Douluo: Dragon King's Divine Elegy

Chapter 83 Factional Struggle: Shrek Academy Is About to Become the Shape of Southern Flowing Landscape
A friendly sparring match made Nan Liujing famous in the inner courtyard.

This young man, who dared to force the academy to apologize in front of millions of people, left an indelible impression on all the inner academy students.

However, what truly made him famous was not his combat prowess, but his status as a level six blacksmith.

It's important to understand that while the title of Inner Academy student may seem impressive, with various resources available for cultivation at will, it doesn't mean that everyone has an easy and comfortable life.

The reason is that the graduation requirements for the inner academy are that students must reach the level of a six-ring Soul Emperor and become a two-word Battle Armor Master.

Those who can become inner court students naturally have good cultivation talent, but they are hindered by the two-word battle armor.

Every year, Shrek Academy consumes huge amounts of rare metals. The amount of refined metal needed by the outer academy students is only a small part; the bulk of the demand always goes to the inner academy.

Metal is forged into spirit forging, which can be used to make two-word battle armor. However, this kind of two-word battle armor is the lowest quality. Shrek Academy students will choose spirit forging with spirit alloy to make two-word battle armor. A blacksmith who can complete this step must be at least level six.

Okay, the materials have been upgraded, and the battle armor is stronger, but the cost is that there isn't enough spirit alloy for spirit forging.

Not everyone can achieve a 100% success rate in forging like Nan Liujing, thanks to the help of the dimensional imprint. Due to the special circumstances of the academy, the Forging Masters Association is independent, and metal from the outside world cannot be brought in. Unless you go through the trouble of purchasing it from other places, the locals will not be polite to you; the metal will be sold off as soon as it appears.

This resulted in the blacksmiths of the Shrek City Blacksmiths' Guild being extremely busy, constantly forging metal. However, the success rate was not guaranteed; if the metal forging failed, it would be useless.

Even if it's successful and delivered to the customer, there are still two hurdles to overcome. First, the mecha designer is responsible for designing the core magic array. If a mistake is made in the design, it will cause the mecha manufacturer to fail when inscribing it, and the metal will be ruined.

Secondly, even if the design is perfect, if the mecha manufacturer is incompetent, for example, if their hand suddenly shakes, then it's all over, and the metal will be ruined.

Under such circumstances, Nan Liujing, who was young, had formidable combat power, and an astonishingly high level in his secondary profession, naturally became an instant sensation.

Amidst the undercurrents, the first batch of daring students who dared to take the plunge were already preparing to contact Nan Liujing to test whether his forging skills were truly as monstrous as they seemed.

If that's true, we should really work on building a relationship. Who knows, maybe in a few years he'll become a level seven Saint Craftsman, a big shot who can forge Soul Forged Metal.

"After you've decided how to use the compensation, contact me directly." At the inner courtyard gate, Ya Li saw Leng Yaozhu off and reminded Nan Liujing.

"Okay." Nanliu Scenic Spot nodded.

Ya Li paused for a moment, and Leng Yaozhu asked, "Is there anything else you want to say?"

With a wave of her hand, Ya Li sent out a surge of powerful spiritual energy. She said earnestly, "Liu Jing has proposed many methods to ease public opinion. After Ming Ge improved them, the results were outstanding. Therefore, after repeated discussions with Ming Ge, we would like to invite Liu Jing to join the academy reform plan team."

Nan Liujing was taken aback, while Leng Yaozhu raised her eyebrows slightly: "Reform Planning Group?"

Ya Li sighed: "It was only through this public outcry that we realized how corrupt the academy was. In the past six months, Brother Ming has suppressed a group of high-ranking academy officials with his absolute strength, but this is only a temporary solution, not a cure."

"We have decided to start reforming the college from the inside out, but the direction of the reform is not yet clear."

Nan Liujing asked in surprise, "You and His Majesty Qingtian trust me that much? Aren't you afraid I'll play some tricks on you?"

Yali smiled slightly: "If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them. To be honest, we initially hoped you would come to the academy as an exchange student with the idea of ​​easing public opinion, but now that public opinion has gradually subsided, we have naturally changed our arrangements for you."

Leng Yaozhu pondered for a moment and said, "Let's talk about the compensation. This reform plan can't be done for free."

Ya Li smiled and said, "There will naturally be compensation. But as for what it is, Brother Ming will tell you personally when Liu Jing seeks compensation."

"So, Liu Jing, what's your decision?"

Nan Liujing pondered, "There's one thing I need to clarify: I will not join Shrek Academy."

Yali nodded and said, "Of course, it's all just cooperation."

“Okay.” Nan Liujing had an idea and decided to talk to his teacher and great-grandfather later.

In this timeline, Yun Ming has changed too much. He really intends to do something to change Shrek Academy. In that case, I can try to shape Shrek Academy into his form.

As for whether Shrek Academy will be bombed in this lifetime, to be honest, with the flapping of the butterfly's wings, Nan Liujing no longer dared to draw any conclusions casually.

The three parted ways. Nan Liujing was seeing the teacher off as he left the academy, and the two walked together.

As time went by, Nan Liujing had grown to 1.74 meters tall, not much shorter than the mature female teacher.

The once frail boy is now tall and strong.

Strolling along the forest path, Shrek Academy is undeniably beautiful, with delicate floral fragrances wafting from the flowerbeds along the way.

"What's the deal with that female student dressed as a boy? You seem to know her?" Leng Yaozhu asked with interest.

Nan Liujing smiled and said, "It's mainly because I'm quite interested in her martial spirit that I tried to get to know her. I even plan to take her into your lineage, Master."

"What kind of martial soul?" Leng Yaozhu asked curiously.

"My primary martial soul is the Titan Giant Ape, and my secondary martial soul is the Fallen Angel," Nan Liujing said truthfully.

Leng Yaozhu paused, "A fallen angel?"

"Yes." Seeing a strange look in the teacher's eyes, he was puzzled. "Is there a problem?"

Leng Yaozhu said softly, "Do you still remember the Three Realms Battlefield I told you about?"

Nan Liujing nodded.

Leng Yaozhu said, "We learned a secret about the Demon Plane from the natives. The seeds they planted on Douluo Continent would choose certain talented Soul Masters as hosts, transforming into Martial Souls. In a sense, this Soul Master would have a special connection with the Demon Plane."

“The competition within the Demon Plane is extremely fierce. Demons can rely on and devour each other to grow stronger. In other words, if this girl goes to the Three Realms Battlefield, under abnormal circumstances, she can devour the bloodline energy of demons to strengthen herself.”

"Within the forbidden zone, the dead can be resurrected, so the Soul Masters of Douluo Continent and the natives of the Three Realms Battlefield do not need to worry about their own safety. Only the demons need to worry, because before they die, the Fallen Angel Soul Masters can forcibly strip them of their bloodline."

A strange light appeared in Nan Liujing's eyes.

"Teacher, is it authentic?"

Leng Yaozhu said regretfully, "It's true. But unfortunately, we tried to find Fallen Angel Soul Masters to go to the Three Realms Battlefield and we also conducted experiments, but for some reason, the bloodline in the demon's body can indeed be stripped, but it cannot be absorbed. It's as if there is a layer of restraint that prevents all of this."

Nan Liujing seemed to be deep in thought. This sudden news, aside from anything else, made him even more eager to win over Yuanen Yehui.

We agreed to go home once a week.

In the end, Nan Liujing watched his teacher get into the car and leave.

He took out his phone and dialed the number of the gloomy girl.

Unfortunately, no one answered the phone.

That’s it for now, let’s eat first.

The dining location was, of course, not the outer courtyard, but the inner courtyard canteen.

Upon arrival, one could see a crowd of people walking outside, each exuding a powerful aura.

"Ah Jing, over here."

A melodious call came from the clear spring.

Nan Liujing spotted the aloof girl in a dark green pleated skirt from afar. Under the bright sunlight, her golden high ponytail was surrounded by a layer of soft, tassel-like light, and her fair, delicate skin was as smooth as jelly.

What's most eye-catching are her long, slender legs encased in white stockings. The light-colored stockings make her skin, barely visible, shimmer with a pearly sheen in the sunlight.

The girl's graceful figure was perfectly outlined.

Nan Liujing smiled and walked over to him, saying, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"No, I just arrived too." Ye Xinglan patted her slightly heaving chest, a slight smile curving her red lips. "Lunch is on me, eat whatever you want."

"Isn't the inner courtyard cafeteria free?" Nan Liujing asked, puzzled.

"Huh?" Ye Xinglan's almond-shaped eyes widened. "You got the inner academy exchange student qualification?"

Reserving a meal for an inner court student at the inner court canteen requires contributing points, though not many.

“Yes.” Nan Liujing stared at that delicate and beautiful face.

"Never mind, let's eat." Feeling a little awkward, Ye Xinglan turned to walk into the cafeteria. Nan Liujing interrupted her, "You look great today."

Ye Xinglan was taken aback. She turned around and saw her childhood friend's sincere gaze. Instead of being shy, she smiled gracefully and said, "Thank you."

The inner courtyard canteen is not very large, but the decor is cozy, and students can be seen eating everywhere, with the life energy generated by the food floating in the air.

Ye Xinglan loved bibimbap, so she dragged Nan Liujing along and picked out a bibimbap made with the meat of a hundred-year-old soul beast.

As soon as she sat down, Ye Xinglan's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Many of the older inner court students were staring at them, or rather, staring at Nan Liujing.

Nan Liujing ignored it and quietly savored the taste. It was indeed delicious, and the meat contained enough energy to easily replenish the body's needs.

Just then, three students sitting at a table not far away walked over, and the remaining students who hadn't moved immediately looked regretful.

Damn it, what's with the pretense? Just go for it!

Before they could get close, Ye Xinglan suddenly stood up, her eyes flashing with sharp sword intent: "The fact that Nan Liujing was allowed to join the academy as an exchange student was personally approved by His Majesty the Sea God Pavilion Master, Lord Qingtian. What are you trying to do?"

From the moment Ye Xinglan entered the cafeteria, she noticed how eye-catching Nan Liujing was; the video of him killing an evil soul master was still hanging on the Federation's hot list.

Convinced that these students were there to cause trouble, Ye Xinglan stepped forward fearlessly, even though she was not strong enough.

"It's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding."

A male student who looked to be in his mid-twenties rubbed his hands together and smiled gently. "Junior, you've misunderstood. We're not trying to cause trouble."

“Yes, yes, we heard that Junior Brother Liu Jing is a master in the field of forging, so we thought we’d come over and get to know him.” Another male student said with a smile.

Ye Xinglan was taken aback and turned to look at her childhood sweetheart who had already finished eating.

No, you're eating that fast?
"Eat quickly, it'll get cold soon." Nan Liujing wiped his mouth with a tissue, gestured for Ye Xinglan to eat, and then faced the three students whose auras were at least at the Soul Emperor level.

He said nothing, and a faint light shone from the index finger of his left hand as he took out a piece of spirit-forged alloy made of three metals from his storage ring.

The metal was reddish, and its interior shimmered with a light like viscous lava.

The moment this object appeared, the temperature within a ten-meter radius suddenly rose by several degrees.

It immediately attracted the attention of many people.

That is, Blazing Golden Essence!
The fire-attribute inner court students suddenly widened their eyes and stared at the metal in Nan Liujing's hand with rapid breathing.

Spirit metals are also graded. It is common for two metals to be fused together, but three metals are considered to be of high quality.

The inner academy uses two types of metals most often, and three types are relatively rare. As for the top-grade spirit alloy that combines four metals, forget about it. Unless you have a top academy bigwig standing behind you, it will take forever to afford it if you rely on your own contribution points. In fact, if the battle armor parts fail to be manufactured, then you're doomed.

It's all money.

"What is the degree of fusion of this metal?" someone immediately asked excitedly.

Nan Liujing said calmly, "Not much, barely reaching eighty percent."

hiss!
A chorus of gasps filled the air.

Eighty percent, you say that's barely enough?

Sixty is passing, seventy is excellent, and eighty is superb!
How come it's fire attribute?

Students with non-fire attribute martial souls immediately pounded their chests and sighed in frustration.

"Junior, name your price, I'll buy it!"

A red-haired female student with striking features and a hot figure rushed over in a flash, speaking urgently.

This female student appeared quite assertive, which immediately drew complaints from the fire-attribute soul masters who craved the Blazing Gold Essence.

"Hey Sister Ma, you just bought two pieces of fire-attribute spirit-forged alloy last time, you should let the brothers have a taste this time, right?"

"Yes."

A chorus of agreement rose and fell.

"Give me some face." Senior Ma's beautiful eyes swept over everyone. "My two-word battle armor is only missing one piece."

Upon hearing this, everyone felt helpless.

You have to give them face, otherwise they'll make you regret it at the Sea God's Fate Conference and throw you into the water on the spot.

"How about it, junior? Sell it to me?" Senior Sister Ma said with a smile. "It has an 80% fusion rate and is made by forging three kinds of metals. The academy price is 70,000 contribution points, but I'll give you 72,000."

Ye Xinglan's cheeks were bulging as she held her rice bowl in a daze.

I've worked so hard for so long and barely managed to save up 3,000 contribution points, and you just give me 72,000?

Ma Xue, a senior student of the Inner Academy, is 25 years old, a level 69 Soul Emperor, and her Martial Soul is the Fire Phoenix.

Nan Liujing mentally assessed the other person. This person was from Socheng, a second-tier city at the bottom of the rankings. Oh, it was Soto City 20,000 years ago. The city was destroyed and rebuilt after the war, and its name was changed.

She wasn't a Soul Master from an affiliated force of Shrek Academy, making her a worthwhile candidate to recruit into the Heavenly Phoenix Clan, as their Martial Souls even matched.

Most importantly, the students of Shrek Academy are divided into three factions.

The direct line, the collateral line of affiliated forces, and the wild lineages from all corners of the continent.

Ma Xue belongs to the latter category.

Generally speaking, wild-type students rarely stay at the academy after graduation; they either join the Spirit Pagoda or the Federation.

The direct descendants are guaranteed job placements and will become the pillars of the future academy. The collateral branches wield immense power, dominating every sector of Shrek City, occasionally relinquishing a few minor positions. The unofficial branches suffer the most; appeals are useless, and if you dare to appeal, certain individuals will sabotage you, so leaving is worse than staying.

Nan Liujing smiled and tossed out the Blazing Gold Essence: "I'll take your money, 68,000. This is the first piece of metal I've sold at Shrek Academy, just for good luck."

Ma Xue took the metal block, a strange light flashing in her eyes. "You're straightforward. I'll remember you. If anyone tries to cause you trouble in the future, just call me."

The moment the words "some people" were uttered, some people in the cafeteria looked rather grim.

The two of them scanned their student cards, and the contribution points were transferred to them.

Then, as if by magic, Nan Liujing produced several more pieces of rare metal.

This scene caused a stir among the crowd, and left some of the trainees, who were also blacksmiths, speechless.

Fire, water, lightning, wind—all kinds of metals are available.

No, are you doing wholesale?

"These spirit-forged alloys are all made by fusing three metals together, with a fusion rate of 80%. I'll put them on the sales list of the Academy's Blacksmith Association tomorrow. Whoever wants them can go and grab them themselves." Nan Liujing's gesture attracted pairs of eyes that were as fierce as wolves and tigers.

After saying that, without waiting for Ma Xue and the others to show any expression, Nan Liujing sat back down in his chair and looked at Ye Xinglan with a smile.

Watching beautiful women eat is a pleasure.

Reach out and wipe away a grain of rice clinging to those delicate, soft lips.

Ye Xinglan was taken aback, and a blush rose to the tips of her ears.

The atmosphere in the cafeteria gradually became tense.

Students from collateral and unaffiliated factions stared at each other, and the battle intensified.

As the old saying goes, cultivation resources are provided free of charge by the academy, but special resources such as battle armor are offered to students through competition.

Ma Xue was almost a Soul Saint but hadn't reached the level of a two-word battle armor because there were very few blacksmiths among the wild-type students, and even if there were, their level was usually not high enough to meet her needs.

(End of this chapter)