After Tang Chuan chose to conceal his rewards—
The golden canopy that blotted out the sky once again lit up with dazzling text.
At the same time, that majestic yet cold voice echoed across both the Black World and the White World, resounding in the minds of humans and intelligent soul beasts alike.
[Due to Tang Chuan's decision, the rewards will not be disclosed.]
[Now—commencing the punishment phase.]
Dark World — Shrek Academy
Tang San was still trembling with rage.
His eyes were bloodshot, his breathing heavy, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.
When he saw that Tang Chuan had chosen not to reveal his rewards—
His anger exploded once more.
"He doesn't even dare to announce his rewards!"
"He's clearly a coward—selfish, hypocritical, and weak!"
"What right does he have to surpass me?!"
"Those who voted for him are all blind!"
"If it were me—if I had won—I would've revealed everything openly!"
Around him, Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong, and Ma Hongjun quickly echoed words of support.
"Yes, exactly!"
"He's just hiding something!"
"We believe in you!"
But deep down—
They all knew better.
Easy to say when you don't have it.
If Tang San truly received such rewards…
Would he really reveal them?
Most likely not.
After all, when something truly belongs to you—
You protect it.
The Punishment Begins
The golden sky flickered.
A figure slowly appeared.
A middle-aged man in a black academic robe, thin and stiff, with a buzz cut and a weathered face.
In the corner, a label appeared:
Black World · Yu Xiaogang
"What?!"
Yu Xiaogang's expression changed drastically.
His heart dropped.
He had known there might be punishment.
But he never imagined—
He would be exposed before the entire world.
Fear crept into his chest.
This… doesn't look like a simple penalty…
"Teacher?!"
Tang San stared in disbelief.
Beside him, Dai Mubai and the others exchanged strange glances.
He actually… voted for Tang San?
And did it sincerely?
Ning Rongrong almost couldn't hold back her laughter.
The so-called master of martial spirit theory… really went all in?
Judgment
The cold voice of the heavens rang out:
[This platform has repeatedly warned: voting must follow one's true heart.]
[Yu Xiaogang of the Dark World violated this rule and voted against his conscience.]
[Punishment will now be carried out.]
[Punishment: Stripping of the Golden Sacred Dragon origin from Luo Sanpao.]
A beam of black light descended from the sky—
Instantly enveloping Yu Xiaogang.
"AAAAAAH—!!!"
A heart-wrenching scream tore through the air.
Yu Xiaogang collapsed to his knees, his entire body trembling as if being torn apart.
Behind him, his martial spirit appeared—
Luo Sanpao.
A small, pig-like creature with a purple body and white belly.
It let out terrified cries as its body was forcibly dragged upward.
Golden strands of light began to peel away from it—
Thread by thread.
Essence by essence.
"Roar—!!"
Its cries became increasingly shrill—
Until they sounded like a pig being slaughtered.
The golden essence gathered in the air, condensing into a radiant sphere.
Meanwhile, Luo Sanpao's body shrank, twisted—
And degenerated.
Into nothing more than an ordinary, pink pig-like beast spirit.
"Xiao Gang!!"
Across the continent—
Bibi Dong, Liu Erlong, Flender, Yu Yuanzhen, and others cried out in alarm.
But no one could interfere.
They could only watch—
As Yu Xiaogang writhed in agony, screaming in despair.
Finally—
His body gave out.
He collapsed unconscious onto the ground.
The golden sphere of light shot back into the sky, disappearing into the heavenly canopy.
The black beam faded.
Silence returned.
"Teacher!"
"Master!"
"Xiao Gang!"
Flender, Tang San, and the others rushed forward, lifting him up.
Shao Xin quickly summoned his Candy Bean Martial Spirit, producing healing candies and feeding them to Yu Xiaogang.
Though unconscious—
Yu Xiaogang's heart burned with resentment.
Why…?
Xiao Wu… Dai Mubai… they all said they supported Tang San…
Why am I the only one punished?!
White World — Blue Silver Forest
After the punishment concluded—
The cold voice of the heavens echoed once more, this time only within Tang Chuan's mind.
[As the winner of this round, you have triggered a special reward.]
[Do you wish to accept the Golden Sacred Dragon martial soul origin extracted from Yu Xiaogang?]
[This essence can be:]
[Integrated into your martial soul to enhance its quality]
[Or preserved and later evolved into a complete martial soul through rare opportunities]
Tang Chuan's heart trembled.
This…
Was no ordinary reward.
The origin of a Golden Sacred Dragon—
Even in its incomplete state—
Was immensely valuable.
And now—
It was his to decide.