Chapter 226: Farewell, Master, Has Xiao Wu Returned?

Night, stars twinkling.

On the road from Suotuo City to the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena, rows of spirit guide street lamps illuminated the nighttime avenue. Looking at Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran beside him, Lin Ye spoke to Zhu Zhuqing:

"Zhuqing, Rongrong and I agreed yesterday that, for a period of time from now on, aside from your nightly partnered spirit fight with Yiran, you'll also need to participate in a team spirit fight with Rongrong and the others every night."

"But don't worry, this time, Shrek Academy is begging for our help, so you don't need to concern yourself with how they act—they wouldn't dare interfere with you either."

"Remember what I told you before? If, by the time next year's Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Exchange Tournament begins, we still haven't found suitable teammates, then I plan to have Yiran's grandparents find five participants who meet the tournament's requirements for us."

"Then, it'll mainly be the three of us, plus five substitute spirit masters who can participate in the tournament, forming a team to compete."

"Against powerful teams, because of the mission my family assigned me, I'll take the lead. But against weaker teams, you and Yiran will lead the five substitutes."

"Since I haven't finalized the current team members yet, it's very likely that the two of you will bear the main combat burden. The five substitutes might all be support-type spirit masters—which is also why I'm giving you two special training, so you can develop formidable combat strength."

"So, when you join their team spirit fight later, just fight according to your own style. Treat Tang San and the others as support-type spirit masters without any support skills."

"Practice dealing with a spirit master team alone. There's no need to communicate with them—they probably already understand that you're just filling a spot, though you do have some usefulness."

Lin Ye explained.

"Mm, I understand."

After listening to Lin Ye's words, Zhu Zhuqing grasped his meaning and nodded lightly.

Regarding Lin Ye's thoughts, Zhu Zhuqing could actually guess them.

With Lin Ye's strength, he could easily sweep through the entire Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Exchange Tournament alone.

But because the tournament's rules required a minimum of seven members to form a team, Lin Ye still needed six teammates.

However, given Lin Ye's strength, he could casually choose his teammates—after all, he would handle the strong teams himself. But perhaps because Lin Ye held a "quality over quantity" attitude toward everything, he ultimately only chose her and Meng Yiran.

For the two of them, Lin Ye could have left them to their own devices—if he wanted, he could have taken the stage alone for the entire tournament.

Yet Lin Ye still chose to fully nurture them, ensuring they could stand their ground independently during the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Exchange Tournament.

Zhu Zhuqing felt deeply grateful for Lin Ye's help.

However, she was also viewing Lin Ye in too positive a light.

Regarding the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Exchange Tournament, while Lin Ye could participate continuously, fighting strong teams might offer some challenge.

But having to personally deal with weak teams would be a waste of time.

Thus, Lin Ye chose to train some core members, letting them lead the team against weaker opponents to avoid unnecessary time expenditure.

As for why Lin Ye treated Zhu Zhuqing so well, it was because there was a possibility of recruiting her to his side.

In the future, when Lin Ye became the Pope of the Spirit Hall, he would need capable aides.

If Zhu Zhuqing couldn't be recruited, Lin Ye wouldn't withhold help, but he might have parted ways with her after sending her to Suotuo City, rather than investing so much effort and resources into her.

...

Leading Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran, they arrived at the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena.

At this moment, though the sky was completely dark, the arena was still brightly lit.

Even before reaching the entrance, the deafening cheers from inside could be heard.

On the surrounding streets, large crowds continued to pour into the arena.

In the Douluo Continent, spirit masters were admired by all ordinary people, and watching spirit fights was a universal pastime.

Basically, as long as one had money—whether commoner, noble, or merchant—they would choose to attend spirit fights in their free time at night.

Bringing Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran inside, they entered the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena.

Just as they stepped into the lobby, Lin Ye spotted a familiar group not far away.

At the front stood Zhao Wuji, alongside a man with a crew cut, dressed in black academic robes, while behind them were the members of Shrek Academy.

But among Shrek Academy's group, Lin Ye suddenly saw a figure he shouldn't have—Xiao Wu!

His expression instantly turned cold, his heart filled with anger.

Didn't he tell her to stay in the Star Dou Great Forest and not leave? How did she still come back?!

Were those two 100,000-year spirit beasts pigs? After a 100,000-year spirit beast takes human form, they lose their original strength—how could two 100,000-year spirit beasts fail to keep watch over a mere Great Spirit Master? His trump card had been wasted for nothing!

Now, Lin Ye suddenly realized something.

When Ning Rongrong had approached him earlier, saying Shrek Academy's spirit master team was short one member, he should have noticed.

Because without Xiao Wu, Shrek Academy should only have five members—they'd be missing two!

Though inwardly furious, since Golden Crocodile Douluo was hidden nearby, Lin Ye maintained a calm exterior and walked toward Shrek Academy's group with Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran.

"Zhao Wuji!"

Approaching them, though he saw the Master, Lin Ye ignored him and instead called out to Zhao Wuji directly.

"Lin Ye, you're finally here! We've been waiting for you for so long!"

Hearing Lin Ye's voice and turning to see him approaching with Zhu Zhuqing, Zhao Wuji couldn't help but beam with joy.

"Unmovable Bright King, we meet again!"

Seeing Zhao Wuji, Meng Yiran crossed her arms and huffed indignantly.

"You are… the granddaughter of the Dragon Serpent duo?"

Looking at Meng Yiran, Zhao Wuji was momentarily stunned.

How did the granddaughter of the Dragon Serpent pair end up beside Lin Ye?

"Wow! It's that pretty girl from before!"

Among Shrek Academy's group, Ma Hongjun shook Oscar beside him excitedly.

"Isn't that the girl who fought us for the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent? What was her name… Meng Yiran? How did she end up with Brother Lin Ye?"

Oscar was astonished.

"He's strong and handsome—maybe the Dragon Serpent duo took a liking to him and arranged a marriage!"

Ma Hongjun speculated with a hint of mischief.

"That can't be, right? Lin Ye even beat Teacher Zhao Wuji. Even if he's not quite at the Soul Douluo level, he's close. Maybe the Dragon Serpent duo recognized Brother Lin Ye's talent and betrothed their granddaughter to him?"

Oscar shook his head, voicing his own guess, his peach-blossom eyes filled with envy.

"Ah! This is what it means to win at life—handsome, powerful. Why can't I, Ma Hongjun, have such a life? If not talent and strength, at least give me a face like yours, Xiao Ao!"

Ma Hongjun's heart was sour, as if he'd bitten into a lemon.

Nearby, seeing yet another beautiful girl—one with an extraordinary background—beside Lin Ye, Dai Mubai also burned with jealousy.

If he could win over the Dragon Serpent duo's granddaughter, his standing in the Star Luo Imperial Family would skyrocket. After all, the combined strength of the Dragon Serpent duo was equivalent to half a Title Douluo!

"Lin Ye, long time no see!"

After Lin Ye greeted Zhao Wuji, the Master suddenly spoke up.

"Mm."

But in response to the Master's greeting, Lin Ye didn't even glance at him, merely uttering a faint acknowledgment.

Long ago, Lin Ye had held some goodwill toward the Master.

But after learning the truth about him from Bibi Dong, regardless of the Master's motives for treating Bibi Dong the way he did, Lin Ye's goodwill had vanished entirely.

Lin Ye's relationship with Bibi Dong was far closer.

From Bibi Dong's perspective, the Master was undoubtedly a fragile, irresponsible, and ungrateful scumbag.

The fact that Lin Ye hadn't already taken action to avenge Bibi Dong was already restraint enough—exchanging pleasantries with the Master was simply impossible.

(End of Chapter)

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