Chapter 210: Dugu Bo—Did I Just Drive Away a Genius?!

At that moment, a lively young girl dashed into the hall.

"Grandpa!"

She ran straight into the arms of the man standing there, his body glowing with nine dazzling spirit rings—Dugu Bo.

Just moments ago, his expression had been cold and ruthless. But upon seeing her, his demeanor softened instantly. He reached out, pulling the girl into a hug, and chuckled.

"Yan Yan, not bad, your strength has improved again."

Everyone from Shrek Academy recognized this girl—she was the control-type soul master from the Heaven Dou Battle Team, Dugu Yan.

And just as they had seen her, she had also spotted them.

Her gaze quickly landed on Cloud Feng, and her expression changed. Clearly, she hadn't forgotten their last battle.

Still hugging Dugu Bo's neck, she whispered a few words into his ear.

When Qin Ming had returned to the academy, he had told the Heaven Dou Battle Team about the ages of the Shrek students, hoping to motivate them to train harder.

Dugu Yan had taken particular interest in Cloud Feng's description. She had come here specifically to see who that arrogant brat who had defeated her was—only to run into her grandfather instead.

Even though Cloud Feng had worn a mask back then, his body shape and gaze hadn't changed.

She recognized him instantly.

What she hadn't expected was that he would be so handsome!

Dugu Bo lifted his gaze again, but by then, the Shrek group had already left the hall.

His eyes lingered on Cloud Feng's retreating figure for a moment. His lips moved as if whispering something to Dugu Yan.

Dugu Yan's face immediately brightened into a mischievous smile as she snuggled into her grandfather's arms.

She was definitely interested now.

A talent like that? She hadn't seen one before.

At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Seniors of the committee, I apologize, but I must also leave the academy."

It was Qin Ming.

His expression was filled with sorrow and frustration.

His teachers had been humiliated, and he lacked the strength to change that.

It was an unbearable pain.

But no matter what, he would not stay in a place that had disgraced Shrek Academy.

No amount of prestige or benefits from the Royal Academy could replace his origins.

He had been completely brainwashed by Shrek's ideology.

The three elders were shocked.

Even Prince Xue Xing was stunned.

Qin Ming's status in the academy was far higher than Flender and the others realized.

In fact, he was second only to the three elders.

After all, he was one of the youngest individuals recorded by the Spirit Hall to have reached Rank 60.

A rare and invaluable talent.

The elders had been convinced that Qin Ming would become a Title Douluo before turning sixty.

And a new Title Douluo didn't just benefit an academy—it could shift the balance of power in the entire Heaven Dou Empire.

At this moment, for the first time, Xue Xing felt a sliver of regret. His brows furrowed.

But he couldn't back down now.

Admitting fault would be the same as slapping himself in the face.

Meng Shenji quickly stepped forward to block Qin Ming's way.

"Teacher Qin, this won't do. We must discuss this carefully. We will report today's events to His Majesty and seek justice!"

But Qin Ming shook his head, his eyes resolute.

"This is the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. It belongs to the imperial family. If the royal family despises Shrek, how can I, Qin Ming, remain here?"

"I appreciate the kindness of the three elders, but when I first came here, I arrived alone."

"Today, I will leave the same way."

"The care you have shown me all these years—I will never forget. One day, I will return the favor. Goodbye."

Without giving them a chance to stop him, he activated his soul power and vanished, chasing after the Shrek group.

Meng Shenji stomped his foot hard, turning to glare at Xue Xing.

"Prince Xue Xing, you are a fool! Do you have any idea what kind of talent you just drove away?! You—!"

His fury made his soul power fluctuate violently.

Xue Xing, however, remained indifferent.

"What's done is done. There's no point in discussing it further. If you wish to report this to His Majesty, I will not stop you. Farewell."

With that, he turned and left, taking Xue Beng with him—without even acknowledging Dugu Bo.

Dugu Bo, on the other hand, had no intention of leaving just yet.

He cast a glance at the three elders and scoffed.

"A bunch of soul masters who haven't even reached Rank 80—what's there to be so upset about? You three are getting old."

Meng Shenji's rage flared.

He didn't care if Dugu Bo was a Title Douluo—he snapped,

"What do you know?! True, none of them have reached Rank 80 yet. But do you have any idea what kind of potential they possess?"

"In a few decades, several of those individuals may very well become Title Douluo!"

"Prince Xue Xing has just pushed the empire toward disaster. Do you think today's events won't come back to haunt him?"

Dugu Bo merely snorted.

"That has nothing to do with me. I was just repaying a favor."

Then he turned to his granddaughter.

"Yan Yan, Grandpa is leaving. You stay here and focus on your studies."

But Dugu Yan hesitated for a moment before saying,

"Grandpa, that Cloud Feng… he's not normal. You'd best not make an enemy out of him."

"He's already a Soul King. And he's only thirteen years old."

Dugu Yan's words struck Dugu Bo like a lightning bolt.

He froze.

Slowly turning back, he stared at the elders.

"Is that… true?"

"Absolutely true!"

For a long moment, Dugu Bo remained silent.

Then realization dawned.

I just drove away a once-in-a-millennium-level genius?!

The weight of his own actions crashed down on him.

The more he thought about it, the darker his expression became.

His killing intent briefly flickered.

If he's such a threat, maybe I should…

But Dugu Yan, seeing this change in his demeanor, quickly spoke up.

"Grandpa, don't even think about it!"

"Cloud Feng is dating Ning Rongrong. If you kill him, do you think the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect won't go mad?"

"You might be able to handle them, but I won't survive if their two Title Douluo come after me!"

Dugu Bo instantly calmed down.

Killing was out of the question.

But what now?

Should he… apologize?!

He was a Title Douluo—how could he possibly lower himself like that?!

No, that was impossible!

Dugu Bo felt incredibly stuck.

Meanwhile, outside the hall, Xue Xing and Xue Beng walked in silence.

But after a while, Xue Xing's expression darkened.

"Xue Beng, you've caused me quite a headache this time. Those three old men won't let this go easily."

Xue Beng, however, grinned.

"Uncle, I truly appreciate your help today. You saw how arrogant those Shrek people were—if we had let them stay, they would have caused trouble sooner or later."

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