In Suotuo City, at Shrek Academy, Flender and Yu Xiaogang eagerly awaited Zhao Wuji's return with the children. He never could have imagined they'd recruit so many little monsters this year.
"Xiaogang, I never would've guessed that your disciple would be the son of the Clear Sky Douluo."
And not only that—one of them was the long-missing Clear Sky Douluo's son, and he was Xiaogang's disciple, too. It was simply unbelievable.
Hearing his old friend's words, Yu Xiaogang answered proudly, "Flender, do you really think my eye for talent is that poor?"
"Yes, yes, you're right." Flender looked at his old friend, who was as proud as a peacock, and smiled helplessly. More than anything, he was glad his friend had regained his confidence.
The moment Zhao Wuji's presence appeared at Shrek Academy, Flender immediately said to Yu Xiaogang, "Xiaogang, Wuji and the others are back. Let's go."
"Okay." Yu Xiaogang quickly followed Flender. It had been a long time since he'd seen his precious disciple.
Outside Shrek Academy, Zhao Wuji led the students back. They were all in a sorry state, especially Zhao Wuji, who was covered in wounds and had lost an arm. After facing the Titan Giant Ape, they'd been utterly crushed.
If the Titan Giant Ape hadn't suddenly withdrawn without a fight, they would probably have died in Star Dou Forest.
Their Soul Hunting expedition had gone terribly, too. Oscar had absorbed a thousand-one-hundred-year-old Giant Rattlesnake for his Third Soul Ring, and his Soul Skill only strengthened his body and speed. It was a fairly ordinary skill, with nothing remarkable about it.
Tang San had broken through to Soul Elder in the middle of the expedition. Influenced by Lin Yan's Second Soul Ring, he'd planned to absorb a Soul Beast over three thousand years old for his Third Soul Ring. Because of this mistaken decision, he missed out on the Man Faced Demon Spider he would originally have found. Worse, his attempt to absorb a Third Soul Ring failed, and his Soul Power fell back to level 29.
Lin Yan's butterfly effect was clearly still at work. It had nearly wiped out all of Shrek Academy. Truly, this butterfly effect was terrifying~
Seeing the group before him, Flender and Yu Xiaogang were especially struck by Zhao Wuji's missing right arm. Flender immediately went over and asked, "Zhao Wuji, where's your right arm?"
Zhao Wuji looked at the dean and smiled bitterly. "Dean, here's what happened..."
After hearing the story, Flender almost fainted with anger. He'd never imagined that the school rules he'd set could have nearly gotten these children and Zhao Wuji killed.
Seeing his disciple looking so dejected, Yu Xiaogang asked with concern, "Xiao San, what's wrong?"
Seeing that his teacher had come to ask him, Tang San had no choice but to tell him everything. As the saying went, once a teacher, a father for life.
He told Yu Xiaogang everything that had happened in Star Dou Forest.
Yu Xiaogang patiently listened to everything his disciple had to say, then flew into a rage. "Nonsense! How could anyone absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring as their Second Soul Ring? Xiao San, you were completely taken in by the other person's illusion. It ruined you!"
As the renowned Grandmaster of the continent, how could he not know that absorbing a thousand-year Soul Ring as one's Second Soul Ring was impossible? This was practically trampling his and his disciple's Wisdom underfoot!
"But, Teacher, Teacher Zhao saw it too," Tang San argued.
"Could there be another explanation?" Yu Xiaogang quickly offered his judgment as a theoretical expert in response to Tang San's objection. "Perhaps that Titled Douluo put some kind of disguise on him, deceiving you all and causing this. Xiao San, you must understand—how could anyone absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring as their Second Soul Ring?"
"This defies all reason!"
Yu Xiaogang's words were like a wake-up call. Everyone fell thoughtful.
Tang San soon rallied, then spoke with fury. "That guy was incredibly vicious!"
He'd actually used this method to damage Tang San's Dao heart. He deserved to die!
Supervisor Ao, the person in charge of Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena, cautiously approached a room and gently knocked. He knew very well that the important person inside was someone even a Soul Emperor like him couldn't afford to offend.
"Come in." An aged yet penetrating voice sounded from within. It wasn't loud, but it carried clearly through the door, inviting Supervisor Ao inside.
At the sound, Supervisor Ao stiffened. He hurriedly schooled his expression, then pushed open the heavy wooden door with a trembling hand, so gently it was as if he feared disturbing the person inside.
His eyes respectfully settled on the old man sitting on the sofa with his back to him. He bent low and spoke in a hushed, obsequious voice. "My lord, a team would like to spar with your disciple. I wonder if you'd be interested?"
He knew exactly what kind of person sat on that sofa. The old man was a genuine Titled Douluo!
An existence of that level could turn the clouds with one hand and the rain with the other. In front of him, Supervisor Ao was no better than an ant. A mere twitch of the old man's finger could crush him with ease.
So he took the utmost care with every word and gesture, even deliberately keeping his breathing light. He feared that the slightest slip might anger this fearsome figure.
"What team?" The old man swirled the wine in his glass and asked.
"The Imperial Fighting Team," Supervisor Ao replied, adding, "They seem to have come from Heaven Dou City."
"I understand."
After saying those four words, the old man fell silent.
Seeing that the old man had stopped speaking, Supervisor Ao had no idea what to do. He could only stand there quietly, not daring to move. The old man's Pressure was simply too overwhelming.
After an unknown amount of time, just as Supervisor Ao was wondering whether he should ask again, the old man spoke. "Approved. The match will begin tomorrow night."
Hearing this, Supervisor Ao's tense shoulders slumped. His back was already damp with cold sweat, and he instinctively held his breath even more lightly. At last, the heart lodged in his throat sank back into his chest.
"I understand, my lord." His voice still wavered, the tremor not yet gone. As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and hurried away, his steps so unsteady they were almost beyond his control. His calves quivered, and he stumbled, nearly falling to the floor.
The oppressive atmosphere in the room felt like an invisible boulder crushing him, leaving him breathless. He couldn't bear to stay another moment; even one more second would have been torture.
When Supervisor Ao walked out and the door closed behind him, Lin Yan emerged from the shadows. Looking at the old man on the sofa, he couldn't help complaining, "You're really hooked on throwing your weight around under someone else's name, aren't you?"
"Heh~" The old man chuckled, his voice returning to its original, soothing warmth. "Mimicry is a lot of fun. I have to imitate the person and the aura they're supposed to have. It really puts my skills to the test."
Lin Yan couldn't be bothered to engage with Lin Tian, who was role-playing the old man. He was going back to continue consolidating his cultivation.
Supervisor Ao didn't return to his office after leaving. Instead, he went to the Imperial Fighting Team's lounge, where all the team members were gathered.
Seeing Supervisor Ao enter, their teacher and leader, Qin Ming, immediately walked over. "Supervisor Ao, what did that lord say?"
"That lord agreed. The match will be tomorrow night."
"Good." Qin Ming nodded, then turned to the Imperial Fighting Team. "Get ready. Tomorrow night, you'll compete against a genius."
The Imperial Fighting Team members exchanged glances. As a genius himself, Yu Tianheng asked in confusion, "Teacher, just how talented is this genius? Could he really be more talented than me, Yu Tianheng?"
He was the cherished prodigy of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. How could some other genius in this little Suotuo City possibly outshine him?
The other members of the Imperial Fighting Team agreed with their captain. Among geniuses, no one could surpass their captain, Yu Tianheng.
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