The matter of Yu Tianxin joining Shrek Academy was no secret within Thunderclap Academy.
As the principal, Yu Luomian not only didn't oppose it but was actually happy to facilitate it.
Back in the day, when Blue Tyrant Academy had established itself in Tiandou City and purchased such a large plot of land, he had played a significant role in making that happen.
After all, Yu Tianxin was his grandson, and Liu Erlong was his daughter. For Yu Tianxin to join Shrek Academy was essentially like joining a family-run institution.
Moreover, Shrek Academy had successfully advanced from the preliminaries. With Yu Tianxin joining them, he would have opportunities to compete in future matches.
This way, in his competition with Yu Tianheng, he wouldn't be at a disadvantage.
After the preliminaries ended, before Yu Xiaogang could make a move, Yu Luomian took the initiative to approach Salas.
"Oh? What brings Vice Elder Yu here today?" Salas greeted him with a smile as he approached.
Yu Luomian sat down on the sofa and got straight to the point. "Let's not waste time. You're one of the chairmen of the Tiandou Empire's tournament organizing committee. My request is simple—let Tianxin join Shrek Academy and appear in their team lineup."
Salas was taken aback.
Based on his understanding of Yu Luomian, the man should've come to inquire about the progress of the plan. Today's visit was unusual.
For Salas, arranging for Yu Tianxin to join the Shrek Team wasn't difficult.
But without any benefit to himself, why would he bother?
"Vice Elder Yu, how about we strike a deal? If you can complete a task for me, starting from the promotion matches, Yu Tianxin will be a starter on the Shrek Team."
Yu Luomian hesitated for a moment and asked, "What exactly is this task?"
Salas returned to his desk, pulled out a drawer, rummaged through it for a moment, and retrieved a document.
He casually tossed it to Yu Luomian and said, "Kunlin (Earth Forest) Soul Douluo of the Balak Kingdom refuses to obey orders and has injured members of the Spirit Hall. Your task is simple—kill him and bring back his head. Once that's done, the matter is settled."
Of course, Yu Luomian refused outright!
Kunlin Soul Douluo was one of the guardian Soul Douluos of the Balak Kingdom, and Yu Luomian represented the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.
If he were exposed while carrying out the assassination, wouldn't that provoke a war between the sect and the Balak Kingdom?
Salas sweetened the deal. "I'm not asking you to do this for nothing. Kunlin Soul Douluo is at level 83 in soul power—it shouldn't be too difficult for Vice Elder Yu to kill him. As long as you succeed, I'll not only handle Tianxin's matter for you but also grant you an additional favor."
"This is a transaction, and I've already shown sufficient sincerity. The rest depends on Vice Elder Yu's attitude."
Having the Spirit Hall owe someone a favor was equivalent to receiving a favor from an ordinary Title Douluo.
Yu Luomian understood that he had no reason to refuse.
Out of caution, he added a prerequisite. "I can agree to your terms, but I must know everything about Kunlin Soul Douluo's whereabouts and recent movements. I'm not stupid enough to confront him inside Balak City."
Salas extended his hand and shook hands with him. "The Spirit Hall has the most detailed intelligence. When Kunlin Soul Douluo leaves Balak City, we'll notify Vice Elder Yu immediately. Of course, Vice Elder Yu must also prepare accordingly."
They shook hands, and the deal was struck.
Yu Luomian had no idea what the Spirit Hall's true intentions were behind killing Kunlin Soul Douluo. If he had known, he probably wouldn't have agreed to it.
After seeing Yu Luomian off, Salas leaned back in his chair, imagining the merits Yu Luomian would bring him.
---
About an hour later, Yu Xiaogang arrived at the Spirit Hall.
A 29th-level Great Soul Master was insignificant among the elite of the Spirit Hall.
In fact, no one even paid attention to him.
Feeling ignored, Yu Xiaogang's pride flared up, and he suddenly shouted, "Where is Bishop Salas!"
Nearby Spirit Hall officials paused their activities and looked at him with unfriendly glares.
Everyone in the hall knew about the commotion Yu Xiaogang had caused during the preliminaries.
No matter how weak Yu Xiaogang was, as long as his father was Yu Yuanzhen, they had to treat him with respect.
One official stepped forward and asked, "Mr. Yu, what business do you have with Bishop Salas?"
A smug expression appeared on Yu Xiaogang's face. He unconsciously placed his hands behind his back, tilted his head to look at the ceiling, and sniffed arrogantly. "Take me to see Bishop Salas—I have important matters to discuss with him."
He had the confidence to act brashly within the Spirit Hall, so he completely looked down on this official.
Spirit Hall officials typically possessed at least Soul Ancestor-level strength.
Seeing Yu Xiaogang behave this way, the official's lips twitched slightly. Just as he was about to refuse, a voice came from upstairs.
"Bring him up to see me."
It was Salas who spoke.
Knowing the relationship between Yu Xiaogang and Pope Bibi Dong, he didn't dare to be disrespectful.
The official bowed toward the upstairs area and led Yu Xiaogang up.
Upon entering Salas' office, Yu Xiaogang took out the Pope's Token from his pocket and tossed it to him.
Seeing the token with its six symbols, Salas was shocked. "The Pope's Token—an elder!"
He quickly stood up from his chair and respectfully walked over to Yu Xiaogang. Holding the token carefully with both hands, he handed it back to him.
"We apologize for not being aware of your arrival, Elder. Please forgive us."
Both Salas and the official bowed deeply to show their respect.
Within the hierarchy of the Spirit Hall, the Pope's Token served as a symbol of imperial authority, akin to the presence of the Pope himself.
Though Salas acted like a local ruler within the Spirit Hall in Tiandou City, in front of the Pope's authority, he was nothing more than a minor figure.
However, given that he was a peak Soul Douluo just one step away from becoming a Title Douluo, his respect toward Yu Xiaogang was only superficial.
Unlike this official, whose body trembled violently and breathing became rapid.
Salas waved his hand, signaling the official to leave the office.
Yu Xiaogang paid no attention to their subtle actions, turned around, and sat in the main seat, issuing commands arrogantly. "Bishop Salas, I need you to arrange for Yu Tianxin to join the Shrek Academy team. Can you do it?"
Salas chuckled inwardly.
He had assumed that Yu Xiaogang had come to leverage the Spirit Hall's power to carry out some action that might harm the Spirit Hall's interests. To his surprise, it was this matter.
Just a short while ago, he had agreed to Yu Luomian's request. By agreeing to Yu Xiaogang as well, he might earn two favors instead of one.
Salas responded indifferently, "Elder, the tournament organizing committee isn't under my sole control. There's also Old Man Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi. To get them to agree, the Spirit Hall would have to make concessions elsewhere, which would harm our interests."
"Elder holds the Pope's Token, so surely you understand the need to consider the Spirit Hall's interests."
Yu Xiaogang fell into deep thought.
The essence of the Pope's Token was merely a piece of iron. What gave it power was the authority of the Pope.
Yu Xiaogang remembered a rule within the Spirit Hall: no elder of the Spirit Hall shall harm its interests.
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