Rejecting Yun Ming

When Yun Ming saw Tang Heng disappear along with the group of Evil Soul Masters, his heart skipped a beat.

Because he clearly sensed that the Soul Power Link previously attached to those Evil Soul Masters had been severed by some sort of law, as if the connected objects had vanished from this world in an instant.

Such a bizarre scene was unheard of, even for someone with Yun Ming's vast experience.

"Damn it! Was I too arrogant?"

It had been many years since he last encountered a situation that spiraled out of his control; for a moment, ripples stirred within his heart, which was usually as calm as a lake.

Was it that child's ability, or a trick of the Evil Soul Masters?

Yun Ming's mind raced as he expanded his spiritual power into the surroundings, determined not to let a single clue slip by.

If the move just now had been unleashed by the Evil Soul Masters, that child was likely in grave danger.

For a three-ring soul master to face a seven-ring Evil Soul Master equipped with two-word Battle Armor, the odds of victory were far too slim.

"Damn it, I should have acted immediately."

Regret was useless now, and a thick killing intent surged from Yun Ming's body.

How many years had it been? Ever since he became invincible in this era and retreated to Sea God Island with Ya Li to focus on creating a god position, when had he ever felt such rage?

But the next instant, familiar spatial fluctuations emanated from the old house ahead.

Those damned Evil Soul Masters!

Just as Yun Ming prepared to raise his spear to strike, he realized the situation did not seem to be what he had imagined.

The girl from before had transformed into the appearance of a boy, but judging by the soul power fluctuations and bone age, it was undoubtedly the same person.

Aside from him, the remaining Evil Soul Masters were all on the verge of death, their auras withered to the point where they wouldn't last another moment even if left alone.

"This, how is this possible?"

Yun Ming whispered, a trace of disbelief flashing in his eyes.

"A seven-year-old three-ring soul master actually defeated four high-level Evil Soul Masters?"

Even he, at that age, would have had no choice but to flee in such a situation; if he couldn't escape, the high probability was that he would have been killed by the Evil Soul Masters.

How on earth did he do it?

The anger in Yun Ming's heart was gradually replaced by curiosity, and he slowly retracted his aura.

Seeing Tang Heng decisively finish off the remaining Evil Soul Masters, Yun Ming felt a surge of joy, and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"I came out this time to find the Ghost Emperor, but I never expected that the heavens would gift me such a 'monster'."

"If such a flawless piece of raw jade could join my Shrek, then even a hundred years from now, the world's number one will still be Shrek!"

Putting away the Sky-Prop Spear, Yun Ming made his decision.

He would take this child as his disciple, even if it meant breaking the rules of Shrek.

"Who are you?"

Tang Heng gripped his spear tightly, keeping his distance from the middle-aged man who had suddenly appeared.

Although he couldn't sense the other party's soul power fluctuations, the health bar displayed above him indicated that this person was definitely more powerful than the Evil Soul Masters from before.

At the very least, he was comparable to the hundreds-of-thousands-year-old Fierce Beasts in MC; he had to be a Super Douluo at the very least.

"Child, you need not be nervous. I am not an Evil Soul Master." Yun Ming paused, then stood with his hands behind his back, adopting the air of an otherworldly expert, and said softly:

"I wonder if you have heard of the Sky-Prop Douluo?"

Oh, so it's Yun Ming.

That explains it; after all, he is the world's number one and a Limit Douluo, so a thicker health bar is only natural.

Furthermore, he didn't feel the unique, chilling aura of an Evil Soul Master from this person.

Instead, there was a sense of pride—a determination that vowed to pierce through the heavens and the earth.

Hmm, if he had to describe it, this person felt like a spear to Tang Heng, bearing a slight resemblance to the phantoms he saw when he used the Golden Thirteen Spears skill book back then.

Combining these points, the person before him might truly be Yun Ming.

Tang Heng deactivated his equipment, returning the Netherite Armor and the spear to his inventory.

Although the other party was from Shrek and had committed many disgusting and underhanded deeds, at the very least, he wouldn't attack a weak-looking child like him without cause.

"Oh, the Sky-Prop Douluo, I have heard of him."

Tang Heng nodded slightly and replied.

"Hahaha, then would you be willing to become my disciple?"

Yun Ming's tone was kind, his face filled with absolute confidence.

He was the Sky-Prop Douluo, the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, and the undisputed number one person on the continent.

With him personally extending an olive branch, who in the world would refuse?

"No."

"Very well! Then take me to meet your parents first, we must discuss this matter..." Yun Ming paused, as if he had just heard something strange, and pressed, "Child, what did you just say?"

Tang Heng crossed his arms over his chest, his expression indifferent as he replied:

"I said, I don't want to be your disciple."

"Why? Becoming my disciple would allow me to make an exception and let you join the Inner Court of Shrek Academy at your age."

"Not interested."

He had no desire to go to Shrek Academy.

To be brainwashed in the past and then obediently act as a dog for Shrek?

That kind of thing, absolutely not.

Experiencing the taste of rejection for the first time, Yun Ming felt a moment of awkwardness.

But he was, after all, the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion; what great storms had he not weathered? He wouldn't stoop to getting angry at a mere child.

"Ahem, are you unaware that Shrek Academy is the number one on the continent? Coming to our academy, you can enjoy the most top-tier resources and faculty."

"Even if you don't want to stay at the academy in the future, finding work outside is very convenient. Our students are in every level of the Federation, and the treatment is absolutely many times better than any other Soul Master Academy."

Yun Ming cleared his throat, coaxing him patiently.

Hearing this, Tang Heng only felt it was hard to keep a straight face.

So you do know your students are spread across the length and breadth of the land?

In the original story, Shrek was bombed partly because of the Spirit Pagoda's wolfish ambitions to replace them, and partly because the Holy Spirit Cult held a grudge over years of suppression by Shrek.

But the Federation also stepped in, and wasn't it because you at Shrek Academy were running a state within a state, planting brainwashed students in various positions? The things Wu Lin and the protagonist group did later could even be called treason.

One day Long Yeyue slaps the Spirit Pagoda Master in the face, the next Yun Ming runs to a secret Federation organization to snatch their heir, nearly blowing up Ming Capital with a single shot.

An academy should just be an academy; teaching and educating people is enough.

Secretly cultivating a private army, occupying seats in the Federal Parliament, and reaching hands into politics.

Heh, saying they deserved it wouldn't be an exaggeration at all.

It was only a pity for those ten million-plus civilians who suffered a disaster they didn't deserve; after being blown to death, their souls were even taken by the Holy Spirit Cult to be used.

"Heaven gave me talent for a reason; even without relying on those filthy nepotistic connections, I may not necessarily fail to reach the pinnacle in the future."

Tang Heng responded coldly, then turned and walked away.

Yun Ming opened his mouth to speak, but in the end, the words remained unsaid.

His words just now had indeed been arrogant. This child could defeat an Evil Soul Master of the Soul Saint level while only at the three-ring stage; such combat power and talent far surpassed his own younger self.

Geniuses all have a backbone; it was understandable that he would be unwilling to live under someone else's roof or accept charity.

But Yun Ming remained confident; give him a few days, and he would certainly make Tang Heng change his mind.