The End of a Friendship (Two-in-One)

Of all martial arts techniques in the world, none are invincible except for speed.

Chen Mo's choice for Zhu Zhuqing was speed.

Now, Zhu Zhuqing, combined with the Phantom Nine Transformations and the inherent characteristics of the Hell Spirit Cat, is moving at an astonishing speed.

Furthermore, because of the Blood Refiner System for body tempering and Foundation Establishment, Zhu Zhuqing was able to withstand greater pressure, thus her burst speed was even faster.

Although Zhu Zhuqing is currently only a level 30 Soul Grandmaster with two Soul Ring, no one below the Soul King can keep up with her speed in the Soul Fighting Arena.

Although he still loses more often than he wins in Soul Emperor level Soul Fighting, he has maintained a 100% winning streak at Soul King and below, making him even stronger than Lin Yaodong in the past.

Initially, some mid-to-upper-level forces had their eyes on them, but after some investigation, they were disheartened. Fortunately, they didn't make a move, otherwise the whole family would have been hanging on telephone poles.

On the other side, Shrek Academy.

Flender, his face full of worry, said to the gloomy Yu Xiaogang, "Xiaogang, forget it. Let's just give up on the Soul Master Tournament. I know you want to prove yourself, but it's too dangerous. If those people have murderous intentions towards Shrek, no one will dare to stop them."

Flender gazed at the sky, his eyes filled with sorrow and sadness, and continued slowly, "Shrek Academy, let's just disband it!"

Yu Xiaogang had long lost his usual composure and calmness; his face was contorted with an indescribable ferocity as he stared intently at the list of academy and team members.

At this moment, Yu Xiaogang was staring intently at the Moon Shadow Wind Spirit Academy and the Pretty Girl Team founded by Chen Mo.

Lin Yaodong: Damn it! Did you even consider my feelings? I, the Saber Emperor Lin Yaodong, am a prominent figure throughout the entire Douluo Continent!

The team has seven members: Dean Chen Mo, Vice Dean Lin Yaodong, teachers Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Xiao Wu, and students Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong.

Yes, everyone else just has their students go on stage, but wow, they're special—even the dean and teachers are personally taking the stage.

This naturally caused dissatisfaction among many people, but no one dared to say anything. After all, there was no rule prohibiting teachers and deans from participating. Any high-level Soul Master Academy student under the age of 25 could participate.

Coupled with Chen Mo's powerful background, no one dared to mess with her.

Originally, the Spirit Hall intended to offer three Soul Bone as a reward for the first place winner of the Soul Master Tournament, but after seeing the Moon Shadow Wind Spirit Academy...

The next day, the Spirit Hall announced: Someone had spread rumors that the Pope of the Spirit Hall would reward the first place winner with three Soul Bone. This person had ulterior motives and has been brought to justice by the Spirit Hall.

We hope that all Soul Master on the mainland will not create, believe, or spread rumors...

Yu Xiaogang had openly objected to the Moon Shadow Wind Spirit Academy's alleged irregularities, but all he received in return Byakugan and glares from others, as if to say, "You really think you're something special, huh?"

Yu Xiaogang: Lin Yaodong, Ning Rongrong, why are you always haunting me? What heinous thing have I done? Why are you always going against me?

Seeing that Yu Xiaogang was acting strangely, Flender, leaning on his cane, slowly walked to his side and patted him on the shoulder.

"Forget it, let's just leave it at that!"

Yu Xiaogang let out a low growl, "No! We haven't even started yet, how can we admit defeat?"

Flender looked at the increasingly unfamiliar Yu Xiaogang, feeling more Xiaogang more confused and disappointed: Xiaogang, where has your composure and calmness gone? Why have you become like this?

I didn't believe Qin Ming when he first said that about you, and I gave him a good scolding. But now it seems he was right; Xiaogang really does seem to have changed.

What happened to you during the time I entrusted the academy to you? Why did you become like this?

After fulfilling his promise to Yu Xiaogang Yu Xiaogang Liu Erlong Liu Erlong, Flender spent his days drinking and drowning his sorrows, leaving the academy in their hands. This was partly to support the couple, and partly to pave the way for his own retirement. He would leave after this year's Soul Master Tournament, and the academy would be completely handed over to the couple.

Flender was furious. "Is this a matter of winning or losing? This is a matter of life and death! Don't forget, Tang San almost killed Lin Yaodong. If Lin Yaodong finds out, not only Tang San, but we will all die. Lin Yaodong might be on his way to kill us right now."

Xiaogang, wake up!

Yu Xiaogang retorted, unconvinced, "Given his reputation, if he really wanted to cause us trouble, he could easily summon countless people to come and cause us trouble just to curry favor with him."

"Our Shrek Academy has been established for almost two years. If he wanted revenge, he would have come long ago."

Flender said with some heartache, "You're gambling! Gambling that Lin Yaodong won't attack us during the Soul Master Tournament, but if you lose, do you know what the consequences will be?"

Yu Xiaogang did not answer. Of course he knew what the consequences would be. If he lost the bet, his disciple Tang San would die, and the Shrek team would also be in mortal danger.

Driven by his own ambition and to prove himself, Yu Xiaogang was indeed gambling with everyone's lives.

So Yu Xiaogang remained silent, because he was indeed very selfish in this matter.

Seeing that Yu Xiaogang remained silent, Flender continued, "I will make the decision on this matter. Shrek will withdraw from this Soul Master Tournament. For those who wish to stay at the Shrek Branch Academy, I will explain to Senior Meng Shenji that I believe they will be given a good outcome."

Shrek, let's call it a day!

As he finished speaking, Flender's voice was low and hoarse; disbanding Shrek was more painful for him than for anyone else.

Upon hearing that Flender wanted to disband Shrek, Yu Xiaogang shouted, "No, I disagree!"

Flender looked Lengleng at Yu Xiaogang: "Don't forget, I am the dean of the Shrek Academy. Everything at Shrek is decided by me. You are just the acting dean."

"You!"

Yu Xiaogang was speechless, his hands clenched into fists, his mind replaying Flender's words.

He is the dean, he is the dean, he is the dean...

We're sworn brothers! What's yours is mine, how can you say something like that?

Yu Xiaogang sneered, "What kind of dean are you? Have you managed Shrek in the past two years? It's me who's been managing Shrek Academy, Shrek students, and improving Shrek's strength. And you? Where have you been? All you do is get drunk every day."

Two years. Do you know how we've spent these two years?

Do you even know what the students are thinking? Do you think I'm the only one who wants to participate in the Soul Master Tournament? The students have been training hard for two years, all for today's Soul Master Tournament! You take away all their hard work with just a "for your own good" excuse. What kind of dean are you?

Besides, in battles between Soul Master, how can there be Immortality deaths? You can protect them for a while, but can you protect them forever?"

After saying that, Flender and Yu Xiaogang stared at each other intently, while Liu Erlong on the side was extremely anxious.

Liu Erlong stood between the two, trying to stop them, saying, "What are you doing? You're brothers, why are you making such a scene?"

Soon, with Liu Erlong's mediation, the two sat down again and calmly discussed the matter.

Liu Erlong has witnessed Yu Xiaogang Yu Xiaogang's changes since he became the Shrek. Although she was sometimes disappointed, she didn't want to interfere because she found that while Yu Xiaogang was becoming more and more unfamiliar, he was also becoming closer and closer to her.

Liu Erlong loved Yu Xiaogang too much, which is why she repeatedly indulged him, letting him become trapped in the swamp of power and unable to extricate himself, because this way she could better keep him by her side.

It can be said that she deserves some credit for Yu Xiaogang becoming what he is today.

This Soul Master Tournament is a great opportunity for Xiaogang to prove himself, so she firmly stands on Yu Xiaogang's side. If Shrek is really disbanded as Boss Fu said, Xiaogang will probably never be as close to her as he is now. So no matter what, she has to persuade Boss Fu.

Shrek must participate in the Soul Master Tournament, and Liu Erlong will do her best to satisfy Xiao Xiaogang's every wish.

Liu Erlong: "I think Xiaogang is right. The students have trained so hard for so long, isn't it all to prove themselves in the Soul Master Tournament?"

Besides, if Lin Yaodong and his men really wanted to find us, what difference would it make whether we stayed here or went into seclusion? They could still find us. With their influence, if they really wanted to attack us, we would be dead long ago. How could we have survived until now?

Flender glanced at Liu Erlong, then at Yu Xiaogang.

Everything has changed, everything has changed, you've all changed.

Given Lin Yaodong's current influence in mainland China, if he wanted to kill someone, he could simply leak a word, and someone would quickly offer that person's head to Lin Yaodong. It's just that Lin Yaodong has never done that.

Some of Lin Yaodong's enemies had managed to escape from Lin Yaodong, but after hiding for a while, they found that Lin Yaodong hadn't come looking for them. Then one day, they happened to run into Lin Yaodong, and before they could even react, Lin Yaodong killed them with a single blow.

At this point, everyone knew that Lin Yaodong wasn't forgiving; he was just too lazy to seek revenge.

If you offend Lin Yaodong, just avoid Lin Yaodong from now on and don't show up in front of Lin Yaodong. Lin Yaodong won't go out of his way to cause trouble for you.

However, if you happen to run into Lin Yaodong, you're doomed.

Flender didn't believe that Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong were unaware of these things, but they still did it anyway. That's why Flender felt they had changed, become so unfamiliar, and so selfish.

Flender felt a chill run through him.

"Ha ha ha ha..."

Flender burst into loud laughter, tears streaming from the corners of his eyes; at that moment, his heart was filled with utter desolation.

Flender said coldly, "Although you've made your decision, Tang San Mubai haven't. I can't control you, but they are all my students. No one can decide for them whether they go or not. I can't, and neither can you!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaogang could only sneer inwardly. With Liu Erlong's help, given Flender's temperament, it was clear that he couldn't stop them, and in the end, he would definitely let the students make their own decisions.

But I'm sorry, Boss Fu, I already took care of those students before I came here. Shrek is definitely going to the Soul Master Tournament.

Finally, when he learned that every member of the Shrek Team had decided to participate in the Soul Master Tournament, Boss Fu fell silent.

However, he still gleaned some information from Ma Hongjun and Oscar's eyes: Yu Xiaogang had instructed them to do this, and the reason was likely related to him.

Actually, Flander's guess was pretty accurate. Yu Xiaogang told Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar that Flander would leave after the Soul Master Competition, and the three of them wanted to participate in the competition to get a good result as a farewell gift for Dean Flander, even if it meant risking their lives.

Flender: Xiaogang, Xiaogang, I never thought you'd even scheme against me. It seems our brotherhood is coming to an end.

Finally, Shrek decided to participate in the Soul Master Tournament.

However, Flender left Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong with a message: "Soul Master Tournament, don't come looking for me again. Our brotherhood is over!"

On the Soul Master Tournament.

All the high-level Soul Master Academy and their respective teams have gathered together.

The once-destroyed Heaven Dou City has long been restored to its original appearance, and is even more magnificent and splendid than before.

Over a million people came to watch the Soul Master Tournament. The scene was incredibly impressive, a sea of people, nothing but heads.

Aside from a few people who can watch the Soul Master Tournament up close, most people can only watch the tournament from outside via a screen.

"Now, please welcome His Majesty Emperor Qinghe of the Heaven Dou Empire to declare the opening of this competition~~~"

The emcee on the VIP platform announced in a loud voice.

Afterwards, Qian Renxue amplified her voice throughout the entire venue using Amplifying Soul Tool.

"I, Xue Qinghe, Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire and the organizers of this competition, hereby declare the Pan- Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament open."

Lei Dong applause and cheers erupted from the crowd.

The people of the Heaven Dou Empire truly loved and respected this newly enthroned emperor. Under his sweeping reforms, many policies benefiting the people were implemented, and numerous measures were taken within the empire to combat various illegal and criminal activities such as bandits, robbers, thieves, and murder.

Ordinary people and low-level Soul Master are handled by Imperial soldiers, while high-level Soul Master are mainly dealt with by the Spirit Hall, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and other Soul Master forces.

For a time, no one in the Heaven Dou Empire picked up lost items on the road, and the people lived in peace and prosperity.

At the same time, the Heaven Dou Empire vigorously expanded its mining industry, developed agriculture, confiscated the properties of many deceased nobles, and distributed farmland to displaced people and bankrupt poor people, allowing them to live and work in peace.

To get rich, build roads first. Qian Renxue ordered the construction of highways throughout the country, which would facilitate her control over the empire and enrich the people. The only thing that would be harmed was the interests of the nobles, since most of the money came from them. However, with the death of the great nobles, the lesser nobles also suffered heavy losses. Even if they wanted to stop it, they were powerless to do so.

This was all thanks to Chen Mo's Apollo at the time; otherwise, it would have taken Qian Renxue at least ten years to tame those noble forces, and it could only be implemented in certain places. In some places, imperial power still did not extend to the countryside, so it was not as easy as it is now, where no one dared to disobey with a single order.

At the same time, in order to suppress the nobility, Qian Renxue promoted a large number of commoners, and many grassroots officials were no longer low-ranking nobles, but commoners.

Perhaps the aristocratic class will regain its power in the future, but at least for now, while Qian Renxue is still around, she calls the shots in the Heaven Dou Empire.