Lu Yuan, we're heading back now."
At the gates of the grand, palace-like building, Niu Gao turned and motioned to the members of the Imperial Clan, his deep voice carrying the authority of a chieftain ready to depart.
"Eh? Already?" Lu Yuan blinked, half a cup of wine still in his hand. "Why not have another drink before leaving? You two old friends can't just run off so abruptly, can you?"
He had been thinking of drinking with these two old bulls a while longer, relaxing in their company. Now they suddenly wanted to leave—what was that about?!
"No!" Niu Gao shook his head firmly.
"It's been far too long already. The clan back at the Sect needs us to deal with some matters urgently," he explained. Then his tone softened and carried a weight of loyalty. "But don't worry, Lu Yuan. About all this—about you—Niu Gao will not let a single word leak out to outsiders. Not for any reason."
He lifted his massive fist and gave a booming laugh. "Even if one day I stand as an enemy to you and Tang Hao on the battlefield, that won't change. A man gives his word, and that's enough!"
Niu Gao's grin grew even broader as he added, "As long as you beat Tang Hao, from now on, you and I are brothers!"
Lu Yuan's lips curved slightly as he gave a small nod. "Alright then."
"Next time we'll drink again. I won't push you this time," he said with a smile. He wasn't anxious—time always stretched long, and there would be more chances in the future to share wine.
"Brother Lu Yuan, I'll be leaving now too."
Bai Chenxiang stepped forward quietly. She wrapped her slender arms around Lu Yuan and hugged him lightly. Her voice carried a reluctant sweetness, as though she truly did not wish to leave.
This stretch of time by his side had been some of the happiest days of her life. Yes, at the beginning, she had been timid, trembling under the gaze of the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Sky Bull Python who resided here. The oppressive pressure of such beasts made her heart beat in terror.
But humans adapt. As days passed and fear settled, she grew accustomed. In fact, she even discovered she preferred the peace here far more than the noisy, messy outside world.
Still… she was weak. With her poor strength, she couldn't hope to march shoulder-to-shoulder with Lu Yuan. In truth, all she could do by remaining here was weigh him down.
So she forced herself to smile. "Goodbye, King of the Forests… everyone," she called as she turned to leave with the others.
"Farewell!" the two great soul beasts rumbled, their voices deep as thunder rolling across the mountains.
…
…
A distance away from Lu Yuan's halls, Niu Gao's booming laughter echoed through the forest.
"Hahaha! Old White Bird, I feel like my body's brimming with strength now! Once we get back, I'm going straight to the old orangutan with the Titan Clan. I'll spar with him—see just how far I've improved since last time!"
But beside him, Bai He was oddly quiet.
"What's wrong, old white bird?" Niu Gao tilted his head, his teasing eyes glinting. "Don't tell me you're still brooding? Or are you thinking about how to spend that million gold soul coins Lu Yuan just handed you?"
Bai He's expression instantly shifted.
What?! Niu Gao knew about that!?
Before Bai He could even react, the old rhinoceros reached out with his massive hand. "Come on now, hand it over. Let me help you keep it safe!"
"Damn you, you dare!"
Bai He shot backwards like an exploding chicken. His body flickered, and in a blur of wings, he was already a hundred meters away, covering his waist with both hands.
With so much money on him, of course he was vigilant! This was a fortune greater than what most clans might see in a decade. If it were stolen, he might as well go dig his own grave!
"Hahaha!" Niu Gao bellowed, his face full of mischief. "Old White Bird, one million gold soul coins is way too much for you to spend alone. Just cut me half a million, eh? Sharing is caring!"
"Bah!" Bai He clutched his side, glaring with indignation. "Never! Do you think I've forgotten how often your Imperial Clan leeches off my Min Clan? But let me remind you—this money isn't even mine! Lu Yuan only loaned it to me for temporary use, and I'll return it in future. Not a copper coin will go into your greedy palm!"
He hugged his waist like a miser clinging to his life. After all, if he lost this fortune, it wouldn't just ruin him—it might erase his entire standing on the continent.
Niu Gao sighed and waved a hand.
"Fine, fine, I was teasing. My Imperial Clan doesn't need to rob you to build houses on the Douluo Continent," he said gruffly. Then smirking again, he added, "But honestly, you shouldn't kid yourself. Lu Yuan had no intention of letting you pay that money back. A man like you, Xiao Bai Bird—you've always been the type to spend money, not earn it. When in your life have you ever been rich enough to return that kind of sum?"
"You—!" Bai He nearly exploded, his face turning beet red. "Niu Gao, I'll remember this insult! Next time we spar, I'll make sure this little bird pecks you bald!"
…
…
Meanwhile, at Shrek Academy.
Inside the director's office, Yu Xiaogang sat at his desk, a stack of newly registered student profiles in his hand. One glance at the parchments, and his face twisted darker than ink.
He looked like a man chewing on horse dung.
"Ge Erdan," he read aloud bitterly. "Martial Soul: dung fork. Spirit power level: 11. Spirit ring: white…"
"…Next, Silly Zhu. Martial Soul: bucket. Spirit power level: 9…"
"…And Xiuqin. Martial Soul: rolling pin. Spirit power level: 8…"
One by one, the names and absurd Martial Souls rolled off his tongue, and Yu Xiaogang's brow furrowed deeper. By the end, he was silent for a long moment before slamming the papers down.
"These are the students you've brought me?!" His voice cracked with disbelief.
Zhao Wuji rubbed his head helplessly. "Master, that's all of them. A dozen or so kids, and only one has even managed to condense a spirit ring so far."
"These," Yu Xiaogang emphasized, tapping the parchment, "these don't even qualify to graduate from a junior academy! How am I supposed to teach them anything?"
Frowning so hard it hurt his forehead, he groaned. His head throbbed—honestly, he felt it might explode.
"Master," Zhao Wuji said with a sigh, voice tinged with pity. "Most of these children aren't here because they're talented. No… their families poured blood and sweat just to send them here. It wasn't easy to recruit even this little Ge Erdan. When he heard you were the instructor, he almost refused outright."
Yu Xiaogang leaned back in his chair, exhaling gloomily. "Ugh… Flander, these students are hopeless. They can't be taught."
But before he could press the matter, a sharp voice cut through.
"No, Master. You must teach them."
Flender walked over, clapping once, his hawk-like eyes flashing.
"Why can't this group be taught? Have you forgotten your own theory?" he pressed. "Didn't you once say there are no wasted martial souls, only wasted soul masters? These children might be weak, but they're tenacious. They come from poor families. They've suffered, endured, and survived. That alone makes them tougher than most pampered soul masters."
Zhao Wuji jumped in eagerly. "Exactly! Master, you said it yourself. Isn't this the best chance to prove your theory to the whole world?"
Flender applauded. "Right! Even if these kids never turn into Tang San-level geniuses, as long as even one among them grows into a Soul Sect, then Xiaogang, your theory will be recognized. Just imagine—'The Master, the man who created powerhouses from rolling pins and buckets!'"
His tone was fierce, burning with conviction.
These words pierced Yu Xiaogang's chest. For years, he had relied on that theory, staking his dignity on it—that no martial soul is useless. Yet looking at these crooked talents, he had wavered. Now, with Flender's encouragement, a spark rekindled within him.
Still, reality dragged heavily at his thoughts. He muttered, "One person with a martial soul of 'rolling pin'… one with 'bucket'… what kind of future do these things hold? You expect me to seriously guide them?"
Zhao Wuji grinned. "And what's wrong with that? Isn't a rolling pin basically like Teacher Li Yusong's staff? Just direct them along a similar path. You've done it once with Tang San, Master. You can do it again."
Yu Xiaogang fell into silence, his lips trembling but no words emerging. He truly wanted to curse, to shout that it was impossible—but his own creed held him prisoner.
Finally, he stood with a heavy breath. "Fine. Take me to them. I want to see these new recruits with my own eyes."
Not long after, he stood in Shrek Square—a space wide enough to hold thousands—staring at the ragtag dozen.
His heart sank.
Crooked backs, awkward stances, hesitant eyes… He could barely muster the will to look at them. How could these ever hope to become true soul masters?
Yet beside him, Flender's voice rang with unyielding passion.
"Students! This is the Master I told you about! From this day forward, he will oversee your cultivation!"
Excited whispers swept through the group.
"The Master…"
"The theories…"
Flender lifted his arms high, his powerful voice booming across the square. "He is known in the soul master world as invincible in theory! Under his teaching, it doesn't matter how poor your martial souls are or how little talent you think you possess. With him here, nothing is impossible!
Remember our Shrek motto: There are no useless martial souls! Only useless soul masters!"
"Martial souls are never useless! Only soul masters are useless!"
"Martial souls are never useless! Only soul masters are useless!"
The young voices cried out in unison, rising into the sky in waves until the very air trembled.
Flender turned and clapped Yu Xiaogang's stiff shoulder.
"Your turn, Xiaogang. Start teaching. I believe in you."
Yu Xiaogang swallowed hard.
Could he really…?
--
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