I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: Seven Kill Shock the World
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On the other end of the communicator, Gu La seemed to have already anticipated Yun Ming's reaction and chuckled softly. "Is the Pavilion Master worried that Bai Yuan's martial soul is too unique to represent Shrek Academy?"
Yun Ming didn't deny it, responding indifferently, "Though Shrek Academy embraces all kinds of talent, it still needs an image that aligns with public perception."
Gu La paused thoughtfully before replying, "But I've already made arrangements for the other three, and in terms of personality, Bai Yuan is the most suitable to stay here."
"What about the clone who uses flying daggers?"
Yun Ming's eyes flickered as the image of that cold-tempered youth surfaced in his mind. His aloof demeanor at least made him more suitable to stand in the spotlight than Bai Yuan.
But then another question came to mind. "He doesn't have any issues, does he?"
"Oh, not really. Liu Nian Dao was born with a partial lack of emotions. If something like Cai Yue'er's situation arises, he'd likely just cut down whoever provoked him," Gu La said casually. "If the Pavilion Master isn't worried about him being ruthless within the academy, he can transfer to Shrek's inner court anytime."
Yun Ming pondered briefly, then shook his head. "Never mind. Let's consider someone else."
The so-called academy known as Shrek Academy had deep ties with many soul master families across the continent, inevitably leading to some conflicts.
At most, students would be expelled, but fatalities were extremely rare. Any loss of life would harm Shrek Academy's connections and past goodwill.
"Alright." Gu La didn't care. He had originally planned to send Liu Nian Dao to deal with Tang Sect.
"Mu Yi needs to study Body Sect techniques at the Body Sect…"
"Shrek Academy has a collection of Body Sect techniques." Sensing the ambiguity, Yun Ming clarified, "It's a copy left behind by Spirit Ice Douluo before he ascended ten thousand years ago."
Gu La: "..."
You don't need to explain. The more you explain, the guiltier you seem.
"So… does Shrek Academy also have the new secret techniques created by the Body Sect over the past ten thousand years?"
If they did, Shrek Academy would truly be shameless.
Yun Ming: "..."
Do we have them? Or… do we not?
"...No."
"I see." Gu La didn't bother verifying whether Yun Ming was telling the truth and continued, "Mu Yi specializes in forging. Elder Mu Ye and Teacher Zhen Hua are often together, so she can practice both cultivation and forging there. Can Shrek provide such conditions?"
On the other end of the communicator, Gu La sat on the sofa in the forging room, surrounded by his four clones. Today was their attempt to craft battle armor.
What could Yun Ming say? He could only agree.
Among Gu La's five clones, Yun Ming preferred to keep Mu Yi, who possessed a Body Martial Soul and the ultimate Wood attribute. Ironically, this was the one student Shrek Academy couldn't teach.
As for Yin Wansheng, whose presence exuded eerie ghostly energy, Yun Ming didn't even bring him up. Instead, he said, "According to your reasoning, only Bai Yuan is suitable to stay."
After a moment of hesitation, Yun Ming decided it wasn't a big deal. Shrek Academy had the authority to back Bai Yuan. So what if his martial soul was related to the abyss? Shrek would protect him!
---
Three days later, inside Shrek Academy's inner court.
Bai Yuan stood outside Sea God Pavilion, his black robes fluttering in the wind, his jet-black hair tied up. Without releasing his martial soul, his entire demeanor gave off the impression of an unapproachable athletic student.
Yun Ming stood on the steps, calmly observing him. Bai Yuan, no longer rebellious, bowed slightly and greeted, "Pavilion Master."
"No need for formalities," Yun Ming said indifferently. "From today onward, you are a disciple of Shrek's inner court, enjoying core disciple treatment."
Bai Yuan nodded, his expression respectful yet neither humble nor arrogant. Inwardly, he thought, 'Before joining the Blood God Legion, I might as well satisfy my hunger at Shrek Academy.'
Yun Ming looked at him and suddenly asked, "Did Gu La send you to Shrek for anything other than cultivation?"
Bai Yuan smiled faintly, revealing rows of sharp, shark-like teeth. "The Pavilion Master worries too much. I'm simply here to learn."
Yun Ming neither confirmed nor denied this, merely gazing deeply at him before turning around. "Follow me. I'll introduce you to a few elders."
---
Bai Yuan's official induction into Shrek Academy caused a minor stir within the academy, but it was quickly suppressed under Yun Ming's control.
The identities of Gu La's various incarnations became secrets known only to a select few, thanks to Yun Ming's intervention.
Several months passed in the blink of an eye.
Inside the forging room, the air was thick with the scent of heated metal.
Yue Zhengyu held a piece of golden alloy in his hands, his eyes gleaming with excitement. The surface of the metal flowed with intricate patterns, rising and falling slightly as if alive, radiating a strong aura of soul power.
"Ninety-four percent fusion…" he murmured softly, his fingertips gently tracing the surface of the metal, feeling the vitality contained within.
Such forging skill was exceedingly rare, even within the Holy Angel family.
He looked up at Gu La, who stood in front of the forge, focused and precise with every strike of the hammer. Under the guidance of soul power, the metal continuously transformed, eventually taking on a flawless form.
"Your forging technique has improved again," Yue Zhengyu praised. "At this rate, it won't be long before you reach the level of a Saint Craftsman."
Gu La didn't respond, focusing on completing the final quenching step. After the metal cooled, he finally raised his head and said indifferently, "Tang Wulin should also be close to finishing the last few pieces of metal you need."
After the previous conflict, Yue Zhengyu had behaved himself for a few days, but the pride of the Holy Angel family drove him to persevere despite difficulties.
Ultimately, under Gu La's deliberate arrangement, he was drawn in by Gu La's extraordinary forging skills.
His grandfather, the commander of the southern federal legion, had no shortage of rare metal resources, allowing Gu La to acquire a large amount of rare metals that were hard to come by.
Yue Zhengyu revealed a satisfied smile. "With the two of you helping, my battle armor progress is much faster than expected."
He paused, a glimmer of anticipation flashing in his eyes. "However, metal alone isn't enough. Crafting battle armor also requires high-level mech designers and manufacturers..."
Gu La glanced at him, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "What, you can't handle it?"
Yue Zhengyu didn't hide his predicament, nodding frankly. "I know you're acquainted with many sub-profession experts. If you could ask them for help, my two-word battle armor might be completed before the third year."
As the heir of the Holy Angel family, Yue Zhengyu never lacked resources. However, his family's requirement for him to train at Shrek Academy demanded that he complete the crafting of his battle armor using his own abilities. And Gu La happened to be the most suitable assistance he could find at the moment.
"Their fees aren't cheap," Gu La said with a sly smile.
Yue Zhengyu chuckled softly, flipping his fingers to reveal a soul-conductor card embedded with gold edges in his palm. "Money isn't a problem. If necessary, we can settle in rare metals."
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