"Little friend Arthur, I wanted to meet you earlier." Ya Li smiled slightly, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze caressing a lake surface, "I am Ya Li."
Arthur cupped his hands in salute, his gaze assessing the Holy Spirit Douluo, "Your Holiness the Holy Spirit is too kind. May I ask why you sought me out?"
Ya Li led him to a seat, then got straight to the point, "I sought out little friend this time to invite you to join Shrek Academy."
Arthur raised an eyebrow, "Oh? What is the meaning of this?"
"You just suffered a crushing defeat."
"That's actually not important." Ya Li nodded, "It's very normal for there to be wins and losses in Soul Master competitions."
No, that was very important.
Cai Yueer beside her didn't quite agree. That was Shrek's ten-thousand-year undefeated honor; how could it not be important?
However, she didn't speak up, as those were Ya Li's words.
"You don't mind that I am from the Spirit Conduction Tower?"
"Why should I mind?" Ya Li looked surprised, "Many current leaders among forces like the War God Hall, the Spirit Conduction Tower, and others once studied at Shrek."
She said sincerely, "Shrek never forces anyone; we just want to provide little friend with a better platform."
"Na'er, Gu Yue, and the others around you are all individuals of extraordinary talent. Shrek can provide you with the highest quality resources to help you grow faster."
"I will go," before the other party could rejoice, Arthur shook his head and continued, "But not right now."
He already planned to visit Shrek. It was the federation's largest hub for gathering talent. Snagging even one was a gain.
Wasn't a Genius like Wu Zhangkong from Shrek?
Actually, that Qian Wu was quite good too, which made Arthur a bit interested.
Although the other party was arrogant, he could also be shameless when necessary. To stall for time, he could even call someone 'Dad.' Being able to bend and stretch like that was the mark of a truly great talent.
"Are you refusing?" Ya Li's gaze was fixed tightly on Little Yellow Hair. Honestly, even she felt a bit nervous.
Which force wouldn't want an UR card like Arthur?
Not to mention that she felt, more clearly than others, Arthur's terrifying potential.
Inviting Arthur to enroll and her friendly attitude towards him were actually Ya Li's personal, on-the-spot decisions.
Having personally witnessed the true form of that sword when it was unleashed, she was extremely certain that the future of the Douluo Continent belonged to Arthur.
It was fine if Shrek lost, but they absolutely could not become enemies with Arthur.
"It's not a refusal." Facing the gaze of a Titled Douluo, Arthur appeared very composed and said softly, "It's just very inconvenient timing. I'm quite busy recently. I will go in a while."
This wasn't an excuse.
Arthur truly had many things to do.
First, he needed to Cultivate to rank thirty-nine, undergo special training from Mu Ye, and use the Body Secret Art so he could more calmly handle potential anomalies within his body when achieving a Breakthrough to the Spirit Ancestor rank.
He also needed to find a way to raise his Spiritual Power to the Spirit Abyss Realm and Fusion the Hundred-Thousand-Year soul spirit provided by Gu Yue.
These all required a large amount of time and energy.
He genuinely had no time to show off at Shrek Academy right now.
Moreover, he wasn't strong enough yet; he wouldn't go unless he could crush all the students.
Otherwise, if his attempt to show off backfired and he got beaten, it would be embarrassing.
Someone of Qian Wu's strength—there should be quite a few like that in the Inner Court. If someone decided to cause trouble for him, he couldn't unleash the Holy Sword every single time.
To be safe, he should strengthen himself first before going.
"Is that so..." Ya Li thought the other party was politely refusing. After a moment of silence, she said disappointed, "You can come whenever you like; Shrek's doors will always be open for you."
Cai Yueer on the side was displeased.
She finally couldn't hold back, frowning tightly, her tone carrying a hint of impatience, "Little friend Arthur, Shrek's invitation is already a tremendous Opportunity. So many people dream of it, yet you are being so evasive. Do you perhaps think our Shrek is unworthy of you?"
Arthur then realized there was a third person in the room, and he immediately looked at the elderly woman with a confused expression.
"And you are?"
Cai Yueer was instantly choked speechless by the question, "And you are?" Her Face cycled through shades of green and white. She was, after all, a Sea Gods Pavilion Elder of Shrek Academy.
The title Silver Moon Douluo carried considerable fame in the Federation's Soul Master world.
Arthur's attitude made her feel slighted.
Of course, the main reason was the stark contrast between Arthur's attitude toward Ya Li and his casualness toward her.
It made her feel like she had lost Face in front of a romantic rival.
Ya Li quickly tried to smooth things over, suppressing a smile as she introduced, "This is Teacher Cai Yueer, also a core instructor at our Shrek Academy."
So this was Cai Yueer? That wasn't surprising then.
Arthur suddenly understood upon hearing this and apologized with a cupped-hand salute, "So it is Your Holiness the Silver Moon Douluo. My apologies, my apologies. My mind was entirely occupied with the conversation with Your Holiness the Holy Spirit, and I failed to notice you. I hope you can forgive me."
His tone was sincere, not sounding like he was deliberately being offensive.
But it was this attitude, which seemed genuine, that was often more disarming.
Cai Yueer immediately resorted to her usual tactic of leveling accusations, coldly snorting, "Hmph, I think you don't take my Shrek seriously at all!"
She stared hard at Arthur, "I'll ask you one more time, are you willing to join Shrek or not? If you're not willing, just say so directly. There's no need to be so hypocritical!"
"Cai Yueer!" Before Arthur could answer, Ya Li spoke up first to stop her.
"Since Arthur has his own plans, we should respect them."
She looked at Cai Yueer with disappointment.
She knew Cai Yueer liked Yun Ming, and she knew many people liked Yun Ming. In truth, she didn't mind if Yun Ming took another wife.
After all, her inability to bear children had always made her feel guilty toward Yun Ming.
But looking at the situation now, that person absolutely could not be Cai Yueer. Someone so impulsive was simply unworthy.
"Oh?" Arthur's eyes, however, lit up, and he questioned with hidden anticipation, "Are you going to make a move against me?"
If Cai Yueer impulsively attacked now, he would definitely try to exploit the situation.
Cai Yueer, already furious from being reprimanded by Ya Li, became even more enraged upon hearing Arthur's provocative question, and her vital energy surged.
Terrifying Soul Power surged around her like a tide, "You brat, you truly don't know the immensity of heaven and earth! Do you really think I wouldn't dare touch you?"
Ya Li's expression changed, and she quickly stepped in front of Arthur, saying sternly, "Cai Yueer! How dare you!"
Gentle Soul Power also emanated from her body, and the pressure of a Holy Spirit Douluo instantly enveloped the entire room, creating a standoff with Cai Yueer.
Seeing Ya Li standing in front of him, Arthur knew that with her present, Cai Yueer couldn't touch him.
But who was Arthur?
The Master Schemer of Donghai.
An idea flashed through his mind, and he said weakly, filled with anticipation, "Your Holiness the Holy Spirit, I should take my leave first."
"We still have to catch that soul tool train tonight, heading back to East Sea City."
"The tickets we booked are for the train at Tianhai City West Station, which is very far from here."
The itinerary Arthur described was so detailed it was practically missing his household registration documents.
Cai Yueer, you must come!
"I'm sorry, then you should go first." Ya Li first apologized as gently as possible.
Then she looked at Cai Yueer, her tone turning cold, "Today's matter ends here. If you cause any more trouble, don't blame me for being impolite!"
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