Wu Changkong fell silent for a moment, a trace of complex emotion appearing on that cold face, eventually turning into a barely audible sigh.
He spoke slowly, his voice deep: "Shrek Academy has a Legacy of twenty thousand years, with deep foundations and a stellar reputation, gathering the top Geniuses and resources of the continent."
"For a long time, there has been no lack of praise and glory both inside and outside the academy, and over time... it has indeed caused a portion of the teachers and students to unconsciously develop a high-and-mighty, arrogant attitude."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the group of students whose eyes still held confusion and disappointment, and added: "However, such people are, after all, only a minority."
"The reason Shrek has been able to pass down its Legacy until now is due to the hard work, protection, and sacrifice of countless predecessors, as well as its spiritual core of always pursuing excellence and never giving up."
"Do not completely negate a place because of the words and actions of a few individuals."
Hearing this, Xie Xie curled his lip and muttered in a low voice: "Then our 'luck' today is really something, to happen to run into this small portion."
Tang Wulin's expression was still a bit sour, his tone carrying a disappointment that was hard to let go: "Teacher, I understand what you mean."
"But having experienced it personally, I really didn't expect that the legendary Shrek Academy would actually have such students and... such an attitude."
Wu Changkong didn't explain further; after all, he had already left Shrek Academy.
Even if he were still at Shrek, with his current cultivation and status, he would likely find it difficult to change the toxic atmosphere that had long since permeated the academy.
Just then, a stirring broadcast rang out in the stadium, drowning out all the whispers and instantly pulling everyone's attention back to the center of the field.
"Guests and contestants!"
"Next, we will begin a special segment of the opening ceremony for this Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition."
"The champion team of the previous Tianhai Alliance Youth Group Team Competition will face off against the specially invited Shrek Academy Junior Elite Team! Will both teams please enter the field!"
Accompanied by the commentary and enthusiastic applause, the members of both teams stepped into the center of the field from different tunnels.
The previous champion team of the Tianhai Alliance consisted of seven members, all youths in their twenties with upright statures and steady auras.
In contrast, the seven people sent by Shrek Academy were all dressed in dark green sportswear; the oldest looked no more than fourteen or fifteen, their faces still youthful, yet they moved with an unusual composure and sharpness.
Among them were none other than Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi, who had just caused the dispute!
The two of them appeared exceptionally young in the team, looking to be only eleven or twelve years old.
The huge disparity in age and status gave this exhibition match dramatic appeal from the very start.
All the spectators involuntarily focused their gazes on the young green team in the center of the field.
As soon as the signal to start the match rang out, both teams in the field released their Spirits almost simultaneously, and the light of spirit rings began to shine one after another.
Xie Xie's gaze immediately locked onto Xu Lizhi and Ye Xinglan.
When he saw that only two yellow hundred-year spirit rings emerged beneath each of them, he couldn't help but curl his lip.
His tone carried a hint of disdain: "Tch, I thought those from Shrek would be how impressive, but it turns out they're just two two-ring Spirit Grandmasters."
The others from Class Zero around him also more or less showed similar expressions.
After all, in their Class Zero with an average age of ten, Xie Xie and Gu Yue were also two-ring masters, while Huo Yuhao had even reached the astonishing three-ring Spirit Elder Realm.
In their view, based solely on the number of spirit rings and cultivation level, Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi indeed lacked the capital to show off or be arrogant in front of them.
Wu Changkong's cold voice rang in their ears: "Don't just focus on the number of spirit rings. Since Shrek Academy dared to send the two of them to participate in this exhibition match, it means they must have extraordinary qualities."
On the stage, the first one from Shrek Academy's side to take action was that Little Fatty, Xu Lizhi.
His first yellow spirit ring suddenly flashed, Spirit Power surged in his hands, and white objects were quickly thrown by him to every member of his team!
His teammates were clearly accustomed to this, catching them with fluid movements and stuffing them directly into their mouths without even looking.
"What... what did that Little Fatty throw out?"
Xu Xiaoyan widened her curious eyes; because they were far away and the movements just now were too fast, she couldn't see very clearly.
"It's buns."
Huo Yuhao gave a definite answer; under his Spirit Eyes, he naturally saw everything clearly!
"Buns? He... he's actually a food system Spirit Master?!"
Tang Wulin couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice.
He was surprised not just because Xu Lizhi was an extremely rare food system Spirit Master.
But even more so because, as a food system Spirit Master, he had actually been pitifully crying "hungry" in the crowd earlier!
Clearly, his own Spirit could produce food to quickly replenish physical strength and Spirit Power to fill his stomach anytime, anywhere!
Thinking of this, Yuhao's previous words seemed to ring in Wulin's ears again.
In this instant, Tang Wulin's heart suddenly jolted.
He suddenly felt that he... was truly too gullible!
After Xu Lizhi finished throwing the "buns," another girl with a steady temperament from the Shrek team immediately made her move.
Three spirit rings rose beneath her feet, and she held up a brilliant, seven-layered glazed pagoda in her hand.
It was none other than the continent's former number one auxiliary Tool Spirit, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!
With the dual auxiliary support from Xu Lizhi, the food system Spirit Master, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, the overall strength of this Shrek Academy junior team was instantly boosted by fifty percent!
Their already sharp and pressing aura was now like an unsheathed divine sword, its edge fully exposed!
Next came a jaw-dropping, textbook-perfect blitzkrieg!
Shrek team's offense unfolded like a tide, with power attack, agility attack, and control... each performing their duties with extreme coordination.
On the other hand, the Tianhai Alliance champion team, despite having higher individual cultivations, appeared flustered and riddled with flaws in the face of this near-dimensional-strike level of team coordination and tactical execution.
In just a few breaths, the situation on the field had become clear.
As the last member of the Tianhai Alliance was knocked out of the field, the referee's whistle blew!
"Shrek Academy wins!"
After a brief silence, the entire Tianhai Stadium erupted with mountain-shaking cheers and applause!
"Shrek! Shrek!..."
Such shouts were deafening, echoing through the clouds.
This exhibition match with a huge age gap ended in a clean and decisive victory for the Shrek Academy junior team, once again proving the unfathomable foundation and power of this legendary academy.
Huo Yuhao withdrew his gaze from the field, the sharp and swift sword shadows of Ye Xinglan from just now still echoing in his mind.
He had to admit that, putting aside her unpleasant personality, in terms of swordsmanship and combat awareness, Ye Xinglan was indeed a standout among her peers, worthy of being an elite trained by Shrek Academy.
However, no matter how good the swordsmanship or how strong the power, it should never be a reason to be overbearing.
He turned his gaze to Wu Changkong beside him and asked: "Teacher, you and that teacher leading the Shrek Academy team... seem to know each other?"
He had keenly captured earlier that the connection between Wu Changkong and Teacher Shen Yi was definitely not as simple as just both being from Shrek.
Hearing this, Wu Changkong's icy blue eyes looked at Huo Yuhao, but he didn't hide it, only nodding briefly in response: "Mhm, Teacher Shen Yi... can be considered my Junior Sister."
Huo Yuhao then asked: "Then can you discuss it with her, Teacher, and let us have a match with these Shrek students!"
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A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.