Three days later, the dismissal bell rang, and the day's classes were finally over.
Wang Yan tidied the lesson plans in his hands and looked up at the students below the podium. "All Core Disciples, please stay behind. You'll be coming with me to the Soul Fighting Area in a moment."
The classroom instantly became lively. Most students had excitement written on their Faces—everyone knew the selection tournament was about to begin. However, it was quite considerate this time; it didn't take up class time and was scheduled for after school instead.
Furina grumbled inwardly, "Damn it, it's actually taking up my after-school time! They should have finished it during class so I could escape those boring lessons."
She naturally remembered that in the original work, this selection tournament took place after school, but experiencing it firsthand still felt quite annoying.
The so-called Core Disciple selection tournament was, to put it bluntly, about choosing the next generation of the Shrek Seven Devils. Furina had zero interest in the title and planned to forfeit immediately upon stepping onto the stage. However, she did tell Huo Yuhao to perform well and strive for it.
After all, she had just obtained the cultivation methods for Ultimate Martial Souls from Yan Shaozhe a few days ago—one copy for herself and one for Huo Yuhao. This favor had to be repaid eventually.
So, she would have to trouble Huo Yuhao a bit—though it wasn't really a trouble, as the title was something he deserved anyway.
As for how to repay the favor, she had a plan. She would help the current Shrek Seven Devils to prevent them from falling victim to Elder Xuan's negligence and being blown to bits or crippled by some Spirit King-level Evil Soul Master. Then, she'd help them compete for the championship or runner-up spot, while also snagging some benefits for her Axis Cult. After promoting it from both sides, she could wash her hands of it and leave.
Regarding Dai Huabin, who had sent people to intercept and kill Huo Yuhao, Furina had already heard about the outcome from Yan Shaozhe two days ago.
Shrek had found the six experts through clues and discovered they were from the Duke of White Tiger's Mansion. Although there was no direct evidence proving Dai Huabin had ordered it, the Academy had to provide an explanation.
Those six people were ultimately dealt with by Elder Xuan, their bodies dumped at the entrance of the Duke of White Tiger's Mansion along with a stern warning. Shrek was quite efficient in this regard, as it concerned the Academy's reputation.
Dai Huabin himself didn't escape either, receiving punishment just like in the original work. Although he kept his position as a Core Disciple, a stern warning from the Academy was unavoidable. This was already out of respect for the Duke of White Tiger, and because Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong were unharmed with no serious consequences; otherwise, Yan Shaozhe would have wanted to expel him directly.
Yan Shaozhe had already communicated with Furina, indicating early on that Shrek Academy intended to cooperate with the Axis Cult. Since Huo Yuhao was Furina's friend and a member of the Axis Cult, they naturally had to show him enough respect.
Furthermore, Yan Shaozhe planned to send Teacher Fan Yu to the Axis Cult for exchange and cooperation, reportedly bringing along all of Shrek's Advanced spirit tool design blueprints as a gesture of sincerity.
That being the case, Furina didn't bother to dwell on these trivial matters. A minor character like Dai Huabin wouldn't be jumping around for long. After receiving the warning, he would likely restrain himself as he did in the original work.
Rather than worrying about Dai Huabin, it was better to worry about what hidden moves Tang San might still have.
When it came to plotting on the Douluo Continent, who could surpass Tang San?
The schemes in douluo 2 and Douluo 3 both proved his success—first kidnapping the child of destiny to turn him into a watchdog, then making his own parents the Plane Rulers of the Douluo Continent, and later drawing in the Abyssal Plane to be devoured, allowing the Douluo Continent to evolve.
Even though Furina now held trump cards like the God of Destruction, Goddess of Life, Water God, Electrolux, and Gu Yuena, as well as potential stars like Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Gu Qiuer, she didn't dare to underestimate Tang San.
Who knows when Tang San might pull a major move on her, and then it would be all over.
While she was thinking, someone beside her poked her gently.
Xiao Xiao leaned in and asked in a low voice, "Furina, are you really not participating in the competition?"
"That's right," Furina said lazily, leaning against the back of her chair. "There's no benefit to participating. You guys go ahead; there's no need for me."
She glanced at Xiao Xiao and added, "Work hard and show off your strength. Maybe you can even find a suitable boyfriend while you're at it."
Xiao Xiao's Face turned beet red instantly, and she reached out to swat Furina. "What are you talking about!"
Furina dodged with a laugh. "Hahaha, just kidding!"
Xiao Xiao muttered a few words with a flushed Face, then suddenly leaned in again, lowering her voice. "Speaking of which, if Wang Dong were a girl, or if Huo Yuhao were a girl, the two of them would actually be a great match."
Furina raised an eyebrow, noticing out of the corner of her eye that the tips of Wang Dong's ears in the front row had suddenly turned red.
Interesting.
She smiled slightly and replied softly, "Mm, yeah. They're both quite good. As long as they aren't gay."
Xiao Xiao blinked and asked curiously, "Are there really gay people?"
Furina tilted her chin, pointing diagonally forward. "Aren't those two exactly that?"
Xiao Xiao followed her gaze and was stunned.
Ning Tian and Wu Feng were standing together talking. Wu Feng said something unknown, and Ning Tian lowered her head slightly with a faint smile on her Face.
"Huh? No way?" Xiao Xiao's eyes widened in disbelief. "Two girls... and Ning Tian is the Young Sect Master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School! No matter what, it's impossible..."
"Then it just depends on whether they work hard enough," Furina said with a mysterious smile.
In the original work, Ning Tian was turned into a boy by Tang San at the Qiankun Gate of Asking Love Valley, which was how she and Wu Feng ended up together. Now... it's indeed difficult to be together. Unless I give them a hand and, while I'm at it, take over the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School and merge it into the Axis Cult.
They'll be phased out sooner or later anyway. In another ten thousand years, people might still remember the name of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, but the Sect will certainly no longer exist. Even the currently powerful Body Sect will be in a wretched state by the time of Douluo 3.
...
Soon, all the second-year Core Disciples, led by three teachers, walked out of the teaching building and arrived at the Soul Fighting Area.
Before long, several familiar figures appeared in their sight.
Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan arrived one after another. They were all fifth-year Core Disciples. Of course, there were more than just the three of them in the fifth year, but only these three had not yet had their fifteenth birthdays.
Excluding Furina and Huo Yuhao, they were the strongest in terms of cultivation among all the Core Disciples in the Outer Court.
After a while, only one person came from the Soul Tool Department—He Caitou.
During this time, Huo Yuhao frequently visited the Soul Tool Department, learning many things under Fan Yu and Qian Duoduo. At this rate, he would make significant progress in spirit tools before going to the Sun Moon Empire.
Through these interactions, he naturally became well-acquainted with He Caitou. They had a good relationship, and Furina mused that recruiting this kid into the Axis Cult should be just around the corner. After all, he was a Spirit Master with twin spirits and a rare Genius in the field of spirit tools.
He Caitou walked over, saw Huo Yuhao, and grinned, revealing his white teeth. "Yuhao!"
Huo Yuhao also smiled and waved at him.
Almost everyone had arrived.
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