Reunion with an Old Friend: Erlong Appears, Academy Renamed

After leaving Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the Shrek Group temporarily returned to the inn, but the fighting spirit from before was gone. Prince Xue Xing's obstruction had cut off their path to affiliate with another academy, and the several schools Qin Ming had inquired about through his connections had all politely declined out of fear of the royal family. Even the idea of directly applying to Spirit Hall for certification was difficult to carry out with time so short.

Flender sat by the table, his fingers tapping against its surface as he frowned deeply. "Are we really going to watch the children miss the Elite Competition?" Zhao Wuji sighed as well. "If we'd prepared the qualifications earlier, we wouldn't be in such a passive position now."

Just then, a hearty female voice rang out from the inn entrance, carrying a familiar, piercing force. "Flender! Yu Xiaogang! You two old fools, what are you hiding in here sighing about?"

Everyone looked up to see a woman in a red combat outfit striding toward them. Her long hair was tied in a high ponytail, and her brows held a hint of heroic vigor. Powerful Spirit Power Fluctuations radiated from her body—she had actually reached the level of a Soul Douluo. At the sight of her, Yu Xiaogang's body abruptly stiffened, his eyes filled with shock. "Erlong? What are you doing here?"

"What? You two are allowed to come to Heaven Dou City, but I'm not?" Liu Erlong walked to the table, her gaze sweeping over the Shrek Group before finally settling on Yu Xiaogang. Her tone carried a hint of teasing. "You left without saying goodbye back then, and this is your reaction when you see me now?"

Flender hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Erlong, stop teasing him. We're worrying over the matter of competition eligibility." He briefly explained Prince Xue Xing's interference and their failed attempt to affiliate with another academy. Liu Erlong's expression immediately darkened after hearing it. "That old fool Xue Xing is still throwing his weight around! But don't worry. I can help with this."

"You can help us?" Dai Mubai could not help asking. Liu Erlong nodded, pride flashing through her eyes. "I founded Blue Tyrant Academy in Heaven Dou City. We take in commoner children. Not only do we have proper certification from Spirit Hall, but our strength is among the best in Heaven Dou City. Even the Royal Academy has to give us some face."

Everyone's eyes lit up at those words, and Ning Rongrong immediately asked, "Senior Liu, do you mean we can affiliate with Blue Tyrant Academy to compete?"

"Affiliating would be too troublesome." Liu Erlong waved a hand, then turned her gaze to Yu Xiaogang. Her tone suddenly became serious. "Blue Tyrant Academy has the qualifications, but we lack students with potential like yours, and teachers like Yu Xiaogang who understand tactics. How about this—Blue Tyrant Academy will be renamed Shrek Academy from now on. You bring your students and join us, and together we'll make a run at the Elite Competition!"

Everyone was stunned. Flender was even more unable to believe it. "Erlong, what did you say? Blue Tyrant Academy was founded by you alone. How can you just rename it whenever you want?"

"It's my academy. I can rename it if I want." Liu Erlong looked at Yu Xiaogang, her eyes carrying a trace of tenderness. "When you left the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, wasn't it because you wanted to establish an academy that truly cared for commoner soul masters? Now we can build Shrek together. Wouldn't that be good?"

Yu Xiaogang's heart trembled. He recalled how the three of them had agreed in their youth to found an academy together, only for those plans to be shelved because of matters involving his family. Now, Liu Erlong's proposal had fulfilled that old dream. He looked at the anticipation in her eyes, then at the eager gazes of the Shrek Group, and finally nodded. "All right. We'll build it together!"

A smile appeared on Liu Erlong's face, and she immediately said, "Blue Tyrant Academy already has training grounds, Soul Tool equipment, and more than a dozen teachers above level forty. Tomorrow, I'll report the name change to Spirit Hall. I guarantee it won't delay your participation." She paused, then looked at Yu Xiaogang again with a teasing tone. "But from now on, the academy's tactical guidance will have to depend on you, Master. You'll need to put in some effort."

Everyone laughed, and the gloom from before was swept away. Lin Zhixia touched the Star Guidance Bell at her waist and softly said, "Senior Liu, thank you. This means we can take part in the Elite Competition."

"What are you thanking me for? I'm doing it for my own academy too." Liu Erlong smiled and waved her hand, but her gaze unconsciously fell upon Yu Xiaogang. She had secretly loved him back then, but because of matters involving his family, she had never been able to say it aloud. Now, being able to establish an academy with him was already an unexpected joy to her.

Qin Ming, standing nearby, also let out a sigh of relief. "With Blue Tyrant Academy's qualifications, Master's tactics, and everyone's strength, we'll definitely achieve good results in the Elite Competition!"

That afternoon, Liu Erlong took everyone to Blue Tyrant Academy. The academy was located on the western side of Heaven Dou City. Though it lacked the grandeur of the Royal Academy, it was full of vitality. On the training grounds, students cultivated diligently while teachers patiently instructed them. The atmosphere was warmer than that of the Royal Academy.

Standing at the academy entrance, Liu Erlong announced loudly to all the teachers and students, "Starting today, Blue Tyrant Academy will officially be renamed Shrek Academy! The two beside me, Flender and Yu Xiaogang, will become the academy's headmaster and tactical instructor. And these Shrek students will be your seniors from now on! Our goal is to make the name of Shrek known in the All-Continent Elite Competition!"

The teachers and students were initially stunned, but then erupted into enthusiastic cheers. They had long heard of Shrek's Eight Monsters' achievements in the Soul Dueling Arena and were full of anticipation for these powerful newcomers.

That night, Liu Erlong arranged accommodations for everyone, then worked with Yu Xiaogang and Flender to formulate plans for the academy. Looking over Blue Tyrant Academy's documents on the table, Yu Xiaogang could not help asking, "Erlong, why did you choose to establish an academy back then?"

Liu Erlong's gaze softened. "After you left, I thought that since you couldn't accomplish what you wanted to do, I would do it for you. I never expected that we would still be able to establish an academy together." Yu Xiaogang felt warmth in his heart, but then remembered his family, and his expression dimmed. He had left the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan not only because of his conflict with his father, but also because of the clan's disdain for commoner soul masters. Now, being able to work alongside Liu Erlong could be considered a fulfillment of his original aspirations.

The next day, Spirit Hall quickly approved the academy's name change application, and the Shrek Group finally obtained the qualifications to compete. On the training grounds, Liu Erlong personally guided Lin Zhixia in archery and even gave her a treasured diagram of the "Soul Break Arrow." Yu Xiaogang, meanwhile, integrated the students from both academies and drew up a new training plan. Under his guidance, Tang San's coordination of the Mystic Star Wheel and Blue Silver Grass also grew increasingly proficient.

After learning the news, Gu Zhinian came to offer his congratulations. He also brought more materials regarding Lin Jingyuan's research from back then. "Miss Lin, with Shrek Academy's qualifications, you'll be able to meet more people at the Elite Competition. Perhaps you'll find clues about how Spirit Hall persecuted the Lin Family back then."

Lin Zhixia nodded, her eyes full of fighting spirit. "Thank you, Brother Gu. I definitely will." She looked at her companions and teachers around her, then touched the Star Guidance Bell at her waist. Her heart was filled with resolve—her parents' vengeance, her companions' expectations, and the academy's future would all be fulfilled one by one upon the stage of the Elite Competition.

Beneath the setting sun, Shrek Academy's new signboard gleamed brightly, while the light of Soul Power rose and fell across the training grounds. No one knew what kind of storm this team, transformed from a band of "wildcards," would stir up in the coming Elite Competition. Nor did anyone know what kind of future Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong's reunion would bring to this academy.