Word Count: 2,833 Words
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"Folks, who could possibly understand this!"
The wine bottle slammed onto the wooden table with a bang. Wu Feng's cheeks were flushed as she shouted, "Shrek Academy is absolutely heartless! This lady here earned her spot on the Reserve Team fair and square, and they replaced me without saying a word!"
After this outburst, Wu Feng grabbed the wine bottle again and chugged it down in big gulps. Ning Tian watched with concern and patted her back gently. "Stop drinking, Xiao Feng. It's bad for your health."
Wu Feng's eyes were hazed by drunkenness. The world around her spun in a blur. Her eyes finally managed to focus on Ning Tian's face. She puckered her red lips into a circle and leaned forward, mumbling indistinctly:
"Hehe, Ning Tian... my sweet Ning Tian... gimme a kiss!"
Ning Tian didn't feel any urge to resist. After all, affection between girls was perfectly normal. But a hand suddenly intervened between them, intercepting Wu Feng's impure-intentioned kiss.
"What the- why are you sticking out your tongue?!"
Ling Bai instantly retracted his hand as if electrocuted. He grabbed several tissues and wiped his hand furiously.
"Bleh bleh bleh, because I want to!"
Wu Feng stuck out her little tongue. In her drunken state, she was fearless and dared to challenge even Ling Bai.
Ning Tian half-embraced Wu Feng and helped her straighten her clothes and messy red hair. She looked at Ling Bai with her beautiful sapphire blue eyes and said with a wry smile, "Bai-ge, don't be upset with Xiao Feng. The Seven Monsters Reserve Team list came out tonight, and she's in a terrible mood."
"I see."
Ling Bai activated the Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device Aura Barrier to prevent the other patrons in the tavern from overhearing their conversation.
"Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, He Caitou, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and you. Shrek Academy removed four victors from the Grand Melee Selection and replaced them with people they believe will bring them more benefits."
Ling Bai gazed at the brilliantly lit Shrek Academy in the distance and shook his head with a sigh. The continent's number one academy was already hollow inside and teetering on the edge. Two years later, Dragon God Douluo Elder Mu would pass away, and Taotie Douluo Elder Xuan and Bright Phoenix Douluo Yan Shaozhe would take over. How much longer could this ten-thousand-year-old dilapidated house stand?
No one knew.
"Ma Xiaotao received the Reserve Team list from Xu Sanshi and told us about it. The other main team members were all shocked, and some were even angry."
Ling Bai revealed information about the main Shrek Seven Monsters team: "They all climbed up step by step, fighting desperately in the Grand Melee to earn a spot on the Reserve Team. For five years, they remained vigilant without daring to relax for a moment, all to defend their title as Shrek Seven Monsters in the Seven Monsters Challenge. This represented a significant chapter in their lives from ages fifteen to twenty, and now it's being given away as mere favors."
The intention of Shrek's predecessors was very clear. The Outer Courtyard's Grand Melee Selection was meant to sound a warning for the students. Spirit Masters needed not only to cultivate spirit power but also required wisdom, companions, teamwork, and luck.
Of course, the Grand Melee victors weren't necessarily the strongest individuals among the core disciples. That was why the Reserve Team served as motivation for those strong contestants who had lost. Five years later, in the Seven Monsters Challenge, they could wash away their past shame by defeating their rivals and joining the main team.
The losers fought desperately to challenge, while the winners fought desperately to defend. The Grand Melee Selection encouraged the geniuses to engage in five years of healthy competition.
However, Shrek Academy broke the rules for Huo Yuhao, Xu Sanshi, and others, personally planting a seed of doubt:
If I defeat Huo Yuhao five years later, will I truly be able to take his place among the Seven Monsters?
"What angers me most isn't losing that Reserve Team spot, but not being able to go to the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament with you two!"
Wu Feng suddenly sat upright and pointed at Ling Bai with grief and indignation. "With only you two there, won't Ning Tian be completely at your mercy!"
"What are you saying?!"
This time, Ning Tian was the first to get flustered. Her pretty face instantly turned bright red as she swiftly covered Wu Feng's mouth with her hand.
"Mmph mmph mmph!"
Wu Feng's muffled voice was barely audible.
Ling Bai glanced at Wu Feng with amusement, not bothering to refute her. If he truly set his mind on making a move on Ning Tian, what could Wu Feng do about it? At most, she could share half the 'firepower' meant for Ning Tian.
Spirit Masters got drunk just like anyone else after too much alcohol; moreover, Wu Feng hadn't used her spirit power to neutralize the alcohol, and in just a few minutes, she was limp and sound asleep in Ning Tian's arms.
"Bai-ge, could you carry her back?" Ning Tian asked, troubled by the now unconscious Wu Feng.
"Sure."
Ling Bai placed his left hand below Wu Feng's shoulder blades with his fingers tucked under her left armpit. His right hand went under the bend of her knees. He let the sleeping girl rest her head against his shoulder.
With one smooth motion, he lifted the girl into his arms.
Ling Bai exhaled slightly. Hmm, though Wu Feng appeared tall and curvaceous with a stunning figure, she felt quite light in his arms.
"Um, I think I actually said to carry her on your back..." Ning Tian suspected she might have misspoken.
"It doesn't matter. Whether on the back or in the arms, the weight is the same."
The three of them walked out of the tavern. The calls of street vendors reached their ears.
"Candied hawthorn!"
"Coal for sale... bags for sale! Top-quality spirit beast leather bags!"
"Bai-ge, should we report this matter to Mother and ask the clan to intervene?" Ning Tian asked.
Ling Bai thought for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "Shrek Academy handled this very cunningly. If they had canceled your position, the ten-thousand-year friendship between the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Shrek Academy would be completely severed. But Wu Feng is from a branch of the clan. Setting aside her relationship with us, the term 'branch disciple' sometimes carries little difference from a high-ranking servant. Very few would risk offending a behemoth like Shrek Academy for a branch disciple."
He was referring to the Single Attribute Four Clans under the Clear Sky Sect from ten thousand years ago.
"Besides, having Grand Melee Selection victors become the Seven Monsters Reserve Team is merely an unwritten rule. If they don't want to follow it this year, what can we do about it?"
"So Xiao Feng can only suffer this injustice..." Ning Tian gritted her teeth.
Her best friend faced unfair treatment, and she had to swallow her anger silently. The feeling was truly unpleasant.
"We're not soft persimmons to be squeezed at will." A cold light flashed in Ling Bai's eyes. "We're all participating in this tournament. If Shrek Academy loses, we'll be remembered as the ones who ended Shrek's so-called ten-thousand-year glory, becoming propaganda fodder and stepping stones for the Sun Moon Empire. That's why Shrek Academy must win this tournament no matter what.
But in the next tournament, we can establish our own faction if needed. You, me, Wu Feng, plus Xie Huanyue and the Lan sisters. We'll find one more person and form a team. Since Shrek Academy looks down on them, we'll defeat Shrek and personally bury the ten-thousand-year glory they cherish so much."
"Xie Huanyue and the Lan sisters are quite close to me. In the future, we can bring them into the clan together!" Ning Tian said firmly.
Geniuses with weak backgrounds—Shrek Academy liked them, and so did the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
"Bai-ge, are there any seniors in the Inner Courtyard who want to join the clan?"
Ling Bai smiled mysteriously. "Don't worry about the Inner Courtyard. Everything is going smoothly."
"You're not just planning to bring back a bunch of pretty senior sisters to the clan, are you?" Ning Tian asked suspiciously. She remembered her mother, Ning Fengya, mentioning that Ling Bai had gone out with various female Inner Courtyard students in Shrek City.
Ling Bai's expression stiffened momentarily. Do I look like some insatiable lecher?!
"Regardless of gender, talent and benefits come first," Ling Bai said seriously. "Let's be bold and consider the main Shrek Seven Monsters."
"When Mother managed to bring away Father and Uncle Xie, two of the Seven Monsters, it was already a miracle..." Ning Tian hesitated. "Can we really achieve that?"
"Shrek is delivering a pillow when we're drowsy. They prioritize benefits but neglect how easily people's hearts can grow cold. Disappointment accumulates gradually; great buildings don't collapse overnight. What we need to do is seize the opportunity, and moreover...
A crucial moment is approaching..."
"Mmm..."
Just as Ling Bai and Ning Tian were plotting, Wu Feng's scarlet eyes opened a sliver. From this angle, she suddenly realized that Ling Bai's profile was incredibly handsome, gentle, and radiant like the warm sun in winter. His golden hair fluttered in the breeze and brushed against her face, creating a ticklish, tingling sensation. Then she became aware of her current situation.
Wait, a princess carry?
Wu Feng was stunned. This was her first time experiencing a princess carry in her life. Being completely held in a man's arms felt very unfamiliar, yet it also created an inexplicable warmth inside her.
Oh no, Ning Tian, I'm no longer pure!
...
Two weeks passed in the blink of an eye. Elder Xuan came to the Outer Courtyard every day to instruct the Reserve Team. Each time, the seven members were divided into different combinations to spar with each other and cultivate teamwork.
Ning Tian had not experienced any targeting or exclusion. She had genuinely earned her place on the Reserve Team through her own efforts. Initially, the 'backdoor quartet'—Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xu Sanshi, and He Caitou—felt somewhat guilty when they saw her. But gradually, they let go of those feelings and set aside all distractions to focus on training.
Today's training for the Reserve Team was slightly different. Seven students in blood-red uniforms stood in the center of the Spirit Dueling Arena. Huo Yuhao narrowed his eyes; he recognized only one of them—Ling Bai, who had single-handedly defeated four hundred opponents and dominated the entire grade.
Those who could stand alongside Ling Bai and numbered exactly seven... the answer was self-evident.
Elder Xuan began to speak: "Now that everyone's here, I'll keep this brief. In ten days, this year's Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament will officially begin. I believe you can guess each other's identities—the main Shrek Seven Monsters and the Seven Monsters Reserve Team. Today, you'll meet and familiarize yourselves with each other's abilities."
With that said, he turned to the seven members of the Reserve Team. "Don't think you'll merely be spectators in the front row. Each of you will have the opportunity to participate. The opponents in the early rounds are generally weaker. Having you participate will better conceal the abilities of the main team members, especially Xiaotao and Ling Bai, who, like you, are participating in the tournament for the first time."
The seven couldn't help but feel both surprised and delighted. They hadn't expected that, as the Reserve Team, they would have the opportunity to represent Shrek Academy in battle.
"Alright, introduce yourselves and state your Martial Spirit and spirit power rank. The Reserve Team will go first," Elder Xuan said with a smile.
Bei Bei, being the eldest, stepped forward first. "I'm Bei Bei, Martial Spirit: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Rank 42 power attack-type Spirit Ancestor."
"He Caitou, Class 4 Spirit Guidance Master."
"Xu Sanshi, Martial Spirit: Mystic Deep Turtle, Rank 43 defense-type Spirit Ancestor."
"Jiang Nannan, Martial Spirit: Soft Boned Rabbit, Rank 41 agility-type Spirit Ancestor."
"Ning Tian, Martial Spirit: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Rank 36 auxiliary-type Spirit Elder."
When Jiang Nannan and Ning Tian stepped forward, the eyes of several guys from the Inner Courtyard immediately lit up. Having been constantly suppressed by the 'Active Volcano' of the Inner Courtyard, these two girls appeared exceptionally delicate and beautiful.
"I'm Huo Yuhao, Twin Martial Spirits: Spirit Eyes and Ice Jade Scorpion, Rank 23 control and power attack-type Spirit Grand Master."
Wang Dong, the last one, puffed out his chest and proudly announced, "Wang Dong, Twin Martial Spirits: Bright Goddess Butterfly and Clear Sky Hammer, Rank 31 power attack-type Spirit Elder."
Ma Xiaotao was the first to step forward from the Inner Courtyard. In front of newcomers, she had to act ladylike for a while. At this moment, the number one 'Active Volcano' appeared much calmer compared to her usual fiery explosiveness.
"Ma Xiaotao, Martial Spirit: Evil Fire Phoenix, Rank 68 power attack-type Spirit Emperor."
When she mentioned 'Rank 68,' the members of the Reserve Team who didn't know her couldn't help but gasp. Twenty years old and already Rank 68—that was an astonishing talent.
"Dai Yueheng, Martial Spirit: White Tiger, Rank 64 power attack-type Spirit Emperor."
"Hmm?"
Ning Tian suddenly felt a chill beside her. Huo Yuhao seemed to have a strange reaction. Little did she know that he was desperately suppressing his hatred. Compared to his deep blood feud with the White Tiger Duke's mansion, the incidents involving Ning Tian, Wu Feng, and others were merely minor conflicts.
After Dai Yueheng, the next person to step forward was Ling Bai. His handsome face carried a gentle smile as he said, "Ling Bai, Martial Spirit: Seraphim, Rank 55 power attack-type Spirit King."
All seven Reserve Team members had met him at least once. Ling Bai had encountered He Caitou when he went to the Spirit Guidance Department to find Ning Tian.
"Xi Xi, Martial Spirit: Lightning Leopard, Rank 56 agility-type Spirit King."
"Ling Luochen, Martial Spirit: Ice Element, Rank 56 control-type Spirit King."
"Yao Haoxuan, Martial Spirit: Ape, Rank 55, dual-cultivation control and auxiliary-type Spirit King."
"Gongyang Mo, Rank 59 auxiliary-type Spirit King."
The Reserve Team firmly memorized the Martial Spirits and spirit power ranks of the main Shrek Seven Monsters. Although they were only assisting in the tournament, remembering these details would definitely be beneficial.
All of them were above Rank 55 despite being under twenty years old, and there were even two Spirit Emperors over Rank 60. These were truly the elite among their peers in the Inner Courtyard.
The lineup of all Spirit Kings and Spirit Emperors with such high ranks both shocked the Reserve Team members and filled their hearts with hope. The Reserve Team represented the next generation of Shrek Seven Monsters. Seeing the main team was like glimpsing their own future. Five years later, when they broke through to the Spirit King rank, what kind of achievements might they reach?
Elder Xuan continued, "Only through battle can you better familiarize yourselves with each other's abilities. Today's training task is a friendly match, also known as the Seven Monsters Mixed-Team Match.
Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng, you two will lead one team.
Ling Bai, you will lead another team. You'll take turns selecting from both the main team and Reserve Team members, starting by choosing one from each."
"Why?" The Reserve Team members were instantly confused.
Shouldn't the two Spirit Emperors each lead a team?
Why were the two Spirit Emperors teaming up against Ling Bai, a mere Rank 55 Spirit King!
"You guys don't understand," Yao Haoxuan chuckled. "Even though Sister Xiaotao and Brother Yueheng are 6-ringed Spirit Emperors, the one with the strongest actual combat power among the Shrek Seven Monsters is actually Ling Bai."
"A Rank 55 Seraphim... tsk tsk tsk. If he goes all out, you Reserve Team members below the Spirit King rank wouldn't last ten seconds. To be more precise, that Mystic Deep Turtle with the Xuanwu bloodline might at most hold out for ten seconds."
"Wait a minute, Brother Yao, how do you know I have the Xuanwu bloodline?" Xu Sanshi caught the crucial point.
"Uh..."
Yao Haoxuan realized he had misspoken and immediately covered his mouth. His gaze secretly darted toward Elder Xuan. They had snuck out to watch the match that day without Elder Xuan's knowledge!
Elder Xuan didn't pay attention to him. Instead, he looked at Ling Bai with a mischievous smile and said, "Oh, by the way, you have some restrictions. You're prohibited from releasing your Angelic Domain. The Seraphim is not allowed to exert innate suppression on aerial-type Martial Spirits, and hmm, don't use spirit bone skills either."
Ling Bai: ???
Can't use this, can't use that!
You old geezer might as well just ban me altogether!