Shrek's First Appearance, a Fated Battle

Thunderclap Academy.

Just as the door to the meditation room was pushed open, Yu Tianheng finished a round of meditation.

The person who arrived was Yu Tianxin.

But unlike his carefree demeanor last time, this time his expression was very unpleasant.

"The Imperial Fighting Team has returned to Heaven Dou City."

"You're back?"

Yu Tianheng raised an eyebrow, his tone remaining relatively calm.

"So, what were the results of their special training...?"

That's not what I meant.

Yu Tianxin interrupted him, her voice low, "The Soul Emperor that Grandpa sent to teach them a lesson... has disappeared."

"Missing?"

Yu Tianheng's pupils suddenly contracted.

What does "missing" mean?

It means exactly what it says.

"They didn't come back, nor did they send any message."

Yu Tianxin's expression was grim. "A Soul Emperor has vanished without a trace."

The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously thought of the same name— Dugu Bo.

"It's most likely that Old Poison who did it."

Yu Tianxin gritted her teeth. "After all, Dugu Yan is his granddaughter, so it's not surprising that he's protecting her secretly."

Yu Tianheng clenched his fists.

If it really was Dugu Bo who made the move, then the Soul Emperor would indeed have no chance to resist.

He didn't care about the Soul Emperor's death.

His current worry is that the investigation will lead to them being implicated.

It would be far easier for Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo, to secretly kill them than for a mere Soul Emperor.

"What did Second Grandfather say?"

Grandpa told us to keep this a secret.

Yu Tianxin's tone was very serious.

Not a single word can be leaked.

"If Grandpa finds out..."

He didn't finish speaking, but Yu Tianheng understood.

His own grandfather, the clan chief Yu Yuanzhen, was unaware of this matter.

If they are exposed, they will be in deep trouble.

"I see."

Yu Tianheng took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart.

He paused for a moment, then asked, "Has the Imperial Fighting Team's strength changed since returning from their special training?"

Yu Tianxin: "I don't know the specifics."

"All I know is that they spent half a year in Sunset Forest, so they should have improved by then."

The word "should" made Yu Tianheng's brows furrow even more.

A strong sense of urgency rose within me.

Just how much will Ye Qing's strength increase?

Is it possible for me to catch up with and surpass him?

Heaven Dou Royal Academy

Ye Qing's original plan was very simple.

During the break after the special training ended, I went to find Dugu Bo and got rid of his Eighth Soul Ring.

My luggage is all packed.

Qin Ming, however, came knocking on their door.

"Ye Qing, there's something I need to discuss with you."

Qin Ming stood at the dormitory door, his expression somewhat subtle.

In the past, as the teacher in charge, he could make the decision on such matters directly.

However, ever since Ye Qing became the captain of the Imperial Fighting Team, he no longer holds the ultimate decision-making power over team affairs.

His position as the team leader is now merely nominal.

"Please go ahead, Professor Qin Ming."

Ye Qing was a little puzzled as to what Qin Ming wanted to discuss with her.

"A team from another region has issued Soul Fighting Challenge to our Imperial Fighting Team."

"Soul Fighting?"

Ye Qing raised an eyebrow slightly. "Which college?"

Shrek Academy.

"Um?"

Shrek!

A barrage of information flashed through his mind like a bullet screen: Shrek Academy, Shrek Team, Tang San, Dai Mubai, and others.

Isn't this the protagonist's academy?

Then look at Qin Ming eyes are darting around.

Ye Qing understood.

The classic battle between the Emperor Team and Shrek from the original work.

This plot twist... it actually happened anyway.

Ye Qing's lips curled slightly. "Is this what they call a battle of destiny?"

However, unlike the original story, Ning Rongrong is now in the Imperial Fighting Team, leaving the Shrek Seven Devils without a support role.

How did they fill this gap?

Furthermore, what level is Tang San, the protagonist of the original novel who possesses Twin Martial Souls, Tang Sect Hidden Weapons techniques, and the Mysterious Heaven Skill, at in this timeline?

Ye Qing was quite curious, so he said, "I'll accept this Soul Fighting."

Qin Ming visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then I'll make the arrangements."

That afternoon.

At Ye Qing's urging, the entire Imperial Fighting Team assembled in the training room.

Ning Rongrong was the last to arrive.

She had just returned from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and her face still had a slight blush from the journey.

"Ning Rongrong is back," Ye Lingling greeted warmly.

"Mmm!" Ning Rongrong waved with a grin.

Yu Feng squinted and looked her over twice. "Ning Rongrong, your Soul Power... has increased again?"

"Oh ho, you found out."

Ning Rongrong stood with her hands on her hips, looking smug.

"The Gem Turtle Soul Bone that Brother Ye Qing gave me is so useful! My cultivation speed has increased significantly in the past few days, and I broke through to level 29 today."

She held up one finger, her eyes sparkling. "I have a feeling I'll be able to reach level 30 and get my third Soul Ring soon!"

"Good heavens, he broke through again not long after his breakthrough." Shi Mo exclaimed sincerely.

Everyone offered their congratulations.

Ning Rongrong quickly stopped smiling and added a more important matter.

"Oh, by the way, I told Dad about human trafficking."

"He has already arranged for people from the sect to investigate secretly, so everyone doesn't need to worry."

Everyone visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

It is most appropriate to entrust this matter to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi's connections and political acumen in the Heaven Dou Empire far surpassed those of his students.

Ye Qing herself didn't mind getting involved.

However, it wouldn't be good for Yu Feng and his friends, who had no connections, to get involved in this matter.

"Alright, let's get down to business."

Ye Qing clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention back.

"Today, Teacher Qin Ming informed me that a team from another region has issued Soul Fighting Challenge to us."

"Soul Fighting?"

Dugu Yan's eyes lit up instantly.

Which college's team?

Having returned from six months of intensive training without playing a single serious international match, she was itching to get back to competition.

Shrek Academy.

Upon hearing Ye Qing's answer, everyone tilted their heads in unison.

Shrek?

Yu Feng looked completely bewildered.

"Never heard of it."

"Are there any academies near Heaven Dou City with that name?"

"No famous team on the mainland has this name." Osler frowned.

Ning Rongrong's expression paused subtly for a moment. "Shrek..."

She clicked her tongue, looking disgusted. "This name is awful."

Ye Qing smiled and explained, "Shrek, it's said to be the name of a monster."

"The full name of this academy is ' Shrek Academy,' which means ' Monster Academy,' and it's an academy that only accepts exceptionally talented monsters."

"Monster Academy?" Dugu Yan raised an eyebrow. "Heh, quite the boast."

"Absolutely."

Yu Feng curled his lip. "How dare they call themselves Monster Academy and challenge us right off the bat? How arrogant can they be?"

"Arrogant as they may be, don't underestimate them."

Ye Qing's tone became slightly more serious.

"The members of this team are indeed very talented."

"Captain Dai Mubai, Martial Soul Evil-Eyed White Tiger, Soul Power: Estimated Level 38."

"Hmm, sounds like a tough character." Shi Mo nodded subconsciously.

"Xiao Wu, with the Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul, is probably level 31; Oscar, with the Food-type Martial Soul, is level 31; Ma Hongjun, with the Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, is level 28; Zhu Zhuqing, with the Nether Civet Martial Soul, is level 28."

Yu Feng scratched his head. "Besides Dai Mubai, who's alright, the rest seem to be much worse than us."

"The last one, Tang San."

Ye Qing paused for a moment. "Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass; Soul Power: Level 32."

"Blue Silver Grass?"

Dugu Yan frowned. "Isn't that one of the most useless Martial Soul? How can it be cultivated?"

Ye Qing shrugged. "Anyway, that's a fact."

"Moreover, besides the Blue Silver Grass, Tang San is also proficient in a special technique called ' Hidden Weapon '."

He glanced at Dugu Yan and added, emphasizing, "Moreover, he is skilled in poisons."

"Poison?!"

Dugu Yan's brows furrowed deeply.

She is particularly sensitive to the word "poison".

A guy with only level 32 Soul Power dares to make a fuss about the word "poison"?

"There's one more thing."

Ye Qing held up a finger. "The Shrek Academy team, apart from Dai Mubai, mostly consists of members who are only twelve or thirteen years old."

Everyone's expression changed.

"Twelve or thirteen years old?"

Yu Feng looked utterly astonished, as if he had heard something unbelievable.

"No wonder it's called Monster Academy..." Shi Mo murmured.

The smile faded from his face, replaced by seriousness and vigilance.

To have this Soul Power Level at the age of twelve or thirteen would make one a top genius in any academy.

"So, don't underestimate them," Ye Qing concluded.

"There's one more thing."

He added, "I will not participate in this Soul Fighting."

"Ah?"

Yu Feng was taken aback. "Brother Ye, aren't you going?"

"Our team already has one extra person, so we don't need the entire team to participate."

"Besides, if I go up there, there will be no suspense, and I won't be able to see your true strength."

Ye Qing smiled and said, "Consider it the first test after the special training."

Dugu Yan scoffed, "Fine, then let us do it."

She flexed her wrist, and a faint snake-like pattern flashed across her emerald green pupils.

"If six months of intensive training went to waste, I'd be the first to object."

Others also expressed their opinions.

"Victory is assured!"