Chapter 37: Conspiracy Theories?

Thank you to our new Patrons: Jakob Harris, Koner !!, Elan Jones, NaasH NS, Shon Ducusin, Kai Zambrano, mty, BenDover110, fluffiemonster, Colby Sooy and ArcherArchX! You are what makes this possible! We are up to Chapter 80: Since When Did This Guy Become So Patient? on Patreon!

There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Fortunately, Shrek Academy was destined for destruction. Given this inevitability, the current generation of Shrek's Seven Monsters would serve as Xu Yuan's best foundation.

Preventing it?

In the face of overwhelming fate, resistance was futile.

Even so-called advanced warnings to Yun Ming would only invite other complications.

Helping Shrek evade the attack of the Godslayer Missiles was impossible.

Because Xu Yuan couldn't be certain whether the Plane Master had played a role behind the scenes.

The Plane Master had indeed taken over a body, but what about Ah Yin?

Rather than calling it a takeover, it was more accurate to say that the Plane Master—Tang Hao—had usurped the position of the Plane Master. Originally, the Douluo Plane didn't have a Plane Spirit or Plane Master.

As for Ah Yin, she truly took over—possessing the Golden Ancient Tree.

This possession was likely incompatible, which is why she needed rebirth.

The old Golden Ancient Tree was destroyed, and a new Life Tree was born. Using the Blue Silver Emperor's endless vitality, a seed was condensed, eventually forming her own core Life Tree of the plane. Could this not also be part of a grand plan?

Xu Yuan speculated on these matters in his mind, but his thoughts were mere conjectures, incapable of being verified.

He could only bury them deep within his heart.

Before growing stronger, he wouldn't touch these topics.

Adapting to the situation and leveraging it for his benefit—that was what he should do.

If Shrek was fated to fall, then why couldn't the Shrek rebuilt afterward serve him?

Who said Shrek had to belong to Tang San?

Of course, such a plan still required much verification.

For instance, the extent to which the Plane Master could intervene, how much he had recovered, and how lucid he now was.

As for testing these aspects, Xu Yuan currently had no clear answers.

Back to the topic at hand.

Inside the valley.

Driven by his own ambitions, Xu Yuan relinquished the Dark Golden Terror Claw to Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi, avoiding any conflict.

Xu Lizhi looked at the Dark Golden Terror Claw without hesitation and directly said, "Give it to Sister Xinglan. I'm just a food-based soul master."

Ye Xinglan shook her head.

"The Dark Golden Terror Claw doesn't suit me. Everything about me revolves around the Star God Sword. It's better for Lizhi to absorb it. Precisely because he's a food-based soul master, he needs this soul bone even more."

Xu Yuan touched the Fate Skull Bone with his hand and prepared to attempt fusion. Suddenly, the surrounding illusion vanished completely.

Xu Yuan recalled the details of this trial and wasn't particularly surprised. Neither were Xu Lizhi and Ye Xinglan—they quickly returned to normal after a brief moment of confusion.

All three knew the content of the trial.

However, during the trial, they had all seemingly forgotten the finer details, their intelligence suppressed as if under the influence of an illusion. They were led to place great importance on the idea that soul rings and soul bones from the trial could be taken out. Any memories related to the truth of the trial were blurred, and they were subtly guided not to think deeply about it.

A highly sophisticated illusion.

Xu Yuan could affirm that Shrek must have had a Limit Douluo who specialized in illusions to create such a powerful illusory mechanism.

"Your performances were acceptable. However, Xu Yuan, why didn't you claim both soul bones for yourself?" Cai Yue'er asked curiously, looking at Xu Yuan. "With your strength, you should've been capable of doing so."

Were they all soul masters?

Based on Xu Yuan's demonstrated combat power, he was absolutely capable of overpowering Ye Xinglan.

Even if it was for the sake of the trial, he could have avoided lethal force. If Xu Yuan had considered this step while under the influence of the illusion, he might have reasoned: "Given my uncle's connections, even if I leave a bad impression on the examiners in this trial, I can still enter Shrek."

Two soul bones—who wouldn't want to monopolize them?

Especially when the other two were merely possible future classmates he'd just met?

Faced with Cai Yue'er's curiosity, Xu Yuan calmly replied, "The Dark Golden Terror Claw doesn't suit me. And even if I give it to them, it doesn't necessarily mean giving it to outsiders."

"Oh?" Cai Yue'er's gaze shifted, looking at Xu Yuan, understanding his intentions.

But… your uncle is a Spirit Envoy…

Their inclusion in the next batch of Shrek's Seven Monsters is assured, but what about you?

Though she thought of this, she didn't press further.

This Xu Yuan was intriguing.

"You weren't a true team before, and there was no emotional foundation. To achieve this level of cooperation, Xu Yuan—you deserve full marks."

If they had been teammates who had worked together for a long time, Xu Yuan's actions would have only been considered passable. However, the relationship between the three was clearly unfamiliar. Even though they had gone through several trials together, they were still essentially strangers with no emotional bonds.

On the contrary, the fact that he was willing to invest in future goals showed ambition. Such charisma alone warranted a perfect score.

"Xu Lizhi and Ye Xinglan also receive full marks."

A seven-year-old child—his performance was already satisfying.

Pure-heartedness was enough.

Next was to give them the green light to enter the Inner Court.

Cai Yue'er was very familiar with this process.

As for playing the "bad cop" to provoke candidates?

Cai Yue'er was the Outer Court Dean. While such behavior might be acceptable during Outer Court trials, it was unnecessary in front of children about to enter the Inner Court.

"Let's go. The final trial awaits, where the examiners will evaluate and score you." Cai Yue'er took over Wang Hao's task and directly led Xu Yuan's group to the final room.

By now, in this final trial room, two elders were already seated on either side of the three examiner seats, leaving the middle seat vacant.

Cai Yue'er stepped forward and sat in the middle seat, looking at Xu Yuan's group.

"This is the final trial. We three will review your performance across the previous nine trials and provide feedback and scores."

"First, Xu Yuan. Your performance has been impeccable. To reach this level within just a year of awakening your martial soul, excelling in spear techniques and elemental control, and showcasing extraordinary combat talent—all while scoring full marks in the first nine trials—I won't deduct any points. This final trial also grants you full marks."

"Agreed." ×2

"In Shrek's trials, whether for the Outer Court or Inner Court, any candidate who achieves full marks in every stage can make a request to the Sea God Pavilion. As long as the request is reasonable, we will fulfill it." Cai Yue'er looked at Xu Yuan and said, "Take some time to think about what you'd like to request."

"Of course, I've given you full marks, but there are still some issues I need to address. Greed leads to indigestion. Your learning ability is strong, but you're pursuing too many things, and they're too scattered. I still recommend streamlining your cultivation and focusing on one or two disciplines moving forward." Cai Yue'er concluded with her final advice.

Xu Yuan nodded but showed no signs of being moved.

Cai Yue'er sighed and turned her attention to Xu Lizhi and Ye Xinglan, offering her evaluations.

In the tenth trial, Xu Yuan received full marks, Ye Xinglan scored nine points, and Xu Lizhi received full marks. Throughout the evaluations, Cai Yue'er repeatedly mentioned their young ages.

In terms of total scores, Xu Yuan achieved a perfect 100 points, Ye Xinglan scored 86 points, and Xu Lizhi scored 85 points.

All three successfully entered the Inner Court, becoming students of the Inner Court.

After the evaluations, Cai Yue'er looked at Xu Yuan.

"Well, have you thought about what you'd like to request?"

------------------------------------------------------

Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow