Shrek? Never Heard of It, Ten Thousand Year Thunder Roc

"As long as Dugu Yan is fine, that's all that matters. I shall take my leave now." Qin Ming's posture was humble, a clumsy smile plastered on his face.

"Wait a moment."

Han Yu and Chen Xin stepped out from behind the trees.

Qin Ming turned his head, his face filled with shock. He bent his straight back into a ninety-degree bow, his eyes burning with fanaticism.

"Your Excellency Sword Douluo, I, Qin Ming, pay my respects."

Chen Xin nodded with a smile.

Han Yu glanced at Chen Xin beside him, his expression unmoving.

It seemed this Qin Ming was a fanboy; he suspected that half of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's prestige was held up by Chen Xin's charm alone.

"Your Excellency Sword Douluo, I am your idol—no, wait... you are my idol!" Qin Ming appeared flustered, his face turning beet red as he bowed repeatedly in apology. "I am sorry, I am so sorry."

Dugu Bo, who had been feeling somewhat guilty, curled his lip.

The contrast was simply too stark, even though the object of comparison was the Sword Douluo, whom he also held in high regard.

"It is quite alright, young man. What is your name?" Chen Xin asked, amused by Qin Ming's behavior, and shook his head gently.

"Your Excellency, my name is Qin Ming. I am a teacher at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy," Qin Ming replied respectfully.

"Heaven Dou Imperial Academy? They didn't even help you configure a ten-thousand-year spirit ring? How absurd," Chen Xin said with a hint of indignation.

Seeing this, Qin Ming felt a touch of warmth, though a bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he explained, "Your Excellency, I actually hail from Shrek Academy. I only took up a teaching position at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy after graduating."

"Shrek Academy? What is that?" Chen Xin frowned slightly, asking in confusion.

Han Yu forcibly suppressed the smile rising to his lips.

Shrek Academy might not be famous in this era, but ten thousand years later, it would be a holy land that every spirit master on the continent yearned for.

But for now, they didn't even have a proper piece of land to their name.

"Qin Ming, His Excellency Chen Xin only pays attention to major powers. Do not take it to heart," Dugu Bo said, reading the room.

Chen Xin nodded in agreement.

Qin Ming quickly waved his hands, straightened his back, and continued with a hint of pride in his tone, "Our Shrek Academy is located outside Soto City. The academy isn't large, but our Dean is at the Spirit Saint level, and we have several teachers at the Spirit Emperor level."

As soon as these words were spoken, a chill rose around Chen Xin, and his gaze turned sharp.

Chen Xin had originally agreed to follow Ning Fengzhi's father and join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect because he despised how those powers and sects exploited ordinary spirit masters; he wanted to find a path for geniuses who lacked opportunities. He had seen many outrageous acts, but this was the first time he had been so moved.

What kind of academy had Spirit Saints and Spirit Emperors yet allowed a genius student to absorb a thousand-year spirit ring for their fifth ring? Were the teachers just eating and doing nothing?

Han Yu whispered a reminder, "Teacher."

Chen Xin took a deep breath, and his aura returned to calm.

Hearing this, Qin Ming looked toward Han Yu, a flash of envy deep in his eyes, his fists clenching for a moment before relaxing.

"Sigh, the responsibilities of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect are heavy and the road is long," Chen Xin said, sighing and shaking his head with his hands behind his back.

"Young man, you..."

Chirp—!

A sharp cry echoed from high above.

Immediately after, a giant bird, with a large lump on its head, burst through the clouds clutching a spirit beast.

Dugu Bo squinted and saw that it was the "angry little pig" he had tossed earlier. His aim had been surprisingly good; he had struck a bird-type spirit beast directly.

Han Yu's mouth twitched as he stifled a laugh, steadying his heart. His eyes glowed with golden light as he clearly made out the appearance of the giant bird.

It was a Great Roc nearly five meters long with a wingspan of about fifteen meters.

Its entire body was covered in pitch-black scales and feathers, each edge flickering with purple electricity. Its two dark-gold talons were deeply embedded in the hard shell of the Rock-Armored Pig.

"Teacher, it's a Thunder Roc, twenty thousand years old," Han Yu said, his tone excited. "A lightning-attribute avian spirit beast, skilled in aerial ambushes. Its mastery of lightning is superb; it can even achieve effects similar to teleportation."

This was the spirit beast he and Gu Rong had deemed the most suitable among the many they had seen. He hadn't expected it to deliver itself to their doorstep today.

Chen Xin smiled and patted Han Yu's head gently.

Han Yu's luck was truly exceptional. With this, the chance Chen Xin had hoped for to show off was gone.

"Dugu Bo, take that young man and leave first," Chen Xin commanded.

Dugu Bo nodded and led the bewildered Qin Ming away from the clearing.

"I will provide cover for you; handle it yourself," Chen Xin said softly, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

Han Yu stepped forward confidently and smiled, "Yes, Teacher."

The Thunder Roc in the air rolled its eyes and let out a shrill cry. It dropped the Rock-Armored Pig and hovered in the air, not acting rashly, staring straight at Han Yu.

It swept its sharp gaze toward Chen Xin in the back, its pupils trembling violently. Purple lightning surged over its wings, and it suddenly turned around, accelerating to flee.

Once a spirit beast reached ten thousand years, it gained human-like intelligence. It had clearly sensed the terrifying pressure emanating from Chen Xin and chose to flee without a fight.

"Hmph, cunning beast," Chen Xin snorted coldly.

He raised his sword-finger toward the sky, and a massive web woven from sharp sword qi descended, completely shrouding the surrounding forest and airspace, sealing off the Thunder Roc's retreat.

The Thunder Roc refused to accept this, crashing into the web only to let out a shrill, miserable shriek. A brand appeared on its forehead, and it obediently flew back to its original position, eyes blazing with furious flames as it transformed into a sharp arrow and shot toward Han Yu.

Han Yu's third soul ring lit up beneath his feet. Gripping the Green Bamboo Bee Cloud Sword, he met the charge head-on, transforming into a golden arc of electricity as he rushed before the Thunder Roc and thrust his sword forward.

Hum—

The Thunder Roc's figure vanished, reappearing above and behind Han Yu. It raised its incomparably sharp, massive talons and clawed viciously at Han Yu's head.

Han Yu died.

The Thunder Roc landed on the ground, clutching Han Yu's headless corpse as it let out a long, triumphant cry toward the sky.

"Foolish." Han Yu's voice emerged abruptly.

Hearing this, the Thunder Roc scanned its surroundings. Everything around it shattered into fragments of light and shadow, and a vast shadow spread across the ground beneath its feet.

It tilted its head in contemplation, then looked up in confusion.

A massive blade of light, interlaced with gold patterns and cyan hues, was already inches away, its thick, heavy pommel pressed right against the Thunder Roc's shocked face.

Chirp—

The Thunder Roc's eyes flashed with golden light, and golden sparks flickered within the purple electricity covering its body, allowing its massive head to shift several inches in an instant.

Boom—

Dust filled the sky. Han Yu stood the Green Bamboo Bee Cloud Sword before him, two purple soul rings alternating in a rhythmic flash beneath his feet. His entire body was covered in scales, and with his soul bone skill Godspeed fully activated, his eyes glowed with a brilliant golden light.

The dust settled.

The Thunder Roc, which had been arrogant and triumphant just moments ago, was now in a wretched state. Half of its right wing had been sheared off, and it wobbled in the air, struggling to maintain its balance, its eyes filled with wariness.

Han Yu's expression was one of surprise as he scrutinized the Thunder Roc with curious eyes.

He had intended to play it safe, only speaking up to mock the beast once his Killing Sword Intent had delivered the great sword to its face. He hadn't expected this Thunder Roc to possess a trace of ancient bloodline, allowing it to briefly erupt with several times its usual speed to avoid a lethal blow.

He sighed softly, deciding that from now on, he would remain low-key and silent; caution was the true path to success.