Shrek was demolished...

Tang Hao had sensed a Titled Douluo-level battle in Shrek's direction. His first thought was that his son was in danger.

"No one gets to hurt my son!"

But when he arrived and saw those four, he instantly calmed down.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, Ghost Douluo Gui Mei, and Snake Lance Douluo She Long.

Tang Hao's mouth twitched violently.

My old injuries haven't healed, and I'm supposed to fight four at once? Fight them, my hammer!

Flender's cries for help still echoed through the night sky:

"Senior Tang Hao! I know you're nearby! Please save Shrek!"

Tang Hao silently withdrew deeper into the shade of the trees.

Flender, you'll have to pray for your own good fortune.

He glanced toward where Tang San was hiding again and could only shake his head.

Son, your dad's going to lie low for now. Once I recover, I'll take you soaring.

Under the four Titled Douluos' relentless "sparring," Shrek finally gave out.

All that remained of Shrek was shattered walls and rubble.

Flender slumped onto the ruins, wanting to cry but finding no tears.

My Shrek! My money!

Zhao Wuji swore furiously:

"You call this fucking sparring? This is demolition!"

In the night sky, Chrysanthemum Douluo withdrew his Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and cupped his hands with a smile.

"Thank you for the match, thank you. These Shrek buildings really weren't built very well."

Ghost Douluo said:

"That's what happens when a fly-by-night academy has no money."

Sword Douluo snorted coldly.

"Quite the tricks Spirit Hall has. We'll fight again another day."

She Long likewise put away his snake lance.

"I'll take my leave. My lady is still waiting for me to return."

The four turned away and vanished into the night.

Only Shrek's people remained, shivering in the cold night wind.

Early morning, in the hills behind Dream Academy.

"Hahaha, I did it! Your grandpa did it!"

Shi Meng abruptly opened his eyes and nearly sprang off the large bluestone, only to hurriedly sit back down halfway through.

Basic stuff, hold the applause. It's just a breakthrough. No need to get so excited.

After all, if a twelve-year-old level-fifty genius fell and gave himself a concussion, word getting out could make people laugh so hard their soul power flowed backward from Titled Douluo to Yu Xiaogang's level.

Level fifty!

Twelve years old, level fifty!

What did that mean?

In his previous life, it would have been like a sixth-grader getting guaranteed admission to Peking University and Tsinghua University for a combined bachelor's, master's, and doctorate, with an apartment inside Yanjing's Third Ring Road thrown in...

No one in the history of the Douluo Continent had ever been this absurd.

He looked down and felt the soul power surging inside him. It was more than twice as potent as before. He felt as though he could send a hundred Luo Sanpaos flying with one punch.

"System, how strong am I?"

[Ding. Host's current Soul Power Level: fifty. Actual combat strength: equivalent to a Soul Saint. Soul rings: thousand-year, five-thousand-year, ten-thousand-year, fifty-thousand-year, none. Fifth soul ring awaiting acquisition.]

Soul Saint-level combat strength without a fifth ring.

If I add another soul ring, won't I take flight?

No, taking flight doesn't even cover it anymore. This calls for spiraling straight into the heavens like "Hero Is Dead."

Shi Meng rubbed his hands together and began planning his trip to the Star Dou Great Forest.

What he didn't know was that his breakthrough had sent the entire Dream Academy into an uproar.

"Junior Brother broke through?"

Hu Liena, Ning Rongrong, and the others all rushed outside Shi Meng's courtyard.

Even Sword Douluo was stunned.

"Forty-nine yesterday, fifty today? He truly is a monster."

Chrysanthemum Douluo was crouching beside the road counting ants when his body suddenly jolted.

"Old Ghost, did you feel that?"

Ghost Douluo emerged from the shadows and nodded.

"Level fifty. Lord Shi Meng has broken through."

Chrysanthemum Douluo said, "Level fifty at twelve. When I was twelve, I was still counting ants."

"You're still counting ants now."

Ghost Douluo delivered that extra stab without any expression.

Chrysanthemum Douluo: "..."

Hidden in the shadows, She Long gripped the scroll in his hand until it creaked.

"The man my lady has her eye on truly is extraordinary."

The scroll: What did I ever do to deserve this?

Shi Meng was pondering what soul ring to hunt when he turned his head and froze.

Ning Rongrong was the first to rush up to him, grabbing his arm.

"Brother Shi Meng! Did you break through?"

"Mm."

Ning Rongrong's eyes shone like stars.

"Then I'll go soul hunting with you in the Star Dou Great Forest!"

"I'm coming too."

Hu Liena arrived right behind her and grabbed Shi Meng's other arm.

Ning Rongrong glanced at her, her tone unfriendly.

"Why are you grabbing his other hand?"

"He's my junior brother. What's wrong with holding his hand?"

"Brother Shi Meng is also my Dream Academy's honorary dean. What's wrong with me caring about him?"

Each girl held one arm, their gazes crackling with sparks in the air. Trapped between them, Shi Meng felt like a meat bun being snatched back and forth.

Just then, Xiao Wu strolled over.

"I want to go too."

Hu Liena looked back at her.

"You're only in your twenties. What would you do in the Star Dou Great Forest? Serve yourself up on a platter?"

Xiao Wu wore an obedient smile.

"I can help guide the way. I know the Star Dou Great Forest well."

"What do you know about it?"

"I just know it."

Hu Liena gritted her teeth in irritation.

Zhu Zhuqing arrived too. She said nothing, simply standing nearby. Her gaze swept over Shi Meng before quickly shifting away.

Seemingly noticing Zhu Zhuqing's little movement, Ning Rongrong frowned slightly.

Zhu Zhuqing must have been reborn. Otherwise, why would she keep sneaking looks at my Shi Meng?

Zhu Zhuyun leaned against a tree, munching an apple. Watching the scene before her, the corner of her mouth twitched.

"Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant."

Then Qian Renxue arrived as well.

The moment she appeared, the powerful aura surrounding her blossomed outward.

Although Qian Renxue had restrained it as much as possible, a Soul Emperor standing among a group of Soul Masters several dozen levels below her was still a world apart.

It was like a swan walking into a flock of geese. Even if the swan crouched as it walked, it was still a swan.

Upon arriving, Qian Renxue walked straight up to Shi Meng, her blue eyes fixed resolutely on him.

"Shi Meng."

"Hmm?"

"I like you."

Everyone: ...!!!

Holy shit! Girl, why are you throwing a fastball straight down the middle? That's against the rules!

Shi Meng froze too.

Although he knew Qian Renxue was straightforward, this pitch was far too outrageous.

In front of all these people? This isn't a straight pitch-it's a home run!

"I want to protect you."

Qian Renxue continued, her tone calm, but every word carried weight.

"I'm level sixty-one now. I have the strength to protect you."

"So if you're going soul hunting in the Star Dou Great Forest, I can go with you."

Hu Liena finally exploded.

"You're a teacher who just arrived! What gives you the right to go with Junior Brother?"

Qian Renxue merely gave Hu Liena an indifferent glance.

"The fact that I'm stronger than you."

Hu Liena: ...

Hu Liena felt as if she were playing cards. She had just tossed out a three, and her opponent had immediately slammed down a pair of jokers.

Whether it's strength or status, this Qian Renxue completely crushes me.

No, I can't lose!

"I'm his senior sister! I've known him longer than you!"

"So what?"

Those words choked Hu Liena into turning red.

Seeing that a "war" was about to erupt, Shi Meng had no choice but to intervene.

"Um... everyone."

"I've decided. We'll all go together."

Everyone: ???