When the City Gate Catches Fire, the Fish in the Moat Suffer

One night, two years later.

Ji Wushuang looked over a map of Douluo Continent. It marked all the cities of the Two Great Empires, the major mountain ranges, and the locations of Spirit Beast forests. Spirit City lay right between the borderlines of the two empires.

The thought that he still had not obtained Douluo Continent's greatest opportunity—the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well—made him feel miserable all over.

Whenever he was not cultivating, his mind was filled with the countless miraculous herbs within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

If he did not go soon, Tang San would claim it in another two or three years.

Since he had already sided with Spirit Hall and Bibi Dong, standing by and watching Tang San acquire the resources of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well would be no different from handing that opportunity to an enemy.

"It's been so long since I brought up going out for experience. Bibi Dong probably thinks I've completely given up on the idea."

"Why wait for another day?"

"I'm doing it!"

"Even if I'm discovered, the worst that can happen is that they drag me back and give me a good beating!"

Ji Wushuang did not know whether anyone was secretly following him, but he could not worry about that now.

Spirit City was heavily guarded. Even during the day, every pedestrian was thoroughly inspected, much less at night.

Fortunately, Ji Wushuang could fly.

"Whoosh—"

Ji Wushuang soared through the air at full speed.

Two years had passed, and his cultivation had advanced considerably. He had reached the terrifying realm of Level 58.

His Sword Control Technique and Nation-Splitting Swordplay had already reached mastery two years ago, so there was no need to spend further time on them.

Over the past two years, he had primarily cultivated his Martial Soul realm. Even after reaching the Soul King rank, his Cultivation Speed remained astonishingly fast.

He was nothing short of a monster.

Other than the demonic sword Great Bright Vermilion Bird, which he was not confident in using, he could easily control the other twelve flying swords in the Peerless Sword Casket at once to form the Peerless Sword Array.

As for his Second Martial Soul—the Heavenly Slash Sword—there was no need to use it before becoming a Titled Douluo, especially while backed by Spirit Hall.

Unless some old bastard abandoned all sense of honor and bullied the young with his seniority.

Like that old fellow from a certain night in the past.

The old bastard who had attacked him while relying on his Level 99, demigod-level strength as the foremost swordsman.

"At my current speed, I can fly a thousand li in one hour. Once I enter the mountains, it'll be much easier to hide."

The corners of Ji Wushuang's mouth lifted.

He had awaited this day for a very, very long time.

The following morning.

Spirit City.

Bibi Dong frowned when Ji Wushuang still had not come to see her.

"Could he be in the middle of another breakthrough?"

At that thought.

The corners of Bibi Dong's lips rose, and a hint of a smile appeared in her eyes.

One hour, two hours...

By noon.

Bibi Dong stood in the courtyard, staring toward the West Courtyard before slowly walking over.

Boom—

The door to Ji Wushuang's bedroom suddenly exploded.

She swept her gaze around.

Ji Wushuang, who should have been in the room, was nowhere to be seen.

Bang!

Both Pope's Palace and Douluo Hall had been built against the mountain, yet at that moment, the entire mountain suddenly trembled.

The seven consecrates inside Douluo Hall all frowned. They did not believe anyone in this world would dare cause trouble in Spirit City, but the sudden tremor left them deeply puzzled.

Spirit Hall Academy.

Bibi Dong stared coldly at Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan and asked,

"Did any of you see Wushuang last night?"

The three dropped to one knee and answered in unison, "We did!"

Bibi Dong said coldly, "What did you do, how long did it last, and when did you part ways? Tell me everything!"

The dean of Spirit Hall Academy, standing nearby, barely dared to breathe. Sweat poured down his face as he repeatedly signaled to the three of them.

Hu Liena said, "Your Excellency the Pope, we merely had a meal with Brother Wushuang last night, then did some Combat Training. It lasted less than an hour in total. He returned shortly after nightfall."

"Are you... telling the truth?!" A flash of blood-red light passed through Bibi Dong's amethyst eyes.

Hu Liena hurriedly said, "Every word is true! I would never dare conceal anything from Your Excellency the Pope!"

At her words.

Bibi Dong shot into the sky with a face full of disappointment.

"Whew..."

Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan collapsed onto the ground, each of them wiping the cold sweat from their faces.

Pope's Palace.

Bibi Dong sat upon the Pope's throne, her gaze falling upon the five Titled Douluo below as she asked coldly,

"Which of you... has seen Wushuang since last night?!"

Yue Guan, Ghostly Charm, Ye Lingyuan, Demon Bear, and Ghost Leopard exchanged looks before shaking their heads one after another.

"This subordinate has not seen him!"

Crack, crack, crack—

Bibi Dong's jade hand clenched around the Scepter with a series of crisp cracks, her fingertips turning white.

"Go find him. Immediately!"

"Yes!"

Aside from Ye Lingyuan, the other four departed at top speed. Even an idiot could see that Bibi Dong was on the verge of erupting.

"Why aren't you going too?!"

Bibi Dong looked coldly at Ye Lingyuan.

Ye Lingyuan hurriedly said, "Your Excellency the Pope, Wushuang has always wanted to leave Spirit City and go out to gain experience."

"Could he have... left?"

"Of course, this is only this subordinate's speculation, but it is not impossible."

It was as if a bolt from the blue struck Bibi Dong's mind.

Over the past two years, Ji Wushuang had never again mentioned going out to gain experience. She had assumed he had abandoned the idea.

But now, it seemed...

"Hehehehe—"

"Good. Very good!"

Bibi Dong laughed coldly before saying, "As expected of my disciple. He hid it well indeed!"

"Ye Lingyuan, go to the six city gates at once and find out what happened!"

Ye Lingyuan said, "Your Excellency the Pope, the city gates are shut tight at night. If Wushuang left through a gate, he would definitely have left traces behind."

"He surely would have thought of that as well, so this subordinate believes Wushuang definitely did not leave through the gates. Besides, he can fly."

Bibi Dong's expression grew increasingly ugly.

"Have Ghostly Charm and Ghost Leopard personally send word to the Spirit Hall Main Halls and branch halls in every major city!"

"With Wushuang's flight speed, if he set off last night, he has likely entered a city within the Two Great Empires by now!"

"This subordinate obeys!"

Ye Lingyuan turned and left Pope's Palace, feeling helpless inside.

Wushuang, pray they don't find you.

Otherwise, you're going to suffer!

Meanwhile.

Balak Kingdom.

Suotuo City.

The sun shone brightly beneath clear skies.

Ji Wushuang walked down the street, weary from travel.

"I can't stay here long."

"Once Teacher discovers I'm no longer in the city, she'll definitely send people to search everywhere."

"I'll rest for a while, then continue on my way."

Ji Wushuang looked around.

At that moment.

A middle-aged man wearing black-rimmed glasses approached him with a crafty grin.

"Young man, I can tell at a glance that you're extraordinarily gifted. Are you interested in studying at Shrek Academy?"

"Here is an introduction to Shrek Academy. Our faculty is incredibly strong; even our weakest teachers are Soul Emperors!"

"Every student at Shrek Academy is a monster-class super genius!"

"Our dean is even world-famous!"

Shrek Academy?

Then this man selling himself so shamelessly... could he be Flender?

"Do I look like someone with money? I can barely afford to eat. I don't have money for tuition."

"You should ask that person instead. He looks like some rich young master."

Ji Wushuang glanced at the blond youth to the side, who had two beauties in his arms, and spoke indifferently.

Then he ignored the man and quickly left.

"What rotten luck!"

Flender adjusted his black-rimmed glasses, then turned toward the blond youth at the side. His eyes immediately lit up.

Rich people generally had one defining trait: they were always surrounded by beautiful women.

"Young man, are you interested in studying at Shrek Academy?"

"Here is an introduction to Shrek Academy. Our faculty is incredibly strong. Even our weakest teachers are Soul Emperors, while our dean is one of the world-famous Golden Iron Triangle, the Flying Horn—a Soul Saint-level super expert!"

Dai Mubai's expression shifted.

Having just fled from the Star Luo Empire, it would not be a bad idea to enroll in a fairly strong Soul Master Academy for support and quietly build up his strength.

"Is Shrek Academy really as strong as you say?"

"And who are you?"

Flender cleared his throat and said, "Shrek Academy is naturally as powerful as I say, but you are not yet a member of Shrek Academy, so you are not qualified to know my identity."

Dai Mubai raised a brow and sneered. "You've got quite the mouth on you!"

"I'd like to see just how outstanding this Shrek Academy of yours is!"

"Fine, I'll join!"

"But if I find out you're a fraud when we get there, don't blame me for getting rough with you!"

Flender smiled confidently. "Don't worry. You'll definitely be satisfied!"

"However, before joining Shrek Academy, you must pay a registration fee of ten Gold Soul Coins and tuition of one hundred Gold Soul Coins. Then let me see your Soul Power Level and your age!"

"If you don't meet the requirements, you aren't worthy of joining Shrek Academy!"

"What a big mouth! One hundred and ten Gold Soul Coins is nothing. I can afford it! Here are two hundred Gold Soul Coins. Keep the change!" Dai Mubai disdainfully tossed out a money pouch, then released his Martial Soul.

It was a white tiger, accompanied by two yellow Spirit Rings.

"Dai Mubai, Level 28 Soul Grandmaster, just turned twelve!"

"Well? Am I qualified?"

Dai Mubai flashed a wicked smile.

"Qualified, qualified! More than qualified!"

Flender was overjoyed.

"Lead the way!"

"I want to see just how good this so-called Shrek Academy is!"

"If you've deceived me, I'll cripple you and tear down that lousy academy while I'm at it!"

Dai Mubai said coldly.

At this, Flender gave a wicked smile.

The moment he used Martial Soul Possession, seven Spirit Rings appeared in succession.

"Kid, follow me!"

Dai Mubai's eyes widened in disbelief. "Seven rings... a Soul Saint?!"

Rose Hotel.

Ji Wushuang pondered to himself, If Teacher's people come here, they definitely won't expect me to stay in a hotel like this.

"I'll rest here for now."

Generally, most people would choose an out-of-the-way inn with few guests, but he insisted on doing the opposite.

Four hours later.

Ji Wushuang set out once more, heading for Barak City—the capital of the Balak Kingdom.

By evening.

Ghostly Charm arrived at the Spirit Hall Main Hall in Suotuo City.

Seated in the seat of honor, he coldly stared at Bruce, the Hall Master of the Spirit Hall Main Hall in Suotuo City, and said blandly, "Mobilize everyone immediately. Search the city for this person!"

"This is someone Your Excellency the Pope personally ordered us to find!"

"Once you find him, treat him well and do not slight him. Send word directly to Spirit Hall. I will come personally to receive him!"

Bruce took Portrait of Ji Wushuang with trembling hands, nodding frantically as he said, "This subordinate will make the arrangements at once!"

"Also, immediately send people to the nearby Spirit Hall Branch Halls and have them search for this person throughout their respective jurisdictions!"

Ghostly Charm then rose to his feet.

He headed for Barak City, the capital of the Balak Kingdom, where there was also a Spirit Hall Main Hall.

"Farewell, Elder!"

Bruce let out a long breath of relief.

"Guards!"

"Make a thousand copies of this portrait and post them in the most conspicuous places throughout Suotuo City!"

"Notify City Lord Buck and have him help search as well!"