Chapter 496 Is this goal a bit too high?

Lu Yu was slightly startled, and then showed just the right amount of surprise: "Vice Dean? Liu Erlong? This... I can't believe it."

Liu Erlong frowned and said in a somewhat unfriendly tone: "Oh? Why, doesn't it look like that?"

Lu Yu waved his hand quickly, with a hint of embarrassment in his eyes: "No, that's not what I meant. I just heard that Vice President Liu has a long-standing reputation, and I thought he would be a respected senior. I didn't expect you to be so young and beautiful. I was really surprised."

Liu Erlong was stunned for a moment, then snorted and laughed, with a look of scrutiny in his eyes: "Young and beautiful? You have a very sweet mouth. However, this is not the place for sweet talk. Tell me, what are you doing at Blue Tyrant Academy?"

Lu Yu smiled calmly, "I heard that Blue Tyrant Academy is one of the best academies on the continent with many talented people. I am just a casual soul master who has been traveling around the continent for many years. I always want to find a stable place to teach and answer questions, and also contribute a little to the soul master world. It would be my honor to work in your academy."

There was a flash of surprise in Liu Erlong's eyes, and there was a hint of probing in her tone: "Oh? You are a casual soul master, and you want to work in our Blue Tyrant Academy? Do you know that not everyone can come here?"

Lu Yu nodded calmly, his tone calm and sincere: "Of course I know. That's why I came to visit you specially. I want to see the style of Lan Ba ​​Academy, and also want to prove my ability."

Liu Erlong stared at Lu Yu, a trace of thought flashed in her phoenix eyes: "Interesting. In that case, what about your cultivation? If you don't even have a decent soul power, even if you can speak well, you are not qualified to stand here."

Lu Yu smiled slightly, as if he didn't mind her questioning at all. He raised his right hand and clenched it gently. The light golden soul power flowed in his palm, as gentle and stable as a surging stream. Then, he released his martial soul - a long sword with a silver glow. The sword body flowed with faint starlight, giving people a deep and sharp feeling.

"Soul Emperor?" Liu Erlong raised his eyebrows slightly, with a hint of surprise in his tone.

"It's the Soul Emperor." Lu Yu nodded slightly, still with a calm smile on his face, "Although he has only just entered the Soul Emperor realm, he has at least barely passed."

Liu Erlong retracted his gaze and snorted, "It's barely acceptable. But, as a Soul Emperor, what is your purpose in coming to Blue Tyrant Academy to take up a position?"

Lu Yu smiled calmly: "My purpose is very simple. I just want to find a place to settle down and pass on my experience to young students. As for the rest, I have no selfish motives."

Liu Erlong looked at him with a complicated look, and seemed a little hesitant. She was silent for a moment before she spoke: "You are an interesting person. However, I have to tell you that although our Lanba Academy is not a sect, we will never recruit people casually. If you want to stay, you must pass the assessment first."

"Assessment?" Lu Yu raised his eyebrows slightly, with a hint of curiosity in his eyes, "I wonder what kind of assessment Vice President Liu is referring to?"

Liu Erlong's lips curled up into a smile, with a hint of teasing in his eyes: "It's very simple. Since you are a Soul Emperor, let me see how strong you are. If you can't even deal with me, there's no need to stay."

Lu Yu was slightly startled, then he showed a helpless smile: "Vice President Liu, this is a bit unfair, isn't it? I heard that your cultivation is at the Soul Saint level. If I fight with you, wouldn't it be too much?"

Liu Erlong snorted coldly, with a hint of pride in her eyes: "Why, are you scared? I thought that since you dared to come to me to apply for a job, you must have some real ability. If you regret it now, it's not too late to leave."

Lu Yu smiled bitterly and shook his head: "It's not that I'm afraid, but I'm afraid that I will offend the vice president. However, since you insist, I will naturally not back down."

Liu Erlong's eyes flickered slightly, and then he took two steps back and said coldly: "Very good. Then follow me, I want to see how capable you, the Soul Emperor, are."

The two of them soon came to an open space in the courtyard. Liu Erlong stood still and stared at Lu Yu with a sharp gaze: "Go ahead, don't show any mercy."

Lu Yu nodded, and swung his sword. The sword shadow with starlight pierced through the air and pointed directly at Liu Erlong. Liu Erlong snorted coldly, and her figure flashed. Soul rings appeared under her feet. As the red, yellow, purple and black soul rings circulated, her martial soul - the fire dragon incarnation suddenly appeared.

The battle between the two sides immediately began. Firelight and sword shadows intertwined, the fluctuations of soul power stirred in the air, and the surrounding leaves were rolled up. The scene was extremely fierce.

However, whether intentionally or unintentionally, Lu Yu's attacks always seemed to be easy, neither too strong nor making Liu Erlong feel despised.

Liu Erlong seemed to have noticed this as well, and couldn't help but be secretly alert in her heart: "This guy is really patient, it seems he is not an ordinary casual soul master."

After a fight, Liu Erlong withdrew his hand and looked at Lu Yu with complicated eyes: "Your strength surprised me a little. It can be seen that you have rich combat experience. However, this alone is not enough."

Lu Yu smiled slightly, put away his martial spirit, and said calmly: "Vice President Liu is right. I also understand that in order to truly integrate into Lan Ba ​​Academy, I still need to prove my worth. I will try my best to win your approval."

Liu Erlong was silent for a moment and sighed: "Forget it, I am a little curious about what secrets you are hiding. Stay for the time being. As for the specific arrangements for the position, I still need to discuss it with the dean."

"Thank you, Vice President Liu." Lu Yu smiled gratefully and bowed slightly.

Liu Erlong glanced at him, with a meaningful smile on her lips: "I hope you won't let me down. If I find out that you have any other intentions, don't blame me for being rude."

"Of course not." Lu Yu smiled indifferently, his eyes calm and determined.

The morning sun shone on the two of them.

As night fell, Tang San and his companions returned to Shrek Academy to rest, leaving Liu Erlong sitting alone in a small pavilion on the back hill of the academy. The night breeze blew gently, and the surroundings were quiet, with only the rustling of leaves. Liu Erlong's eyes were empty, as if she had a thousand words to say, but she had no way to express them.

Suddenly, Lu Yu came from a distance, holding a pot of hot tea in his hand. He looked at Liu Erlong's lonely back, sighed, and slowly approached.

"Senior Sister Erlong, you are still standing here in the wind so late. Aren't you afraid of catching a cold?" Lu Yu asked in a low voice, placing the teapot on the stone table.

Liu Erlong didn't look back, but just shook her head gently, "It's okay, the cooler the wind is, the more sober it makes people."

Lu Yu was silent for a moment, then sat opposite Liu Erlong and pushed a cup of hot tea in front of her, "Drink some tea to warm your body. You've been worrying too much about the academy recently, it's time to rest."

Liu Erlong finally turned to look at Lu Yu, forcing a smile, "Thank you, Lu Yu. I'm used to the things in the academy. Compared to these, what else is there to worry about?"

Lu Yu took a deep breath and seemed to be hesitating. His expression became complicated and his eyes wandered. "Actually... I came to you today because I have something to tell you."

"Hmm?" Liu Erlong raised an eyebrow, noticing Lu Yu's unnaturalness. "What's the matter? Tell me."

Lu Yu hesitated for a moment, and lowered his voice, "I just came back from outside and heard the news about... Yu Xiaogang."

Liu Erlong was startled when she heard this, and her hand holding the teacup trembled slightly. She lowered her eyes to hide her complicated emotions, "Yu Xiaogang? How is he...how is he now?"

Lu Yu was silent for a while, as if he was choosing his words, "He... has now joined the Spirit Hall, and has become an elder of the Spirit Hall."

"What?" Liu Erlong raised his head suddenly, disbelief in his eyes, "What did you say? Yu Xiaogang... joined the Spirit Hall? And became an elder?"

Lu Yu nodded, his expression heavy, "This is true. The news I heard with my own ears cannot be false."

Liu Erlong stared at Lu Yu in a daze, as if she had been struck by lightning, and her whole body froze in place. After a long time, her lips trembled, and she squeezed out a few words, "How could... How could he make such a choice?"

Lu Yu looked at Liu Erlong's painful expression and felt sorry for her. He sighed and said slowly, "Perhaps he has his reasons. Yu Xiaogang has always pursued power and status, and the Spirit Hall can provide him with these. Perhaps he is doing this for his own research... Senior Sister Erlong, I am not defending him, but..."

"Enough!" Liu Erlong suddenly interrupted Lu Yu, her eyes red, "You don't have to speak for him! I thought I understood him, but now... he actually betrayed his beliefs and attached himself to the Spirit Hall! Has he forgotten the hatred between us and the Spirit Hall? Has he forgotten how many innocent people they killed?"

Lu Yu remained silent, lowering his head and not daring to look directly at Liu Erlong. This news was like a bolt from the blue to Liu Erlong.

Liu Erlong took a few deep breaths and forced herself to calm down. Her voice became hoarse, but she still couldn't hide the pain, "Lu Yu, are you sure this news is true? He... really joined the Spirit Hall?"

Lu Yu nodded, "I confirm. Yu Xiaogang is now one of the elders of the Spirit Hall, and this matter has spread."

Liu Erlong's body trembled slightly, as if she might collapse at any time. She clenched her fists, her eyes full of pain and anger, "Why...why did he become like this? When the three of us founded the Golden Triangle together, he was our trusted partner, and I...the person I trusted the most. How could he...how could he do this!"

Looking at her, Lu Yu couldn't help but comfort her, "Senior Sister Erlong, I know it's hard for you to accept it, but people change. Maybe Yu Xiaogang is just forced into a dead end by reality... You——"

"Stop talking!" Liu Erlong stood up suddenly and interrupted Lu Yu. Her eyes were red, and her face was full of disappointment and anger. "Lu Yu, you don't understand! Yu Xiaogang... he is not only my partner, he is also the most important person in my life! But now... he did this!"

Lu Yu was speechless and could only watch Liu Erlong suffer alone. He tried to take a step closer, but was pushed away by Liu Erlong.

"Let me be alone for a while," Liu Erlong whispered, turning around and walking down the mountain, "I don't want to hear it, and I don't want to mention him anymore."

Lu Yu looked at her leaving back, his heart aching. He understood that this piece of news was not just a blow to Liu Erlong, but it tore open her deepest wound.

In the night wind, Liu Erlong's figure gradually disappeared. Lu Yu clenched his fists and murmured in a low voice, "Yu Xiaogang...what are you thinking about?"

The atmosphere in the meeting hall of Lanba Academy was particularly serious. Lu Yu sat in the main seat, wearing a blue robe, with shrewdness and confidence in his eyes. He glanced at the senior teachers in the hall and smiled slightly.

"Everyone, what do you think of my proposal?" Lu Yu's voice was steady and powerful, yet majestic.

A middle-aged teacher spoke first, his tone hesitant, "Teacher Lu Yu, within two years, to have seven students reach the finals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition, is this goal... a little too high?"

Lu Yu chuckled, "High? I don't think so. Don't forget, the foundation of Lanba Academy is definitely not bad. I just need your cooperation to select the right students."

The other old man frowned and said with a slightly dissatisfied tone, "But it's not easy to find such a student. The standard you require is too high. No more than eighteen years old, cultivation level above level twenty, and the best spirit ring ratio... Such conditions are rare even in the spirit master academies of the entire continent."

"High standards?" Lu Yu stood up and glanced at everyone. "The stage of the Soul Master Competition has never been prepared for ordinary people. I don't need those students with average potential to make up the numbers. What I need are geniuses, students who really have the potential to stand at the top."

He paused and looked at them with a sharp gaze. "Two years may sound short, but it is enough to change the fate of a genius. I am confident that I can do it. You just need to provide cooperation and resources."

The hall fell into a brief silence, and everyone was thinking about Lu Yu's words. A young female teacher said softly, "If we can really select such students, it will be a great honor for the academy. But the question is, do we have enough resources to support their growth?"

Lu Yu nodded and said solemnly, "Don't worry about the resource problem, I will solve it myself. I have communicated with several top soul instructors, and they are willing to provide the best training equipment. In addition, all expenses of these students will be borne by me personally."

"You will bear it personally?" The old man who had frowned before widened his eyes. "Are you sure? This is not a small amount of money."

"Yes, I'm sure." Lu Yu said firmly, "As long as you trust me and follow my plan, the result will not disappoint you."

At this time, the dean finally spoke. His voice was low, but full of majesty, "Lu Yu, your plan is bold, but also very tempting. Although Lan Ba ​​Academy has gained some fame in the soul master world over the years, it has never been able to compete with top academies like Shrek. If your plan succeeds, it will undoubtedly take us to a new level."

Lu Yu nodded, "That's right. So, I need the full support of the academy, whether it's venue, time, or other resources. I will be personally responsible for the selection of students. But I hope the academy can provide me with a detailed list of students that meets my requirements as much as possible."