Chapter 159: Clash of Talents—The Exchange Begins
After both sides finalized preparations, the exchange between Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy officially commenced. Given that it concerned his own grandson, the head of Mingde Hall, Jing Hongchen, personally led the Sun Moon delegation.
On Shrek's side, Yan Shaozhe, Dean of the Outer Courtyard, took charge of the exchange. Originally, Elder Xuan intended to lead the group himself. However, Elder Moon quickly intervened.
"You are the Deputy Head of the Sea God Pavilion and will likely become its leader in a few years," Moon said sternly. "Who is Jing Hongchen? Just a junior, even if he is at Rank 93. Is he worthy of your personal attention? If you go now, when you become Pavilion Head, won't it make Shrek seem inferior to the Sun Moon Empire?"
Faced with this reasoning, Xuan Lao stood down, and the responsibility naturally shifted to Yan Shaozhe. Thanks to this decision, many Shrek students who were apprehensive about the exchange let out a sigh of relief.
After a few moments of subtle tension—where both parties sized each other up in silence—the students designated for exchange were handed over and led to their respective academies.
While Xiao Qiang didn't know what was happening on Shrek's side, he had full knowledge—and visual surveillance—of the goings-on at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
In fact, the moment Jing Hongchen brought the Shrek students to the academy, Xiao Qiang was unexpectedly assigned the role of general overseer for the entire exchange.
When Wang Heng, the officer in charge of conducting physical and spiritual aptitude tests, saw Xiao Qiang arrive, he immediately realized who held the true authority here.
"Take them to the soul guidance compatibility testing area for physical evaluations," Xiao Qiang ordered calmly. "I'm just here to observe. Everything should proceed as per standard procedures."
"Yes, Lord Xiao!" Wang Heng responded promptly.
Under Xiao Qiang's direction, the Shrek students were quickly ushered to the testing facility. As Wang Heng asked who would go first, Ling Luochen stepped forward confidently.
As her body was scanned, her data was projected aloud by the soul guide testing system:
"Physical strength: Level 68. Physical toughness: Level 66. Soul power fluctuation: Level 61. Soul power solidification: Level 70. Bone age: 20. No soul bone attached. Overall evaluation: Soul Emperor. Physical strength: Soul Emperor class. Further testing recommended."
Wang Heng, tasked with recording the data, couldn't help but widen his eyes. A 20-year-old Soul Emperor with physical attributes surpassing typical Soul Emperors—was this the true strength of Shrek Academy?
Given that the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Competition occurred every five years, each generation produced its share of geniuses. Many were still developing, their potential not yet fully realized. But achieving Soul Emperor rank at twenty? If nothing unforeseen occurred, she was nearly guaranteed to become a Titled Douluo in the future.
The first student up was already a potential Titled Douluo. Wang Heng, who had barely reached the Six-ring Soul Emperor rank himself through sheer effort and luck, was understandably stunned.
"Hmph."
Ling Luochen noticed his reaction and raised her chin, pride gleaming in her cold eyes. The sharp click of her high heels on the floor echoed like a queen's entrance, inspiring a cheer from the Shrek students behind her.
Initially, Shrek didn't care much about these tests—they didn't hold real value. But after losing the last Elite Tournament to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, things had changed.
A person who doesn't lack face won't mind losing face occasionally. They know their status isn't defined by one incident—too many people recognize their worth. But someone who does lack face—someone not given respect by others—will grasp at any chance to prove themselves, to the point of obsession.
Shrek had transitioned from the former to the latter after that bitter defeat. Thus, even symbolic victories, like outperforming their opponents in physical evaluations, became sources of morale.
As Ling Luochen returned proudly to her teammates, cheers erupted from the Shrek side. Her composed expression didn't change, but her heart brimmed with satisfaction.
Even someone like her—cool and seemingly aloof—enjoyed being admired by everyone.
Next up was He Caitou.
"Physical strength: Level 55. Physical toughness: Level 52. Soul power fluctuation: Level 47. Soul power solidification: Level 56. Bone age: 16. No soul bone attached."
Once again, Wang Heng was stunned. At 16 years old, he was already at level 47, and his physical stats far exceeded what his soul power would suggest. Another future Soul Emperor—and a potential Titled Douluo.
Then came Huo Yuhao, whose transformation after a year of elite training at Shrek was staggering.
"Physical strength: Level 46. Physical toughness: Level 41. Soul power fluctuation: Level 32. Soul power solidification: Level 40. Bone age: 13. Soul bones: Right leg bone and head-attached soul bone."
"Hiss—"
Wang Heng sucked in a breath. A 13-year-old already possessing two soul bones? His soul power had reached the Soul Master level, and he was clearly just getting started. Another undisputed genius.
"Wasn't this kid only level 21 or 22 the last time I saw him?" said Tian Meng, speaking to Huo Yuhao in the Sea of Consciousness.
"Maybe he had some stroke of luck," Yuhao replied.
"Then he's very lucky. Still, he's nothing compared to you."
Xiao Qiang: "…"
The students tested afterward were impressive but not quite as shocking. Overall, they were still noticeably superior to the average Mingde Hall soul engineers—just not monstrous. That was, until Bei Bei stepped up.
"Physical strength: Level 70. Physical toughness: Level 64. Soul power fluctuation: Level 52. Soul power solidification: Level 70. Bone age: 16. Soul bone: Attached to right arm."
The room fell silent.
Then, another loud cheer erupted from the Shrek side.
"As expected of the next captain of the Shrek Seven Devils! Just 16 years old and already level 52! His physique and soul power density are leagues above ordinary soul masters!"
"That's right! The Sun Moon Empire may have won the last tournament, but only because of an accident on our end. If Shrek's regular team had competed, they wouldn't have stood a chance!"
The Shrek students, fiercely proud of their academy's legacy, couldn't hide their excitement.
Wang Heng wanted to argue, but found no words. He hadn't witnessed any cheating, and Shrek's thousand-year reputation spoke for itself. As long as they weren't caught violating rules, no one would believe they had done anything underhanded.
He knew Shrek's key players hadn't participated in the last tournament—that much was a confirmed fact.
Discouraged and cornered, Wang Heng could only look to Xiao Qiang.
"Lord Xiao, what should we do now?"
Xiao Qiang shot him a glance and calmly said, "Nana, it's your turn. Go and take the test."