Chapter 250: Shrek's Crisis and the Path Forward
Shrek didn't even secure second place, let alone fourth. If this news got out, what could Shrek possibly rely on to maintain its reputation as the top spirit master academy on the continent?
If Shrek was no longer the continent's number one spirit master academy, then on what grounds could it continue to attract talents from all over the world?
Just the thought made Du Weilun break into a cold sweat. He didn't dare to imagine what Shrek Academy would become if it could no longer recruit top talents. Without the ability to draw in the brightest young minds from across the continent, could Shrek even survive?
When this generation of talented individuals loyal to Shrek reached the end of their lifespan, would there be anyone left to carry the torch?
They had once secured second place. Then fifth. And now, in the upcoming All-Continental High-Level Spirit Master Competition, even with that twin martial soul prodigy younger than Xiao Xiao and possessing an ultimate martial soul, it still seemed impossible for Shrek to claim first place.
Three consecutive losses—spanning fifteen years—was enough time to alter public perception and sever Shrek's identity as the number one academy.
Without that prestigious title, Shrek would lose its gravitational pull on genius soul masters. What was happening to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect today could very well be Shrek's tomorrow.
"Impossible! Even if you and Xiao Sheng lead your team to defeat ours, we'll never lose to the others!"
"Oh? Is that what you really believe?"
Xiao Qiang stared at Du Weilun, his gaze cold and piercing. The pressure from his spiritual intent made Du Weilun's already fragile confidence collapse further.
"Forget it. I'll take it as if you believe that."
Xiao Qiang smiled faintly, then turned and walked away, leaving Du Weilun standing there alone, stunned and dazed.
"No… I must report everything about Xiao Sheng and Xiao Qiang to the Sea God Pavilion. Shrek must not be allowed to finish outside the top four!"
Du Weilun's report quickly reached Shrek, and soon, the sleepless nights spread from him to the entire Sea God Pavilion.
In the Sea God Pavilion, Du Bu Si sat in the central seat, flanked by Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe.
Although Shrek had emerged victorious in the beast tide battle, its high-level forces had suffered devastating losses. Jin Peng from the Body Sect and Elder Song of Shrek had both perished. Now, Yan Shaozhe had suddenly become Shrek's third strongest combatant.
Fortunately, in the wake of the battle, Yan Shaozhe successfully advanced to level 96, and Xian Lin'er also broke through to level 95—small consolations amidst the Academy's woes.
"Tell me," Du Bu Si finally said after a long silence, "what should we do?"
"We must prevent the Sun Moon Empire's conspiracy from succeeding! Shrek should lead the charge in opposing the participation of sects in the All-Continent High-Level Soul Master Competition!" Yan Shaozhe said, trying to sound decisive.
But Xian Lin'er immediately retorted, "Use your brain, Shaozhe. The Sun Moon Empire wouldn't dare make a move without thorough preparation. Even if we block the sects, what's stopping them from creating two temporary academies? If we lose to four 'academies' instead, won't our defeat be even more disgraceful?"
"What else can we do then?" Yan Shaozhe asked bitterly. "Xiao Qiang is practically unbeatable, and his brother Xiao Sheng isn't far behind. With a seventh soul ring that's a 100,000-year soul ring, he must be at least level 75. He could very well be a Soul Douluo by the time of the next competition. Add another 100,000-year soul ring, and even most Title Douluo won't stand a chance."
He added grimly, "Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen will definitely reach Soul Saint level before the tournament, probably with at least level 75 soul power. They'll be unstoppable with the right team. And don't forget Xiao Qiang's sister—the twin martial soul user. She's even scarier. The 100,000-year soul bones have completely compensated for her physical weaknesses. If she fuses 100,000-year soul rings too, she could end up with nine of them!"
Yan Shaozhe's words left the room heavy with silence.
After a long moment, Du Bu Si finally broke the silence. "Take out all our soul bones and natural treasures. Give them to the team members representing us in the All-Continent High-Level Soul Master Competition."
"What did you say?" Xuan Zi stared at him in disbelief. "Are you serious?"
"What other option do we have?" Du Bu Si's gaze swept over the room with pressure. "If we don't use these resources now, what are we saving them for? After Shrek falls, who are we going to give them to?"
He had discovered the sheer wealth of Shrek after becoming head of the Pavilion, and it left him disheartened. Shrek had accumulated immense resources, yet had failed to produce a single new top-tier talent. He even suspected that, even if someone had appeared capable of carrying Shrek's future, the academy still might not have given them a 100,000-year soul bone.
"I understand," Xuan Zi replied reluctantly. "But if we give everything away now, we'll lose our ability to entice loyalty later."
"Then each member gets one high-quality soul bone and two top-grade natural treasures," Du Bu Si decided.
"That's manageable. But who exactly will represent Shrek?"
"Aotian, of course. And Vina. Aotian should reach level 70 before the tournament. Vina has twin martial souls, and although she lacks a soul spirit, equipping her with six ten-thousand-year soul rings will boost her power to the Soul Saint level. With her secondary martial soul awakening, she's formidable."
"Beibei and Xu Sanshi must be included as well," another elder said. "Beibei is Moon's great-great-grandson, and Xu Sanshi has a divine beast martial soul. Both could contend with Soul Saints during the tournament. Beibei may even reach level 70 in time."
"We'll also need the amplification of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda—Ning Tian is indispensable. That's five members confirmed. As for the last two…"
Du Bu Si glanced down at the files for Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao, frowning as he lingered on Huo Yuhao's dossier.
After being rescued by the Body Sect, Huo Yuhao had indeed received many benefits, but he still refused to fully join the sect. Investigation revealed that despite the second awakening of his martial soul, the toxins in his body had squeezed out all his potential. Now, his only path to increasing soul power was by killing soul beasts or soul masters to absorb their life force.
Were it not for the fact that he was still alive, and a slim chance remained, Huo Yuhao would have already been executed as an evil soul master.
"We need the martial soul fusion technique. Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao will participate together," Du Bu Si said. "But Huo Yuhao doesn't need a soul bone—he needs time to reflect and grow."
"Understood," Xuan Zi agreed. Saving even one soul bone was a small win.
"One more thing," Du Bu Si added. "After my battle with Lord Xiong, I feel my cultivation foundation has become unstable. I may need to go into long-term seclusion to try for the Limit Douluo breakthrough. If anything urgent happens during that time, consult Xuan Zi first."
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