Soul Land: I Am the True Grandmaster

Chapter 205: The Avalanche Unravels

Seeing that the group before him was not much weaker than himself and considering how Tianxing Academy had been siphoning off the most talented students in recent years, leaving Tian Dou Royal Academy embarrassed by their reliance on Tianxing alumni to represent them in the Soul Master tournaments, Sun Buyu felt conflicted.

"If they're talented enough, they could be admitted. But they don't seem like nobles probably commoners which makes this a bit tricky," Sun Buyu thought. The more a place was saturated with powerful aristocrats, the more entangled its connections. Although Sun Buyu wanted to strengthen Tian Dou Royal Academy, his own rank as a mere Soul Saint gave him little say.

Furthermore, if these four youngsters were only of average talent and trying to pull strings to enter the academy, Sun Buyu, even as the Director of Education, would be powerless to help. Currently, the academy was under the strict oversight of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, who had been vigorously enforcing fairness.

He then spoke,

"Could you tell me these young talents' levels? If they're to be admitted at this point in the year, we'd need approval from the board; otherwise, they'll have to wait until next year. My influence alone won't be enough."

Flender, ever perceptive, immediately understood Sun Buyu's implication: if the Shrek students were just average, they shouldn't waste their time.

This time, though, Flender had a team of top notch talents, so he addressed the students,

"Show your abilities to Director Sun."

"Tang San, 13 years old, level 32 Control System Battle Soul Elder, martial soul: Blue Silver Grass." He revealed his two yellow and one purple soul rings.

Not to be outdone, Dai Mubai stepped forward, displaying his own rings.

"Dai Mubai, 16 years old, level 39 Assault System Battle Soul Elder, martial soul: White Tiger."

"Li Jingliu, 13 years old, level 30 Assault System Battle Soul Elder, martial soul: Coiling Dragon Staff."

"Shao Tiantian, turning 13 soon, level 27 Food System Grand Soul Master, martial soul: Sugar Bean."

Sun Buyu's eyes gleamed with interest as he looked at the four of them. Though their soul rings were only the best possible configurations, their ages placed them well above typical talents. With the academy's resources, they might even be contenders in the All Continent Soul Master Tournament. After all, rare and high tier soul rings were still few and far between.

However, Sun Buyu's gaze lingered a bit longer on Dai Mubai. The White Tiger martial soul with evil eyes it was obvious even to the untrained eye that this boy was of the Xingluo Imperial family. Given his age, he was likely one of the current princes. The Tian Dou royal family secretly encouraged Xingluo princes with potential to study here, fostering competition among the foreign royals. Naturally, Sun Buyu wouldn't deny Dai Mubai a place.

Tian Dou Royal Family: Fuel the fire, stoke it intensely.

The Shrek students were undoubtedly talented, stronger than many of the pampered noble students at the academy. Sun Buyu's interest was piqued, and he said,

"Please wait here; I'll inform the board. Given these students' talent, the board should approve."

Seeing his students being acknowledged, Flender and the other Shrek teachers smiled, pleased. Yu Xiaogang, however, remained slightly anxious Tian Dou Royal Academy couldn't afford to reject this opportunity. He took out the Elder's Token from his Twenty Four Moonlit Bridges pouch.

"Director Sun, I believe you recognize this token?"

Sun Buyu's gaze instantly fixed on the token, his expression changing.

Just as he was about to say something, Yu Xiaogang interrupted,

"Please inform the board of this token as well. I believe they'll be happy to accept us."

With a troubled look, Sun Buyu walked away, realizing the situation was more complicated than he'd anticipated. An Elder's Token… Given Yu Xiaogang's lack of authority within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Sun Buyu quickly guessed the token's origin. Though times had been peaceful, as a well connected figure, he'd caught whispers of impending turmoil.

"A turbulent time indeed," he thought, deciding to have someone else deliver the message rather than getting personally involved.

As expected, the board members chose to see Yu Xiaogang and his group. However, another party was already present, engaged in cheerful conversation with the board. In this timeline, the infamous incident in which Xue Beng came looking for trouble didn't happen. "Playing the fool to catch the tiger?" That was a game only Qian Renxue, in her naive dedication to maintaining her role, would allow to continue. Had she not kept her cover, Xue Beng would have been eliminated long ago.

With all other royal offspring eliminated, leaving only one heir, was there any chance Emperor Xue Ye would choose someone else as his successor? Ridiculous unless his lineage ended entirely, everyone who's read even a little history knows the ruthlessness of royal bloodlines. The Xingluo succession conflict was a mere shadow in comparison.

Currently, Xue Beng was cowering in his chambers, his body thin, with dark circles under his eyes. A playboy fond of women? The current Crown Prince Xue Qinghe had decided to thoroughly indulge his younger brother's whims, ensuring his needs were "satisfied" by sending him a stream of women. Young as he was, Xue Beng's kidneys were already hurting.

"I can't keep this up; I'll end up dying of exhaustion! Uncle, where are you? Save me!" he groaned, regretting the ill fated advice to act the libertine. It would have been better to flee the country, like the disgraceful Xingluo prince.

Outside his room, a coquettish voice called, one that would make any ordinary man weak at the knees.

"Prince Xue Beng, are you alright? I heard you're unwell. I'll come in and tend to you."

"No, no need. I just need sleep. Don't disturb me," Xue Beng replied, trembling. His kidneys felt like they were failing, yet shamefully, he felt his desires stirring again.

"Damn you, Xue Qinghe, what kind of woman did you send me? This woman isn't normal she's turning me into a madman!"

The woman outside, unfazed by his pleas, lightly pushed open the door latch, effortlessly breaking it. She stepped inside, her figure slender yet curvaceous, her face exuding an alluring, almost fox like beauty. Xue Beng, torn between horror and infatuation, could do nothing as she once again drained him.

"I… I can't hold it any longer…" he thought, despairing.

Meanwhile, the Shrek group was on their way to the board members' office.

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