Chapter 56: The Shrek Team's Winning Streak Turns into Conflict
After arranging everything, Yu Xiaogang asked Ye Liuyun a question alone.
"Do you understand?"
Ye Liuyun nodded:
"Understood."
This nonchalant attitude made Yu Xiaogang feel like he had punched cotton.
He had prepared a whole host of grand principles to suppress Ye Liuyun's dissatisfaction, but the other party didn't care at all.
"Hmph, now that you understand, let's begin the practice!"
Yu Xiaogang waved his hand.
"The Seven Devils are back in position! Ye Liuyun, you stay here and watch over everyone, familiarize yourself with their positions, and be ready to substitute at any time!"
What followed was particularly ironic.
In the center of the playground, Tang San commanded with composure, Blue Silver Grass danced in the air, and Dai Mubai roared like a white tiger in the mountains. The seven of them worked together with great enthusiasm, their sweat and shouts weaving into a youthful battle song.
And at the edge of the playground.
Ye Liuyun sat alone under the shade of a tree, watching the group of young men and women who were fighting desperately for the so-called "glory".
He was like an outsider forgotten by the world.
But there was no disappointment or jealousy in his eyes.
There was only a sense of peace watching children play, and a hint of relief at the impending separation.
The reason he followed Xiao Wu and Tang San was because he knew that the road ahead would be safe in the next few years.
If he were to transform and run around, and were to encounter a Title Douluo, he would inevitably face a life-or-death battle.
The road ahead was unknown; he would have to forge his own path.
"Everyone, take a ten-minute break!"
At Yu Xiaogang's command, the group, who had been practicing until they were drenched in sweat, collapsed instantly, slumping onto the grass and panting heavily.
Tang San took the sausage Oscar handed him and quickly recovered his strength, while also reviewing the details of their previous teamwork with Dai Mubai.
Although everyone's face was tired, it was filled with longing for the championship.
Only Ye Liuyun.
He was still lying in the shade of that big tree, his hands behind his head, a large leaf covering his face to block out the sunlight, and his breathing was even.
Just then, a soft sound of footsteps quietly approached.
Then, a cool little hand reached out and yanked the leaves off Ye Liuyun's face.
The blinding sunlight shone down, and Ye Liuyun frowned slightly. He opened his eyes and was met with a pretty, rosy face.
Xiao Wu had just finished training; her bangs were damp with sweat and clung to her fair skin. Her large pink eyes held a hint of cunning and dissatisfaction.
"Cousin! We've been working ourselves to the bone practicing our teamwork over there, and you've been hiding here sleeping?"
Ye Liuyun squinted, adjusted his eyes to the light, and looked at the energetic little rabbit in front of him, then lazily yawned:
"They don't need me."
Xiao Wu pouted, not caring about the dirt, and plopped down on the grass next to Ye Liuyun, hugging her knees.
Ye Liuyun turned his head to look at her profile.
The surrounding noise seemed to be shut out. He lowered his voice and asked in a volume that only the two of them could hear:
"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament... Do you really want to participate in that kind of event?"
Xiao Wu's body stiffened slightly, and her swaying rabbit ears stopped moving.
Ye Liuyun's gaze was calm, yet meaningful:
"You should know what kind of place that is. The royal families of the two great empires, the high-ranking officials of Spirit Hall, and even Title Douluo will be there."
"Experts of that level have incredibly sharp eyes."
Aren't you afraid your identity will be exposed?
As a 100,000-year-old soul beast, once Xiao Wu was exposed in front of a Title Douluo, she would face an endless pursuit.
Xiao Wu fell silent, lowered her head, and unconsciously twirled the scorpion braid on her chest with her fingers.
"I came to the human world to become stronger and avenge my mother. Now that everyone is working so hard, I don't want to give up either."
"Let's take it one step at a time."
"The preliminary rounds and qualifying rounds are all held in small cities, so there shouldn't be any big names there."
"As for the final... if it really happens in a dangerous place like Spirit Hall, I'll find an excuse not to go."
"As long as I don't appear in front of the Title Douluo, everything should be fine."
"I can't miss the opportunity to become stronger."
Listening to Xiao Wu's plan, which was based on wishful thinking, Ye Liuyun sighed inwardly.
Silly rabbit.
Did she think she could simply choose not to go when the time came?
Once the gears of fate began to turn, she had no say in where she went.
However, on second thought...
The luck of this "protagonist group" was incredibly strong.
Even without his intervention, the outcome wouldn't have been too bad.
Why worry unnecessarily?
Thinking of this, the slight lingering attachment and worry in Ye Liuyun's heart faded away.
Since they were destined to go their separate ways, let's wish each other well.
"Alright."
Ye Liuyun closed his eyes again, reverting to his languid demeanor.
"I'll give you a gift in a while."
"Gift?"
Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, her curiosity instantly piqued.
"What gift? Something delicious? Or some pretty clothes?"
You'll find out then.
Ye Liuyun offered no explanation.
"So mysterious..."
Xiao Wu muttered something, but her attention was quickly diverted by the sound of gathering, and she ran back to the group.
In the days that followed, a whirlwind known as the "Shrek Seven Devils" swept through the Soto City Great Soul Arena.
With Tang San's all-encompassing control, the Shrek team achieved a series of victories in the team battle spirit competition.
Even when facing a ferocious beast spirit team or a strange control-type combination, they could always turn danger into safety through their tacit cooperation and Tang San's "hidden weapons".
In just one month, their points skyrocketed and their reputation soared.
Everyone was immersed in the joy of victory and the cheers of the audience.
Yu Xiaogang walked with a brisk pace, and the smile on his stiff face grew wider, as if he could already see the trophy of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament beckoning to him.
As for Ye Liuyun?
That so-called "all-around substitute"?
He was long forgotten amidst the glow of their winning streak.
After all, the Seven Devils cooperated perfectly, and there was no need for an eighth person to intervene.
...
The afternoon sun was a bit too bright.
On the Shrek Academy playground, everyone was training as usual.
Ye Liuyun was cultivating alone in a spot a little further away.
He didn't practice any fancy moves; he simply used his soul power to cleanse his limbs and bones, nurturing the natal soul bone that was becoming increasingly restless as his cultivation level increased.
Since the Shrek team went on a winning streak, he, the "all-rounder" substitute, had become completely idle.
While everyone else was busy refining their tactics, he was happy to stay on the sidelines and enjoy some peace and quiet.
"Cousin."
A series of slightly heavy footsteps broke the silence.
Ye Liuyun opened his eyes and saw Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong walking towards him together.
Xiao Wu, who was usually very talkative, was no longer smiling, and Ning Rongrong was frowning, looking troubled.
"What's wrong?"
Ye Liuyun finished his practice, his tone calm.
"They're arguing over there."
Ning Rongrong sighed and pointed to the playground in the distance:
"The master wanted Dai Mubai and Zhu Qing to practice their spirit fusion technique. Dai Mubai was very enthusiastic and readily agreed. But Zhu Qing... she absolutely refused."
"Everyone is gathered around there trying to persuade her."
Ye Liuyun raised an eyebrow slightly.
The Martial Soul Fusion Skill was a deep fusion of the souls and martial souls of two Soul Masters, requiring both parties to be of one mind and have no reservations about each other.
How could Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai now be in tune with each other?
What was the difference between that and forcing her to eat flies?
"So?" Ye Liuyun asked.
"Zhu Qing was severely criticized."
Xiao Wu said angrily, clearly unable to stand it any longer.
"The master said she lacked a sense of the bigger picture and didn't consider the overall situation. Others were also trying to persuade her, chattering away, and I couldn't listen to them anymore."
"I'll hide here for a while."
Ye Liuyun's eyes lit up; there was going to be some excitement!
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[end of the chapter]