After the Storm

In the Just Sky Academy spectator section, Bei Bei and the others looked grim.

"Why did Xuan Zi have to be so impulsive..." Bei Bei sighed softly, his face full of resignation. "Now we're in trouble. Shrek Academy's reputation is bound to take a serious hit."

Xu Sanshi curled his lip. "That old man's always been like this. He muddles through every day. You can't rely on him."

His expression darkened. "I feel bad for Chen Zifeng and the others..."

"With Xuan Zi leading the team, how did something this serious still happen? What was he even doing? Don't tell me he's an Evil Soul Master spy."

Wang Dong frowned, replaying Mu En's appearance in her mind. She could not shake her confusion.

Mu En felt completely different just now.

For some reason... he felt close to me.

Song Que shook his head. "You've already left Shrek Academy. Don't dwell on it."

"What happened today was within expectations."

"Unless Mu En can regain his youth and come out to steady things himself, Shrek Academy's problems aren't going to change much."

Tang Ya reached out and gently comforted Bei Bei. "Come on, Bei Bei. Don't think about it. Let's watch the match."

Bei Bei nodded slightly, pushed down his feelings, and said no more.

Beside the arena, in the Shrek Academy team's rest area.

Mu Jin stared blankly in the direction Mu En and Xuan Zi had gone. His emotions churned, and for a long time he could not calm himself.

"Teacher Mu Jin, we should decide who's going up. The matches still have to continue."

Ma Xiaotao, whose expression was just as troubled, reminded him softly.

Mu Jin came to himself and nodded. "Next is a 2-2-3 Match. Our opponents aren't strong."

"Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu, you're up first. Your Hell White Tiger has tremendous explosive power. An ordinary Soul Ancestor would have a hard time stopping it, so you stand a good chance of winning."

"Ling Luochеn and Du Fei, you'll fight in the second match. With a Soul King and a fifth-level Soul Engineer, you shouldn't have much trouble taking it."

"Ma Xiaotao, Jiang Nannan, and He Caitou will close out the final match and secure the win."

Once the referee received the notice, he promptly restored order and resumed the competition.

"Next match: Shrek Academy versus Yunluo Advanced Soul Engineer Academy!"

Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu stepped into the arena first.

It was Dai Huabin's first appearance in the tournament.

But things were nothing like before. Boos rose from the stands, drowning out almost every cheer.

Dai Huabin's face darkened. He glanced up at the sky and could not help snorting.

"What a mood killer."

"That damned old man does nothing but cause trouble."

Zhu Lu tugged at his hand and comforted him quietly. "Ignore them, Huabin. We just need to fight our match well."

Dai Huabin nodded. "You're right. We'll use Hell White Tiger and finish it quickly."

"We'll win our first match!"

The day's matches soon came to an end.

For the moment, the uproar around Shrek Academy had subsided. But the fallout was only beginning.

In a single night, word spread throughout Star Luo City, then raced onward across the continent.

High above, Xuan Zi followed Mu En at speed toward Shrek Academy's headquarters.

He could not help asking, "Mu En, why did you come to Star Luo City in person so suddenly?"

Mu En, flying ahead, faltered slightly. A faint blue glimmer flashed through his eyes.

Only after a moment did he answer slowly. "I came specifically to find you."

"Something's wrong with the Golden Tree. I need you back to help deal with it."

Xuan Zi froze. "Something happened to the Golden Tree? What exactly?"

Mu En did not elaborate. "We'll talk when we get back. Time is short."

Xuan Zi held back his questions and asked, "How are Dai Yueheng and the others recovering? When can Shaozhe and the others leave for the Star Luo Empire?"

"Jing Hongchen, Du Busi, and the rest have all appeared in Star Luo City. I can't shake the feeling that something's wrong."

Mu En frowned slightly. "Don't worry. I have arrangements in place."

"The Golden Tree comes first. Nothing too serious will happen in Star Luo City."

Xuan Zi watched Mu En's back, faintly sensing that something was off. Unable to say what it was, he put the thought aside and asked no more.

Late that night, at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy's quarters.

Xiao Hongchen looked at Jing Hongchen, who approached with a smile. "Grandpa, why did you come yourself?"

Jing Hongchen laughed heartily, clearly in excellent spirits.

"I only came to watch the show and have a laugh. I didn't expect an unexpected bonus."

He was immensely pleased to have dealt such a blow to Shrek Academy's standing today.

He had led the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy for years, always hoping to surpass Shrek Academy and take its place. Today, at last, he had seen an opening.

"I heard earlier that Shrek Academy's main team suffered terrible casualties on their mission."

"I knew this tournament was our academy's best chance. That's why I came to see it with my own eyes—our academy reaching the top and taking the championship!"

After laughing, Jing Hongchen grew serious.

"But that's not all."

"Evil Soul Masters have been appearing more and more often across the continent lately, especially within the Sun Moon Empire."

"I uncovered a report that Dragon Emperor Douluo, Long Xiaoyao, who had vanished for years, has appeared in the Sun Moon Empire and has deep ties to the Holy Spirit Cult."

"But he left the Sun Moon Empire for the Star Luo Empire some time ago."

"With the tournament starting, I was still worried about you all, so I took the opportunity to come and check on you."

Understanding dawned on Xiao Hongchen, and he nodded.

Jing Hongchen patted his shoulder. "You don't need to worry about any of that."

"Just focus on preparing. Shrek Academy's decline is plain to see, and the opportunity is right in front of us. You must bring that championship home!"

Xiao Hongchen hesitated for an instant as Huo Yuhao of Just Sky Academy flashed through his mind. In the end, he nodded solemnly.

Outside the Starlight Auction House in the Star Luo Empire.

Vena walked out of the auction house and hurried over to Song Que and Huo Yuhao, who were waiting for her.

"Song Que, are you really giving this to Yuhao?"

"That Carving Knife has a terrible reputation. It's risky."

Song Que smiled faintly. "Don't worry. We have a way to deal with it."

"For anyone else, it's a deadly knife. For Yuhao, though, it's exactly what he needs."

Huo Yuhao quickly bowed in thanks. "Sorry for the trouble, Vena."

Vena waved it off. "It was nothing. No need to thank me."

After a pause, she added casually, "Oh, there's also a Top-Tier Auction in a few days."

"I've heard some rare treasures will be up for sale."

Song Que's eyes lit up. He turned to Huo Yuhao with a smile. "I've heard a little about it too. One or two things at that auction would suit Yuhao perfectly."

"It's a shame the bids will probably be sky-high. We don't have the money to compete."

With that, he gave Vena a knowing look.

Vena caught on at once and shook her head with a rueful smile. "Don't look at me, Song Que. I can't afford it. There's hardly anything left in my own savings."