CHAPTER 279: The Crumbling Reputation of Shrek Academy

Chapter 279 – The Crumbling Reputation of Shrek Academy

  "Xuan Zi, so many people are dissatisfied. Why haven't you clarified things yet? At other times, it might be manageable, but now, with so many voices rising in anger, if this situation spirals out of control, Shrek won't be able to attract any more new students!" Du Bushi barked in frustration, his expression grim. "Don't forget—apart from a few impoverished sects, most academies and clans are already withdrawing from the Continental Advanced Soul Master Competition. They're wary of Shrek's obsession with soul-related power."

  Du Bushi's voice carried the weight of urgency. He knew how devastating it would be if the rumors about Shrek's casualties turned out to be true. If people believed that Shrek had become a meat grinder—sacrificing countless young geniuses just to refine a few elites—the damage to the academy's reputation would be irreversible. Such a method would not only appear cruel, but far more damning than cheating.

  After all, cheating during competition—though shameful—could still be denied or dismissed as slander from the Sun-Moon Empire. Shrek had already faced accusations twice. They had been caught once during the All-Continental High-Level Soul Master Competition, but at other times, the school had simply denied the claims. They insisted that it was all malicious framing by their political enemies, and while some people remained skeptical, Shrek still retained plenty of loyal supporters.

  Under careful management, the cheating scandal could be suppressed. Public focus could be redirected toward external threats like the Sun-Moon Empire, delaying the damage to Shrek's reputation. But if Shrek admitted to using its students as cannon fodder—sacrificing talent in bulk with no real guidance or protection—then no amount of damage control would help. That would destroy the very foundation of trust that parents, sects, and families placed in the academy.

  After all, families send their children to Shrek not for them to die, but to become stronger. Injuries and even a few casualties were seen as inevitable risks. Most families could accept that.

  But if Shrek's core method was systematic elimination—allowing promising youths to die just to highlight a few exceptional survivors—then no one would tolerate it. Especially not when those sacrificed might have had the potential to become Title Douluo themselves.

  To feed the academy's prestige with the blood of geniuses from all over the continent would ignite hatred and feuds with countless sects. Du Bushi knew that if this issue wasn't clarified quickly, the consequences would be catastrophic.

  So, acting with haste, he ordered Xuan Zi to make a public statement. Responding, Xuan Zi stepped into the sky. As his pressure enveloped the crowd, he shouted:

  "What nonsense are you all spouting?! Since when has the path to becoming strong ever been safe? Especially when hunting spirit rings—what academy can guarantee there won't be casualties?"

  "Only after experiencing blood and fire can a soul master reach the summit! Do you think Tang San and the original Shrek Seven Devils became legends without hardship?"

  "When Tang San and his companions went to the Star Dou Great Forest for their first spirit rings, they encountered a hundred-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape! Ask yourselves—what soul master team could have survived that?"

  "I'll tell you this! Back when Dean Flender founded Shrek Academy, we went through twenty years of hardship. Students came and went, but none of them became gods like Tang San. Why? Because they didn't go through what he went through! No blood, no real growth!"

  "Out of over sixty students, barely a dozen graduated in those early years. They weren't forged in battle like Tang San's group, and that's why none of them reached the hundredth level or ascended to godhood!"

  "Yes, training at Shrek is dangerous! And I grieve every life lost in that pursuit!" Xuan Zi ended his declaration with solemn emotion, squeezing out a few tears to support his point.

  But then, a cold voice cut through the air.

  "You say Tang San became a god because of the blood and gore he experienced?" Xiao Qiang asked. His eyes locked onto Xuan Zi's, his expression calm—but sharp enough to make the elder shift uncomfortably.

  "Of course! Shrek might not be perfect, but we're the only academy in the world that has produced a god!" Xuan Zi responded, proudly.

  "Then let me ask you something," Xiao Qiang continued. "The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda was the martial soul of Ning Rongrong, one of the original Shrek Seven Devils. How did it evolve into the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda?"

  Xuan Zi responded reflexively, not realizing the trap. "Because of the immortal herb given by Tang San. Why are you—"

  The moment those words left his mouth, the already tense atmosphere exploded.

  "Wait… so the original Shrek Seven Devils became strong because they had immortal herbs?"

  "Now that I think about it… that's true!"

  "So all this talk about blood and suffering, and yet they just ate top-tier herbs to evolve their martial souls?!"

  "Unbelievable! They fooled us into believing in effort and perseverance, but they were taking shortcuts the whole time!"

  "The one who said 'there are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters'—wasn't he stuck at level 29 in his fifties? Must've eaten some top herb to break through!"

  "And what about Tang San creating his own 100,000-year sixth ring without a soul? That was clearly a trick to bait a soul beast into sacrificing itself!"

  As the crowd boiled over with fury, rotten eggs and vegetables were hurled at Shrek's delegation. The Continental High-level Spirit Master Competition hadn't even reached its final rounds, yet Shrek's people were already driven out of Mingdu in disgrace.

  Under the piercing truth of Xiao Qiang's words, and the uncontrollable outrage of the masses, the proud legacy of Shrek Academy teetered on the brink of collapse.