Tenko's Dilemma

The battles went on, and the night grew late. Eventually, the last match involving the students of Shrek academy came and went. As they left, Tenko and Ahri stayed behind to watch the major league matches between old monsters.

Off to the side, Ma Hongjun stopped and turned to look at Tenko with a mischievous smirk.

"Say, Brother Tenko. The Dean wants to see me before returning to the academy. I'm sure, like my Evil Fire, your beastly nature can use some suppressing." he chuckled.

The ladies frowned at Ma Hongjun while Ahri giggled next to Tenko.

"Lewd Fatty, what are you up to?" Xiao Wu asked

"I'm not lewd." Ma Hongjun growled, "For the sake of survival, I must snuff this fire or explode."

"Ahh, harming girls again?" Xiao Wu asked with sharp eyes, "I really don't know if it's the evil fire or your natural disposition."

"Little Fatty never harms. Naturally, there are places made to aid him." Oscar moved to his defense.

Tang San gasped.

"You mean that place? Will the Dean really take you there?"

Zhu Zhuqing sneered, "Men are all filthy."

Ahri burst into full-blown laughter at this point.

"Haiz! Why do you all speak so cryptically? You're bold enough to kill vicious beasts but can't discuss sex." Tenko sighed. He had been listening to Yunshiro speak to him about Ma Hongjun's raising fire. Yunshiro had noticed the Evil Fire string within him.

Oscar and Ma Hongjun laughed while the girls' faces turned beet red. Tang San had a slight smile because he was internally thinking the same. Though Xiao Wu was truly an innocent soul, so he let it be.

"We're too young for such things," said Zhu Zhuqing.

"Nonsense. The only thing young about us is our bones. Our faces retain a youthfulness, but each of us is strong enough to handle many exercises, sex included. It's your mind that needs adjusting." Tenko explained as he kept his eyes on the match. "Little Fatty, you go ahead. Ahri is enough for now. Also, you should look for women who cultivate. Preferably someone stronger than you. You may not be harming them, but they are harming you."

The group was shocked. How could women possibly be harming Little Fatty?

Tang San squinted, and his eyes suddenly shinned purple as he looked at Little Fatty. Unfortunately, the Evil Fire was so intense that Tang San could equate it to the Extreme Yang Body of his homeworld. But then again, he had never seen the Extreme Yang Body and only read about it. If he wanted to be overdramatic, Little Fatty's Evil Fire could possibly equate to the Nine Suns Body, which would be more fitting as it was a legendary physique native to the mythical Divine Phenoix Fenghuang Sect.

The more Tang San thought about it, the Shrek Academy students were becoming terrifying. But more importantly, he was curious about how Tenko had so much knowledge. So he decided to test how vast his knowledge actually was.

"Brother Tenko, surely you don't mean that method." Said Tang San.

"Hmm." Tenko nodded, "It seems Brother San is very learned. To think I had to tell you what a Spirit Master was, now you even know about this. You and Xiao Wu seem to be perfectly suited for each other as well."

Tang San involuntary coughed so much in shock that Xiao wu grew worried.

"Uhh, I'm fine, Xiao Wu. Just a little surprised." Tang San told her.

"Alright. Stay or go. You lot are making it hard to focus." said Tenko.

Ahri shook her head and whispered to him.

"I mean, I'll see you back at the academy. Safe travels." Tenko corrected himself.

Ahri smiled at him then turned to wave goodbye to her classmates.

Outside of the Great Spirit Arena, Ma Hongjun was silent as he thought about Tenko's words. 'If I was in danger, I'm sure the Dean would know it. What I'm thinking? Hmm, but I should talk to the Dean just in case.'

"Hey, I'll see you guys later." Ma Hongjun shouted as he ran off in a hurry.

"Hey! Wait up!" Oscar shouted as he ran to catch with Little Fatty.

Tang San smiled as he assumed Tenko's words caused Little Fatty to worry. While the ladies shook their heads believing the Little Fatty was eager to relieve himself.

Zhu Zhuqing then looked at Tang San, "You're friends with Tenko, right?"

Tang San nodded.

"Do you think he and Ahri really have 'that' kind of relationship?" Zhu Zhuqing asked.

Before Tang San could answer, Ning RongRong voiced her thoughts, "After a day with that beastly man and his teasing, I'm sure they do. After all, Spirit Beasts our age have gone through countless mating seasons already."

Tang San chuckled, "He's not a beast. He's human. And if you're curious, you should ask him. Xiao Wu, we should head back."

Tenko Ahri watched the matches closely in the arena as they took notes of fighters strong and weak, abilities and martial souls. I was much better than watching Spirit Beast.

Suddenly, Ahri looked at Tenko. "You know, you should study people this intently. You might actually make some progress."

"Hmm. I'm sure I'll get better. The Monkey Boy actually said something very interesting early."

"What'd he say?" Ahri was curious.

"Inner peace. Something about having two Types of Ki within me. I think I should meditate on that. I have been practicing methods from two different schools and working on opening the prayer beads left by uncle Akuma. I'm sure there is a bit of disharmony within me that I'm not aware of." Tenko explained.

"Well, you've never practiced for harmony. Maybe that should be your new goal." Said Ahri.

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After leaving the Great Spirit arena, Ahri and Tenko returned to the Academy, where they went several rounds together. Her endurance and stamina were improving. It was just something about Tenko's demon vigor that always left her a step behind.

Early the next morning, Tenko stepped out of bed and left the room. Across the way, he noticed Tang San and Tang San noticed him. It was as if they were kids again back in the village.

Not a word was spoken, but they soon appeared outside the academy, sitting upon a big rock.

"Still training those weird arts of yours?" Tenko asked.

"Like you're no different... You know my days haven't been the same since we split," said Tang San.

"No one to kick your ass?" Tenko joked.

"Please. Let's not start with the nonsense." Tang San replied, "You seem different. And your knowledge of things not of this world is showing."

"So straightforward, how unlike you," said Tenko.

"Are we not brothers?" Tang San asked seriously.

Tenko sighed. "Of course we are. But I think you owe me an explanation first. How does a guy who didn't know what a Spirit Master was, know of Dual Cultivation? It doesn't exist in this world yet. Dean Flender must be close to the basics since he figured out how to manage Little Fatty."

"I see. Well, since I spoke first, I guess I should explain," said Tang San.

Tang San gulped, and a heavy knot was in his chest. Could he really trust Hachijo Tenko? What if he because an enemy? What if he's from the same world and happens to be an enemy of the Tang Sect?

"Have you ever heard of the Tang Sect?" Tang Sang asked.

Tenko squinted. This little shit is playing games right now, he thought.

"The clear sky hammer Tang Clan?" Tenko asked.

Tang San sighed in relief. Tenko noticed the sigh. "It must be the secret behind your talent. Well, have you ever heard of the Mishima Clan?"

"Never." Tang San answered.

"Then seems like your not an alien," said Tenko.

Tang San was confused but settled by making a mental note before explaining the world he originated from. Though he never said that he reincarnated or that he was from this world, he explained the world in great detail.

" The knowledge of this world has been with me since I was young." Tang San ended.

"He's an Incarnate," said Yunshiro.

Tenko laughed as he spoke aloud. "That makes a lot of sense. My mother and Uncle are from another world. So I believe you."

"Of course you are." Tang San laughed. "You're mother used a demonic technique on you back in the village. Back then, I always speculated, but after looking at you know, if you were in that world I told you about, you would be the natural enemy of the Tang Sect."

"Ahaha, is that so? Luckily this is the Doulou continent, and the only enemy of these people are themselves and spirit beasts." Said Tenko, "So what have you been doing these years?"

The two friends chatted more as they spoke about their years apart in detail. However, like Tang San, Tenko maintained secrets of his own. Tang San could guess that Kazumi died due to the demonic ritual, but Tenko never told him of the Vastaya, Tang Hao, Huo Wu, the Bodhi Tree, or the Time and Space Mose. Most importantly, while Tang San spoke about his great Grandmaster, Tenko never once told Tang San that his father was his great Grandmaster.

By the time breakfast had come, Tang San and Tenko went to eat and continue their chat. By the time they finished, the other students were just making it in. Noticing that Ahri wasn't there, Tenko said his goodbyes and left, bumping into Ning RongRong on his way out.

"What are you staring at, little girl?" he asked.

RongRong frowned. "You were loud last night. You should be mindful. That's all." she said.

Tenko gave her a thoughtful nod.

"Are you not going to eat breakfast?" she asked.

"Already ate, little miss. You know, with a body as weak as yours, you should probably get an early start too. Maybe then you can finish all your laps and get the gift I'm saving for you." Tenko smirked.

"Ahh, you really are a beast. But regardless of your nonsense, this little miss will get stronger, and you'll beg to be her man" RongRong walked away nobly, and Tenko just snickered.

He then shook his head as he walked off. In his room, he found, he Ahri cultivation silently. Before stepping into the room, Dean Flender put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

Tenko quickly turned around and leap backward, landing in a defensive stance. He then noticed three familiar people.

" Dean. Uncle Hao."

"Little boy, it's time for you to go. Your father is coming for Little San, and Bibi Dong has assigned an investigator to him." Said Tang Hao.

"And you can't stay here. Your Grandfather has named Hachijo Tenko as his disciple. The moment he arrives, it'll be over for you, and our hands are bound at the moment." The Dean added.

"I'll take you back to my clan for the time being." Said Ning Fengzhi.

" No need." Tenko sighed " What the hell kind of progress is this. I'll join a mercenary team to train and earn money. All I ask is that Ahri can stay. Everyone here is talented."

Tenko relaxed, then moved to sit at the edge of the bed. All the while, Ahri remained steadfast in her cultivation.

"You can't do that either. Bibi Dong wants your head. And if you go to your grandfather, Spirit Hall will definitely maneuver." Said Ning Fengzhi.

"Well, I'm not going to the seven treasured glaze clan. I need pressure to advance. I have things I must do in this world. And even my simplest task requires strength, now."

The three men sighed.

"The Spirit Hall is getting unruly. We can only rely on the younger generation of rebels to succeed where we failed," Said Ning Fengzhi. " Chen Xin..."

"I'm here." A voice replied.

"Good. Tang Hao, you and Chen Xin should take Tenko. This way, Bibi Dong's fury has no target, he continues his training, and he's still supported by my clan and owes me a favor." Fengzhi smiled.

"Can never trust a businessman. Old Sword, what do you think?" asked Tang Hao.

An old man with a head of silver hair neatly combed behind his back, with a simple and unadorned appearance, both eyes not fully opened but slightly shut.

Being looked at by Chen Xin, Tenko felt that he was laid bare without a secret to call his own.

"This boy is as odd as you say, Fengzhi. His body has many techniques. The Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer is definitely one of them," said Chen Xin. "I'll take him to my Chen Family while Tang Hao handles his business. Between two Title Douluos, he'll have all of the pressure he'll ever need."

Suddenly all eyes were then on Tenko.

"I guess I don't have a choice. My dad's too weak, and you all have your own burdens. Just this amount of help is already appreciated. But I think everyone should worry about this investigator. The people convening at this school are anything but simple."

"Monkey Boy leaves you. Dai Mubai has recovered, and he's strong enough to run back home if he needs to. Ning RongRong has hidden protection, while the other students are my responsibility." Flender explained.

"Hmm," Tenko nodded, " So when will he be here?"

"In a few weeks," Flender replied.

"Can I stay until then? I also want to see my father's Martial Soul. I heard it was a variant. If I could find something that can help, then he can get stronger as well."

Tang Hao was conflicted. He cared about Tang San and Tenko. To protect Tang San and give him a chance at a life of his choosing, he left. To protect Tenko, he trained him, closely guiding. And now, this second son wanted to risk it by all for a glimpse of a father he doesn't know.

"That wouldn't be wise." Said Flender.

"I'll take him away the moment Yu Xiaogang appears. The boy deserves to see him at least once. He also deserves to be around people for a while." Tang Hao explained.

"Fine. But you must stay close." Flender agreed, " And you. What do you know about Evil Fire?"

"Evil Fire?" Chen Xin was surprised as he turned towards the dean.

"Enough to know that only a Snow Lady from the extreme north can save him. That or a strong Ice Nature Spirit Master. What you're doing now is just fueling and agitating energy." Tenko explained what Yunshiro was saying within his mind.

Flender squinted his eyes with a scrutinizing gaze, 'so many secrets,' he thought, 'It must be the beast inside of him. I wonder if Dai Mubai has such knowledge in him. If only he would speak to the beast.'

Flender shook his head, then left the room.