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At the moment they learned that Tang Wulin had reached level 50, the inner turmoil of these three individuals—only they themselves truly knew.
Among them, Wu Siduo was relatively calm since she was the same age as Tang Wulin.
However, Yuanen Yehui and Le Zhengyu were utterly crushed mentally.
They were older to begin with, and while they could accept being surpassed by freaks like Xu Yuan and Wu Siduo in terms of soul power, Tang Wulin—who originally had such a large gap in soul power compared to them—had already caught up. This was too much for them to bear.
"Wulin, just tell us honestly—are you using some kind of cheat?" Le Zhengyu muttered under his breath, asking quietly.
Tang Wulin feigned a look of confusion, shook his head, and whispered an explanation: "I've just recently encountered some opportunities. In the future, my cultivation speed will probably return to normal."
"Ahem, ahem!"
Cai Yue'er's cough interrupted their whispered conversation.
"Do you all know about the Shrek Seven Monsters?" Cai Yue'er asked, looking at the nine students.
Seeing the quick reactions and eager gazes of her students, Cai Yue'er nodded in satisfaction.
"That's right. Gathering you here today is to announce this matter."
"Twenty thousand years ago, the first generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters achieved legendary status. Since then, every generation of our academy has followed their example, selecting the seven most outstanding individuals and bestowing upon them the title of the Shrek Seven Monsters."
"Ten thousand years ago, our academy adopted a time-limited system, granting the title of Shrek Seven Monsters only for a few years."
"Over time, this evolved. In recent millennia, the selection process for the Shrek Seven Monsters has become increasingly strict. Adhering to the principle of 'better to have none than to settle for less,' there have even been periods spanning over a hundred years where no Shrek Seven Monsters were chosen."
"Once selected, the academy will cultivate them with the highest priority. Only after they retire or achieve their goals will the title be reclaimed, and the search for new Shrek Seven Monsters will begin."
"You two groups are the strongest in the past fifty years, so you've been under observation for quite some time."
"The recent exchange program on the Star Luo Continent was part of your evaluation."
As Cai Yue'er spoke, everyone except Xu Yuan and Gu Yue among the nine became extremely tense.
Because they realized—there were nine people present!
The Shrek Seven Monsters only had seven spots.
"Gu Yue, I'm sorry, but despite your excellent performance, it seems you aren't suited to remain at Shrek, nor do you have the heart to become one of the Shrek Seven Monsters," Cai Yue'er said.
Gu Yue didn't show any signs of disappointment. Instead, she calmly nodded.
Cai Yue'er then swept her gaze across the remaining eight.
"There are still eight of you left."
Seven hearts were pounding with tension.
Eight people—but only seven spots. Who would be eliminated?
None of them wanted to be the one left out.
As for Xu Yuan, he was simply curious. He wondered how this year's Shrek Seven Monsters would be selected.
Cai Yue'er looked at the students, who appeared as if facing an insurmountable challenge, and couldn't help but smile—a mischievous grin as though savoring a prank.
"All eight of you are exceptional, so after convening a meeting in the Sea God Pavilion, we've come up with a solution."
Tang Wulin and the others held their breath, waiting for Cai Yue'er to announce the results.
What solution?
Could it be a competition to determine the seven strongest?
At this moment, Xu Lizhi was the most nervous.
Among the eight, he was the weakest, with the lowest soul power level. As a food-based soul master, he had no combat ability whatsoever.
Although his role in the team was significant, his external contributions were minimal.
"After unanimous agreement, this year's Shrek Seven Monsters will consist of all eight of you."
Huh?
Tang Wulin: ???
Yuanen Yehui and the others: ???
Even Xu Yuan's lips twitched slightly.
Good grief, is it really reasonable for the Shrek Seven Monsters to have eight people?
So you guys are playing this kind of joke too.
"Hahaha, didn't expect this, did you?" Zhuo Shi burst into laughter, looking at the stunned eight and explaining their reasoning: "Our Shrek Academy has always taken unconventional paths. If there are eight outstanding students, why not choose all eight of you? Who says the Shrek Seven Monsters must only have seven members?"
After getting over his initial shock, Xu Yuan quickly accepted this logic.
He thought more deeply about it.
Glancing at Yun Ming seated at the highest point, Xu Yuan pondered whether this might also be a signal.
"You eight will now be known as the Shrek Seven Monsters. However, who becomes the eighth member will depend on your actual strength," a gentle voice chimed in—it was Yali.
She smiled faintly, exuding warmth as she addressed the eight: "Unlike previous generations of the Shrek Seven Monsters, you have eight members, meaning one of you will inevitably be the 'eighth.' I assume none of you want to be labeled as such, right?"
Tang Wulin and the others quickly shook their heads.
It was laughable. Though this joke felt absurd, it was also embarrassing.
The eighth member of the Shrek Seven Monsters sounded like an unnecessary tagalong, clearly redundant.
"In three months, you eight will undergo an assessment. The results will determine your rankings. If you're dissatisfied with your ranking later, you can discuss internally and issue challenges."
This meant that the title of the eighth member wasn't fixed.
In fact, none of the seven positions were fixed.
Was this encouragement for competition?
Xu Yuan was surprised.
Who came up with this idea?
It almost had a capitalist vibe.
After announcing the decision regarding the Shrek Seven Monsters, Cai Yue'er didn't dismiss the nine students.
"For now, avoid wandering around. Focus on cultivating within the inner court. If you wish to leave the inner court, submit an application in advance," Cai Yue'er instructed sternly.
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan's heart grew solemn.
Others might not understand what was happening, but he had an inkling of the truth.
So, the earlier warnings had been effective.
"It seems the academy is already aware of the impending crisis and has confirmed the loss of the Godslayer Missiles!"
They were indeed lost.
Despite early warnings years in advance, the Godslayer Missiles were still lost. Clearly, this wasn't a last-minute plan but something that had been in motion for a long time.
And if such deep cooperation had been planned so far in advance, it could only mean that Qiangu Dongfeng and the Holy Spirit Sect had been collaborating even earlier.
"This guy spares no means—he might have already colluded with the Holy Spirit Sect before becoming the Tower Master."
Xu Yuan recalled that his father had once researched evil soul masters.
"Could my father's death have been because he discovered evidence of Qiangu Dongfeng's collusion with the Holy Spirit Sect?"
Xu Yuan didn't dismiss this speculation.
It was possible.
But he felt it was too superficial.
"A person like my father wouldn't die for such a shallow reason—it's too hasty."
After giving her instructions, Cai Yue'er dismissed the nine students.
Xu Yuan returned to his dormitory and announced that he would enter seclusion.
"The Five Elements Essence replenishes my origin. I originally planned to use it to create a new spirit soul. Although it would waste spiritual power and require a significant investment later to increase its lifespan, it would be a safe choice. Now, it seems such a complicated process isn't necessary."
Xu Yuan retrieved the Five Elements Pearl formed from the Five Elements Essence, adjusted its intended use, and meticulously planned his upcoming cultivation.
"First, I'll simulate the process of forming the Five Elements Rune in the dream space. Once I complete the final three pieces of my battle armor, I'll absorb the Five Elements Pearl, form the Five Elements Rune, replenish the origin of my Heavenly Origin Brush martial soul, and smoothly condense my soul core to break through to Soul Emperor!"
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