Douluo: Dragon King's Divine Elegy

Chapter 88: Those who dare not cause trouble are mediocre; pick the softest persimmon to squeeze!
The pavilion was quiet, with several figures sitting inside, their gazes all fixed on Nan Liujing as he entered.

Yun Ming sat upright in the main seat and said calmly, "Sit."

Nan Liujing didn't stand on ceremony and found a seat. Coincidentally, it was Cai Yue'er's seat, but she was still studying at the Spirit Pagoda.

A quick glance revealed that besides Yun Ming, there were three other elders. One of them was none other than the Crimson Dragon Douluo Zhuo Shi. The other two were unfamiliar to Yun Ming, but since they had been summoned by him, they were likely loyal to him.

Yun Ming cut to the chase: "Speak, do you want compensation first, or do you want to discuss reforms with us?"

Nan Liujing chuckled and said, "Let's make compensation first."

Yun Ming asked, "Soul bone or rare treasures, which do you want?"

Nan Liujing's eyes rippled, and he said calmly, "What this junior wants may be a little special."

Zhuo Shi made a startling remark: "You wouldn't happen to have taken a fancy to any of the female students..."

Nan Liujing's mouth twitched.

Yun Ming said irritably, "Shut your mouth."

Zhuoshi coughed lightly.

"You say it." Yun Ming then looked at Nan Liujing.

Nan Liujing paused for a moment, then said solemnly, "This junior wishes to borrow the Vast Ocean Universe Crystal."

asphyxia.

As the six characters "Han Hai Qian Kun" (meaning "vast ocean and universe") fell from the crystal, Nan Liujing suddenly felt the stagnant energy of heaven and earth within the Sea God Pavilion, as if a kind of anti-air fluctuation was spreading.

He had no doubt that even if his master, Tianfeng, came, he would be instantly suppressed.

The pupils of several elders contracted slightly, and their gazes toward Nan Liujing became noticeably dangerous.

Yun Ming narrowed his eyes: "The Vast Ocean Universe Crystal is the most precious treasure of Shrek Academy. What do you need it for?"

This thing isn't a big secret among top-tier powers, so Yun Ming didn't question how Nan Liujing knew about it.

Nan Liujing paused for a moment, then said, "I often have a dream."

These words immediately stunned Yun Ming and the others.

Nan Liujing said, "In my dream, I was in the ocean and vaguely saw a blurry figure. It kept repeating the six words 'Han Hai Qian Kun Crystal' to me. At first, I didn't know what it was. Later, I asked my teacher and found out that it was the treasure of Shrek Academy."

He took a deep breath and said with a helpless expression, "To be honest, I don't know what use this thing is, but I want to try and see what will happen after I have the Vast Ocean Universe Crystal."

The elders looked at each other, and Yun Ming frowned.

That's an incredibly exaggerated statement.

He wanted to see the problem in Nam Ryu-kyung's face and eyes.

Having endured years of mental shattering and near-annihilation of his soul, Nan Liujing's skill in lying had become unparalleled. Even if the opponent, a Divine Origin Realm cultivator, were to unleash their full mental power, they would not be able to detect any problems.

"Does that blurry figure have any other distinguishing features?" Yun Ming asked.

“Yes,” Nan Liujing said, feigning recollection. “Although its appearance was unclear, it was holding a trident-like weapon.”

Trident?
A slight tremor ran through everyone's hearts, and Yun Ming quickly asked, "Are you really the Trident?"

“It’s certain.” Nan Liujing nodded, then a solemn expression appeared on his face. “Speaking of which, the trident and the one held by Tang San’s statue are somewhat similar.”

The elders' breathing quickened.

A strange glint flashed in Yun Ming's eyes as he said, "I can give you the Vast Ocean Universe Crystal."

Nan Liujing was taken aback. That's it?

He prepared a speech of at least three thousand words.

Yun Ming seemed to have seen through his thoughts and said with a faint smile, "The Vast Ocean Universe Crystal was bound to the Golden Ancient Tree many years ago. Once it leaves its range of 500 meters and does not return within three days, it will automatically break through the void and return."

Even if a scoundrel steals it from you, it won't be able to damage it.

Bound to the Ancient Golden Tree?

Nan Liujing felt a bit surprised, as this news had not been mentioned in the original timeline.

That's true; by then, the ancient golden tree was basically dead.

hum~
The air trembled, seemingly gaining a moist feel. Yun Ming gently waved his hand, and a rhombus-shaped, completely transparent crystal appeared in his palm, with what seemed to be ripples of water inside, as if it truly contained the ocean.

"You only have three days to possess it. Take it." Yun Ming flicked his finger, and the Vast Ocean Universe Crystal flew towards Nan Liujing.

Remaining calm, Nan Liujing took it with a swift motion; it felt slightly cool to the touch, but otherwise, it was quite ordinary.

"Alright, let's discuss the rectification of various aspects of the academy next." Yun Ming immediately got into work mode.

The three elders of the turbid world also became serious.

Just as Nan Liujing finished storing the Vast Ocean Universe Crystal, he heard Yun Ming say, "Let's talk about the outer courtyard first..."

Unlike the inner courtyard, which is difficult to deal with due to the deep-rooted influence of its affiliated forces, the outer courtyard can still be considered a relatively pure land. However, no matter which Shrek executive is in charge, they all have to admit that the outer courtyard of Shrek is getting worse year by year.

During the last high-level discussion, it was a senior member who suggested that the academy further relax the criteria for admitting students and allocate more resources to reward them.

Unfortunately, Cai Yue'er rejected it, believing that it went against the original intention of the academy's establishment.

It means they only accept monsters, not ordinary people.

Yunming pointed out the areas that needed improvement, with the three elders occasionally interjecting to offer their opinions.

"What do you think."

After saying that, Yun Ming directly asked Nan Liujing for his thoughts.

"Then I'll just say a few things briefly, and you and the other senior scholars can take them as a reference."

Nan Liujing pondered for a moment and said, "First, the final exams for first-year students can be changed to a cooperative system."

"What's the explanation?" Zhuoshi couldn't help but ask, as the final exams had caused quite a stir.

Nan Liujing said, "We can keep the schedule of traveling to ten cities every two weeks, but we need to make sure the travel expenses are covered."

"Students must contact their challengers in advance. At the same time, if a student fails to complete a challenge, the challenged person will receive a reward package from the academy, which could be Federal Coins, a spirit item of a suitable year, or even a spirit. In short, the challenged person must understand that accepting the challenge will be rewarded if they win, thereby stimulating their combat power and enthusiasm, and increasing the pressure on the student who is challenging them."

"At the same time, if the challenger is injured, the academy will cover three times the medical expenses. If the injury is serious, the academy will also cover the subsequent lost wages, since it has delayed their cultivation."

"Not bad." Zhuo Shi and the other two elders exchanged a glance and nodded in approval. Their resentment towards Yun Ming for bringing in Nan Liujing, a child, to participate in the reform completely disappeared.

Yun Ming calmly said, "Continue."

Nan Liujing nodded: "Secondly, the academy stipulates one small exam per year and one big exam every three years. I heard that the academy does not give any rewards to students with excellent exam results?"

Zhuo Shi looked somewhat embarrassed. As the temporary dean of the outer academy, he had something to say:
"It's not that there are no rewards; the academy usually issues medals of honor."

"..." Yun Ming himself couldn't help but let out an awkward smile.

"Change it." Nan Liujing said firmly, "If you fail two small tests, you will be expelled; if you fail one big test, you will be expelled. Change it to two big tests as the standard for assessment. Students who fail both tests will not be expelled. If they are willing to change their major to mecha pilot, they can be allowed to graduate from the outer academy as a purple-level mecha pilot."

He paused, then continued, "We will retain the annual mini-exam, and the rewards can be made up from sources such as Soul Spirits, Spirit Ascension Platform materials, materials needed for Battle Armor, contribution points, and the right to use the Simulated Training Ground. In short, we shouldn't just shout slogans of glory without providing substantial rewards."

Yun Ming agreed, saying, "This suggestion is good. It can both motivate students to work hard in their cultivation and reduce the elimination caused by failure in the assessment. It's very humane."

Zhuoshi and the other two elders nodded in approval.

"Continue," Yun Ming said again.

Nanliu Temple nodded: "Third. This is related to the teachers of the outer academy. I heard that as long as an outer academy student is promoted to the inner academy, the teacher of that class will receive a very generous reward?"

“That’s right,” Zhuoshi said.

Nan Liujing said in a deep voice: "The rewards will be changed to two batches. First, for students from the outer academy who are promoted, both the students and the teachers will be rewarded. Second, for students who are unable to enter the inner academy but can successfully graduate from the outer academy, the teachers will be given different levels of rewards according to the number of graduates."

"In short, we can't let teachers only think about top students and neglect ordinary students. If Shrek Academy only cares about top students, then I think we can cancel the outer academy and arrange them all to enter the inner academy."

Yun Ming nodded and said, "A good suggestion, Zhuo Shi, remember it."

"Yes." Zhuo Shi's eyes brightened slightly; he was quite curious about how Nan Liujing had come up with these ideas.

In fact, Nan Liujing's suggestion wasn't particularly sophisticated; it was just that Shrek Academy had been inflexible for too long and didn't know how to adapt.

"Fourth," Nan Liujing glanced at the group and hesitated slightly, "this is a bit special, it depends on everyone's wishes."

Zhuo Shidao said, "Go ahead and say it; we're listening."

Nan Liujing said, "Shrek Academy needs to change some of its founding principles."

"For example?" Yun Ming raised an eyebrow.

"For example, being afraid to cause trouble is a sign of incompetence," Nan Liujing said bluntly. "I would like to ask His Majesty Qingtian and all the elders: is it that being afraid to cause trouble makes one incompetent, or is it simply a matter of picking on the weak?"

The three elders could not answer.

Yun Ming simply did not answer.

Because we know perfectly well what's going on.

"Since Your Majesty Qingtian has asked me to participate in the reform plan, I will speak my mind." Nan Liujing said in a deep voice: "Shrek Academy seems to still be in its glory, with everyone intoxicated by the dream of being the best in the world. From students causing trouble to the elders of the Sea God Pavilion causing trouble everywhere, I wonder who can support this false glory once Your Majesty Qingtian passes away?"

Zhuo Shi hesitated to speak. He was not like Cai Yue'er and Long Yeyue; he saw the problems and kept them in mind, instead of using Shrek Academy's eternal glory as an excuse to ignore everything.

The other two elders gave a wry smile. They still vividly remembered the slap Long Yeyue gave Qian Gu Die Ting in the face and Cai Yue'er's constant troublemaking.

Back then, Shrek Academy was far stronger than it is today, and it could easily withstand trouble. Now, there is only one and a half people who can truly support the academy.

Yun Ming is one, and Long Yeyue is half, provided she doesn't cause any trouble right now.

Ultimately, the Limit Douluo level is the true measure of a top-tier power, and this gap cannot be bridged by simply using a three-word battle armor.

Yun Ming shook his head inwardly. That was precisely why he longed to reform the academy.

Nan Liujing then raised another pointed question, one that had been discussed countless times in the Sea God Pavilion: "Is Shrek Academy an academy or a country?"

“Of course it’s the academy,” one of the elders who had remained silent until now finally said.

"Really?" Nan Liujing looked at him, not caring whether it would anger him. He said bluntly, "If it's an academy, why does every time Shrek Academy does something, it cause a commotion among countless graduates, who even unite to oppose federal policies? If these students were from Shrek Country, then there would be no problem with what they do, but their nationality is the Sun and Moon Federation!"

The sound pierced the tense air in the hall.

The old man frowned and said in a deep voice, "It is only natural that the students are grateful for the training they received from the academy."

Nan Liujing said calmly, "If Shrek Academy and the Federation were to go to war one day, whose side should they help? If they help the academy, wouldn't they be betraying their motherland? If they help their motherland, wouldn't they be disloyal to their teachers and ancestors?"

"This..." The old man was speechless for a moment.

Yun Ming's gaze was deep and profound as he calmly said, "Continue."

Nan Liujing shook his head: "I've said what I needed to say. How to make the changes is not my concern."

Yun Ming suddenly asked, "Then what do you think is the difference between the current Spirit Pagoda and my Shrek Academy?"

"From a macro perspective, there's no difference," Nan Liujing replied directly.

He was well aware of Qian Gu Dong Feng's ambition to destroy Shrek Academy, then fund the Federation to wage war against the other two continents, ultimately unifying the continent.

There's also the fact that the Spirit Pagoda secretly colluded with evil spirit masters to conduct experiments in the Douling Empire.

Going further back, the Federation isn't much better. A God-Slaying missile not only wiped out Shrek Academy, but also wiped out twelve million civilians in one fell swoop, all of whom benefited the Holy Spirit Cult.

Every single faction in the Douluo Continent III era has a clean record.

Nan Liujing does not apply double standards in this regard.

"The only thing that the Spirit Pagoda does better than Shrek Academy is that the Spirit Pagoda cooperates with the Federation, including the aerospace program. As for Shrek Academy, apart from interfering with various Federation policies, the only positive news is that it occasionally joins forces with the Federation to crack down on evil spirit masters."

Zhuo Shi couldn't help but say, "If it weren't for the mediation of Shrek Academy, the Federation would have already gone to war with the Star Luo and Dou Ling Empires. Countless families would have been torn apart, and the war would have undoubtedly caused immense suffering. Isn't that a great achievement?"

"The topic has already gone astray," Nan Liujing said calmly. "But since we've come this far, I'll share my thoughts. Senior Chilong, do you really think the Federation isn't going to war with the two great empires because Shrek Academy or the Tang Sect are interfering?"

“Isn’t that right?” one of the elders retorted. Having reached this point in the conversation, they no longer treated Nan Liujing like a child.

The disciple of the Divine Craftsman and the disciple of the Deputy Tower Master of the Spirit Transmission Tower should not be looked down upon with the mindset of an elder.

Nan Liujing shook his head: "In the Federal Parliament, the doves' influence is not actually prominent. Indeed, Shrek Academy's interference is one of the reasons. War is a double-edged sword, hurting both sides, but the fact that war has not broken out is more due to the fact that the federal high-ranking officials stationed in the Endless Mountains do not want to see war."

Upon hearing the words "Endless Mountains," the three elders' expressions changed slightly.

That place is the front line of humanity's defense against the invasion of the abyss.

Yun Ming tapped the table lightly with his fingertip, his voice leaving no room for doubt: "That's all for today."

Nan Liujing immediately stood up and smiled gently: "I apologize if my words were too radical or if I offended you in any way."

Yun Ming shook his head: "You just didn't say anything harsher, but what you said today is indeed correct."

"Farewell." Nan Liujing gave Yun Ming a deep look, then strode away.

“I’ll tell you about the rewards for participating in the reform plan after you’ve used up the Vast Ocean Universe Crystal,” Yun Ming suddenly said.

Nan Liujing quickly walked away.

"Sect Master." The three from Zhuoshi quickly looked over.

Yun Ming laughed: "Do as the child says."

Zhuoshi nodded, then said irritably, "This kid doesn't give us any face at all."

Yun Ming glanced at him: "If he were giving me face, he wouldn't have said so much. Let's start with the outer courtyard; it'll be easier that way."

An elder interjected, "Sect Master, I've heard that this child has forged quite a few spirit-forged alloys, but refuses to sell them to students in his collateral lineage."

Zhuo Shi laughed and said, "It's probably that old bastard Feng Wuyu who's behind this. Well, let's reorganize the outer courtyard first, and he can test the inner courtyard ahead of time and help us get started."

Yun Ming didn't speak, his mind preoccupied with other thoughts.

(End of this chapter)