Soul Ascension Pill is a rare medicine that was made with thousand year old rare herbs that had the attributes of Yin and Yang; which could only be found in the most coldest and hottest regions of the continent. Moreover, two plant-type soul masters with the fire and water element each could make this pill.
The pill is highly coveted for its ability to elevate a Soul Master's physique and mind by threefold under Soul Douluo; which not only stabilizes their cultivation from most of the hidden impurities they accumulated over the years but also makes them able to absorb older soul rings than the norm.
"Thank you, teacher/dean Yan!"
Yan Shaozhe waved his hand, "There's no need to thank me. You three have earned it through your hard work and dedication, so does the punishment you will receive for your irresponsibility and negligence ."
"Eh?" Both Xi Xi and Ling Luochen looked surprised, while Ma Xiaotao wryly smiled.
Yan Shaozhe raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So, are you telling me that you three have done your duty as the official team members, as well as their seniors, and led Huo Yuhao and the others well?"
Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luochen, and Xi Xi froze under his pointed gaze. They exchanged nervous glances, unsure how to respond.
Yan Shaozhe crossed his arms. "As senior members, you were expected to guide the juniors, not leave them to fend for themselves or rely solely on one member to carry the team. Ma Xiaotao, injured as you may have been, you are the captain of the official team, and at the very least, you should have made strategic decisions to mitigate risks for your teammates. Leadership doesn't stop just because you're hurt—it's in those moments that it matters most."
Ma Xiaotao winced but kept her head bowed, knowing there was no defense for her actions.
Yan Shaozhe turned to Ling Luochen and Xi Xi. "And you two—your roles as senior members of the team were equally critical. As experienced Soul Kings, it was your responsibility to step up when your captain couldn't. Instead, the burden fell disproportionately on the junior team, particularly on Huo Yuhao, who, while exceptional, should not have had to shoulder the weight alone."
The two senior members flinched under his piercing gaze. Ling Luochen opened her mouth to say something but quickly thought better of it, bowing her head instead.
Yan Shaozhe let out a heavy sigh. "It's not my intention to diminish your efforts or sacrifices. You all fought valiantly and endured much. However, as members of the official team, you bear responsibilities that go beyond individual performance. Remember that your actions set the tone for the team as a whole."
He straightened up, his tone softening slightly. "Still though, you have managed to exercise enough fighting strength due to the sufficient time given by the reserve team's exemplary performance for you to recover and tend your wounds, and ultimately helped the team to win the championship. The academy is well-aware of this achievement. Your achievements will cancel out your mistakes, and we will not include that in your records and our case files."
"Yes, Dean Yan," the three replied in unison, and heaved a sigh of relief. It would become a serious blemish to their lives if their mistakes were recorded in Shrek Academy's case files.
The difference between the inner courtyard's disciples and those from the outer courtyard was that the inner courtyard's disciples were bestowed with all kinds of resources, and they received the best mentors and teachings. The academy would naturally expect more from them in comparison to the outer courtyard's students.
Yan Shaozhe nodded his head and said, "As for the matter of your punishment...three months of solitary confinement with your cultivation sealed during your time should suffice. But considering student Ma's condition, we have decided on having you transferred to the Soul Engineering Department as a temporary student there for three months as well."
All three of their faces quickly turned pale white, their bodies trembling.
In every Soul Master's life, cultivation is their lifeblood—the core of their identity and purpose. And the most precious time for cultivation is during their youth. It is during this period that their potential blossoms the most, their bodies and minds most attuned to the rapid growth of their soul power and spiritual power.
Three months for Xi Xi and Ling Luochen, who are Soul Kings, means they've lost an increase of at least two ranks in their cultivation! That was something any soul master would cry about.
As for Ma Xiaotao, she's a pure combat Soul Emperor! She has only learned combat related techniques throughout almost her whole life and has devoted her time to mastering her flame-based abilities. Just like the saying: "You can't teach old dogs new tricks," applied perfectly to her current predicament. It's been instilled in her mind to only fight as a "pure" combat-type soul master.
Learning to be a soul engineer at this point, could not only be a waste of time to her, but also a detriment to her development and potential.
Which is why it was a proper punishment for them, as isolating them in a room would make them spend the time cultivating and any physical-type of punishment, though exhausting, would make them stronger.
"And don't worry, the time limit of your rewards won't start until after your punishment. Go back and rest. Remember to keep everything you've seen in the Sea God's Pavilion a secret. Also, after your respective punishment is over—Ma Xiaotao, Xi Xi, and Ling Luochen, you three are eligible to take the graduation test."
"Yes!" Ma Xiaotao, Xi Xi, and Ling Luochen left the Sea God's Pavilion after they respectfully bade their farewells.
Now, it was Huo Yuhao, Wang Yan, and others that remained.
Their excitement had died down after Yan Shaozhe reprimanded the girls; they were even a little discomforted now.
Yan Shaozhe turned to them and smiled. "What's wrong? Do all of you think that the academy is being too strict on them? Haha. It's to be expected. After all, do you understand the amount of resources we give out to nurture the inner courtyard students? Not even Royal Families could do it. You will understand when you enter the inner courtyard."
"Alright, it's time for your rewards. First, teacher Wang."
Wang Yan stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Dean Yan."
Yan Shaozhe sincerely said, "Four official team members couldn't compete, one having been expelled, and the remaining three injured, and yet you still managed to lead the team to victory in a few of tournament's matches. All of us can see how capable you are. We have unanimously decided to promote you to Shrek Academy's top-ranked teacher of the inner courtyard."
Wang Yan was stunned speechless for a moment before trying to humbly reject his offer, "Dean, I don't want any reward. It's not really my effort that won us the tournament. It's all because of these kids' hard work—"
Yan Shaozhe kindly interrupted him, saying, "They'll be rewarded too. So will you. What I just mentioned wasn't even considering your reward yet. It's only just a normal promotion. The real reward for you is that the Sea God's Hidden Beach will be open to you for a year. You are allowed to read anything you want within this year, but you can only read and research within the Hidden Beach."
"...Eh?"
What was in the Sea God's Hidden Beach? There were countless solitary copies of books, out-of-print collections, some ancient knowledge, and forbidden. In the eyes of bookish nerds, it was the greatest wealth that Shrek Academy possessed! Even the Sea God's Pavilion elders had to go through complicated administrative processes to enter the Hidden Beach to read.
Unsurprisingly, Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up and thought, 'I want to go there!' He had heard of it from Ma Xiaotao before, but he never tried secretly infiltrate the place.
Why? Well simply because it was constantly being watched by several Soul Douluos and one Titled Douluo within it!
Yan Shaozhe turned to Huo Yuhao and the rest, he especially eyed Yuhao, and he said, "It's all of your turns."
"Kids, I can only express my astonishment and awe regarding your performances. Shrek Academy has emerged champions in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament several thousand times."
He let out a chuckle, and continued. "But never has there been such a domineering and awe-inspiring way of winning the tournament, and it deserves to be recorded in our history. Shrek will remember the contributions that all of you have made. All of you are the academy's true heroes."
Yan Shaozhe's gaze lingered on Huo Yuhao, admiration evident on his expression. "Especially you, Huo Yuhao. The academy's senior management are aware of what all of you have done. Though you strength and talent was certainly impressive, but your intelligence and wit is what truly shone. You carried the team on your shoulders at critical moments, defying expectations and proving that age and experience aren't the sole determinants of greatness. You have done Shrek Academy proud."
"Stand proud, young man. You've done well." Xian Lin'er said, smiling.
Huo Yuhao clenched his right hand and felt a mix of emotions at Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er's words—mostly pride and joy. He bowed his head, his white hair glinting under the soft light. "Thank you, Dean Yan, Dean Xian, Elders. However, I couldn't have done it all without the support of my team and the teachers."
Yan Shaozhe, the other deans, and the elders smiled warmly at his humbleness. His friends around him felt a mix of emotions upon hearing his words.
Yan Shaozhe then turned to the others and said, "Don't worry, we haven't forgotten about you either. All of you have shouldered Shrek's shining glory. In a tournament that was supposed to merely be training for all of you, you fought unyieldingly, and attained the championship through your efforts. Your brilliance has left all of us astounded."
"After a conference here in the Sea God's Pavilion, we've decided to award three different rewards to all of you."
"First, you will be given the same rewards as Ma Xiaotao and the others had. Secondly, the academy was given three soul bones and one extra one as the champions. The extra one is solely for Huo Yuhao, especially since it was a gift for him for his aid in eliminating that evil soul master."
"The academy has also decided to offer six more soul bones, so that each one of the rest of you can receive one soul bone each. All of you will be allowed to choose based on your abilities and special characteristics too."
S-Six soul bones?! Everyone was delighted and greatly speechless. The reward offered by the academy is more generous than the Star Luo Empire's!
But they would be even more shocked by what was to come.
Yan Shaozhe said in a deep voice, "The soul bones are used to encourage all of you for your efforts in the tournament. But the academy is also going to credit all of you for protecting the academy's glory."
"From this moment onwards, the academy shall bestow upon the ten of you a special group title, fitting for you all that had surpassed the word "Monster" by even our standards, otherwise we would've simply gave you the moniker of Shrek's Seven Monsters—but also there are ten of you."
He stopped for a moment before saying, with a serious face, "You all fit the moniker of Heavenly Demon—demonically talented and blessed by heaven, the academy shall henceforth name the ten of you as the first Shrek's Ten Heavenly Demons....for life."
"Ah..." Huo Yuhao and the others couldn't help but stutter in shock after they heard those words. They stared at Yan Shaozhe with their eyes and mouths wide open.
"What?!"
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AN: Merry Christmas to everyone! Hope you had a wonderful year of 2024. As a Christmas Present, enjoy 5 chapters at the end of year~
Cause I'm not posting anything next week because I'll be out with the fam. See y'all later~
Use this code over at my patreon: 97397 for 50% off on membership~ C'mon now, feel the spirit of Christmas~ Hohohoho~
5/5 chapters