They were the main Shrek team members two years later....those who would charge blindly into unknown enemy territory, suffer heavy casualties, and ultimately become stepping stones for the protagonist's brilliance, giving rise to the first Soul King.
That was precisely why Su Wen had been obsessed with Ice Explosion Technique.
There was no other reason—it was simply too useful.
Perfect for defeating stronger enemies when outmatched.
During that incident, a single Soul King toyed with Xuanzi, devastated the elite team, and wiped out an entire cave through corpse explosions. Ice Explosion had played a decisive role.
The question was whether Ice Sovereign could awaken such a divine skill after evolution.
"So.....what do you want?"
Ma Xiaotao pouted, clinging to Su Wen's arm like a giant plush toy.
"Dean Yan said that although the tournament is still two years away, as last session's reserve main force, we should start early coordination training.
Especially since you and I are the captain and vice-captain."
Dai Yuheng spoke calmly, eyes straight ahead.
"What's there to coordinate?"
Ma Xiaotao raised an eyebrow impatiently.
"The Sun Moon Empire's team is a bunch of trash. I alone can crush them.
Su Wen fell silent.
Honestly, if the Shrek main team had remained fully intact like in the original timeline, they really wouldn't have struggled much against the Sun Moon Empire.
It would've been a straight bulldoze, preserving ten thousand years of glory.
The protagonist's halo was simply too terrifying.
To elevate the main character, everyone else had to lose intelligence and die off...only then could the protagonist shine.
Otherwise, where would Huo Yuhao even get a chance to show off?
"Dean Yan's words."
Gongyang Mo coughed lightly.
Everyone immediately lowered their gazes, pretending to admire the air.
"…Fine."
Ma Xiaotao stood up helplessly.
Once the teacher spoke, she could complain.....but she still had to go.
Just as she reached the door with her long legs, she noticed no one followed.
She paused, confused.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go."
"Ah—Dean Yan said to bring Xiao Wen along too."
Dai Yuheng said awkwardly.
"Why bring him?"
Ma Xiaotao frowned.
"He's not one of the Shrek Seven Monsters. Even if he were, that'd be next session."
"Inner Court graduation assessments just ended," Dai Yuheng shrugged.
"Several seniors left. We're short on manpower. Dean Yan only managed to scrape together six opponents—still missing one."
To be honest, even Dai Yuheng himself had been baffled.
Putting a boy who hadn't even gone to the Star Dou Forest yet to obtain his third soul ring into a sparring match with Shrek's main team… wouldn't that be dangerous?
He knew Su Wen was monstrously talented.
Ten years old and already at Soul Elder...historically shocking.
But talent aside....
In a team where the average level difference was over twenty levels, wouldn't someone have to babysit him?
Dai Yuheng was already Level 57.
He genuinely didn't think Su Wen could withstand even a single strike from him.
But since Dean Yan had spoken, he could only comply.
"Sure."
Before Ma Xiaotao could respond, Su Wen stood up, eyes gleaming with interest.
Inside the Sea God Pavilion, aside from the Elders and the Deans, Ma Xiaotao was the only one remotely close to his strength....and they rarely sparred.
Just helping her suppress Evil Fire was already exhausting.
That meant his real combat experience was extremely limited.
He hadn't enrolled formally, nor did he bother sparring with Outer Court students of similar levels.
Now that a perfect testing opportunity presented itself, how could he let it go?
...
On the way to the dueling arena, Dai Yuheng chatted casually with Su Wen.
Su Wen bore no hostility toward him.
The filthy affairs of the White Tiger Duke's household had nothing to do with Dai Yuheng.
Su Wen wasn't role-playing Huo Yuhao, nor was he bound by the Tang God King's script.
He pitied that unfortunate child—but only that.
Huo Yuhao himself wasn't exactly admirable either. Given endless fate-granted opportunities, he still ended up leashed by the Tang God King, his mother's revenge brushed aside.
As for Dai Mubai's behavior in the original story.....it was infuriating enough to make one want to slap him through the pages.
Getting angry at Dai Yuheng over that?
Only idiots would.
Of course, seeing Dai Yuheng reminded Su Wen of another legend....
Dai Huabin, the eternal "King of Losing."
Lost again and again, eventually resorted to assassination attempts out of spite, angered Shrek Academy, nearly expelled, and lost everything.
Thinking about becoming classmates later was… amusing.
But that was a year away.
"We're here."
They arrived at the dueling arena.
The Inner and Outer Courts each had their own arenas, similar to stadiums.
The Inner Court's was much smaller.....after all, the entire Inner Court barely had fifty people. Sometimes there were more referees than spectators.
"All here?"
Yan Shaozhe smiled warmly at the group.
"Good. Since everyone's present, you all know why we're here. Let's start with introductions. Xiao Tao.....go first."
"Ma Xiaotao. Level fifty-nine Battle Soul King. Martial Soul....Fire Phoenix."
She nodded calmly.
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