Flender stared at the Seven Kill Sword beneath his feet, so terrified that his soul nearly left his body. His back was drenched in sweat, cold sweat streamed down his forehead, and even his glasses trembled.
"So you're the one who wanted to bully Rongrong," Sword Douluo said, looking at Flender.
"M-misunderstanding, Sword Douluo, it was a misunderstanding!"
"Grandpa Sword!" Ning Rongrong hurriedly threw herself into Sword Douluo Chen Xin's arms.
"Ah, Rongrong, Grandpa Sword is here. No one dares bully you."
Leaving Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Ning Rongrong's heartwarming reunion aside, let's look at Xiao Wu.
Ning Rongrong had been arguing with Flender, and then the Seven Kill Sword had struck fear into him. Xiao Wu had been ready to enjoy the show, and had even taken a couple of steps forward.
But the moment she heard Flender address the old, white-haired man before them as "Your Majesty"—a title reserved for Titled Douluo—she froze.
At the thought, Xiao Wu's rabbit ears sprang straight up in fright. She wanted to hurry away from this place of peril, but she didn't dare. She was afraid that even the slightest movement would draw Sword Douluo's attention.
A Titled Douluo could recognize a Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast at a glance. Sword Douluo was preparing to deal with Flender and wasn't paying attention to his surroundings, so Xiao Wu hid behind Tang San, trembling with fear and treading as carefully as if she were walking on thin ice. She kept muttering, "You can't see me. You can't see me."
Tang San naturally knew what Xiao Wu was afraid of. She was his beloved, and her Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone were his. How could he let anyone else take them? So Tang San did his best to shield Xiao Wu.
Yu Xiaolong, standing nearby, saw Xiao Wu's expression and realized that she was afraid Sword Douluo would see through her identity as a Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast. He, too, wanted to step in front of her.
But Tang San shoved Yu Xiaolong aside. My Xiao Wu is none of your business.
Seeing Tang San do that, Yu Xiaolong assumed that his idol had pushed him away to keep him from getting caught up in this. He was instantly filled with admiration and became even more convinced that Tang San and Xiao Wu's love was heartrendingly beautiful.
Flender, standing before the Seven Kill Sword, had no time to think about any of that. He had long heard how the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's two Titled Douluo, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, doted on Ning Rongrong. Now, he could only hope to make it out alive.
"Your Majesty Sword Douluo, this is a misunderstanding. Please let me explain!"
"A misunderstanding? What misunderstanding? I heard you say with my own ears that you were going to kick Rongrong out."
"Are you suggesting that I, a dignified Level 96 Titled Douluo, misheard you?"
Ning Rongrong stood beside Sword Douluo, watching Flender tremble as if she were enjoying a monkey show.
That's what you get for shouting at me and trying to kick me out.
Flender felt as if he'd swallowed a fly. It was Ning Fengzhi, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's sect master, who had written to ask him to discipline his precious daughter. He'd even told Flender to be bold about it, that Ning Fengzhi supported him and wouldn't hold him responsible.
Fine, Sect Master Ning hadn't come to hold him responsible—but he also hadn't said he would send a Titled Douluo!
Just as Flender was at a loss, a voice rang out.
"Who dares cause trouble at Shrek Academy? Are you tired of living?"
It was none other than the Immovable Bright King, Zhao Wuji.
Everyone at Shrek Academy, Sword Douluo included, looked at Zhao Wuji as if he were an idiot.
Zhao Wuji was puzzled. Why were they all looking at him like that? Then he turned and saw Sword Douluo Chen Xin. At last, he understood.
"Greetings, Your Majesty Sword Douluo."
"So you're that big bear, Zhao Wuji."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Have you prepared your last words?"
"???" Zhao Wuji was completely baffled. He'd only said three sentences. Was he about to get killed already?
"Your Majesty, I was talking nonsense just now. Please don't take it to heart. You're above holding a grudge against someone like me, and a great man has room in his heart to forgive. Please let me off this once."
"A mere Soul Saint dares to speak so insolently. If I, Chen Xin, weren't a Titled Douluo, would you have let me escape your clutches today?"
"Your Majesty, even if you lent me a hundred times the courage, I wouldn't dare!"
"Whether you dare or not is for you to know."
"And you, Flender. What was Rongrong wrong about? You're just a measly Soul Saint, yet you strut around like some big shot. Take a good look at yourself and see how much you're really worth."
"Your Majesty is right to reprimand me."
"Grandpa Sword, don't be angry. They didn't do anything to me, and I'm perfectly fine."
"Please don't make things difficult for Dean Flender," Ning Rongrong said to Sword Douluo.
Actually, Ning Rongrong wasn't a bad person at heart. She'd simply been spoiled by her upbringing and by the indulgence of the two Titled Douluo, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
"Very well. Since Rongrong has spoken, Grandpa Sword will do as she says."
"Flender, I know you received Fengzhi's letter. I don't care what he wrote. I'll only tell you this: my Rongrong must never suffer the slightest grievance."
"Yes, yes. I'll keep that in mind."
"As for you, Zhao Wuji..." As he spoke, Sword Douluo sent Zhao Wuji flying into the wall with a single strike.
"Titled Douluo must not be insulted. This is only a small lesson."
"Rongrong, come home with Grandpa Sword."
"No, Grandpa Sword. I want to stay here."
"Rongrong, what's so good about this lousy academy? Don't worry. I'll talk to Fengzhi with Old Bone. You have nothing to fear."
"No, Grandpa Sword. I just want to stay here."
"Then, all right."
"Flender, Rongrong will be studying here from now on. You know what to do."
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I understand."
Sword Douluo nodded slightly. But all of a sudden, he sensed something was wrong. Instinctively, he looked toward Xiao Wu, who was hiding behind Tang San.
The moment he saw Xiao Wu, he thought, What a bold beast. A Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast dares to walk around so openly in human society.
Just as Sword Douluo was about to capture Xiao Wu, a wave of energy rushed toward him.
Sword Douluo shot toward the source of the energy.
"Who's skulking around? Get out here!"
Just then, Sword Douluo saw a middle-aged man in ragged clothes emerge.
"It's me. I wonder if you still remember me, Senior."
"You—you're Tang Hao."
"You have a good memory, Senior."
"I understand now. Tang San is your son, and that Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast is the Soul Ring you've been raising for him."
"You're right, Senior."
"But now that I've seen this Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast, why should I just let you have it?"
"Or do you, Tang Hao, believe you can defeat the Seven Kill Sword in my hands?"
"Senior, I have no confidence that I can defeat you. But you can't take this Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast away, either."
"Tang Hao, have you been drinking fake liquor?"
"Of course not."
"Then what makes you so sure?"
"Senior, of course, I'm the reason."
Just then, another person emerged from behind Tang Hao. His appearance bore a striking resemblance to Tang Hao's.
"Tang Xiao, I never expected both brothers to show up today."
Before you continue