"So you mean Tang San became weaker because I appeared?" Jun Yi asked in confusion.
The system continued explaining, "No. Tang San in the current timeline is just as strong as Tang San in the original story. He hasn't become weaker. It's just that the host changed part of the plot, changing Zhao Wuji's attitude from contemptuous to serious. That's why Tang San was defeated in a single move."
"So that's it. I never thought it would actually be my fault. That's pretty funny." Jun Yi laughed.
"A friendly reminder for the host: although you can change minor parts of the plot, you cannot change the overall timeline of major events," the system continued.
The system's reminder left Jun Yi puzzled. "You mean that no matter what I do, Tang San will definitely become a god in the future? And he'll kill Bibi Dong and destroy Spirit Hall?"
"The host's brain doesn't work very well."
"Huh?" The system's words completely bewildered Jun Yi. He hadn't expected the system to switch into roast mode.
"What the system means is that the timeline of major events remaining unchanged means those events will occur at the times they did in the original story. Take the major event of Ning Rongrong entering Shrek Academy, for example. No matter what the host does, Ning Rongrong will enter Shrek Academy, but her behavior after entering Shrek Academy and the subsequent plot will change."
"Uh, I don't get it." Jun Yi's pig brain went straight into overload.
"Forget it. As long as you're happy, host. I exist to assist you and let you do what you want to do," the system asked.
"Then why say all that? I can't understand it anyway," Jun Yi retorted.
"Jun Yi, Xiao Wu has gone to sleep. Let's take a walk around campus!"
At that moment, Ning Rongrong came out of the dormitory she shared with Zhu Zhuqing and spoke to Jun Yi.
"Mm."
Jun Yi came back to his senses and agreed. "All right."
The three then wandered around Shrek Academy...
In a secluded grove outside Shrek Academy, Bone Douluo lay on a branch, talking to himself. "To think that this tiny Shrek Academy actually has a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form. She's certainly bold, daring to come to the human world alone."
"I didn't expect an unexpected reward from bringing Rongrong here. Looks like this old man has something to do tonight..." Bone Douluo murmured to himself.
Night fell.
Just as Bone Douluo was preparing to make a move against Xiao Wu, he suddenly sensed a powerful presence. "Why would this tiny academy have a Titled Douluo? Could he be here to capture that Soul Beast too?"
Bone Douluo concealed his presence. He chose to hold his position and observe before deciding.
"What exactly is this fellow trying to do?" Bone Douluo said with a frown. Suddenly, he noticed a distant black shadow rushing toward Shrek Academy.
"Zhao Wuji, come out."
The figure released a trace of his presence, and Zhao Wuji instantly shot out through a window, landing outside. His Soul Power abruptly rose to its peak as he searched for movements around him.
Zhao Wuji pushed off with his feet and swiftly pursued the direction that presence led him in. In a short while, he had left the grounds of Shrek Academy and reached a grove outside, in the same forest where Bone Douluo was hiding.
"Who exactly are you, and why have you come here so late at night?"
Zhao Wuji demanded in a deep voice. At the same time, he immediately completed his Martial Soul Possession. Seven Soul Rings pulsed up and down around his body, flashing with brilliant light.
A black figure slowly emerged from behind a large tree. The man was covered entirely in black clothing, even wearing a black hood over his head. From his appearance, all that could be discerned was that he was a tall, broad man.
"Who are you?" Zhao Wuji watched the man in black warily.
The man in black did not answer him directly, merely saying lightly, "Seeing the Immovable Wisdom King in this little place, I just wanted to spar with you. It's been a long time since I stretched my muscles."
As he spoke, the man in black slowly raised his right hand. Instantly, black light gathered in his palm and formed a gigantic hammer. At the same time, a full nine Soul Rings silently appeared around him. Two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red.
"It's actually him. Why would he come here?"
From the man's Martial Soul and combination of Soul Rings, Bone Douluo recognized him at a glance as the long-missing Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao.
"Could he also be here for that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast? But why is he seeking out Zhao Wuji for a spar?"
Bone Douluo kept his presence concealed and continued watching.
Seeing Tang Hao release nine Soul Rings, Zhao Wuji felt as though cold water had been splashed over his face, and his entire body shuddered.
"Titled Douluo." Zhao Wuji forced out the words with difficulty. Even his Immovable Bright King Body trembled slightly. He had no idea how he had offended this Titled Douluo.
"May I ask which senior has graced us with his presence? Please don't joke with this lowly one. How could I possibly be worthy of sparring with you?" Zhao Wuji bowed to him.
Tang Hao said lightly, "What does worthiness have to do with it? Didn't you do a fine job bullying that child during the day? I've discovered that bullying people seems to feel rather good. Let me bully you a little too. Of course, you can consider this a case of the strong preying on the weak."
Hearing this, Zhao Wuji immediately understood. He had only been too heavy-handed with one student during the day: Tang San, who had fought him one-on-one. The man before him should be Tang San's elder.
Thoughts flashed through Zhao Wuji's mind. The continent's Titled Douluos could be counted on one's fingers, and each had a well-known name. Based on the hammer in Tang Hao's hand, his Soul Ring Configuration, and Tang San's surname, Tang, he deduced that the man before him was none other than Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo whose name had shaken the continent back then.
Just as Zhao Wuji was about to say something, Tang Hao suddenly spoke. "Since you're here, come out. What difference does one or two make?"
With a flicker of movement, another person appeared beside Zhao Wuji. It was Flender, the dean of Shrek Academy. Seeing him arrive, Zhao Wuji's expression immediately relaxed somewhat.
"Greetings, Your Excellency Haotian." Flender bowed respectfully to Tang Hao.
The man in black said indifferently, "Spare me the nonsense and stand aside, or I'll beat you up too. Zhao Wuji, I'll give you a chance. I won't use my Martial Soul. If you can last against me for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, I'll leave immediately without another word. Otherwise, you must do something for me."
Hearing this, Flender, standing beside Zhao Wuji, immediately darted aside without a shred of loyalty, clearly intending to leave Zhao Wuji to his fate.
Zhao Wuji also understood that there was no escaping this ordeal. He could only face it alone. The Clear Sky Hammer in Tang Hao's hand and the nine Soul Rings around his body vanished simultaneously. The next instant, he was already in front of Zhao Wuji.
Bang, bang! Boom, boom! Aah-
The sounds of collisions, surging force, muffled grunts, and screams rose one after another through the woods.
There was no need to light an incense stick at all. The entire fight was over in just ten breaths.
Tang Hao stood with his hands behind his back as though nothing had happened. Not even a single crease had appeared in his black clothing.
Poor Zhao Wuji, meanwhile, lay sprawled on the ground. His head had swollen a full size larger, and both eyes had turned black. Blood streaked the corners of his mouth as he lay there, gasping for breath.
"Zhao Wuji, do you understand now?" the man in black said lightly.
Flender helped Zhao Wuji up from the ground. Zhao Wuji's face was filled with gratitude. "Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency Haotian."
Tang Hao nodded to the two of them. His lips moved as he said a few words in a low voice, then his figure flickered, and he silently vanished.
Flender supported Zhao Wuji back into Shrek Academy and asked what had brought this about...
(End of chapter)