"You are Yu Xiaogang? Yu Yuanzhen certainly sired a fine son!"
The elderly man in the lead spoke slowly, "Was it your decision to have Rongrong compete in that Silves Spirit Arena match?"
His eyes narrowed slightly. In an instant, everyone present felt the air temperature drop by several degrees.
Yu Xiaogang immediately felt an icy chill, as if he had fallen into a frozen pit. His entire body couldn't help but tremble.
"Senior, please show mercy."
Flender quickly moved to Yu Xiaogang's side, pleading with the white-haired old man.
Before this, Flender couldn't figure out, even if he racked his brains, when he had offended the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
And to the extent that they would dispatch three experts at or above the Soul Douluo level?
Was I worthy?
Only then did Flender finally understand why they were being targeted.
It was all because of Ning Rongrong.
Ai, I should have known. I never should have recruited Ning Rongrong into the academy in the first place, Flender inwardly cursed.
One day back in Suotuo City, Flender was suddenly approached by two Soul Masters.
They gave him twenty thousand Gold Soul Coins, hoping he would take care of Ning Rongrong, or at least stop her from running around.
Flender, who had never seen so much money, naturally agreed readily.
Who would have thought...
Because of a moment's negligence, Ning Rongrong was injured, and now her elders had come looking for him.
Ai, this is really a thankless task, Flender lamented internally.
"Grandpa Sword."
At this moment, Ning Rongrong ran to the white-haired old man's side, grabbing his hand and shaking it. "Grandpa Sword, let's hurry up and leave this place. It stinks to high heaven."
The white-robed old man quickly retracted his aura and stroked her head. "Alright, we'll listen to our little princess. Grandpa Sword will take you home right now."
As he spoke, the old man raised his hand, and a layer of soul power shield enveloped Ning Rongrong.
The white-haired old man, holding Ning Rongrong's hand, soared directly into the sky. The other two middle-aged men followed closely behind. Before long, they disappeared over the horizon.
Ning Rongrong's cheerful cries faintly drifted from mid-air, "Zhuqing, I'm going home first! I'll come find you to play again in a while!"
Zhu Zhuqing looked at the small black dots in the sky, a trace of envy flashing in her eyes.
It must be nice to have a family.
Immediately, her face returned to its usual cold, indifferent expression.
"Whew! They're finally gone."
Flender let out a long sigh of relief and raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
He patted Yu Xiaogang's shoulder, his eyes full of concern. "Xiaogang, are you alright?"
Yu Xiaogang's face was deathly pale, his expression dazed, as if he hadn't heard Flender's words.
Seeing Yu Xiaogang's lack of response, Flender grew more worried. He raised his voice and called out again, a hint of anxiety in his tone.
"Xiaogang?"
"Xiaogang!"
At this, Yu Xiaogang seemed to jolt awake from a nightmare. His body trembled violently, and he finally came back to his senses.
Yu Xiaogang looked at Flender's worried face and managed a grin. However, this smile looked even uglier than crying.
"I... I'm fine." Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, but his hands still couldn't stop trembling slightly.
Flender comforted him, "It's good that you're fine. Let's go. Let's head into the city first."
Yu Xiaogang shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "Flender, I don't think I'll go to that Imperial Academy after all. What happened today will probably spread throughout Heaven Dou City before long. If I'm with you, I'll only make you a laughingstock."
As he spoke, a trace of exhaustion appeared in Yu Xiaogang's eyes.
The sudden turn of events had left him mentally and physically drained.
This Heaven Dou City... it was as if it was his nemesis.
Decades ago, he had lost his lover, his friend, and his cousin here.
He never thought that upon returning, he would be reduced to a joke before even setting foot inside the city gates.
Flender patted Yu Xiaogang's shoulder. "Alright then, we won't go to Heaven Dou Academy."
He pointed to the bulletin board. "Isn't this Blue Tyrant Academy also recruiting? Let's go to this academy. Maybe you'll be able to cheer up there."
As he spoke, a flash of pain crossed Flender's eyes, gone in an instant.
The other teachers nodded. For them, it made no difference where they went for retirement.
The few remaining students had no objections either.
Immediately, the Shrek party headed into the city. However, everyone deliberately kept a distance of several paces from Yu Xiaogang.
Tang San walked at the very back, glancing back toward the horizon.
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan... you insulted my teacher. One day, I will definitely make you pay the price!" Tang San silently vowed in his heart.
Just as in the original work, the Shrek party successfully joined Blue Tyrant Academy.
Then came the reunion of friends, the meeting of lovers, filled with sweet nothings and affectionate sentiments.
Finally, Liu Erlong, with a grand wave of her hand, gifted Blue Tyrant Academy to Flender, and its name was changed to Shrek Academy.
Flender was moved to tears. It was hard to tell if he was stunned by this sudden wealth, or if he was shedding tears of joy for his sworn brother, who had found love once again.
On the street, Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai walked side by side.
"I never thought Dean Liu Erlong and the teacher were such good friends. Such a huge academy... she just gave it away. Why can't I meet a rich woman like that?"
Ma Hongjun had a look of utter amazement, seemingly still lost in the shock of what had happened.
"The Golden Iron Triangle... I've heard of that name," Dai Mubai mused.
As he spoke, a mocking smile touched his lips. "I just never expected that Grandmaster was also a member of that 'Triangle'."
Ma Hongjun seemed to recall the scene at the city gate again and burst out laughing. "That coward Yu Xiaogang... he was actually scared to the point of peeing himself. Hahaha, that's hilarious!"
Dai Mubai also couldn't help but chuckle. "Fatty, you'd better tone it down in front of Tang San. After all, Yu Xiaogang is his teacher."
"Tch. I really don't know what Tang San is thinking, taking a waste as his teacher."
The two, with their arms slung over each other's shoulders, soon found an entertainment establishment.
On the side of the street, Lu Feng watched the pair of 'clients' and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.
"Shrek has come to Heaven Dou City?"
"What did they just say? Yu Xiaogang peed himself? How did I miss such a delightful event?"
Immediately, Lu Feng changed direction and headed toward Blue Tyrant Academy. Since those two are in Heaven Dou City, then my little rich girl must have come along too.
In front of Blue Tyrant Academy, several workers were busy changing the sign.
"Tsk tsk, Liu Erlong is really generous." Lu Feng shook his head and walked straight into the academy.
"Stop!"
At this moment, a guard stopped Lu Feng.
The guard looked Lu Feng up and down. The man's clothes were clearly expensive, and his temperament was that of a noble.
Most importantly, his eyes didn't have that "clear-eyed stupidity" of a student.
He didn't look like a student at all, but like an old fox who had been tempered by society.
"Are you a student at this academy? Which grade?" the guard asked doubtfully.
Lu Feng smiled and took a school badge from his Soul Tool. "Brother, I'm a graduate. Just came back to my old home to take a look."
This badge was, in fact, Aixi's.
The guard took the badge and inspected it carefully. It was indeed a Blue Tyrant Academy badge.
"You can go in. But our academy is about to change its name. Blue Tyrant Academy is about to become history," the guard returned the badge to Lu Feng, his tone revealing a trace of reluctance.
Lu Feng chatted idly with the guard for a few moments, then walked straight into the academy.
Blue Tyrant Academy covered a large area. A wide path led straight into the interior, flanked by stretches of forest, giving it a very grand feeling.
This was also Lu Feng's first time here. Before long, he was lost.
"Excuse me, fellow student. I'm looking for someone. Do you know where Training Ground Three is?" Lu Feng walked over to a student on the path and asked with a smile.
After his chat with the guard, Lu Feng had learned that the Shrek group had not yet formally enrolled.
Because of their 'connections', the academy had designated a special training ground for them.
The student looked up at Lu Feng. He was stunned for a moment, then immediately turned and ran off.
As he ran, he shouted, "That host has delivered himself to us! Quick, go find Chief Tai Long!"
Lu Feng watched the student sprint away, a faint, amused smile on his face. Chief Tai Long? That must be the fellow from the Strength Clan I annoyed at the Spirit Arena. It seems my reputation as a host precedes me.
He had no interest in this "Chief Tai Long." He was here for one person only. He shrugged, ignoring the frantic student, and continued his walk, admiring the academy's grand architecture.
Meanwhile, the student, a lanky young man from the Strength Clan's outer disciples, burst into one of the auxiliary training grounds. This area was filled with massive stone weights, logs, and other crude strength-training equipment.
In the center of it all, Tai Long, his upper body bare and glistening with sweat, was in the middle of pressing a massive stone dumbbell, easily weighing several hundred kilograms, over his head. A group of similarly burly students was gathered around, cheering him on.
"Chief! Chief Tai Long!" the lanky student panted, bending over and gasping for air.
Tai Long slammed the weight down with a crash that shook the ground. He turned, annoyed at the interruption. "What is it? Can't you see I'm busy?"
"It's... it's him!" the student gasped. "The host! The one from the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena! The one who... who humiliated you!"
The other students' cheering stopped. The air grew thick.
Tai Long's face, which had been flushed from exertion, darkened. He slowly cracked his massive knuckles, the sound like rocks grinding together. "That little pretty-boy host? He's here? At our academy?"
He vividly remembered the match with Meng Yiran. He had been on the verge of victory, but that host's incessant, pointed commentary had given his opponent an opening, leading to his humiliating defeat. He had sworn then and there that if he ever saw that host again, he would tear his glib tongue out.
"Where is he?" Tai Long growled.
"Just... just walking past the main path! He was asking for Training Ground Three!"
"Heh." Tai Long let out a malicious laugh. "He must be here to see one of the Shrek girls. Perfect. He thinks he can just waltz onto my territory? Brothers, let's go! We're going to teach this fast-talker what happens when his mouth writes a check his body can't cash!"
With a roar, Tai Long and his group of five thuggish disciples stormed out of the training ground.
Lu Feng had just passed a serene-looking lake when the heavy, pounding footsteps approached from behind.
"There he is! Host!"
Tai Long and his crew quickly fanned out, surrounding Lu Feng and blocking his path.
"Well, well. Look who it is," Tai Long sneered, crossing his massive arms. He was a full head taller than Lu Feng and twice as broad. "You're a long way from your host's podium, pretty boy. You talk a big game when you're safe, but let's see if you can back it up."
Lu Feng simply sighed, his expression one of mild annoyance. I really don't have time for this. "Look, I'm just here to see a friend. Step aside."
His calm dismissal infuriated Tai Long. "A friend? You think you can just waltz in here after making me a laughingstock? I'm the Chief of the Blue Tyrant Academy's Power Faction! Today, I'm going to break your legs and that pretty face of yours!"
Tai Long roared, "Martial Soul Possession! Power Gorilla!"
In an instant, his body swelled dramatically. Coarse black fur sprouted, and his muscles bulged to a grotesque size. Three soul rings—two yellow, one purple—rose from his feet.
"Third Soul Skill! Power Charge!"
With a bellow, Tai Long lowered his shoulder and charged, the ground trembling under his weight. He was a level 34 Battle Soul Elder, and this attack could shatter stone.
Lu Feng stood perfectly still, utterly unimpressed.
A level 34 Soul Elder. How boring. I'm a level 43 Soul Ancestor. This is an embarrassing waste of time.
Just as Tai Long's massive, fur-covered shoulder was about to slam into him, Lu Feng moved.
He didn't even bother with his Martial Soul possession or his armor. He simply raised his right hand, and his Knuckle Duster Martial Soul flashed into existence.
Lu Feng didn't dodge. He met Tai Long's powerful charge with a single, seemingly casual punch aimed directly at the center of his chest.
There was no earth-shattering explosion.
"Gah... ghhk..."
Lu Feng casually retracted his fist.
Tai Long's massive, gorilla-like form collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut. He hit the ground, twitched once, and then lay still, unconscious.
The other five disciples froze, their jaws dropping. Their invincible Chief, who could smash boulders, had been taken out in a single punch. By a host.
Lu Feng calmly brushed a non-existent speck of dust from his knuckles. He looked up at the terrified lackeys.
"I told you I was busy," he said, his voice flat and cold. "You shouldn't have wasted my time."
He turned his gaze on the lanky student who had first run off. "Now. Can one of you politely tell me where Training Ground Three is?"
The student trembled violently, his face pale as a sheet.
"Th-th-that way!" he squeaked, pointing a shaky finger past the lake.
"It's the... the most secluded one! For the... the new students!"
"Thank you." Lu Feng said. He calmly stepped over Tai Long's groaning body and continued on his way.
What a hassle. Now I'm really hungry. I hope Zhuqing hasn't eaten yet.
Lu Feng followed the directions and finally found the training ground. As the student had said, it was isolated, set back against a dense grove of trees.
He heard the sharp, rhythmic whoosh of an attack before he even saw her.
He stepped around a large willow tree and paused.
There she was.
Zhu Zhuqing was in the center of the clearing, her Hell Civet Martial Soul possessed. Her body was a blur of black shadows and sharp, ethereal claws. She was practicing her attacks on a series of thick wooden posts, moving with a speed and ferocity that was even greater than what he remembered from Suotuo City.
She's been working as hard as ever, Lu Feng thought, a genuine smile touching his lips. That drive... it's one of the things I admire most about her. She's gotten stronger.
He watched for a few minutes as she finished a complex routine, ending in a spinning kick that shattered the top of a post. She landed lightly, her chest heaving, and her face glistening with sweat.
"Impressive," Lu Feng said, his voice clear in the quiet grove.
Zhu Zhuqing spun around in an instant, her body dropping into a defensive crouch. Her sharp, cat-like claws were extended, and a cold, dangerous light filled her eyes. "Who's there!?"
Then she saw him, leaning against the willow tree, smiling.
The cold, dangerous light vanished, replaced by sheer, unguarded surprise. "Lu Feng!"
She retracted her Martial Soul, and a faint blush rose on her cheeks, mixing with the flush from her training. "What... what are you doing here? I thought you were at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."
"Long story," Lu Feng said, pushing off the tree and walking toward her. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by. I got a... spirited welcome from one of your fellow students on the way in."
"A welcome?" she asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"Don't worry about it. He's... resting now." Lu Feng stopped a few feet from her, his gaze softening. "I haven't seen you in a long time, Zhuqing. You've been training hard."
"I have to," she said, her expression turning serious again, her old anxieties briefly surfacing. "I can't afford to fall behind."
"I know." Lu Feng's smile was gentle. "But even the most dedicated cultivator in the world needs to eat. I'm starving. I just had a bit of an 'appetizer' dealing with your classmate, and now I need a real meal."
He held out his hand to her. "Join me? My treat. We can catch up."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at his outstretched hand, then at his smiling face. The tension that always seemed to grip her shoulders visibly eased. A small, rare, and beautiful smile touched her lips.
"Okay."
She placed her hand in his.