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After the exhibition match, the seven members of Shrek Academy's team had completed their mission.
Of course, the real task was essentially Yu Yuanfeng's alone.
This exhibition match was different from Shrek Academy's previous performances.
In the past, due to Shrek's overwhelming strength, local competition officials would only adjust the matchups by selecting teams from the next age group. They wouldn't, as in this case, send out a team of seven members all above the age of twenty under Shen Yi's request.
A five-year age gap could compensate for differences in soul power foundations. Moreover, the outer court students from Shrek Academy in this age group hadn't yet crafted battle armor, though they had begun dedicating time to learning about it during their first three years.
They had invested, but the returns hadn't yet materialized.
At such a stage in their cultivation, being matched against opponents with five extra years of training experience was risky.
Even Shrek rarely did this because the possibility of failure always loomed.
Shen Yi's ability to propose such a matchup wasn't because she personally represented the academy—it was because the academy had granted her this authority for this occasion.
This exhibition match was designed to highlight Yu Yuanfeng. It was something the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family had worked hard to achieve.
Yu Yuanfeng had prepared for this explosive performance for a long time—both his ten-thousand-year soul ring and the soul bones provided by his family were part of the effort.
Even reclusive families occasionally produced geniuses to remind the world of their presence.
With the task complete, Xu Yuan suggested treating everyone to dinner as a gesture of hospitality. The four outer court students readily agreed, while Xu Lizhi and Ye Xinglan had already discussed it earlier.
"By the way, Little Fatty, remember to invite your new friend."
"Thanks, Brother Yuan," Xu Lizhi said sheepishly, scratching his head.
He remembered Tang Wulin mentioning that he also had a big appetite and ate a lot.
Not only did Xu Lizhi eat a lot, but he was bringing along someone else who ate just as much. Xu Lizhi felt guilty knowing that Xu Yuan would definitely be spending a fortune this time.
Xu Yuan waved dismissively, showing no concern.
Earning contribution points at school by completing tasks was something he did to stay focused and hone his secondary professions. It wasn't like his family didn't give him money to spend.
Tianhai City was the core of the Tianhai Alliance—a large coastal city with excellent development prospects.
Xu Yuan brought the Shrek group to a seafood barbecue restaurant.
"Boss, I reserved a private room for ten people earlier."
"Ah, please follow me."
"It smells so good," Xu Lizhi couldn't help but look around, trying to locate the source of the delicious aroma.
It was intoxicating.
"Beep beep~"
Xu Lizhi's soul-guided communicator rang.
"Brother Yuan, my friend is here."
"Go bring him over," Xu Yuan nodded.
Shen Yi was surprised. "There are others joining us?"
She had assumed Xu Yuan was simply treating the Shrek students and herself to dinner as a gesture of hospitality.
"It's because Little Fatty miscalculated his cultivation timing while practicing the Great Devouring Heaven and Earth Technique. He digested everything but didn't have time to eat before leaving. By the time he arrived at the stadium entrance, he was starving and started asking random people for food," Ye Xinglan recalled, still feeling embarrassed for Xu Lizhi.
The image of a chubby boy desperately begging for food at the stadium entrance was too awkward.
"So?" Shen Yi chuckled. This was exactly the kind of thing Xu Lizhi might do.
Though Xu Yuan also had a big appetite, he wouldn't go to such extremes.
"Huh!" Shen Yi looked toward the entrance, surprised to see Tang Wulin being led in by Xu Lizhi.
If she remembered correctly, wasn't this her senior brother's student?
She hadn't expected such a coincidence.
Tang Wulin felt a bit awkward seeing so many people. He had come to enjoy a free meal, but now, surrounded by this crowd, he felt uneasy.
"Sit down. Eat as much as you want today," Xu Yuan pointed to an empty seat, signaling Tang Wulin to sit.
Tang Wulin sat next to Xu Lizhi.
The seafood dishes were already served, and with everyone present, the feast began.
"Eat for now. I've ordered another serving of salt-baked bluefin tuna. Save some room, or you'll just have to watch later."
"I can tell your bloodline is quite strong. You must have a good appetite. Don't hold back—eat freely," Xu Yuan noticed Tang Wulin's discomfort.
Even though Xu Yuan and Xu Lizhi were eating voraciously, Tang Wulin still felt too shy to indulge fully.
This wouldn't do.
Xu Yuan wanted to observe Tang Wulin's bloodline energy circulation and any unique traits he might possess.
Recognizing Tang Wulin, Shen Yi saw his uneasiness and decided to steer the conversation.
"Wulin, are you participating in this year's Tianhai Grand Competition?"
"Yes, Senior."
"What academy are you from?"
"Donghai Academy."
Shen Yi feigned surprise.
"Donghai Academy?"
"Yes, why? Is there something wrong, Senior?" Tang Wulin was puzzled by Shen Yi's reaction.
Shen Yi smiled. "No, it's just that an old acquaintance of mine is currently teaching at Donghai Academy. His name is Wu Changkong. Do you know him?"
"Huh?"
Tang Wulin was stunned.
Though he understood the connection intellectually—he knew Wu Changkong came from Shrek Academy—it was still surprising to hear that this leading figure from Shrek recognized her senior.
He hadn't expected such a coincidence.
"Teacher Wu is our class teacher. Senior, are you and Teacher Wu…?" Tang Wulin cautiously asked, observing Shen Yi's expression.
"He's my senior brother," Shen Yi replied with a smile. "You don't need to call me Senior. Just call me Teacher Shen."
Xu Yuan watched as Teacher Shen skillfully guided the conversation without revealing his prior knowledge.
Had she not known in advance, could she have steered the topic so precisely?
"Wu Changkong?" Yu Yuanfeng exclaimed in surprise.
He hadn't thought much of it earlier, but upon hearing Shen Yi mention her senior brother, Yu Yuanfeng suddenly remembered the name.
"Tianbing (Sky Ice) Wu Changkong?"
He looked at Tang Wulin in astonishment, beginning to scrutinize the extraordinarily handsome young boy.
If he remembered correctly, the elders in his family had mentioned this name. They said Wu Changkong was once a highly talented inner court student at Shrek, but he left the academy due to certain events.
The incident had caused quite a stir at the time.
His elder had also mentioned that Shrek was preparing to select a new generation of the Seven Great Monsters of Shrek, and Tianbing Wu Changkong was a candidate—specifically, the designated leader of the group.
Something unexpected must have happened, as the selection process was abandoned, leaving the position vacant ever since.
And this child was his disciple.
Yu Yuanfeng was still curious about what made Tang Wulin special when it suddenly clicked.
Once Tang Wulin learned about Shen Yi's relationship with Wu Changkong, he relaxed and finally began eating freely, astonishing everyone present.
Xu Yuan's appetite was due to his cultivation of secret body techniques and the Great Devouring Heaven and Earth Technique, but even he couldn't match Tang Wulin's capacity—only Xu Lizhi came close.
At this moment, the glutton spoke up, leaving Shen Yi amazed that her senior brother had found such an extraordinary student.
Leaving aside other factors, based on his appetite and lean physique, this boy's soul power cultivation was undoubtedly impressive.
As for his current foundation, Shen Yi guessed that Tang Wulin's talents hadn't been fully developed earlier, resulting in several wasted years.
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