A World-Shaking Lesson, Personally Taught by the Dragon Emperor

The next morning, Shrek Inner Court's communal cultivation grounds were buzzing with voices.

Today was the mixed cultivation class for new and senior students, as well as an important day for the various mentors to observe their disciples' strength. Before dawn had even broken, the cultivation grounds were already packed with people, and nearly every gaze was fixed in the same direction—

The direction from which Tang Wulin and the Seven Monsters were approaching.

At their side, the adult Tang Wulin still accompanied them calmly, never falling a step behind, his presence impossibly strong.

He wore simple plain clothes and revealed not the slightest trace of soul power, yet the steady aura of the Dragon Emperor automatically cleared an open space within ten meters of him. Though passing students were curious, none dared approach. They could only watch from afar and whisper among themselves.

"That's him! The mysterious powerhouse who scared off a Seagod Pavilion elder yesterday!"

"He really looks exactly like Tang Wulin... What is their relationship?"

"With him here, anyone who dares provoke the Shrek Seven Monsters today is practically courting death."

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the young Seven Monsters walked to their assigned position, their expressions calm. After spending several days together, they had long grown accustomed to this senior's company. All they felt now was reassurance and reliance.

Xu Lizhi pulled out a bun from his bag. As he munched on it, he asked quietly, "Senior, will you watch us cultivate later?"

The adult Tang Wulin nodded slightly, his gaze gentle. "I'll be right here, watching you."

Just then, a somewhat stern voice rang out from the front.

"Quiet! Today's mixed cultivation class will focus on—practical martial soul cooperative combat drills. Spar freely, but stop at the proper point!"

The speaker was a veteran Inner Academy mentor, a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse. His gaze swept across the crowd before finally landing on Tang Wulin's group, his eyes filled with obvious curiosity.

Naturally, he had also heard of the mysterious powerhouse.

"Tang Wulin's team, you received perfect scores in yesterday's assessment. Are you willing to be the first to take the stage and give everyone a demonstration?"

The instant those words were spoken, the entire grounds fell silent.

Everyone understood that the mentor wanted to use this opportunity to test the Seven Monsters' true strength—and perhaps... see whether that mysterious powerhouse would intervene.

Xie Xie immediately puffed out his chest. "Then we'll go! Who are we afraid of?"

The young Tang Wulin did not hesitate and nodded. "All right."

The Seven Monsters stepped onto the training platform, standing in neat formation with a natural, seamless understanding between them. Meanwhile, the adult Tang Wulin slowly walked to the most conspicuous spot beside the stage and stood there quietly, his gaze fixed on the youths without shifting in the slightest.

Seeing this, the mentor said, "You may choose your own opponents, or the academy can arrange senior students to spar with you."

Before his words had even faded, five Soul Venerable-level senior students stepped forward from below the stage, their eyes brimming with defiance.

The Seven Monsters' crushing defeat of Outer Academy students yesterday had already left many dissatisfied. Now that they had a chance to compete onstage, they naturally would not let it pass.

"We'll challenge them!"

The mentor nodded faintly. "Approved."

The five leaped onto the stage, their soul rings lighting up in unison as their auras fully erupted. Clearly, they intended to overwhelm the new students with sheer strength and regain some face.

An uproar erupted below the stage.

Five Soul Venerables against seven Great Soul Masters—no matter how one looked at it, it was a one-sided match.

Yet on the training platform, the young Seven Monsters remained completely composed.

Tang Wulin gave a low command. "Formation!"

Yuanen Yehui took the front, Ye Xinglan attacked from the flank, Le Zhengyu provided light-based support, Xie Xie circled around to restrain them, Xu Xiaoyan controlled the field with starlight, Xu Lizhi scattered enhancement buns, and Gu Yue gathered the elements... Their coordination flowed like water, long since refined to perfection.

The battle was on the verge of erupting.

At the start, the Seven Monsters were somewhat restrained, since their opponents' cultivation was a full level higher. Yet after several exchanges, the senior students gradually fell into disadvantage, firmly restrained by Gu Yue's elements and Xu Xiaoyan's starlight, unable to unleash their full strength at all.

Just as Tang Wulin prepared to end the battle with a punch—

One of the senior students suddenly lost his temper. His soul power spiraled out of control, and he actually unleashed a killing move. The power of his soul skill surged abruptly as it hurtled straight toward the defenseless Xu Lizhi!

"Watch out!"

Tang Wulin's expression changed drastically. It was already too late for him to turn and rescue him.

Gu Yue's elements erupted in an instant, but she was still a moment too slow.

The spectators below the stage cried out in alarm.

At that critical instant!

A streak of golden light, fast beyond belief, flashed directly from the side of the stage to appear before Xu Lizhi.

It was the adult Tang Wulin.

He did not even raise a hand. His gaze merely turned slightly cold, and his body gave a faint tremor.

"Bzzzt—!"

An invisible Dragon Emperor's pressure exploded outward.

That senior student's soul skill shattered instantly, and he was sent flying by an unseen force. He landed steadily below the stage without a single injury, but his face had already gone deathly pale with fright.

The entire grounds fell dead silent.

Without making a single move, he had shattered a soul skill with nothing but his aura and sent a Soul Venerable flying.

What kind of strength was that?!

Even the mentor was so shocked that he rose to his feet, blurting out, "Senior... this is..."

The adult Tang Wulin did not look at anyone. He merely turned back toward Xu Lizhi, his tone softening. "Are you all right?"

Xu Lizhi clutched his bun and shook his head blankly. "I-I'm fine. Th-thank you, Senior!"

Only then did the adult Tang Wulin turn back, his gaze sweeping lightly over the remaining four senior students on the stage.

"A spar is not a fight to the death."

His voice was not loud, yet it carried unquestionable authority.

The four senior students shuddered all over and scrambled off the training platform, no longer daring to show even the slightest provocation.

The crisis was over.

The young Tang Wulin looked at the figure beside the stage, warmth rising in his heart.

Again, at the moment of greatest danger, he had stood in front of them.

Gu Yue watched the adult Tang Wulin's back, her silver-violet eyes flickering faintly.

She became increasingly certain that this man existed to protect them.

The mentor came back to his senses, drew a deep breath, and bowed to the adult Tang Wulin. "Senior, your lesson is correct. I failed in my supervision."

He turned to the entire crowd and raised his voice. "Today, I have witnessed the bearing of a true powerhouse! Tang Wulin's team has flawless coordination, while this senior... possesses unfathomable strength and deserves everyone's respect!"

Thunderous applause and cheers immediately erupted below the stage.

The adult Tang Wulin merely returned to the side of the platform and nodded slightly at the young Seven Monsters onstage, his voice full of encouragement.

"Continue. You did very well."

After a brief pause, he raised his voice slightly, letting it carry clearly throughout the entire cultivation grounds.

"Remember, the meaning of a martial soul has never been to bully others, but to protect those you wish to protect."

"The greater the power, the heavier the responsibility."

"Consider this lesson one I am teaching you on Shrek's behalf."

Those words rang in everyone's hearts like thunder.

The young Tang Wulin trembled, clenching his fists tightly.

Those words were carved deep into his heart.

Gu Yue looked at him, the gentle light in her eyes deepening.

Xie Xie, Ye Xinglan, Yuanen Yehui, Le Zhengyu, Xu Xiaoyan, Xu Lizhi—every one of them wore solemn expressions, silently committing this teaching from an unparalleled powerhouse to memory.

Sunlight spilled over the training grounds, illuminating eight figures in light and shadow.

On the stage stood youths blazing with spirit; below it, the Dragon Emperor stood still in protection.

Everyone present from Shrek would forever remember this scene.

No one knew where this powerhouse had come from or how long he would remain.

But everyone understood—

As long as he remained, no one could bully the Shrek Seven Monsters.

As long as he remained, Shrek's skies would forever be peaceful.