Reunion with Xiao Wu in Tiandou

On the Soul Arena stage, the outcome of the battle was no longer in doubt.

After Tang San forcibly tore open Elephant Armor Academy's formation, their originally mountain-like advance immediately became chaotic.

Blue Silver Grass continuously burst from the ground, binding, pulling, and blocking.

Dai Mubai suppressed them head-on, Zhu Zhuqing launched surprise attacks from the flanks, and Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Flame constantly forced Elephant Armor Academy to change positions.

Meanwhile, Xiao Wu moved like a nimble pink butterfly through the massive Diamond Mammoths.

Her Soft Skill could not shake Elephant Armor Academy's defenses head-on, but she could borrow their strength against them, causing them to interfere with one another.

Soon, the second Elephant Armor Academy member was dragged out of formation.

Then came the third.

Their entire defensive line completely collapsed.

The referee's voice rang throughout the arena.

"Shrek Academy, victory!"

Cheers erupted like thunder.

"Shrek!"

"Shrek!"

No one had expected this academy, previously unknown to everyone, to defeat even a powerhouse like Elephant Armor Academy.

In the VIP seats, Ning Fengzhi merely smiled without speaking.

Salas's expression, however, grew increasingly grim.

In the shadows of the spectator stands, Yan crossed his arms and clicked his tongue.

"They really won."

Xie Yue said calmly:

"It wasn't an easy win, but Tang San controlled the tempo from beginning to end."

Hu Liena looked at Gu Changsheng.

"What do you think, Junior Brother?"

Gu Changsheng's gaze rested on Tang San as he left the arena.

"He's more troublesome than he looked in the recordings."

Yan frowned.

"Is he really that impressive?"

Gu Changsheng said calmly:

"He reacts very quickly to changes in the battle. Blue Silver Grass is merely the surface. The real problem is that he can constantly adjust the tempo."

Xie Yue nodded.

"The core of a control-type team."

"Mm."

Gu Changsheng continued:

"Besides, he hasn't revealed all of his strength yet."

Hu Liena's eyes flickered slightly.

"You think he still has a trump card?"

Gu Changsheng did not explain further.

"Someone who can use Blue Silver Grass to such an extent cannot possibly have only this much."

Yan rubbed his chin.

"Then this is getting more interesting."

At this time, the Shrek group had already entered the contestants' passageway.

Xiao Wu walked at the rear of the group, her steps noticeably half a beat slower.

She could not help turning around and looking toward the shadows in the stands.

But Gu Changsheng was no longer there.

Tang San noticed something was off and asked softly:

"Xiao Wu, what happened just now? You got distracted during the match."

Xiao Wu's heart tightened, and she hurriedly waved her hands.

"It's nothing. I just saw someone I know."

"Someone you know?"

Tang San's gaze narrowed slightly.

Xiao Wu smiled.

"I met him once in the Star Dou Great Forest three years ago. We're not that familiar."

Tang San did not question her further, but he remembered it.

Anyone capable of distracting Xiao Wu during a match was no ordinary person.

In Shrek's resting area, Yu Xiaogang was reviewing the battle they had just fought.

"You won this battle well, but you also revealed quite a few things."

Ma Hongjun dropped down onto a seat.

"Grandmaster, that was Elephant Armor Academy. Winning was already impressive."

Yu Xiaogang glanced at him.

"If your goal is merely to advance from the preliminaries, then yes, it is enough."

Ma Hongjun immediately fell silent.

Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San.

"Little San, you controlled the tempo well, but your Blue Silver Grass consumption was too great. If they had held out a while longer, you would have struggled."

Tang San nodded.

"I understand."

Yu Xiaogang then looked at Xiao Wu.

"Xiao Wu, your judgment was slow once in the middle of the match today."

Xiao Wu lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, Grandmaster."

Tang San said softly:

"It's all right. Just be more careful next time."

Xiao Wu nodded, but her thoughts remained unsettled.

Why had Gu Changsheng appeared in Tiandou City?

Was he here to watch the matches?

Or was he representing Spirit Hall to observe their opponents in advance?

She vaguely felt that what had happened in the Star Dou Great Forest three years ago might not have truly ended.

At the same time.

Outside the Soul Arena, inside a VIP lounge.

The Spirit Hall group was temporarily resting there.

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan sat in a chair, idly playing with an Exquisite Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum as he said with a smile:

"Changsheng, this Shrek team you've been watching is indeed somewhat interesting."

Gu Changsheng nodded.

"They will be formidable opponents in the Finals."

Yan sat nearby and could not help saying:

"Elder, they're only this good right now. If they really face us, one burst of power will crush them."

Yue Guan chuckled.

"Yan, confidence is a good thing, but you would do well to listen to Changsheng."

"This little fellow is very accurate when judging people."

Yan scratched his head and did not argue further.

Hu Liena sat by the window, looking through the gap at the flow of people outside.

"Are we staying in Tiandou City from now on?"

Yue Guan said:

"His Holiness the Pope intends for us to observe several key matches before returning."

Xie Yue said calmly:

"Shrek is the focus?"

Yue Guan smiled without answering.

Gu Changsheng understood that Spirit Hall's true attention was not focused solely on Shrek, but also on the secrets behind Tang San.

Twin Martial Souls, the Clear Sky School bloodline.

Those things might not have been completely exposed yet, but as long as Tang San continued onward, he would eventually enter the sight of Spirit Hall's upper ranks.

Just then, there was a knock Outside the Gate.

A steward entered and said quietly:

"Elder, Shrek Academy's people are preparing to leave the Soul Arena."

Yue Guan nodded casually.

"Understood."

But Gu Changsheng suddenly rose to his feet.

Hu Liena looked at him.

"Junior Brother, where are you going?"

Gu Changsheng said:

"Out for a walk."

Yan raised an eyebrow.

"Don't tell me you're going to see that little rabbit?"

Hu Liena's eyes shifted slightly.

Gu Changsheng's expression did not change.

"To confirm our opponents' condition."

With that, he turned and left.

Yan watched his retreating figure and muttered quietly:

"Why do I feel like he's doing more than just confirming the opponents' condition?"

Xie Yue said calmly:

"You finally got smart for once."

Yan: "..."

Outside the Soul Arena, the crowds had gradually dispersed.

The Shrek Seven Monsters emerged from the side Gate, preparing to return to the academy.

Flender walked at the front, beaming with delight. He was clearly very satisfied with their victory today.

"Not bad, not bad. Today, you made our Shrek famous."

Oscar grinned.

"Dean, shouldn't we get a reward?"

Flender immediately adjusted his glasses.

"A reward? The academy's funds have been tight lately. Bringing glory to the academy is your greatest reward."

Everyone was speechless.

Xiao Wu walked at the back of the group, absentminded.

Suddenly, she stopped.

Not far ahead, a familiar figure stood beneath the shadows of the roadside trees.

Black hair, white robes, a gentle bearing, and tranquil eyes.

Gu Changsheng.

Xiao Wu's eyes widened.

Tang San stopped almost at the same time.

His gaze fell upon Gu Changsheng, and a trace of wariness flashed through his eyes.

"Who are you?"

Gu Changsheng looked at Tang San and smiled faintly.

"Spirit Hall Academy's Gu Changsheng."

The moment those words were spoken, the expressions of the Shrek group changed.

Dai Mubai stepped half a pace forward, a faint White Tiger aura emerging around him.

Zhu Zhuqing's gaze turned cold.

Ma Hongjun said in a low voice:

"Someone from Spirit Hall?"

Tang San looked at Gu Changsheng, his tone calm but guarded.

"Did you come to see us for something?"

Gu Changsheng did not look at anyone else. His gaze settled upon Xiao Wu.

"Three years have passed."

"Miss Xiao Wu, I hope you've been well."

Xiao Wu pursed her lips.

"You still remember me?"

Gu Changsheng replied calmly:

"Ever since we parted in the Star Dou Great Forest, you left a deep impression."

Tang San frowned slightly.

"You know each other?"

Xiao Wu hurriedly said:

"Brother, he's the acquaintance I mentioned earlier."

Tang San's gaze at Gu Changsheng deepened.

"You're from Spirit Hall Academy?"

"Yes."

"You came to Tiandou City to observe the matches?"

"And to take a look at potential opponents we may face in the future."

Gu Changsheng answered frankly.

Dai Mubai said coldly:

"You're certainly direct."

Gu Changsheng looked at him.

"We'll meet in the arena sooner or later. There's no need to hide it."

Tang San fell silent for a moment before speaking.

"If that's the case, did you come to see us now to issue a challenge?"

Gu Changsheng shook his head.

"No."

He looked at Tang San, his tone calm.

"I only wanted to see for myself what kind of person Shrek's core control-system Soul Master truly is."

Tang San's eyes narrowed.

Gu Changsheng continued:

"Your battle against Elephant Armor Academy today was excellent."

"You split their formation, wore down their heavy armor, and seized the moment when their flank became disconnected."

"Against an ordinary team, that would indeed be impossible to counter."

Ma Hongjun could not help saying:

"Are you praising us or provoking us?"

Gu Changsheng replied blandly:

"Both."

The atmosphere immediately grew tense.

Xiao Wu hurriedly spoke up:

"Gu Changsheng, what do you mean?"

Gu Changsheng looked at her, his voice softening slightly.

"It means nothing."

"I'm merely reminding you that Elephant Armor Academy's formation is cumbersome, allowing Tang San's control abilities to reach their fullest potential."

"But if you encounter a team that won't give a control-system Soul Master time to set up the field, the tactics you used today will be very dangerous."

Rather than getting angry, Tang San asked seriously:

"For example, Spirit Hall Academy?"

Gu Changsheng smiled faintly.

"For example, us."

After a brief silence, Tang San smiled as well.

"Then we'll meet in the arena."

Gu Changsheng nodded.

"I look forward to that day."

With that, he turned to leave.

Xiao Wu suddenly called out to him.

"Gu Changsheng."

Gu Changsheng turned back.

Xiao Wu looked at him, her expression complicated.

"I still remember what happened three years ago..."

Tang San's eyes shifted slightly at those words.

Gu Changsheng remained calm.

"It's good that you remember."

"But in the arena, I won't hold back."

Xiao Wu gave a soft snort.

"Who asked you to?"

Gu Changsheng smiled, then turned and vanished into the crowd.

The Shrek group remained where they stood, and the atmosphere fell quiet for a moment.

Dai Mubai said gravely:

"This man is dangerous."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded.

"He was calm from beginning to end."

At some point, Yu Xiaogang had come to Tang San's side. His gaze followed the direction Gu Changsheng had left in.

"Remember what he just said."

Tang San looked at Grandmaster.

Yu Xiaogang said gravely:

"He has already seen Shrek's greatest reliance at present."

"The rhythm of battlefield control."

Tang San nodded slowly.

"I understand."

Xiao Wu lowered her head and said nothing.

She knew Gu Changsheng bore no ill will.

But she also knew that when they met again, they would already stand on different sides.

On one side was Shrek.

On the other was Spirit Hall.

And a true clash was something that could never be avoided.