In truth, inviting Huo Yuhao to join the Sun Moon Royal Academy didn't offer Liu Yuan any personal benefits.
He wasn't an admissions officer for the Sun Moon Academy, nor did he harbor any blind loyalty toward the Sun Moon Royal Academy; he was simply a student there.
Therefore, this invitation was purely out of his own personal volition.
On one hand, he simply couldn't stand Shrek Academy's haughty and self-righteous attitude.
Despite the requirements stating he should have received the 'Core Disciple' reward, the rules were changed at the last minute because the Shrek higher-ups didn't favor him, which made Liu Yuan quite displeased.
On the other hand, as a Transmigrator with full knowledge of this world's future trajectory, he possessed the 'Heavenly Eye.' He knew better than anyone what this seemingly unremarkable youth, Huo Yuhao, would eventually mean to Shrek Academy.
It was no exaggeration to say that the future Shrek would only be able to continue its myth of invincibility in an era where Soul Engineers shone brilliantly because of Huo Yuhao.
But because of Xuan Zi, Liu Yuan didn't want to see Shrek doing too well.
Since that was the case, he might as well take this opportunity—before Huo Yuhao developed an unshakable sense of belonging to Shrek—to try a 'drastic measure' and directly pluck away Shrek's most important future asset!
Thinking of this, the smile at the corner of Liu Yuan's mouth deepened. Looking at the clearly struggling Huo Yuhao before him, he continued to raise the stakes:
"Yuhao, you don't need to worry about any practical issues."
"As long as you nod, I can have Dean Jing Hongchen waive all your future tuition and fees at the academy. Furthermore, I can guarantee that as soon as you enroll, you will immediately have the status of a Core Disciple."
He placed special emphasis on the words 'Core Disciple' and continued: "The Core Disciples of our Sun Moon Royal Academy are not just an empty title."
"You will have your own independent laboratory, access to the continent's top spirit tool knowledge, and monthly resource subsidies far beyond your imagination."
"Most importantly, here, no one will look down on you because of your current spirit power Rank. They value a person's talent and potential. Your mental force talent will receive the greatest degree of attention and development here."
Every condition Liu Yuan threw out was like a heavy hammer, pounding hard against Huo Yuhao's heart.
Huo Yuhao fell silent.
To be honest, he was tempted.
No, it should be said he was incredibly moved!
Wasn't everything Big Brother Liu described exactly what he dreamed of?
To be valued, to be recognized, to have sufficient resources to pursue his dreams, and to never again have to endure the disdain of others because of his low spirit power...
What Shrek Academy couldn't give him, the Sun Moon Royal Academy was willing to offer with both hands.
This temptation was simply too great.
But...
As soon as he thought of Teacher Zhou Yi, who was strict on the outside but incredibly protective of her students on the inside;
As soon as he thought of Teacher Fan Yu, who put his heart and soul into making spirit tools for him;
And then thought of his roommate Wang Dong, who was tsundere in speech but always fought side-by-side with him at critical moments;
As well as the petite and cute Xiao Xiao, who could explode with shocking power in key moments...
Scene after scene of his life at Shrek Academy flashed through his mind.
Those people and those events had already left a deep mark on his heart.
There, he already had bonds that he couldn't bear to leave behind.
After a long time, Huo Yuhao raised his head. The struggle and confusion in his eyes had faded, replaced by a touch of apology and determination.
He gave Liu Yuan a deep bow: "Big Brother Liu, I appreciate your kindness. But... I cannot leave Shrek."
"Teacher Zhou and Teacher Fan Yu have been as kind to me as parents, and Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao are my partners... I... I can't bear to leave them."
Hearing this answer, Liu Yuan felt it was a bit of a pity, but he didn't intend to force the issue.
He had only asked casually to see what would happen.
If Huo Yuhao was willing to come, it would naturally be the icing on the cake and would greatly spite Xuan Zi.
If he was unwilling, Liu Yuan wouldn't forcibly try to twist someone's will.
It was simply a matter of different paths; they could not make plans together.
However, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart. If Huo Yuhao was unwilling to quit Shrek even under such obviously unfair treatment, then in the future, he would likely be truly devoted to Shrek.
"I understand." Liu Yuan exhaled a cloud of white mist and nodded, not saying another word of persuasion.
He knew that further talk was useless.
Since they had chosen different paths, it was very likely that the next time he met Huo Yuhao, they would no longer be friends, but enemies standing on opposite sides.
The atmosphere became somewhat silent for a while as the two of them silently finished the remaining grilled fish.
The firelight reflected on their young faces, but the pure joy of their initial reunion could no longer be found.
"I should go." Liu Yuan stood up and brushed the ice chips off his clothes. "Yuhao, take care."
"Big Brother Liu, you take care too!" Huo Yuhao also stood up and said earnestly.
Liu Yuan gave him one last smile and, without any lingering attachment, turned and transformed into a streak of green-gold light, instantly vanishing into the end of the vast ice plains, leaving only the nearly extinguished campfire flickering in the wind.
...
After traveling at full speed without any further setbacks, Liu Yuan finally returned several days later to that grand city filled with the atmosphere of metal and technology—Bright Capital.
The towering Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy still stood in the center of the city.
There were still some days before the official start of the new semester, but Liu Yuan didn't feel like wandering around elsewhere.
He went straight back to the exclusive cultivation room with the highest authorization that Jing Hongchen had specially arranged for him, and began a new round of cultivation with undivided attention.
Although his own strength was extremely high, the Shrek Team still had Ma Xiaotao, after all.
Unless he planned to completely expose his Mega Rayquaza during the Soul Master Tournament...
Otherwise, it was best for him to further improve his strength so that he could steadily defeat the Shrek Team in the upcoming Soul Master Tournament.
Therefore, he couldn't afford to waste time.
...
On the other side, after parting ways with Liu Yuan, Huo Yuhao also set out on the journey back to Shrek Academy.
By the time he rushed back, travel-worn and weary, to that academy filled with the breath of nature and life, the new semester had already officially begun.
Huo Yuhao didn't dare delay for a moment. With a hint of nervousness, he ran very anxiously toward the classroom of Grade 2 Class 1.
And at the same time.
Within Shrek Academy, inside the Sea Gods Pavilion.
On the top floor of the pavilion, the atmosphere seemed somewhat heavy.
Dressed in white, with a slightly exhausted expression, Dai Yueheng was standing respectfully before the Master of the Sea Gods Pavilion, Xuan Zi, alongside a Shrek scout.
The huge chicken leg in Xuan Zi's hand had been put down at some point. In his cloudy old eyes, a look of unprecedented brilliance now flickered. He cast his gaze toward them with great expectation and asked in a low voice:
"Well? Was the person brought back?"
"Why didn't you have him come see me?"
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