Chapter 178: Going Home

Another boring Sea God Pavilion meeting.

"I have called you all here this time to discuss an important matter."

Looking at the people before him, Xuan Lao could not help but feel emotional; the last time they were gathered so neatly was five years ago, and they were much more immature back then than they are now.

Bei Bei, He Cai Tou, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, Xiao Xiao, Huo Yu Hao, Wang Dong'er, and Su Yu.

Except for Huo Yu Hao, who sat in the lower seat to Xuan Lao's left as his closed-door disciple, and Su Yu and Wang Dong'er, who sat beside Xian Lin'er, the others all stood in a row before Xuan Lao because they were not yet qualified to sit.

Watching these vibrant young people, Xuan Lao missed the days when Mu Lao was still around even more.

As long as these young people grow up, even if they don't necessarily become the pillars of Shrek, they will surely become a powerful force against the Sun Moon Empire in the future, and might even become the key to deciding the outcome of future wars.

However, this future will not be too far away...

Xuan Lao continued, "There are less than three months left until the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Master Tournament. You should all be about ready, right?"

As he spoke, Xuan Lao's gaze swept over Su Yu, his implication very clear.

The role of captain was still to be held by Su Yu—an all-around talent serving as both substitute and captain, as well as a main force...

"I brought you here today to talk about the tournament. Not long ago, we received some news. This news is not good for the Academy, but for you, it is an opportunity. The new All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Master Tournament will be held in the Sun Moon Empire. Without a doubt, competing on the turf of our greatest rival will put you under immense pressure. Furthermore, the Sun Moon Empire recently consulted with the three nations originally belonging to the Douluo Continent, wanting to change the tournament format to a certain degree. They are also widely soliciting opinions from numerous academies and sects across the continent."

"Changing the format?" Bei Bei's eyes sharpened. As a participant from the continent's number one academy, there was no doubt that a change in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Master Tournament format would inevitably have a flavor of targeting Shrek Academy. No wonder Xuan Lao said it wasn't good news for the students.

Xuan Lao said, "Yes, changing the format. First, what they want to change is the eligibility for the tournament. The age limit for participants remains unchanged at under twenty. This has no impact. However, they have expanded the scope to include all sects. In other words, the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Master Tournament will be changed to the All-Continent Youth Soul Master Tournament. The number of participating teams will also increase significantly. If the new format is passed, the number of participating teams will at least double."

"Su Yu, tell us your thoughts. You were the captain last time; as captain, talk about your views on this change in format and how to respond," Xuan Lao said to Su Yu.

Su Yu nodded, "Since a change in format has been proposed, it is already a foregone conclusion. If you analyze it carefully, it is not hard to see the following issues."

"Keep going, don't play games with me," Xuan Lao urged.

"First, since the other side proposed changing the format, it is nothing more than hoping to increase the difficulty of us winning the championship by increasing the number of participants. After all, everyone knows the result of the last tournament."

"Second, since the other side has already proposed it, it is destined that this format will pass."

Huo Yu Hao asked, "Su Yu, why are you so sure it will pass?"

"Because they are the hosts this time," Su Yu answered indifferently, although he had long known that this format was destined to pass in the original story.

Hearing Su Yu say this, everyone fell silent.

Xuan Lao waved his hand and continued, "Su Yu, continue."

Su Yu stood up and continued, "If sects are introduced to the competition, then the formidable enemies we face will not just be Star Luo National Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Guidance Academy. Just as Xuan Lao said, once the format changes, we may face the Body Sect, or even the Three Great Sects, or encounter that familiar old rival of ours, the Holy Spirit Cult."

Xuan Lao waved his hand and said, "No matter how the format changes, I have confidence in you. In the last tournament, you were able to bring back the championship under such unfavorable conditions; five years later, you are worlds apart from who you were then. So what if those sects participate? Although you will encounter many troubles, I still believe you will eventually win the championship. But have you thought about this: after the format changes, while it is a bad thing for the Academy, it is a good thing for you. The seven of you belong to the same sect."

Bei Bei spoke up, "We are indeed about ready, but there is one thing that might disappoint you."

"Oh? What could disappoint me?" Xuan Lao looked at Bei Bei's somewhat troubled expression, puzzled.

At this moment, He Cai Tou spoke up, "Let me say it. Su Yu will not be participating in the tournament this time."

Xuan Lao: "………………"

"I want an explanation from you, Su Yu, regarding this matter!" Not only Xuan Lao, but even Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er, who were sitting beside him, had their expressions change.

Su Yu slowly stood up and walked toward the door of the Sea God Pavilion: "I know you all have high hopes for me, but because of this tournament format issue, I am different from you all. My family is destined to deal with various sects. The more complex and intertwined the gathering of personnel, the more impossible it is for my family to let me participate in this kind of competition. Xuan Lao, Dean Yan, Dean Xian, the family has given orders; I cannot use my family as the price for my willfulness."

"Go back then, if you can convince your family..." Xuan Lao was stunned, sighed helplessly, and waved his hand at Su Yu.

Yan Shaozhe was also stunned, then as if realizing something, he said, "Su Yu, if you encounter any difficulties, I can accompany you on a trip in a personal capacity."

"Dean Yan, I appreciate your kindness, but it really has nothing to do with anything else; it is just a family order." After leaving the Sea God Pavilion, Su Yu only felt that this matter had been disposed of a bit too hastily.

But Su Yu didn't care. This tournament was destined to be a trap. He could use other forces to secretly resolve troubles, but putting himself in danger was not in line with Su Yu's usual approach.

Shrek, oh Shrek, I'll leave the rest to you.

…………

When Su Yu was walking alone in Shrek City, he received a letter sent by Chen Lao.

"The specific details are all in this letter. Young Master, why not return to the family now? As for the Academy, the Family Head will arrange things for you," Chen Lao said to Su Yu.

Su Yu nodded; Su Yu never doubted the Chen Lao before him, "Good, Chen Lao, I leave everything that follows to you."

Arriving at the Su Family's station in Shrek City, Su Yu opened the envelope and began to organize the information from these past few days.

The letter stated that Xuan Ziwen had already arrived at the Wanjing Sect and was currently devoted to the research on the Number One Experimental Subject, while also having fully inherited all the design manuscripts and blueprints Su Yu had given him.

Su Yu was not surprised by this; after all, he had anticipated these things long ago, it was just a matter of time.

"Chen Lao, what about the others?" Su Yu continued to flip through the letter in his hand.

Chen Lao asked, "The others? Young Master, are you referring to those who returned with your token?"

"That's them. What is their current status? Have they fully adapted to life in the Wanjing Sect, especially those two who like to go around challenging people?" Su Yu couldn't help but think of Ji Juechen and Jing Ziyan.

He wondered if the few remaining Soul Saints of the Su Family in the Wanjing Sect were being tortured by those two fanatical warmongers every day.

"This, how should I put it..." Chen Lao hesitated for a moment, as if remembering something.

Su Yu frowned, sensing something was wrong, "Chen Lao, you didn't..."

"Actually, it's not as serious as the Young Master thinks. A few days ago, the two of them decided to fight me and told me not to hold back. Now they are both still lying in the sect recovering; I estimate that in a few more days they will..." Speaking of this, Chen Lao couldn't help but smile.

Well, it looks like those two combative types will have to spend a few more days before they can get back on their feet.

"That, Young Master, did I go a bit too..." Chen Lao looked at Su Yu's slightly strange expression and asked.

Su Yu waved his hand and said, "It's nothing, just hold back a bit next time. No, just leave them a breath; they are tough anyway. Remember to throw them into the same room after beating them."

After hearing Su Yu's words, Chen Lao fell into a stupor. Is this really okay?

Thinking about it, it really wasn't very good, but this was something the Young Master ordered, so logically there shouldn't be any problem...

Little did he know, it was precisely because of this sentence that the future berserker duo suffered countless beatings on their path to pursuing the Dao.

Of course, that is a story for another time.

"Young Master, the Family Head had someone deliver a secret letter." Just as Su Yu was still organizing the news from these past few days, the person in charge of the Su Family's businesses in Shrek City handed over a secret letter.

A moment later, Su Yu burned the secret letter in his hand, and a trace of worry that was hard to smooth away appeared on his brow.

"Chen Lao, we have to go back. The family is in trouble this time." As he spoke, Su Yu stood up and left Shrek City, bringing Chen Lao to Shrek Academy in the name of the family.

Bringing Elder Chen to the Academic Affairs Office, Su Yu still had to go through the procedures since this was not the Sea God's Fate.

"Dean Yan, my family has encountered some matters; this is a letter my father brought for you."

As he spoke, Su Yu handed the letter in his hand to Yan Shaozhe.