The Youth Tournament had only just reached its second round, yet the atmosphere throughout the arena had already completely tilted to one side.
Every time the Shrek Seven Monsters appeared in the contestants' passageway, they drew the attention of the entire venue. At their side, Adult Tang Wulin still followed quietly. His presence was overwhelmingly strong, yet he never spoke much, merely guarding them in silence.
Young Tang Wulin had already grown accustomed to the steady figure beside him. Every time he looked up and saw him, he felt a little more at ease.
Before long, the matchups for the next round were announced.
When the mentor read out their opponents' names, the faces of the named squad instantly turned deathly pale.
They merely raised their heads slightly and met Adult Tang Wulin's indifferent yet imposing gaze, and their entire bodies stiffened.
The captain took a deep breath, walked straight onto the stage, and cupped his hands toward the referee.
"We forfeit."
The referee was long accustomed to this and simply nodded as he made a record.
Xie Xie was dumbfounded. "Another forfeit? That makes three already!"
Xu Lizhi hugged his buns and muttered softly, "We don't even have to fight. This is way too easy..."
Ye Xinglan frowned slightly, clearly finding this unsatisfying. There was no chance to temper themselves through actual combat.
Yuanen Yehui, Yue Zhengyu, and Xu Xiaoyan all wore helpless expressions as well.
Young Tang Wulin looked at Adult Tang Wulin beside him, somewhat embarrassed. "Senior, it's all because of you. No one dares fight us anymore."
Adult Tang Wulin raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone calm.
"They don't dare provoke us not because they're afraid of me, but because they're afraid of breaking the rules and harming innocents."
"If it comes to real combat, there will naturally be people willing to step up later."
The moment he finished speaking, a clear voice rang out from the elevated platform.
"A bunch of spineless cowards. You forfeited without even fighting. You've disgraced Shrek."
Everyone looked up.
A group of students with even more powerful auras stood at the edge of the VIP seating. Their leader wore white, his soul rings gleaming brilliantly. They were none other than the Inner Academy's seeded team and runners-up of the previous tournament—the White Night Squad.
Every member of the team was at the peak of Soul Elder rank, half a step into Soul Ancestor rank. Their strength far surpassed that of ordinary upper-year teams.
Bai Ye's sharp gaze landed directly on the Seven Monsters, finally stopping on Adult Tang Wulin. Yet he showed no trace of retreat.
"I don't care what kind of powerhouse you are. A tournament is a tournament. If you want the championship, defeat us with your real abilities."
The entire arena fell silent in an instant.
At last, someone dared to confront them head-on!
Xie Xie immediately perked up. "Excellent! I've been wanting a proper fight for ages!"
Tang Wulin's gaze sharpened as fighting spirit rose within him. "We accept the challenge."
Gu Yue, however, did not look at Bai Ye. Instead, she turned her head again and stared at Adult Tang Wulin beside her.
Over the past few days, the more she watched him, the more familiar he seemed.
Those golden eyes, his familiarity with Golden Dragon Power, his understanding of her Silver Dragon aura, and the tacit understanding he had of every one of the Seven Monsters' personalities...
Unable to hold herself back any longer, she lowered her voice while everyone's attention was on the White Night Squad and asked only him.
"Who exactly are you?"
"What exactly is your relationship with me, and with Tang Wulin?"
Adult Tang Wulin lowered his head and met her star-silver eyes.
The breeze drifted past. He fell silent for a moment, then spoke so softly that only the two of them could hear.
"I am... the future."
Gu Yue froze. "The future?"
"Mm."
Adult Tang Wulin's gaze passed over her before falling upon Young Tang Wulin, carrying a tenderness that spanned time itself.
"I came from the future you have yet to reach."
Gu Yue's pupils suddenly contracted.
The elemental power at her fingertips trembled faintly beyond her control.
It was not that she had never considered it, but when the answer truly came from his lips, the shock still made her heart race out of control.
From the future...
Looking exactly like Tang Wulin...
His identity was already obvious.
She opened her mouth, wanting to ask more, but the referee on the elevated platform had already announced loudly.
"Next round: Shrek Seven Monsters versus White Night Squad! Forfeits will not be permitted in this round!"
The entire arena erupted into thunderous cheers.
At last, a true clash of titans was about to begin!
Young Tang Wulin turned back to look at Gu Yue. "Are you ready?"
Gu Yue suppressed the turmoil in her heart, nodded, and returned her attention to the arena.
Yet when she looked at Adult Tang Wulin again, her gaze had completely changed.
There was shock, realization, a trace of unease, and a hint of... heartache that even she herself had not noticed.
Adult Tang Wulin slowly walked to the most conspicuous spot at the edge of the arena and stood there, his gaze fixed on the field.
This time, there would be no more accidents.
He would watch his younger self seize this victory openly and honorably through true strength.
Tang Wulin took a deep breath and raised a hand to signal his companions.
"Seven Monsters, formation!"
Seven figures instantly took their positions, their coordination unbreakable as iron.
And at the edge of the arena, that Dragon Emperor figure from the future stood quietly, becoming their most steadfast and unshakable support.
A great battle was on the verge of breaking out.
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