"I'll say it first—once you place the piece, no taking it back."
"But how do I play this…?"
"Maybe here?"
"Hey hey, a true gentleman doesn't speak while watching the game."
That night, in a tea chamber of Nine Treasures Pavilion, Chen Junting and the others sat around a low table.
On one side sat Wang Dong, brow furrowed, chess piece hovering uncertainly above the board, his smooth forehead nearly creased into folds. He glanced at Huo Yuhao—still patiently waiting—then hesitated, unable to move.
The next instant—
"Agh! I quit!"
Wang Dong suddenly slammed his hand onto the board, ready to flip it—
But his wrist was instantly seized by Wu Feng. "Hey hey! Can't win, so you want to overturn the board? Wang Dong, are you a sore loser?!"
"Wha—what are you talking about?! I just don't want to play anymore!"
Wang Dong's face flushed red as he snapped back, neck stiff.
Seeing them about to bicker again, Ning Tian stepped in. "Enough. You two can argue over a game of chess? Are your destinies just incompatible? Don't act like this outside—you'll embarrass yourselves."
"Tch—"
"Hmph—"
Wang Dong and Wu Feng glared at each other, then turned away sharply.
Huo Yuhao, as the one directly involved, said nothing. He simply sat quietly, offering a polite, restrained smile.
It had been nearly three days since Shrek Academy completed the round-robin.
Having exhausted every attraction in Star Luo City during those days, Chen Junting and the others had chosen not to return to the Star Emperor Hotel. Instead, they had taken up residence in Nine Treasures Pavilion.
As for Wang Dong?
He'd simply tagged along, shamelessly.
Ning Tian didn't mind—in fact, she welcomed it.
"Ugh… this is so boring," Wang Dong groaned, collapsing onto a lounge chair like a stranded fish. If you asked him to roll over, he'd probably refuse.
Huo Yuhao offered, "Then train."
The response was a single, withering glance.
"Relax," Chen Junting smiled, dropping a hint. "Tomorrow's going to be interesting. The Starlight Auction—one of the top-tier auctions—is starting tomorrow. We're going to go see the spectacle."
"Really?!"
As they spoke, a sudden voice cut through the night—strange, thick with fury, and resonating across the entire city:
"Tai Yu! You little bastard—come out here this instant!"
The words, simple and few, seemed to press down upon Star City like a storm cloud about to burst. The ancient metropolis, standing for ten thousand years, trembled under their weight. Nine Treasures Pavilion itself shuddered as if struck by an earthquake.
Chen Junting's face paled instantly.
The voice vibrated through his Spirit Sea, stirring unease. Without a thought, he stepped in front of Ning Tian and the others, Seven Kill Sword already in hand. His third eye—Life Spirit Eye—flickered faintly into view.
"Junting, be careful," Electrolux's voice echoed in his mind. "The one who spoke—his strength surpasses even your master's."
"I know, Elder Electrolux."
Outside—
Huo Yuhao's eyes widened in shock. "Such immense spiritual pressure… Who is this? Is he here for Elder Tai?"
"No," Chen Junting said, steadying Wu Feng. Compared to Ning Tian, who already had Soul Sect cultivation, and Huo Yuhao, whose spiritual power was exceptional—and Wang Dong, protected by Tang San's lingering influence—Wu Feng's face had turned ashen. She had been deeply affected.
"Huo Yuhao," Chen Junting said slowly, "he's here for you."
"Me?!"
Huo Yuhao blinked, utterly confused.
Then Ning Tian understood.
Her brow tightened. "It's the Body Sect."
At that moment, a booming voice rang out from within Nine Treasures Pavilion:
"Sect Leader Du—what brings you here?"
A massive figure burst from the building.
Tai Yu's deep voice surged outward, instantly dispelling the oppressive pressure the voice had cast over Nine Treasures Pavilion.
"What brings me here? You're asking me?!"
"Fine! I'll tell you—I've come for justice!"
A column of emerald-green energy erupted skyward.
Beneath it, a towering old man slowly materialized. His face was as plump and ruddy as a newborn's—had it not been for the ancient weariness in his emerald-green eyes, one might mistake him for a youth. His long, wild emerald hair flowed behind him, though the absurdity of his bald crown made the sight almost comical.
Yet the aura he radiated—
No one dared laugh.
He was Du Busi, Sect Leader of the Body Sect.
"You bullied the people of my Sect by taking advantage of your strength, that is your first crime; your Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School took Disciples of my Sect, that is your second crime."
"Today, I came to settle this score!"
Du Busi spoke with righteous fury—as if he'd just swallowed a bucket of ice water on a scorching day. It felt exhilarating.
For the first time in his life, he was the one with the moral high ground.
Tai Yu's face darkened. "Sect Leader Du, please do not speak falsely. I acted only because your Body Sect members attacked our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile disciples. And as for your 'disciple'—they are already a member of our sect."
But Du Busi did not care for explanations.
If there was an excuse—he fought.
If there wasn't—he still fought.
Tai Yu's words weren't meant for Du Busi. They were for the rest of Star Luo City. Du Busi's accusations could tarnish Nine Treasures Glazed Tile's reputation.
"You're full of shit!"
Du Busi struck without warning.
Emerald soul power surged into the sky, forming a colossal hand—vast as the heavens—crushing down toward Tai Yu and Nine Treasures Pavilion as if determined to flatten both into dust!
"Martial Soul True Body!"
Tai Yu's pupils contracted.
As his seventh soul ring ignited—he vanished.
In his place stood a colossal gorilla, as tall as Nine Treasures Pavilion itself, roaring in fury.
"ROAR!"
Its arms, thick as granite, shot upward—and seized the emerald hand.
"Hmph! Foolish creature!"
Du Busi sneered.
His palm pressed downward.
Tai Yu could not hold.
The emerald soul power surged through the air, devouring Tai Yu's own force. The gorilla's arms bent under the pressure, its face twisted in agony.
Just then—a streak of emerald light slashed through the air.
It pierced the emerald hand, freeing Tai Yu—and instantly retaliated against Du Busi's energy.
But the effect? Barely noticeable.
"Song Yunzhi—do you also wish to wade into this mire?" Du Busi turned to the elderly woman standing nearby, showing no fear of Shrek Academy. He even sneered.
"You're not enough. Send Xuan Zi here."
But Elder Song didn't answer him immediately.
First, she helped Tai Yu to his feet.
Only then did she speak, voice cold as winter steel:
"That child… is also a core disciple of Shrek Academy. To try and take him is to strike Shrek Academy in the face."
"Face? You're full of crap!"
Du Busi swung his arm in a brutal arc—slamming into Elder Song's defense.
For a moment, they locked.
Then Elder Song buckled.
She was thrown backward, staggering through the air.
"I told you, Song—you old woman—you're not worthy!"
Elder Song's expression didn't change.
Because at that moment, she had sensed something.
She looked past Du Busi, her voice calm, icy, final:
"If you think I'm not worthy… then let someone who is come and fight you."
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