Shrek Arrives, Master and Disciple Plot Escape

After the turmoil at Nuoding Academy subsided, Yu Xiaogang's reputation plummeted. The students who once surrounded him in adulation had long since scattered, and he was met with strange, judgmental gazes wherever he went.

Tang San was even more despondent, his days filled with gloom. With his access to the medicinal garden revoked, his opportunities lost, his beloved drifting further away, and my constant ten-level suppression looming over him like a shadow, he could never hold his head high at Nuoding Academy.

The vast academy had become a place of humiliation for this master and disciple.

I, however, maintained a low-profile and reserved demeanor. I spent my days in quiet meditation, never involving myself in the academy's petty disputes. I used the Ink Shadow Spirit Cat as my only public trump card, while the Heavy Profound Iron Sword remained firmly sealed deep within my soul. My true soul power of level twenty was kept suppressed at level ten—playing the pig to eat the tiger, waiting for the right moment.

[The memory is suddenly interrupted]

I remember it clearly: in the original story, the Shrek Academy recruitment was a vital turning point in Tang San's destiny. It was there he met the Shrek Seven Devils, became a disciple of Flender, and stepped onto the path to the pinnacle of his life. In this lifetime, I prepared in advance and laid my plans early. Not only will I intercept all of Shrek's opportunities, but even if Tang San and Yu Xiaogang manage to reach Shrek, I will ensure they remain forever trampled beneath my feet!

[Thoughts return to the present, my gaze settling into calm]

This morning, a piece of news quietly spread throughout Nuoding Academy: the legendary academy of the continent, Shrek Academy, was about to begin its new round of recruitment.

Countless young soul masters were stirred into a frenzy. Shrek's rule of only accepting monsters and never ordinary people attracted talented students from all directions to test their mettle.

The moment I learned of this, I began to prepare in silence.

I secretly packed my bags, took stock of my savings, and scouted the exact location of Shrek Academy, their recruitment rules, and the distribution of soul beasts along the route. I knew well that Shrek was the starting point of the winds and clouds on the Douluo Continent, and the key place for Tang San's rise. I had to seize the initiative and make foolproof preparations; I would never allow this master and disciple another chance to make a comeback.

On the other side, upon hearing the news of Shrek's recruitment, a glimmer of light ignited in the depths of Yu Xiaogang's dim eyes.

There was no longer a place for them at Nuoding Academy; staying here would only mean enduring the side-eyes and mockery of others every day. Shrek was an academy founded by his old friend Flender. As long as he brought Tang San there, he could rely on their past friendship to regain his footing.

"San, Nuoding is no longer a place to stay. We shall depart for Shrek Academy immediately." Yu Xiaogang found Tang San late that night, his tone carrying a hint of resolve. "That is the stage suited for you. Once we reach Shrek, we can escape our current predicament. One day, we will surely surpass Lin Chen again!"

Tang San had long grown weary of the stifling life at Nuoding. Hearing this, his eyes lit up, and hope reignited in his long-suppressed heart. In his view, as long as he left this place where he was suppressed by me at every turn and went to a new environment, he would surely be able to reclaim his talent and overtake me.

The master and disciple plotted in secret throughout the night, finalizing their plan to head to Shrek and intending to leave this academy where they had suffered such humiliation as soon as possible.

Little did they know, their path ahead had already been marked by me. Even if they fled to the ends of the earth, my suppression—permanently ten levels above his—would never vanish.

Xiao Wu soon learned of this. She found me at the first opportunity, her large eyes filled with determination: "Brother Lin Chen, I heard you plan to go to Shrek Academy. I want to go with you! I don't want to stay in Nuoding, and I certainly don't want to see Tang San and the others again!"

After spending so much time together, Xiao Wu's heart was already completely tied to me. In her eyes, Tang San was nothing more than a narrow-minded, unprincipled villain. Following me was already the only choice in her heart.

Not long after, Zhu Zhuqing, who had always been a loner, also took the initiative to find me.

The cold, aloof girl's expression was calm, but her tone was incredibly earnest: "Lin Chen, I heard that Shrek accepts geniuses from all over the world. I intend to go there for training. I wonder if I might accompany you?"

During this time, she had witnessed my composure, integrity, and wisdom firsthand, and had also seen through the hypocrisy and pettiness of Tang San and his master. She had long since placed her trust in me. Being able to travel to Shrek with me was, for her, the best choice.

I looked at the two beauties from the original story, each with her own unique charm, and nodded faintly in agreement: "Since you both have the intention, then we shall travel together. It will be good to have each other to look out for along the way."

Without a sound, I had firmly kept Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing by my side, completely severing all their original bonds with Tang San.

With the two girls in tow, we set out on the road ahead, while Tang San and Yu Xiaogang could only follow behind us in a sorry state, like dejected losers chasing our shadows step by step.

I reined in all my sharp edges, kept all my trump cards well-hidden, and led the two girls, quietly waiting for the day to depart for Shrek.

The glorious path that belonged to Tang San had been blocked by me layer by layer; the Douluo legend that belonged to me was about to formally raise its new curtain on the land of Shrek.