Chapter 68: Exchange Students

Yan Shaozhe and Fan Yu stood at the border between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire, their expressions heavy with concern.

Today was the agreed date mentioned by Jing Hongchen after the conclusion of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament—when Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy would formally discuss the matter of exchange students.

Truthfully, despite soul tools having long been dismissed by Shrek's old-fashioned elders, and even after Shrek's students had been killed by Sun Moon Academy's soul engineers, things had changed. The soul tools displayed by Sun Moon Academy in the tournament had left a deep impression, and following that, Elder Mu pushed through the opposition to finalize the exchange student plan. In the end, Shrek had no choice but to send Yan Shaozhe and Fan Yu as their representatives to negotiate.

While waiting at the border, the two soon noticed a large group approaching from the Sun Moon Empire's side.

'Why are there so many people?'

Yan Shaozhe's expression instantly turned vigilant. With his cultivation, he quickly sensed that this large group was actually a formation of Sun Moon Empire soul engineers rapidly approaching.

'Where's Jing Hongchen? Why didn't he come himself?'

The soul engineer regiment landed just before crossing the border. A middle-aged man stepped out from the formation and strode directly toward Yan Shaozhe and Fan Yu, who waited on the Star Luo Empire's side.

He stopped before them, his voice steady and deep like a trained soldier.

"You must be Lord Yan Shaozhe and Lord Fan Yu of Shrek Academy. I am the commander of the Sun Moon Empire's Third Soul Engineer Regiment. By the order of Hall Master Jing Hongchen, I am here to escort you to Mingdu to discuss important matters."

Yan Shaozhe frowned. 'Escort? A 95th-level Super Douluo like me needs an escort?'

"Why didn't Hall Master Hongchen come in person?" Yan asked bluntly.

"Hall Master Hongchen is extremely busy and unable to come to the border in person. Inviting you to Mingdu—the most prosperous city of our empire—is a far more fitting gesture for such an important discussion."

That almost made Yan Shaozhe laugh in anger. 'Since when did your Sun Moon Academy become the host in this exchange? This is nothing short of condescension!'

He narrowed his eyes slightly, evaluating the soul engineers present. 'At most, they're Soul Emperors? After everything that's happened, from the deaths of Shrek students in the tournament to the current disrespect, they really think I'll just sit back?'

The commander was just a Soul Douluo. Yan could kill someone like that with a single slap.

Fan Yu, noticing Yan Shaozhe's brewing temper, quickly stepped in.

"Dean Yan, please don't be angry. Let's not ruin Elder Mu's intentions. Besides, with the high-energy compression arrays and linked defensive soul tools active in their formation, even someone of your level may not be able to take them down so easily."

Though Yan still looked down on soul tools and didn't believe a single regiment could pose any real threat, he reined in his fury.

"Lead the way."

Hearing Yan Shaozhe's curt tone, the third regiment commander said nothing and simply gestured for them to follow.

—

Mingdu, Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy – Reception Hall

"So, gentlemen, now that you've seen our Mingdu—the crown jewel of the Sun Moon Empire—what are your impressions?"

Jing Hongchen sat comfortably, smiling as he looked at the two seated across from him.

Yan Shaozhe kept a cold face, only occasionally glancing at the servant pouring tea. It was Fan Yu who responded.

"It's impressive. I didn't expect soul tools to be so widely used here."

His tone was somewhat conflicted. Compared to the capitals of the Douluo Continent's three nations, "impressive" was putting it mildly. Mingdu was in another league altogether.

Jing Hongchen just chuckled.

"Soul tool adoption is mostly limited to Mingdu and similar major cities. Once you go to more remote places, it's not much different. But let's not waste time on small talk—we're here for business, aren't we?"

Yan Shaozhe cleared his throat.

"Let's begin with the selection of exchange students, Hall Master Hongchen. Shrek Academy has finalized our preliminary candidate list. The students we're sending are among our most gifted. Naturally, we expect your academy to show equal sincerity and send students of comparable caliber."

Jing Hongchen wasn't offended. He simply laughed heartily.

"Of course. The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy will respond with equal sincerity. Why don't we exchange the lists now and see if both sides are satisfied?"

Yan Shaozhe nodded and glanced at Fan Yu, who then retrieved Shrek's student list from a storage-type soul tool and handed it over.

Jing Hongchen accepted it and, at the same time, passed his academy's list to Fan Yu.

After glancing through Shrek's list, a faint, unreadable smile crept across Jing Hongchen's lips. He nodded and set the list down on the tea table.

Yan Shaozhe and Fan Yu studied the Sun Moon list together, quietly communicating via spiritual transmission.

'Xiao Hongchen, huh. If Hall Master Hongchen is willing to send his own grandson to Shrek, then we can be confident about Ma Xiaotao's safety.'

Fan Yu furrowed his brow but didn't comment.

After confirming that there were no issues with either list, Yan Shaozhe handed it back and reclaimed Shrek's own list.

The two sides then confirmed the timeline for the exchange program and details about coordination and communication.

As the discussion drew to a close, and most matters had been settled, Yan Shaozhe paused in thought before speaking again.

"Hall Master Hongchen, there is one more request Shrek Academy wishes to make regarding the exchange program three years from now."

Jing Hongchen feigned curiosity.

"Oh? What is it?"

Yan Shaozhe's tone grew serious.

"Your academy has a disciple who possesses the Ultimate Ice element, correct?"

Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes but neither confirmed nor denied it.

Yan Shaozhe continued without pause.

"Shrek has a student named Ma Xiaotao. You may recall her from the tournament. Her martial soul is the Evil Fire Phoenix, and the issue of the evil fire has long plagued her. If it ever gets out of control, she may fall and become a dangerous evil soul master. Only with the help of a soul master who wields Ultimate Ice can the evil fire be completely suppressed."

Jing Hongchen sneered inwardly. 'Just as Kong Deming predicted. They really are going to ask this.'

"I see what you're asking. You want my precious disciple to help suppress the evil fire in that Ma Xiaotao girl, don't you?"

(End of Chapter)

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