Still Choosing Shrek, the Lion Douluo Returns to the Consecration Hall

Then he smiled.

It was not a happy smile, but a bitter, indescribable one.

"You thought I was going to touch her?"

Tang San said nothing, but his body did not move aside.

Tang Hao shook his head.

"Xiao San, your old man may not be a good person, but I haven't sunk that low."

He looked into Tang San's eyes.

"She is your sister; I will not touch her."

Tang San stared at his father for several seconds, feeling somewhat awkward.

He had been figured out.

Tang San then stepped aside, though not completely; he only moved half a step.

Tang Hao took all of this in, a bitter taste lingering in his heart.

Since when had his own son become so wary of him?

"Don't stay at this academy anymore," Tang Hao said, getting straight to the point.

Tang San frowned.

"Why, Dad?"

"Haven't you noticed? The people from the Consecration Hall already know you are my son." Tang Hao's voice deepened.

"If you keep staying here, something will happen sooner or later."

"Then I can change my identity."

"Xiao San! Since when did you become so disobedient!" Tang Hao cut him off.

Tang San gritted his teeth.

He knew his father was right.

But he did not want to leave.

Grandmaster had recommended this place, saying this academy had unique qualities that would allow him to grow rapidly.

He trusted Grandmaster's judgment.

"I'm sorry, Dad, but I'm not leaving."

Tang Hao's eyes widened. "What did you say?"

"I said I'm not leaving." Tang San raised his head, looking his father straight in the eyes.

"Grandmaster recommended I come here, so there must be a reason why it's worth my time. I don't want to give up just because I'm afraid."

Tang Hao stared at him for several seconds, his fists clenching and then relaxing.

"You—"

"Dad." Tang San interrupted him.

"I want to become stronger."

Tang Hao's words caught in his throat.

To become stronger.

Coming from the mouth of a twelve-year-old child, these two words carried a different weight.

Because Tang Hao knew exactly why he wanted to become stronger.

Tang Hao fell silent.

After a long while, he finally spoke.

"What about that girl?" He looked toward Xiao Wu.

"She cannot stay here."

Tang San turned to look at Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu stepped out from behind Zhao Wuji, walked to Tang San's side, and grabbed his sleeve.

"I'm not leaving." Xiao Wu's voice was still trembling, but her tone was firm.

"Wherever Xiao San is, that is where I will be."

Tang Hao looked at these two children, each more stubborn than the last.

They truly had no fear of death!

Forget it.

"Suit yourself." Tang Hao turned around, his back to Tang San.

Tang San was stunned.

He thought his father would force him to leave.

"Dad?"

"However," Tang Hao's voice came from ahead.

"You must promise me one thing."

"What is it?"

"Live well."

Tang San's nose stung for the third time.

This time, he couldn't hold it back; tears welled up in his eyes, spinning twice before streaming down his cheeks.

"Mm."

Tang Hao did not turn back.

He did not know how to face his son's tears.

This child, who had grown up without a mother, had received nothing good from him as a father.

He hadn't even given him a decent childhood.

Tang Hao strode forward.

His back grew more distant and smaller, finally disappearing at the end of the road.

Tang San stood where he was, watching the direction his father had vanished, remaining motionless for a long time.

Xiao Wu tugged at his sleeve.

"Xiao San."

Tang San snapped out of it and wiped his face.

"I'm fine."

He turned around and looked toward Shrek Academy.

The dilapidated gate, the crooked wooden sign, and the ground covered in gravel and dirt.

Flender was still lying on the ground, unconscious.

Dai Mubai leaned against a tree trunk, dried blood hanging from the corner of his mouth.

The few teachers were gasping for air, clearly still reeling from the state they had just been in.

Tang San took a deep breath.

This academy must be different.

Zhao Wuji stood up and walked over to Tang San and the others.

He let out a deep sigh and asked once more.

"Are you all still willing to join my Shrek Academy now?"

"My name is Ning Rongrong, and I am willing." The girl in the cyan dress was the first to step forward and respond.

If this teacher hadn't stood in front of them earlier, she feared she would have been injured as well.

Hearing this, Zhao Wuji nodded in relief.

Then, he cast his gaze toward the others.

"I am willing, Zhu Zhuqing." The cat-tailed girl responded coldly, her thoughts the same as Ning Rongrong's.

"Teacher, my name is Tang San, and this is my little sister Xiao Wu; we are also willing." Tang San clutched his chest and helped Xiao Wu up.

"Good, good, good!"

Old tears streamed down Zhao Wuji's face.

With his experience, he had long since seen that these children possessed extraordinary talent.

Fortunately.

The academy had not lost so many good seedlings because of Flender.

"Let's go, let's enter the academy."

With that, Zhao Wuji picked up the unconscious Flender and walked into the academy.

The other teachers also supported one another and followed inside.

Tang San and the others exchanged glances, nodded slightly, and followed behind.

Two days later.

On the plaza in front of the Consecration Hall, Ji Ye was trading blows back and forth with Demon Subduing Douluo.

Though it was called "trading blows," in reality, Demon Subduing Douluo had suppressed his strength to the Spirit King level to act as a sparring partner for Ji Ye.

The Void Sword carved transparent arcs through the air, each swing accompanied by the humming drone of warped space.

Demon Subduing Douluo's Coiling Dragon Staff parried left and right, his defense feeling stiflingly restrictive.

The boy's sword ignored defenses entirely; he dared not take a direct hit and could only dodge.

A Title Douluo being chased and beaten by a four-ring Soul Ancestor—the scene was absurd no matter how one looked at it.

The handmaidens watching from the side held fruit platters and tea, their eyes glued to Ji Ye.

"Is Young Master Ji wearing a new uniform today? It fits him so well."

"Look at how he's sweating, so sexy..."

"That waist, those broad shoulders, ahhh—"

Demon Subduing Douluo grew angrier the more they fought, sweeping his staff out with the force of a Soul Emperor.

Ji Ye's second soul ring lit up, his figure flickering to appear three zhang behind Demon Subduing Douluo, the void energy at his sword tip still dissipating.

"Senior, you broke the rules."

"I didn't break any rules; I'm teaching you the dangers of society," Demon Subduing Douluo retorted righteously.

Just as Ji Ye was about to snap back, the doors of the Consecration Hall were suddenly pushed open.

Everyone froze in their tracks.

Lion Douluo clutched his chest, walking in step by step.

His complexion was ghastly, his lips pale, and his left arm was wrapped in bandages that were seeping blood.

His gait was off, his right leg seemingly unable to bear weight, leaving him limping.

Lion Douluo raised his head, saw everyone staring at him, and forced a twitch of his lips.

"Everyone here?"

Demon Subduing Douluo was the first to rush over.

"Old Lion, what happened to you?"

Feather Douluo jumped down from his chair.

"Who beat you into this state?"

Azure Phoenix Douluo straightened up from the pillar, his eyes turning cold.

Qianjun Douluo walked over as well.

Ji Ye sheathed the Void Sword and hurried over.

He looked at the wounds on Lion Douluo, his mind racing at high speed.