Chapter 92: A Crushing Defeat

At Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, in the Academic Affairs Office, Xu Tianran sat in his wheelchair, gazing calmly at the director before him. "So, according to you, Hall Master Jing took Huo Yuhao, the Hongchen siblings, and a few other students out on an excursion?" The director appeared a bit nervous. "Yes, Your Highness, that is correct." "Do you know their destination?" Xu Tianran inquired. The director responded immediately. "If I recall correctly, the Hall Master mentioned taking them to acquire soul rings. However, he did not specify their exact destination." Xu Tianran pondered for a moment, thoughts swirling in his mind. *"Acquiring soul rings... They're likely headed to the Evil Demon Forest. With Jing Hongchen's strength, there aren't many soul beast territories where his protection would be necessary. Helping students obtain soul rings is a logical reason."* With this conclusion, he smiled and said, "Very well. I'll wait here for the Hall Master's return. Huo Yuhao and the Hongchen siblings were instrumental in securing victory for the Sun Moon Team. They brought honor to our empire and crushed the arrogance of the three former Douluo nations. As the Crown Prince, I must personally represent the royal family in rewarding them." The director was taken aback but quickly responded, "Your Highness, you are incredibly busy with state affairs, and we don't know when they will return." Xu Tianran 's smile deepened, his gaze subtly scanning the nearby teachers and students peering through the windows. As the Crown Prince, his public outings always attracted attention, and with his extensive security detail, it was no surprise that many were watching. He knew this was an excellent opportunity to win public favor. Even though he saw others as mere tools for his ambitions, he couldn't let that attitude show in broad daylight. Clearing his throat, he spoke in a refined tone, "It's no trouble at all. For those who contribute to the Sun Moon Empire, I am patient. If we fail to properly reward those who serve the empire, how can we inspire loyalty in men like Huo Yuhao? I have brought many fine rewards for them. Furthermore, I believe that the researchers at Mingde Hall, who tirelessly develop soul tools, have made invaluable contributions to the empire. They, too, are heroes. Their treatment should be improved. In the near future, I will propose this matter to the Emperor." The director was stunned. He had met many royal family members, most of whom looked down on commoners, speaking as if addressing inferiors. Though they carried noble blood, he secretly despised their arrogance. This was his first time interacting with Xu Tianran , and he was shocked by the prince's demeanor. Rather than behaving like an aloof aristocrat, Xu Tianran carried himself like a learned scholar. As for improving benefits well, the director was very interested in that. After all, who would turn down extra rare metals and gold soul coins? "Your Highness, you truly have great wisdom." Teachers and students nearby exchanged excited whispers. Their voices blended into a murmuring crowd, but Xu Tianran , with his sharp hearing, could easily pick out their words. All of them were praising him. At Shrek Academy, by the shores of Sea God Lake, Mu En gazed at Xuan Zi and spoke. "Xuan Zi, under your leadership, this year's Soul Master Tournament saw Shrek Academy set an unprecedented record withdrawal from the competition. Not only that, but you allowed the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy to seize the championship. After several days of reflection, I believe you have been derelict in your duties." Though Mu En had claimed that he didn't care about Shrek's thousand year legacy, his indifference was contingent on his students' growth. But Xuan Zi's abrupt decision to withdraw had completely left him dumbfounded. It felt as if Shrek Academy had suffered a complete and utter defeat. The Death God's Envoy had killed Shrek students in a fit of rage then walked away unscathed. The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy had won the championship and would be celebrated upon returning home. Only Shrek Academy was left to lick its wounds. Xuan Zi's expression darkened. Bowing slightly, he admitted, "Elder Mu, I take full responsibility for this failure. So..." "You're not thinking of resigning again, are you?" Mu En saw through him immediately and sighed. "Xuan Zi, no matter what, I will not allow you to resign. You should know this by now. Even if Zhang Lexuan hadn't pleaded outside Sea God's Pavilion, I still would have kept you here. My health is failing I doubt I have much longer to live. When I am gone, Shrek Academy will need you to protect it. You are the academy's only Rank 98 Super Douluo. The burden on your shoulders is heavy." "Elder Mu, should I ask the Medicine Immortal Douluo to examine you?" Xuan Zi asked with concern. Mu En shook his head. "No need. I understand my own condition. When I fall, you will become the Pavilion Master of Sea God's Pavilion. However, due to your repeated failures, I must impose a punishment. You will enter seclusion for intensive cultivation. Without my permission, you are not allowed to leave. I hope you reach Limit Douluo soon." Mu En believed Xuan Zi had great talent. However, the loss of Zhang Lexuan's generation had devastated him, leaving him in a state of decline. Seclusion might be the push he needed to strive for the Limit Douluo level. Meanwhile, in the Evil Demon Forest, Kong Deming had captured a group of soul beasts to be turned into soul spirits. Given his strength, capturing the soul beasts students needed was effortless. After all, the strongest student present was only at the Soul King level none had yet reached the six ring Soul Emperor stage. Thus, their required soul beasts weren't particularly strong. Xiao Hongchen looked at the struggling soul beasts on the ground and sighed. "I'm still far from Rank 60, so I can't participate in this Soul Spirit experiment. I can only watch." He was frustrated. If he had delayed acquiring his soul rings, he could have obtained a ten thousand year soul spirit now. Initially, he had not understood why Jing Hongchen gave the hundred thousand year soul beast embryo to Huo Yuhao. After all, Huo Yuhao did not need the embryo to awaken a second martial soul he was already a Twin Martial Soul user. If Huo Yuhao needed a hundred thousand year soul ring and soul bone, the Sun Moon Empire would definitely send powerful individuals to secure them for him. But once Xiao Hongchen learned that Huo Yuhao was establishing the Soul Spirit System and was willing to help others obtain soul spirits, he had to admit his grandfather's decision was brilliant. While he was proud, he wasn't foolish. The establishment of the Soul Spirit System was a monumental event that would benefit the entire nation. Even he could reap massive rewards from it. Huo Yuhao looked at the thousand year Evil Eye soul beast before him. Its main body was a blood red eye with a pair of tentacles visibly unappealing. According to Kong Deming's research, this soul beast's primary attribute was fire, with a minor infusion of spiritual power. Convincing an Evil Eye to become a soul spirit wouldn't be easy these creatures had nasty tempers. However, Huo Yuhao had a solution. He could use his Simulation soul skill. Nearby, Jing Hongchen asked, "Yuhao, do you need my help?" Huo Yuhao replied, "Headmaster, please bring over the student who chose this Evil Eye. From this moment on, I will create their first soul spirit. If this succeeds, it will mark the beginning of a new era for the Douluo Continent." (End of chapter.)Thank you for the support, friends. 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