FE-Chapter 77: Wang Dong... Does Not Have You on the List
Wang Yan looked at the folder in his hand, thought for a moment, frowned slightly, and said in a deep voice, "If Wu Feng and Ning Tian are replaced..."
"It's fine to cross Wu Feng off the list. Although her Red Dragon Martial Soul is also top-notch in quality, her talent does not stand out, particularly among this group of skilled seedlings. It's acceptable to replace Wu Feng."
Wang Yan felt that there were many students with some talent at Shrek Academy.
A red dragon martial soul like Wu Feng, while considered one of the best, ranks higher than most ordinary geniuses. However, among all the core disciples, Wu Feng—who had not yet reached the level of Soul Elder (3 rings)—seemed somewhat lacking and could not reach the top level.
Wang Yan voiced his doubts: "If Ning Tian is removed from the list, it may cause considerable controversy."
"After all, Ning Rongrong, who possessed the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, was one of the first generation of Shrek Seven Devils ten thousand years ago."
"And in various competitions and actual combats against the enemy, Ning Rongrong's martial soul can have an auxiliary effect that affects the entire battle situation."
According to Wang Yan's thoughts, Beibei is currently a four-ring soul ancestor. If he receives the full power boost from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, he could temporarily possess the strength of a quasi-five-ring soul king.
Ning Tian comes from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and her inherited martial soul, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, is recognized on the continent for its powerful auxiliary capabilities.
Ten thousand years ago, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was powerful. Since Ning Rongrong, a member of the original Shrek Seven Devils, took the herb and evolved her martial soul into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, she finally achieved godhood!
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect upgraded its name to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, but compared to its influence on the continent ten thousand years ago, its prominence has greatly diminished.
However, Ning Rongrong, the owner of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda martial soul, remains an undeniable member of the original Shrek Seven Devils.
Wang Yan seemed to be pondering: "Master Xuan, replacing Ning Tian might be a bit problematic. There needs to be a reasonable excuse. After all, everyone knows of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda."
"And Ning Tian is currently a Level 33 Auxiliary Soul Elder, with cultivation even higher than that of our ancestor Ning Rongrong at the same age."
Wang Yan sighed lightly. "Crossing her off the list is unreasonable from any perspective."
After listening to Wang Yan's words, Master Xuan felt they made sense. While thinking, he picked up the wine gourd and took a big sip, as if considering something.
"Little Wang, you have to think about it this way: even though the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda has been renowned throughout the continent for ten thousand years..."
"On the field, this well-known auxiliary martial soul is far less impressive to the audience than a martial soul fusion technique."
From what Xuan Zi saw, Shrek was participating in the All-Continent Senior Academy Fighting Spirit Competition mainly to display their unparalleled heritage—essentially to show off. While allowing reserved team members to gain experience through this level of competition, it also highlighted Shrek Academy's ability to cultivate outstanding soul masters.
Of course, the abundance of talented seed players at Shrek Academy has little to do with Shrek's teaching abilities. The key is that they only accept noble students, including top nobles like Dai Huabin, who have enjoyed their status for thousands of years.
---
It seems his list is insufficient, but the reserve team places have already been allocated. It is not possible to add Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao.
Xuan Zi pondered and said, "Wang Dong's ability is indeed strong, but in this Soul Master Competition, the individual elimination rounds are supported by the regular players, while the reserve players primarily gain experience."
Even if reserve players are allowed to play, in addition to the individual elimination rounds, the team battles and two-vs-three events in the competition all require cooperation among teammates.
Xuan Zi chuckled: "At times like this, the effect of the martial soul fusion technique can be well highlighted."
"Let's keep Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu, and cross out Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao. After all, they are just reserve players in this competition. If they make significant progress in the next competition, we can consider promoting them to regular players."
In a game where reserve players can play, the opponents are naturally relatively weaker.
Being fully confident of defeating the opponents, they let the reserve players come on the field to showcase their skills and allow everyone to see how outstanding Shrek students are.
Wang Yan thought for a moment and did not refute. He quickly flipped through the folder in his hand.
"Master Xuan, do you still remember the pair of sisters I mentioned at the beginning, who performed exceptionally well in the freshman assessment: Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo?"
"Although the two of them failed to make it to the end of this selection, the sisters can also use their hair martial souls together to activate the martial soul fusion skill, the Heaven and Earth Net."
After hearing this, Master Xuan hesitated, took a sip of wine out of habit, and said slowly, "It seems that students not on the list might also be considered..."
"Twin martial souls and body martial soul fusion skills are also top-tier seedlings; let me consider this further..."
At this moment, the familiar strange and weird sensation from Xuan Zi seemed to stir again.
He thought for a long time and said slowly, "Xiao Wang, I have an idea."
"We can't let reserve players think they can be complacent after being selected and that they'll become regular players in five years. We must instill in them a sense of urgency."
"Huh? Let the reserve players feel a sense of urgency?"
Wang Yan was stunned, then said seriously, "Master Xuan, please elaborate."
Xuan Zi laughed. With his wisdom, he was adept at handling such situations.
"We can first give Wang Dong and the Tianlan sisters the status of 'enjoying preparatory disciple treatment.'"
This is a common tactic used by Shrek—to draw a big picture for students to let them know the school still values them.
After all, it's just a verbal reward; the final interpretation rests with Xuan Zi.
"Write them into the reserve players list and let them follow another teacher to the competition site to watch the game."
"If they make significant progress later, they can replace reserve players at any time and become regular players for the next Soul Master Competition."
Old Xuan couldn't help but smile broadly.
"This will not only motivate them but also keep the reserve team members feeling a sense of urgency and prevent them from slacking off in their cultivation."
Wang Yan contemplated what Master Xuan had said. Enjoying the treatment of reserve team members and attending the Soul Master Competition to watch the games seemed a good idea.
Wang Yan nodded slightly.
"Master Xuan, that's an excellent plan."
Xuan Zi leisurely drank wine and ate chicken legs, nodding with a hint of approval. "Well, let's arrange it this way."
"But I don't have extra time to lead the students enjoying this treatment to watch the game."
Wang Yan immediately replied, "Master Xuan, do not worry about this. I will inform Fan Yu, and he can take the students enjoying the treatment of preparatory disciples."
He recorded it in the folder and reported it to Xuan Zi.
"Then, the list of reserve players is finally confirmed as: Beibei, Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, Tang Ya, Jiang Nannan, Zhu Lu, and Dai Huabin."
"The initial list of seven people who will enjoy preparatory disciple treatment and attend the Soul Master Competition to watch the games is confirmed as: Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Bai Yunli, Ning Tian, Wu Feng, Lan Susu, and Lan Luoluo."
Xuan Zi frowned slightly. "As for Jiang Nannan, she has not come to the academy for this semester; we'll need to observe her for a while."
Wang Yan understood that Master Xuan likely thought Jiang Nannan wasn't paying enough attention to her studies, so he chose not to argue. After all, many candidates can step in.
He looked at the folder in his hand and nodded involuntarily. There didn't seem to be any major issues with these two lists now.
As for Wang Dong, Ning Tian, and the others who failed to become reserve members for this Soul Master Competition, all he could say was sorry; he had already done his best.
At least they received the title of "enjoying the treatment of reserve team members," which is a decent outcome.
Although Wang Dong's strength is stronger than Dai Huabin's, she is not on the list.
Xuan Zi leaned back comfortably against the golden tree. "Since the reserve team students have been mostly arranged, it's up to you, Xiao Wang, to decide how to train these kids."
"I will think about how to sharpen the character of these kids before the Soul Master Competition."
After finishing a gourd of wine, Xuan Zi burped with satisfaction, chewing on chicken in his mouth. The strange energy emanating from his body intensified, and he spoke vaguely, "What we need at Shrek Academy are students who are outstanding both in talent and character."
"Simply put, there are many students with good martial soul talents in our academy, and we don't need one or two more. The main goal is to refine students' characters."
Wang Yan nodded in understanding. "I understand, Master Xuan."
After closing the folder, a strange look appeared in his eyes. What does it mean to need one or two more? What kind of outrageous idea is this drunkard having? Can he dismiss students at will?
---
In the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, various soul guidance guns and cannons were firing fiercely in the trial field.
Lin Jiayi recognized Nana's performance, but as he thought about her martial soul, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. "Master, although Nana's explosive power when using a short blade is remarkable..."
"Her ghost martial soul, in essence, seems to be a little inclined to..."
"Oh, you mean she might be inclined towards evil soul masters?" Jing Hongchen raised an eyebrow at Lin Jiayi.
Lin Jiayi nodded. "Yes, Nana's detailed information states that her fourth soul skill is the Wraith, which is released by the power of the soul. Once successful, it has a strong binding effect on the soul."
"Although the binding time is relatively short—only a moment—it's enough for a quick attack soul engineer."
"Using this moment, one can severely injure an opponent or even take his life."
In the original work, Nana used the Blinking Sword to instantaneously pierce through Huo Yuhao's Ice Emperor's Claw and Mysterious Jade Hand defense, causing Huo Yuhao to bleed.
One should not underestimate this small achievement of making Huo Yuhao bleed.
Looking at the entire Dou II, there are probably not many beings that can make Huo Yuhao bleed through their abilities.
The wind baboon, who sought the fate of becoming a god from the start, might be counted among them. After an intense battle, he left several long bloody marks on Huo Yuhao's shoulders.
After all, the Wind Baboon has many epic titles, indicating he is formidable.
When Huo Yuhao finally challenged the Beast God Di Tian, I wondered if Di Tian managed to make Huo Yuhao bleed... However, in such high-level battles, ordinary bleeding might not serve as a benchmark, as competition revolves around more substantial exigencies.
The luxury of various internal soul core configurations—such as spiritual soul core, ice soul core, and space soul core—or the quality of external weapons and equipment, like the Morning Dew Sword and Ghost Carving Sword, are all considered.
However, it's evident that Nana, who can make Huo Yuhao bleed, must indeed possess significant power.
Her achievement of nearly taking Huo Yuhao's life is comparable to the Wind Baboon's struggle, who is evenly matched with Huo Yuhao yet lacks sophisticated equipment.
As for whether Nana's ghost martial soul is inevitably linked to evil soul masters, Jing Hongchen also holds a clear set of beliefs about this.
Jing Hongchen placed his hands behind his back, assuming a masterly demeanor: "Jiayi, do you know how Shrek Academy defines evil soul masters?"
"I've heard a bit about it," Lin Jiayi replied, looking attentive as he listened to the hall master's insights.
Jing Hongchen chuckled. "Haha, Shrek Academy's definition of evil soul masters is remarkably superficial."
"They rely solely on the most surface characteristics of martial souls, such as unusual cultivation methods, unusual soul power attributes, or even the mere names of their martial souls, and label them as evil soul masters."
"Shrek Academy once posited that those who shy away from trouble are mediocre... They have benefited from this to this day."
Lin Jiayi found the hall master's elusive nature intriguing and asked with interest, "What's your take on this theory, Hall Master?"
"Oh, I believe that whether a soul master is evil should be determined by their actions."
Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes slightly. "If a person awakens a green, pollution-free plant-type martial soul but has a configuration with a devouring effect and adheres to the principle of not causing trouble, then they are merely mediocre; while someone who indiscriminately stirs up trouble everywhere... that kind of person is a true evil soul master."
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