Chapter 242: Xiao Hongchen: “i’m Not A Maggot, I’m The Sun Moon Empire’s Number One Genius!”
“Everyone, sit down.”
Wang Yan arranged for Xia Die and the others to sit on the other side of the conference table.
Bai E pulled out a chair and plopped down on it, looking at Wang Yan excitedly and saying:
“Teacher Wang Yan!”
“Has the support assigned to us by the academy arrived?”
As soon as Bai E spoke, everyone blinked and looked at Wang Yan.
Wang Yan immediately broke out in a sweat. He scratched his head, his voice weak and clearly a bit embarrassed.
“Um, sorry, children.”
“The academy just sent a notice that starting today, you are the main team members for this tournament.”
“Similarly, you were originally supposed to inherit the title of Shrek Seven Devils in five years, but it’s being given to you early now.”
Feng Jin’s eyes widened, her pink-to-blue gradient twin tails swaying slightly, her voice high-pitched from shock.
“Wait a minute!”
“That means we have no support?!”
“Teacher Wang Yan, our seven people’s average level is only level thirty!”
“Is it really okay for us to be the main team members?”
“Heh, first, I need to correct one mistake of yours. It’s not that there is no support.”
“Second, Physician Feng Jin, when you start belittling yourself, you’re not far from failure. You all need to be more confident!”
A strange male voice entered the entire meeting room. Including Wang Yan, everyone looked toward the meeting room door.
“Creak~”
Accompanied by the sound of the wooden door being pushed open, a man with light green hair tied in a low ponytail and eyes with a red-to-blue gradient walked in.
Behind him, Elder Song brought the new reserve team to the meeting room hall.
The man nodded to Wang Yan and said to everyone:
“My name is Na Kexia, my real name is Anakesagolas. I don’t like students calling me Na Kexia, so call me by my real name from now on.”
Na Kexia paused, scanning the students who had all stood up neatly.
Looking at Bai E’s sunny smile, the indifferent Xia Die, and the energetic Feng Jin, a faint, hard-to-detect trace of reminiscence and longing flickered in his originally rational eyes, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly.
“Starting today, I am also your leading teacher, responsible for your safety and suggestions on strategic deployments.”
“The people behind me are your support. You should know them, so we’ll skip unnecessary self-introductions.”
Wang Dong looked at the reserve team behind Na Kexia, and surprise immediately appeared on his face.
“Sister Nannan! And Xiao Xiao!”
“You’ve come too!”
Jiang Nannan smiled at Wang Dong, while Xiao Xiao put her hands on her hips and said to Wang Dong:
“Hmph, what’s this? You’re not welcome?”
“That backstab you gave me in the free-for-all, I still remember it.”
“When I came, I saw a lot of good food in Star Luo City. You have to compensate me!”
Wang Dong nodded hurriedly and said:
“Don’t worry! Leave it to me!”
“I guarantee you’ll eat your fill!”
Elder Song called for the reserve team members to sit back down.
This reserve team consisted entirely of old acquaintances from Shrek Outer Court.
Led by three Soul Sects: Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan, along with Ning Tian, Dai Huabin, Xiao Xiao, and the original main team member Ling Luochen, forming the new reserve team of seven.
As for the choice of Dai Huabin, it had sparked controversy within Sea God Pavilion. Many pavilion elders disagreed with Dai Huabin joining the reserve team and thought Wu Feng should replace him.
However, more pavilion elders considered that his older brother Dai Yue Heng had just passed away, so as compensation, they reluctantly agreed to let Dai Huabin join the reserve team.
Although Dai Huabin had become part of the reserve team, he still had no qualifications to enter the Inner Court, let alone bear the title of Shrek Seven Devils.
This reserve team was quite unique. They were unlikely to participate in the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament and were only serving as support for Bai E and the others this time.
After everyone sat down, Dai Huabin didn’t even dare look at Mademos. His White Tiger dominance had been completely crushed.
The scene from the last free-for-all where Netherworld White Tiger was pinned to the ground like a dead dog by Mademos was deeply etched in Dai Huabin’s mind.
In front of Mademos, he could feel that he and Zhu Lu could no longer transform into Netherworld White Tiger. Their martial souls were both cowering in fear.
Elder Song, Na Kexia, and Wang Yan stood by the conference table and said softly:
“I know everyone is feeling very uneasy.”
“The academy understands your concerns. This time, Sea God Pavilion has ordered you to fight freely without any reservations.”
“Even if you lose, it doesn’t matter. No one will blame you.”
“This time is originally the academy’s own problem. Treat this Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament as a trial.”
Wang Yan also stepped forward with a smile and said:
“That’s right.”
“Everyone, don’t have any psychological burden. Fight however you normally would.”
“Actually, in my opinion, our team’s strength is still very strong.”
Na Kexia sized up Bai E, leaving Bai E a bit confused.
“Little chimera over there, next time remember to wear a normal set of clothes.”
“If you have no clothes, I can give you a set in Earth Beast style.”
“As for what Earth Beast is, if you’re interested, you can come to my room, and I’ll explain it to you slowly.”
“In my view, with two combat powers comparable to Soul Emperors, plus four super martial souls and one Haotian Sect successor, you can rank in the top five among all teams.”
“In short, I think we can win.”
“Next, let’s arrange the tactics.”
“The official matches start the day after tomorrow.”
……
“These are the participating members of Shrek Academy this year. They started with eight people and then added six more.”
“Judging by age, only one is under twenty, and the rest are probably not even fifteen!”
“Ma Rulong!”
“This is Shrek Academy’s contempt for us!”
“They don’t even have us in their eyes.”
“If you lose like this, get out of Mingde Hall!”
Elder Ma slammed the table in anger, the dull thud echoing through the room.
“Yes!”
A male student who resembled Elder Ma, tall and burly, stood up, his voice loud and serious.
“No, Elder Ma, if you see it that way, then Big Brother Rulong is probably going to suffer next.”
Xiao Hongchen looked at the seated Elder Ma with an arrogant smile.
Since returning to Sun Moon Empire, he had fought dozens of matches in the academy’s dueling arena, winning them all!
It finally reminded Xiao Hongchen that he wasn’t a maggot—he was Sun Moon Empire’s number one genius!
In Xilu City, being beaten by Mademos in all sorts of ways every day, he had long forgotten what it felt like to be a genius.
Elder Ma looked at Xiao Hongchen and showed a kind smile. This one was his top superior’s grandson; he couldn’t show a bad face.
“How so?”
Xiao Hongchen looked at Ma Rulong and said:
“Something probably happened to Shrek Academy’s original main team members.”
“From what I know, those competing main team members were originally reserve team members.”
“Suddenly being promoted to main team—it’s self-evident what happened.”
“But this is not a reason to underestimate them.”
“Everyone should know that Meng and I stayed in Xilu City for a while.”
Elder Ma and Ma Rulong both nodded. This wasn’t a secret in Mingde Hall at all.
Elder Ma and these Mingde Hall executives were well aware of their relationship with Enthusiasm—they were practically wearing the same pants.
However, no one chose to report it to the emperor. What a joke? They still wanted to make money with Enthusiasm!
They were still counting on importing new soul tool equipment like soul tool machine tools from Enthusiasm’s side. Mingde Hall researchers also raved about the new experimental equipment produced by Enthusiasm.
Many researchers even chose to use carving knives produced in Xilu City.
After all, those foreign gadgets from Xilu City were truly beautiful!
Of course, even if someone reported it, Otto would secretly handle it.
Xiao Hongchen didn’t keep selling the suspense and said straightforwardly:
“That Shrek contestant named Mademos.”
“I fought him 91 times!”
“I didn’t win a single one.”
Meng Hongchen added from the side:
“That’s right.”
“Each time, he beat me so bad I couldn’t get out of bed.”
“If he doesn’t get beaten one day, he feels uncomfortable all over.”
“To avoid crying out in pain the next time he’s beaten.”
“His fifth soul skill is specially chosen for metal liquefaction effect.”
Xiao Hongchen’s face darkened, and he retorted to Meng Hongchen:
“That’s called getting braver with each battle!”
“Also, soul skills are confidential! How can you reveal them casually!”
Meng Hongchen made a face at him and ignored him.
Ma Rulong was well aware of Xiao Hongchen’s strength. Even in the main team, few could guarantee a 100% win rate against him.
“That strong?”
“Shrek lives up to its reputation!”
“Looks like another formidable opponent!”
Ma Rulong and the main team members behind him showed fighting spirit on their faces. They didn’t want to bully a crippled Shrek team—that kind of victory would only bring glory to the empire but no personal satisfaction.
Seeing their expressions, Elder Ma shook his head and said no more.
His thoughts began to wander. Recently, under the instigation of the treacherous minister Otto, the Sun Moon Empire imperial family had started to view Mingde Hall with hostility. Various policies would have dismantled Mingde Hall long ago if not for Elder Kong Deming.
Elder Ma saw the information sent from Xilu City by Xuan Ziwen and others, noting they were receiving excellent treatment, and his thoughts drifted.
Even for Ma Rulong’s sake, he had to find a way to leave himself a backup plan.
……
“Jiujiu, are you ready?”
“We’re heading out of the city to welcome our friends from Star Dou Great Forest.”
Star Luo Emperor Xu Jiawei changed into casual clothes, looked in the mirror, and said to Xu Jiujiu beside him, who was wearing a beautiful dress.
Xu Jiujiu nodded, showing a sweet smile and saying:
“I’m ready.”
“We can set off anytime.”
Xu Jiawei turned around and looked at the old woman standing nearby. Her face was full of wrinkles, her hair white, but her vitality extremely vigorous.
“Your Excellency Medical Immortal, please accompany us.”
“Your Excellencies Shattered Star and Heaven’s Scourge are not suitable for this event.”
“You are the most suitable.”
Medical Immortal Douluo Wang Xian’er waved her hand and said:
“No problem. After all, it concerns the future of Star Luo Empire.”
“Besides, I also want to meet the legendary Beast God.”
This welcome was not done with great fanfare. After all, Di Tian and the others had special identities, so it was best to keep everything simple.
“By the way, Brother. Have you seen this year’s Shrek participating team?”
“They actually let those reserve team members take the field.”
Dai Hao had already informed Xu Jiawei via Magic Net about what happened in Ming Dou Mountain Range.
He already knew that this year’s Shrek Seven Devils had been nearly wiped out by an evil soul master, including Dai Hao’s most favored eldest son who had sacrificed himself.
“This is probably unavoidable. Who would have thought such a thing would happen just days before the tournament?”
“What a pity about White Tiger Duke’s eldest son! He was indeed a fine young man.”
“I hope Shrek doesn’t lose too badly this year.”
Xu Jiawei shook his head regretfully.
Medical Immortal Douluo Wang Xian’er beside him said:
“Shrek Academy might not care about winning or losing this time.”
“Even if they lose, no one can shake Shrek Academy’s position.”
“Keep in mind that Dragon Emperor Douluo and Dragon God Douluo are still alive.”
“Two Limit Douluos are enough to suppress the continent.”
Hearing these two names, Xu Jiawei’s body trembled. When Shrek Academy had just undergone reforms, Dragon God Douluo and Dragon Emperor Douluo had personally visited Star Luo Imperial Palace.
At that time, all Hall of Offerings members turned out in full force, all terrified by their pressure. Not a single Titled Douluo could lift their head.
At that moment, their generation finally remembered the fear of being dominated by the Holy Dragons of Light and Darkness.
The strongest batch in Star Luo Empire’s Hall of Offerings had all been beaten by Mu En or Long Xiaoyao in their youth.
Although Xu Jiawei was a Titled Douluo, it was his first time witnessing the might of Limit Douluos. It was simply the difference between firefly and bright moon!
He had no doubt that if Mu En and Long Xiaoyao had killing intent at the time, no one in the entire Star Luo Imperial Family, including the Hall of Offerings, would have survived!
The strength gap was too great!
He even heard Wang Xian’er say that long ago, Mu En and Long Xiaoyao had once demonstrated a martial soul fusion skill, but only that one time, after which there was no more news of them.
Xu Jiawei sighed and said:
“Yeah!”
“The Holy Dragons of Light and Darkness are still in the world!”
“Those are two Limit Douluos!”
“And that’s exactly why we must find new allies.”
“We’re not only close to Sun Moon Empire, but also not far from Shrek Academy!”
“Let’s go. We’ll go see that Beast God Di Tian, the continent’s number one strong person.”
