Chapter 120: Ning Fengzhi, the Old Fox
The All Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament began on schedule, showcasing one academy after another with familiar names. Watching the lineup, Ye Wen felt little excitement this was a competition he was bound to win. Still, the prize money was hard to ignore.
However, the overwhelming reputation of Tianxing Academy meant the betting odds on them weren't high.
"Well, better than nothing," he muttered, placing a casual bet of 8 million gold soul coins.
As the drawing commenced, Ye Wen's team was matched with his least preferred opponent.
"Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Second Team? A bunch of coddled second generation nobles? They're really forcing me to embarrass Heaven Dou from the get go," he sighed. Because of the prestige of the two empires and the Spirit Hall, each faction had a guaranteed spot in the finals. For the empires, it was unthinkable to rely on a single team, so they'd come up with this "second team" arrangement.
Unfortunately, most members of the imperial team were pampered nobles who slacked off on training. In the original storyline, Shrek Academy had shown them some mercy by sending seven participants, so Ye Wen decided to do the same and sent out seven ordinary students to handle them.
"Pathetic, absolutely pathetic," Ye Wen thought. Despite his team holding back, the opponents barely lasted ten seconds. Was this truly a soul master team? They looked like civilians fumbling with newfound power, and it was less a match than a massacre. Not a literal one, of course killing an opponent would lead to disqualification, so they'd only knock them around a bit.
"Referee! Tianxing Academy's trying to kill our team! I demand they be penalized!" the Heaven Dou Second Team's coach shouted from the sidelines.
"Lanlan, help their team with a little treatment," Ye Wen directed, nonchalant. Treating mere physical wounds was trivial for his medical squad. Wrapped in Blue Silver Bandages like mummies, the wounded Heaven Dou students had little room to argue.
Watching from the top row, Emperor Xue Ye of Heaven Dou looked displeased.
"Xue Xing, remove that coach from his position he's taught nothing but incompetence, disgracing our empire," he ordered. Following the death of the old emperor, Xue Ye had taken the throne, leaving his brother Prince Xue Xing in charge of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Unfortunately, Prince Xue Xing spent more time indulging in women than managing the academy, leaving affairs to the school's three deans. Now he could only bow his head and apologize profusely.
Tianxing Academy's prestige was undeniable. Emperor Xue Ye himself had been a supporter of its establishment.
"By the way," Xue Ye continued, turning to an attendant, "who is the leading instructor from Tianxing Academy this year?"
"Your Majesty, it's none other than Master Ye Wen himself," the attendant replied.
Xue Ye's eyes lit up. Ye Wen's current cultivation level was unknown, but his fame across the continent was undeniable.
"How could you let Master Ye Wen sit in the lower spectator seats with the other instructors? Fetch him at once! If the Star Luo barbarians learn we treated him this way, they'd laugh us out of court."
Alongside Emperor Xue Ye sat two notable figures: Yu Yuanzhen, master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and Ning Fengzhi, the current leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. The broad shouldered, middle aged Yu Yuanzhen looked unconcerned about Ye Wen's impending arrival; he was preoccupied with a more personal matter. Recently, his son Yu Xiaogang had run away from home, leaving Yu Yuanzhen disgruntled.
After investing so many resources into his son's future, only for Yu Xiaogang to squander it, Yu Yuanzhen was humiliated. What was sixteen hours a day of training, anyway? That was nothing compared to his own efforts as a young man.
"Just ten more years, and he could've reached Soul Emperor. But no, he couldn't stay focused. Now he's parading around the continent with a measly rank of Soul Ancestor. If he faces danger, his pitiful power will be of no help… Hopefully, our clan scouts find him soon."
His mind wandered to other matters, particularly the newcomer beside him: Ning Fengzhi, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's newly appointed head.
Ning Fengzhi exuded elegance and confidence, a polished aristocrat with a refined demeanor. Sitting alongside him was his clan's freshly appointed Guardian, the famed Sword Douluo Chen Xin, a middle aged man with silver hair and an imposing aura.
Ye Wen wasn't surprised by Emperor Xue Ye's invitation. Even though Tianxing Academy had kept a low profile, the myth of its supposedly "98th rank" Titled Douluo founder had spread far and wide. If they re ranked the top three sects, Tianxing might just push out Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. After exchanging pleasantries with Emperor Xue Ye, Ye Wen took a seat beside Yu Yuanzhen, casually glancing at Ning Fengzhi.
"Master Ye Wen, it's an honor," Ning Fengzhi greeted warmly.
Ye Wen could see through him immediately he knew well that Ning Fengzhi was a shrewd strategist, the last person he wanted to tangle with. For now, however, he simply returned the courtesy.
(End of Chapter)
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