In Douluo Continent, I am the mastermind behind the scenes.

Chapter 44. Seeking Advice

Qin Yi is on equal footing with Long Xiaoyao and Mu En. Cai Meier is Mu En's apprentice's wife, so according to seniority, Qin Xue should call Cai Meier "elder sister" or "sister-in-law".

However... in a fantasy world, strength is paramount. Since this is clearly their first meeting, it would be inappropriate to call her "sister" directly. It would be better to use a more respectful title like "sir".

Going back to reality.

"I see." Cai Meier nodded, then opened the door to the dean's office and led the nine people into the room.

"Tell me, what illegal or disorderly conduct is it that warrants your reporting to the dean's office?" Cai Meier sat in the chair behind the desk, looking at the nine people in front of her with a serious expression.

Qin Xue said in a deep voice, "Vice Dean, it's like this. We learned by chance that... the Tang Sect has formed a team to participate in the upcoming selection competition. They are having trouble recruiting substitutes, so they are going to hire mercenaries from the Soul Hunter Guild in Shrek City to take advantage of the loopholes in Shrek Academy and participate in the selection competition for this Soul Master Competition as substitutes for the Tang Sect team."

"Oh? There's such a thing?"

Upon hearing Qin Xue's words, Cai Meier frowned, cursing Bei Bei a hundred times in her heart.

Cai Meier wasn't scolding Bei Bei for his underhanded tactics, but rather for his lack of discretion. What kind of people are in the Soul Hunter Guild? They spend their days hunting soul beasts for their clients, regardless of age or gender. They're all living devils, used to killing in battle. You want them to participate in a competition?

"I understand. I will handle this personally. You can go back now."

After careful consideration, Cai Meier decided to give Bei Bei some face. After all, he was the great-grandson of their teacher, and publicly executing him would be going too far.

Qin Xue didn't say anything, and simply led her eight friends out of the dean's office.

After leaving the office building, Qin Mengmeng said irritably, "Xiaoxue, that vice dean was clearly favoring those people from the Tang Sect. Sending us away was obviously an attempt to bury the matter. I can't swallow this!"

Qin Xue frowned and said, "You guys go back to your dorms and cultivate first. Mengmeng and I have some things to take care of."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nannan, Dai Huabin, Xu Bin, Ning Tian, ​​and Xiao Xiao fled the scene without looking back.

Qian Suli wanted to stay, but considering the current awkward situation of the Spirit Hall, she couldn't afford to cause trouble, so she could only leave the scene in a sorry state.

Wang Dong'er stayed behind. She was the eldest daughter of the Haotian Sect. Even if she caused a huge incident at Shrek Academy, her fathers could handle it for her. As the daughter of a certain dead rabbit, how could she be left out of causing trouble?

And so, Qin Xue, Qin Mengmeng, and Wang Dong'er left Shrek Academy and went into a small Soul Master shop called "Shadow Shop" in the East City area.

The Shadow Shop is an asset of the Body Sect, specifically Ye Xishui's private property. The shop's name comes from her first martial soul—Ghost Slayer Shadow.

Qin Yi, who was reclining in a chair reading the newspaper's gossip, immediately stood up when he saw the three women enter. He asked with a serious expression, "What's wrong? Were you bullied at Shrek Academy?"

"Who dares to bully us?" Qin Mengmeng pouted, looking unhappy. "It's the unfair treatment we received at Shrek Academy..."

Qin Mengmeng didn't hide anything and recounted everything that happened today to Qin Yi, including her guess that Cai Meier might be giving Huo Yuhao and the others preferential treatment while giving them the cold shoulder.

"That possibility certainly exists," Qin Yi pondered.

In the original novel, Cai Meier's appearance rate is very low. She mainly appears at the Sea God Pavilion meetings, presenting herself to readers as a gentle female Title Douluo.

But as an elder, Qin Yi knew very well that Cai Meier was definitely not a pedantic woman. After catching Bao Beibei and the others and giving them a scolding, she would drive away the mercenaries from the Soul Hunter Guild and then arrange three strong substitutes for them. She was capable of doing things that violated principles.

Thinking of this, Qin Yi leaned down and whispered a few words in Qin Mengmeng's ear. The next moment, Qin Mengmeng's face turned ugly.

"Dad, no, this is absolutely unacceptable! If people find out that we did it, what will become of our reputation?" Qin Mengmeng said righteously.

"Then there's no other way. This is your only chance to limit the Tang Sect." Qin Yi said earnestly, "Mengmeng, Xiaoxue, and... Dong'er, let me tell you, in this world, the one thing you absolutely cannot have to become a true powerhouse is this face. The Sea God Pavilion Master, the emperors of the four great empires, and I... are all hypocrites!"

???????

The three women were stunned. They never dreamed that Qin Yi would say such a thing, even insulting themselves.

Qin Xue said somewhat indignantly, "Dad, I..."

Qin Yi suddenly interrupted, "Xiaoxue, let me give you an example and you'll understand. You have two choices: one is your closest relatives, and the other is 100,000 innocent civilians. No matter which option you choose, the person in the other option will die in the most painful way!"

"So... what's your choice?"

Qin Xue: "..."

Qin Mengmeng: "..."

Wang Dong'er: "..."

To be honest, this was the first time since they were born that they truly understood their own hearts. In this world, how many saints would be willing to abandon their own loved ones to save the life of a stranger from 100,000 years ago?

At least... none of the three of them can be that kind of person!

No wonder, no wonder their father (Teacher Qin) said that the Sea God Pavilion Master and the emperors of the four great empires were all hypocrites. If they were in those positions, would they really not use their power to support their families?

Qin Xue said with a displeased look, "Dad, we understand the logic, but... you could have just stepped in directly to stop Vice Dean Cai from making underhanded moves. Wouldn't that have made things simpler?"

"No, I'm a Limit Douluo, I can't do something that would lower my status." Qin Yi spread his hands, looking helpless, and said, "Just because I can't do it doesn't mean you can't. You're juniors, you're children. Shrek Academy is known as the number one academy on the continent, yet some higher-ups are showing favoritism towards a particular student. You were indignant and did something inappropriate. With me backing you up, who can say anything? Who dares to say anything?"

(There will be one more update later. This author keeps his word; if I say four updates, then four updates will be released.)

(End of this chapter)