"You...!" Tang San's pupils shrank, his face filled with disbelief and terror.
What's going on? He clearly conceded defeat; normally the Soul Fighting should be over! Why is his opponent still attacking?
Is nobody doing anything about it?
Yes, nobody cares.
This is the Suotuo City Great Soul Arena, but there are no spectators on this Soul Fighting arena at the moment. More importantly, the management of the Great Soul Arena has already received instructions from " Black Prison Asura " and the Imperial Fighting Team to turn a blind eye to this.
As for the Shrek Academy teachers, Flender, Zhao Wuji, and others, they were on the sidelines, their faces ashen, but they were firmly rooted to the spot by an invisible pressure.
Qin Ming stood calmly before them, while behind him, several figures faintly exuded a chilling aura—not only Qin Ming, the Soul Emperor, but also the healing Soul Emperor who was protecting them, and three Soul Saint with cold expressions and Soul Power fluctuations as vast as the ocean!
As the ace team of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the Imperial Fighting Team would not be sent by the academy alone, Qin Ming, on this long journey. This escort force is enough to deter any uninvited guests who want to interfere.
Flender and the others are immobilized.
It's not just a matter of strength; there are also deep-seated grudges and entanglements involved, making it far too complicated.
"Ah--" A scream rang out as Yu Tianheng's punch, imbued with Soul Power, landed squarely on Tang San's face, causing him to stagger backward and bleed from his nose.
That scream seemed to be a signal.
"Bang!" "Thump!" "Clang!"
Yu Feng, Osler, and the Shi Mo and Shi Mo brothers immediately surrounded them, raining down punches and kicks.
They didn't use any lethal Soul Skill, but their fists and kicks, imbued with Soul Power, were incredibly heavy, targeting the thickest, most painful spots. Tang San was like a human punching bag, struggling to stay afloat amidst their encirclement, screaming in agony, utterly disheveled, unable to even find a moment to release his Blue Silver Grass to resist.
Watching this scene from the edge, Dai Mubai felt his legs go weak and his back beaded with cold sweat. He was incredibly grateful that he had been sensible enough to admit defeat and back off early; otherwise, he would surely be one of those writhing on the ground, screaming in agony.
" Xiao San..." Xiao Wu, who was watching the battle, finally couldn't hold back anymore. Seeing Tang San's miserable appearance, tears welled up in her eyes, and she cried out in distress.
Upon hearing this, Yu Tianheng and the others paused slightly and looked at Lin Kong on the sidelines in unison.
Lin Kong remained expressionless, only nodding almost imperceptibly.
The group understood each other and then exerted their strength simultaneously, each of them kicking Tang San hard!
"Bang!" Tang San was kicked backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily onto the hard ground. He curled up, groaning in pain, his face and body covered in bruises and dust, unable to get up again.
Yu Tianheng flicked his wrist, coldly looking down at Tang San on the ground, his voice clearly echoing throughout the silent Soul Fighting Arena:
"This is what happens when you oppose Lin Kong!"
From now on, every time I see you, I'll beat you up!
Tang San crashed heavily onto the hard ground, raising a cloud of dust. He barely managed to prop himself up, his face bruised and battered, blood seeping from a cracked lip, his clothes disheveled and covered in dust. He looked more disheveled than ever before.
" Xiao San!" Xiao Wu exclaimed first, rushing over and crouching beside him, her eyes filled with anxiety and heartache. She wanted to touch him but dared not. "How are you? Does it hurt?"
On Shrek's side, besides her, no one else immediately stepped forward. Ma Hongjun and Oscar avoided eye contact, lowering their heads and pretending to tidy their clothes; Dai Mubai turned his face away, Zhu Zhuqing's expression was cold, as if she hadn't seen anything, not to mention Ning Rongrong.
What Shrek Seven Devils? What bond for months of living, eating, and fighting side-by-side? What vow to entrust one's back to another?
After Lin Kong returned and, in such a forceful and humiliating manner, unveiled a carefully constructed facade, the team, which had been barely held together with Tang San at its core, instantly fell apart, revealing its fragile foundation and the hidden agendas of its members.
The so-called unity has crumbled to pieces, leaving not even a decent remnant.
" Xiao San! Xiao San, are you alright?!" Yu Xiaogang finally couldn't hold back any longer. He rushed onto the Soul Fighting Platform, pushed aside Xiao Wu, and half-helped Tang San up, his face filled with concern and anger.
Tang San, enduring the aches and pains throughout his body, shook his head, his voice slightly hoarse. "Teacher, I'm fine."
Indeed, it was just some superficial injuries, not serious damage to bones or muscles, and he would recover quickly given his physique. But the real trauma was the humiliation of being beaten in front of everyone, the disheartening indifference of his teammates, and the mental blow of having his newly established authority as the core of the team completely crushed.
Flender then walked onto the stage with a stern face. His gaze, behind his glasses, swept over his disheveled students, and his voice, deep yet carrying an undeniable authority, said, "You lot, come here!"
Apart from Ning Rongrong, who remained standing in the same spot and moved even closer to Lin Kong and the Imperial Fighting Team, the other six members of Shrek —including Tang San, who was being supported by Xiao Wu —silently walked behind Flender. No matter how torn apart the internally, when facing external pressure, Dean Flender was still the backbone of the Shrek Academy and the last bulwark these young people could rely on.
As for Ning Rongrong? She always knew clearly where she belonged. Her roots were in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and her surname was "Ning". It was always others who longed to attach themselves to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but there was no reason for the heir of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to completely integrate themselves into a certain "academy".
If Lin Kong hadn't given her several warnings to keep her alert, she might have followed the original trajectory, gradually having her family responsibilities replaced by the sense of identity as a " Shrek monster," and prioritizing the academy. At this moment, her stance has already explained everything.
Flender's gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing on Lin Kong, his expression complex. " Lin Kong, it's good... to see you again."
Facing the dean who had once sheltered him, Lin Kong maintained basic politeness, nodding slightly. "Dean Flender."
Flender adjusted his glasses and cut to the chase. "What exactly do you want to do now that you've come back?"
Lin Kong's answer was crisp and decisive, yet tinged with a hint of detachment. "Just came back to vent my anger."
Flender paused for a moment, then slowly nodded. "... Hmm."
He sighed inwardly, but also hoped that things could stop there. Lin Kong was obviously not the same as before, and he had the support of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy and the Imperial Fighting Team. Continuing to entangle him would not do Shrek any good.
However, Yu Xiaogang could not tolerate this attempt to "settle things peacefully." He suddenly looked up, glaring at Flender, his voice trembling and rising with emotion. " Flender! Did you see that? Did you see what he did?! Publicly humiliating and beating my disciple, trampling on Shrek's dignity like this, and you're just going to let it go so easily?!"
Before Flender could speak, Lin Kong's icy voice rang out, his voice aimed directly at Yu Xiaogang: " Yu Xiaogang, stop with your tricks of stirring up trouble and getting others to stand up for you."
He stepped forward, his gaze piercing, filled with undisguised contempt and challenge. "If you've got the guts, step forward and face me. Don't be a coward."