In a mountain forest.
Tang Hao carried Tang San to an ancient tree. Lin Chen's sword strike and the effects of Ring Detonation had aggravated his old injuries, greatly diminishing his strength.
Xiao Wu had been captured by Spirit Hall, and Tang San was in extremely low spirits. A trace of gloom showed on his pale face.
Tang Hao urged him in a low voice, "Focus on your cultivation. Once you're strong enough, you can take revenge on Spirit Hall."
"Why didn't you save Xiao Wu?" Blood streaked Tang San's face as he roared, "You're so powerful, so why didn't you save her?!"
Lin Chen's humiliation and Xiao Wu's capture had shattered the composure of Tang San, whose cultivation journey had always been incomparably smooth. He was a transmigrator, a dignified child of destiny. How could he possibly lose to a peer of much the same age?
He couldn't accept it!
Of course, the most important thing was that he had transmigrated here. Deep down, he had never regarded Tang Hao as his biological father. That was fine when nothing was wrong, but once trouble arose, it would become the fuse that set off a conflict...
"I'm sorry..." Tang Hao looked somewhat dejected as well. He didn't know that his own son had already died, and had continued to treat the present Tang San as his biological son:
"Xiao San, Spirit Hall is powerful, and I'm injured now. Getting you out was already the limit of what I could do."
"Cough, cough, cough..."
With that, he coughed violently several times and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Hearing Tang Hao's explanation, Tang San's frenzy gradually subsided. "Father, is your injury all right?"
At this moment, who besides Tang Hao could help him? So he had to rein in his temper and be a little more polite to Tang Hao, because he was afraid Tang Hao would stop looking after him.
This was a feeling only a father and son who were not related by blood would have. If they were truly father and son, and Tang San had nothing to hide, why would he overthink it?
Tang Hao shook his head. "I'm fine. That youngster from Spirit Hall only gave me some superficial wounds. What's really serious is my old injury from before. Forget it, let's not talk about that for now..."
"Xiao San, that boy Lin Chen is exceptionally gifted. He's accomplished so much at such a young age. Without a fortuitous encounter, I'm afraid you'll have a hard time catching up to him."
Tang San hurriedly asked, "Father, what should I do?"
Tang Hao slowly rose to his feet. "Come on. I'll personally guide your cultivation for the next few years, then take you to a few places..."
Spirit Hall, the main platform.
Bibi Dong wore a close-fitting purple dress, her beautiful, aloof face turned toward those below. "Everyone, this year's Advanced Soul Master Academy competition has come to a successful conclusion. The rewards will be presented shortly."
"Furthermore, I believe the situation in the Douluo Continent's cultivation world is growing increasingly serious, and the opposition between us human Soul Masters and Soul Beasts is becoming ever more severe. Therefore, I intend to hold a meeting tomorrow to discuss forming an alliance. I ask everyone... to please do me the honor of attending."
"You may leave now~"
"We respectfully see off His Holiness the Pope!"
"We respectfully see off His Holiness the Pope!"
Tang Hao had already been driven off, and Xiao Wu, a Soul Beast, had been captured, so Bibi Dong made no further attempt to wipe out the people from Shrek.
For Spirit Hall to unite the continent, it needed strength, but it also needed a good reputation!
"Xiao Wu... sob..." At the sight, the voluptuous Liu Erlong slumped straight to the ground. Her shoulders shook with sobs, and she wept like a pear blossom in the rain.
She was now nearly forty and had always been alone. Her career and academy were gone, she had thrown away her so-called lover, and her only goddaughter, Xiao Wu, had been captured by Spirit Hall.
What... could she do now?
Flender came over and offered a few words of comfort, but sadly, they had no effect. Liu Erlong remained silent for a long while before leaving alone.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang was still in a daze over the loss. He had spent a full several years preparing for this, only for all his efforts to fail just short of success. His frustration held a trace of disappointment, and his disappointment a trace of despair...
Flender came over and urged him, "Xiao Gang, Xiao Wu's been captured, and Erlong is feeling pretty low right now. Go comfort her."
Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "We'll talk about it later. Let me have some peace and quiet now..."
"Are you fucking dense?!" Flender couldn't stand it anymore and launched straight into a tirade. "Yu Xiaogang, you were the one who shamelessly got together with Erlong back then. I stepped aside for you out of kindness, for both your happiness and hers. If you don't fucking like her, why did you get involved with her?!"
"Getting involved with her was one thing, but you won't even take the most basic responsibility! How much has Erlong suffered over the past decade or more, and how much has she helped us?"
"And you?! All you know how to do is take and take, without taking any responsibility. Are you even a fucking man?!"
"You piece of trash, you coward!"
Yu Xiaogang's inaction had sent even the usually good-tempered Flender into a rage. He then left with Shrek's teachers and students.
Ma Hongjun looked at the scowling Flender, feeling extremely nervous. "Boss Dai, Third Brother isn't here. What do we do?"
Dai Mubai sighed softly. "This is a matter between the elders. What can I do?"
"Hmph~" Zhu Zhuqing snorted coldly, then left after saying one thing: "Men, not one of you is any good!"
Dai Mubai said, "Uh..."
The Hell Spirit Cat and the Evil Eyed White Tiger were a natural pair, and the two had trained together many times. Yet their fusion had actually failed during this competition, which was enough to prove that their relationship wasn't all that good...
The Lovesick Heartbreak Red had originally been given to Zhu Zhuqing first, but her feelings for Dai Mubai were complicated, so she had failed to make it acknowledge her as its master. Later, the Lovesick Heartbreak Red had willingly acknowledged Xiao Wu as its master.
Ma Hongjun gave him a slightly sympathetic glance, then an encouraging look, only to earn himself a thorough beating from Dai Mubai.
As for Ning Rongrong, Ning Fengzhi had called her back after the competition ended. Under Oscar's reluctant gaze, the two parted ways.
What neither of them knew was that this separation would be their last contact...
Thus, because of Lin Chen's appearance, the fates of all the Shrek Seven Devils had been affected. After today, they would each go their separate ways.
In the spectator stands.
After receiving a thorough scolding, Yu Xiaogang sat there in a daze. Regret, humiliation, anger, and despair filled his heart, and not a single person stood behind him...
Half an hour later, inside the Pope's Palace.
Bibi Dong sat upright on the papal throne, her legs crossed. Two elders stood respectfully on either side, while Lin Chen led this year's Spirit Hall team as they stood in the center of the hall.
"We owe this championship to the Emperor. Why don't we let the Emperor distribute the rewards this time?"
As soon as she finished speaking, the two elders eagerly chimed in, "The Emperor rendered indispensable service in the championship match. We second His Holiness the Pope's proposal."
Bibi Dong nodded her beautiful, aloof face. "Very well, bring them up~"
Buzz, buzz, buzz...
Before long, a golden-armored guard presented three precious Soul Bones.
The three Soul Bones gleamed as they hovered in the hall: a Head Soul Bone, a Right Leg Soul Bone, and a Left Arm Soul Bone.
Bibi Dong said softly, "Husband, you choose first~"