Love Remains the Same, but Alas, People Have Changed

"Tang San Tang San, who treated Yu Xiaogang's words as sacred decrees since childhood, who even followed his teacher's training plan to the rhythm of his breathing, actually openly disregarded Yu Xiaogang's orders?"

In the dead silence,

Ma Hongjun muttered something that everyone could hear, "Holy crap... this is outrageous."

Oscar, who was standing next to him, quickly nudged him with his elbow, signaling him to shut up.

Yu Xiaogang's expression was so interesting it could fill a research paper.

But these emotions come and go quickly.

Finally, all expressions turned somber, like a layer of ash covering burning coals.

All that remained on his face was a dejected and defeated look.

He slowly sat back down in his original seat.

The moment he sank into the chair, he suddenly felt several years older.

Just a moment ago, I was feeling smug, thinking that my authority was still secure.

Looking back now, it's absolutely ridiculous.

So what if six people are obedient?

The most important one is no longer listening.

When did Tang San start to change?

It's after cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer!

Yes, it started from then on.

The boy who used to ask me for advice on everything and always said "Teacher is right" has gradually become silent.

They no longer proactively report their cultivation progress.

They no longer humbly sought advice on tactical arrangements.

Even the way she looked at him while eating changed from looking up to looking straight ahead.

When a student starts to look a teacher in the eye, it means that he feels he no longer needs that teacher.

Yu Xiaogang's lips trembled slightly.

He suddenly dared not think any further.

Because he feared the answer was— Tang San no longer held the title of "teacher" in his heart.

The atmosphere in the arena changed abruptly the moment Tang San stepped onto the stage.

The audience, who had just been mocking the Shrek Academy members for forfeiting, fell silent instantly.

All eyes were fixed on the cold-faced young man.

Tang San raised his right hand.

Soul Power surged.

A massive, pitch-black hammer materialized out of thin air and crashed into his palm.

The hammer is entirely black, exuding a heavy, oppressive aura.

The surrounding air was distorted and deformed by that overwhelming force.

The stone slabs on the arena cracked under this oppressive force.

Several cracks spread from Tang San's feet, heading straight towards Zhu Zhuqing.

On the arena, Zhu Zhuqing remained completely unmoved despite the oppressive force.

The cat's pupils narrowed slightly, its agility poised to be unleashed.

She had just achieved a state of clarity and was in peak condition.

Even though they felt the terrifying pressure of the Clear Sky Hammer, they did not flinch in the slightest.

The two stood ten paces apart, their eyes meeting.

One was as cold as ice.

A still pool, as deep as a still pond.

A suffocating atmosphere of tension filled the air.

The tense atmosphere, like a storm brewing, made the surrounding audience hold their breath.

Everything could erupt at any moment.

However, a very subtle fluctuation of Soul Power passed through the crowd and precisely entered Zhu Zhuqing's ear.

"Zhu Zhuqing, step down."

His voice was unhurried, carrying a hint of lazy laughter.

It's Lin Qingmo.

"You've done what you needed to do today. There's no need for you to try and withstand the Clear Sky Hammer; I'd be heartbroken if you hurt your hand."

The Soul Power transmitted a sound that vibrated slightly in Zhu Zhuqing's ear.

"Let's leave the rest to someone more suitable."

Zhu Zhuqing's eyelashes trembled slightly.

She didn't turn around, but her gaze swept towards a certain direction in the audience.

Lin Qingmo was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, giving her a half-smile.

The subtext of that expression was probably: Be good, listen to me.

Zhu Zhuqing's lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile.

The next second, she decisively withdrew from her fighting stance and turned to leave.

There were no extra words, no explanations.

Her steps were so light that it didn't seem like she had just finished a tough battle.

Instead, it carries a sense of carefree ease, as if all burdens have been lifted.

Defeating Dai Mubai is enough.

As for Tang San--

Sorry, that's not her job.

The moment Zhu Zhuqing jumped off the stage, the entire arena erupted in commotion once again.

"They abstained?"

"That's not right, she was clearly the winner, why did she voluntarily withdraw?"

"Who knows... Why are there so many people giving up in this competition? Did I buy a ticket to watch people give up?"

Tang San was the only one left on the arena.

He frowned slightly.

His gaze flickered in the direction Zhu Zhuqing had left, vaguely catching something unusual.

She retreated too quickly, almost illogically.

But he didn't have time to think about it further.

Because another person had already stood up.

Lin Qingmo turned her head, glancing at her side out of the corner of her eye.

Xiao Wu sat next to him.

The girl's current state can only be described in four words: murderous.

She stared intently at Tang San on the arena.

Those eyes, usually bright and lively, were now burning with rage.

Her long braid hung down her back, and the end of the braid swayed gently even in the absence of wind.

That was the overflow reaction after the Soul Power surged to a certain extent.

Tang San.

Tang Hao.

Every time Xiao Wu thought of those two names, she felt the fire in her chest burn even brighter.

She would never forget the grudge of being treated as prey for Spirit Ring.

Lin Qingmo took in Xiao Wu's reaction, and a slow smile curved his lips.

He stretched and said, "Xiao Wu."

Xiao Wu didn't move, her gaze still fixed on Tang San.

"Your chance to take revenge yourself has come."

This statement was like a pebble thrown into a pot of boiling oil.

Xiao Wu was startled and turned her head sharply to look at Lin Qingmo.

Her pupils constricted sharply in that instant, churning with an overwhelming mix of emotions.

Surprise, excitement, anticipation, and murderous intent... all mixed together, causing her whole body to tremble slightly.

Lin Qingmo tilted his head and gestured, "Let's go."

"Good."

She uttered the word softly, but the fierceness in it was palpable even to those around her.

Xiao Wu suddenly erupts!

Her long braid swung in the air in a tricky arc, and she soared into the air, her movements as agile as a rabbit released from its cage.

She did a half somersault in mid-air and landed steadily on the ring.

She was standing exactly five steps in front of Tang San.

The moment she landed, she released her Soul Power without reservation.

An overwhelming and unreasonable surge of Soul Power emanated from her, spreading outwards and causing the stone slabs on the arena to vibrate and hum.

There was a hint of extremely subtle bestiality mixed in with that aura.

The foundation of Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

Even now, living as a human being

That powerful instinct, ingrained in her very bones, still surged within her.

Xiao Wu stared straight at Tang San, a cold smile curving her lips.

"Tang San."

She called his name, but her tone didn't sound like she was calling a former classmate.

It's more like pronouncing a verdict on an enemy.

Have you ever thought this day would come?

Tang San was stunned when he saw that the person who jumped onto the arena was Xiao Wu.

He held the Clear Sky Hammer in mid-air, maintaining a posture ready to strike at any moment.

However, the five fingers gripping the handle visibly tightened.

That stiffness didn't come from fighting instinct.

It stemmed from a fact he was unwilling to face but could not avoid.

The girl in front of him was once one of the people he loved most in the world.

And so it remains... unchanged.

Unfortunately... things have changed.