Chapter 97: Yu Xiaogang, Bibi Dong, and Liu Erlong Meet
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The moment it was announced that the first round of the qualifiers would pit the Royal Academy against Shrek Academy, Oscar muttered in disbelief:
"It can't be this much of a coincidence..."
Dai Mubai cracked his knuckles, his entire body emitting a series of sharp pops. His eyes gleamed with a fierce light as he spoke coldly:
"Heaven Dou's Second Team? A bunch of useless aristocrats playing at being soul masters. Perfect. The humiliation that the Royal Battle Team brought upon Shrek Academy back then—today, we'll start collecting interest."
Ma Hongjun scoffed, his voice dripping with jealousy:
"That's right, Boss Dai! Why do those good-for-nothing rich brats get to attend such a prestigious academy, drowning in resources and gold soul coins? If Shrek Academy had that kind of funding, we'd have taken off long ago!"
Dai Mubai smirked wickedly. "Fatty, you just want the gold soul coins to spend on brothels, don't you?"
"H-Hey! Boss Dai, what nonsense are you spouting?!" Ma Hongjun's face turned anxious as he lunged forward, clamping a hand over Dai Mubai's mouth to stop him from saying anything more. He was still trying to win over Jiangzhu—if she found out about his past escapades in pleasure houses, he didn't even need to guess how she'd react.
Realizing his slip, Dai Mubai gave Ma Hongjun a knowing look before slinging an arm around his shoulder. He grinned mischievously.
"Relax, Fatty. You won't have to worry about money for long. Winning a single match in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament rewards the academy with 500 gold soul coins. With our Shrek team's strength, we'll be rolling in money soon enough!"
Ma Hongjun's expression immediately shifted to one of shameless glee. The brothels in Heaven Dou City were top-tier, but their high prices were painful. Yes, he definitely needed more money.
---
Tang San remained silent, but his eyes gleamed with icy resolve. He could never forget the sight of Xiao Wu, bloodied and broken. He had once sworn to protect her, to never let her suffer any harm—unless it was over his dead body. But that time, he had failed. The Royal Academy had crushed him, leaving him powerless to avenge Xiao Wu.
Beside him, Xiao Wu clenched her fists, her eyes flashing with vengeance. She still remembered the pain of that battle—the injuries that left her bedridden for days. She had eaten so many of Oscar's healing sausages that she nearly vomited from overconsumption. It wasn't until her wounds were completely healed that she finally stepped out of her room.
With that, Dai Mubai, Tang San, Xiao Wu, as well as Tai Long, Jing Ling, Huang Yuan, and Jiangzhu—Shrek Academy's seven-member lineup—stepped onto the battlefield, just as they had in the original confrontation.
The battle was swift and decisive. The so-called elite Royal Academy suffered a crushing defeat at Shrek's hands, their arrogance shattered.
In less than two minutes, Heaven Dou's Second Team lay gravely injured on the ground, while Shrek's fighters stood tall, completely unharmed.
Tang San's gaze swept coldly across the audience, as if silently declaring: "Now you know who the true powerhouses are."
Shrek's strength silenced all mockery. The sneers, the disdain, the condescending looks—everything had vanished. What remained was shock and utter disbelief.
---
From the VIP section, Ning Fengzhi watched the match unfold, his brows furrowing slightly. His gaze lingered on Tai Long, who wielded the Giant Ape Martial Soul, before shifting toward a certain noblewoman in the distance.
Tang Yuehua.
Unlike the others in the stands, she was not watching the match with mere curiosity or amusement. Her eyes held a soft, almost maternal glow as they remained fixed on Tang San.
At that moment, it all clicked in Ning Fengzhi's mind.
"Tang San... Tang? Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul? So that's it. Tang San is the son of Tang Hao and... that woman."
A storm of thoughts rushed through his mind.
"I wonder if Little San has inherited Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul. If he has… considering his relationship with Rongrong and his unparalleled talent, then Qian Renxue… your Spirit Hall will surely pay the price for your actions."
Though a surge of excitement welled in his heart, Ning Fengzhi quickly reined it in. He had long since taught Ning Rongrong to let go of the desire to control others' fates. Whether or not the Clear Sky Clan chose to intervene was irrelevant to him.
His priority was simple—as long as Ning Rongrong maintained a good relationship with Tang San, then once Tang San rose to power, he would inevitably seek revenge against Spirit Hall. The power of the Twin Spirits, the legendary Clear Sky Hammer—they would certainly surpass Qian Renxue's Fallen Angel Martial Soul.
And when that happened, Ning Fengzhi only needed to sit back and reap the rewards.
---
On the sidelines, the Royal Academy's instructor was seething. Watching his students lying in pools of their own blood, bones fractured and bodies battered, he could no longer hold back his fury.
"Referee! I protest! This isn't a match—it's a slaughter! They've violated the tournament rules! I demand that they be disqualified!"
The referee hesitated.
Tang San merely smiled coolly. "Respected referee, let me ask you just one thing—are they dead?"
The referee blinked and turned to glance at the seven fallen members of Heaven Dou's Second Team. Indeed, though they were gravely injured, all of them were still breathing. None of them had actually died.
Disqualification? On what grounds?
Tang San gestured toward Jiangzhu, who stood behind him. "Our auxiliary spirit master's ability is healing." He spoke calmly, yet his voice carried an unmistakable authority. "From the very start of the battle, she activated her martial soul and spread her healing abilities across the arena—not for us, but for them."
His gaze swept across the battered members of the Heaven Dou Second Team, then he continued, "If we had truly intended to kill them, why would we provide healing? Clearly, they don't seem to need our mercy. Jiangzhu, stop."
On the viewing platform, Tang Yuehua watched the scene unfold, shaking her head slightly. A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"Little San really knows how to put on a show. No doubt, he takes after Hao-ge. But his killing intent… it's a bit too strong. Perhaps it's time to bring him to Yuexuan for some refinement."
---
Outside the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena, the Shrek team strolled out triumphantly, their steps light and confident, as if they ruled the world. Flander, eager to capitalize on their victory, immediately left to negotiate sponsorship deals for academy uniforms.
Just then, a voice called out.
"Third Young Master."
Tang San turned his head, puzzled. "Tai Long, what is it? Also, why do you always call me 'Third Young Master'?"
Tai Long cupped his fists in a respectful gesture. "Third Young Master, please come with me. There is someone who wishes to meet you."
Tang San was even more confused and glanced at Yu Xiaogang for guidance. Seeing Yu Xiaogang nod reassuringly, he hesitated for only a moment before following Tai Long.
---
"Rongrong!"
A familiar voice suddenly rang out from behind them.
"Father!"
Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up with joy as she ran forward, throwing herself into her father's embrace.
Ning Fengzhi's gaze, however, momentarily flickered toward the departing figure of Tang San, his expression unreadable. A glimmer of intrigue flashed through his eyes before he turned his attention back to his daughter.
Holding Ning Rongrong's hand, he approached the Shrek students with a gentle smile. "Greetings, children of Shrek Academy."
Ning Rongrong took the lead in introducing her teammates one by one. When she reached Jiangzhu, however, Jiangzhu found herself blushing slightly. Ning Fengzhi, with his mature charm and composed demeanor, exuded the presence of an experienced and dignified man. Had it not been for the toll taken by his concerns over Qian Renxue, which had aged him by ten years, Jiangzhu might have been utterly smitten on the spot.
Seeing this, Liu Erlong abruptly hooked her arm around Yu Xiaogang's. "Xiaogang, let's go. Let these kids have their fun—Ning Sect Master is here anyway."
Without waiting for a response, Liu Erlong dragged Yu Xiaogang away, determined to escape the awkwardness and carve out some time for themselves.
---
They had barely left the vicinity of the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena when a frail yet joyful voice called out:
"Xiaogang!"
A ragged, soot-covered beggar hobbled toward them, leaning heavily on a cane. Tears streamed down their weathered face.
And that person—was none other than Bibi Dong.
After half a year of hard labor, over a year of wandering, and months of begging to survive, Bibi Dong, Yu Xiaogang, and Liu Erlong had finally reunited.
(End of Chapter)