Chapter 143: In the Next Soul Master Competition, Shrek Academy Must Win
Beside a ruined blood pool in the center of the desolate village, the mangled corpses of two Evil Soul Masters leaked a nauseating stench of decay and iron into the air.
Liu Yuan stood perfectly still on the cracked earth. Beneath his feet, five spirit rings slowly ceased their rotation, their brilliant light fading as they retracted into his body. He had just executed two high-intensity, instantaneous kills, yet his chest rose and fell with a slow, measured rhythm. His breathing remained as steady as a calm lake.
He lowered his gaze to his lapel. Even during the point-blank explosion of corrupted spirit power just moments ago, not a single drop of filthy blood had managed to stain his pristine white robes. The absolute spatial control granted by his Forbidden Domain, combined with his own phantom-like evasion, had rendered the enemy's dying counterattack entirely useless.
That terrifying sense of absolute power—the ability to dictate life and death with a casual wave of his hand—radiated from his very bones.
Without sparing the corpses another glance, Liu Yuan turned around. His figure blurred, the surrounding space rippling like water, and in the blink of an eye, he reappeared in mid-air.
A short distance away, hidden within the folds of the Void, Du Busi watched the young man approach. The Master of the Body Sect had witnessed the entire slaughter from start to finish, yet the lingering shock etched across his weathered face refused to fade.
He had assumed he had sufficiently overestimated the sheer boost Liu Yuan would receive after absorbing a hundred-thousand-year red spirit ring. The reality playing out before his eyes proved him wrong. He had vastly underestimated the explosive chemical reaction between the Double Pupils and the Fusion of the Spatial Origin.
"This kid..." Du Busi muttered under his breath, his eyes tracking Liu Yuan's effortless flight. "This speed of improvement, this absolute combat suppression... it's like night and day compared to his performance during the Soul Master Tournament."
He stroked his chin, his mind replaying the brief, one-sided massacre. "Although those two Evil Soul Masters weren't weak by any standard, even if Liu Yuan hadn't used that Spirit Bone skill—which is practically built for lethal sneak attacks—just relying on those two Domain-type fifth spirit abilities would have guaranteed a crushing victory in a one-on-two fight."
Liu Yuan floated to a halt in front of Du Busi, his expression tranquil. He offered a crisp, respectful bow.
Du Busi took a deep breath, letting it out in a sudden, hearty burst of laughter that shook the surrounding clouds. He did not hold back his praise. "Good! Beautifully fought! Liu Yuan, your application of Spatial Banishment has truly made me see you in a completely new light. That kind of razor-sharp combat intuition... even the seasoned Elders back in the Sect might not necessarily do better than you."
Liu Yuan's face remained calm, his voice modest and even. "Master overpraises me. It was merely a matter of taking them by surprise with the first public display of these spirit abilities. If the opponents had been prepared for spatial manipulation, it might not have been so easy."
"Alright, alright, stop being so modest. In my long life, I've seen very few who possess this kind of flawless record and steady mindset at your age." Du Busi waved his large hand dismissively, gesturing for Liu Yuan to follow.
"Let's go. Since this little field test has achieved its intended effect, it's time for us to return. Back at the Sect, everyone is likely waiting with bated breath to see the results."
The two figures transformed into brilliant streaks of light, tearing through the sky at full speed toward the Body Sect.
As the wind roared past them, Du Busi cast a sideways glance at his disciple. His tone carried a distinct hint of teasing anticipation. "I believe when you return this time, and Long Aotian and the rest of those brats see your ridiculous spirit ring configuration and your current combat capability, their jaws are going to hit the floor all over again."
A wide grin split the old man's face. "Those kids will probably be thoroughly demoralized once they realize how far you've left them behind."
While Liu Yuan and Du Busi rushed back to their mountain home, the political landscape across the entire Douluo Continent was boiling over. The recently concluded Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament had thrown a massive boulder into a stagnant pond.
The news of the Body Sect's forceful, dominant victory—competing as a Sect rather than a traditional academy—had spread like wildfire through every tavern, noble estate, and hidden valley on the continent.
For those reclusive hidden sects, organizations with long legacies and deep martial foundations, the Body Sect's overwhelming success acted as a powerful stimulant. It completely shattered the untouchable myth of Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year-long reign.
In the grand meeting halls and dimly lit chambers of countless sects, a single, dangerous thought began to take root: If they can do it, so can I.
"Since a sect like the Body Sect, which has always lived in absolute seclusion within the Heavenly Soul Empire, can simply walk out and win the championship, why should we keep chaining ourselves to these old, self-imposed rules?" an elder of a renowned hidden sect declared passionately, slamming his fist onto a heavy oak table during a clan summit.
In the eyes of these traditional martial factions, the raw combat capability and inherited legacies of sect disciples were naturally a tier above those of academy students who relied primarily on standardized teaching.
The Body Sect's victory provided them with a glaringly obvious blueprint. For the next tournament, they could completely emulate the Body Sect's actions. By sending the most elite disciples from their own clans or sects to compete for the championship—a title that symbolized the highest glory on the continent—they could instantly elevate their sect's social status, wealth, and political influence.
Undercurrents surged violently through the originally peaceful world of sects. Various major powers began secretly pouring resources into cultivating their younger generation, their eyes locked firmly on the grand event scheduled five years in the future.
However, within the walls of Shrek Academy, Elder Xuan, Huo Yuhao, and the others had absolutely no mind to pay attention to the shifting tides of the sect world.
Ever since Elder Xuan had forcibly torn his way out of the Star Dou Great Forest, dragging his battered body and the deeply shaken students along with him, he hadn't rested for a single second.
He didn't even have the luxury of time to tend to his own internal organs, which had been severely bruised and fractured by the Bear Lord's terrifying shockwaves. Ignoring the metallic taste of blood constantly rising in his throat, he circulated his spirit power at maximum capacity, pushing himself to the absolute limit to bring the children back to the academy at the fastest possible speed.
When the massive, imposing phantom of the Taotie Divine Bull finally crashed down onto the pristine lawn of the Shrek Inner Court, the earth trembled. The Inner Court teachers who had been anxiously waiting immediately swarmed forward.
"Elder Xuan! You're injured?!" an Inner Court teacher cried out in alarm. He stared in horror at the dried, dark blood caked at the corner of the old man's mouth and felt the erratic, chaotic fluctuations of his usually vast aura.
Elder Xuan waved a trembling hand, cutting off the barrage of panicked questions.
Several teachers specializing in the healing system immediately rushed forward. Soft, warm lights illuminated the lawn as they channeled their spirit power, carefully soothing the violent turbulence within Elder Xuan's meridians.
Only after his surging blood and Qi had finally calmed down, and the worst of his internal bleeding began to clot, did the surrounding faculty dare to ask about the details of their disastrous trip to the Star Dou Great Forest.
Elder Xuan slumped heavily into a wooden chair brought out by a student. He forced a faint, strained smile onto his pale face, desperately pretending to be relaxed. "Although we encountered some... unexpected trouble during this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, even accidentally disturbing the overlord resting there, the overall results were good."
He turned his tired eyes toward Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao standing nearby. A genuine hint of gratification softened his gaze. "Both Yuhao and Xiao Xiao have successfully obtained their most desired spirit rings under my protection."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice gaining a fraction of its usual strength. "Now that their strength has increased greatly and their potential has been further unearthed, our chances of winning the next Soul Master Tournament are even greater."
Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao stood rigidly to the side. Looking at Elder Xuan's face—which seemed to have aged a decade just from the sheer strain of escorting them—and sensing his unhealed injuries, their hearts clenched with heavy emotion.
Huo Yuhao took a firm step forward, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. He looked directly into the old man's eyes and vowed, "Rest assured, Elder Xuan. I have carved the kindness and sacrifice of this trip into my bones. In the next Soul Master Tournament, we will definitely reclaim that glory for Shrek. We will not let your blood be shed in vain!"
Elder Xuan patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder, a look of deep satisfaction crossing his weary features. Then, a sudden thought darkened his expression. His brow furrowed slightly as he turned his attention back to the lead Inner Court teacher.
"By the way, has there been any unusual activity from the Body Sect recently? For instance... regarding that boy named Liu Yuan?"
The Inner Court teacher shook his head respectfully. "Reporting to Elder Xuan, we haven't received a single piece of news about the Body Sect participating in any external affairs. They seem to have completely retreated back into the deep mountains of the Heavenly Soul Empire immediately after the tournament. They are acting very quietly."
Hearing this, a cold, mocking smile curled on Elder Xuan's lips. His eyes flashed with deep contempt and a renewed sense of arrogant confidence. "Hmph. A stubborn sect that only knows how to work behind closed doors will never amount to much. They might still be wallowing in self-satisfaction over this accidental victory."
He gripped the armrests of his chair, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "Just wait. In the next tournament, I will have Yuhao and the others show that Liu Yuan, with absolute strength, that arrogance comes with a heavy price. Everything Shrek has lost, I will personally ensure we reclaim it all."
Meanwhile, far to the north in the Heavenly Soul Empire, within the towering mountain gates of the Body Sect.
On the surface, everything was proceeding as usual. Disciples trained, elders meditated, and the daily routines flowed smoothly. But beneath that calm exterior, a massive shockwave of gossip was on the verge of erupting.
Several Inner Sect disciples, who had just emerged from long periods of secluded cultivation, were gathered in tight clusters near the training grounds. They were fiercely debating a piece of news that sounded entirely absurd to their ears.
"Hey, have you heard the rumors? Senior Brother Liu Yuan went out with the Sect Master this time, and he actually intends to use a hundred-thousand-year ring for his fifth spirit ring?" a young disciple whispered, his voice trembling with sheer disbelief.
"A hundred-thousand-year ring? How is that even mathematically possible!" another disciple cried out, his eyes wide. "Isn't the absolute physical limit for a fifth spirit ring around twelve thousand years? He's jumping straight to ten times that amount? Can such a thing really succeed?"
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