Shrek Academy.
These past few years had been the most headache-inducing period Yun Ming had experienced in a long time.
Ever since Leng Hanyuan had suddenly emerged from the Phoenix Family, his head had not known a moment's peace.
"Brother Ming, what is it this time?"
Ya Li, dressed in a vibrant emerald-green gown brimming with life, slowly approached and asked with concern.
"The Phoenix Family again?"
She seemed to have guessed something and asked tentatively.
"Yes."
Yun Ming nodded, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"What? Did that Leng Hanyuan cause more trouble, or has the Phoenix Family made some move these past few days?"
Ya Li was puzzled.
Logically speaking, there should not have been many matters capable of provoking such a reaction from Yun Ming.
Surely the Phoenix Family had not somehow produced another quasi-god, had they?
"No."
"It's Divine Blacksmith Zhen Hua."
"He publicly announced that he had resigned as president of the Blacksmith Association and chosen to join the Phoenix Family."
At those words, even Ya Li, who was usually as tranquil as still water, could not help but look astonished.
Her rosy lips parted slightly.
Her pupils trembled within her beautiful eyes.
Her voice involuntarily rose several notes.
"Zhen Hua?"
"Why would he suddenly join the Phoenix Family?"
Clearly, Ya Li understood very well what it meant for this Divine Blacksmith to join the Phoenix Family.
She simply could not understand it.
Over the years, quite a few factions had offered generous terms in an attempt to recruit Zhen Hua.
Yet Zhen Hua had remained unmoved from beginning to end.
What conditions could the Phoenix Family possibly have offered to make this Divine Blacksmith suddenly change his mind and choose to join them?
"I don't know."
"However, according to the intelligence, Zhen Hua made this decision only after traveling to Eastsea City."
"Eastsea City?"
Ya Li paused slightly.
Then she suddenly thought of something.
"Leng Hanyuan?"
It was no secret that Leng Hanyuan had gone to Eastsea City and become a teacher at Eastsea Academy.
Shrek Academy had even specially convened a meeting over the matter.
They believed he might have gone there with some purpose in mind.
They had even specifically planted personnel in Eastsea City.
After hearing that Leng Hanyuan had gone to the same academy as his disciple, Wu Zhangkong, Zhuo Shi had been extremely concerned about it.
He had repeatedly suggested going there personally to question Leng Hanyuan about his intentions.
However, Yun Ming had forcibly suppressed the matter.
After all, Shrek Academy had no reason to take the initiative to provoke Leng Hanyuan, who was at the very least a quasi-god.
Thus, upon hearing that Zhen Hua had decided to join the Phoenix Family after going to Eastsea City, Ya Li naturally associated it with Leng Hanyuan.
"Most likely."
Yun Ming nodded.
Other than Leng Hanyuan, he did not know what else in Eastsea City could have made Zhen Hua, who had never joined any faction, break precedent and change his mind to join the Phoenix Family.
No matter what methods Leng Hanyuan had used.
At the very least, Shrek Academy could no longer turn a blind eye.
Yun Ming suddenly spoke.
"I plan to meet this mysterious quasi-god of the Phoenix Family."
"Hm?"
Ya Li froze.
Yun Ming had not left Shrek Academy for decades.
This was the first time he had proposed leaving Sea God Pavilion and taking the initiative to travel elsewhere.
And the reason was merely one person.
Before this, no one had ever been regarded so highly by Yun Ming.
Not even Qiangu Dongfeng, the master of the Spirit Pagoda.
"But Brother Ming, what about the other elders...?"
Ya Li was somewhat worried.
Yun Ming held an extremely special position within Sea God Pavilion.
He was not merely the master of Sea God Pavilion.
He was also the stabilizing pillar of Sea God Pavilion and Shrek Academy as a whole.
Yun Ming leaving Shrek Academy would have an enormous impact on all of Shrek Academy.
The many elders of Sea God Pavilion would certainly have objections.
In response to Ya Li's worries, Yun Ming merely waved his hand.
"I will persuade the elders."
With his hands clasped behind his back, he gazed ahead.
His eyes were deep and distant.
"This quasi-god of the Phoenix Family can no longer be allowed to leave us sitting idly by."
"It would not be an exaggeration to say that his arrival has brought earth-shaking changes to the Phoenix Family."
"Divine Blacksmith Zhen Hua's joining was also most likely the work of that man."
"We have had far too little intelligence in the past, and the information concerning him is almost completely blank."
"Although the Phoenix Family seems to be at odds with the Qiangu Family, they are ultimately both part of the Spirit Pagoda."
"In recent years, the relationship between the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy has become increasingly tense. We must take this seriously."
"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle."
"A quasi-god whose information is practically blank and a quasi-god whose limits are known pose entirely different levels of threat."
"Therefore, no matter what, I must act and probe that quasi-god's true capabilities."
Yun Ming let out a soft sigh.
If possible, he did not wish to do this either.
He also wanted to remain in Sea God Pavilion, spend each day with his beloved, teach students in his spare time, and continue living that leisurely life without having to worry about anything.
But he could not.
Because he was not only Yun Ming, the Sky-Propping Douluo, but also the master of Sea God Pavilion.
As the master of Sea God Pavilion, he had the responsibility to safeguard the future of all Shrek Academy.
And Leng Hanyuan's appearance had already begun to pose a potential threat to Shrek Academy.
Ya Li understood this as well.
Thus, she did not try to persuade Yun Ming to abandon the idea.
She merely said,
"When the time comes, I'll go with you."
"Ya Li..." Yun Ming was slightly stunned and turned to look at her.
All he saw was Ya Li's face, adorned with a gentle smile.
After a moment of silence.
Yun Ming nodded.
"Alright."
Leng Hanyuan did not know about the reactions of the various major factions because of him.
In truth, even if he had known, he would not have cared.
If the Phoenix Family wished to rise and become the undisputed number one family on the Douluo Continent, it was inevitable that it would draw the attention of other factions.
Among them, there might be many harboring malicious intentions.
But Leng Hanyuan had never cared.
Soldiers came, generals blocked them; water came, earth dammed it.
Before absolute strength, all malice was nothing more than a mantis trying to stop a chariot!
He continued living his leisurely and carefree life as usual.
"Teacher Leng..."
Leng Hanyuan was preparing to take Gu Yue to the Spirit Pagoda for dinner.
Not far away, Tang Wulin watched them with a face full of envy.
His heart was filled with jealousy toward Gu Yue.
Damn it, Gu Yue. Why does she get to dine with Teacher Leng?
"Brother Hanyuan."
A crisp, melodious voice rang out.
Immediately afterward.
A beautiful young woman strode over on long, snow-white legs.
Her lovely face carried the air of authority cultivated over a long time.
However, the moment she saw Leng Hanyuan, that authority instantly vanished, replaced by the sense of reliance a junior had toward an elder.
The contrast was striking.
Tang Wulin and Xie Xie, who had not yet left, had gossip blazing in their eyes.
Brother Hanyuan?
Could this be Teacher Leng's girlfriend?
Before you continue