Behind Shrek Academy, the laughter of the three master and disciples rang out beneath the setting sun.
Yi Chen guided Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu as they adjusted their lineups, occasionally pointing out flaws in their positioning. The two girls listened attentively, sometimes asking questions of their own. Everything seemed peaceful and lovely.
Yet in Suotuo City, outside Shrek Academy, a different scene was unfolding.
In a private room on the second floor of the Wantong Hotel, candlelight flickered, casting shifting shadows on the walls.
The food and wine on the table had gone cold, and no one had touched their chopsticks. A stifling silence hung in the air, like the calm before a storm.
Tang San sat at the head of the table, his hands clasped on its surface as his calm gaze swept over those present. Across from him sat three people of different stations.
At the center sat a burly, middle-aged man, broad-backed and thick-waisted, with a face full of coarse flesh. His exposed forearms were covered in crisscrossing scars.
His name was Xiong Lie, and he was the leader of the Fierce Tiger Mercenary Group, the largest mercenary group in Suotuo City. A fifty-sixth-level Power Attack System Battle Soul King, his Martial Soul was a Crimson Flame Tiger. He was renowned throughout the southern part of the city.
To the left sat an elderly man dressed in finery. Several gemstone rings adorned his fingers, and a jade ring encircled his thumb. He was clearly a wealthy man who had lived in comfort for years.
His name was Li Fuyuan, owner of Wantong Trading Firm, the largest trading company in Suotuo City. His business spanned several major cities in the southern part of the Heaven Dou Empire, and he had an extensive network and a keen ear for news.
On the right sat a middle-aged scholar in the blue-green official robes of the Heaven Dou Empire. His face was lean, three wisps of a long beard hung beneath his chin, and his gaze was steady and reserved.
His name was Zheng Mingyuan, deputy commissioner of the Tax Bureau stationed in Suotuo City by the Heaven Dou Empire. Though his official rank was not high, he oversaw the finances and taxation of the region and was highly attuned to commercial trends in every city.
Tang San had contacted all three through various channels over the past few days. They wielded considerable influence in Suotuo City and even throughout the southern part of the Heaven Dou Empire. More importantly, all of them harbored varying degrees of suspicion and wariness toward Teamfight Tactics, which had recently swept across the continent.
"Young Master Tang San, you invited us here, saying you had something important to discuss. Now that everyone's here, can you tell us what it is?"
Xiong Lie spoke first, his voice rough with the impatience of a man who had spent years living by the blade. He lifted the wine cup in front of him and drained it, then casually wiped the wine from his lips and stared straight at Tang San.
Tang San did not answer at once. Instead, he lifted his own wine cup, took a small sip, and set it down. His movements were unhurried, as if he were deliberately setting a rhythm.
"Group Leader Xiong, there's no need to rush." Tang San put down his cup and looked calmly at the three men. "Before I get to the matter at hand, I'd like to ask you all a question. How much do you know about Teamfight Tactics, the game that's recently taken the continent by storm?"
The three exchanged glances.
Li Fuyuan stroked his beard and spoke first. "Of course, I've heard of it. The game has been incredibly popular lately. Quite a few of my employees and customers are playing it.
"I hear the Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have been promoting it behind the scenes, and even Poison Douluo Dugu Bo of Heaven Dou City has publicly lent it his support.
"Though I'm too old to dabble in such newfangled things, I've heard the game is quite interesting. It lets ordinary people experience the thrill of a Spirit Master battle."
Zheng Mingyuan nodded and added, "I've heard about it too. Since its release, Teamfight Tactics has spread at an astonishing pace, sweeping through several major cities in barely over a month.
"As far as I know, dedicated Golden Spatula Pavilions have already been built in Spirit City, Heaven Dou City, and even in the territory of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. They're packed with visitors every day—a sight unlike anything before."
Xiong Lie snorted and said in his deep, rumbling voice, "I've heard of it too. A few of my boys play it every day, and it's even gotten in the way of their training.
"I've cursed them out a few times, but I can't keep them away from it. That thing's like an addiction—you try it once, and you can't put it down."
After hearing them out, Tang San's lips curved into a faint smile, though there was not a trace of amusement in his eyes.
"You've only seen Teamfight Tactics at the height of its glory. You haven't seen the crisis hidden behind it."
His voice lowered, taking on a deliberately grave tone.
"If I told you that Yi Chen, the creator of this game, was plotting to overturn the existing order of Douluo Continent, would you believe me?"
The moment he said this, the air in the private room seemed to freeze.
Xiong Lie's hand stopped halfway to his mouth, wine cup in hand. Li Fuyuan's fingers froze in his beard, and Zheng Mingyuan's expression grew stern. The three exchanged a glance, each seeing shock and doubt in the others' eyes.
"Young Master Tang San, you can't make such a claim lightly."
Zheng Mingyuan spoke first, his tone cautious.
He withdrew his hands from his sleeves and leaned forward slightly, looking Tang San straight in the eye. "I've heard of Yi Chen too. He's an honorary elder of the Spirit Hall, and they say he's a Titled Douluo-level expert.
"Though Teamfight Tactics is only a game, the Spirit Masters and common people have certainly taken to it. Do you have any solid evidence that he intends to overthrow the continent's order?"
"Evidence? I'll provide it in time. But first, I'd like you all to consider a question."
Tang San's gaze sharpened, and his voice rose a little.
"If Teamfight Tactics really becomes widespread, what impact will it have on the continent?"
He paused, then continued without waiting for an answer. "The traditional Spirit Master cultivation system is built on talent, hard work, and opportunity.
"Spirit Masters must hunt Soul Beasts to obtain Soul Rings, train relentlessly day after day to increase their strength, and hone their combat skills through hard-won experience in life-and-death battles.
"The process is arduous, but at least it's fair. Those with greater talent advance faster, and those with less talent advance more slowly. But as long as they're willing to work hard, they still have a chance to rise above the rest. For thousands of years, this system has upheld the balance of power on Douluo Continent."
His voice abruptly shifted, turning low and cold.
"And what about Teamfight Tactics? It uses seemingly fair game mechanics to let players gain Soul Power, Soul Rings, and even Soul Bones just by playing chess.
"What does that mean? It means that even those with mediocre talent who aren't willing to endure hardship can easily obtain resources that traditional Spirit Masters must fight tooth and nail to acquire, as long as they're good at this game.
"If this goes on, who will still be willing to toil away at cultivation? Who will risk their lives to hunt Soul Beasts?"
Xiong Lie's brow furrowed tighter and tighter. As a Soul King, he knew how difficult cultivation was. The strength he possessed had come from decades of relentless training and countless life-and-death battles.
If, as Tang San claimed, playing a game could grant the same power, what would all his years of sweat and blood have been worth?
"So..." Xiong Lie said slowly, his voice low. "This game really does seem a little sinister. If everyone takes up chess, who'll still be willing to risk their necks training?"
"That's far from the only problem."
Tang San shook his head and continued. "Behind the spread of Teamfight Tactics stand the Spirit Hall, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, and various other powers.
"These forces encompass nearly all the continent's top players. And once Teamfight Tactics is fully established, every player's records and information will be in the hands of Yi Chen alone."
His gaze turned cold, and a chill crept into his voice.
"By then, every Spirit Master on the continent will be at his mercy. He'll decide who grows stronger.
"He'll decide who falls to the depths. Think about it: is that the future you want?"
A long silence settled over the private room.
The candlelight flickered within its glass shade, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow over everyone's faces. Li Fuyuan lowered his head and lightly tapped his fingers on the tabletop, making a steady tok-tok sound.
Zheng Mingyuan tucked his hands back into his sleeves, brows knitted and gaze uncertain. Xiong Lie slammed a fist against his thigh, producing a dull thud.
"Young Master Tang San's reasoning does make a certain amount of sense."
Zheng Mingyuan finally spoke, his voice tinged with gravity. He lifted his head and looked Tang San straight in the eye. "But all of this is only speculation. There's no concrete evidence. And Yi Chen's strength is unfathomable, with the Spirit Hall backing him. Even if we knew something was wrong with him, what could we do?"
"Evidence will come."
Tang San's lips curved in a barely perceptible smile, as though everything were already within his grasp.
"As for how to respond, we need to unite everyone we can and strike a fatal blow at the right moment. Before that, we need to help more people see his true face."
He extended a finger and lightly tapped the tabletop, his gaze sweeping across the three men.
"Gentlemen, for the future of Douluo Continent, I hope you'll help me with something."
"What is it?" Xiong Lie asked.
"Spread this information."
Tang San spoke one word at a time. His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable force.
"There's no need to embellish anything. Just objectively tell the people you can reach about the consequences Teamfight Tactics might bring.
"Mercenaries, merchants, officials, commoners... Let more and more people start thinking and questioning. Once the voices of doubt grow loud enough, even if Yi Chen has the power to reach the heavens, he won't be able to shut the mouths of everyone under the sky."
Li Fuyuan pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "I can do that. Wantong Trading Firm has branches in several major cities in the southern part of the Heaven Dou Empire, so it should be fairly easy to pass the information along."
Zheng Mingyuan nodded as well. "I can also discreetly sound out my colleagues in the official circles. But this must be done in secret. We can't let word get out."
Xiong Lie slapped the table and said in his rumbling voice, "I don't understand all those twists and turns, but I know that if this game really is what Young Master Tang San says it is, then it's no good. I'll tell my men to keep an eye out. If anything stirs, I'll notify you right away."
As Tang San watched the three men voice their support in turn, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He raised his wine cup and toasted them. "Thank you all for your sense of justice. For the future of Douluo Continent, let's drink to this."
The four raised their cups and drained them in one go.
The night deepened.
One after another, the three men took their leave, leaving Tang San alone in the private room. He stood by the window and pushed it open. A chilly night breeze swept in, stirring his hair and robes.
He gazed toward Shrek Academy in the distance, his eyes deep and complicated.
That was where his companions were, where the people he had once trusted were, and where his greatest rival now remained.
Yi Chen...
He silently repeated the name, lightly tapping his fingers against the window frame in a steady rhythm.
One day, I'll expose your true face.
The night breeze swept by, carrying away his whisper and the secret of that night.
Meanwhile, behind Shrek Academy, Yi Chen sat cross-legged beneath an ancient tree, resting with his eyes closed. The night breeze brushed his robes, and the moonlight traced a cool outline along his handsome profile.
He slowly opened his eyes and looked toward Suotuo City, a meaningful smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
"The little fellow's starting to make a move..."
He murmured softly, a trace of amusement in his voice.
"Fine, then. Let's see just how big a wave you can make."
With that, he closed his eyes again, as if nothing had happened.