Yu Xiaolong stood at the entrance to the Dragon God Temple, his fingertips brushing over the Storage Soul Tool containing five hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins.
At last, he had money.
This sum was enough to renovate the Dragon God Temple's outer walls.
"Teacher."
Shui Bing'er emerged from the temple, her icy-blue hair fluttering lightly in the wind.
Her gaze fell on the object in Yu Xiaolong's hand.
"Is that... five hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins?"
"Mm. Enough to build our third training ground."
The corners of Yu Xiaolong's mouth lifted, and a rare smile appeared on his face.
Shui Bing'er's eyes lit up.
These past few days, the Dragon God Temple had lacked everything. What it lacked most was money.
Just then.
A group of people approached in the distance, looking utterly bedraggled.
Tang San clutched his chest, blood still at the corner of his mouth.
Yu Xiaogang supported him, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot.
Xiao Wu and Dai Mubai followed behind them, equally battered.
They had just suffered a crushing defeat at Xue Beng's hands.
Xue Beng hadn't even made a move himself. Just one strange Hidden Weapon—
and Third Brother had been injured this badly.
Tang San raised his head and saw the Dragon God Temple's signboard.
His gaze froze.
When had an academy appeared here?
Three golden characters gleamed on the signboard, grand and imposing.
"Dragon God Temple..."
Yu Xiaogang read the three characters, his brows furrowing into a deep crease.
His gaze swept over the academy's outer walls, all built from expensive stone.
Jealousy coiled around his heart like a venomous snake and sank its fangs in.
The Shrek Academy he had founded still had nothing but shabby wooden houses.
But here...
The door opened.
Yu Xiaolong stepped out, with Shui Bing'er beside him.
"Well, well, if it isn't the good-for-nothings from Shrek."
Yu Xiaolong raised an eyebrow, his tone casual.
Tang San's pupils contracted.
Yu Xiaogang's face flushed red in an instant.
"Yu Xiaolong! Who are you calling a good-for-nothing?"
"Obviously, all of you."
Yu Xiaolong spread his hands, smiling casually.
"Looks like someone got the better of you again. What else would you call that but useless?"
Yu Xiaogang's chest heaved violently.
That bastard... How did he know we got taken for a ride?!
Tang San stepped forward, placing himself between his teacher and Yu Xiaolong.
"Yu Xiaolong, shut your mouth."
His voice was low, brimming with suppressed fury.
"What? Young Master Tang San can't take it?"
Yu Xiaolong tilted his head, his eyes full of amusement.
"Judging by your injuries... were you hit by a Hidden Weapon?"
Tang San's body stiffened.
How does he know what just happened...?
Yu Xiaogang grabbed Tang San and gritted out a few words.
"Fine... very good... So this is the Dragon God Temple, huh?"
"Yu Xiaolong, we'll see about this!"
With that, he hauled Tang San around and left.
Their steps staggered, burdened by their humiliation.
Yu Xiaolong watched them go, his smile slowly fading.
This feud was now set in stone.
Shui Bing'er asked softly, "Teacher, will they try to harm us?"
"Sooner or later."
Yu Xiaolong turned his gaze away.
"We'll meet soldiers with generals and stem the flood with earth."
Night fell over Shrek Academy.
Tang San sat on the edge of his bed, his face dark as ink.
Xiao Wu entered, carrying a bowl of hot soup.
"Third Brother, does it still hurt?"
Tang San shook his head and said nothing.
Yu Xiaolong's taunts played over and over in his mind.
Dragon God Temple... Yu Xiaolong...
I'll make you pay for this!
Xiao Wu saw what was on his mind and quietly stepped outside.
She left the academy gates and gazed toward the distant Star Dou Great Forest.
The moon hung in the sky, and faint beastly roars drifted from the forest.
Xiao Wu bit her lower lip.
I can only go find Er Ming.
But... will he agree?
She flashed away, vanishing into the night.
Deep in the Star Dou Great Forest.
A low growl rang out.
The Titan Giant Ape, Er Ming, emerged from beneath a giant tree, bloodlust glinting in his eyes.
Dried blood still stained his claws.
"Sister Xiao Wu, what brings you here?"
Er Ming licked his fangs, his voice rough as gravel.
Xiao Wu turned her back to him and drew a deep breath.
"Er Ming, I need you to do me a favor."
"What kind of favor?"
"Kill someone."
Er Ming's eyes lit up, and a cruel smile spread across his face.
"Kill someone? Easy."
"Just the day before yesterday, I tore apart a few puny Soul Masters who didn't know their place."
He clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking.
"I've been looking for something to play with."
Xiao Wu's heart tightened.
Er Ming... he's still so savage.
But she didn't stop him. She simply continued in a low voice.
"His name is Yu Xiaolong. He's the master of the Dragon God Temple."
"But he won't come into the forest willingly."
"As long as you can lure him here..."
Er Ming grinned, baring his gleaming white fangs.
"All I have to do is lure him here?"
"Right."
"Easy."
Er Ming smashed a boulder beside him, sending fragments flying.
"As soon as he sets foot in the Star Dou Great Forest,"
"I'll tear him limb from limb."
Xiao Wu nodded, then turned and left.
Under the moonlight, her shadow stretched long behind her.
Third Brother... I'll get rid of every obstacle for you.
Even if I have to use power I shouldn't.
The next morning.
Tang San hadn't slept all night, and his eyes were bloodshot.
When Xiao Wu returned to the academy, he was standing at the entrance.
"Third Brother, I have a plan."
Xiao Wu lowered her voice.
A glint flashed in Tang San's eyes.
"What plan?"
"There's a hundred-thousand-year Ferocious Beast in the Star Dou Great Forest."
Xiao Wu spoke slowly, one word at a time.
"As long as we lure Yu Xiaolong there,"
"that beast will take care of him for us."
Tang San's eyes shone, startlingly bright.
"A hundred-thousand-year Ferocious Beast?"
"Mm. I got the information last night."
Xiao Wu lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes.
I can't tell him... I absolutely mustn't tell him it's Er Ming.
Ecstatic delight spread across Tang San's face.
His smile looked a little twisted.
"Good... excellent!"
"Heaven is on my side!"
He turned and strode toward the Dragon God Temple.
His steps were light, and he no longer felt the pain in his chest.
Yu Xiaolong, your time is up!
At the entrance to the Dragon God Temple.
Yu Xiaolong was directing the workers as they repaired the signboard.
The golden signboard gleamed in the sunlight.
With Xiao Wu beside him, Tang San approached, a smile on his face.
"Yu Xiaolong!"
He shouted loudly, channeling his Hidden Weapon technique.
A streak of cold light flew out and struck the signboard dead center.
Crack!
The signboard shattered, scattering fragments everywhere.
Yu Xiaolong whirled around.
"Tang San... are you looking to die?"
Tang San had already turned and strode away.
Only one sentence drifted back on the wind.
"Want revenge? Come to the Star Dou Great Forest."
"I'll be waiting."
Yu Xiaolong's fists clenched in an instant.
Huo Wu rushed out of the temple, her red dress blazing like fire.
"Bastard! I'll go after him!"
She had barely moved when Yu Xiaolong grabbed her.
"Don't go. It's a trap."
Huo Wu's chest heaved with anger.
"What trap? He smashed our sign!"
"I said, don't go."
Yu Xiaolong's voice was unnaturally calm.
Huo Wu stomped her foot, gritting her teeth.
"Fine! Manage it or don't, I don't care! Who needs you anyway?"
She flicked her skirt and turned to run.
Her footsteps were quick and hurried, full of anger.
Yu Xiaolong shook his head.
Now wasn't the time to argue with the little girl.
He looked toward the Star Dou Great Forest, his brow furrowed.
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