Inside the Shrek Academy.
In the dean's office.
Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong, Flender, and Zhao Wuji were gathered around the round table, all with serious expressions.
"Looking at the current situation, making it to the finals shouldn't be difficult, but winning first place... it might be a bit challenging," Yu Xiaogang analyzed.
After the past few months, he had finally adjusted his mindset. People like Li Yu were truly rare monsters…
As he thought about it, a figure suddenly flashed in his mind: Tang San, who had returned once but left hastily without seeing him. Tang San, despite the brief interaction, showed off his black fourth soul ring. Tang San, too, could be considered a monster!
That was his disciple!
Yu Xiaogang felt a sense of pride. He already imagined how glorious it would be when Tang San led Shrek to victory, and he could announce to the world that his theories were correct!
Thus, he was very focused and confident right now. He needed to win. He had to secure the best configuration for Shrek! This was his proving ground!
Meanwhile, Flender and the others were listening intently, happy to see Yu Xiaogang regain his confidence. However, finding replacements for Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong wasn't going to be easy.
Jiang Zhu, Tai Long, Jing Ling, and Huang Yuan were good, but compared to Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others, they were still far behind.
Zhao Wuji wasn't very thoughtful and just nodded along.
Liu Erlong's expression was more complicated. After witnessing Zhu Zhuqing courage, she was clearly struggling.
Stay? She had grievances.
Leave? She was unwilling.
The endless inner conflict made her appear indifferent. She was exhausted.
"Erlong, about Zhu Zhuqing..."
Yu Xiaogang suddenly turned to Liu Erlong. "As a woman, maybe you can convince her better. When we're young, we often act impulsively. Maybe she has already figured things out!"
"Her and Mubai martial soul fusion skill is crucial for our team!"
"..."
Liu Erlong suddenly felt annoyed when she heard Yu Xiaogang.
Convince Zhu Zhuqing to come back?
Even if she succeeded, wouldn't it be pushing her into the fire?
Dai Mubai, a guy who couldn't even control his own pants, was worth Zhu Zhuqing trust?
"Enough!"
Liu Erlong suddenly exploded.
She stood up, her Fire red soul power surged, and the table cracked with a single slap.
"Erlong..."
Yu Xiaogang and the others were bewildered, not understanding why Liu Erlong suddenly lost her temper.
Liu Erlong immediately realized she had overreacted and calmed herself. "I just think you're all too focused on the soul master competition rankings!"
"This isn't good!"
"And everyone has their own choices!"
"What kind of person is Dai Mubai? You three know better than me. Is someone like him worth Zhu Zhuqing trust?"
"Are we really throwing our morals away just for the sake of a competition ranking?"
After saying this, Liu Erlong turned to leave the room.
Then, she suddenly stopped and turned back. "And don't you remember what the damage report from Qianyu Academy said?"
"And did they not pay their tuition?"
After that, she left the room without looking back.
Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged glances and fell silent.
Of course, they had paid the tuition.
They had even made a great deal of money through the soul fighting matches.
They were well aware of the contents of the damage report.
Originally, they had prepared to be heavily gouged, but the report sent by Cai Xu had only one sentence: "Every penny is exempt, to repay Zhu Zhuqing cultivation favor."
The meaning was clear.
Using "every penny" to describe what they had expected to be "heavily gouged" was a sarcastic jab.
And "to repay Zhu Zhuqing cultivation favor" marked the complete end of any further connection between Shrek and Zhu Zhuqing.
From now on, Shrek could never again use that excuse.
Yu Xiaogang face stiffened when he heard this. Then, he suddenly roared, "Are you looking down on me too? Do you think my theory is wrong?"
Liu Erlong's body trembled, but she didn't stop.
"I'm talking to you, Liu Erlong!"
"Can't you hear me? What are you pretending to be, deaf?"
"You're looking down on me, all of you are looking down on me, you think my theories are all crap, don't you!"
"Tang San... Yes... Tang San, his fourth soul ring is also a ten thousand-year black soul ring. He's my disciple! I trained him! Doesn't that prove my theory is correct?"
"You... you shortsighted people, how could you understand how great my theories are!"
"This is a great discovery that will advance the entire soul master world!"
"You don't understand, you don't understand at all!"
Yu Xiaogang screamed hysterically, his eyes red.
"Xiaogang!"
Flender and Zhao Wuji hurriedly stood up, with Flender trying to stop him.
Liu Erlong, after hearing these words, felt a sting in her eyes. Her voice choked as she said, "You've really disappointed me."
After saying that, she didn't stay any longer.
Yu Xiaogang was struck as if hit by lightning, acting almost insane.
Just then…
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Suddenly, applause echoed through the room. Everyone was startled, cold sweat breaking out on their backs.
"Who's there?!"
Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Liu Erlong immediately released their soul power.
Who could enter Shrek Academy so silently and without them noticing? And from the sound of the applause, it was clear that the intruder had heard everything they discussed!
They immediately extended their full senses, but couldn't sense where the applause was coming from, nor where the person was.
The three of them exchanged glances and quickly gathered together, protecting Yu Xiaogang in the middle.
Could it be a Title Douluo?
That was the thought that flashed through their minds.
"Ho ho ho, what a show!"
"Truly eye-opening. A second-ring trash, yet they can speak so boldly in front of three Spirit Saints!"
"How pitiful, still feeling aggrieved!"
"Who is this spoiled child, that you all dote on so much?"
Li Yu voice, processed and echoed.
Since Tang San had returned to Shrek, Li Yu didn't want to reveal himself yet. He planned to give Tang San and Tang Hao a big surprise at the Soul Master Competition.
And he had heard everything Yu Xiaogang said.
Talking about bringing back Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing…
Tsk tsk, no shame at all.
However, after this reminder, he recalled Xiao Wu existence. During his time of weakness, Xiao Wu had contacted him, but he couldn't respond, so it was left unresolved.
Later, he had forgotten about it.
Now, after this event, he decided to sense Xiao Wu position.
To his surprise, Xiao Wu was in Heaven Dou City!