Although this only expelled the evil fire, and Ma Xiaotao couldn't yet be called an Ultimate attribute soul master, with Shrek's deep resources, helping her reach that goal was only a matter of time.
Freed from the evil fire, Ma Xiaotao's cultivation would accelerate, and her future would be limitless.
Lu Jingming chose Zhang Lexuan and Keqing as the two to train for a year at the Golden Tree.
Yan Shaozhe was surprised—he couldn't understand why Lu Jingming would give up such a golden opportunity.
Training at the Golden Tree was a shortcut every soul master dreamed of! Even if Lu Jingming wanted to focus on Lexuan and Keqing, he could have asked for a third spot—Yan Shaozhe would have agreed.
But Yan Shaozhe couldn't know Lu Jingming's hidden worries.
He didn't know whether the Golden Tree at Shrek Academy contained some secret left by the Sea God.
After all, the Sea God's mother would one day replace the Golden Tree as the world's core.
If the Golden Tree did have a trap, and Lu Jingming brought his Authority of Reality there, he'd be walking right into a snare.
Lexuan and Keqing could go, but Lu Jingming absolutely would not risk it.
Even the remotest chance was too much—so he asked for only two spots and gave up the opportunity himself.
Despite his desire for the Golden Tree's power, he resisted the temptation in favor of safety.
With a year of training, Lexuan and Keqing's soul power would likely reach Soul Sage level.
Even if the rest of St. Freya's team was weaker, those two alone could earn strong results in the tournament—maybe even challenge for the championship and make history by knocking Shrek off its pedestal.
Yan Shaozhe was still in the dark; he didn't know he might be creating a future rival.
In just half a day, Jingliu expelled Ma Xiaotao's evil fire. Though not eradicating the source, she left her own Ultimate Ice soul power as a seal. When Ma Xiaotao's martial soul evolved into Ultimate Fire, the interplay of attributes would help eradicate the evil fire.
Even if Ma Xiaotao never attained an Ultimate martial soul, the seal would last for decades.
Now, for years to come, Ma Xiaotao wouldn't have to fear a sudden evil fire outbreak.
For a talented soul master, decades are enough to become a Titled Douluo.
By then, even if the evil fire returned, Ma Xiaotao's power would be enough to deal with it easily.
Yan Shaozhe was very satisfied with the deal. Before leaving, he invited Lu Jingming to study at Shrek Academy, promising that with his talent, he'd easily enter the inner court.
As Martial Soul Department Dean, Yan Shaozhe could easily see Lu Jingming's extraordinary talent—perhaps even greater than Ma Xiaotao's.
After all, a thousand-year first soul ring was a legendary achievement.
However, Lu Jingming politely declined.
He couldn't see a reason to go to Shrek; what, just to exercise and do weighted training every day?
The main draw of the inner court was access to the Golden Tree, which was exactly what Lu Jingming wanted to avoid.
With the possible hidden dangers, he would not step into that place.
Yan Shaozhe was disappointed but didn't press the issue.
He left, taking the purchased Simulated Universe devices and Ma Xiaotao with him.
Before leaving, Ma Xiaotao deliberately gave Lu Jingming a fierce glare, venting her dissatisfaction at his earlier teasing.
Then, she straightened up, intentionally showing off her well-developed figure—a clear message: she was not a little girl.
She still held a grudge over his earlier words.
Lu Jingming was speechless—who gives their enemy a benefit like that? She really was a little girl!
Oblivious to her odd behavior, and unnoticed by her teacher, Ma Xiaotao left with Yan Shaozhe in high spirits.
Zhang Lexuan and Keqing didn't leave for Shrek right away—they had to wait for someone else.
"Ningguang, we're counting on you. I've arranged for a hundred Golden Guards to go with you to Shrek City. There, they'll all follow your orders."
After Yan Shaozhe left, Lu Jingming used his hard-earned Authority of Reality to manifest Keqing's colleague— Eclipsing Star Ningguang—into this world.
He chose Ningguang because he knew that to establish a merchant guild in Shrek City, they needed a brilliant manager skilled in business.
And Ningguang was the perfect choice—her business talent and wisdom were beyond doubt.
She had built her fortune from nothing to rival nations as Liyue's Eclipsing Star—her commercial acumen was unmatched.