Chapter 172: Changes at Shrek Academy

After all matters were dealt with, Yang Xiong returned home alone; as long as Ning Fengzhi places enough importance on the Spirit Hall, at least the battle won't be as disastrous as in the original work, and there was nothing else Yang Xiong could do.

After returning to his room, Yang Xiong finally took out the Hanhai Qiankun Shield, his true trump card.

When the Hanhai Qiankun Shield was first revealed, the entire room instantly turned a marine blue, its soft radiance dazzlingly brilliant, and even with Yang Xiong's spiritual power and insight his soul seemed to tremble, a little entranced.

Yang Xiong sliced his right‑hand finger, and under the pull of soul power his blood began to flow into the Hanhai Qiankun Shield.

If someone watches closely, they will notice Yang Xiong's blood differs from ordinary blood; normal blood is crimson, but his carries a hint of gold, appearing more fierce and domineering, with killing intent fully exposed, perhaps due to the influence of the strange mushroom‑to‑heaven chrysanthemum.

As Yang Xiong's blood and soul power entered the Hanhai Qiankun Shield, the shield seemed to emit an endless suction, simultaneously projecting a deep‑blue silhouette that appeared ready to devour Yang Xiong's blood and soul power completely.

With more and more blood and soul power flowing in, Yang Xiong felt the Hanhai Qiankun Shield's pull on him grow stronger, his whole being becoming somewhat uncontrollable, even his spiritual power being consumed, and he began to lose consciousness.

As the energy surged, the shield's blue light grew ever more distinct, gradually forming a deep‑blue human silhouette.

The deep‑blue silhouette looked at the soon‑to‑faint Yang Xiong, a hint of delight in its eyes: "What a fine seed; after all these years I finally found someone who can bear the power of Hanhai, a talent whose constitution and bloodline can endure Hanhai's force. It wasn't in vain that I waited so long."

But at that moment, Yang Xiong's blood seemed to undergo a mutation, exuding endless killing intent, and his martial soul manifested as well, taking the form of a blood‑red giant.

The blood‑colored giant roared, "Enough!"

The deep‑blue silhouette gasped, "Unthinkable, truly unthinkable—what a pity."

In the end, both Yang Xiong's martial soul and the deep‑blue silhouette gradually faded, seemingly merging with the Hanhai Qiankun Shield yet remaining distinct, as the blood‑red silhouette began to dominate.

After an unknown span of time, Yang Xiong slowly regained consciousness.

Now Yang Xiong clutched the Hanhai Qiankun Shield, his mind a haze; after much effort he seemed to have obtained the shield, yet it had not truly recognized him as master.

The shield remains a deep‑blue crystal, but faintly it now bears a trace of blood‑colored aura, appearing far more extraordinary than at the start.

After observing carefully for a while, when Yang Xiong once again infused soul power into the Hanhai Qiankun Shield, the blue light blossomed as if alive.

After careful verification, Yang Xiong indeed could wield the Hanhai Qiankun Shield via soul power and even acquired its techniques, though they differ somewhat from Tang San's in the original; at least the shield has not recognized a master, merely granting its usage method.

It is like a sentient weapon: Yang Xiong can use it, but the weapon has not recognized a master; there is merely some connection between them.

The Hanhai Qiankun Shield has four skills: Hanhai Protective Shield, Qiankun Stabilizing Shield, Hanhai Raging Wave, and Qiankun Demon‑Breaking.

When using the Hanhai Protective Shield, one merges with the surroundings; no one can sense one's presence, and the defense is extremely formidable.

When employing the Qiankun Stabilizing Shield, one can mentally immobilize an opponent, a technique truly divine in combat.

Hanhai Raging Wave is a group‑attack skill, while Qiankun Demon‑Breaking is a single‑target skill; both depend on one's soul power—the stronger the soul power, the greater the damage.

Yang Xiong believes all four skills are divine techniques; if used cleverly, even a Title Douluo could be challenged.

Especially as his soul power grows, their use becomes even more convenient; once he reaches Title Douluo level, the four skills can reach their fullest potential, and combined with his martial soul they may produce unexpected effects.

Yang Xiong can't help but recall the Million‑Year Soul Ring Soul Bone; throughout the Douluo World only the Million‑Year Soul Ring Soul Bone can possess four skills, and anyone with four skills is considered a deity.

Yang Xiong has grown increasingly fond of the Hanhai Qiankun Shield; it truly is a rare Divine Artifact.

In the following period, Yang Xiong both diligently cultivated and familiarized himself with the Hanhai Qiankun Shield's usage.

Meanwhile, numerous reports arrived from the outside world.

First, Ning Fengzhi, following Yang Xiong's suggestion, began to gradually implement deployments.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect recalled some disciples, placing greater emphasis on their cultivation and training, while abandoning some of its business.

Ning Fengzhi even personally sought out Emperor Xue Ye, who gave some approval to Ning Fengzhi's actions, though he seemed somewhat displeased with sects overly interfering in imperial affairs.

Within Cloud Mist Mountain, the Body Sect continues to operate low‑key; aside from trade with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, it has no dealings with any major powers, focusing solely on cultivation.

Especially Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, and Bai He, their cultivation has become more vigorous, seemingly competing over who will first break through to Title Douluo.

News from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy reported Flanders.

Normally, less than a year remains before the Soul Master Competition, and all teams should be rubbing their fists, eager to shine at the competition.

Unfortunately, neither the Spirit Hall nor the Two Great Empires seem to plan holding a new Soul Master Competition.

In the last Soul Master Competition, the Spirit Hall shone brightly; the golden generation's talent earned worldwide recognition, and Hu Liena even ascended to Saintess due to her outstanding performance.

Clearly the Two Great Empires no longer wish to see the Spirit Hall take the spotlight, and have no intention of holding a Soul Master Competition.

Likewise, the Spirit Hall remains silent; not only are there no high rewards, they have no plans to continue the Soul Master Competition at all.

Without the backing of the three great forces, it seems the last Soul Master Competition was the final swan song.

Flanders reported that, since the Soul Master Competition will not be held for now, the original Shrek Battle Team has halted its formation; whether it can ever be built is another matter.

Yu Xiaogang seemed struck, appearing considerably more decadent.

Originally Yu Xiaogang hoped to shine at the Soul Master Competition, thereby proving his theoretical knowledge and leadership.

Unfortunately, now there is no Soul Master Competition at all; how can he prove himself?

When Yu Xiaogang's ambitions could not be realized, his career faltered yet his love life thrived, and he and Liu Erlong were on the verge of a happy union.

Without the title of Soul Master Competition team leader, Yu Xiaogang's educational career was severely hindered; even the team was no longer needed, so there was no need for a leader.

Moreover, Yu Xiaogang is only level 29, far below any teacher's standard; even his soul power level is lower than many students, making his standing at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy extremely awkward.

The Three Education Commissioners said little, yet clearly no longer valued him as before, even unsure how to assign him to teach students.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy students generally have good aptitude and deep backgrounds; how could they willingly be taught by a Great Soul Master? Even the lowest‑level class teachers are Soul Kings.

Seeing his lack of recognition and Liu Erlong's impending union, Yu Xiaogang, in a fit of anger, went to the Blue Tyrant Academy.

Flanders, because of Liu Erlong's relationship with Xiaogang, also decided to become principal of the Blue Tyrant Academy, even renaming it Shrek Academy.

Unfortunately, the Blue Tyrant Academy has always been at the bottom of the Soul Master Competition; its internal recruitment of geniuses is very limited, only a few common soul masters.

Yu Xiaogang felt even more helpless at the Blue Tyrant Academy; its students' aptitude was worse than that of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and with his proud nature he deemed them unworthy of his instruction.

In the end, Yu Xiaogang simply bowed his head to pursue his own studies, not interacting with others, reminiscent of his time at Notding Junior Spirit Master Academy.

As for the former Heaven Dou Royal Academy battle team students, each now seeks their own path; the only one left, Ye Lingling, left the team directly, having long met graduation standards.

The newly recruited students all have deep backgrounds; they either return home or continue cultivating at the academy, so how could they abandon Heaven Dou Royal Academy for the Blue Tyrant Academy?

After four years of cultivation, Ma Hongjun also met graduation standards, so he simply joined his girlfriend's family; she hails from a great noble house with abundant resources and wealth, and promised to fully support Ma Hongjun, making it his best current choice.

Thus even Ma Hongjun did not follow Flanders to the Blue Tyrant Academy; consequently, the so‑called new Shrek Academy bears no trace of the original Shrek Seven Monsters.

Of course, Flanders also shared another notice: the original Shrek Battle Team members had set a five‑year reunion, hoping everyone could attend and not forget the camaraderie of former comrades.

Moreover, according to Flanders, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing have already replied and will come to participate, and even Tang San and Ning Rongrong have replied.

Unfortunately, Flanders has no news of Oscar at all, and Oscar and Qin Shuang seem to have completely disappeared from the Soul Master World.

And Yang Xiong had specifically asked Ning Fengzhi, who only said that Oscar, Qin Shuang, and Yang Wei have been training very fast in their practice over the past few years, and their combat experience is extremely rich, so they can already stand on their own, and even faintly show the shadow of becoming top Soul Grandmasters.

Yang Xiong also misses Oscar and his older brother Yang Wei, after all they are his best brothers, unfortunately he doesn't want to disturb their training.

And when Flanders served as principal of Lan Ba Academy, Zhao Wuji also personally went to the new Shrek Academy.

Even Flanders and Zhao Wuji drank heavily together, the two good friends basically drank until they were satisfied.

As for soul power level, Zhao Wuji has completely surpassed Flanders, now reaching level 86, basically increasing by about two levels each year, which is quite steady.

Zhao Wuji has now taken root in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, or rather the Body Sect; here resources are abundant, and he wants for nothing, and when he feels like practicing, there is a group of people from the Body Academy to teach him, with no intention whatsoever of returning to Shrek Academy.

(End of chapter)