Among the remaining Spirit Masters on the field, only Beibei and Xu Sanshi were still standing. Everyone else had been pulled out by Elder Xuan before sustaining serious injuries.
Both Beibei and Xu Sanshi looked miserable. They were covered in bruises and shallow wounds, victims of countless offensive soul skills. Beibei's injuries were mostly superficial — he simply looked battered. Xu Sanshi, on the other hand, wasn't so lucky. Having directly faced the Nether White Tiger's assault, even with his formidable defense as a Spirit Ancestor, he hovered at the edge of serious injury.
A healing-type Soul Emperor, acting on Elder Xuan's signal, quickly stepped forward to treat him. Xu Sanshi gritted his teeth as waves of healing light mended his wounds. Within minutes, his condition stabilized enough that rest and recovery would handle the rest.
Elder Xuan surveyed the group. Though he considered Huo Yuhao's team to have been freeloaders throughout the fight, he had no intention of going back on his word.
Taking another bite of his chicken leg and a long swig from his wine gourd, Elder Xuan finally spoke. "Aside from the seven who remain standing, everyone else is eliminated. You can all head back."
The rescued students exchanged silent glances. Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu, who had just regained consciousness with help from the instructors, looked particularly sour.
Dai Huabin's jaw tightened. This was supposed to have been his and Zhu Lu's chance to shine — to show everyone their true strength. And it was all ruined. Because of him. Because of that damn Huo Yuhao.
He glared daggers at Yuhao, but Elder Xuan continued calmly, sweeping his gaze across the group. "Some of you might feel this was unfair — that this free-for-all was nothing but chaos. You think those stronger than you bore greater pressure, and that's why you were eliminated early."
"But you're wrong. You're wrong because you think combat has to be fair. The only truth in battle is victory."
"Battle is battle. On a real battlefield, you don't get to choose how many enemies appear or what situations you face. All you can decide is how to act — how to use what you have, how to survive, how to win. That's what defines a true Spirit Master."
"Regardless of rank or strength, the seven who stood till the end — Beibei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, Wang Dong, Ning Tian, Xiao Xiao, and Huo Yuhao — are the rightful victors."
"Your decisions, your adaptability, your fighting sense — I saw all of it. Remember this lesson well. If you still think fairness matters more than victory, then your mindset is not suited for the inner court. You are not qualified to become its disciples."
His calm words carried an invisible pressure. Elder Xuan's spiritual power, though not his martial focus, was overwhelming enough to subtly influence the crowd. His voice reached deep into their minds, quieting them, molding their emotions.
For ordinary students, his influence worked like a tide, washing away frustration and planting quiet acceptance. But inside Yuhao's spiritual sea, where two great beings resided, that influence couldn't reach.
Elder Xuan's tone softened. "This kind of chaotic trial is common in the inner court. If you can't handle this, you're not ready."
Then, as if on cue, he drifted into one of his "heroic recollections."
"Do you know what kind of crisis the inner court once faced?"
"There was a time when twelve inner court students, separated from their instructors, faced a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast. After the battle, only four survived."
"Their courage, their will — that's what defines Shrek. One of them even obtained that beast's soul ring and bone, laying the foundation for future greatness."
Yuhao listened, suppressing a sigh. Honestly, he couldn't figure it out. With someone as capable as Zhang Lexuan leading them, such a disaster should've been impossible. How did half a dozen elite disciples die in a single hunt? It defied logic.
Still, under Elder Xuan's spiritual influence, the other students' expressions turned solemn and mournful. Yuhao quickly bowed his head, pretending to be deeply moved.
Elder Xuan continued, his voice tinged with emotion. "Don't think studying here guarantees safety. Even in Shrek Academy, you must always be prepared to face death."
"Becoming an inner court disciple isn't just an honor — it's the beginning of your true journey. Once you enter, you'll bear the mark of Shrek. The first thing every inner court student does is sign a life-and-death contract."
"To pursue the peak, one must transcend fear of death. Only those who risk their lives can achieve the impossible."
It was a well-practiced speech — half sermon, half manipulation. To the inexperienced, it sounded noble. But Yuhao saw the deeper truth through the Eye of Truth: this was psychological conditioning, planting the idea that sacrifice for Shrek was glorious.
He could already see how it would take root — in impressionable teenagers, it would grow into blind devotion. Even if they never joined the inner court, they'd spend their lives fighting for Shrek's so-called "honor."
As Elder Xuan concluded, he wiped at his eyes, genuinely touched by his own words.
Through the Eye of Truth, Yuhao observed that Elder Xuan's sincerity wasn't feigned. He truly believed every word. That was the most terrifying part.
How frightening, Yuhao thought silently.
Eventually, everyone dispersed under the lingering weight of melancholy. Only seven remained in the arena — Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan — along with Elder Xuan.
Elder Xuan's demeanor returned to normal as he addressed them. "You all know the title of the Shrek Seven Devils, don't you?"
"In front of the Academy's gates stand statues of its founders — the first generation of the Seven Devils."
The seven listened quietly. They all knew the story, but no one interrupted. Elder Xuan launched into a long, embellished retelling of Shrek's history — a tale polished over generations until it barely resembled the truth.
Finally, he reached the point. "Every five years, the Academy selects a new generation of the Shrek Seven Devils. They will represent the Academy in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament."
At those words, excitement flickered in everyone's eyes except Yuhao's. He was lost in thought. Should he save a few inner court students from the Reaper's mission later on?
Winning the tournament would demand enormous effort and many of his trump cards. Losing, on the other hand, could cost him access to Shrek's resources — and even destabilize the continent's balance.
Perhaps it would be wiser to alter things slightly, to preserve a few inner court members who were fated to fall. It might make his long-term plans easier.
Elder Xuan's voice brought him back. "Today's selection was to determine the reserve team for the next Shrek Seven Devils. You'll serve as alternates — your chance to fight may be slim, but you'll accompany the team to observe."
Slim? More like ninety percent certain, Yuhao thought dryly.
"This experience will be invaluable. But the reserve roster isn't fixed. Over the next five years, you'll be re-evaluated constantly. Only the strong will remain. To truly represent the Academy, you must first enter the inner court."
And once inside, you'll be used up like the rest, Yuhao mused silently.
Elder Xuan concluded, "This reserve team's existence is confidential. Tell no one, or you'll lose your qualification."
"From now on, you'll train under me one day a week until the tournament begins next month. I'll be instructing both you and the current Seven Devils. Make good use of this chance."
"Alright, that's all. Dismissed."
His gaze lingered briefly on Yuhao. Though Elder Mu had asked him to pay special attention to the boy, Elder Xuan couldn't bring himself to like his unorthodox, manipulative fighting style. The Body Sect — the strongest among those with Body Martial Souls — had always been Shrek's rival. To him, Yuhao's methods didn't sit right.
"Yes, Elder Xuan," they all answered respectfully before leaving.
Outside the arena, Beibei smiled faintly. "Since we're the newly chosen reserve team for the next generation of the Shrek Seven Devils, we should have an order, don't you think? Like the first generation — ranked by age?"
The others agreed. Yuhao didn't care. It was just a title; the sooner it was done, the sooner he could get back to researching his soul skills.
Beibei was the eldest, followed by Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, then Ning Tian, who was slightly older than Xiao Xiao, Yuhao, and Wang Dong.
"Alright, senior brother, if that's all, I'll be going," Yuhao said.
Beibei nodded, while Xu Sanshi, his eyes blackened into twin panda circles, kept winking at Beibei toward Jiang Nannan.
Yuhao ignored the antics and headed off quickly. Xiao Xiao lingered, intrigued by the Tang Sect, while Ning Tian and Wang Dong caught up to Yuhao outside.
"Thank you for your help in the selection," Ning Tian said softly.
"Business is business," Yuhao replied coolly. "If you're that grateful, perhaps you could invest a little more next time?"
"You must've known about this selection from the start, right? You approached me during the treasure auction for this very reason."
Ning Tian smiled faintly, neither denying nor confirming. She handed him a black card. "This is a Nine Treasure Glazed Sect black card. It works at all major banks across the continent. There are thirteen thousand gold soul coins on it — all I can spare for now. I'll rely on you for the next five years, Sixth Brother."
She winked playfully before parting ways.
"Ugh, filthy rich woman," Wang Dong muttered. She had stayed quiet through their exchange but now pouted. "It's just a black card. I have one too!"
Yuhao pocketed the card. Between this and his previous savings, he now had nearly twenty-five thousand gold soul coins — more than enough for the upcoming Soul-Devouring Knife auction.
The rest could fund soul tools, battle gear, or medicinal materials for body refinement — all useful investments.
"Alright, enough about that. I'm in a good mood today — dinner's on me," Yuhao said.
Wang Dong immediately brightened and grabbed his arm. "Let's go! I'm starving!"
(End of Chapter)