At the same time, Yu Xiaogang also spotted Qian Yu, Xiao Wu, and the others.
Yu Xiaogang remembered how Qian Yu had stolen Xiao Wu away. He had long been gnashing his teeth with hatred.
In a commanding tone, Yu Xiaogang ordered Zhao Wuji, "Zhao Wuji, kill Qian Yu at once." He practically ground the words out through clenched teeth.
At this, Zhao Wuji's brows furrowed even deeper.
Still, he stepped forward, though he didn't immediately attack Qian Yu.
"Qian Yu, you should leave. These two Spirit Beasts belong to Shrek Academy," Zhao Wuji told them.
His gaze kept moving between Qian Yu, Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others. The more Zhao Wuji looked, the more alarmed he became.
Xiao Wu had already reached level 30 in a short time, while Zhu Zhuqing had reached level 40. Ning Rongrong was at level 38. Dugu Yan was also level 40, and even the weakest member of the group, Ye Lingling, was level 32. And Qian Yu, a monster among monsters, had already reached level 49.
Zhao Wuji glanced at Qian Yu's group, then at Tang San and the current members of Shrek Academy. Comparing people really could drive you mad.
"What kind of monsters did we let walk away from Shrek?"
"Flender, you really do get more muddleheaded with age." Zhao Wuji could only smile bitterly to himself. He was furious and frustrated that Flender had let such a monstrous student go, unable to separate personal feelings from what was best for the academy.
"Zhao Wuji, long time no see. What a coincidence—the two Spirit Beasts are exactly what my companions need, too!" Qian Yu stepped forward calmly and met Zhao Wuji's gaze.
"Hmph, kid. You know the rule: first come, first served."
"Teacher Zhao, what are you waiting for? In the Soul Master World, stealing someone's Spirit Ring is like killing their parents. Hurry up and kill Qian Yu and his group!" Hearing Qian Yu speak so unhurriedly—and especially seeing Xiao Wu standing so affectionately beside him—made Tang San's anger flare. He raised his voice and shouted at Zhao Wuji.
At the same time, Tang San stared fixedly at Xiao Wu.
Tang San's fingertips dug into his palm. The pain brought him back to his senses a little.
He forced a smile and said to Xiao Wu, "Xiao Wu, is that really you? You have no idea how much I've missed you all these days. Come back. Join me in becoming a disciple of Teacher Yu. He teaches at Shrek Academy now, too. Believe me, Shrek Academy can help you reach the peak."
Tang San gazed at Xiao Wu with earnest sincerity. Ning Rongrong and the other girls all turned to look at her.
Xiao Wu was left terribly embarrassed by Tang San's sudden confession.
Qian Yu, meanwhile, was curious about Xiao Wu's choice. Will she choose Feather Gate or Tang San? He shook his head and waited quietly for her decision.
Xiao Wu glanced at Qian Yu, seemingly hoping he would say something to persuade her to stay.
After spending all these years by Qian Yu's side, day in and day out, Xiao Wu had long since found her heart unconsciously turning toward him.
To Tang San, Xiao Wu looking toward Qian Yu was nothing less than a brazen betrayal.
No! Xiao Wu wouldn't betray me! Qian Yu must have something on her! That has to be it! Tang San kept trying to convince himself.
He hoped Xiao Wu would return to his side.
Xiao Wu waited for some hint from Qian Yu, but when none came, she felt a little disappointed. Still, she soon put her doubts aside. I'm already a member of Feather Gate. Qian Yu treats me well. He gave me an Immortal Herb and helped me grow stronger. He even helped hide my Spirit Beast aura. Why would I go back?
Xiao Wu made up her mind and said to Tang San, each word clear and deliberate, "I'm sorry, Tang San. I think you've misunderstood. We've only ever been classmates. We were classmates at Nuoding Academy, and we're classmates at Shrek Academy, too."
After she finished, Xiao Wu walked straight over to Qian Yu without looking back. She stood quietly at his side and said no more.
"No..." Tang San's smile crumbled completely.
He swayed unsteadily.
"Qian Yu, it must be you! What kind of evil spell did you cast on Xiao Wu?"
"You didn't just steal my Spirit Bone. Now you want to steal my Spirit Ring and take my Xiao Wu, too."
"Teacher Zhao, kill him!" Tang San roared at Zhao Wuji, looking utterly crazed.
Facing Tang San in this state, Zhao Wuji wanted nothing more than to slap him to death.
But as soon as Zhao Wuji remembered the beating he'd taken from that giant hammer that night, his whole body began to tremble uncontrollably.
With no choice, Zhao Wuji stepped forward.
"Qian Yu, you should leave. These two Spirit Beasts aren't yours to fight over!" Zhao Wuji told him.
As he spoke, Zhao Wuji released his Martial Soul, the Great Vajra Bear, and lit his Seventh Soul Ring. The black ring flared to life. His Martial Soul Avatar, the Great Vajra Bear, threw back its head and roared.
Yet he didn't attack Qian Yu. It seemed he only meant to stop him.
Seeing Zhao Wuji release his Martial Soul Avatar, Tang San perked up, thinking Zhao Wuji was about to kill Qian Yu and avenge him. But Zhao Wuji was only putting on a show to scare Qian Yu away. He didn't seem to have any intention of killing him.
Tang San couldn't stand it. "Teacher Zhao, kill Qian Yu!" He couldn't beat Qian Yu himself, so all he could do was rage helplessly at Zhao Wuji.
Zhao Wuji's brows furrowed even more at this. He urged Qian Yu, "Qian Yu, hurry up and leave. You can't afford to provoke the person behind Tang San."
Zhao Wuji was kindly warning him. At the same time, he released his Soul Power pressure against Qian Yu and the others, hoping to force them to retreat.
Qian Yu knew exactly who Zhao Wuji meant by the person behind Tang San: Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao, a level 95 Super Douluo. For all he knew, Tang Hao was hiding in some sewer corner, watching him.
The pressure of a level 76 Soul Saint was considerable for Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan, and the others.
Seeing Ning Rongrong struggling, Sword Douluo couldn't bear to watch and was just about to step in.
But Qian Yu said to him, "Senior Sword Douluo, Zhao Wuji means us no harm. He's only trying to force us back."
"Let this Soul Saint's pressure help them solidify their unsteady Soul Power."
Sword Douluo couldn't bear to see Ning Rongrong endure such pressure. But when she met Qian Yu's resolute gaze, she gritted her teeth and said to Sword Douluo, "Grandpa Sword, Qian Yu's right. Our Soul Power has increased quickly, but it's a little unstable. We can use this Soul Saint's pressure to temper ourselves."
As she spoke, Ning Rongrong sat cross-legged and began resisting Zhao Wuji's Soul Saint pressure.
The other girls—Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Ye Lingling, and Dugu Yan—did the same.
Only then did Sword Douluo hold back.
As for Qian Yu, he remained relaxed, seemingly barely affected by the pressure.
"What if I say no, Zhao Wuji?" Qian Yu asked with a faintly amused smile.
Seeing Qian Yu and Ning Rongrong use his Soul Power pressure as a whetstone for their cultivation, Zhao Wuji couldn't help but think even more highly of them. At the same time, his resentment toward Flender grew.
"Zhao Wuji, are you playing house? Have you forgotten what Xiao San's father said?" Yu Xiaogang couldn't take it anymore and berated Zhao Wuji.
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