Douluo Dalu 3: Legend of the White Fox

"No! Absolutely not! If we set this precedent, every failed candidate in the future will demand a challenge after the assessment!" Yun Ming slammed the table. If they agreed to Xia Yi's demand, future Shrek Academy admissions would be overwhelmed by these disputes.

"So, what should we do now? The commotion outside is already causing a stir, and reporters have started covering it. They're saying we're afraid, even accusing us of unfair assessments and hiding the truth," Silver Moon Douluo Cai Yue'er, the Outer Court Dean, said coldly.

Shrek Academy—known as the number one academy in the world—didn't even fear the Federation government, yet now they were being accused of being scared of a group of Spirit Masters who hadn't even reached three rings.

And yet, they truly couldn't respond lightly to these young Spirit Masters' challenge.

Even a tiger cannot withstand a pack of wolves—there were simply too many failed candidates. How could they possibly engage in fair duels without being overwhelmed by wave after wave of challengers?

"Where is Xia Yi?" Yali suddenly asked.

"That kid? After stirring up the emotions of the failed candidates, he slipped away quietly. Right now, he's relaxing at Huixiang Restaurant, enjoying hotpot and singing!" Silver Moon Douluo gritted her teeth in frustration.

"I finally understand—he's conserving his energy." Although Yali had been eager to recruit Xia Yi as her student, he often infuriated her—just like now.

"Conserving his energy? What do you mean?" Cai Yue'er asked.

"With so many failed candidates demanding a challenge, we no longer have the option to refuse. If we don't give them an explanation, they won't back down. The best course of action is to send out our strongest students to intimidate them with absolute power. Xia Yi is conserving his energy so that after we dispatch these 'monsters,' he can step forward and block them while letting the other candidates face ordinary students," Yali explained, her understanding of Xia Yi's motives becoming clearer.

If these were adults, Shrek Academy could simply call the city guards to drive them away. But facing a group of twelve to fifteen-year-olds? Any aggressive action would drown the academy in public backlash.

Moreover, the candidates' request was reasonable—they had no valid reason to refuse.

"Xia Yi only just broke through to a three-ring Soul Elder, right? Is he really confident enough to face Shrek's monsters?" Cai Yue'er asked coldly. As both the Outer Court Dean and homeroom teacher of the new class, she knew better than anyone—this year's freshmen were the strongest in a century. She didn't believe Xia Yi could defeat these "monsters" with just three rings.

After thinking for a moment, Yun Ming said solemnly, "Bring in Na'er and Ye Xinglan from the Inner Court. Select a group of the strongest new students and line them up to face the challengers. Announce that anyone who defeats Xia Yi will receive a 30% discount on all academy expenses and contribution point exchanges."

"Let's do it!" Yali nodded. "I'll personally oversee the matches to prevent any accidents."

These duels needed to remain under control—whether it was Shrek Academy's students or the failed candidates, no harm could be allowed.

"Alright." Yun Ming agreed.

Soon, mobile battle arenas rose outside Shrek Academy's gates.

Each arena had a fifty-meter diameter—more than sufficient for Spirit Masters under the Soul Ancestor (four-ring) level. These arenas, large soul devices with built-in protective shields, only needed soul power to function and could prevent interference between battles. Due to space constraints, some arenas floated mid-air.

Na'er, Ye Xinglan, Gu Yue, Wu Jin, Tang Wulin, Wu Siduo, Xu Yucheng, Luo Guixing, Yang Nianxia, Zheng Yiran.

Apart from Na'er and Ye Xinglan, the others were the top performers in the recent class leader competition—each a monster in their own right.

"Xia Yi is mine—no one else can have him!" Luo Guixing declared excitedly. If not for the hectic schedule since starting at Shrek, he would've already sought revenge.

"Pity! Does he really think Xia Yi ambushed him because he couldn't win in a fair fight?" Those who knew Xia Yi's true strength shook their heads silently.

To calm the crowd, Yali personally explained the challenge rules.

Shrek Academy would send out ten students, all under the age of fifteen. Any failed candidate could choose their opponent.

Support-type Spirit Masters could team up, but they would face two Shrek students if they did. These ten would battle until nightfall, with Yali ensuring they recovered their soul power between fights with a short incense-burning break.

If the candidates didn't challenge today, they would lose their chance forever.

"We can't beat those listed on the Young Heroes Ranking—we want to challenge other students!" Upon seeing monsters like Wu Siduo and Luo Guixing, many candidates grew disheartened.

Despite their anger at failing the assessment, they couldn't muster the courage to face these prodigies.

"Everyone, listen." Yali's soft voice, soothing like spring breeze, washed over the restless crowd. "Due to limited space, we can only send ten participants. However, if you defeat any of them, we will immediately replace them with other students."

Seeing Yali's calming influence, the other Shrek instructors congratulated her.

"Congratulations, Holy Spirit Douluo. Your spiritual power has grown again," one remarked.

"Just a coincidence," Yali smiled modestly before asking, "Is Xia Yi still at Huixiang Restaurant?"

"Yes," Cai Yue'er confirmed.

"Forget him—let's begin," Yali sighed, wondering if she had misread Xia Yi's intentions again.

Cai Yue'er floated into the air and announced, "You may choose your opponents."

"I choose her!" The first challenger pointed at Na'er—youngest and seemingly the easiest to defeat. He was a silver-haired boy with an extraordinary presence.

"Na'er, do you want me to handle it?" Tang Wulin asked, concerned.

"Hehe, don't worry, big brother! I'm really strong now!" Na'er playfully shook her fist and gracefully leapt onto the battle arena.

The silver-haired boy took a deep breath and followed her.

As the referee, Cai Yue'er stood between them. At her command, both released their martial souls.

With three soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple—the silver-haired boy's body became covered in silver scales, his eyes turning into blood-red vertical pupils. His chilling gaze made many two-ring Spirit Masters step back in fear.

"Silver Thread Blood-Eyed Serpent martial soul," Cai Yue'er noted. This boy, though unlucky during the assessment, was undoubtedly among the top twenty candidates in strength.

Despite his power, she wasn't concerned—after all, he had chosen Na'er.

As the match began, a sharp, killing aura erupted from Na'er. Her violet eyes glowed brilliantly, and in an instant, a silver spear appeared, its tip pointed directly at the boy's throat.

He froze—his soul power locked, unable to activate any skills.

"I surrender!" he choked out, trembling in terror.

With a flash, Na'er's spear disappeared. She jumped off the arena and proudly clung to Tang Wulin's arm. "Big brother, am I amazing or what?"

Tang Wulin smiled bitterly—he knew he couldn't beat her now.

(End of Chapter)