Chapter 19: Abstract Shrek
"Your Highness, he's only eleven this year. He's still just a child." Juzi said with some exasperation.
"A child? A child is perfect. The younger they are, the easier they are to control."
Xu Tianran smiled.
"Juzi, build a good relationship with him. I already have several Rank 9 Soul Engineers under my command, but there's no such thing as too many genius Soul Engineers.
"Who knows? He might even have the potential to become the leader of the Beast King class Soul Engineer Regiment one day."
"Understood, Your Highness." Juzi replied respectfully.
Xu Tianran nodded with satisfaction.
"Once I'm done discussing business with the Holy Spirit Cult's leader, you should go and find Huo Yuhao.
"Don't worry, I have several Rank 9 Soul Engineers hidden in the shadows. Nothing will go wrong."
"The Holy Spirit Cult's leader?"
Juzi's expression shifted slightly.
"Your Highness, are you planning to deepen your collaboration with them?"
She had known that Xu Tianran had brought her out today to meet with various factions, but she hadn't expected that it would be the Holy Spirit Cult again.
"Of course.
"I need the Holy Spirit Cult to increase their support for me.
"No matter the cost I must secure Death God Douluo's loyalty.
"If she stands with me, then Dragon Emperor Douluo will follow.
"With two Ultimate Douluo backing me, my plans can unfold far more smoothly."
Xu Tianran 's voice was unwavering.
"Your Highness… collaborating further with the Holy Spirit Cult is like dancing with a tiger.
"But… I trust in your wisdom.
"I'm sure you've already made thorough preparations."
Juzi said softly.
"Indeed… everything is within my grasp."
Xu Tianran 's confidence radiated through his words.
Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao was still browsing the Treasure Appreciation Fair.
His expression gradually darkened.
"My verdict? This doesn't even come close to Shrek City's Treasure Pavilion."
"At the end of the day, this is just a merchant run fair.
"It can't compare at all to the one held by Shrek Academy."
He sighed.
He had already been searching for a while, but Tianmeng Iceworm hadn't given him a single hint.
No luck? Fine. He could accept that.
After all, the chance of finding a hidden treasure was always low.
But what truly frustrated him was the fact that he hadn't even seen a single 5,000 year soul bone.
Sure, he couldn't afford it anyway, but the absence itself told him something.
"Is the Arlan Chamber of Commerce even taking this event seriously?"
"Wait a minute…"
He frowned.
"A once a year Treasure Appreciation Fair should be a major event for a chamber of commerce, right?"
"Surely, they wouldn't let all the best items get snatched up by the powerful before the event even started…?"
"Are they really giving us nothing to work with?"
"They have better eyes than Brother Tianmeng?"
Huo Yuhao's mood sank further.
At this rate, he might leave empty handed.
To be fair, the world of Douluo was heavily skewed toward the powerful and influential.
This was true both at Shrek Academy and at the Royal Sun Moon Soul Engineer Academy.
After all, even in the original timeline, Huo Yuhao had suffered under noble oppression at the Sun Moon Academy.
If not for Juzi pulling strings and Jing Hongchen stepping in, he would've been completely pushed out.
That being said…
Shrek Academy was on another level when it came to absurdity.
Take Zhou Yi, for example.
That teacher could expel students for any reason she wanted.
The problem?
Most of the students she expelled didn't even do anything serious.
At worst, they were lazy during training or talked back to her.
In any normal school, these minor issues would just result in a simple punishment.
After all, teenagers had their rebellious phases.
But for Zhou Yi?
Annoying her meant getting expelled no questions asked.
Meanwhile…
Dai Huabin, son of the White Tiger Duke, literally hired assassins to kill Huo Yuhao…
And guess what?
Nothing happened to him.
Not only did he face zero consequences, but he even got to compete in the Continental Soul Master Tournament under Shrek Academy's name.
Huo Yuhao had no doubt.
Even though Ma Xiaotao had killed all the assassins involved, Shrek Academy definitely knew that Dai Huabin was behind it.
After all, Shrek had countless powerful individuals and a vast intelligence network.
There was no way they didn't figure it out.
But what did they do?
Absolutely nothing.
Students without noble backgrounds?
Expelled for minor offenses.
Noble born students?
Even attempted murder wouldn't get them expelled.
And when Huo Yuhao later became Mu En's personal disciple…
Even then, Shrek Academy didn't punish Dai Huabin.
"So what?"
"Did the White Tiger Duke's influence protect him?"
"Does he have that much pull?"
Shrek Academy the so called 'Number One Academy'.
Turns out, it was just a glorified noble school.
If you didn't have a City Lord's recommendation letter, you couldn't even apply.
A commoner?
Not worth mentioning.
Mu En's personal disciple?
Just some beggar from Sea God's Pavilion.
No noble title?
Yeah, we don't know you.
Shrek Academy was just built different.
No background?
You could be expelled for no reason at all.
Powerful noble family?
You could hire assassins and still represent the academy in a tournament.
It was almost comical.
Through simple contrasts, the author had subtly exposed the deep rooted injustices in the system.
Huo Yuhao could only sigh.
Even he had to admire the sheer depth of thought.
He was starting to feel responsible for global warming with all the cold breaths he kept taking.
Just as he was lost in thought, Tianmeng Iceworm's voice suddenly rang out.
"Yuhao, stop right there."
"Turn around. Look at the shop to your left."
"We've found our jackpot."
"I can guarantee it humans will definitely misidentify this item."
"Only an ancient soul beast like me would recognize its true value!"
Huo Yuhao's eyes brightened.
He immediately followed Tianmeng's instructions, turning toward the leftmost shop.
Tianmeng Iceworm was cautious.
He didn't dare to be too reckless, but when it came to mental perception, he was far superior to Huo Yuhao.
Essentially, he was a sentient soul beast radar.
Moments later, Huo Yuhao stepped into the shop.
He scanned the merchandise, noting that everything was placed on display pedestals, each protected by a crystal cover.
Beneath each item was a wooden plaque, listing its price.
"Welcome, honored guest.
"Is there anything specific you're looking for?"
A middle aged man in white robes approached him with a friendly smile.
Huo Yuhao shook his head.
"Just browsing."
"Of course.
"If anything catches your eye, just let me know."
The shopkeeper nodded politely and stepped aside.
"Brother Tianmeng, where to next?"
"Keep walking forward."
Tianmeng Iceworm's voice guided him.
Following the instructions, Huo Yuhao moved deeper into the shop.
Moments later, Tianmeng spoke again.
"Alright. Stop here."
"It's on the first pedestal to your right."
"Make sure you buy it immediately."
(End of chapter.) Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon. Read 15 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1