Chapter 104: Isn't It Just Beating Shrek? Then Let's Do It!
"I still want to win while lying down!"
Xie Xie looked at the information sheet that Teacher Wu handed out—detailing Shrek Academy's seven-on-seven lineup—and immediately lost the will to fight.
Xu Xiaoyan snapped impatiently, "Then just surrender already, useless trash!"
"Hey, Xu Xiaoyan! Why are you always picking on me?"
Xie Xie's temper flared instantly.
"How about we fight it out, see who's the real top player, huh?"
Xu Xiaoyan's expression changed. She quickly hid behind Gu Yue and stuck out her tongue. "Xie Xie! You actually want to hit a girl? You're awful!"
"I curse you to stay single for life!"
"Hmph! Then I'll just cling to you forever so you'll be alone with me for life!"
"Xie Xie!"
"Xu Xiaoyan!"
Ignoring the two clowns, Tang Wulin focused on the document in his hands, trying to figure out how they could possibly win.
After a long while of studying, his conclusion was grim—it would be extremely difficult.
Wu Duosi—five-ring Soul King, ranked tenth on the Youth Prodigy Rankings; possessed twin martial souls, the Nether Cat and Evil-Eyed White Tiger. Capable of using a self martial soul fusion skill. Hailed as the most gifted genius born in Star Luo Federation in a century. She was also a third-level mecha designer who had just taken second place in the youth division of the Tianhai Mecha Design Competition.
Na'er—five-ring Soul King, ranked ninth, and the personal disciple of the continent's strongest being, the Sea God Pavilion Master.
Dai Lingyu—four-ring Soul Ancestor, ranked twelfth; twin martial souls: Nether Cat and Spiritual Eye; the princess of Star Luo Federation.
Ye Xinglan—three-ring Soul Elder, ranked thirteenth, with the martial soul Star God Sword, and was the personal disciple of Cai Yue'er, the Heavenmoon Douluo and Dean of Shrek Academy's Outer Court.
Xu Lizhi—three-ring Soul Elder, ranked twenty-ninth; martial soul: Steamed Bun. A prodigy among food-type soul masters!
Yuanen Yehui—three-ring Soul Elder, ranked sixteenth; martial soul: Titan Giant Ape—the genius of the Yuanen Clan.
(Note: After Sky Azure Dragon and Titan Giant Ape left the Clear Sky Sect and joined the Spirit Transmission Tower, the Federation began officially researching their bloodlines. The most successful case was the offspring of the Titan Giant Ape—the Yuanen Clan.)
(Titan Giant Ape's tragic backstory: His first crush married someone else; his second love thought he betrayed her and died. What a miserable life…)
(Thankfully, he left descendants. Due to his ties with Sea God Tang San, his clan later allied with Shrek Academy as an ancestral house.)
Luo Guixing—three-ring Soul Elder, ranked seventeenth, martial soul: Space Element.
Among these seven, the weakest was still a three-ring Soul Elder. And them?
The highest among Tang Wulin's team was Wang Jinxi at level 33. The rest were around levels 28 or 29. Tang Wulin himself was only level 24.
How could they fight that?
Wouldn't stepping into the arena just mean volunteering for a beating?
"Teacher Wu, why not let Jiang Chen's group join in? That way, we might actually have a chance at the championship!"
Xie Xie had clearly lost all hope.
Wu Zhangkong's icy gaze swept across the team. Apart from Gu Yue, the others looked completely deflated. The gap was too large—unbridgeable.
In one-on-one contests, maybe they could scuffle with some opponents, but in a seven-on-seven team match?
Impossible.
Wu Zhangkong was silent for a moment, then asked quietly, "Do you all really want to win the championship?"
"Obviously!" Xie Xie shouted. "Teacher Wu, unless you've got some secret trick to help us beat Shrek Academy, there's no way!"
He racked his brain trying to imagine any scenario where they could win, but the lineup was just absurd—it was built to take the title.
"I have a way," Wu Zhangkong said suddenly.
"You have a way?"
All of them lifted their heads at once, staring in disbelief.
Wait a second—wasn't Teacher Wu himself from Shrek Academy? Why did he sound like he wanted them to defeat Shrek?
"Teacher Wu, hurry up and tell us your secret! The finals are starting soon—we're about to face Shrek's team!"
Wu Zhangkong thought for a brief moment, then said, "The Spirit Transmission Tower has special pills."
"Ah!?"
Xie Xie yelped immediately.
"Teacher Wu, please don't make us take drugs! I'm not sacrificing my potential just to win one tournament."
Everyone knew that taking artificial boosters early on might speed up growth but would cripple advancement later. If he got stuck before becoming a Titled Douluo, he'd regret it for life.
And he, being such a genius, was destined to become a Titled Douluo—or even an Ultimate Douluo. No way he'd risk that.
The others felt the same.
Wu Zhangkong sighed. "I haven't finished yet. It's the Xuan Shui Pill—an ultimate elixir from the Xuanming Sect. You've all heard the name. It purifies the body and boosts innate soul power. Tang Wulin used it last time."
"Oh! The Xuan Shui Pill! Then that's fine!"
"Teacher Wu, is the academy really that generous? Are they giving each of us a Xuan Shui Pill just to fight Shrek?"
"With that, we could definitely reach level 30 before finals, find a third soul ring, and step into the Soul Elder rank. Then maybe—just maybe—we could challenge Shrek's team!"
Everyone looked at Wu Zhangkong with shining eyes.
It was a legendary treasure—something even their powerful families struggled to acquire. Xuan Shui Pills were exclusive to the Xuanming Sect; only the Spirit Transmission Tower managed to obtain a few.
"So here's the situation." Wu Zhangkong sighed. "The Spirit Transmission Tower and the Federation have been watching your progress. They plan to jointly build a new academy—Douluo University. As you know, its main purpose is to rival Shrek Academy."
"The Federation and the Tower will pour massive support into Douluo University, and all members of Zero Class will be part of it. Based on your performance now, they're willing to sponsor you in advance."
"They'll provide Xuan Shui Pills and matching third soul spirits for your development. But think carefully—once you sign this contract, you'll belong to Douluo University and can never join another academy afterward."
Originally, Wu Zhangkong hadn't intended to tell them.
His heart still leaned toward Shrek Academy—but his conscience wouldn't let him withhold such a life-changing decision from his students.
This kind of choice could redefine their futures. It had to be theirs to make.
"So that's how it is."
Xie Xie nodded. "Then no problem! Let's sign already—I can't wait to eat the Xuan Shui Pill and become a three-ring Soul Elder!"
The others hesitated briefly but soon agreed as well.
It wasn't about greed for immediate gain.
They had already learned something of these dealings when signing on as Zero Class members. Many had already planned to align themselves with the Spirit Transmission Tower. A new academy run jointly by the Federation and the Tower sounded perfectly natural—and clearly advantageous.
And the promised benefits? Too good to refuse.
They hadn't even enrolled there yet, and rewards were already coming.
Wu Zhangkong thought back to his own youth—being groomed as a candidate for the Sea God Pavilion Master. Even then, he had fought tooth and nail for every scrap of resource.
Now, watching his students being handed treasures like these effortlessly…
People truly compared only to become envious.
Was it the difference in the world? Or the people?
He really couldn't understand anymore.
(END CHAPTER)
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