Chapter 88

As expected, when Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong returned to Sea God's Pavilion at noon, the former dean of the Martial Soul Department came looking for them.

Wulin, I heard everything about this from Xiaotao; are you unwilling to let Yutong treat Xiaotao?

He smiled broadly, not uttering a word about the Evil Soul Master.

Tang Wulin spoke bluntly.

Yeah, I don't want to indulge the Evil Soul Master.

He had heard from Mu En about the cruelty of Evil Soul Masters; although he had never witnessed their atrocities firsthand, it still filled his heart with hatred toward them.

In his view, Ma Xiaotao is no different from an Evil Soul Master.

Even setting that aside, Ma Xiaotao's extremely self-centered, domineering behavior made him dislike her greatly.

Yan Shaozhe sighed and looked at Huo Yutong.

Yutong, could it be that you think the same way? She's your senior sister, after all.

Obviously, after finding that Tang Wulin's side wouldn't budge, he again tried to bypass Tang Wulin and directly pressure Huo Yutong.

Tang Wulin was about to say something when he suddenly felt his hand tugged; turning his head, he saw Huo Yutong give him a look, after which she said to Yan Shaozhe:

Senior Brother Yan, don't forget that I was the direct victim of Senior Sister Xiaotao's loss-of-control incident; I could never forgive her.

I know." Yan Shaozhe said earnestly: "But if you helped her, she wouldn't be invaded by the Evil Fire, thereby reducing many victims like you; you'd be doing a good deed.

Tang Wulin twitched the corner of his mouth beside them.

What nonsense—if you want to reduce victims, just stop cultivating. Why should Huo Yutong do unpaid work to help Ma Xiaotao suppress the Evil Fire? Unwilling to suffer any loss themselves, they try to blackmail Huo Yutong with morality.

Huo Yutong naturally wouldn't let this loophole slip; she said seriously: 'As Wulin just made clear in class, if Senior Sister Xiaotao truly didn't want to harm innocents, she only needs to stop cultivating. If she lacks even that resolve and self-control, once her Evil Fire is suppressed she'll only indulge in it more recklessly, then suffer a worse backlash—that's actually harming her.'

Yan Shaozhe's expression turned grim.

Yutong, are you really unwilling to help with such a small favor? She's my disciple, which makes you her grandmaster; out of this relationship you should help her.

Obviously, after finding that reason wouldn't work on Huo Yutong, he began trying to play the emotion card again.

However, that couldn't possibly work—Huo Yutong is no longer the person she was a year ago; her horizons have broadened greatly, and she now knows how to fight for her own interests.

She shook her head and said:

Precisely because I am her grandmaster, I must correct her mistakes, lest she stray further down the wrong path; I hope Senior Brother Yan can also awaken soon and stop covering up her errors.

You……

Yan Shaozhe was about to say more when suddenly an old voice came from behind him.

Enough, Shaozhe, stop talking; having said all this and still refusing to let go is just unsightly.

Teacher……

Obviously, the person appearing behind Yan Shaozhe at this moment was Mu En.

As long as Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong remained within the academy, Mu En had continuously monitored their movements; although he didn't go so far as to deny them private space, he had witnessed what happened in the classroom and just now.

Yan Shaozhe's face turned pale.

He knew that if Mu En was unwilling to treat Ma Xiaotao, then this matter was essentially decided.

He urgently said: 'Teacher, you know Xiaotao's talent; she only lacks a stable cultivation environment. If she had Yutong's Ultimate Ice helping her, her talent could even surpass Lexuan's; our academy cannot afford to lose such talent!'

Mu En said lightly: 'Compared to a stable cultivation environment, I think this child Xiaotao lacks moral character more; if she continues like this she will surely go down the wrong path. Shaozhe, what Yutong said is right; it's time for you to wake up and stop letting Xiaotao keep making mistakes.'

But……

Yan Shaozhe still wanted to argue, but Mu En sighed and said: 'How about this: later, when Yutong has the ability to completely eradicate the Evil Fire problem, I can help you ask her for assistance—but then you and Xiaotao will have to pay appropriate compensation. What do you think?' 'All right……'

Having said that, Yan Shaozhe had completely lost any room to argue, so he could only nod helplessly.

Watching his retreating back, Mu En smiled at Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong and said:

You two did the right thing; one shouldn't easily place power in the hands of those lacking self-control, or things will only get worse.

Having said that, he let out a light sigh.

Shaozhe is also blinded by profit; with Xiaotao's talent and strength, if she could unleash her full power she would certainly achieve outstanding results in this Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, which for someone as vain as him is an irresistible temptation, to the point of clouding his judgment.

Tang Wulin heard an unfamiliar term and curiously asked:

Old Mu, what is the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament?

Mu En smiled faintly.

It is the most famous inter-academy competition on the continent, held every five years. Ten thousand years ago our academy gained fame on the continent because the first generation of Shrek Seven Monsters won at that era's Elite Tournament. The most recent tournament will begin in a month, and soon after we will start selecting the participants' list—you two will also need to go then.

We also have to go?

Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong were both startled.

They've only just entered second year.

Mu En said helplessly: 'That's natural; although you two are still young, in terms of combat power no one in the Outer Courtyard can match this pair of yours. Moreover, you're going to participate in the tournament only as reserve team members—the reserve team does compete in the tournament, but mainly for training, so you don't need to bear too much pressure.'

Then that's fine.

Tang Wulin let out a sigh of relief.

Huo Yutong asked: 'Old Mu, what's the difference between the main team and the reserve team?'

The difference is age." Mu En patiently explained: "Main team members are all inner courtyard students, basically the reserve team from the previous tournament, so they're generally between fifteen and twenty years old, while reserve team members come from the outer courtyard, preparing for the next tournament, so their ages are fifteen and under.

Hearing that, Tang Wulin's expression turned a bit odd.

Old Mu, does that mean the age limit for participating in the tournament is twenty?

Yes.

Seeing Mu En nod slightly, Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong exchanged a glance.

They had the same thought.

Knowing that Tang Wulin is only ten now, by this rule he could theoretically participate three times; Mu En also saw through their little thought and couldn't help but chuckle.

What you're imagining is rather far-fetched; if Wulin really could participate at twenty, he'd probably be able to defeat all the teams by himself.

This isn't baseless alarmism—right now, at ten years old, Tang Wulin can already dominate the Outer Courtyard, and in ten years he will absolutely be invincible in the Inner Courtyard.

Even against an entire team, he could not possibly lose.

Unfortunately, he probably won't be able to participate in the third Continental Soul Master Academy Elite Competition.

"Because the continent's situation probably won't hold out until then......"

Mu En's words were buried deep in his heart, and no one heard them.

Off-topic, but I've been sleep-deprived and in a bad mood these past few days trying to meet my ten-thousand-word daily quota, and this writing has made me furious.

A good person shouldn't be pointed at with a gun, but I still won't treat her—let her live or die on her own.

(End of chapter)