Xiao Wu Hears the Bad News

Soto City, Shrek Academy.

"We're finally out." Oscar leaned against the wooden gate marked with the five characters for "Shrek Academy," looking utterly lifeless.

Because of Di Lintian's interference, Oscar had failed to find a suitable third soul ring smoothly. The Shrek Seven Devils had spent a full seven days in the Star Dou Forest before finding a barely acceptable Soul Beast.

"Yeah, Oscar, your soul ring was truly difficult to find." Dai Mubai also sighed, rubbing his forehead in helplessness.

"Let's hurry inside and eat." Ma Hongjun walked inward without stopping.

"Although it took a long time, our overall strength has improved significantly," Tang San said. "Oscar, with me and Xiao Wu, we have three more Soul Elders. If we encounter that team again, we will definitely not suffer such a miserable defeat as last time."

As Tang San's words fell, the six members of Shrek fell into silence; no one spoke.

Seeing this, Tang San realized he had said the wrong thing.

The Imperial Dou Team had left them with deep psychological trauma—that unfathomable youth who had knocked Ma Hongjun unconscious with a casual strike.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Elder who had instantly neutralized Ning Rongrong's flight-type soul master, and the Ghost Leopard soul master with the incredibly vicious tongue.

What left the deepest impression on them was that peerless girl who had frozen them all with a mere wave of her hand.

"That's right, Tang San's martial soul has evolved; it's not certain that we couldn't defeat them."

Dai Mubai spoke up to offer comfort, though he didn't even believe these words himself.

"Let's head inside first. My teacher should have arrived at the academy; he should know the origins of that team." Tang San led Xiao Wu into the academy.

Inside the academy.

In the open space, Yu Xiaogang and Flender were already waiting.

"Teacher!"

Tang San ran quickly to Yu Xiaogang.

"Hmm." Yu Xiaogang nodded, feigning profoundness.

"This must be the Master who released the Ten Core Theories of Martial Souls. I've heard Tang San mention you often," Zhao Wuji said warmly. "Hello, my name is Zhao Wuji."

"Immovable Bright King, no need for formalities," Yu Xiaogang replied indifferently.

"Little monsters, come over here," Flender called out. "Let me introduce you. This person beside me is Tang San's teacher, Yu Xiaogang. You may address him as Master."

"Yes!"

The Shrek Seven Devils quickly lined up in an orderly fashion.

"Alright, I'll introduce you today..." Flender wanted to dismiss the group.

"Wait a moment, Dean. We have some things to ask my teacher," Tang San said.

"Oh? What is it?" Yu Xiaogang walked in front of the group.

"It's like this, Teacher. In a town outside the Star Dou Forest, we encountered a team. They should be about the same age as Boss Dai, yet they could easily crush us. You must know which academy they come from, Teacher."

Tang San raised his hand to address Yu Xiaogang.

"Tell me about their martial souls." Yu Xiaogang nodded.

"We only know the martial souls of three of them," Dai Mubai said, stepping out of the formation. "One was a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, one was a Ghost Leopard, and the last one's martial soul was a bird."

Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaogang pondered for a moment and said, "The team you encountered should be the Imperial Dou Team. They only left the Soto City Great Soul Fighting Arena a few days ago."

"The Imperial Dou Team is the top team of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The captain is Lin Tian from the Sky Dragon Pavilion, whose martial soul is the Dark Demon Dragon. The vice-captain also comes from the Sky Dragon Pavilion."

"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon soul master you mentioned should be named Yu Tianheng, right?"

"Yes, I remember the name being Tianheng," Tang San recalled.

"Then it is indeed the Imperial Dou Team. It is no shame to have lost to them." Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the Shrek Seven Devils. "I have already reviewed your files. If you were the same age as the Imperial Dou Team, the winners would certainly be you."

"They just happened to cultivate for a few more years than us," Tang San said, trying to boost the team's morale again.

"Next time, we will definitely win!"

The entire Shrek team said in unison.

"Good, you may lose the match, but don't lose your spirit," Yu Xiaogang encouraged, then immediately asked, "Oscar, what is your third soul skill?"

"Uh..." Oscar stammered, refusing to say.

"Just tell us already. You wouldn't tell us even when we were in the Star Dou Forest," Ma Hongjun urged.

Oscar put his hands together and gave up, saying, "I Have a Mushroom Sausage."

"This is my third soul skill, Speed Mushroom Sausage."

Compared to the original, it lacked the word "flight."

"Oscar's third soul ring came from a... thousand-year-old Variegated Cat," Tang San introduced to Yu Xiaogang.

"A Variegated Cat? This kind of Soul Beast can cultivate to a thousand years?" Yu Xiaogang said, angry at their lack of ambition. "The amplification of this soul skill shouldn't be very strong; it's a wasted soul skill."

"There was no other way. We searched for seven days in the Star Dou Forest and couldn't find a suitable Soul Beast." Oscar hadn't wanted to absorb this Variegated Cat either.

At this moment, Zhao Wuji, who had been hesitating for a long time, finally spoke up: "Master, the Imperial Dou Team was led by two Title Douluo."

"No wonder Teacher Zhao's face was swollen again the next day," Xiao Wu whispered into Tang San's ear.

No!

A Title Douluo?!

Xiao Wu's head froze in place before she could even pull it away from Tang San's ear.

"The current leaders of the Imperial Dou Team are two冕下 from the Sky Dragon Pavilion," Yu Xiaogang said.

The leaders of the Imperial Dou Team were Title Douluos from the Sky Dragon Pavilion!

They must have discovered me.

Are they holding back because they want to wait until someone needs a ninth spirit ring before hunting me?

Could there be a Title Douluo watching me from the shadows right now?

Xiao Wu had guessed correctly; Red Fire was indeed watching her from the shadows. The moment she made a move to leave Shrek, she would be captured and dragged back to the Sky Dragon Pavilion.

Night hung low, and stars dotted the firmament.

Xiao Wu did not sleep. She looked up at Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.

After confirming that both were fast asleep, she climbed out of bed with extreme caution and tiptoed to the wooden table, intending to leave a letter for her "Third Brother" before departing Shrek Academy to return to the Star Dou Forest.

After sealing the envelope, Xiao Wu took one last look at the two sleeping girls and gently pushed open the cabin door.

She poked her head out first to check the surroundings, and after confirming no one was there, she dashed toward the direction of the Star Dou Forest, even utilizing her spirit skills.

After Xiao Wu left the cabin, the letter on the table spontaneously ignited without a flame, turning into a pile of ash that was then scattered by a light breeze blowing in through the window.

Red Fire followed behind Xiao Wu, though he did not move to capture her immediately.

Only after they had left Soto City did Red Fire speak softly: "What is the point of this? Little rabbit, returning to the Star Dou Forest will only be your doom."

"Who... are you?" Xiao Wu pressed her back against a large tree, watching Red Fire with a nervous expression.

"Hehehe, I am, of course, the one who will capture you." Red Fire flashed a wicked grin and stepped toward Xiao Wu, closing the distance.