Chapter 169: Is the Pope’s Order Yours?

The battle had ended, and the bustling crowd slowly began to disperse.

Blazing Fire Academy's fight was the last of the day, and the audience was quite satisfied with the intensity of the match. People were discussing it excitedly, especially praising Ye Hao's performance.

Of course, Blazing Fire Academy had also fought hard today.

Only a few people remained at the scene. Huo Wu stood alone below the stage, glancing at the spot where Ye Hao had left. Then, she looked at the central battle arena for a while before letting out a soft sigh.

She had intended to use the power of flames to secure victory, but no one had expected that Ye Hao was completely immune to fire. His sheer abnormality was beyond what could be described as "human."

"Huo Wu."

At that moment, Feng Xiaotian approached. As Huo Wu's most devoted admirer and one of her strongest suitors, he could deeply sense her frustration.

"Feng Xiaotian?" Huo Wu gave him a glance and casually asked, "What are you doing here?"

She wasn't surprised by his sudden visit. As a woman, she naturally understood Feng Xiaotian's feelings for her.

"Huo Wu, don't be discouraged. I believe you can defeat Ye Hao," Feng Xiaotian said with a bright smile, his voice gentle.

"Defeat Ye Hao?"

Huo Wu murmured, "Defeat Ye Hao?"

"Heh, easier said than done. He's a Soul King, and I'm just a Soul Ancestor. Our entire Blazing Fire Academy couldn't stand against him, so how could I alone…"

At that, Huo Wu let out another deep sigh, her mood sinking even further.

"Feng Xiaotian, I know you like me," she said plainly.

"Here's a task for you—defeat Ye Hao."

"If you can defeat Ye Hao, then I will accept your confession."

Her eyes burned as she locked onto Feng Xiaotian, making it clear that she wasn't joking.

Feng Xiaotian was completely stunned. Hadn't he always been waiting for these words?

But in the next moment, his hopes were utterly crushed.

"I give up," he said, his gaze dimming. "One must be realistic. We all saw Ye Hao's strength firsthand. Just like you said, your entire academy couldn't defeat him—how could I alone?"

"Don't you like me?" Huo Wu pressed on.

"Of course, I do! I really do!" Feng Xiaotian's eyes lit up for a moment, but he quickly sighed and gripped the iron railing tightly.

"Liking someone is one thing; defeating Ye Hao is another," he said with a wry smile. "Huo Wu, don't make things difficult for me. If beating Ye Hao is the condition for your acceptance, then I'm afraid it will never happen. I will win you over with my own strength, but as for defeating Ye Hao…"

"I don't dare to dream of it. Be more realistic—don't chase after something impossible."

With a shrug, he turned and left, frustration evident in his steps.

After watching Feng Xiaotian walk away, Huo Wu sat alone on the steps, resting her chin in her hands, her gaze distant.

"Is Ye Hao truly unbeatable?"

Inside the Shrek academy rest area. The room felt like a courtroom, with Prince Xue Xing, Ning Fengzhi, and Salas forming an impromptu investigative panel. Their sudden arrival had shocked Flender and the Grandmaster, who, despite their egg-covered faces and clothing, forced smiles.

Salas had been frowning the entire time. He had no patience for Flender's nonsense. A person with such thick skin was truly rare.

"Dean Flender, answer my question. I've been here for a while now, and if you keep dodging, I see no reason for Shrek Academy to continue in this tournament."

Prince Xue Xing's warning was clear—he didn't believe Flender's excuses in the slightest. With what had happened at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy as a precedent, he already despised Shrek Academy.

"Injustice! Your Highness, Prince Xue Xing! Canghui Academy was utterly deranged in their actions! Our Shrek Academy suffered heavy losses—our seven participants are all seriously injured and still bedridden at the academy. If you don't believe me, come see for yourself! As for your claim that Canghui's students turned into idiots, I have no idea what happened. We are innocent!"

Flender's eyes were red, delivering an "Oscar-worthy" performance.

He had already informed the Grandmaster of the situation—Tang San's impulsive attack had severely injured Canghui Academy's members, leading to this whole mess.

"Innocent?" Prince Xue Xing sneered. "I was sent by His Majesty to investigate this matter. Since you refuse to explain, then so be it. Bishop Salas, I leave this to you. I will return to the palace and recommend that Shrek Academy be disqualified."

With that, he turned to leave.

At that moment, just as Prince Xue Xing stepped outside, Tang San entered. Seeing the scene before him, he was momentarily stunned.

The master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Prince Xue Xing? And Platinum Bishop Salas?

Such a grand lineup—something serious must have happened.

Prince Xue Xing glanced at Tang San and then at the ashen-faced Flender.

"Flender, is this what you call 'seriously injured'? Then explain to me how this Tang San is standing here unharmed."

With that, he stormed off, determined to strip Shrek Academy of their qualification.

"Xiao San, why are you here?" Flender stared at Tang San in disbelief. He had clearly told him to return to the academy and not to show up—why hadn't he listened?

"Dean, teacher, what's going on?" Tang San was clearly confused.

Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly. Obviously, this "seriously injured" Tang San knew exactly what had happened.

All along, Ning Fengzhi had remained silent, merely observing. He was an outsider in this situation, only interested in the incident itself. Whether Shrek Academy stayed or left didn't concern him—if anything, he preferred the latter.

After all, he couldn't forget what Shrek Academy had done to his daughter.

If Ning Rongrong were still in Shrek Academy, he might have defended them, but now, things were different.

The rest area fell into an eerie silence. Flender was breathing heavily, already envisioning Shrek Academy's inevitable fate.

Salas smirked. "I was the one who brought Tang San here. When His Majesty ordered us to assist in the investigation, I happened to see him among the crowd."

"Your academy claimed its participants were seriously injured—then explain why Tang San is completely fine. If I recall correctly, he was on the battlefield from the start and was taken away with the others. Flender, give me a reasonable explanation."

Faced with Salas' relentless questioning, Flender broke into a cold sweat, his frustration toward Tang San growing. Why couldn't the brat just listen?

At that moment, the silent Grandmaster finally spoke.

"Salas, do you recognize this?"

He tossed an object forward.

Salas frowned and instinctively caught it.

"How dare you address the Platinum Bishop by name!" A nearby red-robed priest scolded.

"You're the one being rude!"

Salas snapped, stunning everyone.

"Everyone, leave. No one is allowed in without my permission."

Though confused, the red-robed priests obeyed, guarding the door tightly.

Salas' expression darkened as he clenched the object—a Pope's Order. The six intricate patterns on it were unmistakable.

Even Ning Fengzhi raised an eyebrow—Salas was holding a decree that signified direct authority from the Pope, a privilege only granted to elders of Spirit Hall.

How did the Grandmaster have such a thing?

Salas' mind spun. He knew the Grandmaster was from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, but he had been expelled. That clan's decree couldn't be this one.

Nor was it from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—Ning Fengzhi had his own, and it was impossible he would lend it.

Which left only one possibility…

Salas bowed, presenting the decree respectfully. "I failed to recognize your status. Please forgive me, Elder. I ask that you keep the Pope's Order safe."

The Grandmaster took it back, preparing to speak.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" Salas snapped, irritated.

The door slowly swung open.

"It's me."

That voice… sounded familiar…