Lin Kong stared at Xiao Wu's pale face, his voice lowered and extremely serious. " Xiao Wu, listen carefully—you must leave Shrek Academy as soon as possible."
He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife, as if to pierce through any unrealistic fantasy in Xiao Wu's heart. "If you stay, once you enter the territory of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, it will be a certain death for you!"
"There are many powerful figures there. Any Soul Douluo who happens to pass by, or even a high-ranking Soul Saint responsible for security patrols in the academy, if their Martial Soul is of the spiritual attribute, could easily detect the special aura on you that cannot be completely concealed."
Soul Master with the mental power attribute are extremely rare. Lin Kong was just bragging to scare Xiao Wu!
Lin Kong's words were cruel and blunt, laying bare the most terrible consequences before her. "What will await you then?"
Once their identities are exposed, they will be hunted down and killed. Then... their Soul Ring and Soul Bone will become the most precious spoils in the eyes of others.
The rest is self-explanatory; Xiao Wu can imagine it herself.
Hearing these piercing words, Xiao Wu trembled even more violently, her face turning almost transparently pale. Of course, she knew that every word Lin Kong said was true, a Damocles' sword hanging over her head.
But...
"I... I..." She opened her mouth, her voice choked, and tears finally welled up in her eyes. Leave? Easier said than done.
Here they have strict but protective teachers, playmates who train and play together, though their relationships are now complicated, and even more so... Tang San, whom she has always silently followed and relied on.
Deep down, there was even a sliver of hope that she herself was unwilling to admit: Perhaps... it's not that serious? The Heaven Dou Academy is so big, the strong might not even notice an "ordinary" student like herself.
Tang San is so smart, maybe... maybe he can find a way to help her cover it up? Or, if he's just a little more careful and hides himself a little better...
This lingering reluctance mixed with a faint sense of hope prevented her from giving the answer to "leave." She simply lowered her head, her fingers tightly clenched together, as if she could grasp something and resist the approaching, cold, and terrifying torrent of fate.
Seeing her like this, Lin Kong knew the struggle in her heart, so he didn't urge her, but just waited quietly.
Some choices she must make herself, but some consequences she can only bear alone.
Xiao Wu's eyes were resolute. " Brother Lin, what do you want me to leave behind? We're going to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy together!"
At that moment, Lin Kong understood!
Xiao Wu made the exact same choice as in the original story. Even after being reminded so much, her choice did not change: to go to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, to Heaven Dou City, to an extremely dangerous place.
reason?
Lin Kong's gaze fell into the void, his thoughts drifting, " Xiao Wu, Xiao Wu, are you still you?"
Could it be that someone is subtly influencing you?
However, Lin Kong couldn't control it!
Lin Kong walked back alone, his expression calm and composed, as if he had just gone to catch up with old friends.
Xiao Wu followed behind him, her mood clearly downcast. She kept her head down and her steps were somewhat slow, a stark contrast to her demeanor when she left.
Anyone with eyes could see that something must have happened between the two, but the situation was delicate at the moment, and neither Shrek nor Emperor Dou Academy asked any questions, keeping their curiosity and speculation to themselves.
At this moment, the sparring match between Yu Tianheng and Dai Mubai in the center of the playground also came to an end. The two clashed with their Soul Power, each taking a few steps back to steady themselves, ending in a draw.
However, the spectators all knew that Yu Tianheng had a slight advantage in Soul Power Level, combat experience, and rhythm control, but he did not go all out because of the atmosphere of the sparring and Dai Mubai's face.
Because Tang San was absent, Flender specifically asked Ma Hongjun to come out and demonstrate. On the Emperor Dou side, Yu Feng cheerfully volunteered to take on the challenge.
Although Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire Phoenix was strong, Yu Feng was not only a wind attribute Soul Master, but also had the advantage in speed and agility. The difference of one Soul Ring was obvious. However, Yu Feng was very measured in his attacks, mainly using evasion and skillful confrontation. The scene was intense but not without harmony, more like a senior brother feeding his junior brother some tips.
Just as everyone's attention was drawn to this "friendly" sparring match, Lin Kong's voice rang out again, this time targeting that aloof figure.
" Zhu Zhuqing."
Zhu Zhuqing looked up and asked, " Brother Lin, what's wrong?"
" Zhu Zhuqing, come with me for a moment."
"Oh." Zhu Zhuqing didn't ask any further questions, simply responding before following Lin Kong to another relatively quiet place.
Seeing this, the spectators on both sides had a general idea in mind— Lin Kong was doing "ideological work" on each of them, probably to persuade the members of the Shrek Seven Devils, especially these core members, to agree to merge with the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
They were only half right. Lin Kong was indeed trying to persuade her, but the content was completely different: for Xiao Wu, it was to persuade her to leave; for Zhu Zhuqing, it was to point out the predicament she was trapped in.
Once they reached a secluded spot, Lin Kong found a place to sit down and cut to the chase. "I know everything about you and Dai Mubai, as well as the ruthless competition rules of the Star Luo Imperial Family behind you."
Zhu Zhuqing's delicate body stiffened slightly, and she subconsciously bit her lower lip, remaining silent, but her eyes became incredibly sharp and pained.
The Star Luo Empire's "poisonous" successor selection system was a heavy shackle that she and Dai Mubai had carried since childhood, a sword hanging over their heads at all times. Only the ultimate victor could be freed from this endless pain and fear, while the loser... often met a fate more tragic than death.
The despair and resentment that penetrated to her very bones caused her to unconsciously bite Sisi, drawing blood from her lips.
Lin Kong was taken aback by her strong reaction. " Zhu Zhuqing, what's wrong with you...?"
Zhu Zhuqing raised her eyes, and those usually cool eyes were now churning with rare, intense emotions—a mixture of fear, struggle, and a hint of pleading. "I don't want to die... Brother Lin, can you... save me?"
This almost blunt and desperate plea for help, coming from such a proud and aloof girl, carries an exceptionally heavy weight.
Lin Kong looked puzzled and asked, "Save you? How can you be so sure you're going to die?"
Zhu Zhuqing's tone was icy and fatalistic. "The Continental Elite Tournament for Advanced Soul Master Academy three years from now will be our final showdown with my sister and brother-in-law. If... if I lose to Dai Mubai, then death... won't be far off."
This is a rule set by the Star Luo Imperial Family; losers rarely escape unscathed.
Lin Kong shook her head and asked a question she had never thought about deeply before, "If your sister Zhu Zhuyun really sees you as a threat that must be eliminated and wants to get rid of you as soon as possible, then why didn't she send someone to kill you when you fled the Star Luo Empire and were at your most vulnerable and easiest to deal with? Instead, she let you safely come to the Heaven Dou Empire and even enter Shrek Academy?"
Zhu Zhuqing froze, as if struck by lightning, her pupils contracting sharply. "Ah???"