Imperial Dou Showdown: Teachers and Students' Unspoken Thoughts, Reunion After the Battle

The cheers in Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena made the dome tremble faintly. Golden sunlight streamed through the gaps onto the center of the arena, where Shrek's Eight Monsters stood facing the Imperial Dou Team on the bluestone floor. The referee raised his flag high, his voice carrying through a Soul Tool amplifier across the entire venue. "Team battle: Shrek's Eight Monsters versus the Imperial Dou Team. Begin!"

The moment the flag fell, the Imperial Dou Team launched the first attack. Their captain, Yu Tianxin, released his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul, pale blue lightning coiling around his body. Lightning Dragon Claw gathered formidable Soul Power as he charged toward Dai Mubai. Vice-captain Shi Mo activated his Great Strength Gorilla martial soul, his massive body blocking the front as he built a defensive barrier for his teammates. The Agility Attack System Soul Master, Yu Feng, turned into a blur and rushed straight at Ning Rongrong and Oscar—the Imperial Dou Team's strategy was clear: eliminate the Support System first, then defeat the others one by one.

"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, Defense Boost, Spirit Power Boost!" Ning Rongrong's voice rang out first. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda floated before her, and two golden beams fell upon Dai Mubai and Tang San. Dai Mubai activated his Evil Eyes White Tiger martial soul. Golden Spirit Power collided with blue lightning, producing a muffled bang. Both men retreated three steps, and a flicker of surprise crossed Yu Tianxin's eyes—he had not expected this seemingly ordinary White Tiger Soul Master to withstand his Lightning Dragon Claw.

Tang San seized the opportunity to release Blue Silver Grass. Pale blue vines surged from the ground, winding toward Yu Feng like a tide. "Spider Web Restraint!" Black light glimmered in his palm as a dense web appeared out of thin air, blocking Yu Feng's path. Lin Zhixia drew the Starfall Bow, its Star Rock Arrowhead glowing with faint blue starlight. She aimed a Star River Armor-Piercing Arrow at Shi Mo's defensive barrier—she knew that only by breaking through that wall could they create an opportunity for their teammates.

Whoosh! The arrow, carrying Star River Energy, shot toward Shi Mo. It exploded with a bang, scattering light like shattered stones in every direction. A crack appeared in Shi Mo's defensive barrier. Ma Hongjun seized the chance, his Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul igniting with pale red flames. Phoenix Fireline shot through the crack, forcing Shi Mo back again and again. Xiao Wu activated her Soft Bone Charm Rabbit and Teleported behind Yu Tianxin. Her Waist Bow struck him in the back with a kick, exposing a flaw in his lightning attack.

The Imperial Dou Team had not expected Shrek's Eight Monsters to coordinate so flawlessly. Yu Tianxin steadied himself and gathered lightning once more, only for Dai Mubai's White Tiger Blazing Light Wave to interrupt him. Yu Feng tried to circle around for a sneak attack, but Zhu Zhuqing's Nether Shadow Clone held him down. Under Lin Zhixia's continuous barrage, the crack in Shi Mo's defensive barrier grew larger and larger—the tide of battle gradually shifted in Shrek's Eight Monsters' favor.

In the spectator stands at the edge of the arena, the Imperial Dou Team's leader, Qin Ming, kept his gaze fixed on the match, his brows slightly furrowed. He wore a dark blue Soul Master robe, and an old Shrek Academy badge hung from his waist. His eyes were full of conflicted emotions—he had once been a student of Shrek, and he had never forgotten the teachings and kindness of Flender and Yu Xiaogang. Before the match, he had specifically instructed his team, "The Shrek children are not weak, but remember: stop at the proper point. Do not strike to kill." Watching the students of his former teachers fight their hardest in the arena, he was worried about the Imperial Dou Team's situation, yet also gratified by Shrek's Eight Monsters' growth.

"Oscar, sausages!" Tang San called. Oscar immediately tossed out two Recovery Sausages and handed them to Xiao Wu and Lin Zhixia. After Lin Zhixia ate the sausage, her Soul Power recovered instantly, and she drew the Starfall Bow again. This time, she gathered three arrows and aimed them at Yu Tianxin, Shi Mo, and Yu Feng respectively. "Tang San, hold them back!" she shouted.

Tang San nodded. The Blue Silver Grass grew faster, firmly trapping all three within its range. Lin Zhixia released the bowstring, and three Star River Armor-Piercing Arrows shot out simultaneously, striking their targets with perfect accuracy. Yu Tianxin's lightning defense was pierced through, Shi Mo's barrier shattered completely, and Yu Feng was forced back by an arrow. Dai Mubai took the opportunity to unleash White Tiger Meteor Shower. A rain of golden light descended, striking the Imperial Dou Team members one after another and greatly draining their Soul Power.

"We surrender!" Yu Tianxin shouted helplessly as he looked at his fallen teammates. The referee raised his flag and announced Shrek's Eight Monsters' victory. The cheers from the stands immediately swelled, while Flender and Yu Xiaogang stood in a corner with gratified smiles on their faces—these children could finally contend with a powerful team like the Imperial Dou Team.

After the match, Shrek's Eight Monsters returned to their lounge. They had just sat down to rest when footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door. Everyone looked up and saw Qin Ming standing in the doorway. A little dust still clung to his dark blue robe, and the old badge at his waist was especially conspicuous.

"You are?" Dai Mubai frowned, watching the unfamiliar Soul Master warily. Tang San, however, noticed the badge at Qin Ming's waist—it was an early emblem of Shrek Academy, worn only by the first generation of students.

Just then, Flender and Yu Xiaogang walked in. The moment Flender saw Qin Ming, he immediately strode forward with a smile. "Qin Ming, you brat, you've finally decided to come see us!"

Qin Ming bowed deeply to the two of them, his voice respectful. "Teacher Flender, Teacher Yu Xiaogang, your student Qin Ming has come to see you."

"Teacher?" Shrek's Eight Monsters were all stunned. Xiao Wu could not help asking, "Dean Flanders, who is this?"

Flender smiled and patted Qin Ming on the shoulder as he introduced him to the others. "This is Qin Ming, one of the earliest students of our Shrek Academy, and also our finest graduate! Back when he was at the academy, his Soul Power advanced even faster than Tang San's. By graduation, he was already a level 45 Soul Ancestor. Now, he has become the leader of the Imperial Dou Team and has made quite a name for himself in the Soul Master world."

Everyone showed surprised expressions upon hearing this. Tang San stepped forward and gave Qin Ming a slight nod. "Senior Qin, please forgive any offense during the match."

Qin Ming smiled and shook his head. His gaze fell on Tang San, filled with admiration. "Your Blue Silver Grass control was exquisitely precise, and that Spider Web Restraint is an excellent soul skill. When I was at the academy, I did not possess talent as great as yours." He then looked at Lin Zhixia. "Your Star River Armor-Piercing Arrow is extremely powerful. The resonance technique you use with the Star Guidance Bell resembles the craft of a Soul Engineer from long ago."

Lin Zhixia froze for a moment, then instinctively touched the Star Guidance Bell at her waist. "Senior Qin, do you know Soul Engineers?"

"A little," Qin Ming nodded. "When I was at Shrek, I once saw Teacher Flender speaking with a Soul Engineer. That Soul Engineer's Soul Tools also had patterns resembling starlight." He paused, then looked at the others. "Before the match, I told the Imperial Dou Team not to strike to kill. After all, you are Teacher's students, and you are also my juniors."

Flender patted Qin Ming on the back, his eyes full of gratification. "You brat, you still remember our teachings. When you graduated, I said you would surely achieve something someday. Looks like I was right about you."

Yu Xiaogang nodded as well, his tone solemn. "Qin Ming has extensive combat experience. If you have time in the future, you should seek his guidance more often. The Imperial Dou Team's tactical system is highly developed, and you can learn a great deal from it."

Qin Ming immediately agreed. "As long as my juniors do not mind, I can discuss tactics with you anytime. I also want to pass on what my teachers taught me."

The atmosphere in the lounge gradually became livelier. Dai Mubai asked Qin Ming about Soul Power control techniques for Assault System Soul Masters. Lin Zhixia asked about Soul Engineers, while Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong eagerly inquired about amusing stories from Qin Ming's time at Shrek. Qin Ming patiently answered every question, occasionally bringing up Flender's infamous stinginess from back then, making everyone burst into laughter.

As the sun set, Qin Ming rose to leave. Before departing, he bowed once more to Flender and Yu Xiaogang. "Teachers, I will come see you often from now on. Shrek's juniors are outstanding. Rest assured, I will not let anyone bully them."

Flender smiled and nodded. "Good. Come by whenever you have time. If you run into anything you cannot handle, come find us anytime."

After Qin Ming left, Shrek's Eight Monsters continued discussing the match and Qin Ming's experiences. Lin Zhixia touched the Star Guidance Bell at her waist, her heart full of emotion—so Shrek Academy had such an outstanding graduate. To be able to become a member here, to have so many companions and teachers, was such a fortunate thing.

Tang San took out the Mystic Star Wheel, his fingertips brushing over the star patterns on its disk. He recalled Qin Ming's words. Perhaps this Senior Qin could help him uncover more secrets about Soul Tools. Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and the others also quietly resolved to learn from Qin Ming, continuously strengthen themselves, and make the name of Shrek's Eight Monsters ring ever louder throughout the Soul Master world.