But as Yu Xiaogang looked at the sign of Blue Tyrant Academy, a hidden glint of venom flashed in his eyes.
He silently plotted in his heart.
For now, let them have their moment. Once the Shrek Eight Devils make a name for themselves at the tournament and shake the entire continent, I'll make this academy a mere appendage of Shrek.
Then we'll see how you, Liu Erlong, can still act so high and mighty in front of me!
Looking at Yu Xiaogang's self-righteous façade and the way he'd readily gone along with things, Liu Erlong felt her last remaining illusions shatter.
She ignored the hypocritical man and opened the Chat Group in her mind.
[Gentle Fire Dragon]: "Everyone, Yu Xiaogang really did just as the group owner predicted. He threatened to take his people and leave, forcing me to rename the academy."
[Gentle Fire Dragon]: "If the group owner hadn't warned me beforehand, I'm afraid I would've been fooled again by his righteous, noble act."
The moment the message appeared, the group erupted.
[Little Witch]: "Wow! The group owner brother was right! Just how shameless can that guy be?"
[Fragrant Fox]: "Tsk, seeing is believing. Who would've thought a grown man would use such despicable methods to seize a woman's property? It's downright nauseating."
[Poison Fairy]: "That pervert really is a hypocrite through and through. Fire Dragon Sister, don't fall for his tricks!"
[Bunny Eats Radish]: "Exactly, exactly! Fire Dragon Sister, you were amazing! His expression just now was uglier than pig liver. I'm dying of laughter!"
As she read Xiao Wu's message, Liu Erlong's gaze once more settled on Xiao Wu, who stood behind the Shrek team.
She sighed discreetly. A little more pity stirred in her heart for the girl, while her awe of Qin Feng reached an unprecedented height.
Just who was this mysterious group owner?
He could even predict every little thing happening all the way over in Heaven Dou City, without missing a single detail!
Meanwhile, in the Pope Palace in distant Spirit City,
Bibi Dong sat upon her lofty throne, clad in the resplendent robes of the Pope. In her hand, she held a secret letter that had just been delivered by a messenger.
The letter described everything that had happened outside Blue Tyrant Academy in Heaven Dou City.
When she read the detailed account of Yu Xiaogang demanding that the academy change its name and even threatening to leave, the corner of Bibi Dong's mouth curled into a cold smile.
"Yu Xiaogang, you're still just as selfish and hypocritical as ever."
She gently folded the letter. There was no anger in her eyes, only the calm of someone who had seen through it all.
Everything "Douluo People Don't Deceive Douluo People" had said in the group had once again been proven perfectly true.
With the information Spirit Hall had at its disposal, Bibi Dong naturally knew Liu Erlong's true identity.
At the thought of that beautiful, headstrong woman, who had spent twenty years pining for such a cowardly, inept man, only for him to nearly steal the fruits of all her hard work, a rare sympathy rose in Bibi Dong's heart. She knew what it was to suffer the same fate.
"We were both deceived by that man's hypocrisy. You held on to the last scraps of your fantasy, while I fell into an endless abyss."
Bibi Dong lightly stroked the scepter in her hand and murmured to herself:
"But this group owner really does seem to have some power that reaches the heavens and penetrates the earth. It seems I should pay more attention to this 'Douluo People Don't Deceive Douluo People.'"
Meanwhile, elsewhere, in Sunset Forest,
Beside the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, two springs—one red, one blue—shimmered against each other, giving off a misty vapor.
Qin Feng stood with his hands behind his back, quietly gazing at the herb garden before him.
The spiritual energy here was abundant, and Immortal Herbs grew everywhere. It was truly a peerless treasure land.
Behind him stood Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, looking somewhat ill at ease.
"Master Qin, can this method of detoxification really work with nothing more than the spring water and some herbs?"
Dugu Bo asked nervously. The poison had tormented him for half his life, and now that hope was finally within reach, he couldn't help feeling anxious.
Qin Feng glanced at him calmly, then said with an unruffled expression:
"The Jade Phosphorus Snake Poison has penetrated your bones. I'll first take two Immortal Herbs to help cleanse your marrow and remake your bones."
As he spoke, Qin Feng's figure shifted. He seemed to glide through the air, reaching the edge of the spring in an instant.
A faint glow lit up in his hand.
Using his powerful Soul Power to shield them, he carefully plucked several supplementary herbs.
"Dugu Bo, catch."
Qin Feng flicked his hand, and a herb glowing with a lustrous green light fell into Dugu Bo's hands.
"Eat this herb, then immediately circulate your Soul Power and force every trace of poison in your body into the Soul Bone in your head. Remember, don't hold anything back."
Dugu Bo didn't hesitate for a moment. He sat cross-legged and swallowed the herb.
In an instant, a gentle yet immense medicinal power spread through his body, firmly protecting his already weakened meridians.
His vast Soul Power burst forth with a roar, beginning to drive the poison from his body with all its might.
Qin Feng turned to look at Dugu Yan, who seemed a little nervous.
"Miss Yanzi, eat this flower. Use the aura of the spring here to refine it, just as he is doing."
Dugu Yan hurriedly accepted the fragrant white flower Qin Feng offered her. She nodded, blushing slightly, then imitated her grandfather and sat cross-legged a short distance away.
Time passed slowly.
Strands of black-green poisonous mist kept rising from the Baihui points atop Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan's heads.
The mist didn't disperse. Guided by Qin Feng's Soul Power, it streamed into the Soul Bone in Dugu Bo's head.
Dugu Bo felt the heavy oppression that had weighed on him for decades fading at an astonishing rate.
His face seemed to grow ten years younger in an instant, and his once-yellowing hair came alive again.
Boom!
A surge of Soul Power, so powerful it was almost terrifying, erupted from within Dugu Bo.
Rank 92...
Rank 93!
Once the hidden snake poison in his body had been dealt with, his cultivation—which had been stuck for decades—broke through to rank 93 in that very moment!
Dugu Yan slowly opened her eyes as well. Her once somewhat eerie green eyes were now perfectly clear. Her Soul Power surged three ranks in a row, reaching rank 38.
"My... my poison is really gone!"
Dugu Yan sprang up excitedly and threw her arms around Dugu Bo.
Feeling the pure, surging Soul Power within him, Dugu Bo's aged face was streaked with tears.
He walked respectfully over to Qin Feng and dropped to one knee, his voice trembling as he said:
"You've saved my life, young master. I'll never forget this kindness. From this day forth, my life belongs to you!"
Qin Feng casually waved a hand, signaling him to get up.
"Now that your poison's gone, it's time for me to collect my reward."
Qin Feng turned his attention to the depths of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
He slowly closed his eyes.
In an instant, a giant dragon with golden claws and an Ice Phoenix, its entire body crystalline and radiating bone-chilling cold, slowly rose behind him.
Three black Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings, so dark they made one's scalp tingle, revolved lazily around his body.
The moment his Martial Souls appeared, the once-calm Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well suddenly began to boil violently.
The red and blue springs surged into two pillars of water that shot straight into the sky.
Under the horrified gazes of Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, two enormous dragon-shaped shadows suddenly took form above the spring.
One dragon blazed with flames capable of burning away the void, while the other radiated frost that could freeze time.
The Ice and Fire Dragon Kings!
When the two enormous dragon kings saw the Golden Dragon and Ice Phoenix behind Qin Feng, they let out a low, rumbling cry.
Their massive bodies slowly bowed their proud heads to Qin Feng in midair, as if paying their respects to a sovereign.
Terrifying pressure swept across all of Sunset Forest. Countless Soul Beasts trembled with fear.
Standing to one side, Dugu Bo felt his knees go weak. He nearly fell to his knees on the spot.
Just what kind of being was this young man...?
The moment the two enormous dragon kings lowered their heads, their massive bodies began to crumble, piece by piece.
They didn't vanish. Instead, they became the purest crimson and deep-blue glows.
These two utterly different yet perfectly balanced energies, like a pair of nimble snakes, slithered along Qin Feng's palm and burrowed into his body.
Qin Feng felt a slight warmth throughout his body, followed by a cool sensation sweeping through his limbs and bones.
Within him, the Golden Dragon and Ice Phoenix let out long, exhilarated cries.
His Soul Power began to rise.
Rank 39...
Rank 40!
The vast essence of the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings continued to remodel his bones and meridians.
A faint crimson-gold sheen appeared on the scales of his Golden Dragon Martial Soul, and its defense and strength surged in an instant.
The Ice Phoenix grew more crystalline, and the cold aura surrounding it now carried a hint of awe-inspiring dragon might.
Qin Feng closed his eyes and quietly guided the power.
The black light of his Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings grew even deeper, gleaming with a shadowy luster.
The three black Soul Rings revolved lazily around him, bearing down on everyone nearby with tremendous pressure.
Dugu Bo stared, dumbfounded.
He rubbed his eyes hard, looking at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well as it gradually settled, then at Qin Feng's rosy complexion.
"This... this Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well is actually so miraculous?"
"And those two dragons just now... I've lived here for most of my life, yet I never knew such divine things were hidden beneath the surface!"
Dugu Bo swallowed, unable to conceal the shock in his voice.
He'd originally thought this place was a decent herb garden that could help suppress his snake poison.
Now it seemed this was plainly a treasured land of such importance that even the gods would covet it.
Even more incredible was that those two terrifying dragon souls had lowered their proud heads before Qin Feng.
Just how terrifying was this young man's identity?
His future achievements would probably surpass even those of the lofty Pope of Spirit Hall.
At that thought, Dugu Bo's mind immediately began to turn.
Qin Feng slowly opened his eyes. One was crimson, the other deep blue. A moment later, the colors vanished, and both eyes returned to black.
By now, his Soul Power had firmly settled at the rank 40 bottleneck.
"Congratulations, young master!"
Seeing Qin Feng open his eyes, Dugu Bo hurried over and bowed.
At his age, he knew better than anyone how to read the situation.
The young man before him was an unrivaled prodigy, one the ages rarely produced.
If he could tie himself to Qin Feng, not only would Dugu Yan have someone to rely on in the future, but the Dugu Family could soar to new heights as well.
Dugu Yan stood to one side, gazing at Qin Feng with beautiful eyes full of undisguised admiration.
Qin Feng's strength, and his flawless profile, had already captured the heart of this young girl who had only just begun to fall in love.
Seeing his granddaughter's crimson face and budding affection, how could Dugu Bo fail to understand what she was thinking?
He gave a light cough and tugged mysteriously at Dugu Yan's sleeve.
"Yanzi, what do you think of Master Qin?"
Dugu Bo asked in a very low voice.
"Grandpa, what are you talking about? Of course Master Qin is wonderful."
Dugu Yan lowered her head, blushing. Her little hands twisted the hem of her clothes, and her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
Dugu Bo smiled knowingly, then turned to Qin Feng with an ingratiating expression.
"Master Qin, this girl Yanzi can be a little spoiled, but her talent is decent for her age."
"Now that her Jade Phosphorus Snake Poison is gone, I'd like her to follow you from now on and serve as your maid, bringing you tea and water. What do you think?"
He spoke humbly, even lowering himself in front of Qin Feng.
To hold on to such a powerful backer, sending his granddaughter away was worth it.
Besides, his granddaughter was clearly more than willing.
Qin Feng turned and looked at Dugu Yan.
The girl had her head bowed, the tips of her ears red, but she couldn't help sneaking glances at him. Her eyes were full of anticipation.
Qin Feng smiled faintly, amused.
"Dugu Bo, you're certainly willing to part with her."
"But since Miss Yanzi is willing, I'll accept her."
He needed to build his own following in the Douluo Continent, and Dugu Yan was a talented Jade Phosphorus Snake Soul Master. It would be suitable to keep her by his side.
Overjoyed by Qin Feng's agreement, Dugu Yan hurried forward.
"Yanzi greets Master. I'll serve you with all my heart from now on."
Her voice was crisp and sweet, tinged with unconcealed delight.
Seeing this, Dugu Bo finally let out the breath he'd been holding. His aged face blossomed into a smile.
Just then, light footsteps came from outside the herb garden.
A curvaceous, alluring figure walked in.
It was Hu Liena.
She'd been waiting outside the garden. Now that she felt the commotion within had died down, she hurried in.
But the moment she entered, she heard Dugu Yan's sweet, coy "Master."
Hu Liena stopped in her tracks.
She looked at Dugu Yan, her pretty face flushed and her eyes tender, and a sour pang rose in her heart.
So, the moment this Saintess turns her back, someone tries to steal her man?
Clicking along in her high heels, she hurried over to Qin Feng's side and naturally slipped one arm around his.
Her ample figure pressed against Qin Feng, seemingly by chance.
"Junior Brother, are you done here?"