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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The supervising teacher generally wouldn't interfere with students' exams, but Shen Yi couldn't help but try to stop Gu La when she saw him leading his team to attack a Tang Sect branch. "Wouldn't it be better to pick another target? It's not like the Tang Sect is the only place with soul masters."
"Oh, come on," Gu La waved his hand dismissively. "It's too much trouble. Besides, the Tang Sect has so many soul masters—let's just go test their branch's vigilance. No harm done."
With that, Gu La took the lead and headed straight to the ticket counter to purchase tickets for the next city.
'You all might be fine, but the academy will bear the pressure,' Shen Yi internally groaned.
But after fulfilling her duty as the supervising teacher by offering her advice, she decided not to press further and let Gu La make the decision.
This train journey went smoothly—no attacks from evil soul masters, and even conflicts among passengers were rare.
When the train arrived at the station, the fading sunlight bathed the square in golden hues. Six figures emerged from the exit one after another. Gu La led the way, his signature emerald-gold hair particularly striking under the evening glow. The expressions of the team members behind him varied.
"There it is." Gu La pointed to a uniquely shaped building not far away. The words 'Xuan City Tang Sect' written in bold, artistic strokes atop the building gleamed brightly under the setting sun.
As they approached the target, Wu Sido noticeably slowed her steps. She tugged at Xu Xiaoyan's sleeve: "That's the Tang Sect we're talking about—the number one sect in the world. Are we really going to…?"
Xu Xiaoyan swallowed nervously; as a Tang Sect disciple, her palms were already damp with sweat.
The security guards stationed in front of the building had piercing gazes. Even a brief eye contact from afar made her feel uneasy.
"How about… we wear masks?" Wu Sido whispered, her usual composure gone, as her fingers nervously twisted together.
"Yes, yes!" Xu Xiaoyan quickly agreed, her voice trembling slightly from tension.
Hearing this exchange, Shen Yi, who was walking behind them, sighed involuntarily. She quickened her pace to catch up with Gu La: "Can you reconsider? The Tang Sect has a special relationship with the academy—it wouldn't look good if we cause trouble here."
Gu La simply waved it off nonchalantly: "Teacher Shen, you're being too cautious. The exam rules never said we can't challenge the Tang Sect. Besides, we're helping them test their security level—they should thank us!"
He turned to face his teammates, his eyes glinting with excitement. "Everyone, stay sharp! Don't forget—we're the elite of Shrek Academy! Never forget the glory of Shrek!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yi found it oddly unsettling, her expression growing increasingly strained.
She opened her mouth to say something more, but seeing Gu La stride confidently toward the Tang Sect building, she could only reluctantly follow.
'Please don't let this turn into too big of a mess…' In her heart, she silently prayed.
The security guards at the entrance of the Tang Sect had long noticed this group of extraordinary young people. When Gu La and his team approached directly, the guard immediately stepped forward, subtly placing his hand on the soul-guided device at his waist.
"This is private property. Do not approach," the guard's voice was cold and firm.
Gu La straightened his back, mimicking Ye Xinglan's usual haughty demeanor, tilting his chin slightly upward:
"We are the representative team from Shrek Academy, here to challenge your sect's disciples. Please inform your elites to come out and accept our challenge."
The guard clearly hesitated, unsure if he'd heard correctly: "What did you say?"
"Challenge!" Gu La repeated, enunciating each word loudly enough to make his teammates instinctively shrink back. "Shrek students challenging the Tang Sect's elites—did you not hear clearly?"
The guard's expression shifted repeatedly before finally leaving with a curt "Wait here," and hurriedly running into the building.
Soon, the entire building echoed with his panicked shouts: "Master Li! Trouble! Shrek's people are here to kick our doors down!"
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Inside the office on the top floor of the building, Li Han was reviewing documents when he heard the commotion. He set down his pen, frowning deeply: "What's going on?"
After the guard breathlessly explained the situation, Li Han's expression grew unusually grave. He rose and walked to the window, where he could see the six young people standing below through the glass.
Among them, the blond youth looked up unflinchingly, locking eyes with him, his gaze filled with eager anticipation for battle.
"You stay here and keep them calm," Li Han instructed sternly. Once the guard left, he immediately dialed the direct line to the Tang Sect headquarters.
Meanwhile, chaos had erupted at the Tang Sect headquarters. In the communications room, staff scrambled to connect with Shrek Academy's direct line. Deputy Sect Leader Zang Xin directly contacted Sea God Pavilion, and Yun Ming on the other end was equally baffled.
"What? Some students are challenging a Tang Sect branch?"
Yun Ming set down his teacup, spilling a few drops onto the table. "Hold on—I'll look into it."
Yun Ming couldn't help but chuckle, already sensing that this incident likely involved Gu La once again.
Using telepathic communication, he summoned an idle member of Sea God Pavilion and relayed the situation, asking: "Director Cai, please investigate this immediately!"
Cai Yue'er was deeply troubled. After urgently contacting the supervising teachers, she confirmed that Gu La's team was indeed the one challenging the Tang Sect, which only added to her headache.
She pressed her hand to her forehead and sighed deeply: "That little troublemaker again…"
"Shen Yi, why didn't you stop him…? Never mind, I doubt even you can control him. Just tell Gu La not to go overboard…"
When Shen Yi received the communication, her expression grew even more strained: "Director Cai, I—I did my best."
After hanging up, Cai Yue'er helplessly glanced at the elders gathered in the pavilion: "Gu La is a core disciple of the Spirit Pagoda, and his status is unique. Moreover, according to the exam rules, they do have the right to choose their challenge target."
"Should we stop him from challenging the Tang Sect in the next city?"
Yun Ming sighed deeply, looking around the room: "It's too late now—we can only wait and see how things unfold. However, perhaps we need to reconsider the exam format for next time."
Silence descended in the Sea God Pavilion. No one opposed the suggestion—after all, no one wanted to endure such an awkward situation again.
Meanwhile, as Cai Yue'er was still on the communicator with Shen Yi, Gu La had grown impatient waiting.
He shouted loudly at the Tang Sect building: "Is there no one in the Tang Sect brave enough to accept our challenge? Is this really the strength of the number one sect?"
Li Han had already obtained the profiles of Gu La's six-member team: two core disciples of the Spirit Pagoda, one outer disciple of the Tang Sect, a young girl from the Netherworld family, and two ordinary Shrek students.
He narrowed his eyes, sizing up the defiant Gu La, guessing that challenging the Tang Sect was likely his idea. With a cold snort, he ordered, "Send for Wang Sheng and his reserve team. Bring out the training mechas."
The training mechas used by the Tang Sect branch were yellow-tier, suitable for Soul Elders, equivalent to the level of Soul Kings to Soul Emperors. Official purple-tier mechas ranged from Soul Emperors to Soul Saints.
The difficulty of manufacturing mechas was incomparably lower than forging battle armor. Most soul masters aspired to become mecha pilots. Judging by the names of secondary professions, almost all were variations of "Mecha Pilot," highlighting the importance of mechas as the primary component of armed forces on the continent today.
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