Hurrying back to the academy, Ya Li secured the authority to convene a Sea God Pavilion meeting, then wasted no time returning to Skysea City.
At that moment, a room somewhere in Skysea City was brimming with noise.
Arthur and Agravaine were locked in a spirited debate over what they wanted.
"I want a million-year spirit bone!" Arthur announced his wish without the slightest concern for whether Shrek actually had one.
"Then I want a four-word battle armor!" Agravaine chimed in, grinning from ear to ear.
"Absolutely not!" Zhen Hua erupted in fury. "Are you trying to torment Shrek Academy or torment me?"
"A four-word battle armor, and who do you think ends up doing all the work? Me!"
"Come on, Senior." Mu Chen piped up in agreement. "I actually think that's doable."
"Junior, it really isn't." Zhen Hua felt a wave of genuine despair wash over him. "People would die."
That was precisely why he placed such enormous value on Arthur. If no one came along to take over as a divine smith, he was going to work himself to death at the forge.
"What a pipe dream." Cai Yue'er, immobilized and casually dumped in a corner, shot them a glare. "What do you two think Shrek Academy is?"
"What? A cash cow, obviously!" Agravaine glanced at her, his tone dripping with undisguised contempt. "Who told Shrek to produce a lunatic like you? You had the nerve to go after my nephew, so what's wrong with us collecting a little compensation?"
Arthur nodded along vigorously. "Exactly! I haven't even asked for the Sea God Pavilion Master's seat. Asking for a million-year spirit bone is practically modest!"
"Modest?" Cai Yue'er trembled all over with rage. Bound by her restraints, she strained and struggled uselessly. "Where on earth are we supposed to find you a million-year spirit bone?"
Arthur and Agravaine exchanged a glance, each reading the amusement in the other's eyes.
Teasing this old woman was genuinely delightful.
By the window, Mu Ye was catching up with Han Tianyi, explaining Arthur's talent along the path of the Body Sect to him.
Mu Ye had shamelessly summoned Han Tianyi here in the first place to guard against the Holy Spirit Cult.
The one who actually made a move turned out to be Cai Yue'er. Truly baffling.
"Is that so." Han Tianyi nodded slowly, glancing back at Arthur. "His Spiritual Power is impressive as well. At this stage, he's the finest I've ever seen."
"What rare materials do you still need for level forty?"
"I was a little short on one thing." Mu Ye smiled pleasantly and tilted his head toward Cai Yue'er. "But not anymore."
"Ha, good then." Han Tianyi sighed with feeling. "The Body Sect can be said to have a worthy successor at last."
Nearby, Leng Yaozhu was also present, fussing over Na'er with warm concern.
Unfortunately, Na'er's eyes were fixed entirely on Arthur, and she answered Leng Yaozhu's attentions with nothing more than vague, distracted murmurs.
Leng Yaozhu felt a pang in her chest. She cut a sideways glance at Arthur, who was busy taunting Cai Yue'er alongside Agravaine.
She began speaking ill of him.
"Look at that boy. Young as he is, his mind runs in all sorts of directions. You'd better be careful around him and keep your guard up." Leng Yaozhu's tone carried a deliberate lightness, though her gaze never left Na'er. "Asking for a million-year spirit bone without a shred of embarrassment. What a dreamer."
"Where would anyone get a million-year spirit bone?"
Na'er didn't look up, replying offhandedly: "He's just joking around."
"Even joking around has its limits." Leng Yaozhu gave a soft sigh, putting on a show of resigned sympathy. "Look at the way he carries himself. Not a trace of composure. Who knows what kind of trouble he'll stir up down the road."
Na'er said nothing, only shaking her head steadily.
Seeing Na'er like this made Leng Yaozhu feel even worse.
She strode over and landed a sharp slap on Agravaine's face.
The crisp crack rang out across the room.
Agravaine clutched his stinging cheek, stunned for a full three seconds, then whipped his head toward Leng Yaozhu with wide eyes. "Leng Yaozhu! Have you lost your mind? What did you hit me for?"
"Your nephew annoyed me." Leng Yaozhu turned and glared at Arthur for good measure. "Got a problem with that?"
Arthur glanced at Na'er in the distance, who was watching him intently, and understood everything in an instant.
He quietly retreated behind his great-uncle.
"You..." Agravaine hollered. "If I annoy you, come at me. What kind of skill is it taking it out on someone else?"
The words had barely left his mouth before Arthur retreated again, slipping behind Mu Ye and Han Tianyi.
"You little..." Agravaine watched Arthur bolt faster than a startled rabbit and could only stamp his feet in helpless fury. He couldn't very well let Leng Yaozhu actually go after his own nephew. He'd just have to swallow it.
Han Tianyi patted Arthur on the shoulder, amusement glinting in his eyes. "All right, Vice Pagoda Master Leng. The boy is still young. No need to frighten him."
He looked at Arthur. "What is it you actually want? Wait until Shrek's people arrive and bring it up then."
At that, Arthur said earnestly: "All I want is a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone from the spiritual system. The rest is up to you all."
He didn't really need much, but thinking of the Spirit Abyss Realm Spiritual Power that Gu Yue had set as a requirement, he figured he might as well ask for a spiritual-system spirit bone.
Hopefully it would help him break through to the Spirit Abyss Realm.
Because of the spirit souls, spiritual-system spirit bones were the rarest of all in this era, but Shrek Academy was certain to have one.
"A hundred-thousand-year spiritual-system spirit bone?" A flicker of surprise crossed Han Tianyi's eyes, then he nodded. "Not a bad choice at all."
The final negotiation concluded smoothly, both sides reaching terms they could accept.
It had to be said that bringing Ya Li to handle the talks was an inspired decision.
Ya Li's character meant she wouldn't resort to tricks at the negotiating table, but it was precisely because she was Ya Li that the other party wouldn't try to take advantage and push for more.
The Holy Spirit Douluo commanded an extraordinarily high reputation throughout the Federation. Almost everyone held her in deep respect.
When everything was settled, Arthur tucked the hundred-thousand-year spirit bone away with quiet satisfaction and said politely: "Thank you, Holy Spirit Eminence."
"It is we who owe you an apology." Ya Li sighed softly, her gaze drifting to Cai Yue'er in the corner.
"For Cai Yue'er's transgressions, Shrek will give you a full accounting. She has been stripped of all her positions and confined to reflection for sixty years."
"If you do come to study at Shrek Academy in the future, all the resources and privileges she held before her dismissal will be transferred to you during your time there."
Ya Li was still pressing for more.
Arthur's eyes lit up. He scratched the back of his head, entirely unembarrassed. "In that case, I really will have to come when the time comes."
"That would be more than welcome." A trace of relief passed through Ya Li's eyes.
In her corner, Cai Yue'er listened to every word, trembling uncontrollably, her teeth clenched so hard her jaw ached.
Looking at Arthur's cheerful grin, she felt this was worse than being killed outright.
With the matter brought to a satisfying close, everyone went their separate ways.
Watching Arthur's retreating figure, Na'er trailing obediently behind him, Leng Yaozhu let out a quiet sigh. A nagging unease settled in her chest. She turned a cool gaze on Agravaine.
"And what does Pagoda Master mean by all this?" Agravaine eyed her warily, poised to bolt at any moment.
Leng Yaozhu raised an eyebrow. "That girl Na'er is completely besotted with your nephew. If she ever gets hurt because of it, you'll be the first one I come to settle accounts with."
"The affairs of the younger generation should be left to them to sort out themselves." Agravaine broke into a cold sweat.
Back in Eastsea City, Arthur did not fuse with the hundred-thousand-year spirit bone. There was no rush.
For now, his top priority was cultivating to level thirty-nine.
The spirit bone could wait until after his Spiritual Power broke through to the late-stage Spirit Sea Realm. Then he would fuse it and aim to push through to the Spirit Abyss Realm in one unbroken surge.
Time flowed on, quietly and unhurried.