Shrek Academy, Sea God Island.
"Three years..." Yun Ming stood atop the Sea God Pavilion, gazing into the distance, his voice low.
He sighed softly, a trace of worry between his brows, "I wonder how Na'er is doing now."
Ya Li walked slowly to his side, the sea breeze blowing through her long hair: "Brother Ming, rest assured. With Fang Yang taking care of Na'er, she will certainly be safe and sound."
"Hmph."
Yun Ming snorted lightly, a hint of displeasure appearing between his brows. At the mention of Fang Yang's name, he couldn't help but feel angry.
Back then, when Fang Yang went to the Star Luo Continent, he had clearly promised to take good care of Na'er. Yet before the competition even ended, he took Na'er and left without saying goodbye—three whole years had passed.
Although he knew that with Fang Yang's strength, he could certainly protect Na'er, this departure without farewell always left him with a lingering grievance.
"Brother Ming..."
Ya Li gently shook his hand, her tone carrying comfort.
Yun Ming took a deep breath, suppressing the displeasure in his heart: "Forget it. When Fang Yang brings Na'er back, I must properly teach him a lesson."
"Mm, I'll listen to whatever Brother Ming says." Ya Li responded tenderly, gently resting her head on his shoulder.
"But Ya Li, I'm afraid I won't be able to wait for them to return..." Yun Ming murmured softly, his voice so light it was almost scattered by the wind.
These three years, fragments of unfamiliar memories had inexplicably floated into his mind.
Those images were blurry yet real, as if they were past events he had personally experienced, yet they clashed completely with his current memories.
"Brother Ming, what are you saying?" Ya Li raised her head, looking at him in confusion.
"Nothing..."
Yun Ming quickly gathered his thoughts, switching to a relaxed tone, "I was thinking about how to teach that boy Fang Yang a lesson."
Ya Li smiled upon hearing this, leaning back against his shoulder: "Alright, I'll help you teach him a lesson when the time comes."
The two stood leaning against each other, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.
"Ya Li."
Yun Ming suddenly spoke, his tone becoming exceptionally serious, "Promise me—if one day I'm no longer here, you must live on well, alright?"
Ya Li abruptly raised her head, a flash of panic passing through her eyes: "Brother Ming, what are you saying? Why would you say such things for no reason?"
"Promise me, alright?"
Yun Ming looked at her persistently, his gaze carrying complex emotions she couldn't understand.
Ya Li was slightly stunned, and under Yun Ming's earnest gaze, she finally slowly nodded: "Alright... I promise you."
Hearing this answer, Yun Ming's heart settled slightly.
Besides those constantly emerging unfamiliar memories, recently he had always been haunted by an inexplicable sense of unease, as if something major was about to happen.
"I hope nothing will happen..."
Yun Ming silently prayed in his heart. He reached out to pull Ya Li into his embrace, feeling her warm body temperature and the faint fragrance in her hair.
"No matter what happens."
Yun Ming secretly made up his mind, his gaze becoming firm, "I must protect Ya Li, must protect Shrek Academy."
...
Spirit Pagoda Headquarters, Heavenly Spirit Tower.
"Zhangting, you've broken through to Titled Douluo?" Qiangu Dongfeng stood with hands behind his back, his voice ringing out.
Qiangu Zhangting, hearing this, his voice carrying a hint of yin-softness: "Grandfather, with Great-Grandfather's assistance, your grandson has successfully broken through."
"Good, worthy of the Qiangu family bloodline!" Qiangu Dongfeng nodded in satisfaction, keen light flashing in his eyes.
"Grandfather, I have a request..."
Qiangu Zhangting was about to continue speaking, but was interrupted by a voice coming from the shadows. "Truly worthy of being Brother Dongfeng's grandson—what a promising young talent." A cold voice came from the shadows, and the Dark Hummingbird's figure slowly emerged like a ghost.
Qiangu Dongfeng's face darkened: "Dark Hummingbird, coming uninvited—what is your purpose?"
"Grandfather, this is..." Qiangu Zhangting looked vigilantly at the uninvited guest, soul power faintly flowing around him.
"It's fine."
Qiangu Dongfeng raised his hand to stop his grandson's questioning, his gaze locking onto the Dark Hummingbird, "Speak directly."
"I have come to remind Brother Dongfeng that the plan to destroy Shrek is about to commence." The Dark Hummingbird's voice carried a chilling coldness, making the temperature of the entire room seem to drop a few degrees.
"Excellent."
A flash of cold light passed through Qiangu Dongfeng's eyes, "I hope the Holy Spirit Cult won't disappoint us."
"Rest assured, to ensure a complete annihilation, Her Majesty Demon Emperor has personally arranged for Lord Ghost Emperor to take action." The Dark Hummingbird's voice carried a few degrees of smugness.
"The Spirit Pagoda and Sun-Moon Federation will cooperate in secret."
Qiangu Dongfeng spoke coldly, "Remember, this matter must be done cleanly and thoroughly."
"If you dare to play any tricks, you know the consequences."
He suddenly erupted with terrifying pressure, and the air of the entire room condensed.
"Rest assured..."
The Dark Hummingbird's figure gradually dissipated into the shadows, leaving only a string of cold laughter.
After the other party completely disappeared, Qiangu Zhangting finally couldn't help but speak: "Grandfather, cooperating with evil soul masters—isn't this pulling at a tiger's tooth?"
"Zhangting, you must understand."
Qiangu Dongfeng turned around, his gaze sharp as a knife, "The existence of Shrek Academy has already seriously threatened the status of the Spirit Pagoda and Sun-Moon Federation."
"To achieve extraordinary accomplishments, one must adopt extraordinary means."
Qiangu Zhangting nodded thoughtfully, a flash of understanding passing through his eyes: "Your grandson understands."
"Only... that Yun Ming of Shrek possesses unfathomable strength, I'm afraid he won't be easy to deal with."
The corner of Qiangu Dongfeng's mouth curved into a cold smile: "No matter how strong Yun Ming is, he is still merely a mortal body."
"Before the torrent of the times, he is nothing but a mantis trying to stop a chariot. Shrek—it is time to exit the historical stage."
He paced to the window, overlooking the prosperous Shrek City below, his voice low: "The opportunity to destroy Shrek will determine the future pattern of the Douluo Continent."
"Zhangting, now that you have achieved Titled Douluo, it is also time to shoulder the responsibilities of the Qiangu family."
Qiangu Zhangting bowed in salute, flames of ambition burning in his eyes: "Your grandson will certainly not disappoint Grandfather's expectations."
He secretly thought to himself: "Grandfather, I also want to become a god. When that time comes, I hope you won't blame me..."
...
Eighty-first floor of Spirit Pagoda Headquarters, another office.
"Zi, the plan to destroy Shrek is about to begin. The Holy Spirit Cult is about to make their move." Su Tao spoke.
"Mm."
Liu Yang, hearing this, a flash of anticipation passed through his eyes: "Shrek should disappear. Qing should also be about to return to his position."
Just at this moment, Yun Ming, far away at Shrek Academy, suddenly sensed something. He raised his head, looking toward the direction of the Spirit Pagoda.
"The wind is rising..."
Yun Ming spoke softly, a flash of gravity passing through his eyes.
Ya Li followed his gaze and asked softly: "Brother Ming, what's wrong?"
Yun Ming shook his head, suppressing the unease in his heart: "Nothing, let's go back."
The two left hand in hand. Only the howling sea wind remained atop the Sea God Pavilion, as if foreshadowing the coming storm.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)