Advanced Chapter. Enjoy!
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As that aged voice fell, all eyes around the long table instantly converged on Yun Ming's left side.
Sitting there was a grey-clothed elderly woman dressed very simply; her figure was somewhat hunched, her face covered in deep furrows of time, and her silver hair was sparse. At first glance, she looked no different from an ordinary elderly person enjoying her later years in a common alleyway.
However, when she raised her head, those eyes were startlingly bright!
It wasn't the clear agility of a young person, but a depth tempered after experiencing the vast changes of the World.
Being able to sit steadily beside the Master of the Sea Gods Pavilion, Yun Ming, her identity and strength were naturally not simple.
She was the most senior Elder in the academy today, as well as the existence whose strength was second only to Yun Ming.
Her name was Long Yeyue, and her title was Light and Dark!
The incident of slapping the Spirit Pagoda's Pagoda Master, Qian Gu Dieting, was something this elderly lady had done.
The disdain she showed for the Spirit Pagoda in her words at this moment actually seemed "perfectly natural" within the Sea Gods Pavilion.
Feeling the focused gazes of everyone, Long Yeyue's aged voice continued to ring out.
"The Spirit Ice Douluo originally came from the academy. The foundation he left behind, in the final analysis, has a deep connection with Shrek."
She paused slightly, a very faint curve touching the corner of her mouth. "As for this child named Huo Yuhao, if he is willing to leave the Spirit Pagoda and join the orthodox lineage, would a junior girl like Leng Yaozhu dare to cause a scene at Shrek?!"
These words were spoken plainly, but they carried an incomparable domineering air and confidence.
As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of many Elders who had concerns instantly flashed with brilliant light. A Genius like Huo Yuhao was most reassuringly placed within Shrek Academy.
Receiving Long Yeyue's support, Cai Yue'er's spirits were greatly lifted, and she immediately said, "What Elder Long says is absolutely correct! As long as Huo Yuhao himself nods in agreement, who else would dare to stop Shrek from recruiting such talent?"
Her words were filled with Shrek's usual pride and assertiveness, as if she already viewed that peerless Genius as something already in their possession.
"Elder Long."
Yun Ming's voice rang out, a bit more solemn and serious than before. He clearly did not agree with Long Yeyue's logic, which was nearly akin to forceful seizure.
However, just as he was about to continue, Long Yeyue turned her head. Those eyes that saw through the World directly met his gaze, blocking the words he had yet to speak.
"Yun Ming, I am planning for the academy's future."
"That Huo Yuhao is too young."
"With the talent he has shown, reaching the Peak of the continent in the future is almost a certainty."
She leaned forward slightly, a very deep worry appearing on her aged face.
"If such a figure, destined to stand at the top of an era, ultimately becomes the Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda..."
"At that time, will Shrek Academy have to be subordinate to the Spirit Pagoda?"
Her voice suddenly rose, carrying a questioning tone that could not be avoided: "Can you bear to watch Shrek's ten-thousand-year-old momentum and glory go downhill in your hands?"
These words were truly heart-piercing!
Long Yeyue knew Yun Ming too well. This number one person on the continent had his life's blood and all his beliefs tied to Shrek's Legacy and foundation.
Protecting it and making it flourish had long since transcended personal honor or disgrace, becoming the meaning of his existence.
She accurately grasped the deepest obsession and responsibility within Yun Ming's heart.
Yun Ming fell silent.
Precisely because he had seen Huo Yuhao with his own eyes, he knew better than anyone that Long Yeyue's words were not false.
Among the younger generation, Huo Yuhao should be considered the first; no one could surpass him.
After a suffocating silence, Yun Ming let out a nearly inaudible sigh.
In that sigh, there was the helplessness of having his inner thoughts exposed, the weighing of the future, and the many concerns of being in a high position.
He finally raised his eyes and turned his gaze toward the long-waiting Cai Yue'er, his expression complex.
"Regarding this matter... you go handle it."
"But, you must pay attention to your methods."
His gaze became exceptionally sharp, locking onto Cai Yue'er:
"Remember, if Huo Yuhao himself... does not agree."
"Then this matter shall be dropped."
"You must not force him, and even more so, you must not use your power to pressure him."
Hearing this, Cai Yue'er immediately said, "Rest assured, Master! I will act with caution and will not fail in my task!"
The Sea Gods Pavilion meeting ended there, and subsequently, the Elders left one after another.
Beside the long table, only two figures remained now, with mottled light and shadows flowing quietly over them.
Yun Ming remained silent for a long while, finally letting out another nearly inaudible sigh.
A warm and soft hand reached out from the side, gently covering the back of his hand resting on the armrest.
Ya Li whispered softly, her voice like a clear spring."Brother Ming, if you truly are unwilling in your heart, even if Elder Long insists, you wouldn't necessarily have to compromise."
Yun Ming took her hand in his, the warmth from her fingertips slightly easing his tensed mind.
His other hand rose, tiredly rubbing the space between his eyebrows.
"Elder Long is an Elder after all." His voice was low, carrying a hint of helplessness. "Moreover, if I don't let them try, I'm afraid the thoughts in many people's hearts will be difficult to settle, and it might lead to even more complications later."
Hearing this, the corners of Ya Li's lips curled up slightly. "From your tone... it seems you don't actually believe that Yue'er can really bring Huo Yuhao back to the academy on this trip?"
Yun Ming didn't answer directly, only slightly turning his head to look at the woman beside him.
After a moment of silence, he spoke: "I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to make a trip to Tianhai as well."
"I'm worried that with Cai Yue'er's temperament, she will cause unnecessary trouble."
Without the slightest hesitation, Ya Li nodded gently, her smile gentle and firm. "Alright."
...
Another day slipped by.
The clamor in the online World regarding Shrek's defeat had not settled; instead, it seemed to be intensifying.
The lobby of the Tianhai Hotel was brightly lit, with people coming and going.
The youths of Class Zero had just returned from playing on the Seaside Boulevard outside, carrying the slightly salty scent of the sea breeze and a bit of relaxation after their playfulness.
However, this relaxation suddenly froze the moment they stepped into the hotel's revolving door.
Coming toward them, several familiar figures were walking in a crowd—it was exactly the members of the Shrek Team who had previously lost to them.
The several members of Class Zero subconsciously stopped in their tracks.
Xie Xie tensed his body almost immediately and lowered his voice: "They're blocking the way here... they couldn't be sore losers looking for trouble, could they?"
Tang Wulin's gaze quickly swept over the faces of the people opposite them, and he shook his head slightly. "Doesn't look like it, and the Shen Yi leading their team is still there."
Huo Yuhao had already activated his Mental Detection and warned, "Careful, behind them, there's an even stronger aura hidden... it's a Titled Douluo."
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the several people beside him changed instantly.
Almost at the same time Huo Yuhao spoke, a cold and stern figure had already stepped forward without hesitation, completely shielding the five students behind him.
Wu Changkong's gaze did not fall on the nearby Shen Yi or the Shrek students, but instead passed directly through them to lock onto a certain spot behind.
His clear and steady voice rang out clearly in the large hotel lobby: "Your Excellency Silver Moon!"
This form of address instantly broke the original noisy rhythm of the hotel lobby.
Many passing guests and staff members couldn't help but stop in their tracks, their curious or surprised gazes turning toward them.
Those who could be called "Your Excellency" were only the top Titled Douluo of the continent!
Following Wu Changkong's words, in the next moment, a figure appeared silently three steps away from him.
The person was dressed in an elegant silver long dress, her hair pulled up high. She looked to be over fifty, but well-preserved.
It was exactly the Shrek Academy Outer Court Dean, Silver Moon Douluo Cai Yue'er.
She was expressionless and had an air of natural authority, sizing up Wu Changkong in front of her.
After a moment, she let out an ambiguous hum from her nose.
Wu Changkong's heart suddenly tightened.
Having come from the Shrek Inner Court, he knew this Outer Court Dean's temperament very well.
Cai Yue'er's actions had always been vigorous and resolute, her word was law, and she had a very strong desire for control. To achieve her goals, her methods were sometimes sharp or even merciless.
Using "awful" to describe it might be too subjective, but her tough style was famous even among the academy's high level.
Since Cai Yue'er was waiting here for the members of Class Zero, she naturally didn't mind being seen; in fact, she had done it intentionally.
Wu Changkong suppressed the emotions in his heart and spoke again, "Your Excellency Silver Moon has come in person, may I ask what the matter is?"
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A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.