"That's nothing."
Wang Yan smiled slightly, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
Although his main field of study was martial spirits, his years of teaching had trained his eye. It was obvious to him that Chen Junting was the leader among the four.What's more, he had always been curious about the legendary Seven Killing Sword Martial Soul.
There was no rush to reveal his true intentions, so with a warm smile, he said,"Student Chen, I'm Wang Yan, a teacher dedicated to the study of martial spirits. I never imagined I'd witness the return of the Seven Killing Sword, lost for ten thousand years. Would you be willing to show me the prowess of the world's top offensive martial soul of its time?"
(TL:this guy literally Yu Xiaogang 2.0)
As he spoke, his eyes gleamed with unmistakable excitement.
Chen Junting raised his eyebrows at Wang Yan's obvious enthusiasm.
He had noticed that, at first, Wang Yan's attention had been on Huo Yuhao. But now it seemed he himself had become the subject of curiosity. As expected of a scholar deeply devoted to martial spirit research.
"Teacher Wang, don't worry," Chen Junting replied evenly, neither agreeing nor refusing outright. "When the elimination round begins, you'll have your chance to witness the Seven Killing Sword in action."
"I'll look forward to it, then," Wang Yan chuckled, picking up on Chen Junting's subtle meaning.
Still, he wasn't discouraged. In truth, he had been a little too eager earlier. Given Chen Junting's talent, the boy would surely make it to the inner courtyard, which meant there would be plenty of opportunities ahead.
With that thought, Wang Yan smoothly shifted the conversation to Huo Yuhao, who had been quietly observing nearby. Compared to the fervor he'd shown for Chen Junting, his gaze toward Huo Yuhao carried a different shade—more curiosity than excitement.
"Student Huo Yuhao," he began, "I've watched many of your matches, but I still can't figure out your martial spirit or your spirit abilities. Can you solve this mystery for me?"
Huo Yuhao was momentarily caught off guard.
He instinctively glanced at Chen Junting.
Wang Yan didn't miss this exchange. Understanding Chen Junting's influence, he had a sudden realization and asked,
"Student Chen, could it be that Huo Yuhao is also…?"
"Teacher Wang," Chen Junting answered with a slight nod, "Yuhao is indeed a disciple of my Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. As for his martial spirit, it's Body Martial Spirit—the Spirit Eye. So you need not worry too much about it."
As soon as he heard this, Wang Yan nearly jumped up with excitement! But the moment he learned Yuhao had joined the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, his enthusiasm deflated.
He sighed lightly and remarked,"I didn't expect a body martial spirit—one not from the Body Sect—to fall into your hands. Quite the fortunate catch for your sect."
"Teacher Wang is too kind," Chen Junting replied casually, waving it off."Yuhao's first spirit ring is only at the ten-year level."
"A pity," Wang Yan murmured, narrowing his eyes. His mind was clearly elsewhere now.
After exchanging a few more words, he bid farewell to the group and left hurriedly.
As they watched him leave, Wang Dong scratched his head in confusion."Isn't it just a slightly rare martial spirit? Does he really have to react like that? He looked like he wanted to gobble Yuhao up."
"I think he really did," Dugu Xin said dryly, glancing at Chen Junting's calm expression.
"My guess is, Teacher Wang probably hopes Yuhao will officially join Shrek Academy. But since he's already with the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect…"
Dugu Xin didn't finish, but everyone understood the unspoken meaning.
Huo Yuhao glanced at Chen Junting, concern flickering in his eyes. Just as he was about to speak, Chen Junting raised his hand, stopping him.
"Enough of that," Chen Junting said with a small, good-natured scold at Dugu Xin. "Even if Yuhao's martial spirit is rare, his first ring is still only ten years old. Which Shrek executive would pay him any serious attention? He doesn't even have twin spirits."
"But you guys still took him in," Wang Dong muttered under his breath, only for Huo Yuhao to tug his sleeve nervously. Deep down, Yuhao felt a twinge of guilt—because, according to Brother Tianmeng, once the time came, he might very well awaken twin spirits.
Chen Junting shook his head, though inwardly he was pondering.Right now, Huo Yuhao wasn't attracting much attention beyond Wang Yan and the Soul Guidance Department, so things were manageable.
But what would happen after Yuhao gained the Ice Jade Scorpion spirit?
That would change everything.
Chen Junting knew they had to prepare for that future.
Still, he wasn't too concerned. At the end of the day, alliances between sects were all about mutual benefit. Just like Xu Sanshi's case—his role in suppressing Ma Xiaotao's evil fire wasn't selfless. It was the result of negotiation between Shrek Academy and the Xuanming Sect.
So, when the time came for Huo Yuhao to wield the power of the Ultimate Ice,the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect must ensure it held the advantage at the bargaining table.
Being underestimated for now wasn't a bad thing.
And Wang Yan, intentionally or not, was the perfect catalyst for this.
"Let's go," Chen Junting said, smiling warmly."Let's not keep Xiaotian and Wufeng waiting."
—
By the lake on Poseidon Island.
"Master Xuan, here is the report."
Wang Yan stood respectfully, holding a stack of papers as he waited for Elder Xuan, who was leisurely sipping his wine and gnawing on a chicken leg.
"So, that kid might be aiming for the Lan sisters, huh?" Elder Xuan mused, tearing off another bite of chicken. His cloudy eyes held a flash of thought."The Nine Treasures Glazed Sect is always like this—targeting the academy's most promising seedlings."
Though his words sounded disapproving, there was also a sense of resigned familiarity.
"Hair-based martial spirits… they're secondary at best. Even if there's a martial spirit fusion skill between them…" Elder Xuan trailed off, shaking his head after a moment of thought. "Average potential. Not worth much attention."
"But Master Xuan, what about the Spirit Eyes?" Wang Yan pressed.
Elder Xuan chuckled.
"Ah, yes. Eyes are among the most important martial spirits, especially in the spiritual category. They involve the brain, after all."
He tossed aside the chicken bone and asked,"Where did you find this kid?"
"He's part of Dugu Xin's team," Wang Yan quickly replied.
"Dugu Xin?" Elder Xuan frowned."Didn't I tell you to advise him to drop out?" His eyes sharpened, a red glow flashing within. "I've said it many times—the Green Phosphorus Snake Spirit's problem has lingered for ten thousand years. It's not that we don't want to help, it's that we can't. Unless there's an extraordinary treasure or a miracle of a spirit master, his poison is incurable."
Wang Yan scratched his head awkwardly, unable to argue.
Master Xuan had spoken, and that was final.
Changing the subject swiftly, Wang Yan handed over another document."Master Xuan, this is Huo Yuhao's profile."he added, "But he's already joined the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect. He also has close ties to the sect's future Protector Douluo and young sect master."
Elder Xuan's greasy hands paused for a beat before he accepted the file. His curiosity had been piqued.Scanning the details, he let out a dry laugh."Level fifteen at age eleven, and his first spirit ring is just ten years old? Hah, how amusing."
His gaze clouded with doubt."How could someone like that catch their attention?"
Finally, Elder Xuan made his decision.
"Tell Xiao Du to arrange a spot for me at the next match. I want to see this kid with my own eyes—and see what the next generation of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect is truly made of."
"Yes, Master Xuan."
---
(End of chapter)
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Throw me stones,so hard
make me faint~