Chapter 129 Entering the Sea God Pavilion Requires an Entrance Fee.
"It seems you're very confident," Elder Mu smiled slightly.
Jing Hongchen smiled bitterly, "Actually, you should be able to see that I have no confidence at all. In war, the advantage of soul tools is undeniable. But in a contest of high-end combat power, Shrek Academy's position on the continent is unshakeable. Neither our Mingde Hall nor the Body Sect can."
Elder Mu glanced at him and said calmly, "Jing Hongchen, I once visited your Mingde Hall. Your development in soul tools has indeed exceeded my expectations. There's one thing I think you're right about: when one day soul tools no longer rely on a soul master's soul power, then the soul master profession will inevitably be replaced, just like how soul tools replaced Tang Sect's hidden weapons. But..." "I want to add something for you. Even if that day truly comes, the strongest will still be the Soul Master. Because only powerful Soul Masters can unleash the full power of even stronger Soul Tools. Do you agree?"
Jing Hongchen nodded and said, "Yes, you're right. The stronger the individual wielding a Soul Tool, the higher their limit. At least so far, apart from fixed Soul Tools, we haven't developed a sufficiently powerful Soul Tool that doesn't require the Soul Master's power. I can't predict future developments. But the rise of Soul Masters is inevitable, just like the replacement of cold weapons by Soul Tools." His words were earnest, but inwardly he was filled with doubt and uncertainty. Elder Mu had been to Mingde Hall? If such an unpredictable and powerful expert were to…" Cold sweat dripped down his back.
Elder Mu smiled slightly and said, "You can tell me what brings you here. Also, if there's a next time you use a Soul Tool against Shrek City outside Shrek Academy, then I'll visit your Sun Moon Empire's capital again."
Jing Hongchen's expression finally changed. For the first time since becoming the head of Mingde Hall, he felt fear. "Elder Mu, you are truly awe-inspiring." Bowing slightly, Jing Hongchen tried his best to suppress his inner shock. "I have come here to discuss the exchange of learning between our students. Our Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy and Shrek Academy are both top academies on the continent. I believe this exchange is very necessary and will greatly promote mutual understanding and learning between our two institutions."
Elder Mu said calmly, "Exchange of learning is possible. But can you guarantee the safety of my students? And what will our Shrek disciples learn at your esteemed academy?"
Jing Hongchen seemed to have anticipated this question and answered without hesitation, "Safety is certainly guaranteed. I assure you with the honor of Mingde Hall. During their studies at my Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, your students will receive the best guidance. If they have sufficient ability, they can even be admitted to my Mingde Hall."
Elder Mu said, "Words are no proof."
Jing Hongchen said, "If you are still not at ease, you can send teachers from Shrek Academy to accompany us. You can send several."
Elder Mu shook his head and said, "That's not necessary. Exchange study is fine. You send Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen from your academy to Shrek. Then pick up the disciples we sent. I can guarantee that they will be able to study in our inner academy. After the exchange study period is over, you will personally send our students back and then pick up your students."
Jing Hongchen immediately shook his head and said, "I'm afraid that's not appropriate. Although I trust your character, it's better to be cautious first. If your two genius students who possess the ultimate wind and ultimate ice skills participate in this exchange study together, then your suggestion is certainly no problem."
Elder Mu shook his head upon hearing this and said, "The student who possesses the ultimate wind skill does not also cultivate soul tools. I'm afraid this is not what Hall Master Hongchen wants."
"Those two are really asking too much of us," Jing Hongchen thought to himself, gritting his teeth.
"Hmph! Since that's the case, this exchange is off. Hall Master Hongchen, please leave." Elder Xuan's face hardened, and he directly issued the order to leave.
Upon hearing this, Jing Hongchen immediately became anxious and hurriedly said, "There's no rush for the exchange. How about this: we can hold this exchange again in two years. The exchange period will be three years. That will also be the start of the next All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament. At that time, we can invite your academy's teachers to attend the ceremony, and after the competition, we can bring your academy's students back. At the same time, we can also send our students back."
Elder Xuan was furious and slammed his fist on the table, saying, "Then how will you solve the same problem?" Jing Hongchen's solution was almost the same as what Elder Mu had said before, only the roles of host and guest were reversed.
Jing Hongchen said, "The Sun Moon Empire is hosting the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, which has attracted worldwide attention. Under these circumstances, if we were to take any action in private, we would surely be ridiculed by the world. I am willing to come to Shrek Academy before the tournament begins and personally serve as a hostage until the tournament ends and your students return. Of course, if anything goes wrong during the tournament, it will be none of our responsibility."
"Since that's the case, then it's a deal. Two years from today, you will bring your people here. I will have Xuanzi send people to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy at the same time, including the student who possesses the Ultimate Ice." Elder Mu immediately made the final decision.
"It's a deal." Jing Hongchen also readily agreed. Although he kept belittling Soul Masters and praising Soul Masters, he was also very clear that if Mingde Hall wanted to develop in the future, the research and development of Soul Tools was one aspect, but the development of Soul Masters was also of paramount importance. Especially with Shrek Academy's millennia of accumulation, even learning just a part of it would greatly improve Mingde Hall as a whole.
Perhaps Shrek Academy could learn some knowledge about soul tools from Mingde Hall. But don't forget, Shrek Academy is ultimately an academy not affiliated with any country, while Mingde Hall belongs to the Sun Moon Empire. This difference will undoubtedly make Mingde Hall benefit more and more easily in the long run.
Another reason why Jing Hongchen immediately agreed was that Elder Mu proposed sending Huo Yuhao to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. With Huo Yuhao in exchange, he naturally didn't need to worry about the safety of Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen. The disciples sent by both sides were equal in status and potential. Moreover, Huo Yuhao possessed twin martial souls, so he would definitely have to put a lot of effort into martial soul cultivation; even if he also cultivated soul tools, he probably wouldn't be able to specialize in any one area. At least in his current view, the greater significance of Shrek Academy sending Huo Yuhao was to ensure the equality of status between the students sent by both sides.
Elder Mu smiled slightly and said, "The matter is settled; you may leave."
Jing Hongchen bowed again and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, Senior. I would like to ask one last question. Is it possible for Shrek Academy to have deeper exchanges with our Sun Moon Empire?"
Elder Mu raised an eyebrow. "Shrek Academy is Shrek Academy of Douluo Continent. The Sun Moon Empire is not the Sun Moon Empire of Douluo Continent."
Jing Hongchen's eyes flickered slightly. "Alright, I understand." After saying this, he turned to leave.
"Wait a moment." Elder Mu called out to Jing Hongchen.
Jing Hongchen said, "Does Senior have any further guidance?"
Elder Mu smiled calmly and said, "For many years, you are the first outsider to enter the Sea God Pavilion. This place is not a place where anyone can come and go as they please. I will leave you a level nine soul tool and explain its usage; consider it your ticket to the Sea God Pavilion."
"A ticket..." Jing Hongchen stared at Elder Mu in disbelief. He never expected this mysterious and terrifyingly powerful figure to make such a request; it was blatant extortion! And the ticket price was ridiculously high.
"Senior, you're bullying the weak!" Jing Hongchen said with a wry smile. If he hadn't witnessed Elder Mu's avatar, he might have been more assertive. But now, on this person's turf, within the unpredictable Sea God Pavilion, he truly dared not.
Elder Mu smiled without speaking, his gaze calmly fixed on Jing Hongchen. Jing Hongchen, however, was horrified to discover that the walls, floors, and ceilings around him were emitting a faint golden light, as if an invisible hand was gripping his throat.
"Senior, you were the one who invited me into the Sea God Pavilion," Jing Hongchen said again with a wry smile. His meaning was clear: you invited me in and then demand a ticket? That's too unkind, unbecoming of an elder.
Elder Mu smiled slightly and said, "I invited you into the Sea God Pavilion, but I didn't invite you into Shrek Academy. Although Shrek Academy isn't some dangerous den, we still have to consider the safety of our students. If you don't want to pay the entrance fee, I won't force you. Just sit here with this old man and discuss the Dao. You can go back two years later when our students exchange."
Stay here for two years? Jing Hongchen's expression immediately stiffened. If he stayed here for two years, wouldn't Mingde Hall and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy be in chaos? Without him overseeing things, those powerful Soul Masters under his command wouldn't be easily controlled. Although Elder Mu seemed calm and collected, the pressure he felt was growing. Although he believed he still had a chance if he went all out, there was no doubt that his life would be lost here.
Taking a deep breath, Jing Hongchen nodded and said, "Since that's the case, then this junior will do as senior commands. It was indeed my fault for entering Shrek Academy without permission. This junior will leave a soul tool as a gift."
As he spoke, Jing Hongchen raised his hand and touched his chest, and a very thin metal plate appeared in his palm.
This metal plate was round, as thin as paper, and emitted a soft golden halo. The most peculiar thing was the openwork carving on it. The openwork patterns were fine and regular, yet full of creativity and imagination. No soul power fluctuations seeped out from it, but it was just there, yet it had a special texture as solid as a mountain. A faint golden halo flashed across it, the light was not strong, but it was extremely eye-catching.
Jing Hongchen said, "This soul tool was made by myself, and I named it 'Red Dust Protection.' It's a trigger-activated defensive soul tool. When placed on the chest, it automatically conforms to the soul master's body, absorbing the soul master's soul power and becoming one with it. Once the soul master is attacked, it will sense it in advance and take defensive action. It can be turned on and off with a thought."
"There are several aspects of 'Red Dust Protection' that I'm quite satisfied with. First, it doesn't restrict the user's cultivation level. Even soul masters with only one or two soul rings can use it. Its defensive effect is equivalent to the user's strongest attack without using any soul skills, while consuming only one-fifth of the soul power of the strongest attack. It's suitable for soul masters of any level; if it were in the hands of a Title Douluo, it would possess the defensive power of a Super Douluo."
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