114: Gongzi Yu

Today was the day Sea and Land Academy dispatched its shortlisted students to Shrek City to participate in the Youth Genius Competition.

High-level academy officials had gathered early at the main gate to welcome the staff and specialized vehicles from the Spirit Pagoda, which were soul tool buses capable of carrying forty people.

As the sunlight poured down, its golden radiance cast a sacred hue over the entire main gate. The academy's teachers, dressed in neat uniforms, stood in formation, their eyes filled with encouragement and blessings for the students about to depart.

Within the entire Tianhai Alliance, Sea and Land Academy was definitely considered a prestigious Spirit Master academy. Therefore, the leading Spirit Saint from the Spirit Pagoda gave Zhang Zhenpeng plenty of Face, greeting him warmly.

Xian Lin, Song Yuner, Yang Zhanpeng, Mo Yanggong, and others were among the ranks. Unfortunately, they could only start from the outermost Elimination Rounds and then pass through the Selection Trials before they could qualify for the main event.

This was a significant test of luck; if one were unfortunate enough to encounter a powerful opponent, their score could be dragged down, affecting their chances of qualifying.

This was also why they had fought so desperately in the Selection Trials half a month ago. After all, no one could guarantee whether they would encounter an exceptionally powerful opponent at the start, or even a Genius already at the top of the rankings.

Zhou Hanyou, Zhou Tianer, and Wang Dongqi arrived at the scene early, but they did not see that familiar figure.

Today, Principal Zhang Zhenpeng was dressed in a magnificent robe embroidered with a pattern of interwoven sea beasts and land-dwelling soul beasts representing Sea and Land Academy. He scanned the departing students with a firm gaze: "Today, the elites of our Sea and Land Academy will embark on a journey to Shrek City to participate in the Youth Genius Competition! This is not only a battle for your personal honor but a crucial moment to bring glory to the academy. Shrek City is one of the most brilliant cities on the continent, a gathering place for geniuses from all over. But I believe that the students of our Sea and Land Academy are second to none! You have Cultivated diligently in the academy and undergone countless trials; today is the moment for you to shine!"

"Children, you carry the expectations of the academy. On the field, show the style of our Sea and Land Academy and respond calmly to every challenge. No matter the result, in our hearts, you are the best!"

The teachers also offered their blessings at this moment: "Remember the techniques you usually practice. Be decisive when releasing your Spirit, and be flexible when using your Spirit Ability!"

"Teamwork is vital. Trust each other and exert the maximum strength of the team!"

All the participating students wore the academy's badge on their chests, which sparkled in the sunlight. They clenched their fists and responded passionately: "Principal, teachers, and fellow students! We will go all out, live up to everyone's expectations, and win supreme glory for Sea and Land Academy!"

The other students also shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the clouds.

The atmosphere in front of the main gate reached its climax as students waved Sea and Land Academy flags embroidered with the academy's emblem.

Cheers and blessings intertwined, playing a rousing battle song for the departing students.

Amidst this grand farewell scene, the departing students took firm steps and boarded the specialized vehicles bound for Shrek City.

"Lord Spirit Messenger, could you wait a moment? One of our academy's students has not yet arrived." Zhang Zhenpeng looked around anxiously but could not find Shen Guyan's figure.

Did this kid forget the time? Zhang Zhenpeng cursed inwardly, but even so, he hoped Shen Guyan could successfully follow the Spirit Pagoda's specialized vehicle to Shrek City for the competition.

Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tianer also showed expressions of worry. They had called Shen Guyan several times using their communicators, but no one had answered.

At that moment, Zhang Zhenpeng's soul tool communicator rang.

Zhang Zhenpeng picked up the communicator, and as soon as he saw the caller, he couldn't help but answer and roar, "You brat, do you have any sense of time at all? What time is it? Everyone is waiting for you! Where the hell are you? Hmm?"

Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tianer, who had not yet boarded the bus, breathed a sigh of relief when they heard Zhang Zhenpeng's roar. At least they could still get in touch with that guy.

"Huh? What did you say? You've already set off?" Zhang Zhenpeng's next words made Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tianer freeze.

After a while, Zhang Zhenpeng ended the call thoughtfully and said flatteringly to the Spirit Pagoda Spirit Saint, whose Face was clearly showing some impatience, "I'm sorry, Lord Spirit Messenger. That student of ours is already on his way; he's probably almost at Shrek City."

The Spirit Pagoda Spirit Saint frowned deeply. "How could he go by himself first? Does he not know that he has to register through us and the academy to enter the venue..."

Before he could finish, another communicator rang, but this time it was the one on the Spirit Messenger.

Seeing the note on the communicator, the Spirit Messenger's expression immediately became respectful. He answered instantly, saying, "Yes, yes, I understand. As soon as we return to Shrek City, I will contact him to register immediately. Right, right..."

Watching the Spirit Messenger's 180-degree turn in attitude, Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tianer were momentarily confused. However, before they could think further, they were urged by Zhang Zhenpeng to board the bus.

"That kid changed to a pseudonym and went to Shrek City early. It's said to be a request from the Shen Family," Zhang Zhenpeng whispered a reminder.

"A pseudonym?" Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tianer were stunned. The latter couldn't help but ask curiously, "What pseudonym did he take?"

Zhang Zhenpeng was also somewhat puzzled, but as the Principal of Sea and Land Academy, he still had to cooperate with his own student.

He leaned in close to the three girls and whispered three words: "Young, Master, Yu."

——

Shen Guyan sat with Shen Yue on the soul tool train, looking out the window.

"Is your leg really better? There won't be any lingering effects, will there?" In his sea of consciousness, Leng Yaozhu's voice sounded, carrying a hint of concern.

"Yeah, don't worry. I will definitely take the top spot in this so-called Youth Genius Competition as agreed," Shen Guyan responded with a smile.

"Hmph, would it kill you not to brag? You've only just reached Three Rings. I've also looked at the data of the contestants in this competition, and there are even those with Five Rings among them," Leng Yaozhu said irritably.

To this, Shen Guyan only chuckled. "Your youth genius ranking isn't set up like that, is it? How old are they, and how old am I? For example, ninety percent of the Three-Ring Soul Elders, who are the most common in this competition, are probably twelve or thirteen years old, right? Can a twelve-year-old Soul Elder and a ten-year-old Soul Elder be compared?"

"Even so, strength is a person's foundation. How many geniuses on the continent have perished in their youth? Without sufficient strength and time, no matter how good one's talent is, they can only remain beneath others," Leng Yaozhu continued to discourage him.

"Hehe, then let's wait and see." A confident smile appeared on Shen Guyan's Face as he looked at the azure sky through the train window.

"Also, why did you change to such a strange name? Gongzi Yu?" Leng Yaozhu heard the confidence in his tone and couldn't help but change the subject.

Shen Guyan smiled and said, "This way, I can often hear others calling me Young Master. It's quite nice."