Douro Continent

Chapter 509 The True Power of the Blue Silver Domain (Part 2)

Flanders chuckled and said, "Isn't this just a habit? Oh well, let's leave it at that. It seems we're not short of money right now. Alright, whatever you say."

Liu Erlong glanced at the sky outside and said, "It's almost time. You should get ready."

The forest at Shrek Academy has been transformed over the years and is no longer what it used to be. It has been divided into numerous simulated training areas and replanned. In the very center of the forest, a vast training ground has been built. Surrounded by lush greenery, the ground is covered with turf formed from blue silver grass. Compared to its early days, the academy now has a significantly larger student body and also shoulders the mission of cooperating with the Imperial Family; this additional training ground serves multiple purposes.

Early on, a large number of students had already gathered around the green training ground, patiently waiting. The entire Shrek Academy currently has about a thousand students, not including those assigned by the royal family and trained by the Grandmasters.

The huge playground was already packed with people early on. Although these students could not compare to the talent of the Shrek Seven Devils back then, they were still carefully selected by the academy and were at least of above-average aptitude.

Tang San and his group of five entered the forest with Grandmaster. Just as they were about to reach the green playground, Grandmaster stopped and said to Tang San, "Little San, find something to cover your face."

Tang San was taken aback. "Teacher, why?"

The master said, "The impression you left on the Spirit Hall back then was too deep. Your appearance and temperament have completely changed, which is very beneficial to your safety. Therefore, it's best not to expose yourself. That way, even if the people from the Spirit Hall want to find you, it won't be easy for them."

Tang San suddenly realized that his feelings for the master were not just gratitude, but more like those for family. He quickly nodded and took out the green mask that the Shrek Seven Devils had used from the Twenty-Four Bridges Under the Moon and put it on his face.

The master thought for a moment, then said to the others, "You should all take them too. It's good to maintain some mystery."

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing understood that this was also the master's way of protecting them. The masks that the Shrek Seven Devils used back then were important souvenirs to them, and each of them kept them. They immediately put them on as instructed, which covered their original faces.

When they arrived at the playground, Liu Erlong was already standing in the center of the playground, giving a loud speech.

"...Teachers in charge of each class, please manage your class well. Cheers are allowed, but there must be no chaos, and no one is allowed to enter the playground. Otherwise, you will be responsible for the consequences of being affected by the soul skill."

As the vice dean, Liu Erlong was known for her strictness. Not to mention the students, even the teachers were afraid of her. Under her command, the classes on the playground lined up in an orderly manner and waited quietly. Even the noisy discussions gradually subsided.

Just then, Grandmaster led Tang San and his group of five into the playground. The masks on their faces and Grandmaster's presence clearly identified them. In an instant, the previously silent playground transformed into a sea of ​​cheers. The shouts erupted like a volcanic eruption.

The master and Liu Erlong smiled at each other, and soon Tang San and the others arrived at the center of the playground.

"Hello, senior!" Without any organization, a tremendous cheer erupted across the playground. The voices were perfectly synchronized, as if pre-arranged. The massive wave of sound rolled up, a testament to the Shrek Academy students' respect for the Shrek Seven Devils' past glories.

Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others were also startled by the sight. The five of them quickly bowed slightly in return to their juniors. Instantly, the atmosphere on the field reached another climax.

The cheers continued until Flander and Zhao Wuji entered. Flander's deep voice rang out, "Alright, everyone, quiet down." Although it was only him speaking, the immense soul power he possessed drowned out the cheers of all the other students around him.

Flander also saw the masks on the Shrek Five's faces. He immediately understood their purpose and, without asking any further questions, stood at the front of the group and began to give a speech.

Among the academy's leaders, the most familiar were undoubtedly Master and Liu Erlong, one in charge of teaching and the other in charge of various affairs. The Dean, Flander, was a rare sight. At this moment, Flander's loud shout made them fully realize the Dean's power.

Flander surveyed the group with satisfaction, seeing the fervent light in the students' eyes—just what he had hoped to see.

"Five years ago, Shrek Academy achieved glory. The Shrek Seven Devils and eleven other students representing the academy defeated various advanced soul master academies, winning us the overall championship of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. Five years later, the five most important members of that team have returned to the academy. They have all grown up and become even stronger. Today's exhibition match is not for you to watch the show, but to show you what the pinnacle of achievement can be at the same age."

He paused for a moment, and the entire room fell silent as everyone listened attentively to his words.

"For Soul Masters, talent is extremely important. However, as you all know, among the Shrek Seven Devils, Tang San, who is known as the soul of the Seven Devils, only possesses the humble Blue Silver Grass as his Martial Soul. Yet, relying on this Blue Silver Grass, he has led his team to victory against powerful enemies time and again. Why is that? Do you know?"

"Because of his hard work and struggle. A Soul Master's growth depends on talent and luck, but I want to tell you that hard work is the most important thing. Tang San's achievements today are entirely the result of his own efforts. Each of you has your own Martial Soul. I only ask you one question: are your Martial Souls worse than Blue Silver Grass?"

"No—cannot—." The answer was clear and loud.

Flander nodded in satisfaction. "In that case, what Tang San can achieve, you can achieve as well. Right?"

"right--"

Listening to Flander's impassioned speech, not only the students below, but even the Shrek Five were feeling a surge of excitement. Although everything Tang San had achieved couldn't be explained solely by hard work, he certainly wouldn't undermine Flander's efforts.

Turning to the Shrek Five, Flander shouted, "Little monsters, state your age and rank!"

Dai Mubai was the first to step forward. He took a step forward and said in a deep voice, "Dai Mubai, 23 years old, Martial Soul: White Tiger, Level 63 Power Attack Type Battle Soul Emperor."

He spoke each word with exceptional clarity, his deep voice loud enough for everyone present to hear clearly. He was there to promote the academy, so naturally he wouldn't hold back his words.

When the words "Battle Soul Emperor" were uttered by him, their powerful impact instantly captivated the entire audience, and the cheers reached another fever pitch. Countless people were chanting "Evil-Eyed White Tiger" in unison. They were already very familiar with the title of the Shrek Seven Devils.

A 23-year-old Battle Soul Emperor—this was almost unimaginable to the students in front of them. At this moment, the Shrek Seven Devils, who had long been their idols, were elevated to an unprecedented level in their hearts.

The second one to step forward was Tang San. He stood next to Dai Mubai. "Tang San, 20 years old, Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass, Level 59 Control-type Battle Soul King."

"Thousand-Handed Asura, Thousand-Handed Asura..." The cheers rang out again, reaching their peak.

Flander used Tang San as an example not because he was the strongest among the Shrek Seven Devils, but because his martial soul was inherently the weakest. This resonated more with the students. Furthermore, considering the achievements Tang San made leading the Shrek Seven Devils, he was undeniably the greatest idol of all the students.

The chubby Ma Hongjun, the perfectly proportioned Zhu Zhuqing, and the delicate Ning Rongrong stepped forward one after another and announced their ages and ranks.

The five people, one twenty-three years old and four twenty years old, had all reached around level sixty. Keep in mind that, judging by age alone, most of the students present were around the same age. However, only a handful of these students were above level forty.

Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Flander smiled and said, "Next, Vice Dean Zhao Wuji and I will have a match against the Shrek Five Monsters. Of course, this is just an exhibition match. I know you all want to see how strong these seniors who have achieved brilliant results really are. Actually, I'm also very curious to see how much progress they've made in the past five years. In this match, if they can last for the time it takes for three incense sticks to burn with the combined efforts of Dean Zhao and me, they will win. Dean Liu, prepare the incense."

Liu Erlong nodded, and she and the master walked to the edge of the playground, clearing out the central area. The exhibition match, which had captivated the hearts of all the students in the academy, was finally about to begin. At this moment, not only the students, but even the academy's teachers were completely focused. After all, even most of these teachers were only around level sixty in strength.

Tang San gestured to Dai Mubai, indicating that everything was proceeding according to plan. Although their faces were covered by masks and their expressions could not be seen, the relaxed look in their eyes showed that they were not nervous at all about this exhibition match.

Zhao Wuji and Flander exchanged a glance, and Zhao Wuji whispered, "Boss, should we go easy on them?"

Flander said irritably, "Have you forgotten how miserable you were when Tang San first came to the academy? Just be careful with your attacks. You take the lead down here, and I'll harass you from the air."

Zhao Wuji was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized what was happening and said, "Damn it, they're making me a meat shield again. Boss, do you have any humanity?"

Flander said leisurely, "I'm an agility-type Soul Master, and you're a power-type. If you don't act as a tank, am I supposed to? Don't worry, I'll provide you with enough firepower support from the air. Just attack freely."

Seeing Flander's lewd expression, Zhao Wuji was speechless for a moment. He shook his head helplessly, then suddenly shouted, raised his head and chest, and released his martial spirit.

(End of this chapter)