With everyone already expecting it, Xuanzi wasted no time ordering people to search for Xiao Xiao's family.
His charred face twisted into a frightening expression.
"Search for them! Even if they're buried underground, dig them out!"
Although Shrek Academy's intelligence network was as full of holes as his grandpa's long johns, it could still handle a simple investigation or two.
A commoner family wasn't some reclusive sect, and their registered address was right there in black and white.
So it didn't take long to find where Xiao Xiao's family lived.
"Found them! They're in a small city near Shrek City!"
Xuanzi sneered, then turned to Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo.
"You two, go there yourselves and bring them back alive!"
Shrek Academy had no intention of killing them outright.
Xuanzi might have been deranged, but Mu En hadn't completely lost his reason.
Killing Xiao Xiao's family would offer no benefit beyond venting their anger.
Instead, it would completely enrage that brat named Gu An and the Limit Douluo behind him.
Her family would be more useful alive.
They could use them to threaten Xiao Xiao and make her act as a plant—or rather, a spy—inside Spirit Transmission Academy.
"That bitch Xiao Xiao is so close to that brat, isn't she? Then we'll make her our informant!"
After all, with Shrek Academy's current strength, they couldn't cause Leng Yaozhu any harm in a direct confrontation.
So they might as well learn everything they could about their enemy first.
And then there was Spirit Transmission Academy's Soul Spirits...
It wasn't just the ordinary students who had witnessed everything moments ago.
Even the Titled Douluos and elders of Sea God Pavilion couldn't help the greedy glint that flashed in their eyes as they thought back on it.
The stronger you were, the more clearly you understood how terrifying a boost Soul Spirits could provide!
That thing could turn a Soul Master from a lone fighter into a full-on bulldozer!
One person could field an entire army!
If Shrek Academy could master that technology too...
So they didn't think there was anything wrong with their plan.
They could get rid of a traitor, plant a spy, and take the opportunity to learn about Soul Spirits.
Three birds with one stone.
Everyone waited for Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo to bring Xiao Xiao's family back.
Just then, Zhang Lexuan, who had been in seclusion on Sea God Island, flew over.
She had been cultivating in seclusion on Sea God Island, but sensed the violent fluctuations of battle coming from Shrek Academy.
The intensity of them had made her heart pound.
She immediately ended her seclusion and rushed over at full speed.
However...
When she landed in the Soul Fighting Zone, shock filled her beautiful eyes.
The Soul Fighting Platform had been blasted into a cratered mess, cracks ran all over the stands, and the air still held the heat and stench of scorched earth.
Xuanzi was charred from head to toe, while Zhuang Yusen treated him.
The other elders looked as though someone had just died.
Zhang Lexuan opened her mouth.
"What... happened here?"
She had thought that with Shrek Academy's strength, even if someone attacked, they wouldn't end up in such a miserable state.
After all, not every elder at Shrek Academy was as unreliable as Xuanzi!
When Mu En saw Zhang Lexuan arrive, he sighed.
He remembered what Sea God Tang San had said before leaving.
He didn't explain what had happened in detail. He only waved a hand.
"Lexuan, you came at just the right time. From now on, whenever you have a moment, take these two little ones, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, and teach them properly."
That six-year-old brat was indeed strong, but Shrek Academy's geniuses were no slouches either. They had to give them some confidence.
Zhang Lexuan was the best person for the job.
She paused, but seeing Mu En's tired expression, she nodded.
"Yes, Elder Mu."
Sighing inwardly, Mu En waved for the elders to leave.
"Let the teachers handle the rest."
The enemy might have left, but the fallout from today's battle was far from over.
For example...
Cai Mei'er stepped forward.
She released the aura of a Titled Douluo, and a frigid pressure swept over the entire Soul Fighting Zone.
Her icy gaze passed over every student present. Her voice held not a trace of warmth.
"Not a single word about what happened here today is to leave this place!"
"If I find out anyone spread the story, you'll be expelled from Shrek Academy and have your Soul Power crippled!"
She paused...
"Is that clear?"
The students held their breath.
They had all sorts of thoughts, but for now, they obediently agreed.
"Understood!"
"We won't tell a soul!"
Seeing them agree did little to ease Cai Mei'er's mind.
Threats alone couldn't seal everyone's lips.
Her tone softened a little as she continued, "Of course, that doesn't mean you can't say anything at all."
"Shrek Academy was attacked by powerful enemies, but our ancestor, Sea God Tang San, personally descended. His divine might was so immense that he scared them all away!"
"Shrek Academy is still the strongest!"
"The title of the continent's number one academy isn't something just anyone can challenge!"
After pouring out a dose of poisonous chicken soup, Cai Mei'er barely managed to steady the students.
At any rate, Sea God Tang San's descent was real. It couldn't be faked.
With that powerful name to hide behind, they could at least dress up today's humiliation as a tale of "the ancestor's divine intervention driving back the enemy."
Meanwhile...
While Shrek Academy busied itself with calming everyone down, Leng Yaozhu had already brought Gu An and Xiao Xiao back to Seven Treasures City.
In the courtyard of Spirit Transmission Academy, Mother Gu kept glancing toward the direction Gu An and the others had gone.
When she heard the rush of air overhead, she looked up and saw Leng Yaozhu coming down with Gu An and Xiao Xiao in her arms.
Seeing that they were unharmed, Mother Gu finally let out the breath she'd been holding.
Then she noticed that they'd brought back a green-haired little girl.
The corners of her mouth lifted slightly. It seemed the trip had gone smoothly.
"Xiao An!"
Mother Gu hurried over.
Gu An jumped down from Leng Yaozhu's arms and gave his mother a quick greeting.
"Mom, I'm back. I need to go take care of something in my room. I'll tell you all about it later!"
With that, he hurried into the room.
Leng Yaozhu knew what Gu An was going to do. She handed the still-unconscious Xiao Xiao to Mother Gu.
"Sister Gu, please look after this girl for a bit. Xiao An and I have something to discuss."
After a few brief instructions, she turned and followed Gu An.
Mother Gu looked down at the gentle, charming girl in her arms. She had green hair in twin buns, a plump little face, and long, curled eyelashes.
Xiao An was still so young. Was he already planning to raise himself a bride?
She didn't understand, but she didn't ask.
The child was growing up. It was normal for him to have secrets.
She carried Xiao Xiao into her room, carefully laid her on the bed, then pulled a blanket over her.
Mother Gu smoothed the crease between Xiao Xiao's brows and sighed.
Inside the room.
Gu An closed the door and turned around.
He rubbed his hands together, a hopeful smile on his face.
Walking up to Leng Yaozhu, he rose onto his tiptoes and reached out to pinch both her cheeks.
Leng Yaozhu's pretty face squished beneath his fingers, and a helpless look flashed in her phoenix eyes.
"Xiao An, what are you doing?"
Gu An grinned.
"Good sister, lend me some of your luck! I'm going to draw the next person!"
With his fingers still pinching her cheeks, Leng Yaozhu replied indistinctly,
"Go ahead and draw, but why are you pinching my face?"
Gu An gave her cheeks two more pinches before letting go, then rubbed his fingers together, still savoring the feeling.
"I'm borrowing some of your luck."
He took a deep breath, his smile fading as his consciousness sank into the Douluo Planet within him.
He looked at the summoning option. The words "Random Summon" were clearly marked there.
He couldn't choose who to summon.
Gu An pursed his lips, but he wasn't too disappointed.
He'd already learned the rules last time, when he drew Leng Yaozhu.
"Here goes."