Ma Hongjun was never a good person, and he never considered himself one.
You must know, in the original timeline, the reason Shrek Academy clashed with Blue Sunshine Academy was precisely because Ma Hongjun flirted with the female students of the other side!
If it weren't for this reason, the two sides wouldn't have formed a grudge.
Even after his evil fire was cured, Ma Hongjun still occasionally flirted with beauties. How could such a person be a good man?
He knew that Tang San had a Titled Douluo backing him, and that he and Flender were weak in comparison. They could only rely on the Spirit Hall to have a chance at eliminating Tang San and the people backing him!
Now, Ma Hongjun's mind was unusually calm. He was no longer as impulsive and reckless as before.
He had learned to consider the consequences.
This could be considered some growth, right?
Hearing these words, Flender fell into deep thought.
He had watched the match, but he hadn't thought about it in that way.
The original Tang San was unremarkable in appearance, looking just like an ordinary passerby.
Moreover, his martial spirit had greatly changed due to the spirit rings, turning purple and having barbs, a result of the mixed toxins from the spirit beasts he absorbed.
To be fair, Tang Yin was really handsome, though his demeanor was a bit lacking. Other than that, there was nothing wrong.
Among all the participants in the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, he was one of the most handsome.
His martial spirit was called Blue Silver Emperor, which looked like a variant of Blue Silver Grass, with blue and gold colors, the blue fringed with gold.
No matter how he looked at it, he didn't resemble Tang San!
But Ma Hongjun's words made Flender realize something.
Binding was equivalent to Blue Silver Binding, parasitism was still parasitism...
The third spirit ability was unknown, but it was probably correct.
The self-created spirit ability was exactly the same!
How could there be such coincidences in the world?
"Hongjun, you did very well."
"Remember, you must act like you don't know Tang San's true identity, and don't target or retaliate against him in the arena!"
Flender patted Ma Hongjun on the shoulder, his expression serious.
He feared that Ma Hongjun, due to his youthful impulsiveness, would take revenge on Tang San and further provoke him...
But to Flender's surprise, Ma Hongjun nodded.
"Teacher, I understand what you mean."
Ma Hongjun said earnestly.
Whatever happened, the Spirit Hall would handle it; they didn't need to show their faces.
If his strength allowed, Ma Hongjun wouldn't mind taking revenge personally, but the conditions didn't allow it...
His strength combined with his teacher Flender's strength wasn't enough to contend with that Titled Douluo.
In this situation, Ma Hongjun could only endure and lie low.
Hearing this, Flender was very relieved. It was good that Ma Hongjun understood; he was just afraid that Ma Hongjun wouldn't.
"Hongjun, you've grown up!"
Flender patted Ma Hongjun on the shoulder again, saying this with a gratified expression.
"Don't tell anyone about this. Now go back and cultivate well, prepare for the finals."
"I need to make a trip to the Pope's Palace, there's something I need to attend to..."
Flender said seriously.
"Yes, Teacher!"
Ma Hongjun responded and then took his leave, heading towards his dormitory.
As for Flender, he donned his Spirit Hall attire and headed towards the Pope's Palace.
Even though he had lost an arm, he was still a top-tier Soul Sage. Except for the red-robed bishops, elders, and consecrated ones, his status was still relatively high.
Along the way, Flender encountered almost no obstacles, only needing to report his arrival at the entrance of the Pope's Palace.
Inside the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong wore a puzzled expression, looking somewhat confused.
What was Flender's situation?
Why was he here again?
And what urgent matter could there be this time?
Bibi Dong genuinely had no idea.
"Let him in..."
In a moment, Flender entered the Pope's Palace. He had once felt uncomfortable saluting Bibi Dong, but now, he was used to it.
Without Bibi Dong, he and Ma Hongjun might very well be dead.
"Greetings, Your Holiness!"
This title was uttered with sincere respect.
"Rise. What is it?"
Bibi Dong spoke expressionlessly, her face exuding authority.
Only in front of Hu Liena would she show some restraint; everyone else saw her as the imposing Pope.
After rising, Flender kept his head lowered and said, "Your Holiness, I have discovered the whereabouts of Tang Hao's son, Tang San!"
At these words, Bibi Dong was visibly shaken.
The last time Flender reported, it was about the same thing: discovering the whereabouts of Tang Hao's son, Tang San...
Last time, it was considered "betraying" a teammate.
"If you had discovered the whereabouts of Yu Xiaogang, this Pope might have been happier."
Understanding that everything was just a ruse, the Rakshasa had revoked Yu Xiaogang's influence over Bibi Dong.
The current Bibi Dong was not the same as before.
Thinking this, Bibi Dong didn't voice her thoughts but asked, "Where?"
Killing Tang Hao would also be a way to avenge her pitiful teacher, Qian Xunji.
"Your Holiness, the student named Tang Yin from Blue Sunshine Academy is actually Tang San!"
Flender said firmly.
After saying this, he reiterated the "evidence."
After hearing Flender's explanation, Bibi Dong's eyebrows furrowed, and her face showed a slight twitch.
She had previously considered recruiting "Tang Yin" during the finals, but never expected that his true identity was actually Tang Hao's son, Tang San!
What a great guy, truly great!
Wait a minute, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Tang Hao...
As if realizing something, Bibi Dong's eyes lit up, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.
As long as they captured Tang San, Tang Hao would be secondary; they could use Tang San to lure out the one who escaped the net!
There might be other gains too!
Thinking this way, Tang San's value was indeed significant!
"From today onwards, you are promoted to a Red-robed Archbishop of the Spirit Hall!"
Hearing this, Flender's eyes lit up with surprise and joy—a great surprise indeed!
The subsequent matters were no longer their concern; the Spirit Hall would handle Tang San.
"Thank you, Your Holiness!"
"You may leave now; this Pope will issue an announcement shortly."
"Yes!"
Flender respectfully left the Pope's Palace.
Inside the palace, Bibi Dong's face was filled with undisguised joy.
Every bit of strength increased her chances of killing the Rakshasa God.
That main culprit was on her must-kill list!
If it weren't for the Rakshasa God, her life wouldn't be so miserable!
She wouldn't have killed her teacher, wouldn't have betrayed, wouldn't have neglected her daughter...
Wait, without the Rakshasa God's "assistance," she might not even have her daughter Qian Renxue!
Was this a good thing or a bad thing?