"It's nothing much," Wang Yan said with a gentle smile, adjusting his glasses.
Though his passion lay in martial soul research, years of teaching had honed his instincts—he could clearly see Chen Junting was the leader of this group.
And given his curiosity about the Seven Kill Sword, he wasn't in a rush to reveal his true purpose. Instead, he said warmly, "Student Chen, I'm Wang Yan—a teacher devoted to martial soul studies. I never imagined the Seven Kill Sword that vanished for ten thousand years would reappear. Might I witness the might of the 'Number One Offensive Weapon Soul' from ancient times?"
His eyes burned with scholarly fervor.
Chen Junting noticed—and arched a brow.
He'd clearly sensed Wang Yan's initial focus had been on Huo Yuhao.
Now, the scholar had turned his gaze on him too. Truly a martial soul researcher through and through.
"No need to rush, Teacher Wang," Chen Junting replied neutrally—neither refusing nor agreeing. "You'll see the Seven Kill Sword's prowess soon enough… during the elimination rounds."
"Then I'll be watching closely," Wang Yan chuckled, catching Chen Junting's subtle message. He wasn't discouraged—he had been overly eager. Besides, with Chen Junting's talent, he'd likely enter the Inner Academy. Plenty of opportunities remained.
Shifting topics, he turned to Huo Yuhao, who'd been watching quietly. His expression softened from fiery intensity to genuine curiosity. "Student Huo Yuhao, I've watched all your matches, yet I've never seen your martial soul or soul skills. Could you enlighten me?"
Huo Yuhao blinked in surprise—and instinctively glanced at Chen Junting.
Wang Yan saw it. Knowing Chen Junting's background, he instantly understood.
"Student Chen… is Huo Yuhao also…"
"Teacher Wang," Chen Junting cut in smoothly, "Huo Yuhao is indeed a disciple of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. His martial soul is the Body Martial Soul: Spirit Eyes. So you can stop hoping to recruit him."
Wang Yan's eyes nearly popped at "Body Martial Soul!"—but deflated upon hearing Huo Yuhao was already sect-bound.
He sighed, half-admiring, half-regretful. "I never thought a non-Body Sect Body Martial Soul would fall into your lap like this."
"Teacher Wang flatters us," Chen Junting waved dismissively. "Yuhao's first soul ring is merely ten-year."
"What a pity," Wang Yan murmured, eyes distant—already lost in thought.
After bidding the group farewell, he hurried off.
Watching him leave, Wang Dong scratched his head. "Is a rare martial soul really that big a deal? That teacher looked like he wanted to eat Yuhao!"
"He practically did," Dugu Xin muttered, having pieced it together. He glanced at Chen Junting's unreadable face. "I think Teacher Wang wanted Yuhao to truly join Shrek Academy. But since he's already Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect…"
He trailed off—but Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong understood.
Huo Yuhao turned to Chen Junting, worry in his eyes—but Chen Junting silenced him with a gesture.
"Don't talk nonsense," Chen Junting chided Dugu Xin with a smile. "Even if Yuhao has a rare Body Martial Soul, his required soul rings are too scarce—and with a ten-year first ring? Which Shrek elder would value him? He's not a twin martial soul user."
"But you still took him in," Wang Dong grumbled—only for Huo Yuhao to yank his sleeve. Secretly, Huo Yuhao felt a pang of guilt—Tianmeng had hinted he'd gain a second martial soul soon…
Chen Junting shook his head, mind racing.
Right now, only Wang Yan and the Soul Engineering Department see Yuhao's worth—no real threat.
But once he gains the Ice Empress Scorpion…
That'll change.
Preparation was key.
Yet Chen Junting wasn't truly worried. After all, sects and academies operated on mutual interest—like Xu Sanshi's arrangement with Ma Xiaotao. His "service" wasn't voluntary; it was a bargain between Shrek and the Mystic Turtle (Xuanwu) Sect.
Next semester, when Huo Yuhao awakened his Ultimate Ice attribute, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect must hold the negotiation advantage.
And Huo Yuhao's current "undervaluation"?
Perfect.
Wang Yan was merely the pebble to stir that narrative.
"Let's go," Chen Junting said, his smile warm. "Don't keep Xiao Tian and Wu Feng waiting."
…
By the Sea God Lake, Sea God Island
"Elder Xuan, that's all," Wang Yan said respectfully, holding out a stack of documents as the elder devoured chicken and wine.
"So that kid's eyeing the Lan sisters," Elder Xuan mused, tossing a chicken bone aside. A flicker of calculation lit his cloudy eyes. "Typical Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—always poaching Shrek's best seedlings." His tone carried mock annoyance, yet it was laced with weary familiarity. "Hair-based martial souls are just peripheral Body Martial Souls… even with a fusion skill…" He shook his head. "Mediocre potential. Not worth fussing over."
"Elder Xuan—what about the spiritual eyes?!" Wang Yan pressed.
Elder Xuan chuckled. "Ah, eyes are among the most vital Body Martial Souls—especially spiritual-type, implying brain linkage." He wiped his greasy hands. "Where'd you find him?"
"He's on Dugu Xin's team."
"Dugu Xin?" Elder Xuan's brow furrowed. "Didn't I tell you to advise him to withdraw?" His eyes glowed faintly red, piercing Wang Yan's hidden sympathy. "I've said it countless times: the Jade Phosphorous Serpent's curse has plagued ten thousand years. It's not that we won't help—it's that we can't. Like Xiaotao, he needs either peerless heavenly treasures or a rare soul master to cure him. Otherwise? Hopeless."
Wang Yan flushed, then quickly pivoted, handing over a sheet. "Elder Xuan, this is Huo Yuhao's file." He added carefully, "But he's already joined the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—and is close to their future Guardian Douluo and Sect Heir."
Elder Xuan's hand paused mid-air—then took the file, intrigued. But after a glance, he snorted. "Fifteen levels at eleven? With a ten-year first ring? Hmph. Amusing."
"Why would they favor such low potential?"
Puzzled, Elder Xuan made a decision.
"Tell Xiao Du to reserve me a seat. I'll see for myself—and judge the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's next generation firsthand."
"Yes, Elder."
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