Tit for Tat

After the banquet, Xie Xie and the others returned to the hotel.

Tang Wulin had already changed into pajamas and was reclining leisurely against the bed, reading a book. Xie Xie sighed, "Boss, you have no idea. After you two left, that so-called princess's face turned green."

Tang Wulin closed his book. "The Star Luo Emperor didn't make things difficult for you, did he?"

Xie Xie stretched and sat down in a chair. "With Elder Cai standing there, how would he dare?"

Xu Lizhi and Yue Zhengyu pushed the door open and entered as well. Yue Zhengyu looked at Tang Wulin with admiration. "Captain, you were seriously cool."

Tang Wulin looked innocent. "I was originally planning to keep a low profile."

Xu Lizhi said, "That princess was really rude. She had no manners at all. The captain had clearly already rejected her."

Xie Xie stroked his chin. "I saw Elder Cai holding back a laugh."

Yue Zhengyu's eyes rolled. "Captain, what if that princess really clings to you and refuses to let go after you win the individual championship?"

Tang Wulin replied flatly, "She wouldn't dare."

"If she does, I'll break her legs." Seeing that Tang Wulin's door was not closed, Gu Yue walked straight in.

Tang Wulin looked at her and suddenly recalled how, in his previous life, because of Dai Yuner's actions, by a strange twist of fate...

He coughed lightly. "Stop crowding in here. Go back and get some rest. The competition starts tomorrow."

The others stood up. Xie Xie teased Tang Wulin, "Boss, we'll be leaving now. A spring night is fleeting, huh~" Before Tang Wulin could throw his book at him, he shut the door with a swish at the speed of an agility-type Soul Master.

Gu Yue and Tang Wulin were shut inside the room.

Tang Wulin said, "Have a seat."

Gu Yue pulled over a chair and sat down, looking at him. "Explain yourself."

Tang Wulin asked, "Explain what?"

Gu Yue said, "Your relationship with her."

Tang Wulin said helplessly, "What relationship could we possibly have? This was the first time I'd ever met her."

Gu Yue narrowed her eyes.

Tang Wulin thought for a moment. "If I really had to say there was some relationship... then I suppose we had a small conflict. At the ceremony, she wanted to make a fool of me, but I gave her a little warning. She probably wasn't convinced, so she came looking for me."

Gu Yue snorted coldly. "Princess syndrome."

Tang Wulin said, "Forget about her. What are you planning to do tomorrow morning? You aren't competing in the individual matches, you're only a substitute for the team matches, and the first round of the doubles matches is in the evening."

Gu Yue said, "Of course I'm going to watch your match."

Tang Wulin froze for a moment. "You're worried about me? On Star Luo, unless there's a Titled Douluo under twenty, there's no way I can lose."

Gu Yue glared at him, speechless with anger. "...I can't be bothered with you."

Tang Wulin was baffled, so he could only change the subject again. "After the doubles match, I'm planning to visit the Tang Sect. What about you?"

"I'm going to the Spirit Pagoda."

Tang Wulin smiled. "I'll come pick you up then."

Gu Yue stood up. "All right."

She pulled open the door and softly said, "Good night."

"Good night."

The door clicked shut.

A flash of silver light appeared, and Cai Yue'er appeared in his room.

Tang Wulin stood up. "Elder Cai."

Cai Yue'er asked, "Have you decided?"

"Since the Golden Ancient Tree has already brought it up, I have no choice but to go. But I don't know how long this trip will take, nor do I know whether I'll find the answers I want." Tang Wulin sighed softly. "If I don't make it back in time for the return journey, then don't wait for me."

Cai Yue'er asked, "Does the Pavilion Master know?"

Tang Wulin replied, "Yes."

"Come back alive."

"I will."

Inside the princes' residence.

"Fourth Brother!" Dai Yuner rushed into Dai Yueyan's room, wiping away tears.

Dai Yueyan froze for a moment, then hurriedly went to meet her. "What's wrong? Why are you crying like this? Who bullied you?"

Dai Yuner threw herself into Dai Yueyan's arms. "The people from Douluo Continent bullied me!"

Dai Tianling had scolded her harshly. It was the most severely she had ever been reprimanded in her life. Though she knew she was in the wrong, she still could not help feeling aggrieved.

Dai Yuner sobbed as she explained the entire situation to Dai Yueyan.

Dai Yueyan's expression did not look good after hearing it, but he knew Dai Yuner was already upset, so he did not lecture her further. He said, "If he is someone Shrek is focusing on nurturing, then Fourth Brother can only take you to reconcile with him."

Dai Yuner's eyes were full of tears. "But he was the one who disrespected our imperial family first. What was wrong with me wanting to teach him a lesson?!"

Dai Yueyan could not help reminding her, "Yuner, no matter what, you shouldn't have handled this matter that way. This matter had already passed, yet you still had to provoke him. Now you've made yourself the target of everyone's criticism. What did you gain from it?"

Dai Yuner lowered her head as tears silently streamed down her face.

She knew she had been wrong. Tang Wulin had warned her, and Dai Tianling had forced her to marry. Her emotions had been extremely low, and the stubbornness deep in her heart had kept fermenting until it led to the current outcome.

How could Dai Yueyan not understand his sister's personality? He sighed. "How about this, Yuner? Tomorrow, your brother will accompany you there and see what that person's attitude really is. All right?"

Though Dai Yuner was spoiled, she was not unreasonable. She nodded and wiped away her tears.

Dai Yueyan rubbed her head. "Have him come along too. If that person is really as you described, his strength certainly won't be weak. It'll be a good chance to test Shrek's level as well."

Dai Yuner raised her face. "All right. I'll go find Brother Long."

The next day, Tang Wulin and the others waited by the drawing area. Contestants from every academy were gathered there.

A sudden commotion broke out. A group of people slowly walked in from outside—eight in total, all dressed in dark red fitted uniforms. On the chest of each uniform was a black emblem resembling a monster opening its huge mouth.

Dai Yuner was among them. The moment she entered the waiting area, she began looking around. Soon, she locked onto Tang Wulin, a smile appearing on her face as she walked toward him.

Someone nearby muttered softly, "Monster Academy came so early this year..."

Tang Wulin did not look at Dai Yuner. His gaze fell on the tall, bald man leading the eight, whose bearing was as imposing as a mountain.

The two met each other's eyes. A faint dark red glint flashed through the man's eyes, carrying a hint of madness, while Tang Wulin merely smiled faintly, calm and composed.

He followed behind Dai Yuner. As he drew closer and closer to Tang Wulin, the aura around him grew increasingly violent.

Dai Yuner smiled sweetly. "We meet again."

The man behind her extended his hand toward Tang Wulin. "Hello."

Tang Wulin smiled lightly and extended his hand as well, clasping his.

Everyone from Monster Academy and Shrek Academy revealed expressions of silent mourning at the same time.

However, Monster Academy's expressions lasted only a second before being replaced by shock and disbelief, while everyone from Shrek lowered their heads and sighed.

Long Yue's expression changed drastically. His strength seemed to vanish like a clay ox entering the sea, completely restrained. He had intended to give Tang Wulin a show of strength, yet Tang Wulin had instead crushed his momentum.

The madness on his face became more pronounced, and the surrounding soul power fluctuations grew increasingly intense. Dai Yueyan's expression changed, and just as he was about to shout a warning, a flash of golden light appeared in Tang Wulin's eyes.

Tang Wulin snorted coldly, but it exploded beside Long Yue's ears like a dragon's roar. The madness in Long Yue's eyes instantly vanished, leaving only dullness.

Tang Wulin released his hand and said indifferently, "Only when you learn to control your strength will you be qualified to be my opponent."

His gaze fell on the equally stunned Dai Yuner. "Your Highness, I'll say this one last time. Making an enemy of me will bring Star Luo nothing but harm and no benefit. You'd better think it through."

Shrek was called for the drawing just then. Tang Wulin glanced at the people from Monster Academy, then left with his companions.