Tang Hao, the Protective Father, PKs Sword Douluo, the Protective Elder (1)

At the same time, Yu Xiaogang also caught sight of Qian Yu, Xiao Wu, and the others.

Yu Xiaogang was immediately reminded of how Qian Yu had spirited Xiao Wu away, and his heart burned with long-standing resentment.

"Zhao Wuji, kill Qian Yu at once," Yu Xiaogang commanded, his voice tight as he gritted his teeth.

Hearing this, Zhao Wuji's brow furrowed even deeper.

Yet, he still stepped forward, though he made no move to attack Qian Yu immediately.

"Qian Yu, you should leave. These two Spirit Beasts belong to our Shrek Academy," Zhao Wuji said to the group.

His gaze wandered repeatedly over Qian Yu, Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing. The more he looked, the more shocked he became.

In such a short time, Xiao Wu had already reached level 30, Zhu Zhuqing had reached level 40, and Ning Rongrong was at level 38. That was not to mention Dugu Yan, who was also level 40, or even the lowest in their group, Ye Lingling, who was at level 32—to say nothing of Qian Yu, a monster among monsters, who had already reached level 49.

Zhao Wuji looked at Qian Yu's group, then back at Tang San and the current Shrek students. Truly, comparisons were odious.

What kind of monsters did we let slip through our fingers at Shrek?

Flender, you really grow more muddled with age, Zhao Wuji thought with a helpless, bitter smile. He felt annoyed and angry at Flender for failing to distinguish between personal and public matters, allowing such monstrous students to leave.

"Long time no see, Zhao Wuji. What a coincidence—these two Spirit Beasts happen to be exactly what my companions need!" Qian Yu stood his ground, neither humble nor pushy, and spoke to Zhao Wuji.

"Hmph, kid, do you not understand the concept of first come, first served?"

"Teacher Zhao, what are you waiting for? You know that in the spirit master world, stealing someone's Spirit Ring is no different from killing their parents. Why haven't you killed Qian Yu and his group yet?" Upon hearing Qian Yu's calm, unhurried voice—and seeing Xiao Wu standing so intimately by his side—Tang San felt his rage ignite. He shrieked at the top of his lungs, roaring at Zhao Wuji.

At the same time, Tang San kept his eyes locked firmly on Xiao Wu.

Tang San dug his fingernails into his palms, the pain helping him maintain a shred of clarity.

He forced a smile and said to Xiao Wu, "Xiao Wu, is it really you? You have no idea how much I've suffered missing you all these days. Come back. Join my teacher's tutelage with me; he is teaching at Shrek Academy now. Believe me, Shrek Academy can definitely help you reach the pinnacle."

Tang San looked at Xiao Wu with earnest, pleading eyes. Ning Rongrong and the other girls all turned their gazes toward her.

Xiao Wu felt incredibly awkward from Tang San's sudden confession.

Qian Yu, meanwhile, was curious about her choice. Will she choose Feather Gate, or will she choose Tang San? He shook his head, waiting quietly for her decision.

Xiao Wu glanced at Qian Yu, seemingly hoping for some sign of encouragement or a request for her to stay.

Having spent every day and night with Qian Yu over these years, her heart had long since drifted toward him without her even realizing it.

To Tang San, however, the way Xiao Wu looked at Qian Yu was nothing short of a blatant betrayal.

It can't be! Xiao Wu wouldn't betray me! She must be under some kind of threat from Qian Yu! That has to be it! Tang San kept constructing these psychological justifications for himself.

He clung to the hope that Xiao Wu would return to his side.

Xiao Wu did not receive any hint from Qian Yu, which left her feeling a bit disappointed, but she quickly resolved her inner conflict: I am already a member of Feather Gate. Qian Yu treats me well, gives me Immortal Herbs to help me improve, and even helps me hide my aura as a Spirit Beast. Why would I go back?

With her mind made up, she looked at Tang San and said word for word, "I'm sorry, Tang San, but I think you've misunderstood. We have always been nothing more than classmates—at Nuoding Academy, and at Shrek Academy as well."

Having said this, Xiao Wu turned without looking back and walked to Qian Yu's side, standing quietly by him, saying no more.

"No..." Tang San's smile vanished completely.

His entire body swayed unsteadily.

"Qian Yu, it must be you! What kind of black magic did you use on Xiao Wu?"

"You didn't just steal my Spirit Bone; you want to steal my Spirit Ring, and now you're taking my Xiao Wu away too."

"Teacher Zhao, kill him for me!" Tang San roared at Zhao Wuji, looking as if he had lost his mind.

Facing the crazed Tang San, Zhao Wuji felt a strong urge to slap him into oblivion.

But the moment he remembered the beating he had received from that giant hammer that one night, his entire body couldn't help but tremble.

Helpless, Zhao Wuji stepped forward.

"Qian Yu, you should leave," Zhao Wuji said. "These two Spirit Beasts are not something you can contest!"

As he spoke, Zhao Wuji released his Martial Soul, the Great Vajra Bear, and ignited his seventh Spirit Ring. The black ring flared, and the Great Vajra Bear avatar let out a roar that shook the heavens.

However, he did not attack Qian Yu; it seemed he was merely trying to block him.

Seeing Zhao Wuji release his avatar, Tang San was invigorated, thinking that Zhao Wuji was about to kill Qian Yu to vent his anger. Little did he know that Zhao Wuji was only putting on a show to scare them off, with no intention of actually killing them.

Tang San could not endure this. "Teacher Zhao, kill Qian Yu!" Unable to defeat Qian Yu himself, he could only vent his impotent rage at Zhao Wuji.

Hearing this, Zhao Wuji's brow furrowed even more. He urged Qian Yu, "Qian Yu, you must leave quickly. The person behind Tang San is not someone you can afford to provoke."

Zhao Wuji offered this well-intentioned warning while simultaneously exerting his spirit pressure toward Qian Yu's group, hoping to force them to retreat.

Qian Yu knew exactly who Zhao Wuji was referring to: the Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao, a level 95 Super Douluo. He wondered if he was lurking in some dark corner right now, watching them.

The pressure of a level 76 Soul Saint was quite taxing for Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Ye Lingling, and Dugu Yan.

Seeing Ning Rongrong struggling, Sword Douluo felt a pang of sympathy and prepared to intervene.

Unexpectedly, Qian Yu said to him, "Senior Sword Douluo, Zhao Wuji bears no malice; he is merely trying to force us to retreat."

"Let this Soul Saint pressure help them solidify their unstable Soul Power."

Hearing this, although Sword Douluo could not bear to see Ning Rongrong suffer such pressure, she looked at Qian Yu's determined eyes and gritted her teeth, saying to Sword Douluo, "Sword Grandpa, Brother Qian Yu is right. Although our Soul Power has been rising rapidly, it is somewhat unstable. This is the perfect opportunity to use this Soul Saint pressure to temper ourselves."

With that, Ning Rongrong sat cross-legged and began to resist Zhao Wuji's pressure.

The other girls, such as Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Ye Lingling, and Dugu Yan, were in the same state.

Sword Douluo finally ceased his remarks.

As for Qian Yu, he remained leisurely and carefree, seemingly unaffected by any significant pressure.

"Zhao Wuji, what if I say no?" Qian Yu said to Zhao Wuji with a faint, inscrutable smile.

Seeing that Qian Yu and Ning Rongrong were actually using his soul pressure as a whetstone for their cultivation, Zhao Wuji could not help but hold Qian Yu and the others in higher regard, while his resentment toward Flender grew even deeper.

"Zhao Wuji, are you playing house? Have you forgotten what Little San's father said?" Yu Xiaogang could no longer stand by and rebuked Zhao Wuji angrily.