Although Yan Shaoze paid close attention to Huo Yuhao's team, he was also aware that their opponents, Dai Huabin's team, were very strong. While Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong were capable of performing a Martial Soul Fusion, Dai Huabin's team also had a pair who could do the same—Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu. In fact, many people already knew about Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu's ability to perform a Martial Soul Fusion. This was because Dai Huabin came from the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, while Zhu Lu was from the Zhu Clan of the Star Luo Empire.
These two families had a long-standing relationship, one that had existed for tens of thousands of years. The leader of the Seven Shrek Monsters from ten thousand years ago, Dai Mubai, also came from the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, which at the time was a part of the imperial bloodline. However, due to a variety of events over the last ten thousand years, the current ruling family of the empire had become the Xu Clan.
Returning to the topic of the match, Du Weilun provided Yan Shaoze with information about both teams that were about to compete. As the director of the Outer Court Martial Soul Department, Du Weilun held great influence, and he had no competition for his position. He had diligently served for twenty years and contributed significantly to the Martial Soul Department. Because of this, Yan Shaoze trusted him deeply and relied on his assessment of the students.
"Weilun, who do you think will win today's match?" Yan Shaoze asked with a smile.
Du Weilun chuckled and replied, "I'm leaning toward Dai Huabin's team. Although Huo Yuhao's team has defeated two teams led by first-year Soul Masters, in terms of overall strength, Dai Huabin's team is clearly superior. Especially his two teammates, who are also strong and likely candidates for joining the Inner Court in the future."
Yan Shaoze nodded with a smile. Suddenly, a loud voice rang out, "Since Director Du predicts Dai Huabin will win, I'll predict the opposite."
Yan Shaoze didn't turn around, but a smile spread across his face. "Qian Duoduo, I knew it was you the moment I smelled the scent of money."
The man who entered was a burly figure in his fifties. Despite his smooth, unwrinkled face, his steel-needle-like white hair made him look older. He stood over two meters tall, with broad shoulders and a solid build. His bronze skin gleamed under the sunlight, and he gave off a strong metallic aura. The person following him was Fan Yu, who had been mentioned before by Huo Yuhao.
Yan Shaoze remained still, but Du Weilun immediately stood up and greeted him, "Hello, Vice Dean Qian. What brings you here?"
Vice Dean Qian Duoduo, known for his friendly and smiling demeanor, was the Vice Dean responsible for the daily affairs of the Soul Tool Department. His position was extremely high—just below the department head—and even above Du Weilun's.
At Shrek Academy, such a position wasn't easily obtained. There were two main paths to reach it: through academic contributions and teaching ability, or through personal strength. Only four presidents and vice presidents existed in Shrek Academy, and they were the true pillars of the institution. To hold such a high position required more than just academic contributions—personal strength had to be exceptional as well.
Qian Duoduo laughed and said, "I was just passing by. I happened to hear you and Old Yan discussing the outcome of the match, and I wanted to join the bet. Old Yan, care to wager?"
Yan Shaoze finally turned to him and replied with a smile, "You're always looking for a profit. I doubt your intentions are that simple. If you're targeting students from the Martial Soul Department, you'd better be careful."
Qian Duoduo sat next to Yan Shaoze and said, "What do you mean by Martial Soul Department students? They're still first-years and haven't chosen their specialization yet. Besides, they only make that decision in their third year. The Martial Soul Department only provides basic education. So, are you betting or not?"
Du Weilun conceded and greeted Fan Yu. Fan Yu smiled and nodded in return, then both of them sat behind the two senior officials.
Fan Yu held a high status in the Soul Tool Department. Although his current rank was below that of Du Weilun, Du Weilun knew that Fan Yu would one day become the vice dean or even the dean of the Soul Tool Department, while his own career might end at the position of head teacher.
Yan Shaoze didn't rise to Qian Duoduo's provocation. Shaking his head with a smile, he said, "No bet. Old Qian, all your money came from me. I'll tell Lin'er about this later."
Qian Duoduo's face twisted. With a mix of sadness and frustration, he said, "Don't do that. You've been cunning since we were young. Compared to you, I'm far more decent. You always use Lin'er as a shield. Don't you feel ashamed?"
Du Weilun, listening from behind, felt a chill run down his spine. These two were the most shameless men on the Douluo Continent. They were major figures, yet here they were bickering like children. If the students heard this...
Yan Shaoze looked at the annoyed Qian Duoduo and laughed. "Alright then, what's your bet?"
Qian Duoduo smiled again. "If the team I pick wins, you must allow me to choose one new student from the Martial Soul Department to join the Soul Tool Department, without any interference from you. That student must officially join the Soul Tool Department right after this exam."
Yan Shaoze snorted. "I knew you had another motive. No bet."
Qian Duoduo remained calm. "Just hear me out. I won't pick any student who has reached level 30 or above. How about that?"
Yan Shaoze was surprised. "Old Qian, do you even need a bet for that? Don't you recruit students like that every year anyway?"
Qian Duoduo sighed. "Don't bring that up. Students these days are too arrogant and don't understand the Soul Tool Department. We've admitted a lot of them, but very few are a good fit. You know our training plans. To nurture talent according to the plan, we need students with good martial souls. But your side protects them too much. If this continues, our plan will fail. Don't forget, you agreed to that plan at the deans' meeting. If you don't help, I'll have Lin'er take over next time."
Seeing Qian Duoduo's seriousness, Yan Shaoze thought for a moment. "Are you really not going to pick a student who has reached above level 30?"
Qian Duoduo nodded. "I never go back on my word."
Yan Shaoze agreed. "Alright, I accept your bet. Even if you lose, I'll let you choose a student like that. But if you lose, you have to bring me 100 modified high-explosive soul-guided shells. I want to test them."
Qian Duoduo's face changed. "Old Yan, that's too much! One hundred high-explosive shells cost a hundred gold soul coins!"
Yan Shaoze smiled. "Then forget the bet."
Qian Duoduo relented. "Fifty shells."
Yan Shaoze immediately agreed. "Deal." He knew those shells were expensive, but as a dean, he was eager to try something new.
Qian Duoduo looked shocked, then shook his head. "You old fox, I got tricked again."
Yan Shaoze laughed, unaware of the sly glint in Qian Duoduo's eyes.
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