Chapter 157 – Departure to Shrek Academy
"Let Xiao Hongchen go to Shrek Academy to study? Teacher, are you serious?"
After returning to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Xiao Qiang learned about the list of students selected for the exchange program. When he saw that Xiao Hongchen would be going to Shrek Academy, he was baffled.
He had personally witnessed Shrek's cheating during the last All-Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition. Under such circumstances, he couldn't understand why Jing Hongchen would willingly send his own grandson to study there.
"Of course I'm serious," Jing Hongchen said calmly. "Even though I, too, feel a bit ashamed of Shrek's actions during the last tournament, they were right about one thing. Excluding you as an anomaly, even an incomplete Shrek team remains difficult for us to defeat under normal conditions."
"You are an exception, Xiao Qiang. One of the greatest talents the Sun Moon Empire has seen in centuries. As for Ma Rulong, he represents the pinnacle of our academy's efforts. In the past two hundred years, we've only cultivated five geniuses of his level. But in every tournament, Shrek sends Soul Emperors whose strength surpasses even Ma Rulong's. In terms of soul master education, we're still behind them."
Xiao Qiang frowned. "Teacher, have you considered that Shrek's strength might not come from superior education but rather the vast pool of talent they draw from the Three Douluo Kingdoms? They have countless geniuses entering their academy. After harsh competition among themselves, only the best rise to the top. In contrast, our Sun Moon Empire has far fewer top-tier talents. It's a numbers game."
Jing Hongchen shook his head. "No, it's not just that. Shrek has been the number one academy on the continent for thousands of years. Even if their actions in the last competition were disgraceful, the fact remains—most of the continent's top talents have come from Shrek. That hasn't changed in a millennium. And…"
He trailed off and sighed. "Forget it. You're still too young to understand. There are things I've seen and experienced that you haven't. In any case, Xiao going to Shrek is the right decision—for him, and for me. It's also… a way for me to fulfill a long-held dream."
Xiao Qiang fell silent.
He understood all too well what Jing Hongchen meant. In his past life, having read Douluo Continent II: Unrivaled Tang Sect, he was fully aware of the strange phenomenon across the continent—Shrek's overwhelming influence.
The academy's reputation was so deeply rooted that even those from the Sun Moon Empire, like Jing Hongchen and Prince Xu Tianran, secretly longed to be Shrek students. Despite the evidence of cheating, the entire Douluo Continent remained under the mystique of Shrek's legacy. It was as if they were under a spell.
In the original timeline, Jing Hongchen had indeed sent both Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen to study at Shrek to fulfill that very dream. Even Xu Tianran would go so far as to conquer the Three Kingdoms just to get closer to Shrek's legacy. No amount of scandal or corruption could shake Shrek's iron grip on the continent's faith in them.
"This matter is already settled. You don't need to say anything more. Go and meet up with Wu Chun to see them off."
"Yes, teacher…"
Later, at the Hongchen Family Courtyard
"Where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you."
Xiao Qiang approached Xiao Hongchen, intending to say his farewells, only to see a bright grin on his cousin's face that he couldn't quite hide.
"…Nephew, what are you smiling about?"
Before Xiao Qiang could finish, Xiao Hongchen answered smugly, "You already know Grandpa asked me to go study at Shrek, don't you?"
Xiao Qiang's mouth twitched. He hadn't even asked yet, but Xiao Hongchen was clearly basking in the attention.
"Don't get too excited. Shrek won't be able to teach you much. You'd be foolish to expect too much from them. Have you forgotten how they won last time? They cheated."
"I remember." Xiao Hongchen's expression turned serious. "But Grandpa also said that despite their cheating in that tournament, Shrek's ability to nurture elite talents is undeniable. With my natural talent and their resources, I'm confident I won't lose to you again the next time we meet."
Xiao Qiang: "…" Forget it. As long as you're happy.
"Then give it your best shot. But here—take this." Xiao Qiang handed him a spherical soul tool.
Xiao Hongchen took the object and examined it curiously. "What's this?"
"I based this on the spatial ability of the Silver Dragon Staff. If you ever find yourself in danger at Shrek, just crush it. It'll teleport you to a safe location I've preset."
Xiao Hongchen blinked in surprise. Though he didn't fully understand the soul tool's mechanism, he nodded solemnly and tucked it into his storage soul guide.
"Thanks. But you'd better keep training while I'm gone. If I come back and your cultivation's far behind mine, you won't even be worthy of a spar."
"That's rich coming from someone who got beaten up twice." A familiar voice cut in—Meng Hongchen had arrived to see her brother off and dropped a perfectly timed jab.
Xiao Hongchen glared at her. "Shut it, you little brat! Those were just accidents. When I return from Shrek, I won't let such 'accidents' happen again!"
Xiao Qiang chuckled. "Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night. Anyway, lay off the medicine while you're there. I've got some better stuff for you when you get back. Oh, and whatever you do, don't absorb any spirit rings with Shrek's help."
"Also, while I don't think highly of their teaching, Shrek's Treasure Pavilion has some good stuff—spirit bones, rare herbs, cultivation resources. If you see something valuable, buy it. If you don't have enough money, just let me know. I'll lend you some."
Xiao Hongchen raised an eyebrow. "You'll lend it to me? Isn't it technically my family's money?"
Xiao Qiang patted his shoulder with a smile. "Nephew, don't be so stingy. Besides, you don't want Senior Sister Meng to become a Titled Douluo without a decent spirit bone, do you?"
Xiao Hongchen shot him a look that said, I'm resisting the urge to punch you.
"I know. If I find a suitable spirit bone for Meng, I'll bring it back. But you—if you dare bully her while I'm away, I swear I'll beat you black and blue when I return."
"Brother, stop meddling in my affairs!" Meng Hongchen blushed furiously and pushed him out of the courtyard, slamming the door behind him.
"…"
Xiao Hongchen stared at the locked door in stunned silence.
Did she just throw me out of my own house? He suddenly had a sinking feeling.
It was like she was saying: This house doesn't belong to you anymore. You don't have a place here.