Trapped Beast in a Cage, a Hundred-Thousand-Year Secret

The qualifying rounds had ended.

But this was no relief; it was merely the beginning of another nightmare.

On the imperial road leading to Spirit City, a massive caravan of carriages snaked forward like a long dragon. Fifteen qualifying teams, accompanied by hundreds of guards from the Royal Knights, made for an imposing sight.

However, inside the Shrek Academy carriage, the atmosphere was suffocatingly oppressive.

Tang San curled up in the corner, his hands clutching his knees tightly. His face was as pale as paper, his eye sockets sunken, and those eyes that were once full of spirit were now bloodshot, radiating the terror of a bird startled by the mere twang of a bowstring.

He dared not run.

Every time he closed his eyes, the cold threats of that man in black echoed in his ears.

"Run. If you run, Holy Soul Village will be turned into a sea of flames."

"Your drunkard of a father will be hacked into a pulp."

This sensation of being throttled left Tang San on the verge of a breakdown. He was forced to remain in this procession, like a marionette, walking step by step toward the execution ground that the demon had paved for him.

"San, eat something."

Xiao Wu's eyes were red as she handed over a piece of dry ration. Seeing the brother who was once full of vigor reduced to this state, her heart was breaking.

"I'm not hungry."

Tang San shook his head, his voice hoarse. He lifted his head and, through the gap in the carriage window, looked toward the very front of the procession.

There, a carriage of unparalleled luxury sat.

It was the exclusive transport of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

The demon named Yu Tianyu was sitting inside right now, enjoying fine wine and delicacies, perhaps even mocking his wretched state.

"Yu Tianyu..."

Tang San's fingernails dug deep into the flesh of his palms, blood seeping out, yet he felt nothing.

"Just you wait. Once we reach Spirit City, once I see the Pope... no, even if I have to throw my life away, I will tear a piece of flesh off you during the finals!"

Hatred had become the only fuel keeping him alive.

At the front of the procession, inside Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's carriage.

The cabin was as spacious as a small mobile palace, floored with precious spirit beast fur rugs, and the air was permeated with the faint scent of ambergris.

Xue Qinghe sat upright in the main seat, maintaining his usual gentle and refined appearance.

Opposite him, Yu Tianyu leaned lazily against a soft couch, toying with an exquisite jade cup. Huo Wu knelt to one side, dutifully pouring wine for him.

"Brother Tianyu."

Xue Qinghe smiled, his voice as warm as jade. "Seeing your brilliance along this journey has truly opened my eyes. Even the Clear Sky Douluo of the past likely lacked your stunning talent."

"Your Highness is too kind."

Yu Tianyu took a sip of wine, his gaze playful as he looked at Xue Qinghe. "Clear Sky Douluo? A brute who only knew how to swing a hammer; is he even worthy of being compared to me?"

Hearing these arrogant words, the corner of Xue Qinghe's eye twitched slightly, but she quickly masked it.

"Haha, Brother Tianyu certainly has grand ambitions."

Xue Qinghe set down her teacup, leaning forward slightly, her tone carrying a touch of gravity. "I wonder what plans Brother Tianyu has for the future? The Heaven Dou Empire is thirsty for talent. If you are willing, I can promise that the title of Prince of Equal Rank will be yours."

This was an enticement.

A naked, blatant enticement.

If it were any ordinary Spirit Master, faced with such a promise from a future emperor, they would likely be moved to tears and bow in submission.

But Yu Tianyu only smiled.

He set down his wine cup and suddenly leaned forward, instantly closing the distance between himself and Xue Qinghe.

Their faces were mere inches apart.

Xue Qinghe could even feel the faint scent of alcohol on Yu Tianyu's breath, along with that domineering aura that made her very spirit tremble.

"Your Highness."

Yu Tianyu's voice was low and magnetic. "Prince of Equal Rank? Such worldly power means nothing to me."

"Besides..."

Yu Tianyu's nose twitched slightly, as if sniffing something.

"What kind of sachet is Your Highness wearing? This scent—though masked by the ambergris—that faint, lingering fragrance... it doesn't seem like a scent a man should have."

Boom!

Xue Qinghe's heart skipped a beat.

Her pupils contracted instantly, and her hand, hidden within her sleeve, clenched tightly.

He found out?!

How could this be? Her disguise was bolstered by the skills of the Angel Spirit Bone; even a Title Douluo couldn't see through it. How could this Yu Tianyu possibly smell it?

"Brother Tianyu is joking."

Xue Qinghe forced himself to calm down, leaning back to create some distance. "I usually enjoy tending to flowers and plants, so it is only natural that I carry a faint floral scent."

"Is that so?"

Yu Tianyu sat back down without exposing him, though the playfulness in his eyes grew more intense.

"Flowers or disguises, it matters not."

"Your Highness, shall we play a game?"

"What kind of game?" Xue Qinghe asked, his guard up.

"Let's bet on the champion of this tournament."

Yu Tianyu pointed toward the window. "If I take the championship and trample that so-called Golden Generation of Spirit Hall under my feet, I want you to grant me one condition."

"What condition?"

"You will know when the time comes. But rest assured, it is something you can definitely afford, and... perhaps it is even something you desire to give deep down."

Yu Tianyu's words were pointed and ambiguous.

Xue Qinghe looked at the unfathomable youth before him, feeling a sense of powerlessness he had never experienced before—a feeling that he was losing control.

This man was too dangerous.

Yet, the lethal attraction radiating from him stirred an urge in this long-time infiltrator to explore the truth to the very end.

"Fine."

As if possessed, Xue Qinghe nodded. "I will take your bet."

Night fell.

The teams set up camp on an open plain.

The Shrek Academy camp was located in the most secluded corner. To avoid mockery from other academies, they had specifically erected high privacy screens.

At this moment, under the direction of Grandmaster, the Shrek Seven Devils were conducting a secret training session.

"Focus!"

Grandmaster's voice was low, yet filled with excitement. "This is our only chance for a comeback! As long as you master this, even Yu Tianyu will be unable to stop you!"

In the clearing.

With Tang San at the core, Dai Mubai, Tai Long (substitute), Huang Yuan, and the others stood in a single file line behind him.

"Seven-in-One Fusion Skill!"

Grandmaster waved his arms. "This is not a Spirit Fusion Skill, but rather a method to channel the spirit power of all seven of you into one person through a special formation and guidance!"

"Tang San currently only has level forty-two spirit power."

"But if the spirit power of the other six is gathered, his instantaneous explosive power will reach level seventy! That is the level of a Spirit Saint!"

Spirit Saint!

Hearing this term, Tang San's previously dim eyes suddenly lit up.

A level seventy Spirit Saint was a qualitative leap.

Most importantly, once he possessed level seventy spirit power, he could barely unleash the true form of the Clear Sky Hammer—the Weapon Spirit Avatar!

"Everyone, assist me!"

Tang San let out a low roar, raising his hands high.

The six teammates behind him released their spirits simultaneously. The colorful radiance of their spirit power flowed like rivers into the sea, surging wildly into Tang San's body following the formation.

Boom!

A terrifying wave of air erupted with Tang San at its center.

The sensation of being filled with such power intoxicated Tang San. At this very moment, he felt as if he were omnipotent.

"Clear Sky Hammer!"

Hum—!

A giant hammer, black as ink, appeared in his hands. As spirit power poured into it, the hammer head, which had only been the size of a washbasin, swelled in the wind, instantly growing to the size of a millstone, while the inscriptions upon it glowed with a dark golden light.

Power!

Power sufficient to destroy the heavens and the earth!

"Success!"

Grandmaster trembled with excitement. "This is a sliver of the might of the Weapon Spirit Avatar! San, with this, you will surely wash away your shame in the finals!"

Tang San gripped the giant hammer, which was brimming with explosive power, and felt the spirit power surging within him.

At this moment, the previous humiliation, fear, and despair seemed to have been washed away by this strength.

He felt like he could do it again.

"Yu Tianyu..."

Tang San looked at the giant hammer in his hand, a ferocious smile curling his lips. "No matter how strong you are, can you withstand the Clear Sky Avatar fueled by level seventy spirit power?"

"I will trample you under my feet and let you taste what it's like to be a dog!"

Hope.

A massive sense of hope flooded his chest once again.

This was the trump card that Grandmaster had tailored specifically for him to turn the tables.

However, while they were immersed in their joy, they completely failed to notice a figure perched on the branch of a tall tree outside the camp.

Yu Tianyu was sitting on the branch, holding an apple, watching the performance below as if he were watching a monkey show.

"Seven-in-One? Weapon Spirit Avatar?"

"Crunch."

Yu Tianyu took a bite of the apple, chewing it with great relish.

"What a truly moving effort. If I don't go and ruin it, wouldn't that be a disservice to all your hard work in rehearsing?"

"Who's there?!"

Just as Tang San was immersed in the pleasure of his power, a soft chuckle suddenly rang out through the camp.

"Clap, clap, clap."

Accompanied by sparse applause, a slender figure stepped out from the darkness.

"Not bad, really not bad."

Yu Tianyu walked slowly into the clearing while clapping, "What a huge hammer; it looks quite intimidating."

Seeing Yu Tianyu appear, the expressions of the Shrek members changed instantly.

Tang San, who had just been brimming with momentum, felt his hand gripping the hammer tremble violently. The confidence he had just built up instinctively wavered the moment he saw this man.

"You... what are you here for?!"

Dai Mubai roared, his voice fierce but his heart trembling, "This is our camp, you are not welcome here!"

"Don't be so nervous."

Yu Tianyu casually tossed away the apple core, shoved his hands into his pockets, and looked at Tang San with a smile.

"I was just passing by and felt a decent fluctuation of spirit power, so I came over to take a look."

"I didn't expect that you bunch of stray dogs could actually come up with such a new trick."

"What? Planning to use this to deal with me?"

Exposed, Tang San's face turned a shade of green and white.

But as he looked at the giant hammer in his hand and felt the surging power within it, the fear in his heart was gradually replaced by rage.

I am equivalent to a Spirit Saint now!

I am stronger than you now!

"So what if I am?!"

Tang San stepped forward, pointing the giant hammer at Yu Tianyu, his voice cold, "Yu Tianyu, you have gone too far! Since you delivered yourself to my doorstep, let's settle this here and now!"

"San! Don't!" Grandmaster exclaimed. It was too early to reveal their trump card!

But Tang San could no longer listen.

He craved victory too much; he craved to wash away his humiliation too much.

"Everyone, hold on! Channel your spirit power to me!"

Tang San roared, and the six people behind him subconsciously increased their spirit power output.

"Chaotic Cloak—Clear Sky Avatar!!"

Tang San soared into the air, the giant hammer in his hand carrying the force to split mountains and shatter rocks, wrapped in black lightning as it smashed fiercely toward Yu Tianyu.

This strike held nothing back.

This strike was the peak of his life thus far!

Facing a blow capable of instantly killing a Spirit Emperor and severely wounding a Spirit Saint, Yu Tianyu stood where he was, not even intending to dodge.

He didn't even release his martial spirit.

He simply raised one hand slowly.

It was his right hand.

Fair, slender, and devoid of any spirit power glow, it was as if he were reaching out to catch a falling leaf.

"Go to hell!!!"

Tang San's eyes were bloodshot as he poured all his hatred into this hammer strike.

BOOM!!!

The giant hammer collided with the palm.

A terrifying shockwave instantly swept across the entire camp; the surrounding tents were uprooted, and both Grandmaster and Flender were forced back several steps by the blast of air.

Dust and smoke filled the air.

"Did we win?!" Oscar asked nervously.

Everyone stared fixedly at the center of the dust cloud.

Such a terrifying blow—even a Title Douluo couldn't possibly catch it barehanded, right?

However.

As the dust settled, a scene that shattered everyone's worldview appeared.

Yu Tianyu was still standing in the same spot, his feet not even sinking half an inch into the soil.

His right hand was raised high above his head.

That immense Clear Sky Hammer, carrying the force of ten thousand jun, was being steadily supported by his seemingly fragile palm.

It was as if he were holding a tuft of cotton.

He didn't budge an inch.

"Is... is this your full strength?"

Yu Tianyu tilted his head, looking at Tang San, whose expression had frozen and whose body had stiffened in mid-air.

"Why is it so light? Did you not eat today?"

"Im... impossible..."

Tang San's eyes widened, his pupils nearly popping out of their sockets.

This was a Seven-in-One Fusion Skill!

This was a blow approaching the power of a Weapon Spirit Avatar!

Why?

Why did he catch it with one hand without even using his own martial spirit?

Is he even human?!

"Too weak."

Yu Tianyu sighed, a flash of boredom crossing his eyes.

"Since you like this hammer so much, I'll help you fix it up."

As soon as the words fell.

Yu Tianyu's palm exerted a sudden, violent force.

Crack!

A crisp sound of shattering echoed through the air.

Countless cracks appeared on the surface of the incredibly hard Clear Sky Hammer, known as the number one weapon martial spirit in the world.

"No!!!"

Tang San let out a shrill, miserable scream.

When a martial spirit is damaged, the host suffers as well.

Pfft!

Tang San spat out a mouthful of blood, his body falling from mid-air like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily onto the ground.

The massive Clear Sky Hammer shattered in Yu Tianyu's hand into countless black specks of light, dissipating into the air.

The Seven-in-One Fusion Skill, broken.

The other six Shrek members also suffered the backlash, each vomiting blood and collapsing to the ground.

One move.

Total annihilation.

The so-called trump card, the so-called hope for a comeback, was like a ridiculous bubble in the face of Yu Tianyu's absolute power—popping at the slightest touch.

The camp was deathly silent.

Only Tang San lay on the ground, his body twitching violently. His eyes were hollow, and he kept muttering to himself: "Impossible... impossible..."

Yu Tianyu walked slowly to Tang San and looked down at him from above.

"I didn't want to take action, after all, this is just the warm-up for the finals."

"But since you insisted on buzzing around like a fly, I had no choice."

After speaking, Yu Tianyu did not leave.

He crouched down and leaned in close to Tang San's ear.

At this moment, Tang San had completely lost the will to resist. He was like meat on a chopping block, waiting to be slaughtered.

Yu Tianyu's gaze swept with a mocking smile toward Xiao Wu, who had collapsed not far away.

Xiao Wu was clutching her chest, looking at Yu Tianyu in terror. As a soul beast, her intuition was sharper than a human's. She could feel that this man possessed an aura that made her soul tremble—the aura of an apex predator.

"Tang San."

Yu Tianyu's voice was very soft, audible only to the two of them.

"Do you know? Actually, I have always been curious about one thing."

"That... 100,000-year Soft Bone Rabbit by your side, how does she taste when braised?"

BOOM!!!

This sentence, like a thunderbolt from the nine heavens, exploded directly inside Tang San's mind.

It was ten thousand times more terrifying than having his Clear Sky Hammer crushed just moments ago!

Tang San jerked his head up, ignoring the excruciating pain in his body, and stared fixedly at Yu Tianyu, the fear in his eyes reaching its absolute limit.

He... he knew?!

How could this be possible?!

Xiao Wu clearly had the Love-Sickness Heartbroken Red to mask her aura, to the point that even a Title Douluo couldn't detect it, so how could he know?!

"Shh."

Yu Tianyu raised a finger, pressed it against his lips, and made a gesture for silence.

"Don't be so agitated."

"I don't intend to expose this little rabbit just yet."

"After all, this is the main course I have prepared for you... for the grand finale."

"Just imagine it."

Yu Tianyu's gaze turned as cruel as a demon's.

"In front of the prestigious Pope Palace, before the eyes of every Title Douluo."

"If you lose, this rabbit... will be skinned and deboned, her spirit bone extracted, and she will become someone else's Spirit Ring."

"And you, you will only be able to watch helplessly, unable to do a thing."

"Doesn't that picture sound beautiful?"

"Ahhhhhhh!!"

Tang San collapsed.

He wanted to lunge forward and tear Yu Tianyu to shreds, but he couldn't move. Immense fear and despair flooded over him like a tidal wave.

It wasn't just that he was being humiliated.

Even his beloved Xiao Wu had been targeted by this demon!

Moreover, the other party clearly knew, yet deliberately kept silent, just to save it for the very end to deliver the most fatal blow.

This was a game of cat and mouse.

This wasn't just murder; this was psychological torture!

"Enjoy this final journey, my... toy."

Yu Tianyu patted Tang San's paper-white face, stood up, and walked away with a loud laugh.

He left behind a scene of utter devastation.

And the members of Shrek, their hearts filled with endless darkness.

That night, Tang San did not sleep.

He held the trembling Xiao Wu in his arms, both of them having cried until their tears ran dry.

In front of this demon, they had no secrets, no dignity, and no room for resistance.

The road to Spirit City had completely turned into a one-way street leading to hell.