Hearing this, Xu Tianhao walked slowly to Kong Deming's side and refilled his teacher's tea.
After finishing this, he smiled slightly, his tone humble and steady as he said:
"Teacher, you are joking. This is merely a little bit of cleverness; it counts for nothing."
"When it comes down to it, it is because your strength, Teacher, is sufficiently powerful. Only then could you suppress that Yan Shaozhe, making him afraid to act rashly and forcing him to obediently follow the arrangements."
"If it were someone else, even with the best ideas, facing the might of Shrek, it would likely be difficult to implement them."
Hearing these humble words from Xu Tianhao, the smile on Jing Hongchen's face deepened, and he couldn't help but nod repeatedly, deeply agreeing.
He gently placed the treasure box in his hand onto the table beside him, looked at Kong Deming with a respectful gaze, and said in a sincere and earnest tone:
"Elder Kong, Sixth Highness is absolutely right. Your strength, Elder, is truly becoming increasingly unfathomable."
"Just now, with Yan Shaozhe present, it was inconvenient for me to say more, but in my heart, I am clear that your cultivation realm has long surpassed the scope of an ordinary Titled Douluo. You are likely only a step away from becoming a Super Douluo, right?"
Speaking of this, Jing Hongchen's tone could not help but become a bit more solemn, his eyes filled with expectation and longing as he continued:
"Our Sun Moon Empire, in the fundamentals of Spirit Master cultivation, is indeed no match for the three countries of the Douluo Continent. Cultivation has always been our greatest shortcoming and weakness, far less rapid and brilliant than the development of spirit tools."
"And you, Elder, are the stabilizer of our Sun Moon Empire's Spirit Master's world, our true pillar."
"I dare to ask, I wonder if you, Elder, are already confident in breaking through to become a Super Douluo?"
"If one day in the future, you can truly break through the shackles and become a Super Douluo, then the future of our Sun Moon Empire will surely be even more brilliant and glorious."
Facing Jing Hongchen's words full of expectation, Kong Deming gently waved his hand.
The expression on his face returned to its usual calm and indifference, without a hint of arrogance, nor a hint of discouragement.
He slowly picked up the tea that Xu Tianhao had just refilled on the table and took a light sip.
The warm tea slid down his throat, smoothing out the slight ripples in his heart, and only then did he slowly say:
"The matter of spirit power cultivation is a slow process; one cannot rush it, nor can one force it."
"Just as you said, spirit power cultivation has always been the shortcoming of our Sun Moon Empire's Spirit Masters."
"Compared to those traditional Spirit Masters from the original Douluo Continent, we indeed have many deficiencies. This point, I am aware of, and have never shied away from."
"This time, Shrek Academy took the initiative to propose an exchange student program. It looks like a friendly exchange between both sides to learn from each other, but in reality, it is also a means for them to pry into the core secrets of our Mingde Hall's spirit tools."
"However, everything has two sides. They have their plans, and we have our schemes."
"Since they took the initiative to come to us and proposed such a plan, we can just take this opportunity to use the pretext of an exchange to deeply understand Shrek Academy's Spirit Master cultivation methods."
"Let's see if we can find a way to make up for our shortcomings, and find a glimmer of opportunity, a true chance, for our Sun Moon Empire's Spirit Master cultivation."
As his voice fell, Kong Deming slowly turned his head, his gaze falling gently and solemnly upon Xu Tianhao.
His disciple was gifted, with a clear mind, and intelligence far surpassing his peers.
His perspective on problems was often unique, and he could always offer insights that made people's eyes light up.
Therefore, when discussing such major events concerning the future of the Sun Moon Empire, he also wanted to hear Xu Tianhao's thoughts.
"Tianhao, what do you think about this exchange student plan proposed by Shrek?" Kong Deming asked softly.
Hearing this, the corners of Xu Tianhao's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a smile that was slightly cunning yet full of confidence.
He spoke unhurriedly, his tone relaxed: "Teacher, actually, regarding this matter, I already have my own thoughts."
Kong Deming nodded gently, a flash of approval in his eyes, signaling him to continue:
"Oh? Since you have thoughts, then feel free to speak your mind. I would like to hear your insights."
Xu Tianhao nodded slightly, his tone still calm and unhurried, and he slowly laid out all his thoughts:
"Actually, in this student's view, this so-called Shrek and Mingde Hall exchange student plan, in the early stages, does not have much practical significance."
"For our Sun Moon Empire, for Mingde Hall, and for the disciple themselves, it cannot be considered a rare opportunity."
"So, in any case, I have never thought about taking the initiative to become an exchange student and go to Shrek Academy."
"Oh?" Hearing these unexpected words from Xu Tianhao, Kong Deming couldn't help but raise his eyebrows slightly, a look of surprise appearing on his face.
He pondered for a moment and then slowly said: "Tianhao, do you know that Shrek Academy, as the number one Spirit Master academy in the Douluo Continent, truly has its unique aspects in education regarding Spirit cultivation, spirit power improvement, Spirit Ability control, and all other aspects?"
"They have a profound foundation accumulated over ten thousand years; this point, even we at Mingde Hall have to admit."
"Moreover, I have also heard that on Sea God Island, the core of Shrek Academy, there grows an earth-shattering Golden Ancient Tree; that is Shrek's treasure of the academy."
"It is said that that Golden Ancient Tree has extremely significant effects on a Spirit Master's cultivation, the nourishment of their origin, and the purification of spirit power."
"Even if one only sits quietly and cultivates under the tree, the speed can far exceed that of ordinary places by several times. For a genius Spirit Master, it is an supreme opportunity that is hard to come by."
Jing Hongchen, who was on the side, also hurriedly took over the conversation, looking at Xu Tianhao with eager eyes, his tone full of advice and regret as he said seriously: "Sixth Highness, Elder Kong is absolutely right."
"With your peerless talent, whether it is Spirit aptitude or spirit tool talent, you are a one-in-a-million genius."
"Looking at the entire Empire, and even the entire Douluo Continent, I am afraid no one can compare to you."
"If you are willing to go to Shrek Academy, with your aptitude, you will definitely be able to receive the highest standard of treatment from Shrek Academy and become their core disciple."
"You might even have the opportunity to come into contact with the Golden Ancient Tree on Sea God Island and obtain that unique cultivation opportunity."
"If you give up voluntarily and don't strive for it, wouldn't you be wasting this heaven-sent opportunity for nothing? It would be such a pity."
Listening to the earnest words of Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen, and feeling the expectations and care for him in their words, Xu Tianhao's heart couldn't help but warm.
Then came a wave of speechlessness.
However, this speechlessness of his was not towards his teacher Kong Deming, nor towards Jing Hongchen.
It was towards that Golden Ancient Tree at Shrek Academy that was rumored to be magical.
Others did not know the true background of that Golden Ancient Tree, nor the dangers and schemes hidden within it.
But Xu Tianhao knew it better than anyone else.
That Golden Ancient Tree was indeed the treasure of Shrek Academy, and even more so, the core of the plane, a supreme treasure.
In terms of grade and value, there were almost no treasures in the Douluo Continent that could compare to it; it could be said to be unique.
But what everyone did not know was that inside the current Golden Ancient Tree, the Mother of the Sea God had long been hidden.
That tree was no longer just a simple core of the plane; it had become a tool and bargaining chip for that person to control the Douluo plane and lay out plans for the world.
If he really went to Shrek Academy, approached the Golden Ancient Tree, or even cultivated under the tree and accepted the so-called gifted opportunity,
what difference would that be from voluntarily delivering himself to the door, letting others manipulate and control him?
Xu Tianhao knew very clearly that as long as he stayed safely in the Sun Moon Empire, in Mingde Hall, and under the protection of Kong Deming,
even if the other party wanted to make a move against him again, or wanted to set up traps to scheme against him, they would suffer from having no opportunity and no way to start.
But if he had a hot head and voluntarily went to Shrek Academy,
and even foolishly entered Sea God Island, approaching that Golden Ancient Tree,
that would simply be delivering an opportunity to the other party on a silver platter, voluntarily putting on that invisible yet fatal dog collar!
At that time, even if he wanted to escape, it would probably be very difficult to find an opportunity.
Therefore, no matter how magical the Golden Ancient Tree was, and no matter how tempting the conditions offered by Shrek Academy were,
Xu Tianhao would absolutely not go to Shrek Academy, and even less would he contact that Golden Ancient Tree, which seemed like an opportunity but was actually a trap.
This supreme treasure, in the eyes of others, was a supreme treasure they dreamed of, but in the eyes of the current Xu Tianhao,
it was a dangerous place to be avoided at all costs, and he would not have even the slightest thought of it.
Not only would he not go himself, but he would also try every means to prevent the trusted companions around him, absolutely not letting them be deceived by Shrek's appearance.
Even more so, he would not let them be used by that person, becoming pawns on the chessboard, ending up in a situation where they could not control their own fate.
Thinking of this, Xu Tianhao's eyes became increasingly firm, and the decision in his heart became even more unshakable.