Chapter 33

"Huh? This kind of situation? Impossible. Absolutely impossible, even if a twelve-year-old boy had the best talent and plenty of heavenly treasures to assist, he could absolutely not absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. Which brat is it? Call him out so I can have a look." Gong Changlong had an explosive temper and immediately started shouting.

Du Weilin somewhat embarrassed said: "Elder Gong, you see, the promotion examination is underway; should we wait until it's over before..."

Gong Changlong said unhappily: "What the hell exam. Didn't you hear me? Soul beasts below ten thousand years mostly lose control of bowels and bladder, those below a thousand years are all afflicted, so how can we test? These soul beasts need at least two to three days to recover. The stench downstairs—do you know how long I'd have to send people to clean? With great difficulty I got these soul beasts to not defecate randomly, and now it's all for nothing."

Du Weilin also didn't expect it to become this serious, even making the promotion examination impossible. This is no small matter; it will affect the students' study time.

"Alright, Elder Gong, I'll go explain first. Please wait a moment."

Du Weilin turned and went to the two classes of students, speaking solemnly: "Because of the special circumstances, today's promotion examination is postponed; class supervisors, take the students back to the classroom to study."

Zhou Yi hurriedly asked: "Director Du, how will Chen Qiye's examination be counted?"

"Chen Qiye, what are you saying about that brat?"

"I said little ancestor, how can you be so wasteful? Do you know how long I'd have to send people to clean? With great difficulty I got these soul beasts to not defecate randomly, and now it's all for nothing."

"Grandpa Gong, this isn't my fault; you know I'm taking the promotion examination, not killing him is already good enough. Don't you know how hard it is to capture a ten-thousand-year soul beast for years?"

Chen Qiye waved his hand, his two deep large eyes full of an innocent expression.

Indeed, this red-haired old man is the head of the Beast Fighting Area, one of the Sea God Pavilion's elders, Gong Changlong.

The two stood in the middle of the field talking; although others felt their expressions and movements were odd, they didn't hear their conversation.

Finally, seeing Chen Qiye stroll back, while the old man dragged the Flaming Lion King with one hand, turned and disappeared into the passage. After seeing this, everyone became even more bewildered.

Some observant students could roughly guess that Gong Changlong was the administrator here.

In the end, Gong Changlong judged Chen Qiye's examination score as full marks.

No one had any objection to this result.

Even when Chen Qiye returned to the waiting area, he again received a batch of reverent gazes.

But before he could stop for even a second or two, Gu Yue pulled him out of the examination field...

Watching Chen Qiye being pulled away, Wang Dong sulked: "Damn it, this big pig's trotter!"

……

Two days later

Since this is the promotion examination for the outer institute's Martial Soul Department, which tests the improvement of martial souls over the past year, there is a restriction that soul tools may not be used during the examination.

Because he had no conflict with Dai Huabin, Huo Yuhao's goal was merely to pass the promotion examination.

He took the control system examination route, not revealing his second martial soul.

Huo Yuhao, in order to conceal his strength, performed somewhat averagely, so he didn't attract much attention; on the other hand, Wang Dong, who is currently undergoing the examination, gave a splendid performance that caused a commotion.

The main reason is the three striking soul rings on her body—one yellow and two purple!

That's right; after a month's vacation, Wang Dong's greatest gain was obtaining this third soul ring with the help of her family.

……

"Old Yan, is this child really from there?"

On the high platform, Qian Duo Duo looked at Wang Dong's performance and grew increasingly satisfied, unable to help inquiring about the other's news.

Because their jurisdictions differ, Qian Duo Duo does not know the information about the Martial Soul Department students.

"Isn't this nonsense? I wouldn't lie to you about this; besides, it concerns Xiao Ye, I've already looked over Wang Dong's information back and forth countless times."

Yan Shao Zhe said unhappily, the two have been rivals for most of their lives, usually accustomed to each other's "cunning and deceit," and have been on guard against each other for many years.

After finally managing to speak the truth once, the other still doesn't believe it... "Ah, forget it, let it be; Xiao Ye is still young, these matters should be left for him to decide later; all we can do is help keep an eye on him."

Qian Duo Duo sighed helplessly, not expecting that in a blink ten-odd years would have passed; if Chen Qiye were just an ordinary person on the continent, in another three to five years he should have settled down and started a family.

Yan Shao Zhe deeply empathized and nodded; the two stopped speaking and focused their gazes on the examination below.

Qian Duo Duo still wanted to take the opportunity to poach a few more people.

……

On the fourth floor of the Sea God Pavilion, in an utterly ordinary room, Elder Mu had his eyes slightly closed, his whole body completely slumped in the recliner.

This image really has nothing to do with that Dragon God Douluo who roamed the continent for over two hundred years; frankly, he is already approaching the point of exhausted fuel and waning light.

Fortunately, if no unexpected incidents occur, he can still support himself for seven or eight years.

"I hope this old bone of mine can still hold out until Qiye and they grow up."

Elder Mu let out a light sigh and opened his eyes, which had become somewhat cloudy.

A dull yellow light flashed for a moment, and a disheveled figure appeared in the room—none other than Elder Xuan, who had just been watching Chen Qiye's promotion examination in the outer institute.

"Elder Mu."

Upon entering the room, Elder Xuan first greeted the stooped old man, then bowed forward and helped him up.

"Xuan Zi, this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Duel Tournament will be led by you. Remember, no matter what happens, you must first guarantee the students' safety, especially Qiye, allowing no mistake whatsoever."

"We don't have much time left; the continent's situation is shifting unpredictably, and the real storm is about to begin."

Elder Mu's tone grew somewhat solemn, as if he had thought of something.

Facing this old man's entrustment, Elder Xuan solemnly nodded and agreed.

Not only for the hope of the academy, but more importantly, it is an inner reproach.

If something happens to Chen Qiye, then he himself doesn't intend to return to the academy either...

"By the way, has the starting roster for the competition been decided?"

After the room had been quiet for a long while, Elder Mu spoke up.

Elder Xuan, without thinking, blurted out: "We're still selecting; aside from Xiao Tao, there are several inner courtyard kids whose abilities are quite good; at the very least, winning the championship is no problem."

"Like this, in the starting roster, free up one or two spots for me; I'll keep them for later use."

Elder Mu finished speaking in a gentle voice, then gestured that Elder Xuan could leave.

"Could it be for…… is"

Although Elder Xuan had already suspected in his heart, since it was Elder Mu's request, he just needed to carry it out.

He trusts all the decisions made by that old man who devoted his life to Shrek Academy.

In fact, as long as nothing unexpected happens, with Ma Xiaotao here, the championship is guaranteed.

In that case, it would be better to vacate a few slots and give them to the candidate he has in mind.

For the sake of fairness, a match must be arranged; even though the initial reserve team selections have already been set, that doesn't preclude replacements.

After all, that's how the world is— the strong rise, the weak fall.

As long as those two truly possess the ability to join the main battle team, no one will object.

This is the harshest rule, and even in this continent's premier academy, it makes no exception.

(End of chapter)