Shrek Academy, back mountain.
Days passed, and Yi Chen's teaching settled into a smooth rhythm. Under his guidance, his three disciples made rapid progress in Golden Spatula, while their Soul Power steadily increased.
Ning Rongrong grew more and more adept at using the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Xiao Wu's battle instincts became sharper, and Zhu Zhuqing's speed and explosive power reached new heights.
Yet beneath the calm surface, undercurrents had begun to stir.
Boys' dormitory, late at night.
Tang San lay on his bed with his eyes closed, seeming to be asleep, but his mind was exceptionally alert. For days, he had been secretly observing Yi Chen's every move.
The man's daily routine was astonishingly regular. He rose at dawn, meditated in the back mountain, then taught the three girls Golden Spatula. He rested in the afternoon, continued training at dusk, and left at sunset. It all seemed flawless, but Tang San couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
He turned over, Xiao Wu's changes over the past few days surfacing in his mind.
She had become more cheerful and confident, and her Soul Power had improved considerably.
This should have been a good thing, but whenever he saw her orbiting Yi Chen and sweetly calling him "Master," an indescribable feeling welled up inside Tang San.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
The Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record said: "Still the mind and temper the will, and only then can one accomplish great things." He couldn't act rashly yet. Yi Chen's strength was unfathomable. A head-on clash would be no different from courting death. He needed more information and more preparation.
Tang San opened his eyes and pulled a slip of paper from beneath his pillow. He had received it that afternoon, from an unexpected source.
There was no signature, just one line: "Want to know Yi Chen's origins? Tomorrow at noon, Old Locust Tree Teahouse in Suotuo City."
He stared at the words for a long while, then crumpled the note in his fist. A surge of inner force turned it into fine powder, which drifted down between his fingers.
Whoever had sent the note, it proved one thing: he wasn't the only one who had noticed Yi Chen.
The next day at noon, Suotuo City.
Tang San wore a bamboo hat, pulled its brim low, and walked through the bustling streets into Old Locust Tree Teahouse. The teahouse was packed with voices, and a storyteller onstage was vividly recounting the legend of a certain Titled Douluo.
He found a seat in the corner, ordered a pot of the cheapest coarse tea, and discreetly surveyed his surroundings.
Before long, someone took the seat across from him.
The person wore a gray cloak, its hood pulled low enough to hide their face. But judging by their build and bearing, they seemed to be a middle-aged man.
"You're Tang San, right?" The man got straight to the point, his voice hoarse and low. "I know you've been investigating Yi Chen."
Tang San neither confirmed nor denied it. He simply picked up his teacup and asked calmly, "Who are you?"
"Who I am doesn't matter." The man shook his head. "What matters is that I have the information you want."
Tang San set down his teacup and looked directly at him. "Let's hear it."
The man fell silent for a moment, then slowly began. "Yi Chen's origins are unknown. About two months ago, he suddenly appeared on the outskirts of Star Dou Forest. The first time he showed himself, he displayed strength at least on the level of a Titled Douluo. He then went to Spirit Hall and struck a deal with the Pope, Bibi Dong, taking up the post of honorary elder. After that, he went to Sunset Forest and subdued Poison Douluo Dugu Bo. Then he came to Shrek Academy and took your three classmates as disciples."
Tang San's brow furrowed tighter and tighter. He had already guessed or deduced most of this information. But the man's knowledge was so detailed that it only made Tang San more wary.
"That's all?" Tang San asked, keeping his expression neutral.
"Of course not." The man lowered his voice. "I also know that Yi Chen is planning a transformation that will sweep across the entire continent. That game called Golden Spatula is just his first step. His real goal is to use the game to completely change the existing balance of power on the Douluo Continent."
Tang San tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "Why tell me all this?"
"Because I don't want to see an outsider turn this continent upside down." A trace of coldness entered the man's voice. "You don't want to see your friends deceived, either, do you?"
Tang San didn't answer.
The man stood and placed a slip of paper on the table. "If you want to know more, meet me at the abandoned blacksmith shop south of the city at midnight."
With that, he turned and hurried away, disappearing into the crowd.
Tang San remained seated, staring at the slip of paper on the table for a long time without moving.
He had a feeling this matter wasn't so simple.
Meanwhile, at the entrance to Shrek Academy.
Dai Mubai blocked Zhu Zhuqing as she returned from the back mountain.
"Zhuqing, I need to talk to you." Dai Mubai spread his arms to block her path, his golden eyes carrying an overbearing insistence.
Zhu Zhuqing stopped and looked at him coldly. "Move."
"We need to have a proper talk." Dai Mubai didn't move. Instead, he stepped closer and lowered his voice. "About our engagement."
Zhu Zhuqing's gaze turned even colder. "There's nothing to talk about. The engagement was forced on us by the imperial family. I don't accept it."
"You know that's not what I mean." Dai Mubai's voice grew agitated. "We've been engaged since we were children. The Star Luo Imperial Family and the Zhu Family arranged it long ago. What's with you following Yi Chen around every day?"
Zhu Zhuqing looked at him without expression. "Who I study under is my choice. It has nothing to do with you."
"Nothing to do with me?" Dai Mubai raised his voice. "You're my fiancée. How can it have nothing to do with me? What kind of bewitching potion did Yi Chen give you to make you like this?"
Zhu Zhuqing didn't answer. She simply walked around him and headed straight for the dormitory.
Dai Mubai reached for her arm, but she slipped aside and dodged him.
Zhu Zhuqing was now much faster and more responsive than before. Dai Mubai's hand closed on empty air.
"Zhuqing!" Dai Mubai turned and watched her retreating back, his fists clenched, anger and resentment flashing in his eyes.
He slammed a fist into the nearby wall, leaving a deep dent.
"Yi Chen..." he ground out the name through clenched teeth. "Just you wait."
Under the shade of a tree not far away, Yi Chen leaned against the trunk, taking it all in.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips, but he didn't step in.
The youngsters could handle their own affairs.
As long as they didn't cross the line, he couldn't be bothered with their little squabbles.
But if anyone dared lay a hand on his disciple—
Yi Chen's gaze turned slightly cold.
Then they'd have no one to blame but themselves.