Another Kind of Genius

He bowed his head. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Ru Shenqi's jaw dropped. "Y- you never said you were of royal blood!"

"I didn't want you or the others to treat me differently because of it."

Yu Xiaogang cleared his throat. "Xiao Shen, show His Majesty your spirit rings."

She stared at him. "Grandmaster?"

He nodded. "It's okay. Go on."

"Ru Shenqi greets Your Majesty."

Xue Beng smiled. "Please, there's no need to be afraid."

Nodding slowly, she declared, "Ru Shenqi, fifty ninth ranked Control System Battle Spirit Master."

"Fifty ninth ranked at eleven years old?!"

Xue Ziyou gasped, "You're only eleven?!"

Finally, Ru Shenqi and Gu Xingyun removed their masks. She stepped back and released her spirit. Her eyes flashed, glowing lucent and transparent.

Xue Ziyou cried, "Wait... aren't you a fire attribute spirit master?!"

She shook her head. "I've fooled the entire Spirit Arena for a year now. My real spirit is a body spirit, Clear Crystal Eyes. The reason why I don't reveal it is not because of the rarity of my spirit, but because of my spirit rings."

Just then, her five rings descended. Xue Beng and Xue Ziyou gaped at her.

"Decade millennium and century millennium rings?!"

Yu Xiaogang spoke up. "I told Xiao Shen to not reveal her rings no matter what."

"What about the Advanced Spirit Master Grand Competition that's coming up in just over a year?"

"Xiao Shen won't appear until the finals. It's too dangerous for her."

"But the Supreme Pontiff..."

Liu Erlong interrupted, "Hu Liena already knows about her potential and her Death God Domain. She helped Xiao Shen get her third spirit ring, which saved His Royal Highness on the stage today, and also took Xiao Shen to Slaughter City herself."

Xue Beng stared at them in shock. "Such potential."

"Your Majesty," Ru Shenqi began. "What's the Advanced Spirit Master Grand Competition?"

"Grandmaster, you haven't told them yet?"

Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "I was planning to wait another five months, but I suppose I'll explain it to them when we return."

"Then I won't tell it now. Xiao Shen, may I call you that?"

She nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"A little god, you are indeed. In the competition's finals, perhaps you can show the continent the new talent Heaven Dou Empire has."

"Xiao Shen will try her best."

"Good, good. Ziyou."

Xue Ziyou turned and bowed. "Yes, Older Cousin?"

"Don't tell anyone what you've learned here today. Not even Gao Mimi."

"Ziyou understands. I won't tell a soul."

"Good. Grandmaster, Liu Erlong, children, it was a pleasure seeing all of you today."

The four Shrek bowed. "We'll take our leave first then, Your Majesty."

Xue Beng agreed and watched as they departed. Inwardly, he sighed.

Teacher should meet that little god. Perhaps... he's the only one on this continent who has the power to protect her from Spirit Empire.

<><><>

Back at Shrek Academy, the children all met up in the back courtyard. As they waited for the Golden Iron Triangle to finish their meeting, Gu Xingyun spoke up.

"Everyone, I have something to tell you all. Please, I hope you don't treat me any differently than before."

Ming Yong asked, "Xingyun, what is it?"

"I'm from the Gu imperial family of Guang Kingdom in Xing Luo Empire. As the most powerful son, I hold the title of Crown Prince."

Shock washed over five faces. Ru Shenqi stepped even closer to him.

Bai Shanxin was the first to recover. "Aren't Evil Eye White Tiger and Hell Civet also from the imperial families of Xing Luo Empire? What's the difference? Do you really think we're going to place you on a pedestal and worship you?"

All seven burst into laughter. Gu Xingyun felt relieved and smiled happily. Just then, the Golden Iron Triangle approached.

Yu Xiaogang cleared his throat.

"You little Tyrants, what are you laughing about?" Flender asked.

They shook their heads. "Grandmaster, Dean Flender, Vice Dean Liu, is something wrong?"

Liu Erlong stepped forward. "It's time we tell you all about the Advanced Spirit Master Grand Competition that's coming up in just over a year now."

Yu Xiaogang explained, "The Advanced Spirit Master Grand Competition is hosted by the two empires. It's a way to show the talent of the new generation. Later, I will tell you the rules of the competition but for now, let me just talk about the way it's set up."

All seven children watched him, not wanting to miss a single word.

"Within the two empires, there are almost a hundred Advanced Spirit Master Academies. Each academy can participate, if it wants to. The two empires' official Advanced Spirit Master Academies will each have two slots, one for the main team, and one for their secondary team. Each empire's main team will be advanced to the finals automatically, filling up two of three seeded spots in the finals. The last seeded spot belongs to Spirit Empire's personal team. The secondary teams, on the other hand, will be competing just like everybody else, in the preliminary and ranking rounds. The preliminary rounds is split into different areas. Within Heaven Dou Empire's bounds, with Heaven Dou City as the center, all academies that don't belong to a kingdom or dukedom will come here for the preliminaries. All the academies of the kingdoms and dukedoms will be matched based on their regions. Since Heaven Dou Empire has four kingdoms and one dukedom, there will be six preliminary areas. Now, other than the team that get placed right into the finals, these six areas will be fighting over fifteen slots. Because our area has many academies and is also directly subordinate to the empire, there will be five slots to fight for. The other areas each have two slots to fight for. Star Luo Empire works almost the exact same way."

He paused, letting his words sink in. Then, he added, "This means that, after the preliminary round, the number of teams that go on to the next stage will be thirty. These teams will all participate in the finals. But before that, there will be a ranking stage. This ranking round is to determine the order of matches in the finals."

Ru Shenqi spoke up, "Grandmaster, what do we have to reach in order to graduate?"

The other six Tyrants seconded her question. Looking to each other, the Golden Iron Triangle quietly conversed a moment before deciding.

"At least get to the finals," Flender replied.

"Xiao Shen... you will not participate in the preliminary or ranking rounds."

She bowed her head. "Xiao Shen understands."

"Good. For this Advanced Spirit Master Grand Competition, Xiaogang and Erlong will look for a few substitutes to help us hide our true strength. We don't want to reveal too much too soon. Other academies will do the same," Flender added.

"In the finals, the Shrek Seven Tyrants will appear," Yu Xiaogang said. "I'm not too worried about you all beating the Imperial teams, but Spirit Empire's team is rumored to have a very strong team this year."

"But," Liu Erlong countered, "Xiao Shen will appear in the finals. And with her spirit ring configuration, we can be no less than Spirit Empire's team."

The seven children nodded, agreeing with the temperamental woman in front of them.

"If you little Tyrants can win the Advanced Spirit Master Grand Competition for Shrek, just like your predecessors, Shrek Academy will rely on you all in the future," Flender laughed.

Liu Erlong looked ready to slap him.

"Grandmaster, what will we do after the competition?" Ru Shenqi asked.

"You will graduate. Then, it's up to you all where you go next. Xiao Shen, after the competition, it might be good to disappear for a while. Maybe return to Vast Sea City and get away from the capital. Or you could go to Tang Sect and try to join forces with them. Five of the Shrek Seven Devils reside in Tang Sect. You'll be safe there."

She bit her lip. Gu Xingyun rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry. You could also come to Guang Kingdom with me. My family might not be the Xing Luo Empire imperial family, but we still have a great deal of power and are respected by Crown Prince Dai Mubai and Crown Princess Zhu Zhuqing. There, at least you'd also have two Shrek Seven Devils to help protect you."

Yu Xiaogang nodded. "That is also a possibility."

Remembering the faint words of her mother, Ru Shenqi suddenly asked, "What about Haishen¹海神岛 - "Sea God Island" Island?"

The Golden Iron Triangle fell silent.

"Only the Shrek Seven Devils and Bai Chenxiang can tell you about that place. I know a bit, but they experienced it," Yu Xiaogang breathed. "I know you have to be very powerful to go there."

"The Shrek Seven Devils challenged Haishen Island as Spirit Emperors. Cultivate more and grow stronger before you attempt Haishen Island," Flender recommended. "Perhaps in five or ten years, you all can go and accept the Sea God's challenge."

Liu Erlong looked away. "I hate to have to agree with them, but I do. You're not strong enough now. Grow stronger and then you'll be able to rightfully accept the Sea God's challenge."

Ru Shenqi bowed her head. "I understand."

"It's getting late, children. Why don't you all head back to rest. Tomorrow morning, your last phase of training will begin," Flender cackled.

Scared, they all darted away. Liu Erlong punched his arm. "What are you laughing about?!"

"Erlong, it's your turn to fight those little Tyrants! Wuji only fought two and look how he ended up!"

"Wuji went up against their auxiliary and control system spirit masters! How couldn't a power attack system lose to that?!"

"Erlong, he's a Spirit Douluo! How can two children defeat him?!"

"Because he underestimated Xiao Shen!"

"Exactly! So don't you do the same," Yu Xiaogang cut in. "Watch out for Xiao Shen's flames most of all. As a spirit master with a body spirit, she shouldn't have fire attributes, but she does. And watch out for her two spirit bones. That child is the most tyrannical of them all."

<><><>

The next day, Flender led the Shrek Seven Tyrants out back to the forested area. Standing there, waiting for them, were Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong.

"Dean Flender," they asked. "What are we doing here?"

"Some battle training. True, you've fought well in the Spirit Arena, but only two of you have gone up against a Spirit Douluo before."

"EH, WHAT?!"

Liu Erlong stepped forward, and their eyes bugged. They took off, but Flender rounded them up easily.

"Vice Dean Liu!" they cried. "Please go easy on us!"

She released her Scarlet Dragon spirit and immediately lifted off from the ground.

"Youyou! Yong!" Ru Shenqi cried.

"First spirit skill, Flowering Lotus Blossom!"

"First spirit skill, Dragon Qin Vine!"

The other six were pulled back by Ming Yong. Fang Youyou boosted them. Worry filled each of their young hearts.

Why do we have to die so early? they all thought miserably.

"Xingyun!"

"King Tiger left arm bone skill, King Tiger Halberd!"

He locked down on Liu Erlong and threw the halberd. The more she flew to avoid it, the more power it racked up. When it finally hit, she roared.

"Seven spirit skill, Scarlet Dragon Avatar!"

She turned into a looming, tyrannical, red dragon. Each of the children bemoaned in their hearts.

"Ultimate Darkness Wings!" Ru Shenqi's wings spread and lit on fire. Looking up, she roared, "Ultimate Darkness Straight Line!"

She locked in on Liu Erlong. Bai Shanxin, who was flying up above distracted Liu Erlong just enough to say, "Third spirit skill, Swift Charm!"

Stunned by the charm, Liu Erlong didn't have time to dodge the burst of purplish-black flames that shot right towards her.

Shu Jiaxiang called, "Shanxin!"

Bai Shanxin flew down and picked her up. They flew close to Liu Erlong when Shu Jiaxiang called out, "Third spirit skill, Shadow Cheetah Fog!"

"Third spirit skill, Dragon Qin Wailing!"

"Third spirit skill, Flowering Lotus Regrowth!"

Liu Erlong was barely affected by Ming Yong's spiritual attack. When she saw the children had regained their spirit power, she growled.

"Fifth spirit skill, Scarlet Dragon's Breath!"

She roared, fire flaring from her mouth. The flames spread out, burning the tops of the trees. Just as she was distracted, Ru Shenqi smirked.

"Swift Demon Cougar skull bone skill, Swift Demon Attack!"

Her eyes locked with Liu Erlong's. Suddenly, the older woman cried out and clutched at her head. The Scarlet Dragon Avatar disappeared.

"Erlong!" Yu Xiaogang cried.

Just as Liu Erlong dropped to the ground, Liao Suyin stepped forward, protected by a full set of jade armor. She had launched her third spirit ability, Tarantula Reign. With the added ability to oppress opponents, she had chosen just the right time to use it.

"First spirit skill, Dragon Qin Vine!"

A durable qin string wrapped around Liu Erlong's body, pinning her arms to her side. The Shrek Seven Tyrants all approached her and saluted.

"Vice Dean Liu, do you concede?"

Flender burst out laughing. Liu Erlong roared and within a few moments, the tide had turned. People in the main building of Shrek Academy heard pitiful wailing coming from the forest behind them. Scarlet red flames flared brightly illuminating the forest.

Slaughtering Corner, indeed, the Shrek Seven Tyrants thought sadly.