Tingyun! Tingyun!

"Elder Xuan, please get up. We have already forgiven you."

Zhang Lexuan's voice emerged indifferently from her purple-white lips.

"I am guilty! I cannot get up! I must atone for my sins!"

Xuan Zi did not even turn his head, sulking in a muffled, stubborn tone.

Zhang Lexuan's heart was filled with sorrow, but she no longer had a choice.

Zhang Lexuan immediately closed her eyes, a clear tear sliding down her cheek as her straight, slender legs trembled uncontrollably.

But before Zhang Lexuan could kneel, a scorching heat surged from behind her.

Zhang Lexuan snapped her eyes open and turned around.

She saw a humanoid tyrannosaurus charging in, clutching a Fox Woman under its arm.

"Oh my, how truly disheveled. However, Zhang Lexuan! You have quite the audacity!"

Tingyun, brought in by Wu Qingyao, straightened her dress and then shouted at Zhang Lexuan with a stern expression.

"Trespassing into the Shrek Inner Court without cause—is the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect trying to start a war with Shrek Academy?!"

Dean Yan, who had rushed over from behind, also shouted in anger. Originally, out of respect for the Original Seven Devils, Dean Yan had not wanted to pursue Wu Qingyao's actions, but he had not expected her to escalate things by breaking directly into Sea God Island!

"How is this 'without cause'? This humble one remembers saying that a student of your esteemed academy had eavesdropped on the core secrets of the Minghuo Chamber of Commerce."

"Impossible!"

"There is nothing impossible about it. Zhang Lexuan! You tell them—did you not eavesdrop on secrets at the Minghuo Chamber of Commerce yesterday?"

Zhang Lexuan looked at Tingyun in a daze.

"Oh my~ Dean Yan, look, Zhang Lexuan doesn't even dare to admit it~"

"Preposterous! Does the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect dare to humiliate Shrek Academy to this extent?!"

Dean Yan's expression darkened as he stared fixedly at the glib-tongued Tingyun.

Tingyun chuckled, tucked her fan into her waistband, and said softly:

"Dean Yan, do not take offense! My master, who is not one to coddle others, gave the order that I must find the person who stole the secrets, no matter what."

"Otherwise, how would I dare to break into Shrek Academy? How about this: we each take a step back. I will not publicize that Shrek Academy has produced a thief, and your academy must agree that Student Zhang will accompany me to investigate this matter thoroughly within seven days. How does that sound?"

"Hah, does President Tingyun take this old man for a fool? Do you really think I don't know what you are actually here for?"

Dean Yan laughed coldly.

Tingyun continued to chuckle, picked up the fan from her waist, fanned herself, and said slowly:

"Dean Yan, this humble one has traveled far and wide in recent years and has gained some experience. The greatest taboo for a person is to be a frog in a well."

Tingyun walked slowly to Dean Yan's side:

"Dean Yan, the world is vast—so vast that everyone has corners they cannot perceive. At the same time, the world is also very small; even just stepping out the door, one might offend an existence they cannot afford to provoke."

Tingyun looked at the grim-faced Dean Yan with a smile:

"What do you think~"

"A beast that isn't even human—are you saying that you yourself do not know the immensity of heaven and earth?"

Dean Yan spoke with a cold sneer.

"Oh my~ Dean Yan, those words truly break this humble one's heart. You do not know what the Fairy Boat is, and I do not blame you. After all, even that person above your Shrek Academy might not know the true power of the Fairy Boat."

Tingyun tossed out the concept of the Fairy Boat nonchalantly, seemingly unbothered by Dean Yan's previous insults.

Dean Yan frowned, walked past Wu Qingyao and Zhang Lexuan, and directly helped Xuan Zi up.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Lexuan's heart gave another painful twitch.

"Elder Xuan, do not feel guilty anymore. Now, these villains dare to break into the holy land of Shrek and insult the Original Shrek Seven Devils. You must give them a taste of their own medicine."

Hearing this, Xuan Zi shifted instantly from despondent to furious: "What! Someone dares to insult the ancestor Tang San? This is simply unforgivable!"

Xuan Zi's murderous gaze locked onto Tingyun.

Tingyun's delicate body trembled slightly. She gritted her teeth and waved at Wu Qingyao, signaling her not to interfere.

"Wu Qingyao! Listen well: Tingyun was saved by my benefactor. Today, I die for my benefactor, but I will not tarnish my benefactor's reputation. You leave now. Go tell my benefactor that if he still thinks of Tingyun, please, when he sees Sister Yukong another day, help Tingyun send her regards!"

Tingyun gritted her teeth, blood spilling from the corner of her mouth: "Old cur, do it then. Qingyao, help this humble one witness whether the gods in the high heavens can protect..."

Before Tingyun could finish her harsh words, the pressure on her body suddenly vanished.

Tingyun's body went limp, and she was caught by Zhang Lexuan, whose eyes were red-rimmed.

"It seems not everyone in Shrek is a madman~"

The weak Tingyun panted as she teased.

"Shrek Academy has always protected its students. Since President Tingyun has said it is only to have Lexuan assist in the investigation, I assume you will not harm her. Xuan Zi and Shaozhe were merely acting out of love for their student."

An aged and majestic voice drifted from the sky.

As Tingyun listened to Mu En's condescending words, she reached out to wipe the tears from Zhang Lexuan's face:

"I suppose the individual who has been hiding in the shadows all this time is none other than Mu En, the Dragon God Douluo, whom General Yaoguang mentioned. Before this humble one arrived at Shrek Academy, the General entrusted me with a message."

Tingyun supported Zhang Lexuan and turned to leave.

Zhang Lexuan had initially been confused by Mu En's words, but upon hearing Tingyun mention that someone had been hiding in the shadows, she resolutely followed Tingyun away.

Under Mu En's instruction, Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi watched the three of them depart.

Only then did Tingyun's words drift back:

"A grass that eats the tree is hidden within the tree."

This sentence was, of course, not actually spoken by General Yaoguang; after all, Bai Mo had never drawn such a line. This was merely something Tingyun had fabricated after hearing a few stories from Bai Mo. She used it specifically to retaliate against Shrek for bullying her.

Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi showed no reaction, but Mu En, lying on his recliner in the shadows, heard these words. Recalling the unease he had sensed earlier, he could not help but close his eyes.

"Teacher, why..."

"To openly threaten a god—if they are not a god, then they are a madman. Do you think this Fox Woman resembles a madman?"

Mu En was truly exhausted; he was still worrying about the Golden Tree, while his foolish disciple had yet to grasp the crux of the matter.

Mom! Where on earth have you sent your dear daughter!

A petite, beautiful girl in a pink dress with pink hair thought with grief and indignation.

Not long ago, Nan Qiuchiu's mother had told her to go gain some experience with an Exalted One and her son, promising that she could join the Exalted One's faction afterward. Nan Qiuchiu had agreed on the spot.

Throughout the journey, Nan Qiuchiu had spared no effort in cozying up to this "mother and son." Just a moment ago, as they were about to leave Dragon City, the two had said they were waiting for a companion. Based on their tone, Nan Qiuchiu guessed it was likely another Titled Douluo.

Nan Qiuchiu had been overjoyed; with so many powerhouses in this faction, she figured that surpassing her mother in the future would be no problem at all!

Shortly after, a little girl with green hair flew to the side of the three. Nan Qiuchiu did not care about her appearance—who knew if she was just an old monster pretending to be young?

Just as Nan Qiuchiu was about to go up and strike up a conversation, she heard the little girl speak.

"Hey, little doll, where did Snow Empress go?"

"Bing'er!" Snow Empress, who was disguised as Bai Xue, chided Ice Empress, then pressed the second fox mask she had received from Bai Mo onto Ice Empress's face.

Nan Qiuchiu's smile froze on her face; she felt as though she had just heard something incredible.

Then, under Nan Qiuchiu's shocked gaze, the little girl with green twin-tails transformed into a cold, aloof beauty with long, pale green hair, wearing cyan-blue armor and pure black leather boots.

The beauty then admired her new form with satisfaction before pointing at the dumbfounded Nan Qiuchiu and asking:

"And who is this little girl?"