Douluo, my clone Groudon

Chapter 274 Blackmail
Inside the Sea God Pavilion, the fragrance of agarwood flowed slowly through the air, but it could not soothe the tense nerves of everyone.

Long Yeyue's withered fingers tapped the table, producing a dull sound that seemed to strike the hearts of the elders present with each tap.

"I have to admit, this is a good approach."

Feng Wuyu's voice broke the silence. He stroked his red beard, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. "At least we can salvage some of our reputation. After the exchange competition, we can blame the previous defeat on Tang Wulin and the others' eagerness for quick success, and this storm will naturally subside."

Ya Li frowned slightly, her emerald eyes filled with worry: "But Sun Moon Academy probably won't agree easily. They've been coveting our status as the continent's number one academy for a long time, and this time they've finally seized an opportunity..."

"Hmph! They have no choice!"

Long Yeyue suddenly sneered, slamming her withered hand heavily on the table, making the teacup clink. "If they don't agree, I will personally go to Mingdu and make them have no choice but to agree!"

Yun Ming coughed lightly twice, his slender fingers unconsciously stroking the armrest of the chair: "Master's wife, it's best not to go this far. Winning one round is nothing; there's a high probability that Sun Moon Academy will press their advantage and agree to our demands."

They don't deserve it!

A fierce glint flashed in Long Yeyue's cloudy eyes. "Yun Ming, where did that domineering spirit you had when you stormed the Temple of War Gods and snatched Ya Li back?"

Her sharp gaze swept over everyone present. "It's settled then. As for Tang Wulin and the others... we'll deal with them later. Now, tell me, who from the outer academy is qualified to be the captain of the exchange team?"

Zhuo Shi opened his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing, but ultimately said nothing. He thought of his prized disciple, Tang Wulin, and could only sigh inwardly.

"Gula."

Elder Lin broke the silence first, tapping the table lightly with his withered fingers. "That kid absorbed 20% of Elder Tree's energy; it's time for him to make some contribution to the academy."

“Excellent!” another elder immediately chimed in. “Aside from his battle armor, his strength is arguably the best in the outer academy. He’s the most suitable person to lead the team.”

When Bai Yuan was mentioned, the elders exchanged a knowing glance: "That child's martial soul, if exposed now, will probably cause unnecessary trouble. However, no Abyss Martial Soul has ever been born, so it can be disguised as a Dark Martial Soul."

Long Yeyue narrowed her eyes and softly repeated the two names.

Although she was old, her memory was still amazing: "Is that the kid who absorbed 20% of the Golden Tree's energy? Okay, count him in."

She suddenly stood up, her thin body radiating an astonishing aura, "Shrek's 20,000-year-old honor cannot be desecrated, and must be defended with absolute strength!"

Just then, Yun Ming received a message from Shen Yi. A moment later, Shen Yi led Gula and his group into the Sea God Pavilion.

Long Yeyue stopped her departure, preparing to see what the two people on whom the Sea God Pavilion's higher-ups placed such high hopes were like.

Sunlight streamed through the glass windows and fell on the boys. Gula, who was at the head of the group, stood tall and straight like a pine tree, with flames flickering in his dark golden eyes.

"Sect Master, the assessment team has returned." Shen Yi bowed respectfully.

Yun Ming's gaze lingered on Gula for a moment, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes: "You've returned just in time. After discussion at the Sea God Pavilion, it has been decided that you will represent Shrek Academy to go to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy to vindicate Shrek."

Wu Siduo's almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise, her red lips slightly parted: "Us? But we're only first-year students, and the Sun and Moon Team has two Martial Soul Fusion Techniques..."

“You are the most outstanding first-year students in Shrek’s history.” Yun Ming interrupted her gently but firmly. “More importantly, you are unrelated to the previous failures and are the most suitable candidates.”

Gula smiled slightly and took a step forward: "I am willing to accept this mission."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable power: "Fight for Shrek Academy! Defend the glory of the continent's premier academy!" He paused, then added, "However, would the Pavilion Master be willing to win in a more glorious manner?"

A knowing glint flashed in Yun Ming's eyes; he knew Gula wouldn't play by the rules: "What are your thoughts?"

"I had some opportunities during this assessment."

Gula raised his hand, and a vortex of pure soul power suddenly condensed in his palm. "A soul core has been condensed."

"If I could, I could defeat the six-person team from the Sun Moon Soul Master Academy all by myself."

"In addition, Bai Yuan and the others are about to break through to level 50 and need soul spirits to break through. If the academy can provide high-quality soul spirits, they can all help the academy defend its honor."

Gula counted on his fingers: "Yin Wansheng is unable to take action, but if we include his soul spirit, it will be my reward for taking action. In total, I need four ten-thousand-year soul spirits."

Seeing the shocked expressions on everyone's faces, he continued, "If the academy can provide us with high-quality soul spirits to help Bai Yuan and the others break through, I can guarantee—"

He held up four fingers: "Four times, one against six. Enough to make Shrek's reputation resound throughout the continent once again."

Inside the Sea God Pavilion, all was silent, save for the rustling of the golden tree's branches outside the window, as if witnessing this bold declaration.

The air inside the Sea God Pavilion suddenly froze.

"Insolence!" Long Yeyue slammed her hand on the table and stood up abruptly, leaving five clear finger marks on the sandalwood wooden table with her withered hand. "As a Shrek Academy student, it is only natural for me to share the burdens of the academy!"

Zhuoshi's face darkened: "Gula, don't forget you absorbed 20% of the Golden Tree's energy. That's a debt of gratitude..."

"A favor?"

Gula suddenly laughed, a hint of mockery flashing in his dark golden eyes. "That was energy that Elder Tree gave me willingly. You all can't treat Elder Tree as an unconscious asset just because he stays at Shrek Academy."

He glanced around, his gaze lingering on the faces of each elder for a moment, "Besides—"

He slowly removed the Shrek Academy badge from his left breast, revealing the six-pointed star emblem of the Spirit Pagoda beneath: "I am first and foremost a disciple of the Spirit Pagoda. I came to Shrek only for exchange and learning. Helping the academy is fine, it's also repaying the platform provided by the academy, but..."

He deliberately dragged out his words, his tone carrying a deeper meaning: "I need compensation. I can't afford to offend the Sun Moon Soul Master Academy and the entire city of Mingdu for nothing."

"Four ten-thousand-year-old souls are nothing to Shrek Academy."

"Of course, if you are willing to exchange it for a 100,000-year-old soul bone, I have no objection."

Gula shrugged and even made a joke. Unfortunately, the others didn't find it funny.

"Insanity!"

"I don't know how high the sky is!"

Several elders shouted angrily at the same time. The teacup in Elder Lin's hand cracked with a "crack" and several fine cracks appeared.

Yun Ming raised his hand to stop the crowd's rebukes, his deep gaze fixed on Gula: "Aren't you afraid your clone's identity will be exposed?"

(End of this chapter)