"You're just in time."
Mu Jin looked up from her desk as Chen Junting stepped into her office, her voice carrying a hint of teasing.
"Seems like Xiaotian still has a way with you."
"How can you say 'invite' like that?" Junting replied, smirking. "Wasn't it your summons that brought me here in the first place?"
Mu Jin rolled her eyes and chuckled. "You brat."
But the amusement quickly faded as she turned to the six students assembled before her—Chen Junting, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, and Wu Feng.
"I called you here because of an update from the Academy," she said, her tone sharpening. "Three days from now, the Outer Court will hold the Core Disciple Selection Tournament."
A ripple of surprise passed through the room.
"Originally, this was meant only for upper-year students," Mu Jin continued. "But due to certain... outstanding performances, the Academy leadership has decided that you six will participate as well."
Her gaze swept across them and lingered—briefly—on Chen Junting, Huabin, and Yuhao.
"I think you can guess why."
Indeed, after their incredible showing during the recent class promotion assessment, none of them were surprised.
"Ah!? Another competition?" Wang Dong whined, slouching. "Teacher Mu Jin, we just survived the last one!"
Mu Jin simply smiled, used to his antics. "Relax. There's no penalty for losing this time. But—" her voice dropped into a serious register, "—there's plenty to gain if you win."
The students straightened immediately.
"Those selected will join a team of seven elite core disciples under the age of fifteen," Mu Jin explained. "We don't yet know what mission the Academy has planned for them, but according to Teacher Wang Yan's sources—it's a big one."
Something stirred in the room.
Even Wang Dong shut up.
Core disciple status was already a coveted honor—training resources, opportunities, and the prestige of representing Shrek. But this? This sounded like the gateway to something even greater.
A slow fire burned in Dai Huabin's eyes. With seven slots, and his performance fresh in everyone's memory, he was convinced—one of those places is mine.
Mu Jin nodded, pleased with the energy in the room.
"Good. That's what I wanted to see. You have three days to prepare. Use them well. Dismissed."
The group bowed slightly and left the office.
---
That evening, in Shrek City…
To celebrate Tang Ya's move into her new home, Beibei hosted a small dinner at their new courtyard. The entire core circle was invited—Chen Junting, Ning Tian, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Wu Feng, and even He Caitou and Xu Sanshi.
"The fifteenth dish—braised green shrimp."
Ning Tian blinked as yet another dish arrived at the already overflowing table. "It's more than enough, Sister Tang Ya! Come sit down!"
But Tang Ya waved her off, smiling. "A few more dishes. I'll join you in a moment."
As she disappeared back into the kitchen, Xu Sanshi leaned in conspiratorially, his voice lowered. "Hey, Beibei… I know Nannan can cook, but these dishes? They're not her style. Since when did your Xiaoya learn to cook?"
Beibei sighed. "She didn't."
He glanced toward the kitchen and continued in a whisper. "They're all from a restaurant. She just reheated them in the pan. Said as long as her hands cooked them, the sincerity was there."
Chen Junting chuckled, popping a piece of tender mountain pork into his mouth.
That's one way to define handmade.
Talent.
Meanwhile, Wang Dong, seated beside him, had other concerns.
"Big brother," he asked, turning to Beibei. "Do you know what the selection tournament is for?"
Beibei blinked, surprised. "I only heard about it today."
Wang Dong turned to He Caitou and Xu Sanshi, but both shook their heads. "No clue."
Just then, Wu Feng swaggered over with a glint in her eye.
"Wanna know?" she teased.
Wang Dong narrowed his eyes. "You?"
"I'm not lying."
He stared at her suspiciously. "Name your price."
"Easy. Call me 'Big Sister.'"
"Wu Feng, don't push it!"
But she wasn't budging.
Wang Dong folded, muttering the words like they were poison. "Big… Sister…"
Before he could recover, Wu Feng turned and whispered the information to Ning Tian, ignoring him completely.
"Seriously!?" he groaned. "I could've just kept my mouth shut!"
Smiling sweetly, Ning Tian raised a hand.
"Before I say anything—this is just speculation," she said carefully. "But think about it. Why limit the tournament to students under fifteen? And why exactly seven people?"
The room fell quiet.
Only Wu Feng and Wang Dong looked impatient.
"So… what does that mean?"
Before Ning Tian could reply, Chen Junting stepped in.
"The Soul Master Tournament is coming."
The words hit like a thunderclap.
Understanding dawned instantly across the table.
Wang Dong bolted upright. "Wait—does that mean the winners will represent Shrek at the tournament!?"
Junting gave him a look.
"You think Shrek Academy's going to send a bunch of Soul Grandmasters to the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament? Let's be real. The main team is formed from the Inner Court students. What we're fighting for is most likely a place on the reserve team."
He paused.
"Unless something happens to the main team, we're not stepping into that arena."
Wang Dong grumbled. "Tch. Like that would ever happen. What teacher would be blind enough to let the main team fall apart?"
But despite his skepticism, excitement burned in everyone's eyes—especially Beibei and Wang Dong. Because even as reserve members… they'd be one step closer to becoming the next generation of Shrek's Seven Devils.
A title that meant everything.
---
Unbeknownst to them,
Just outside the kitchen, Tang Ya had overheard everything.
The idea that Beibei and the others might one day stand on the tournament stage—while she remained stuck, struggling to reach Soul King like her father—sent a dull ache through her heart.
Even though Beibei had recently helped her begin a new path with Blue Silver Grass, she couldn't help but feel the sting of falling behind.
She bit her lip.
Just then, Jiang Nannan's voice called from the kitchen.
"Xiao Ya, come help with the next dish."
Tang Ya blinked, the haze vanishing from her face.
She smiled brightly. "Coming!"
---
(End of Chapter)
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