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In Spirit City.
The carriage carrying Tang San and the others continued to slowly weave through the streets until it arrived in front of a modest inn.
"Today, all of you rest well. Tonight, I need to meet someone alone."
As Yu Xiaogang spoke, he stepped down from the carriage. "Tomorrow, I'll take you to the largest soul battle arena in Spirit City."
"That place is filled with experts. It's an excellent opportunity to gain real combat experience and test your strength. It's also…"
"A great place to make a name for yourselves!"
With that, Yu Xiaogang's sharp gaze swept over Dai Mubai, Tang San, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar as they disembarked from the carriage one by one. "Do you have confidence?"
"Master, you can rest assured a hundred times over!"
Little fatty Ma Hongjun was the first to jump out, his face still brimming with excitement and confidence. He shouted loudly, "I've been itching to make my move for ages!"
"Those so-called talented soul masters are nothing compared to my Evil Fire Phoenix!"
"I'll show the world who truly possesses the number one beast-type spirit weapon!"
Tang San chimed in with equal confidence, "That's right! The students of Shrek Academy aren't pushovers!"
"Just like Fatty said…"
"This time at the soul battle arena, we'll make sure everyone remembers the name of Shrek Academy!"
Oscar nodded without saying a word, but his eyes gleamed with fierce determination.
Dai Mubai clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and gazed toward the north—the direction of his homeland, the Star Luo Empire.
Dai Chengfeng, Dai Weisi, both of you just wait!
Spirit City will be the first step in my rise to fame, Dai Mubai!
And Father, Mother!
You will regret it. Dai Weisi's innate talent is weaker than mine, and Dai Chengfeng stubbornly disregarded our ancestors' methods of obtaining spirit rings, exhausting his potential…
Only I, Dai Mubai!
In the future, I will prove that neither of them is better than me!
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang looked at his disciples and students, their confident expressions filling him with pride.
He nodded slightly and said, "Although in a place like Spirit City, you must always act cautiously. But you must also remember the motto of Shrek Academy…"
"Those who avoid trouble are mediocrities!"
Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun all shouted in unison, their voices resolute.
"Hahaha…"
Yu Xiaogang smiled in satisfaction, his eyes full of approval. "That's right!"
"Those who avoid trouble are mediocrities!"
Soon, the carriage moved on. The passersby around watched the departing carriage and spat disdainfully.
"What kind of reckless youngsters are these? They say avoiding trouble makes you mediocre—why didn't they shout at those soldiers at the city gates earlier?"
"Tsk, cowards who bully the weak and fear the strong!"
---
Meanwhile, in a side hall of the Pope's Palace.
Dai Chengfeng walked alone on the way back to his room, still pondering why Yu Xiaogang had suddenly come to Spirit City.
However, due to the lack of clues, Dai Chengfeng couldn't figure it out…
But he wasn't too concerned. As long as Yu Xiaogang hadn't come to beg Bibi Dong to deal with him, Dai Chengfeng didn't care what Yu Xiaogang was up to.
Soon, Dai Chengfeng arrived at his door and pushed it open.
"Chengfeng, you're back."
Dai Chengfeng saw his mother Zhu Hongxiu sitting in a chair, her eyes filled with warmth as she gazed at him. It seemed she had been waiting for him for some time.
"Mm, Mother, were you waiting for me?"
Zhu Hongxiu nodded and stood up. "There were outsiders earlier, and I wanted to talk to you about something personal."
As she spoke, she quickly walked up to Dai Chengfeng, examining him from head to toe and gently stroking his cheek. "Chengfeng, after so many years, you've really grown up, and you've become even more handsome."
"When I saw you earlier, I almost didn't recognize you. Who is this handsome young man?"
"Oh, it's my son…"
Dai Chengfeng looked at his mother, a gentle smile spreading across his face. He reached out and gently held his mother's hand. "Mother, I'm sorry for not returning home all these years. I've made you and Father worry."
"But I've learned a lot and grown a great deal while I was away…"
Zhu Hongxiu continued to gently stroke Dai Chengfeng's face. "Never mind all that. As long as it's your choice, Mother will support you unconditionally!"
"To see you achieve what you've achieved today, I am truly proud of you as your mother."
"You're amazing, just as I expected from my son!"
"When you left the Star Luo Empire, I worried that you would suffer hardships outside. Now I see that I underestimated you."
Dai Chengfeng looked at his mother's warm and proud expression, and a wave of warmth surged in his heart.
He knew that no matter where he was, his mother would always be the one who cared about him the most.
At this moment, Zhu Hongxiu seemed to recall something and smiled mischievously. "Oh, Chengfeng, you don't know…"
"A month ago, when your uncle told your father about your soul power and spirit ring levels, your father refused to believe it at first. It wasn't until Elder Dugu Bo personally confirmed it."
"Heehee, at that time, your father's mouth was wide enough to fit a fist inside."
"In fact, for several days afterward, he kept grinning foolishly and boasting to everyone about how accomplished and talented his son was!"
As she spoke, Zhu Hongxiu's eyes were full of pride.
Although Dai Chengfeng hadn't seen Emperor Dai An's expression, it wasn't hard to imagine. He couldn't help but laugh.
"So does Father still believe that the ancestral laws cannot be changed?"
Zhu Hongxiu shook her head. "Though your father may still put up a tough front outwardly, I know deep down he's probably thinking…"
"What nonsense are these ancestral laws? They almost ruined my son Chengfeng."
"In the future, he will surpass that ancestor! Heehee~"
Dai Chengfeng looked at his mischievous mother and shook his head, inwardly marveling that after all these years, she hadn't changed a bit.
Outwardly, he said, "When I get a chance to return to Star Luo City, I must see Father's expression in person. It will surely be amusing."
"Mm-hmm!"
Zhu Hongxiu nodded earnestly, looking at Dai Chengfeng with eyes full of anticipation. "There will be a day when that happens…"
Soon, Zhu Hongxiu calmed her excited emotions slightly and continued, "By the way, Chengfeng, regarding the whale jelly you mentioned to your uncle, your father has secretly begun purchasing it across the entire continent."
"Due to the need for absolute secrecy, the process has been somewhat slow."
"But I believe it won't be long before nearly all the top-quality whale jelly on the continent is monopolized."
"And about the matter you mentioned in your letter—to establish a separate Star Luo Medicine College for Elder Ye Renxin—everything was already in preparation before I left. All matters are proceeding smoothly."
"I believe that within a year or two, recruitment can begin."
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