Douluo: Soul-Breaking spear

Chapter 118: Shrek Arrives at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy

When Yang Potian heard about Xue Beng and his entourage being poisoned by Dugu Yan, he merely chuckled and brushed it off. In the original story, Xue Beng was infamous for being a master of "winning by doing nothing." In his early years at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, he bullied others and tormented commoners. Later, after Qian Renxue's plot failed, Xue Beng was the last heir standing, suddenly elevated to crown prince. His prior disgraceful behavior was reframed as mere "self-restraint" to avoid provoking Qian Renxue's wrath. Yet Yang Potian knew well about Xue Beng's notorious actions over the years—tormenting innocent girls and causing all manner of trouble.

From the way he acted, he wasn't pretending to be meek but instead revealed his true colors as an unprincipled bully. In the end, he was forgiven for all his wrongdoing with just a humble gesture of submission. But did those he harmed ever receive any apology or recompense? And did Xue Beng ever feel even a trace of remorse? Such was the sad reality of the imperial system, where nobles stood above all, and commoners served only as targets of their exploitation. Yang Potian cared little about Xue Beng. If Xue Beng dared provoke him, he wouldn't hesitate to kill him.

Recently, however, there was another significant event—the arrival of Shrek Academy's team at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Just like in the original story, the Shrek team came through Qin Ming's connections. Predictably, tension flared quickly when the Shrek students had a dispute with Xue Beng right outside the academy gates, leaving him looking beaten and bruised.

Despite this rocky start, the three academy deans welcomed the Shrek team with respect, personally receiving them. However, once formalities were underway, an unexpected problem arose.

Dean Meng Shenji, visibly pleased as he observed the young, talented Shrek students, remarked, "Shrek Academy's teachers and students, welcome! I am Meng Shenji, the head of the Board of Education at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Joining me are Vice Deans Bai Baoshan, an 85th-level Defense-type Soul Douluo with the Heavenly Star Furnace as his spirit, and Zhi Lin, an 83rd-level Control-type Tool Soul Douluo with the Azure Vine spirit."

Upon hearing this, the Shrek students, awed by their stature and reputation, hurriedly paid their respects. Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin both nodded approvingly, welcoming them to the academy. Just then, however, another party arrived: Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng himself, the latter's face still bruised and battered.

"Wait!" Xue Beng interrupted. "These people cannot be allowed to join Heaven Dou Imperial Academy!"

Meng Shenji and the two other deans immediately bowed respectfully. "Your Highness, Prince Xue Xing, what brings you here?"

Prince Xue Xing looked around disdainfully. "What's this? Guests, you say? Care to introduce me?"

Meng Shenji proceeded, "Prince, allow me to introduce the head of Shrek Academy, Dean Flender. They're here to discuss cooperation with our academy. Dean Flender, this is His Highness Prince Xue Xing."

But before Flender could speak, Prince Xue Xing cut in sharply, "Meng Shenji, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy is a place to train the future of our empire. We cannot permit people who disrespect our royal family to enter our academy."

The three deans glanced at each other, bewildered, as Prince Xue Xing went on. "These people are strangers here, and worse yet, they attacked a prince of the empire. People of such character should not be allowed within these walls."

Meng Shenji looked questioningly at Qin Ming and the Shrek team, who explained how Xue Beng's behavior had led to a scuffle. Familiar with Xue Beng's antics, the three deans knew he would have been expelled if not for his royal status. Meng Shenji firmly replied, "Your Highness, I find no fault in the Shrek students' actions. We all know the kind of behavior Prince Xue Beng exhibits here at the academy, and he's only recently been involved in a poisoning incident."

At the mention of the poisoning, Prince Xue Xing's face grew sour. "Regardless, these people struck a prince, showing clear contempt for the royal family."

"Your Highness," Meng Shenji replied, "I shall report this to Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and His Majesty. They will have the final word on the matter."

Thus, left with no choice, a fuming Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing departed in frustration. Turning back to the Shrek team, Meng Shenji said, "Please pardon the interruption. Prince Xue Beng is…well, notorious for his behavior. As long as you follow academy rules, there is no need to worry."

The Shrek group hastily thanked the three deans for their support. Flender took the opportunity to bring up their primary goal: "Dean Meng Shenji, our purpose in joining Heaven Dou Imperial Academy is to ensure that our students can participate in the upcoming Soul Master Tournament. We hope you'll permit it."

Dean Meng Shenji nodded. "Of course, Dean Flender. With the talents of your students, I'm confident they will perform exceptionally in the next tournament."

Hearing this, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang anxiously interjected, "But why the next tournament? I understand that Heaven Dou Imperial Academy has two team slots for the competition. We only need the second team slot for our Shrek students."

Meng Shenji and the other two deans exchanged puzzled glances, then turned to Qin Ming. Meng Shenji asked, "Teacher Qin Ming, who is this?"

Qin Ming quickly introduced, "This is Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, Shrek Academy's advisor and mentor to Tang San, our control-system soul master."

Meng Shenji nodded but reiterated, "Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, the second-team slot was assigned long ago. Only the primary team slot remains."

"Then…does this mean we cannot participate in this year's tournament?" Yu Xiaogang pressed.

"I'm afraid not," Meng Shenji replied. "Your students are young, mostly around 13. They could remain here to train and enter the next tournament."

The Shrek team exchanged glances, stunned to learn the second slot was unavailable. Waiting another six years was unthinkable.

Unwilling to give up, Yu Xiaogang pressed on. "Dean Meng Shenji, is there any way to reassign the second-team slot? I'm confident our students would represent the academy well."

Dean Meng Shenji shook his head. "The second team slot was assigned six years ago, and its members have been training ever since, under the direct approval of the Crown Prince."

"Could we perhaps compete against the second team for their slot in the tournament?" Yu Xiaogang asked.

Meng Shenji glanced at Qin Ming, then back at Yu Xiaogang. "Master Yu, you may not be aware, but several members of the second team have already reached the Soul Ancestor level. Their lineup next year promises to be quite formidable."

Meng Shenji's message was tactful but clear: the second team's strength rivaled, and perhaps even surpassed, the first team's, making them likely far too strong for Shrek's team of Soul Elders to handle. The board of deans was well-informed about the second team's true capabilities, with regular updates from their coach, Teacher Li Xiang, though the specifics of the team's training and strength remained confidential even to Qin Ming.

An awkward silence settled over the room, as Shrek Academy's members had hoped to gain entry to the academy solely for a chance at the second-team slot. Now, hearing that the slot was already taken, they were at a loss. The three deans, however, had heard that Shrek's seven members had managed to defeat the academy's first team in battle, and understood they were keen to participate in the upcoming tournament.

In the end, an agreement was reached: Shrek's team would join Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, where they would compete with the academy's first team for the tournament slot, with Qin Ming serving as their primary coach. Both parties were satisfied with the arrangement, and Shrek's members felt confident about their chances of winning the slot. Meng Shenji and the other deans also saw this as an opportunity to boost the first team's abilities.

The only slightly awkward position was that of Yu Xiaogang. According to academy policy, Heaven Dou's Heavenly Dou-level instructors were required to have at least the strength of a Soul Emperor, with even stricter requirements for a team coach. Qin Ming had attained his role only after significant support from the board. Yu Xiaogang, being only a Grandmaster, theoretically didn't qualify for any teaching position at the academy, yet as a gesture of goodwill towards Qin Ming and Shrek's staff, he was allowed to assist Qin Ming with managing the team.

Additionally, Shrek's other teachers were temporarily excused from other duties to support the academy's first team. As a result, the first team temporarily expanded to fourteen members, supported by an impressive roster of teachers, including the two Soul Sages, Flender and Zhao Wuji, and several Soul Emperors. Only Yu Xiaogang lagged behind in strength, and if not for his friendship with Flender and his mentorship of Tang San, many likely wouldn't have taken him seriously. With Tang San having been introduced as a rare and gifted control-type master, the deans, especially Meng Shenji, clearly valued Shrek Academy's presence at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Qin Ming was given charge of all their arrangements, from training sessions to accommodations and meal planning. Even a dedicated training area was assigned, ensuring the students could train without distractions, with high hopes for their performance in the next Soul Master Tournament.

Once their accommodations were arranged, the Shrek team gathered in the academy's training field to discuss their training plans. Ning Rongrong then announced her intention to visit the second team, as she was on friendly terms with their members, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, and they often went shopping together. Curious about the second team, the rest of the Shrek members wanted to tag along and see for themselves. However, Qin Ming's expression turned sour; he had once attempted to recruit members from the second team, only to be flatly refused.

"Apologies, teachers and students," Qin Ming said, "but the second team trains in strict seclusion. I'm afraid we can't visit their practice sessions."

Everyone turned to Ning Rongrong in confusion, but she simply smiled and said, "Oh, I've visited them many times before. They're always training in Training Hall No. 3 every afternoon."

With that, the group eagerly set off for Training Hall No. 3, hoping to catch a glimpse of the academy's highly regarded second team and its rigorous training methods. Qin Ming, curious about their training as well, followed them.

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