Under the somewhat dazed gazes of Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, a peerless Martial Soul with golden dragon claws and Ice Phoenix wings slowly took shape behind Qin Feng.
Even more unsettling was the sight of three pitch-black Soul Rings rising slowly from beneath Qin Feng's feet, revolving leisurely around him.
Black! Black! And black again!
All three of his first Soul Rings were Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings that defied all common sense, and within their deep, inky darkness, a few strands of noble, divine golden light glimmered faintly.
"This... how is this possible? All three of his first Soul Rings are Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings?"
Dugu Bo's eyes widened. He involuntarily stumbled three steps backward, shock written all over his aged face.
Even with all his experience, he had never heard of anyone being able to withstand the Soul Power impact of a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring in their first three slots.
This Martial Soul, this Soul Ring Configuration—it had completely transcended the laws of the Soul Master World.
Just as Dugu Bo's mind began to falter, the sky suddenly darkened without warning.
A terrifying pressure, many times more powerful than Dugu Bo's, descended like the Milky Way pouring from the highest heavens, enveloping the entire courtyard.
"Dugu Bo, you've got some nerve! You even dared to test my grandson?"
A deep, domineering voice boomed through the air.
Amid a flash of golden light, a silver-haired old man with a build so massive he hardly seemed human appeared out of thin air in front of Qin Feng.
The nine Soul Rings around him blazed brilliantly, especially the final two, which glowed an eerie crimson.
He was Spirit Hall's Second Worship, the Level 98 Super Douluo, Golden Crocodile Douluo!
Golden Crocodile Douluo didn't even release his Martial Soul. He merely flicked his sleeve, sending out a surge of Soul Power so immense it seemed impossible to resist, like a towering wave.
Dugu Bo didn't even have a chance to react before the force sent him flying. He slammed hard into the courtyard wall and spat out a large mouthful of blood.
"G-Golden Crocodile Douluo!"
Dugu Bo paid no heed to the blood at the corner of his mouth. He scrambled to his feet and stared at the old man in front of him in utter shock.
This man, a figure almost legendary in the Soul Master World, had personally stepped in to protect this young man.
Dugu Yan, standing off to the side, had gone deathly pale with fright and didn't know what to do.
"Grandpa, please spare him. Poison Douluo was only desperate to save his granddaughter. He meant no harm."
Qin Feng spoke softly from behind, his voice calm and unruffled.
Only then did Golden Crocodile Douluo snort and withdraw the pressure that had made everyone's bones creak.
By now, Dugu Bo could hardly fail to understand who Qin Feng was.
For Golden Crocodile Douluo to call him his grandson—and for a Level 98 Super Douluo to protect him at all times—the young man's status in Spirit Hall had to be utterly exalted.
"Young Master Qin, this old man was blind. I offended you earlier. Please, be magnanimous and forgive an insignificant man like me."
Dugu Bo gave a wry smile. When he looked at Qin Feng again, all his earlier arrogance had vanished, replaced by deep awe.
Dugu Yan, standing nearby, gazed at Qin Feng's tall, straight figure, her beautiful eyes shining.
This young man, several years younger than her, had not only defied the heavens with his strength, but also had a terrifyingly powerful backing. In spite of her usual pride, she couldn't help feeling something stir within her.
"I said in the group chat that I would help you with the poison, and I won't go back on my word."
Qin Feng looked at Dugu Bo, who was now treating him with such deference, and spoke calmly.
"The Jade Phosphorus Snake Poison in your bodies was inherited through your Martial Soul. To remove it completely, we'll need the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well in your medicine garden."
"Using the extreme cold and heat of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, along with a special Immortal Herb, we can force all the poison in your bodies into a high-quality Soul Bone. That will ensure you're both safe."
Hearing such a detailed and convincing method, Dugu Bo no longer had any doubts. He nodded repeatedly.
"I'll do as you say, Young Master. From this day forward, this old man's life is yours."
Qin Feng gave a slight nod, indicating that they could head back first.
Meanwhile, at the entrance to Blue Tyrant Academy in Heaven Dou City,
Flender and Yu Xiaogang stood before the imposing academy gates with the Shrek Team's students, looking rather disheveled.
After their setback at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, everyone was feeling down. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun in particular stood silently at the back of the group.
Yu Xiaogang wore a faintly arrogant expression as he surveyed the sizable academy, then turned to Flender.
"Flender, Erlong is here. Don't worry. With me around, the kids won't be left without a place to train."
As soon as he finished speaking, the academy gates swung open hurriedly.
Liu Erlong emerged in a red dress, looking beautiful and mature, yet dazed and lost.
She had seen the revelations about Yu Xiaogang in the group chat and had come out to wait, still somewhat skeptical.
But the moment she actually laid eyes on the man she had yearned for half her life, her feelings burst forth beyond control.
"Xiaogang! It really is you!"
Liu Erlong cried out. Her eyes reddened instantly, and she rushed straight toward Yu Xiaogang without a second thought.
A glint of triumph flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, but he smiled with feigned restraint and reached out to steady Liu Erlong.
"Erlong, it's been a long time. You've suffered all these years."
After a few words of greeting, Yu Xiaogang sighed, his face taking on an insincere look of remorse.
"Erlong, to be honest, we at Shrek Academy were humiliated at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Now the kids don't even have a place to stay, let alone the qualifications to participate in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament."
Hearing this, Liu Erlong's heart ached for him. She readily took responsibility.
"Xiaogang, what are you saying? My Blue Tyrant Academy is yours. You can all stay here. Who would dare object?"
At that, Yu Xiaogang straightened his clothes, his false expression growing even more pronounced.
"Erlong, since you put it that way, I have one more request. These children are all heaven's favorites. We can't let them live as dependents in someone else's academy."
"To give them the standing they deserve, I was thinking... perhaps Blue Tyrant Academy could be renamed Shrek Academy. What do you think?"
Liu Erlong felt as if she'd been struck by lightning. Her face turned deathly pale in an instant.
Rename it?
She had worked tirelessly for more than a decade to establish Blue Tyrant Academy. It was the foundation of her standing in Heaven Dou City and the fruit of all her hard work.
More importantly, the revelations from [Douluo People Don't Deceive Douluo People] in the group chat were coming true, word for word!
Yu Xiaogang really was trying to seize the fruits of her labor!
"Xiaogang... I'm not sure renaming Blue Tyrant Academy would be appropriate. I've poured years of hard work into it, and it would also be difficult to explain to the royal family..."
Liu Erlong bit her lower lip, her reluctance plain in her voice.
Yu Xiaogang had grown used to Liu Erlong obeying his every word. When she actually refused, his expression darkened at once.
His voice turned cold, and he put on the air of a man who had suffered a grave insult.
"Erlong, you really think it's inappropriate? Do you think I'm asking for a name change for my own sake?"
"I'm doing it for the children! For all the effort Flender put in!"
"If you think Shrek Academy is reaching too high by joining your Blue Tyrant Academy, if you think I, Yu Xiaogang, am coveting your property, then we'll leave!"
With that, Yu Xiaogang swept his sleeve around and turned, pretending to lead the Shrek group away.
Flender anxiously shot Liu Erlong one look after another, while a calculating confidence crept onto Yu Xiaogang's face.
He was playing on her feelings. He was betting Liu Erlong would never bear to let him go.
Looking at Yu Xiaogang's self-righteous, shameless face, Liu Erlong felt a nameless sorrow well up from the depths of her heart.
Was this the man she had loved for half her life? The moment anything didn't go his way, all he could do was use tricks like this to force her to give in?
At the back of the Shrek group, Xiao Wu watched Yu Xiaogang's nauseating performance and finally couldn't bear it any longer.
She quietly turned her back, tugged at her oversized sleeves, and struggled to open the Chat Group's glowing interface in her palm.
[Bunny Eats Radish]: "Everyone, look! Yu Xiaogang really is throwing a tantrum in front of Blue Tyrant Academy!"
[Bunny Eats Radish]: "He immediately demanded that Fire Dragon Sister rename Blue Tyrant Academy Shrek Academy. Fire Dragon Sister only hesitated a little, and he started acting like he'd suffered some terrible injustice, saying he'd take everyone away!"
[Bunny Eats Radish]: "How can anyone be so shameless? He's the one coming to rely on someone else, yet he's acting as if he's granting them a favor. I feel like throwing up just watching him!"
The messages set off an uproar in the group chat.
[Little Witch]: "Wow, so that Grandmaster really is that shameless? Good thing I dropped out early. Training under someone like him would be a lifelong disgrace."
[Fragrant Fox]: "Tsk, seeing really is believing. I've certainly learned something today."
At that moment, Liu Erlong was gritting her teeth, tears glimmering in her eyes. She glanced absentmindedly at the group chat interface in her mind.
When she saw that [Bunny Eats Radish] had sent real-time messages so precise they matched Yu Xiaogang's every expression and line just moments ago, a flash of insight struck her.
Wait!
How could "Bunny Eats Radish" know everything happening right now so clearly?
She had to be one of the Shrek people!
Liu Erlong slowly raised her stiff head. She looked past Flender and Yu Xiaogang, who stood in front of her, and swept her gaze coldly over the Shrek Team's students.
At last, her eyes settled on Xiao Wu.
The one who had been offering her proof in the group chat and even exposing Yu Xiaogang's act—"Bunny Eats Radish"...
Could it be... Xiao Wu?!
Liu Erlong stared intently at Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu had her back to everyone, her little hands fidgeting away inside her sleeves.
Faint traces of Soul Power kept rippling from her sleeves, passing into the Chat Group in her mind.
Seeing Xiao Wu's flustered manner, Liu Erlong's suspicion instantly became certainty.
So that was it.
No wonder this girl had shown such disdain for Yu Xiaogang's every move along the way. She was the active member of the group chat, "Bunny Eats Radish."
Yu Xiaogang noticed how long Liu Erlong had been silent and assumed she was torn between two choices.
"Erlong, don't put yourself in a difficult position."
Yu Xiaogang sighed, his expression growing more forlorn and self-righteous.
"I know this academy represents years of your hard work. If you can't bear to give it up, then we'll leave."
"I, Yu Xiaogang, would never force anyone to do something against their will."
With that, he tugged at his collar and made to turn around. He moved very slowly, dragging his feet as he went.
He was waiting for Liu Erlong to do what she always did: embrace him from behind with tears in her eyes and beg him to stay.
Flender was sweating anxiously as he repeatedly shot Liu Erlong meaningful looks.
But as the seconds passed, Liu Erlong simply stood there, perfectly still. There wasn't a trace of hesitation in her beautiful eyes—only deep disappointment.
"In that case, let's do as you say."
Her quiet voice drifted through the air.
Yu Xiaogang's steps stopped dead. He felt as if he'd been struck by lightning.
He turned around in shock and stared at her beautiful yet indifferent face, almost certain he'd heard wrong.
"Erlong, you... what did you say?"
"I said Blue Tyrant Academy's name will absolutely not be changed."
Liu Erlong took a step forward, her voice clear and firm.
"I built this academy through years of hard work, and it has over a hundred ordinary students. If its name changes, where will they go?"
"Still, for Flender's sake and for the children, I can let you join Blue Tyrant Academy."
"You can use our slots in the Soul Master Tournament, too. But there is absolutely no room for discussion about changing the academy's name."
Yu Xiaogang's face turned a remarkable shade.
The emotional blackmail that had always worked before had failed him this time.
The humiliation of being refused mingled with his rage at losing control of the situation, and together they shattered his composure. His face flushed red, his eyes dark with anger.
"Fine! Very well!"
Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth, his voice thick with suppressed fury.
"So, in your heart, these bricks and buildings matter more than the twenty years we spent together!"
"If you think so little of me, why should I stay here to be humiliated?"
Before he could finish his act, however, Flender stepped forward and grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Xiaogang! That's enough!"
Flender sounded exhausted. He looked at Liu Erlong and spoke with heartfelt gratitude.
"Erlong, thank you. Being allowed to stay and compete in the tournament is already an excellent outcome."
"Xiaogang was just being unreasonable for a moment. Don't take it to heart."
Flender forcibly pulled Yu Xiaogang back. Though Yu Xiaogang still wore the air of a man who had suffered a terrible injustice, inwardly, he breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, if they truly left, the Shrek group had nowhere else to go.