Failure

The next day, in the lounge.

Wang Xingyu sat in the corner, a noticeable bump on his head, slowly healing himself with Blue Silver Grass.

Xiao Wu saw it as soon as she entered the door, quickly walked over, bent down and stared at his forehead. "Xingyu, what happened to your head? Did something hit you?"

"It's nothing," Wang Xingyu said while receiving treatment. "Someone just threw something at me, and I didn't catch it."

He silently added in his mind, "Tang Hao's aim is terrible."

The Grandmaster stood at the front, holding the match data for this round. "This match is between the Canghui Academy."

Flender, unusually present, adjusted his glasses, his tone tinged with doubt. "That's strange, we haven't seen Shi Nian. Are they afraid?"

"We cannot let our guard down." The Grandmaster shook his head. "Canghui Academy has already lost three matches. Either they will concede directly, or they will reveal all their trump cards in this match."

"That's true. I'm just afraid Shi Nian be up to something in the shadows."

Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Wang Xingyu exchanged glances, but none of them spoke. They knew perfectly well what had happened that Shi Nian, and everyone present would certainly help keep it a secret, but there was no need to say more.

The Grandmaster glanced around at the crowd. "Who wants to participate in this round?"

Wang Xingyu was the first to speak, "The opponent's teacher is Shi Nian, so he'll definitely have illusion-based techniques. Little San is perfect against illusions, so Little San has to participate. I won't participate."

Oscar was about to raise his hand, but after hearing this, he withdrew it. If Wang Xingyu didn't participate, his wireless artillery duo couldn't get going, so he simply took a break as well. Seeing this, Xiao Wu leaned back against the wall, too lazy to move.

The Grandmaster nodded. "Then this match will feature Tai Long, Huang Yuan, Jing Ling, Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Ma Hongjun."

The match began. As expected, Canghui Academy pulled out its trump card, just like in the original story—not Martial Soul Fusion Skill, but Seven-in-One Fusion Skill. Seven beams of light lit up simultaneously on the arena, their seven-colored radiance bursting forth and enveloping the entire arena in a dazzling light curtain.

Half a minute later, the light faded. Fourteen people lay sprawled on the arena. All seven members of Canghui Academy were on the ground, while Tang San of Shrek Academy slowly got up and stood up.

The referee paused for several seconds before finding his voice. "Although it's surprising, Shrek Academy... Shrek Academy wins!"

The Shrek team rushed onto the stage and hurriedly helped their teammates down. Dai Mubai and Zhao Wuji supported Tai Long and the other two, Oscar helped Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu helped Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun was dragged to the edge of the stage by Wang Xingyu, his head drooping, seemingly unconscious.

A murmur rippled through the audience—was it a victory or a lose-lose situation?

But as soon as they stepped off the stage and into the passage, all six of them woke up.

As Wang Xingyu was supporting Ma Hongjun, the fat man suddenly lowered his voice and whispered in his ear, "Brother Yu, did you already know?"

"What do you know?"

Ma Hongjun opened his mouth, wanting to ask why something happened the moment he didn't participate, but this was probably just a coincidence. "... Never mind. I'll just say one thing— Third Brother really goes all out; it hurt like hell."

The six were sent back to the academy to "recover," and Tang San returned to the rest room. Grandmaster, Flender, and Liu Erlong were there, along with Wang Xingyu, Xiao Wu, and Dai Mubai.

"What happened?" the Grandmaster asked in a deep voice.

Tang San briefly recounted what had happened. "The enemy used Seven-in-One Fusion Skill to pull the seven of us into an illusion. I used my Purple Demon Eye to see through the core of the illusion, and the illusion backfired, trapping them within themselves."

Liu Erlong nodded. "I see."

Flender had just returned from the rest area of the Canghui Academy, his expression somewhat subtle. "I just checked on their condition—they're probably beyond saving."

Xiao Wu was stunned for a moment. "Huh? So they've become idiots?"

Dai Mubai looked at Tang San and gave him a thumbs up. "Little San, you're ruthless."

The Grandmaster was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, "This move was also aimed at us. If the illusion hadn't been broken, those lying there would be our people. They deserved it."

He changed the subject, his brow furrowing, "But we need to figure out how to handle the investigation first."

Flender waved his hand dismissively. "Simple, just pretend you don't know anything. You know nothing, just like everyone else here."

Liu Erlong smiled and said, "We'll listen to Boss Fu; he's good at this kind of thing."

The Grandmaster remained skeptical. He pondered for a moment, "If it were someone else, this explanation might have worked. But Bishop Salas is very hostile towards us and probably won't let this go easily. It all depends on whether he'll give me some face."

Wang Xingyu stood up from the sofa. "It's alright, Grandmaster. You don't need to give me face. My face is enough."

Flender found it both strange and amusing. "Oh? Then I'd like to see how you intend to use your influence."

As expected, less than two minutes after he finished speaking, Zhao Wuji pushed open the door and rushed in. "Dean, the organizing committee members have arrived. It's Ning Fengzhi and Salas."

Flender snorted and stood up, "Alright, let's go meet them. Little San, you wait here, go when they call you." After saying that, he led Grandmaster and Liu Erlong out of the lounge, with Wang Xingyu following behind.

The four entered the room, which was a spacious conference room. At the end of the long table sat Salas and Ning Fengzhi. Salas had a gloomy expression, while Ning Fengzhi had his legs crossed and looked calm.

Before Salas could speak, Flender interrupted, his voice rising sharply. "Lord Salas! What on earth is going on? Our Shrek children are all seriously injured and lying on the ground! What exactly is that Seven Fusion Technique they're talking about? I strongly suspect they cheated! I implore you to investigate!"

Salas was momentarily speechless at this barrage of retorts, his expression darkening further. He scoffed, "Flender, don't play dumb with me. All I know is that you're the only Shrek student standing here."

Flender spread his hands, his expression incredibly innocent. "Sir, you have to be reasonable, sir, you're an adult now, sir. This is clearly the effect of the opponent's Soul Skill, how would we know?"

Salas was caught off guard by this barrage of questions, but having spent most of his life in the Spirit Hall, he quickly regained his composure.

He glanced around. "Flender, six seriously injured, and isn't there still one standing? I'm definitely going to question that guy." He raised his chin, his tone growing increasingly impatient. "And what are you doing bringing a child here? Hey, kid, what are you laughing at?"

Wang Xingyu was watching with great interest— Flender's performance was absolutely brilliant; when it came to being a rogue, the Dean was definitely at the level of Titled Douluo. He tried to suppress his smile several times, but ultimately couldn't.

"That's a really lewd laugh. If you laugh again, get out," Salas said coldly.

Wang Xingyu's smile froze on his face. Across from him Ning Fengzhi paused, his hand holding the teacup twitching almost imperceptibly, and he couldn't help but laugh.

Wang Xingyu fell silent. He just wanted to put on a good show.

He took out a token from his Storage Soul Tool and casually tossed it towards Salas.

The token flew in a straight line and struck Salas squarely on the forehead with a crisp, clear crack.

Salas frantically grabbed the object that had hit him, a red mark appearing on his forehead. He sprang up from his chair, his voice cracking. "You kid! You dare hit me? This is an attack on the Spirit Hall!"

Ning Fengzhi put down his teacup, his gaze falling on the token in the man's hand. His pupils contracted slightly, and his tone suddenly became very subtle. "Bishop, why don't you take a look... at what you're holding?"

Salas paused for a moment, then lowered his head and opened his palm. The token was small, with a crown, shield, and sword on it.

His expression shifted several times in an instant, from anger to shock to stiffness, and his voice even changed tone. "This is Pope Token! Where did you get this Pope Token?"

Wang Xingyu looked at him, his tone slightly angry. "What's it to you where I came from? Who did you just tell to get lost? Say it again."

Salas's fingers trembled slightly as he held the Pope Token. He paused for two seconds, then bent down and handed the token back with both hands.

"I'm leaving, sir. Please take the token back."