New Shrek Team, New Conflicts
Ma Hongjun casually tossed the cleanly gnawed chicken bones to the side of his feet, wiped the grease off his clothes with his fingertips.
Then he moved two steps closer to Oscar, his shoulder almost touching the other's, and his voice was kept extremely low.
"Little Ao, did you see that? Not only is the team leader of the Imperial Fighting Team here, but Yu Tianheng, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, and Osler are here too."
He gestured with his lip in that direction.
"Those two guys almost broke me during the competition, how come they're all here at Shrek now? Are they here to challenge us?"
Oscar's gaze swept over Flender and Yu Xiaogang's expressions, then returned to Yu Tianheng and the other two, and he responded in a low voice as well:
"Doesn't seem like someone trying to challenge us."
"Look at the expressions on the dean's and the Grandmaster's faces; they clearly knew about this all along, but just didn't tell us."
"I just don't know what they want from this sudden appearance."
His thoughts raced.
Tang San's fingers, hanging by his side, twitched slightly, and the internal energy of the Mysterious Heaven Skill quietly circulated half a circle at his fingertips.
His gaze fell on Yu Tianheng's right arm—the muscles there were firm and smooth, and even without releasing his Martial Soul, they contained the explosive power of Thunder.
He had faced off against Yu Tianheng.
He was well aware of the terror of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
Yu Tianheng is the direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and a core member of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
He simply couldn't understand why the other party would come to the Shrek Academy, which didn't even have a proper Training Ground.
Just then...
Qin Ming released Flender.
He raised his hand to straighten the wrinkles in his Soul Master robe, then turned to face Dai Mubai and the others.
As Spirit Emperor, even without deliberately releasing his Soul Power, his aura exerted a clear pressure on the young Soul Master present.
But he had a gentle smile on his face.
"Hello fellow disciples, I am Qin Ming."
His voice was clear and resonant. "From this day forward, I officially withdraw from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Shrek Academy. From now on, I will be your instructor."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Xiaogang took a step forward, raised his hand and patted Yu Tianheng's shoulder, the force carrying the expectation unique to an elder.
His gaze swept over the disciples in front of him. "Xiao San, let me introduce you. Yu Tianheng, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, and Osler, from today onwards, you officially Shrek Academy and the Shrek Team to prepare for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament."
The moment those words were spoken, it seemed as if the wind in the playground had stopped.
Dai Mubai slammed the heavy stone in his hand onto the ground, kicking up a cloud of yellow dust.
He stood before Yu Xiaogang, his back ramrod straight, the aura of the Evil Eye White Tiger Martial Soul emanating uncontrollably from his body.
"Grandmaster, what did you say?"
His voice was extremely low, carrying a barely suppressed anger.
"They're going to Shrek Team?"
Ma Hongjun jumped forward, his chubby face full of defiance, and his voice rose several octaves so that everyone present could hear him:
"Seriously? They're our enemies, and now they want to join our team? What makes them think they can do that?"
Oscar's gaze swept over Yu Tianheng and the other two, then fell back on Tang San, his unease growing stronger.
Yu Tianheng's right hand, hanging by his side, suddenly tightened its knuckles.
A flash of blue lightning disappeared from my fingertips.
The faint smile on his face vanished completely, and his gaze swept over Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai, and the others, a chill running through his heart.
A bunch of defeated underlings, how dare they be so arrogant?
If it weren't for his uncle Yu Xiaogang personally writing a letter saying that Shrek had the most advanced Soul Master theories that could help him become stronger, he would never have left the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
They would never come to a place that doesn't even have a proper Cultivation Ground.
And I won't be here, being mocked to my face by this group of people.
Shi Mo, Shi Mo, and Osler also looked grim.
If Yu Tianheng hadn't remained inactive, they would have really turned around and left.
Yu Tianheng took a step forward and stood face to face with Dai Mubai.
The two were less than a meter apart.
The Soul Power energy collided in the air, stirring up a fine dust.
"A bunch of defeated opponents, you dare to look down on us?"
His tone carried the arrogance ingrained in the bones of a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and every word struck Dai Mubai's heart like a hammer blow.
"I came to Shrek to give face to my uncle. Who do you people think you are?"
"What did you say?!"
Dai Mubai's Soul Power surged uncontrollably.
The phantom of the Evil Eye White Tiger Martial Soul solidified behind him.
The Spirit Ring climbed up her ankles, emitting a dazzling glow.
His teeth were clenched so hard they were grinding together, his gaze fixed on Yu Tianheng's face, as he said, word by word, "Say it again if you dare!"
Yu Xiaogang frowned, about to stop him.
Yu Tianheng raised his hand and blocked his movement.
Yu Tianheng's gaze never left Dai Mubai, a cold smile curving his lips.
"What? You want to make a move?"
"I wouldn't mind letting you, my defeated foe, experience the taste of defeat once again."
His gaze swept over everyone around him, and he announced loudly, "Here's the deal—we'll have a one-on-one duel, relying purely on our Martial Soul and Soul Skill. It's fair and just."
"Whoever wins will become the Captain of the Shrek Team."
He stared into Dai Mubai's eyes. "So, do you dare to accept?"
"Okay! I'll take it!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Dai Mubai readily agreed, his voice carrying an unwavering resolve.
His voice was deep and resonant. "I'll show you who's really the boss of Shrek!"
A surge of intense anger welled up within me.
Yu Tianheng, an outsider, tried to steal Shrek's Captain as soon as he arrived.
If he doesn't even dare to accept this challenge, he will have no place in Shrek in the future.
Moreover, he and Yu Tianheng were both Soul Elder, and their strengths were not much different.
Even if the opponent's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is a top-tier Beast Martial Soul, he might still have a fighting chance.
Flender pushed up his glasses.
His gaze swept over Yu Xiaogang beside him—the other man's face was expressionless; he was simply looking at the two people in the room, showing no intention of intervening.
He knows Dai Mubai too well.
This child may seem unruly, but deep down he cares more about his reputation and self-esteem than anyone else.
Yu Tianheng is Yu Xiaogang's nephew.
If these two fight—regardless of who wins or loses—the team's atmosphere won't be good.
But now the arrow is already on the bowstring.
If he forcibly stops them, it will only make both of them lose face.
He had no choice but to personally oversee the battle, but he demanded that it be stopped short of serious conflict and that no real fighting be allowed.
The two men tamped down the yellow soil in the center of the playground.
The people around them retreated more than a hundred meters away, giving them enough space to fight.
Tang San stood at the very front, his brows furrowed tightly.
Oscar and Ma Hongjun stood beside him, both looking somewhat nervous.
Qin Ming stood beside Yu Xiaogang, a hint of confidence on his face.
He had watched Yu Tianheng grow up, and he was very confident.
The Shi Mo and Shi Mo brothers, along with Osler, stood behind Yu Tianheng, their eyes also filled with determination.