I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the 40 latest and advanced chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Link: Patreon.com/AVRKingsTL
—------------------—
Shrek Academy.
The Soul Master Competition was imminent, a time that should have been joyous, but Shrek was far from happy at this moment.
The original Shrek Team could now be described as completely fractured.
Not only did the departure of Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing cause the Shrek Team to lose two main Spirit Ancestors, but their sudden departure also severely dampened the team's morale.
"Dean, do we really still need to participate in this year's competition?"
With only a few days left until the competition's opening, Shrek was undergoing its final intensive training, primarily with Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang explaining the competition's rules and Precautions.
After Yu Xiaogang finished explaining, Oscar, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.
Hearing this, the atmosphere immediately became somber.
"That, I don't mean anything else, it's just... with our current state, it doesn't seem very likely we'll achieve good results, does it?" Oscar said with a bitter smile.
Originally, the Shrek Team had three Spirit Ancestors: Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing. But with the departure of the latter two, Shrek now only had Dai Mubai as a Spirit Ancestor.
Although the Shrek Team's strength was still decent, the sudden departure of team members so close to the competition was a huge blow to their morale.
Not to mention, they all knew why those two left.
Everyone had somewhat prepared for Ning Rongrong's departure, as her relationship with Grandmaster had always been very tense, and her relationship with team leader Dai Mubai was equally terrible. During team Spirit combat training, Ning Rongrong was even unwilling to provide buffs to Dai Mubai.
But Zhu Zhuqing, to put it bluntly, was forced to leave!
If Grandmaster hadn't been constantly trying to help Dai Mubai win Zhu Zhuqing back, they could all see that Zhu Zhuqing originally had no intention of leaving. Her usual training was very cooperative with everyone, even if she only resisted Dai Mubai on matters concerning the Hell White Tiger.
Now, the Shrek Team's morale had dropped. Although it was outwardly due to the departure of Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, the root cause was Grandmaster!
"Oscar, the Soul Master Competition is not just about honor for you, but more about training," Flender said.
"Of course, if you don't want to participate, I won't force you."
"Dean, it's not that I don't want to participate, I just think that since we are participating, we should definitely aim for a good result, otherwise, it would be a disgrace to Shrek," Oscar said.
Liu Erlong sighed, a hint of weariness on her face, "Old Flender, Oscar also has a point. These children are still young, and even waiting for the next Soul Master Competition would be more than enough time. By then, with their talent, they could achieve even better results."
"No, by participating in this session, we can still achieve good results," Yu Xiaogang looked towards the forest.
"Tianheng, come here."
As Yu Xiaogang's words fell, a figure slowly walked out from the forest, it was Yu Tianheng.
His face carried a complex expression, and obvious weariness, clearly indicating he hadn't slept well these past few days.
"I know you left the Royal Fighting Team due to some matters, but Shrek's door is always open for you," Yu Xiaogang said.
Yu Tianheng was silent for a moment, then nodded firmly, "Grandmaster, I am willing to join the Shrek Team and fight for the competition."
"Good, with Yu Tianheng's addition, our strength has improved by another level," Flender clapped his hands and laughed, the gloom on his face completely dispelled.
"Next, what we need to do is adjust our tactics, re-integrate, and face the competition in our best state."
Although Oscar and the others were still somewhat stunned, Yu Tianheng's addition undoubtedly injected a strong boost of confidence into the Shrek Team.
Although they had lost Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, two Spirit Ancestors, Yu Tianheng's strength was also not to be underestimated. His addition, at least in terms of spirit power level, ensured that the Shrek Team would not fall too far behind... The intensive training meeting did not last too long, and everyone dispersed. Yu Xiaogang kept Yu Tianheng, Tang San, and Xiao Wu.
Yu Xiaogang looked at the three in front of him, his expression serious, and slowly began, "Half a year ago, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing's spirit power suddenly increased dramatically. Thinking about it now, this is truly too strange."
"That Xuan Ming acts strangely. I suspect they used the same evil technique as Xuan Ming to achieve such a huge improvement in a short period."
Tang San frowned slightly, though he had some doubts about his teacher's words, he did not immediately refute.
Xiao Wu, however, widened her eyes and said indignantly, "Grandmaster, how can you say that! Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing's improvements were all legitimate, and Xuan Ming also cultivated by himself! How could it be an evil technique!"
Yu Xiaogang's expression remained unchanged, "Then why did they suddenly make such great progress? This simply doesn't conform to common sense."
"Xiao Wu, you've always been close to them, haven't you ever suspected anything?"
Yu Tianheng suddenly interjected, "Grandmaster, actually Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling also experienced a sudden increase in spirit power before. At the time, I also found it strange, but I didn't think of it as an evil technique."
"Moreover, Dugu Yan's Spirit also suddenly evolved into the Jade Phosphor Serpent at that time."
"Spirit Masters cultivate step by step. If it weren't for an evil technique, how could they suddenly improve so much?" Yu Xiaogang said.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu became even more indignant, "Grandmaster, you're biased! Everyone's spirit power increase has a reason, it's not an evil technique at all."
Saying this, Xiao Wu took out a vibrant flower from her embrace, which was the Yearning Heartbroken Red Xuan Ming had given her.
"This is the source of everyone's spirit power improvement!" Xiao Wu said proudly, "This is a treasure Xuan Ming gave us, each plant has miraculous effects. Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling all had their spirit power greatly increased because they consumed the Immortal Herb suitable for them."
The moment Tang San saw the Yearning Heartbroken Red, his eyes instantly lit up, "This is... the Yearning Heartbroken Red! The legendary King of Immortal Herbs, I didn't expect it to actually exist."
"Immortal Herb?" Yu Xiaogang was stunned, "What is that?"
He was merely suspicious; after all, this matter involved Ning Rongrong, so he thought of probing Xiao Wu, mainly hoping to use this matter to unite Tang San and Yu Tianheng. Their alliance would also signify the future alliance of the Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
"Teacher, all medicine has three parts poison, but Immortal Herbs are extremely special. This thing not only brings huge improvements but also has no harmful effects whatsoever," Tang San slowly explained the relevant information about Immortal Herbs to Yu Xiaogang and introduced the Yearning Heartbroken Red in Xiao Wu's hand.
After listening to Tang San's explanation, Yu Xiaogang's face was extremely shocked, "There is such a miraculous treasure in the world? Could it be that Xuan Ming has such terrifying cultivation speed because of these Immortal Herbs?"
"It's highly likely, however, Immortal Herbs are rare and hard to come by..." Saying this, Tang San's face showed unconcealed regret and a hint of longing.
But thinking that the Yearning Heartbroken Red belonged to Xiao Wu, that hint of longing gradually faded.
"Now you know, right? Don't just jump to 'evil technique' at every turn," Xiao Wu looked at Yu Xiaogang with a displeased expression.
Yu Xiaogang's expression was a little unnatural, "Xiao Wu, what are you talking about? I'm just worried that you might be exploited by Xuan Ming. After all, he acts strangely, and we have to be cautious. Since this Immortal Herb is so miraculous, can I study it? Perhaps it can bring even greater help to everyone's cultivation."
Xiao Wu frowned, subconsciously activated Teleportation to create distance, and put away the Yearning Heartbroken Red, "What do you want to do? Try to snatch it?"
"Teacher, this Immortal Herb belongs to Xiao Wu," Tang San's tone was slightly solemn. Although he didn't say much, he made his meaning clear.
A precious treasure like the Yearning Heartbroken Red is no less valuable than a legendary hundred-thousand-year Spirit Bone. It's understandable to be tempted upon seeing such a treasure. If someone else possessed it, he might inevitably harbor thoughts of taking it, but the Yearning Heartbroken Red belonged to Xiao Wu, and he would not snatch it, nor would he allow others to snatch it.
"Little San, don't be nervous, I'm just curious," Yu Xiaogang said.
"You also said that the Yearning Heartbroken Red requires a fated person to pluck it. I see that the Yearning Heartbroken Red is still on that Wujue Stone, I just wanted to look at it."
"Could it be that you are the fated one?" Xiao Wu looked at Yu Xiaogang with disdain.
Seeing Xiao Wu's wary look, Yu Xiaogang sighed, "Alright, since that's the case, I won't insist. However, even if Ning Rongrong and the others achieved rapid improvement through such a rare item, Xuan Ming definitely has more to him than that."
"Are you done yet?" Xiao Wu was somewhat annoyed.
"Xiao Wu!" Yu Xiaogang's tone was slightly stern.
"I'm not making baseless guesses; I received some information, information from the Great Spirit Arena, that Xuan Ming indeed used some dangerous methods to cultivate."
"Xuan Ming... you're simply unreasonable!" Xiao Wu's face turned red with anger, she gave up arguing with Yu Xiaogang and turned to leave.
"Xiao Wu!" Tang San quickly got up to chase after her.
"Little San, Xuan Ming didn't use any evil techniques. Your teacher is truly obsessed!" Xiao Wu said indignantly.
"Xiao Wu, don't get agitated, Teacher he..." Tang San hesitated.
"What Teacher said isn't entirely without reason. You also saw, Xuan Ming..."
"Little San!" Xiao Wu glared at Tang San, her eyes red-rimmed.
"You don't believe me either?"
Tang San's heart twinged, "Xiao Wu, it's not that I don't believe you, I'm just worried that you might also be deceived by Xuan Ming, he..."
"Enough!" Xiao Wu interrupted Tang San angrily.
"If you don't believe me, then fine! If you don't even believe me, then go believe your teacher!"
With that, Xiao Wu directly activated her Spirit and ran off.
Tang San watched Xiao Wu's rapidly receding back, instinctively wanting to chase after her, but Yu Xiaogang, who was behind him, called out to him.
"Little San, let her calm down," Yu Xiaogang said.
"But..." Tang San hesitated.
"If you chase after her now, what can you even say?" Yu Xiaogang said.
"She has been deluded by Xuan Ming and won't believe you. If you go now, you'll only end up arguing with her."